Do you know analysis has proven the danger of getting kind 2 diabetes is almost 10 occasions increased for ladies who’ve had gestational diabetes throughout being pregnant (in comparison with ladies who haven’t had gestational diabetes)?
The SWEET Examine is a analysis research to study if a once-a-week drugs, known as Ozempic, will help ladies eliminate prediabetes and have wholesome blood sugar ranges after a being pregnant with gestational diabetes.
SWEET Examine participant Erica is sharing her journey via the SWEET Examine in hopes that those that might qualify might be a part of her on a well being journey. Study extra in regards to the research or see if you happen to qualify by clicking right here.
Week of April 1 – Meet Erica!
Nicely, hey! My title is Erica and I’m collaborating within the SWEET Examine at Girl’s Hospital.
What’s the SWEET Examine, you ask?
In layman’s phrases, this can be a research for ladies with pre-diabetes who just lately had gestational diabetes to see if a medication known as semaglutide (Ozempic) can normalize blood sugars and forestall kind 2 diabetes. The research takes as much as eight months to finish and follows some ladies on energetic Ozempic and a few on a placebo. The enjoyable half is that neither the take a look at topics nor the analysis workforce will know if the participant will obtain the placebo. Ultimately, researchers will examine the outcomes of the 2 take a look at teams to indicate whether or not Ozempic is profitable in serving to management the blood sugar of this explicit group of ladies.
I obtained my first batch of injections on Monday, March 20!
Observe me to listen to all about my expertise on this trial and the way my journey goes.
Let the journey start!
Week of April 10 – The SWEET Screenings
Let’s begin from the start.
How did I study in regards to the research and the screening course of?
The primary qualification to take part within the SWEET Examine is having had gestational diabetes throughout at the very least one being pregnant. I had it with each of my pregnancies and was prescribed Metformin to manage my insulin ranges. I wouldn’t name both of my pregnancies enjoyable, nevertheless it was past value it for my lovely household.
The primary time I heard about this research was via an electronic mail from Girl’s Hospital. I had signed up for notifications for analysis participation alternatives up to now, hoping to make some additional money. Once I learn the outline of the research and the required standards that the individuals wanted to satisfy, it described the right probability for me to assist make a distinction — and naturally, the additional money didn’t damage.
One other qualification to take part within the research is that you simply can’t be breastfeeding. Once I first came upon in regards to the research in July 2021, I used to be nonetheless completely pumping for my son Ezra, in order that first screening name ended shortly.
On Jan. 23, 2022, I spoke with Bri on the analysis workforce, and we arrange my first screening go to. I obtained off of Metformin which took 4 weeks to “wash” off. At present, I’m on contraception and Effexor that are each accredited to take whereas collaborating within the research. The truth is, contraception is essential as they have no idea the affect that Ozempic has on being pregnant.
Screenings:
February 20, 2022 – Preliminary Screening through Cellphone
Bri went over the knowledgeable consent type with me, which is a full breakdown of how each go to will go and what will probably be anticipated of me all through the research. Moreover, she additionally shared the advantages that the outcomes of this research may present. That is after I began desirous about why I needs to be a take a look at topic for this analysis.
Details I Discovered About Gestational Diabetes:
- Ladies who expertise gestational diabetes have a a lot increased probability of growing kind 2 diabetes.
- That probability grows with every affected being pregnant.
Researchers’ Objectives:
- The researchers hope to indicate that Ozempic will help preserve wholesome sugar ranges in these moms.
My Fears for the Trial:
- Considerations about whether or not I’ll have the ability to be constant & keep it up for such an extended stretch of time.
- I don’t wish to disappoint anybody or stretch myself too skinny.
- I had additionally heard about among the troublesome unwanted side effects of Ozempic and anxious about how that may have an effect on my means to perform as a mother and worker at full capability.
In the end, I prayed exhausting about it and felt this was a possibility for myself and plenty of moms to return to be the perfect model of ourselves!
My Hopes for the Trial:
- The potential of having additional assist to get my well being in verify, plus making some additional money, was the largest motivator to be concerned.
- That is my probability to do one thing for myself. I wish to be wholesome and really feel good to get pleasure from this life with my children!
- Serving to moms stay longer, more healthy, extra energetic lives for his or her kids was a possibility I felt blessed to be part of.
I couldn’t care much less what dimension garments I’m in, as a result of let’s be trustworthy: I’m nice it doesn’t matter what. However I’m drained, I ache and I in all probability couldn’t go down a water slide with out reaching 88mph!
First in-person Screening
After Bri went over the consent type, she took down my weight, peak, and blood strain. She checked every measure two to 3 occasions. We went right down to the lab, the place I felt like I had a Disney FastPass, and had a small quantity of blood pulled to check my A1C and thyroid, kidneys, and liver features.
Second in-person Screening
It was the dreaded glucose take a look at. The complete-blown, fasted, two-hour glucose take a look at. I’ll in all probability by no means drink orange soda once more! Bri and I went over somewhat medical historical past and she or he took my weight once more. This a part of the screening is what determines if I qualify for pre-diabetes and consequently dictates if I utterly qualify to affix the research. Seems your woman is pre-diabetic and an official participant within the SWEET Examine!
What’s a baseline go to?
This go to consists of an approving physician going over my medical historical past, to provide his blessing on my becoming a member of the research. This physician occurs to be Dr. Neil Chappell, who’s the medical monitor engaged on the SWEET Examine. He’s additionally a fertility physician with Fertility Solutions and is pleasant. He’s as good as his bedside method and humor.
Following my baseline go to, I did a full physique composition scan (known as a DXA) that’s largely used for locating out sufferers’ bone density however may also give physique fats proportion information. I realized I’m 51% fats. Yay me!
My ultimate cease throughout this go to was with a registered dietitian to have a steady glucose monitor hooked up to my abdomen. I wore this machine for 10 days earlier than beginning the injections and I’ll once more after finishing the research. It will give the analysis workforce information to check how my physique handles regulating my blood sugar earlier than and post-study. Periodically, Bri will ask for a dietary recall of the final 24 hours. It will occur each now and again all through the eight-month research interval. Though there’s some accountability with that piece, Bri positively didn’t make me really feel dangerous about my consuming habits! I consider it as her setting me up for achievement.
I hope you proceed to observe my journey as I start the method of administering my very own injections.
