Saxenda

Finally got my prescription after a full 12 months of discussing it with my doctor, going through tests, allowing him time to research it and consult with my psych... Will be picking it up Wednesday.

Any recommendations for how/when/where to take it? Assuming morning is better? With food? In your thigh or something? I've never had to do an injection before so I'm a little nervous...

I started Saxenda about 10 days ago. no real side effects except I had a bad headache the first couple of days. then I got the flu over Christmas. I can tell the Saxenda is working as normally I have a big sweet tooth but I find I am choosing more of the savoury now so cravings are definitely decreased. I am rarely hungry and when I do eat, I can only eat a small amount or I feel sick. I am taking it in the morning and I am up to 1.2 mg/day. I go up to 1.8 in 3 days. For a girl who hates needles, I have to say that these ones are so small, I can even watch them go into my belly

I'm down about 5 lbs in 10 days - that works for me! I was worried that I would have issues with IBS but its the opposite - this causes me constipation but that is easily handled with a bit of Senokot

This drug is not cheap. I am in Canada and my drug plan covers 80% of the cost. My first month cost about $800 and then I paid 20% of that. I have struggled with my weight for so long that if this continues to work like it does, I will gladly pay the money every month. I am eating less so it probably balances out

CrazySalsaMomma wrote: »

So I started this conversation six months ago. I lost 20lbs with Saxenda so far. But I've been stuck for a few months at the same weight. I'm coming back to track what I eat in hopes I can loose 20 more with Saxenda's help. I was lucky. My only side effect was the headache when I up the dosage for a day or two. Some burping. I kinda wish I had some of the nausea. I've also been lucky that my insurance covers it and with the manufacture's coupon, I pay about $30 per month. I have PCOS, and insulin resistance.

I have PCOS and Insulin Resistance as well. I started Saxenda on Dec 16th and have been lucky enough to lose 5lbs and almost 2 inches off my waist thus far (the latter being more exciting to me, where visceral fat is more dangerous than fat elsewhere). I'm on 1.2mg dose right now, going up to 1.8 this coming Wednesday evening.

The worst side effects for me have been increased thirst, nausea, and an insane feeling of fullness after I upped to 1.2mg (I had about 48 hours of not really wanting to eat because I felt so damn full! I actually was sick to my stomach on Christmas morning while trying to brush my teeth (activated my gag reflex!!)...not so fun, especially when your stomach is basically empty. Hoping to avoid the fullness/vomiting when I increase this week. We shall see!

Kudos to everyone for sharing on here - it is great to have a place where we can bounce off of each other and discuss progress! Special thanks for starting the thread, CrazySalsaMomma.

cwagar123 wrote: »

... it sounds awful. What is Saxenda?

It is a medication for those who are considered obese and are unable to lose weight with exercise and meal planning alone.

https://www.saxenda.com/

Mana0783 wrote: »

Hi everyone. Just starting taking Saxenda a week ago and wanted to find some folks to share info with! Very little side effects for me...most common being the bloated/full feeling that keeps me from eating too much. I've lost 5 lbs. in the first week which is super awesome for me. Just upped the dose to 1.2 today so we'll see how it goes!

Yeah the full feeling and some nausea is all I really have to deal with. I'm down about 6.4lbs and 2 inches off my waist since starting on Dec 18th (I'm currently at 1.8mg). I could be losing faster if I amped up my exercise. Little by little, I'll get there!

Any bruising at all at your injection sites? I always end up with at least a yellow bruise for a few days after, no matter the instruction/advice I get for injecting.

I've been on Saxenda for 3 months and lost 13 lbs (34 total since I started this journey a year ago). I'm also insulin resistant and have PCOS as well as a slight issue with my thyroid. Losing weight is very, very difficult on my own. Working with my doctor I've tried phentermine, Qsymia, Metformin, Wellbutrin and Contrave. Saxenda is by far the best at curbing my appetite and helping me gain control of my life. For the first time weight loss doesn't feel hopeless and temporary. And exercise, which was always difficult and painful, is becoming a regular part of my life. Side effects have been minimal. In the beginning a slight headache, some nausea, but those subsided once I was at the full dose (2.4). Constipation can be an issue. I almost always have bruising at the injection site, but I take aspirin daily so that probably contributes. I like the full feeling, it keeps me from overeating. I've learned if I over do it and eat more than a small portion I'm miserable for hours...it's just not worth it! When I started Saxenda my doctor told me to get as much protein in my system as possible so I've started drinking protein shakes in the morning. I'm not a breakfast eater so it helps to have something in my stomach in the am.

I'd be interested to hear from others who have been on Saxenda (or Victoza - same medication at a lower dosage) for more than 6 months. Is the medication still working for you or have you noticed it losing its effectiveness? Hopefully the habits I'm developing will help if that happens, and when I reach my goal and go off it.

Please be aware that there are some concerns with the risk of thyroid cancer and pancreatitis with these drugs.

"The FDA and the EMA have not reached a final conclusion at this time regarding such a causal relationship. Although the totality of the data that have been reviewed provides reassurance, pancreatitis will continue to be considered a risk associated with these drugs until more data are available; both agencies continue to investigate this safety signal."

See here:http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1314078

Stay informed.

It is great to see some activity on this thread. I started at the end of July and am down almost 45 lbs , which for me is pretty incredible. I am at the 2.4 dose and most likely will stay here. I had difficulty with every increase so I did it very slowly. I literally ramped up to the next dose one click a day vs going to a jump of .6.

This is probably the first time in my life that I did not gain between thanksgiving and Christmas . It's still work, but this has truly helped with cravings and giving in to sugar and hunger. I have always injected into the lower abdomen, I am fairly bruised and it is starting to become more and more sensitive. Has anyone used their thigh? Does it hurt? I really need to change sites but I am a bit of a chicken. Above the waist also freaks me out.

Glad to hear the success.

Thanks Julie.... Now to figure out why I am so chicken to try the thigh.

@azelizabeth If you inject into your thigh, it'll probably be easier/less painful if you do it on the top (ie: your lap) rather than on the sides where there's normally more fat. I can't do it on the sides...hurts too much. On the front of my legs though, I don't find a problem.

So . . . now I know what people mean when they say they aren't hungry (aside from when they're stuffed). It's peaceful.

mrskarenlea wrote: »

I started Saxenda about 10 days ago. no real side effects except I had a bad headache the first couple of days. then I got the flu over Christmas. I can tell the Saxenda is working as normally I have a big sweet tooth but I find I am choosing more of the savoury now so cravings are definitely decreased. I am rarely hungry and when I do eat, I can only eat a small amount or I feel sick. I am taking it in the morning and I am up to 1.2 mg/day. I go up to 1.8 in 3 days. For a girl who hates needles, I have to say that these ones are so small, I can even watch them go into my belly

I'm down about 5 lbs in 10 days - that works for me! I was worried that I would have issues with IBS but its the opposite - this causes me constipation but that is easily handled with a bit of Senokot

This drug is not cheap. I am in Canada and my drug plan covers 80% of the cost. My first month cost about $800 and then I paid 20% of that. I have struggled with my weight for so long that if this continues to work like it does, I will gladly pay the money every month. I am eating less so it probably balances out

Which insurance company are you with?

I am also interested in what insurance companies will cover this as my monthly price would be $389. My current insurance company will not cover it. Thanks in advance!

I moved my shots to the nighttime tonight because they make me much too tired during the day.
I'm still on the 0.6, I should move up to 1.2 but I'm very nervous. It's working at 0.6 (side effects and all), 1.2 seems like it may be really tough. I'm sure I'm just being a Nervous Nelly I'll get there. But . . . *sigh*

How is everyone else doing?

I had a new experience Saturday night.

My husband and I went out for dinner to my favourite restaurant (only the 4th time we've ever had a baby sitter). since we rarely go (and the food is so different from what we normally eat) we normally order two appetizers, share them, and then either share a meal or order our own and take home leftovers.

Well, this time we only ordered one appetizer (we just weren't in the mood fot the other since I've been toying with recipe for it at home) and I barely made it through 1/3 of my dinner! I was seriously stuffed. Like stuffed-stuffed; I couldn't eat another bite. It was so weird.

I know it's the medication, but I still feel proud of myself.

I can't believe normal people have this feeling of satiety - it's amazing.