GLP-1 Medications

[lanejudy]

My Ozempic comes in a single tube that I inject from for a month. I'd just be nervous letting it warm up and then cool again multiple times a month. Probably just my anxiety and the warnings I was given. I guess I'm prone to error on the side of caution for sure.

DH and DD both keep it in the fridge until first use, then the pen stays at room temperature in the kitchen cabinet for the weeks between 1st and 4th doses.

 

[TippyThomas]

DH and DD both keep it in the fridge until first use, then the pen stays at room temperature in the kitchen cabinet for the weeks between 1st and 4th doses.

I'm really glad to learn this from all of you. I've been worrying about keeping it cold the entire time I've had it in my possession so this will be helpful with how anxious I've been about it spoiling. They really had me concerned that it would spoil much, much quicker than it actually does. Very nice to know.

 

[C&Jx2]

I inject mine not too far from any of my abdominal surgery scars because I have diminished feeling there! (still sub Q in a fatty place, far enough from my belly button)

 

[disneychrista]

How long did it take for you to feel like the GLP-1 was having the desired effect ? A friend started it Monday night and he was curious because he said he still snacked/ate lick normal all day Tuesday. Though he did say he snacked a lot less than normal Tuesday night, he is usually up in the middle of the night and will snack.

 

[Tatebeck]

Appetite will start being reduced within the first few days. Weight loss or A1C reduction will take much longer as those are long term markers.

And since you usually start at the lowest dose and titrate up to help avoid or lessen side effects, you won't reach actual full effect until you are at your highest and final maintenance dose

 

[lanejudy]

Most GLP-1 meds have a non-therapeutic starting dose for a few weeks. This is intended to help the body get used to the med and hopefully minimize side effects. However the starting dose is not considered to be enough to provide therapeutic improvement, with titration needed up to the strength that works for the individual.

 

[disneychrista]

Appetite will start being reduced within the first few days. Weight loss or A1C reduction will take much longer as those are long term markers.

And since you usually start at the lowest dose and titrate up to help avoid or lessen side effects, you won't reach actual full effect until you are at your highest and final maintenance dose

Most GLP-1 meds have a non-therapeutic starting dose for a few weeks. This is intended to help the body get used to the med and hopefully minimize side effects. However the starting dose is not considered to be enough to provide therapeutic improvement, with titration needed up to the strength that works for the individual.

What I read said it could take several weeks as well. So that makes since.

 

[TippyThomas]

What I read said it could take several weeks as well. So that makes since.

I didn't notice anything substantial until well into my 2nd or 3rd month with Ozempic. I was on the second or third dose increase before I 'knew' something was happening. I did go up in dosage much slower this time than I did the first because I had trouble with the first due to another med I was taking along with the Ozempic. The Ozempic alone, and moving up slowly in dose has been wonderful this time around.

 

[aprilgail]

I have debated asking my doctor about a GLP-1 but my main concern is the GI issues. I have seen people here mention nausea and maybe even vomiting but what about diarrhea? I have a functional disease that regularly causes issues in this department. I take medication daily to control it to a degree. I am concerned that taking a GLP-1 will make the issue worse. I of course will talk to my doctor about it but I am curious what others who are taking it have experienced.

I have been on these meds for years now- I take zepbound and only side effect ever was constipation. No pain with injecting at all- sometimes I don't even know if it actually went in because you feel nothing with injection.

How long did it take for you to feel like the GLP-1 was having the desired effect ? A friend started it Monday night and he was curious because he said he still snacked/ate lick normal all day Tuesday. Though he did say he snacked a lot less than normal Tuesday night, he is usually up in the middle of the night and will snack.

My first injection was a saturday night and by the next morning I had zero appetite. I started on 2.5 and that worked immediately. My only advise for people is don't rush up in strength until it stops working for you. I know people that have lost over 100 pounds on 2.5 and never had to go up in strength. 3 years in I was still only up to 7.5.

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

I have been on these meds for years now- I take zepbound and only side effect ever was constipation. No pain with injecting at all- sometimes I don't even know if it actually went in because you feel nothing with injection.

My first injection was a saturday night and by the next morning I had zero appetite. I started on 2.5 and that worked immediately. My only advise for people is don't rush up in strength until it stops working for you. I know people that have lost over 100 pounds on 2.5 and never had to go up in strength. 3 years in I was still only up to 7.5.

Tell me your secrets because I've been on Zepbound for months and it is SO PAINFUL every single time!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just a story for those worried about keeping meds refrigerated that might help you feel better. This happened to me 23 years ago and I’m sure prices have gone way up since then.

I was getting chemo and I had to go to the pharmacy to get 16 injections that I had to take. Each one cost $2K which my insurance paid for. I walked out with all 16 injections in a big bag.

When I got home I put them in a drawer for safe keeping. About a week later I went to take the first one and did this when I noticed for the first time stickers that said, “Keep Refrigerated”.

After a little freak out I had to decide what to do. I didn’t have a spare $32K lying around to replace them. So I took them, as scheduled. I was fine, and they did what they were supposed to do (increase my blood cell counts). Bad nurse!

 

[disneychrista]

I just had my women health appointment and the (new to me) doctor basically told me to go on GLP-1. I think this is the first time a doctor so blatantly told me I was fat, like I didn’t already know that

 

[Dan Murphy]

I was getting chemo and I had to go to the pharmacy to get 16 injections that I had to take. Each one cost $2K which my insurance paid for.

Neupogen, P-n-M? If so, Marie took those self-administered injections also.

 

[LadybugsMum]

Tell me your secrets because I've been on Zepbound for months and it is SO PAINFUL every single time!

Where are you injecting it?