Wegovy experiences?

[MamaBelle4]

I

The thing is I’ve been on the thin side during my childhood-teens; I was always active and athletic; no acne until stress triggered things during college. I know for a fact it’s not just diet and exercise now that I’m obese. Also I had unexplained dehydration, nose bleeds and muscle cramps for decades (fixed by liquid IV electrolytes; I can handle the sugar during HIIT).

We cannot loose weight until insulin is below 5. That is what these meds do they stop the insulin. It’s not the easy way out, it helps our body work in a normal way. Normal people don’t have high insulin and hence no cravings. No one should feel ashamed of taking these meds. We are doing what’s best for our health.

Our bodies are triggering the survival mechanism during famines and storing fat vs converting food to energy. We feel lethargic and eat more and it becomes more fat and gets stored in the liver instead of converting to energy (viscous cycle).

I read about how hypothyroid causes the body to act like a bear hibernating and that’s really close to how I’ve felt for years.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/metabolism-dysfunction-th_b_6430370/amp

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9890737/#:~:text=Hibernating bears are hypothyroid and,of hibernation physiology in bears.

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I have hypothyroidism (Hashimotos) and my endocrinologist wants to put me on one of these. He switched me from synthetic to actual thyroid meds.

I told him I wanted to wait until 6 months to see how my body reacted to the meds change. While I'm not gaining any weight any more, I'm not losing it either. My body just isn't working right and it isn't "willpower" or any such nonsense.

This thread is about how people who have taken these meds are faring or if they know people and can share experiences.

I feel like if you want to discuss whether or not they should be on the market or if they're necessary or whatever, this is not a place for it.

 

[Disturbia]

I

I have hypothyroidism (Hashimotos) and my endocrinologist wants to put me on one of these. He switched me from synthetic to actual thyroid meds.

I told him I wanted to wait until 6 months to see how my body reacted to the meds change. While I'm not gaining any weight any more, I'm not losing it either. My body just isn't working right and it isn't "willpower" or any such nonsense.

This thread is about how people who have taken these meds are faring or if they know people and can share experiences.

I feel like if you want to discuss whether or not they should be on the market or if they're necessary or whatever, this is not a place for it.

I’m not discussing whether it should or shouldn’t be on the market. It was being pushed for me by multiple Drs (holistic and GP) and I explained my decision to someone who asked about side effects and I have family members currently on it.

If you read my post you would notice I was interested in it but have IBS-d and one of the side effects of this medication is permanent diarrhea.

 

[MamaBelle4]

I’m not discussing whether it should or shouldn’t be on the market. It was being pushed for me by multiple Drs (holistic and GP) and I explained my decision to someone who asked about side effects and I have family members currently on it.

If you read my post you would notice I was interested in it but have IBS-d and one of the side effects of this medication is permanent diarrhea.

This is my fault for not being clear and for that I apologize.

Despite it looking that way, I was not calling you out. I quoted your post because of your discussion on hypothyroidism, which I have.

I did not make that clear and I apologize.

(ETA: this is one of those situations where the English language could really use the distinction between "general" you and "direct" you)

 

[Jwaire]

I, 40 male, 320+ lbs, took it last year for about 5 months, lost 90 lbs with diet and vigorous exercise (4+ miles per day on the treadmill).

After they moved me to 1mg, I started having back pain, trouble urinating and ended up with a UTI for the first time in my life. (How you women live with these, I will never know. I thought I was dying. I have so much sympathy now.)

I ended up with two confirmed UTIs within about a month and half despite plenty of water (with electrolytes) per day.

Oddly enough, I was tested for a third UTI before our trip to Walt Disney World and the test was negative. However, I knew something was wrong.

I ended up getting very ill in line at Columbia Harbor House from dehydration. I got myself up the stairs and they had to bring me ice water and Powerade because of the cramping. It took me about an hour to recover. Very embarrassing.

After the trip, my doctor and I decided to stop it.

Started gaining weight immediately back even without diet changes. Also, didn't realize I had lost a ton of muscle in my legs particularly.

I think it's amazing drug, but you need a doctor who closely monitors you (my basic PC did not) and strength training is extremely important.

 

[Chirple]

Bumping this thread. I took my first baseline dose this morning. I could feel after a few hours that it was reducing my appetite. I ate less today than I normally would. I have a follow up at the endo's office later in July.

The four pens were covered by my insurance; the cost was $25.00. The pharmacy did not have my insurance on file when it was filled, and the out-of-pocket cost was ~$1600.00.

 

[Dan Murphy]

This is an interesting thread. I am guessing I will be seeing a lot less scooters at the parks with all of you taking weight loss drugs. Will free up tons of walking room at the parks!! That is also good news for my ankles, which have been slammed into way too many times to count

Welcome to the dis, ray. Thanks for joining here today. Very sorry for your horrible experiences and encounters. Hoping you don't get slammed and rammed anymore with so few scooters in the parks. If you do, at least you will be able to count the fewer slams. Should be much better for you with all the newly found walking room.

 

[wvjules]

I was on Wegovy (Ozempic) for about a month and a half then switched to Zepbound (Monjauro). I had some weight loss on Wegovy but I had lots of nausea so I asked to switch to Zepbound (allegedly has less side effects). I've been on Zep since the beginning of May with no side effects. After a month on 2.5 and a month on 5 I am moving up to 7.5 on Friday. Weight loss has been slow, which is totally fine, but I still have the food noise and my hunger hasn't changed. Some get all of the effects on the loading doses, some do not. I do not. I'm hoping that 7.5 or 10 are my magic dose.

Some things to keep in mind if you are on this journey:

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drink 100oz of water per day. These medicines are very dehydrating. Use electrolytes if necessary, either Liquid IV, a dash of Himalayan pink salt in water, Pedialyte, etc.
2. Up your protein. This will help keep you full longer and helps with preventing muscle loss. Meals should focus on proteins, then veggies and finally carbs.
3. When you are physically able, do strength training. This will help with loose skin, preventing muscle loss, and will also help you burn more calories. You don't even need weights, body weight exercises like yoga and Pilates will help.
4. Listen to your body. Constant vomiting, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. should not be occurring. Talk to your doctor. (I take a nightly stool softener to stay ahead of any constipation and got a prescription of Zofran in case I needed it.)
5. I really started focusing on a good skin care routine when I started for fear of having a wrinkly face when I lose the fat fillers. I use eye creams, serums and moisturizers day and night. I have never done this in my life. The brightness in my face is amazing. I should have done this sooner. lol
6. Ignore the nay-sayers. This is your journey.

I was worried about some of the side effects and risks so I started to really pay attention to my body and cues. If I don't have a BM for a day, I treat it. I focus on protein at meals and snacks. I *try* to drink enough water, this is a huge problem for me.

Remember that this is a marathon, not a race. Try not to lose more than 2lbs on average per week. The quicker you lose, the more risk you have of Ozempic face, gallstones, hair loss, etc. Slow and steady she goes. FTR, most of the side effects are a result of rapid weight loss, no matter the method.

Good luck to all of us on our journey to be thinner (and healthier lol)

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

I'm on semaglutide and I feel like weight loss as been a little slow for me. In two months, I've lost about 10 (I need to lose about 20 more) pounds. I eat less for sure, and have not felt bad side effects, but I thought I would lose more than I am. I am in fitness classes now, let's see if that helps.

 

[wvjules]

I'm on semaglutide and I feel like weight loss as been a little slow for me. In two months, I've lost about 10 (I need to lose about 20 more) pounds. I eat less for sure, and have not felt bad side effects, but I thought I would lose more than I am. I am in fitness classes now, let's see if that helps.

That's a little over a pound a week. Perfect for a sustainable change and lower side effects from rapid weight loss.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

That's a little over a pound a week. Perfect for a sustainable change and lower side effects from rapid weight loss.

Thanks. I guess I'm looking for a miracle here, lol. It is strange. Most weeks I will lose like a pound or nothing at all, than two weeks ago I lost five pounds in one week, lol.

 

[wvjules]

Thanks. I guess I'm looking for a miracle here, lol. It is strange. Most weeks I will lose like a pound or nothing at all, than two weeks ago I lost five pounds in one week, lol.

I'm with you. My loss has been slow, but it's a loss and not a gain, so there's that.

 

[WDWJDS]

Is there a difference in the compounded semaglutide vs Ozempic? The naturopath was asking me to take Munjaro (compounded?). She said these work to reduce insulin output vs phentermine which keeps you full longer and reduces hunger (isn’t that what we want?; I thought both worked the same and why not try the less expensive/non injection option first).

I already take Metformin for insulin resistance along with myo+d chiro inositol (recommended by my RE). The low ferritin can impact glucose artificially but my A1C was 5.8 at last check. I am a stress eater.

After I refused Ozempic/Munjaro the holistic Dr said she will be loosing her privileges to prescribe Metformin soon (ill go back to my regular GP) and would have had me stop Metformin and switch to Munjaro which she can get from her compounding pharmacy. Ugh!

Can you explain a little more about the “compounding pharmacy”?

 

[RangerPooh]

My husband just started on Wegovy three weeks ago and is down ~7 pounds. His appetite has decreased some, and no side effects for him. it’s slow, not a rapid drop.

 

[Chirple]

I am starting my second week. I have had a decrease in appetite, very mild and infrequent queasiness, and an increase in my desire for stronger weight-bearing workouts.

I am not going to weigh myself; I'll wait for my next appointment in a few weeks. I had previously become obsessed with weighing myself daily; when weight loss stalled for a long time, I felt frustrated.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Can you explain a little more about the “compounding pharmacy”?

If I did this right, here’s a link to info from the FDA regarding compounding for drug shortages.

 

[Disturbia]

Can you explain a little more about the “compounding pharmacy”?

I didn’t ask more because I refused the medication and was offended when she kept insisting I try it, giving examples of how people are begging her for it, her husband takes it safely, her entire staff etc etc. Great for people who really need it (I have an extended family member who has used it because she couldn’t get to a healthier weight despite gastric bypass) but for someone who has the ability to exercise, has great muscle mass and is not obese???

She did say there is new research that people with my issues should limit HIIT to 15 mins and add more brisk walking/calming yoga or Pilates exercises. I was given the saliva cortisol test kid (only cure for high cortisol is steroids so no thanks to that either).

 

[aprilgail]

Is there a difference in the compounded semaglutide vs Ozempic? The naturopath was asking me to take Munjaro (compounded?). She said these work to reduce insulin output vs phentermine which keeps you full longer and reduces hunger (isn’t that what we want?; I thought both worked the same and why not try the less expensive/non injection option first).

Compound meds are NOT approved by the FDA and some are better than others but you never know what you are getting if you choose to go the compound route.

 

[WDWJDS]

If I did this right, here’s a link to info from the FDA regarding compounding for drug shortages.

Unfortunately I don’t see a link. Can you tell me what compounding actually means?

 

[Clifton Tesh]

Unfortunately I don’t see a link. Can you tell me what compounding actually means?

The blue letters "FDA" are the link and, not trying to be rude, compounding is very complex and it would probably be better to Google it but I am going to do my best to explain it as simply as I can..

A compounding pharmacy "builds" the drug using the ingredients harvested from other drugs.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Can you explain a little more about the “compounding pharmacy”?

There is only one compounding pharmacy in my area. They are family owned, have been around forever, and have a great reputation.

My insurance won’t pay for any of the name brand drugs because I’m not diabetic and don’t have a high A1C.

My doctor prescribes the compounded semaglutide and it is just under $200 a month.