Anyone using injectible weight loss meds ? (Ozempic, etc.)
Answers
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CrazyMermaid1 wrote: »Some of the comments here are in the same realm as the “pull yourself up by the bootstraps like the rest of us do” world of people with severe mental illness (like me). Different brains work differently. Sometimes it’s all-encompassing physical hunger brought on by medication or stress. If a drug can take that focus on food away and help someone think normally about food, then I’m all for it. I don’t understand the logic of thinking it’s cheating.
I understand. My son gained 60 pounds his first year on medication for his mental illness. That seems to be the average. He's hungry 24/7. If he has insomnia, which he does often, he wants to eat all night.
I believe that the medication that turns down the amount of dopamine in his brain also turns down the hormones that tell him he's full.
He tries very hard, exercises for hours and eats a vegan diet but still gains. If the injectibles are working for you that is wonderful. Let no one tell you you're not working as hard at it as they are because it is a much harder battle for you than for them from start to finish.6 -
I tried Semaglutide and it worked for a few lbs in the first month or two but then stopped working. I ran out of money to put into it and then I had to have three pretty big surgeries, two were emergency (related) and one was repair on a knee so I could get my active lifestyle back. In March I started back to try to lose weight on my own since I had hit my highest weight ever. (212 lbs) . I am dealing with perimenopause symptom which regardless of what people are saying out here on some of the groups, seriously has impacted my metabolism (which was always on the slower side anyways)
So now I am calorie counting and food tracking, increasing protein and was doing relatively well and got down to 201.00 at end of May. This past month I have lost and gained the same 4 lbs over and over for 4 weeks. Stuck at around 200 lbs. I manage my hunger just fine with increased water intake and fiber. I am working out both Cardio and strength and I am pretty active. SO, I am considering going back on one of the GLP meds ( a different one than what I was on previously) to see if it can help get me unstuck...but need to see what I can find that might be affordable. Paying $1200 a month for meds is not in the budget5 -
I have my prescription in hand.
Not for weight loss but for NAFLD.
We’ll see if my insurance covers it….
My dr did cover a long list of potential side effects. Some potentially very serious.
But an unhealthy liver is also sub-optimal, even if I don’t drink or do other things that make the liver work extra hard. So ya.
I’m willing to take a shot. Pun intended.5 -
Drugs for weight loss is a temporary bandaid at best.2
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tomcustombuilder wrote: »Drugs for weight loss is a temporary bandaid at best.
Or…. Perhaps it’s OK to use the tools available? Especially when accompanied by the support and supervision of an individual’s medical team?
I didn’t ask my doctor to be prescribed a semeglutide. My doctor suggested it to me because, even though I have already lost a significant amount of weight, it has not helped my NAFLD.
I don’t think anyone is saying that weight loss drugs are a magic trick. I think we are acknowledging that theses drugs need to be used alongside exercise, habit changes, and good diet choices.
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Many people do think they are a magic wand and either regain the weight when “job done” by going back to their old habits or don’t lose because they think they just have to take the drug and eat whatever they want.MargaretYakoda wrote: »tomcustombuilder wrote: »Drugs for weight loss is a temporary bandaid at best.
Or…. Perhaps it’s OK to use the tools available? Especially when accompanied by the support and supervision of an individual’s medical team?
I didn’t ask my doctor to be prescribed a semeglutide. My doctor suggested it to me because, even though I have already lost a significant amount of weight, it has not helped my NAFLD.
I don’t think anyone is saying that weight loss drugs are a magic trick. I think we are acknowledging that theses drugs need to be used alongside exercise, habit changes, and good diet choices.
They work when the person has a clear understanding of proper use and implements a lifestyle change post medication however that isn’t always the case.
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Which is off topic for this post.tomcustombuilder wrote: »
Many people do think they are a magic wand and either regain the weight when “job done” by going back to their old habits or don’t lose because they think they just have to take the drug and eat whatever they want.MargaretYakoda wrote: »tomcustombuilder wrote: »Drugs for weight loss is a temporary bandaid at best.
Or…. Perhaps it’s OK to use the tools available? Especially when accompanied by the support and supervision of an individual’s medical team?
I didn’t ask my doctor to be prescribed a semeglutide. My doctor suggested it to me because, even though I have already lost a significant amount of weight, it has not helped my NAFLD.
I don’t think anyone is saying that weight loss drugs are a magic trick. I think we are acknowledging that theses drugs need to be used alongside exercise, habit changes, and good diet choices.
They work when the person has a clear understanding of proper use and implements a lifestyle change post medication however that isn’t always the case.
This post is a support post for people who are using semeglutides, which are prescribed by their medical team. This process often involves some kind of weight management program.
We already know that habit changes, managing calorie intake, and exercising in an appropriate manner are an important part of the process. What that looks like will be different for each individual, and will likely be managed with the assistance of the individual’s medical team.
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Not using it, but I have been reading about it - it's terribly expensive for a drug you may have to stay on forever in order to maintain the results. And there are unknown long term risks. But then, you do have to weigh the risks against the risks of long-term morbid obesity.
It does appear that statistically people regain 70% of the weight within a year of going off it, which speaks to a lack of learning new habits among the general population that is using it. So I think if someone wants to use it, they should combine it with a lot of other support, intentional habit training, and possibly therapy.
This interview is interesting if you have a couple of hours to invest. He uses Ozempic and recently wrote a book.
https://youtu.be/0YMnHNIuK3M?si=faYI4VQBsX9F2pJX 2 -
Just read the above referenced Magic Pill by Johann Hari. The info on the latest injectibles in the first part of the book provides a good overview along with his personal experience before filling the remainder of the book with boilerplate diet advice and un-unique observations. The interview was more helpful than his book.
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tomcustombuilder wrote: »
Many people do think they are a magic wand and either regain the weight when “job done” by going back to their old habits or don’t lose because they think they just have to take the drug and eat whatever they want.MargaretYakoda wrote: »tomcustombuilder wrote: »Drugs for weight loss is a temporary bandaid at best.
Or…. Perhaps it’s OK to use the tools available? Especially when accompanied by the support and supervision of an individual’s medical team?
I didn’t ask my doctor to be prescribed a semeglutide. My doctor suggested it to me because, even though I have already lost a significant amount of weight, it has not helped my NAFLD.
I don’t think anyone is saying that weight loss drugs are a magic trick. I think we are acknowledging that theses drugs need to be used alongside exercise, habit changes, and good diet choices.
They work when the person has a clear understanding of proper use and implements a lifestyle change post medication however that isn’t always the case.
I think both of these points are very important.
As I said on the previous page, the first one happened to me back in the 90s when Fenfluramine was withdrawn from the market.
If it's "not working" what may in fact be going on is that it's not enough to effortlessly create a calorie deficit. The formula is not (Inject Drug = Lose Weight,) it's (Inject Drug + Eat Less/Move More = Lose Weight.)
Lots of people have said semaglutides reduce food noise so that it's easy to (eat less and thus) lose weight, but I'm sure this isn't universally easy.3 -
I just started this medication.
I was hoping to find a supportive group with suggestions and shared ideas. I'm not interested in those who are not involved but love to put others down. Really petty and off-putting. And frankly on a fitness and weightloss site I would expect most to want to help and be supportive.
I've lost 120 lbs in the past (Atkins) and kept it off for 18 years. (so I know how to lose and maintain) My thyroid stopped working (hashimotos) and then menopause hit, then the gym closed for Covid all during a 5 year season of caring for drug exposed new borns = no sleep. That combination put on 40-50lbs and I have been trying to lose it the last few years. Despite working out and watching calories faithfully I can not budge this stinking weight!! I get so frustrated and feel icky being this big.
So, I am so excited at the possibility of help. On day 3 of the therapeutic dose I am actually already feeling it. No interest in food at all. It's such a strange feeling. I have eaten mostly protein and drinking a lot of water and iced tea. Mildly nauseous but nothing awful. I hope you're all finding success and feeling well!!11 -
I decided to try Wegovy because the food noise in my head was constant and even though I knew what I needed to do to lose and maintain weight, that knowledge was no match for all day food obsessing. Wegovy instantly tuned out my constant thoughts of food which is all I needed to be successful. It made all the difference between eating one 90 calorie Fudgesicle twice weekly and buying 3-6 boxes because half a box wouldn't make it home from the store, the other half would be gone within an hour and the remaining boxes would be gone in under four days. I had no side effects at all and for the first time ever, had an OFF switch. I keep wondering: Is this what it feels like to be a "normal person"?16
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I did Ozempic in May 2022 - July 2023 & lost 85 pounds as I was considered pre diabetic & obese (still obese) but my insurance stopped paying for it as my A1C dropped with weight loss. I still need to loose close to 100 pounds but a job change included new insurance which covers no type of weight loss program. Weight loss is very hard & harder for others & takes a great of self control. No one should ever judge others or their method of loosing weight. I wish I could have continued on Ozempic or started on another option but I will win this battle. Wishing you great success!5
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I feel that semaglutides are helpful for those who can benefit from it. In this day and age more information is leading to the fact that it can benefit one’s healthwise including those with food addiction. Food addiction, like any other addiction is becoming more of a problem for many. And just like in the past there have been ones addicted to food, alcohol or drugs that have successfully fought their addiction with willpower or life changing experiences. I have friends who have done this. But at the same time now these ones now have children in this generation who are finding it hard to go that route - just on willpower or faith alone. With the increase of challenges in dealing with mental health many now have found the need for treatment that will help them in getting better. The need for medications may have to be addressed, including the semaglutides. These ones should be praised for wanting to feel better in health. Taking medication is no easy process but they have made a brave decision in doing so. The tide is changing. For those who have the opinion that weightloss can be achieved through willpower and self control alone will soon find themselves in a very small room sharing these opinions with each other.4
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...The tide is changing. For those who have the opinion that weightloss can be achieved through willpower and self control alone will soon find themselves in a very small room sharing these opinions with each other.
I agree. No one tells people suffering from depression to just think happy thoughts and power through the doldrums or suggests folks with alcohol issues simply stop after one or two drinks. Yet the food willpower bandwagon has no shortage of riders. If food compulsion is not your issue, just be thankful and don't hinder those finding success through methods other than "all things in moderation".
Edited to add: I lost 87 lbs. through the willpower route. But that didn't stop the 24/7 food noise in my head nor the desire to binge. Wegovy took away that compulsive food desire and I am suddenly enjoying life without constant intrusive food thoughts.
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...The tide is changing. For those who have the opinion that weightloss can be achieved through willpower and self control alone will soon find themselves in a very small room sharing these opinions with each other.
I agree. No one tells people suffering from depression to just think happy thoughts and power through the doldrums or suggests folks with alcohol issues simply stop after one or two drinks. Yet the food willpower bandwagon has no shortage of riders. If food compulsion is not your issue, just be thankful and don't hinder those finding success through methods other than "all things in moderation".
Edited to add: I lost 87 lbs. through the willpower route. But that didn't stop the 24/7 food noise in my head nor the desire to binge. Wegovy took away that compulsive food desire and I am suddenly enjoying life without constant intrusive food thoughts.
Oh, trust me, they do tell people with depression that. Add in "you don't have anything to be depressed about, just get over it and stop acting like a spoiled brat"7 -
I am a day away from my 3rd terzepatide shot and so far I'm really grateful that I gave myself a chance with this. I was here back in 2016 and lost over 200 lbs, but ended up with a terrible restrictive eating disorder which led to hospitalization. Following this I was in semi-recovery, but the binge eating disorder came roaring back during the pandemic and I regained all of the weight I lost, plus some. My mental health is better now, but when I got on the scale about 5 months ago and saw my highest weight yet I knew I had to change something. I redownloaded MFP and pretty quickly lost about 50 lbs. I wasn't binging as much anymore, but the other ED behaviors had started slipping in. The food noise was so loud and I knew I was headed towards disaster again. So, on a whim, I made an appointment with a doctor and a dietician and started terzepatide. I was so scared giving myself that first shot, but just a few hours later I noticed a difference. I'm on the lowest dose right now, so the food noise comes back around day 5, but the scale is moving again. I'm not restricting. I'm not binging. My dietician has helped me prioritize protein and fiber first, calories second, and this has been a game changer. I'm choosing not to listen to the negative folks saying this is cheating. I've been significantly obese since I was 2. I didn't start this and I will not be shamed for choosing to take a medication that makes this easier and safer for me and no one else should either.9
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...The tide is changing. For those who have the opinion that weightloss can be achieved through willpower and self control alone will soon find themselves in a very small room sharing these opinions with each other.
I agree. No one tells people suffering from depression to just think happy thoughts and power through the doldrums or suggests folks with alcohol issues simply stop after one or two drinks. Yet the food willpower bandwagon has no shortage of riders. If food compulsion is not your issue, just be thankful and don't hinder those finding success through methods other than "all things in moderation".
Edited to add: I lost 87 lbs. through the willpower route. But that didn't stop the 24/7 food noise in my head nor the desire to binge. Wegovy took away that compulsive food desire and I am suddenly enjoying life without constant intrusive food thoughts.sollyn23l2 wrote: »...The tide is changing. For those who have the opinion that weightloss can be achieved through willpower and self control alone will soon find themselves in a very small room sharing these opinions with each other.
I agree. No one tells people suffering from depression to just think happy thoughts and power through the doldrums or suggests folks with alcohol issues simply stop after one or two drinks. Yet the food willpower bandwagon has no shortage of riders. If food compulsion is not your issue, just be thankful and don't hinder those finding success through methods other than "all things in moderation".
Edited to add: I lost 87 lbs. through the willpower route. But that didn't stop the 24/7 food noise in my head nor the desire to binge. Wegovy took away that compulsive food desire and I am suddenly enjoying life without constant intrusive food thoughts.
Oh, trust me, they do tell people with depression that. Add in "you don't have anything to be depressed about, just get over it and stop acting like a spoiled brat"
THANK YOU for saying this!
There are clueless people willing to spout nonsense about pretty much anything someone else struggles with.
Including depression/mental illness.
What is easy to some might be an intense struggle for someone else.
We are learning a lot about the factors that influence our behavior and weight. Comments like “just eat less” usually don’t help.
See also: “Have you tried yoga?” said to physically disabled people
And “Just make a schedule/Use a planner!” to people who have been diagnosed with ADHD
Common advice, worth as much as a used paper cup.0 -
MargaretYakoda wrote: »There are clueless people willing to spout nonsense about pretty much anything someone else struggles with...Comments like “just eat less” usually don’t help.
In the same vain.
"Alcoholic? Stop drinking. See, I fixed you"
Will Ferrell in the same self-important unhelpful vein.
"You want to be a millionaire? Well first get million dollars."
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And NO EXCUSES! Use your willpower. Push through it. White knuckle if you have to...
-- or worse, also ask if you are just plain stupid, with a tone of disdain or worse....
i find these things particularly egregious and without understanding, compassion or empathy....
it is a wholly different thing to help someone work through their thinking and problem solve.... with appropriate alternatives/next steps to try for their current situation and personal condition.1 -
Adventurista wrote: »And NO EXCUSES! Use your willpower. Push through it. White knuckle if you have to...
-- or worse, also ask if you are just plain stupid, with a tone of disdain or worse....
i find these things particularly egregious and without understanding, compassion or empathy....
it is a wholly different thing to help someone work through their thinking and problem solve.... with appropriate alternatives/next steps to try for their current situation and personal condition.
The ‘80s exercise refrain of “no pain no gain!”
So unhealthy and unhelpful.
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I just started Ozempic today.
I must admit I have mixed feelings about it, but on the other hand, if it works as well as advertised, I'll be over the moon.
As a type 2 diabetic for about 3 years now (thanks Covid) I am happy to be getting off Metformin.
It was weird injecting myself today.
Also, trying to tamp down my impatience.5 -
I’ve been on compound semiglutide since March 27.(same thing as ozembic) Making solid progress (down 27.6 pounds) about 24 more To go. The medical health and fitness industry is really changing to be more accepting of using GLP1’s as a tool.
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Yes. I’ve been on Monjaro since March. I started getting compound 4 months ago so I could break up my doses. Much less side effects since I started doing that.2
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snowflakesav wrote: »I’ve been on compound semiglutide since March 27.(same thing as ozembic) Making solid progress (down 27.6 pounds) about 24 more To go. The medical health and fitness industry is really changing to be more accepting of using GLP1’s as a tool.
That is so true because it seems like now its not such a "bad" word as people have become more educated about it. There is also alot of information now about how it is helping other health issues, ie, cardio. I do think its high risk for people to be using it as a crutch and not doing the hard work along with it to change habits for the long term.0 -
HappyDonkey75 wrote: »I do think its high risk for people to be using it as a crutch and not doing the hard work along with it to change habits for the long term.
Ahh, but see, that's what previous posters have been talking about... that perception it's somehow cheating or taking the easy route rather than "doing the hard work."
I "did the hard work" of losing weight and exercising, but I certainly don't feel that made me better or more virtuous in any way. I didn't need to learn new habits - I knew exactly what needed to happen to lose weight. Still, before Wegovy, I would think about food all day long. I couldn't keep ANY sweets in the house because the compulsion to devour them in large quantities was strong and ever present. My stomach or appetite didn't have an OFF switch and it was a willpower struggle that frankly took up waaay too much time and brain space. Not battling cravings and feeling appropriately sated after eating has been a life changer. For me right now, Wegovy is not a crutch but a mitigation of the root problem.
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Diabetics probably will need this permanently.josh250to180 wrote: »Just commenting here... the pharmaceutical companies encourage obesity. They make money on it. Its their cash cow, so to speak.
The semaglutide will ONLY work if you are not eating junk, and are elevating your physicality. Otherwise, it is just a fad without any true purpose besides making the pharmaceutical companies richer. And they know that further down the line, you will be ready to take more of their meds that enable you to still eat like crap.
I got my bloodwork back from the doc. Tris, lipids and liver enzymes all pre-cardiac arrest. I know there is one surefire cure: eating right, eating less, losing weight and increasing cardio activity. And it all sums up to will power.
I made a deal with him. I am going to lose weight in 2 months, and if my blood panel isn't down, I will get on the cholesterol meds until they are.
I say all that to just make sure you only use meds until you don't have to. And most of the meds manufactured for metabolic disease most people don't need permanently. Treat it as a medical condition, not a stigma. The medical condition is poor bloodwork from poor diet and lethargy. Change that, and everything else is icing.
Cheers!
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I love all the comments here! I feel it’s very educational and empowering. We all are trying to do our best in being mindful about our wellness0
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@MsCzarHappyDonkey75 wrote: »I do think its high risk for people to be using it as a crutch and not doing the hard work along with it to change habits for the long term.
Ahh, but see, that's what previous posters have been talking about... that perception it's somehow cheating or taking the easy route rather than "doing the hard work."
I "did the hard work" of losing weight and exercising, but I certainly don't feel that made me better or more virtuous in any way. I didn't need to learn new habits - I knew exactly what needed to happen to lose weight. Still, before Wegovy, I would think about food all day long. I couldn't keep ANY sweets in the house because the compulsion to devour them in large quantities was strong and ever present. My stomach or appetite didn't have an OFF switch and it was a willpower struggle that frankly took up waaay too much time and brain space. Not battling cravings and feeling appropriately sated after eating has been a life changer. For me right now, Wegovy is not a crutch but a mitigation of the root problem.
I actually am in 100% agreement with you. Learning new habits and MAINTAINING them is the hard part when your trying to slay a dragon (aka, the food noise and uncontrollable cravings for sweets/carbs) I tried everything, Keto, Paleo, IF, some of it sort of worked but most of it didn't. When I did Keto , I never experienced the benefit everyone talked about with not wanting sweets anymore after a time. Turns out Keto is just plain bad for women in my age group.
I had horrible sweet cravings as well which has always been a struggle for me. I was the person who would have a piece of cake at a party and long for 3 more pieces and then obsess about not getting to have that . The OFF switch was non existent for me as well. The meds have really helped keep that monster in control but I never realized how abnormal that was . Its nice to not even have those thoughts anymore.
Weightloss has always been hard for me which I sort of blame on general family genetics because I have always been very active but yet could never be an ideal weight. Beyond sweets I always ate healthy, rarely ever had fast food and always cooked at home for 90% of my meals . Now add in the perimenopause phase of life. I have only recently learned and still learning how the drop in some hormones trigger the increase in other hormones that actually cause alot of the food noise and cravings .... who knew. My doctors certainly don't help when all they tell me is eat less and exercise more.. (which is not the answer
for me anyways). I exercise less than I was but its a different focus and I am finally feeling results. Knowledge is power and I am using the meds to manage the symptoms while learning to eat and exercise in the ways my body needs (lift heavy *kitten*). I believe the meds have really helped level out my cortisol and that is helping a ton as well.
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sollyn23l2 wrote: »...The tide is changing. For those who have the opinion that weightloss can be achieved through willpower and self control alone will soon find themselves in a very small room sharing these opinions with each other.
I agree. No one tells people suffering from depression to just think happy thoughts and power through the doldrums or suggests folks with alcohol issues simply stop after one or two drinks. Yet the food willpower bandwagon has no shortage of riders. If food compulsion is not your issue, just be thankful and don't hinder those finding success through methods other than "all things in moderation".
Edited to add: I lost 87 lbs. through the willpower route. But that didn't stop the 24/7 food noise in my head nor the desire to binge. Wegovy took away that compulsive food desire and I am suddenly enjoying life without constant intrusive food thoughts.
Oh, trust me, they do tell people with depression that. Add in "you don't have anything to be depressed about, just get over it and stop acting like a spoiled brat"
Yep, I've heard comments like that as well.
'Think happy thoughts. Put a smile on your face and it'll all feel better, hang out with positive people, fake it till you make it'.
To comment on the original question: they put my son on Ozempic quite awhile ago and while it was to treat his diabetes, a side affect of it was losing 40+ pounds. He had no desire to eat. You hear about the negative side effects of it in the news and he told me those are people who could be on larger doses than he is. IDK. He also said he has to pay for the first dose every year, which I think is 1K but the rest his insurance pays for, so it is really expensive. 2
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