GLP-1 Medications

[LilyWDW]

I may be opening myself up to some negative posts because some people seem to be highly offended by these medications, but here I go.

I will be starting a GLP-1 Medication (specifically Zepbound) on Thursday. I have been working with multiple medication professionals in this decision, including my PCP, a NP who specializes in weight loss, my therapist, my urologist, and my physical therapist. It took awhile to get the authorization from my insurance but that finally came through last week.

Does anyone here have any experience on the meds? The good, bad, and ugly? Tips and tricks? Stuff to keep on hand? Food? Suppliments?

I have done a lot of research (everything from medical journals to TikTok what I eats) but always like more information.

 

[LadybugsMum]

I've been on Wegovy for almost 3 years and have had a fantastic experience with it. My advice is not to be in a hurry to up the dosage if you are having some side effects. I had very few side effects and was able to go up every month until I was at the top dose. A friend had to go much slower, but in doing so, she was able to get through the nausea at each level and get comfortable at each dose. She has been able to stay on Wegovy because she went so much slower with the dose ramp up and has lost over 50 pounds. A different friend tried to go up as fast as I did and ended up going off it permanently. She feels that if she had gone slower like friend A then she would probably have been able to stay on the med. Good luck and I hope you have minimal side effects.

 

[TippyThomas]

My only experience is with Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. In the beginning, the side effects were very much more prevalent than they are now. I almost don't even feel I have any of the side effects any more. The Ozempic has worked for my insulin production as it's supposed to and I've also lost weight as expected. I didn't really need to lose a lot of weight, and the doctor is getting a bit concerned that I need to stop losing weight, so I'm not sure what the game plan will be at my next appointment.

In the beginning, you will more than likely second guess whether it's worth it, because the stomach related side effects can be a bit much. Do your best to ride all that out though, because it will more than likely get better as you continue. Good luck with it!

Edit: I also agree that moving up in dosing much slower helped me a great deal with tolerating it all. I didn't do that the first time I tried it and we went slower the second. The second time has been very successful.

 

[LilyWDW]

I have spoken to my NP and we both agree that if I am feeling good and losing weight at the rate we want, that I will not be upping the dose. So we already on the same page there.

My taking the meds is specifically for weight loss. I am at my highest weight ever and it is greatly impacting my physical and mental health. My pain levels are super high as is my fatigue. I can barely walk around the block some days without pain. It's bad.

 

[DrMont]

I'd just be prepared to be on it for the rest of your life if you want to keep the weight off.
Not many stop taking the meds and don't gain the weight back.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I've been on Zepbound for 7 months with great success. I belonged to a gym for over a decade and walked, biked and swam 5-7 days a week with little or no weight loss. It was time for a different game plan. It took over a year for my doc to get me on this drug. I started at 2.5 and am currently on 12.5. We found that moving up every other month worked better with less side effects. My earliest side effect was headaches but they were mild and that phase only lasted a few weeks. After that, it was nausea and sometimes minimal vomiting (once on average per dosage increase). I consider both minimal side effects I could easily tolerate. I have lost over 50 lbs.

Drinking water all day is beneficial. I have found eating eggs and other protein sources are important but realistically, I can eat most anything though many foods aren't appealing now. You will find a rhythm and foods that are protein rich and appealing even if you only eat a small amount. It's trial and error so be patient with yourself early on.

I have spoken with others that have reached their goal and now microdose with their doctor's supervision. I am not there yet, but anticipate being able to manage with modifications.

Good luck on your new journey!

 

[wvjules]

I have been on Zepbound since May 2024. I am averaging about .7 per week and am now on the max dose. I am lucky that I have had minimal side-effects (constipation but I take a daily stool softener now.) I have not avoided any foods. I eat what I want and eat in moderation. My taste buds have changed though. I can't stand processed chicken like nuggets (chick fil a...ewww) and steak now gives me the ick. I used to be relatively good about eating lots of protein and getting in water and electrolytes but that has fallen by the wayside recently. Its weird being 'satisifed' and putting down the fork when I'm full instead of cleaning the plate. I still order too much food and have way too many leftovers.

Try to keep ahead of any side effects like constipation and nausea by having meds/supplements on hand. I have mirilax and a laxative tea on hand for when needed. I am super nervous about ozempic face so I do keep up with a skincare routine so I don't get too much saggy face.

Don't compare your journey to anyone else's! It seems slow to me (less than a pound per week) but looking back I'm like...wow, I've lost over 50lbs! I have around 25-30 to go but I'm happy with the progress so far. I'm still waiting for my beer belly to go away, legs (and face) thinned up first, weird!

I do plan on being on this medicine for the rest of my life. It is a tool like any other drug used to treat medical conditions and you should not be ashamed or be made to feel like you are cheating.

Oh, I went to WDW in June and the difference in how good my feet felt at the end of the day then versus when I 50ish pounds heavier is amazing! I also didn't get Disney rash for the first time ever.

Let me know if you have any questions or just want to talk. This class of drugs are amazing and a great tool to use to get skinnier/healthier.

 

[Tatebeck]

I'd just be prepared to be on it for the rest of your life if you want to keep the weight off.
Not many stop taking the meds and don't gain the weight back.

This is highly dependent on the individual. Some can get right off of it and be fine, others gain the weight back rather quickly.

The GLP medicines makes you feel fuller sooner/longer so you cannot each as much, as well as helps your body and the insulin it naturally produces (or gets via injection in some diabetics) use up the glucose absorbed/converted from your diet and fat stores.

If someone uses a GLP for a short while as a booster to lose weight while at the same time educating themselves on healthy foods, portions, self control, etc. Then they can get off of the meds and keep the weight off.

If someone treats a GLP as a "magic" medicine and it just makes them eat less of the bad foods they were already eating, then they will still lose weight while on it. But when they stop it and start eating more of the foods they were eating before until they feel full again, then they will gain the weight back.

IMO there are too many people treating it like a magic medicine and not enough using it as a head start to a healthier lifestyle

Everyone can lose weight by eating healthier and eating less, but it is very hard. We all burn calories differently based on our activity, muscle mass, genetics, disease states etc. but we can all do it. I understand this as someone who has been overweight for most of my life too. I have considered using it as a jump start myself but haven't yet due to price, possible side effects, and just not liking the idea of using it. Trying a better diet and exercise again.

It's the same reason I don't just do a liposuction as a jump start, I could do it, but it doesn't solve the problem unless you plan to be on it for the rest of your life and I don't ever want to be dependent on anything that I do not have to be.

 

[wvjules]

This is highly dependent on the individual. Some can get right off of it and be fine, others gain the weight back rather quickly.

The GLP medicines makes you feel fuller sooner/longer so you cannot each as much, as well as helps your body and the insulin it naturally produces (or gets via injection in some diabetics) use up the glucose absorbed/converted from your diet and fat stores.

If someone uses a GLP for a short while as a booster to lose weight while at the same time educating themselves on healthy foods, portions, self control, etc. Then they can get off of the meds and keep the weight off.

If someone treats a GLP as a "magic" medicine and it just makes them eat less of the bad foods they were already eating, then they will still lose weight while on it. But when they stop it and start eating more of the foods they were eating before until they feel full again, then they will gain the weight back.

IMO there are too many people treating it like a magic medicine and not enough using it as a head start to a healthier lifestyle

Everyone can lose weight by eating healthier and eating less, but it is very hard. We all burn calories differently based on our activity, muscle mass, genetics, disease states etc. but we can all do it. I understand this as someone who has been overweight for most of my life too. I have considered using it as a jump start myself but haven't yet due to price, possible side effects, and just not liking the idea of using it. Trying a better diet and exercise again.

It's the same reason I don't just do a liposuction as a jump start, I could do it, but it doesn't solve the problem unless you plan to be on it for the rest of your life and I don't ever want to be dependent on anything that I do not have to be.

This post comes of as super judgmental. If you don't want to use this tool in your weight loss journey, then don't. But don't suggest that those that do are simply not exercising will power and do not know about healthy foods. This is not a magic pill. It is a tool that many use to help them make better decisions. Its a lot easier to make better choices when your brain isn't screaming "eat this, eat that" all the time.

 

[EACarlson]

There is a very small dose of GLP-1 in my insulin. That has helped me immensely. My A1c is down, my sugar levels are more stable. The issue I have is that I occasionally have to force myself to eat so I don't go hypoglycemic. And because of how it slows the absorption, it takes longer for my sugar levels to bounce back once the low is treated.

 

[Tatebeck]

This post comes of as super judgmental. If you don't want to use this tool in your weight loss journey, then don't. But don't suggest that those that do are simply not exercising will power and do not know about healthy foods. This is not a magic pill. It is a tool that many use to help them make better decisions. Its a lot easier to make better choices when your brain isn't screaming "eat this, eat that" all the time.

Not sure why you think I'm judging. Quite the opposite. I don't judge every person I see taking a blood pressure medicine for example. Some people are able to have controlled blood pressure naturally, some can't due to genetics, age, inactivity, other health conditions etc.

It is a tool like any other as you say, one I have also considered myself, and certain tools are only appropriate for the correct situations.

Every single person who is overweight due to excess fat and not fluid buildup (including myself) has gotten so due to them eating more calories than their body burns. Now genetics, disease states, etc. can make it harder to burn calories, but none of us are defying the laws of physics and creating mass and energy out of nothing. Those patients in those situations would be more likely to be a better fit for starting a GLP medication than the average person. No one is perfect, I have done my share of eating unhealthy, eating too much, being inactive, etc. too.

 

[RedHead0186]

This is highly dependent on the individual. Some can get right off of it and be fine, others gain the weight back rather quickly.

The GLP medicines makes you feel fuller sooner/longer so you cannot each as much, as well as helps your body and the insulin it naturally produces (or gets via injection in some diabetics) use up the glucose absorbed/converted from your diet and fat stores.

If someone uses a GLP for a short while as a booster to lose weight while at the same time educating themselves on healthy foods, portions, self control, etc. Then they can get off of the meds and keep the weight off.

If someone treats a GLP as a "magic" medicine and it just makes them eat less of the bad foods they were already eating, then they will still lose weight while on it. But when they stop it and start eating more of the foods they were eating before until they feel full again, then they will gain the weight back.

IMO there are too many people treating it like a magic medicine and not enough using it as a head start to a healthier lifestyle

Everyone can lose weight by eating healthier and eating less, but it is very hard. We all burn calories differently based on our activity, muscle mass, genetics, disease states etc. but we can all do it. I understand this as someone who has been overweight for most of my life too. I have considered using it as a jump start myself but haven't yet due to price, possible side effects, and just not liking the idea of using it. Trying a better diet and exercise again.

It's the same reason I don't just do a liposuction as a jump start, I could do it, but it doesn't solve the problem unless you plan to be on it for the rest of your life and I don't ever want to be dependent on anything that I do not have to be.

Yes, it is dependent on the individual. However, there are several studies that actually back up what @DrMont said. No, it doesn't mean that everyone who goes off the meds gains the weight back. But there is data to support that's usually the case.

 

[RedHead0186]

Oh, I went to WDW in June and the difference in how good my feet felt at the end of the day then versus when I 50ish pounds heavier is amazing! I also didn't get Disney rash for the first time ever.

Thanks for sharing this specifically. I'm considering starting Wegovy at the suggestion of my GP. Hesitation is cost and also likely being on this for the rest of my life-but slowly coming around to these things. What you shared here though honestly is a big deal to me-I've always had trouble with my feet, especially standing. It's even worse now with my weight, to the point that Disney has become much less enjoyable and I hate that. Knowing that taking some weight off helped your feet while at WDW is very encouraging!

 

[Tatebeck]

Yes, it is dependent on the individual. However, there are several studies that actually back up what @DrMont said. No, it doesn't mean that everyone who goes off the meds gains the weight back. But there is data to support that's usually the case.

Right, and I addressed this when I said too many people seem to be using it like a "magic" weight loss drug when it is not. It temporarily makes you want to eat less and helps burn more while you take it. But then that effect stops when the med stops. If you want to keep the weight off and stop the medicine then major lifestyle changes will have to be made to account for that. Gaining some of the weight back is normal when such a strong change is made, but a significant amount of weight that has been lost can be kept from coming back.

IE: If the majority of people aren't really changing their habits, then of course the majority of the population would gain the weight back

 

[Christine]

A relative of mine has been on Wegovy almost a year now. She lost weight but not much. It has definitely improved her A1C numbers and she overall just feels better. We spent a week together recently. I am on a calorically controlled diet of 1500 per day. She just uses the medication. She out-ate me at every meal even though she said she didn't feel hungry that much. I think this is probably why her weight loss is not that significant. But in every other metric, she feels better and her numbers look better. If she did do some diet modifications, her weight loss would probably be pretty astounding.

She was really scared to take it and she did have some minor nausea to start but it went away pretty quickly.

 

[Kailunkat]

I started Wegovy about 2 months ago and am in the initial ramp up phase. So far things have been great. For side effects - I have found them to be mild, usually just a little discomfort and dizziness if I haven’t eaten in a while (waking up from overnight). I have been fortunate not to have nausea or other stomach/GI side effects. In the 2 months I’ve lost about 8lbs and am trying to lose about 45lbs total. So I’m on the right track!

The most interesting thing has been the changes in craving and “food noise”. I’ve always been very hard on myself about not being good at resisting treats or certain foods and the fact that it’s now easy to pass them by is crazy to me. I’ve been blaming my resolve/mental mindset for my entire life but taking this medication makes me realize I’ve been really hard on myself and that there was a physical/chemical component to these cravings. I’m having to relearn my entire relationship with food and my own body.

 

[Tatebeck]

I started Wegovy about 2 months ago and am in the initial ramp up phase. So far things have been great. For side effects - I have found them to be mild, usually just a little discomfort and dizziness if I haven’t eaten in a while (waking up from overnight). I have been fortunate not to have nausea or other stomach/GI side effects. In the 2 months I’ve lost about 8lbs and am trying to lose about 45lbs total. So I’m on the right track!

The most interesting thing has been the changes in craving and “food noise”. I’ve always been very hard on myself about not being good at resisting treats or certain foods and the fact that it’s now easy to pass them by is crazy to me. I’ve been blaming my resolve/mental mindset for my entire life but taking this medication makes me realize I’ve been really hard on myself and that there was a physical/chemical component to these cravings. I’m having to relearn my entire relationship with food and my own body.

Yeah, it is a leftover component of evolution we are all dealing with now unfortunately.

When humans were hunter/gatherers and food was scarce, whenever we found a good source of dense calories (fat) or easy to use energy (sugar), our bodies told us that we wanted and needed more of that! So we kept looking for the next fruit tree or the next big kill when we were hunting.

Now that food is so readily available it has backfired on us pretty heavily

 

[mmbrad02]

I'm a Type 1 diabetic and I have been using a GLP-1 (Mounjaro) for a little over 3 years now (in addition to my insulin pump - this is not to replace my Type 1 treatment but rather to assist it). The amount of insulin I take now is 1/4 of what I was taking, and I was able to lose 60 lb (it was my goal amount), and my A1Cs have dropped and consistently been "good" now. Like many others had said, I had worked with my PCP and endocrinologist on many aspects and was never able to drop the weight. As a result of that, my A1C's were all over the place, my kidney function tests were starting to show signs of the disease taking its toll, I had zero energy. I just wanted to be healthy, be a good mom, do all the things.

I lost my weight in about a years time and have stayed on the medication (by choice and also blessed by my doctors with the decision) and have maintained my weight loss. I feel 100% better now than I did 4 years ago. I was starting to see kidney damage from my Type 1, and that has now improved. I was able to lower my blood pressure medication twice (at the lowest possible dose now). There are so many positives from my journey.

As for the meds themselves - my most consistent side effect and the one I still sometimes get hit with is fatigue. At first it was for the first few days after the shot - now it's mainly just the following morning after I take it. I can still function - but I almost always take a "car nap" on my lunch break the day after. I had nausea at times but the benefits outweighed the side effects for me.

Hope this helps!

 

[tvguy]

A relative of mine has been on Wegovy almost a year now. She lost weight but not much. It has definitely improved her A1C numbers and she overall just feels better. We spent a week together recently. I am on a calorically controlled diet of 1500 per day. She just uses the medication. She out-ate me at every meal even though she said she didn't feel hungry that much. I think this is probably why her weight loss is not that significant. But in every other metric, she feels better and her numbers look better. If she did do some diet modifications, her weight loss would probably be pretty astounding.

She was really scared to take it and she did have some minor nausea to start but it went away pretty quickly.

Side effects can be brutal. And for me, when my blood sugar gets below 130, I start getting loopy. So my choice is having an unhealthy blood sugar and be able to function, or having a healthy blood sugar and having trouble thinking. Mind you, I started this process at 280 pounds, and I am down to 230, but my AIC has gone from 7 to 7.4 I'm 6'3"

 

[MICKIMINI]

I'm a Type 1 diabetic and I have been using a GLP-1 (Mounjaro) for a little over 3 years now (in addition to my insulin pump - this is not to replace my Type 1 treatment but rather to assist it). The amount of insulin I take now is 1/4 of what I was taking, and I was able to lose 60 lb (it was my goal amount), and my A1Cs have dropped and consistently been "good" now. Like many others had said, I had worked with my PCP and endocrinologist on many aspects and was never able to drop the weight. As a result of that, my A1C's were all over the place, my kidney function tests were starting to show signs of the disease taking its toll, I had zero energy. I just wanted to be healthy, be a good mom, do all the things.

I lost my weight in about a years time and have stayed on the medication (by choice and also blessed by my doctors with the decision) and have maintained my weight loss. I feel 100% better now than I did 4 years ago. I was starting to see kidney damage from my Type 1, and that has now improved. I was able to lower my blood pressure medication twice (at the lowest possible dose now). There are so many positives from my journey.

As for the meds themselves - my most consistent side effect and the one I still sometimes get hit with is fatigue. At first it was for the first few days after the shot - now it's mainly just the following morning after I take it. I can still function - but I almost always take a "car nap" on my lunch break the day after. I had nausea at times but the benefits outweighed the side effects for me.

Hope this helps!

I too, have extra fatigue on the day following my weekly injection! I have two other issues which cause fatigue so I have to fight it...and give in when needed.