Florida woman's plea: Don't misuse anti-diabetic drugs for weight loss as supplies dwindle

Danielle Payton, 33, is recognized as being among one of the longest-treated patients with Victoza, an early forerunner to Ozempic and Wegovy. She embarked upon her journey with injections in 2014 as a preventative measure against Type 2 diabetes.

At that juncture, Payton weighed 207 lbs, was prediabetic, and had her heart set on a breast reduction surgery. Her doctor warned that if she failed to lose weight, diabetes would extend her existing list of chronic diseases, and her desired surgery would be ruled out.

A fundamental prerequisite for her surgery was a weight loss of 20 kilograms, roughly 44 lbs. Her doctor prescribed anti-diabetic injections designed to aid in weight loss. However, weight loss was merely a secondary advantage, the primary objective was diabetes prevention.

Danielle Payton could scarcely have predicted that in this day, her weight would alternate between 119 to 128 lbs.

Understanding How Anti-diabetic Injections Function

Victoza received endorsement from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010, for treating adults with Type 2 diabetes. The drug operates by binding to the GLP-1 receptor, inciting hormones that retards digestion and suppresses appetite.

Nonetheless, there is scarce data concerning the long-term implications of such medications. Moreover, none of them have regulatory approval for weight loss purposes.

A Case Study of Gradual Weight Loss

Pertaining to Danielle Payton, the weight loss process was undertaken progressively. A span of seven months resulted in a decrease of 15 kilograms, approximately 33 lbs. Her current weight, less than 40 kilograms or around 88 lbs from her initial weight, was achieved after seven years.

In order to avert diabetes, her lifetime commitment will necessitate daily injections.

Victoza is woven into the fabric of my daily routine, and this routine is critical to halting disease progression. Even though it's challenging, it's what keeps me alive - Danielle concedes, divulging that she is dependent on a dozen other daily medications for managing various chronic conditions. She staunchly resists the addition of diabetes into the mix.

The Shift in Dietary Regime Post-Injections

Without making deliberate alterations to her eating regimen, Danielle observed a transformation in her palate after initiating treatment, leading her to select bizarre combinations.

After receiving my first shot, it felt akin to being pregnant. All I craved were pickles, green juices, and the strangest flavors that were foreign to my tastes before. The injection modified my perception of food attractiveness, whilst concurrently curbing my appetite - Danielle recalls.

Alongside the strange cravings, she faced constipation, instances of nausea, and vomiting. Currently, these symptoms and weird cravings have vanished, supplanted by more balanced dietary habits. Rather than succumbing to urges and snacking, she eats only when hunger calls.

In periods of injection shortages at pharmacies, she experienced a few months of unavailability. That void led to a weight gain of approximately 13 lbs.

A Plea to Weight Loss Seekers

A substantial number of individuals employ injections exclusively for weight loss. However, supplies in pharmacies are dwindling.

This drug presents a viable solution for individuals suffering from diabetes or prediabetes. However, I implore those who take this drug purely for weight loss to take heed. Please, acknowledge that this medication is essential for some of us, supply is diminishing. Please don't rob us of our necessity. There are abundant alternatives to weight loss - Danielle advocates.