Saxenda

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  • htimpaired
    htimpaired Posts: 1,404 Member
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    Susanlee152 wrote: »
    I'm currently on day 10, and I've lost 7 pounds without actively changing my diet or exercise routine. I'm just never hungry. Only a little low level nausea so far.

    Just curious-what is this medicine doing to help you learn how to change your diet/eating habits? I'm glad people are finding some modest success, but you have to stop the med eventually, right? Then what happens?
  • Acacia2India
    Acacia2India Posts: 446 Member
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    Hi all, I've started a group. Just search for Saxenda or Liraglutide and it will come up.

    Cheers.
    M
  • Acacia2India
    Acacia2India Posts: 446 Member
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    Acacia2India wrote: »
    Hi all, I've started a group. Just search for Saxenda or Liraglutide and it will come up.

    Cheers.
    M

    Also, I think I've sent everyone an invite but if not it was an honest error!

  • mappyone
    mappyone Posts: 2 Member
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    Acacia2India wrote: »
    Are you in Canada or the US?

    I'm in Canada. My company is with Manulife and they will not cover it. Even after trying to get pre-approved for Victoza which is the same drug, they declined citing the reasons I am using the drug for is not the way it is intended to be used. (Will only cover if I am diabetic.) Luckily, I have not crossed that line yet but am trying to prevent becoming diabetic by using Liraglitude to lose weight. I tried Victoza for a trial of 2 initial injection pens and it worked! If only insurance companies would understand the struggle.
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,259 Member
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    htimpaired wrote: »
    Susanlee152 wrote: »
    I'm currently on day 10, and I've lost 7 pounds without actively changing my diet or exercise routine. I'm just never hungry. Only a little low level nausea so far.

    Just curious-what is this medicine doing to help you learn how to change your diet/eating habits? I'm glad people are finding some modest success, but you have to stop the med eventually, right? Then what happens?

    This. I read every response, but never saw this addressed. Plus, I have a problem congratulating folks on not eating. It is great that you can feel that success, but this isn't a lifetime medication, is it? I would be worried about what life is like off of it.
  • shinycrazy
    shinycrazy Posts: 1,081 Member
    edited January 2016
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    girlwithcurls2 wrote: »
    htimpaired wrote: »
    Susanlee152 wrote: »
    I'm currently on day 10, and I've lost 7 pounds without actively changing my diet or exercise routine. I'm just never hungry. Only a little low level nausea so far.

    Just curious-what is this medicine doing to help you learn how to change your diet/eating habits? I'm glad people are finding some modest success, but you have to stop the med eventually, right? Then what happens?

    This. I read every response, but never saw this addressed. Plus, I have a problem congratulating folks on not eating. It is great that you can feel that success, but this isn't a lifetime medication, is it? I would be worried about what life is like off of it.

    For me (on tanzeum, t2 diabetes drug similar to saxenda), when I go off of the med, I will hopefully be at my goal weight and having had many months of doing learning portion control and a nutrient dense way of eating I will be able to continue it. This drug needs me to eat right and use portion control to work, so yeah, I'm not worried about leaving this tool behind me!
  • Chubbybutch
    Chubbybutch Posts: 3 Member
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    I got a script yesterday for it (I'm in Canada) and Greenshield won't cover it...Manulife said yes but they are double checking with a supervisor, however it seems from the above post it won't be covered. \Heartbroken.
  • Acacia2India
    Acacia2India Posts: 446 Member
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    If anyone in Canada finds themselves on the Public Service Health Care Plan they'll cover it. But not the needles for some puzzling reason.
  • Chubbybutch
    Chubbybutch Posts: 3 Member
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    Good news! Turns out my manulife plan will cover it! Just took the first shot. We will see.
  • scarycheri72
    scarycheri72 Posts: 9 Member
    edited January 2016
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    Hi all

    I just started Saxenda. I live in Canada. I have had 3 doses at the lowest dosage. I was fortunate to have my insurance company cover everything. Between my benefits and my husbands I am at coverage 100% including needle tips. We are with Great West Life. I was put on this medication because I have PCOS. I am NOT diabetic. I have a BMI over 27 and have been struggling for 3 years to take off 50 lbs that I suddenly gained in a 6 month period. Not only do I have PCOS but I also have ulcerative colitis. I saw a nutritionist a year ago who put me on a plan that would help with both conditions. I also worked out 5 days a week. I have been on metformin for 3 years. Initially I lost 10 lbs but at this point I have only been able to maintain.

    So far I have had some slight nausea and really don't feel like eating. I was a little freaked out about the who injection thing but I ok with it now.

    I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will be what I need
  • scarycheri72
    scarycheri72 Posts: 9 Member
    edited February 2016
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    shinycrazy wrote: »
    girlwithcurls2 wrote: »
    htimpaired wrote: »
    Susanlee152 wrote: »
    I'm currently on day 10, and I've lost 7 pounds without actively changing my diet or exercise routine. I'm just never hungry. Only a little low level nausea so far.

    Just curious-what is this medicine doing to help you learn how to change your diet/eating habits? I'm glad people are finding some modest success, but you have to stop the med eventually, right? Then what happens?

    This. I read every response, but never saw this addressed. Plus, I have a problem congratulating folks on not eating. It is great that you can feel that success, but this isn't a lifetime medication, is it? I would be worried about what life is like off of it.

    This medication is to be used while following a healthy eating plan and exercise.

    In my situation, 8 years ago in a 6 month period I put on 50 lbs. After 3 Gp's and 3 years of being accused of being lazy and chalking it up to aging
    I finally saw an endocrinologist who diagnosed me with PCOS. I started metformin and joined weight watchers and joined Zumba. lost 5 lbs. no more no less. I met with a nutritionist and had a personalized meal plan made up for me. Joined the gym and worked out an hour 5 days a week. Lost nothing.

    My specialist saw how hard I was working and not seeing results. He offered Saxenda to help jump start things for me. After some blood work and hormone testing he found that my pancreas was not doing its job. All carbs were being stored as fat. I needed help.

    The be approved by insurance I had to provide a 4 page questionnaire completed by the doctor documenting that I had a BMI greater than 27. That I had attempted to make life changes to lose weight. It took weeks to receive the ok.

    The medication costs $400 a month. It is a daily injection. It is not a magic cure for being over weight rather an aid while making positive life style changes to lose weight and keep it off.

    In addition to helping my body break down the food properly it also acts as an appetite suppressant. I feel full after eating very little however the foods I chose to eat are healthy.

    In Canada, Saxenda offers a support program complete with a dietitian and registered nurse to aid in meal planning, medical questions. Etc.

    This is not a life time medication however once weaned off the meds one should be able to maintain the weight with the healthy eating and life style habits learned over the year of being on the meds.



  • miluti
    miluti Posts: 30 Member
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    Acacia2India wrote: »
    If anyone in Canada finds themselves on the Public Service Health Care Plan they'll cover it. But not the needles for some puzzling reason.

    I am on PSHCP and I thought that was strange, too. The pharmacy (Costco) INSISTS that if I get an Rx, it'll be covered, though. I'll believe it when I see it. I haaaaate PSHCP. -_-
  • Acacia2India
    Acacia2India Posts: 446 Member
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    miluti wrote: »
    Acacia2India wrote: »
    If anyone in Canada finds themselves on the Public Service Health Care Plan they'll cover it. But not the needles for some puzzling reason.

    I am on PSHCP and I thought that was strange, too. The pharmacy (Costco) INSISTS that if I get an Rx, it'll be covered, though. I'll believe it when I see it. I haaaaate PSHCP. -_-

    My pharmacy told me to fight it and I'll win. I'm nervous to rock the boat though.
  • miluti
    miluti Posts: 30 Member
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    Acacia2India wrote: »
    miluti wrote: »
    Acacia2India wrote: »
    If anyone in Canada finds themselves on the Public Service Health Care Plan they'll cover it. But not the needles for some puzzling reason.

    I am on PSHCP and I thought that was strange, too. The pharmacy (Costco) INSISTS that if I get an Rx, it'll be covered, though. I'll believe it when I see it. I haaaaate PSHCP. -_-

    My pharmacy told me to fight it and I'll win. I'm nervous to rock the boat though.

    Hmm... Well, I'll get an Rx and try it - if they deny it, I'll appeal it in writing....we'll see what happens. ;)
  • Acacia2India
    Acacia2India Posts: 446 Member
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    ;)
  • deannaalexander
    deannaalexander Posts: 2 Member
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    I hope this information might help anyone currently being denied by US health insurance companies for a Saxenda prescription: I was prescribed Saxenda in Nov 2015. My insurance denied it. I appealed, providing all documentation it was needed, and the appeal was denied. I went to my benefits administrator (the HR person at my employer that chooses the healthplan and authorizes special situations) and attempted to get an override. This was possible because my employer is "self-insured". I explained that I have PCOS, my doctor has prescribed Saxenda and my weight and health may never reverse if I can't get it under control. He reviewed the health plan and discovered that it covered gastric bypass surgery, and that before authorizing surgery the health plan would require attempts at prescription weight loss medication, but that ironically the weight loss medication was required but not covered. As a result of seeing this inconsistency, my health plan administrator actually added the drug to the plan and after coordinating getting the insurance company updated, I was able to be approved, finally receiving the medication in February 2016. My cost is $150 for a 90 day supply, and it appears that in order to get it renewed, I will have to demonstrate weight loss success.
  • Acacia2India
    Acacia2India Posts: 446 Member
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    Wow! That's fantastic! Congratulations on changing the system!!!!

    You should join the group, we're pretty great :p
  • miluti
    miluti Posts: 30 Member
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    Kudos, Deanna!!! You are not only a champion for your own health, but for any others that might find themselves in your position within your workplace. You've paved the way!! :)
  • fredtrena
    fredtrena Posts: 2 Member
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    Hi Everyone, I just found this message board when searching for some results that people have had using Saxenda. I just started yesterday and I felt so clumsy trying to use the injecting pen...never have had to do anything like that before...and removing the needle of course I stuck my index finger with it after I did a dose in my tummy! It bled and hurt for a little bit and kind of had a darker color in the area for many hours but it has since gone away...thank goodness. I will be much more cautious going forward...all was fine this morning for my 2nd dose. :) Today I have definitely noticed I am much more tired and feel very full this evening...very good thing! Feeling full for long times is hard though...its almost like I've overeaten and very stuffed and I'm just waiting for things to digest. Not a new feeling for me, because I have eaten to the point of being stuffed before, but I would definitely say that it is a new feeling when I haven't eaten so much to be stuffed!

    What is the group that is mentioned in this board? Thanks for sharing!
  • lulufilippelli
    lulufilippelli Posts: 3 Member
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    scarycheri72 wrote: »
    Hi all

    I just started Saxenda. I live in Canada. I have had 3 doses at the lowest dosage. I was fortunate to have my insurance company cover everything. Between my benefits and my husbands I am at coverage 100% including needle tips. We are with Great West Life. I was put on this medication because I have PCOS. I am NOT diabetic. I have a BMI over 27 and have been struggling for 3 years to take off 50 lbs that I suddenly gained in a 6 month period. Not only do I have PCOS but I also have ulcerative colitis. I saw a nutritionist a year ago who put me on a plan that would help with both conditions. I also worked out 5 days a week. I have been on metformin for 3 years. Initially I lost 10 lbs but at this point I have only been able to maintain.

    So far I have had some slight nausea and really don't feel like eating. I was a little freaked out about the who injection thing but I ok with it now.

    I am keeping my fingers crossed that this will be what I need

    Hi There, I am also in Canada and just started Saxenda a week ago just curious what results you have had to-date. I am also with Great West Life and have 100% coverage for everything.

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