Anyone using injectible weight loss meds ? (Ozempic, etc.)

pmigirlrt · April 21

Recently started using Ozempic, primarily for health reasons but of course weight is underlying factor.

wk46mmknjk · April 21

I just started a few days ago. It’s primarily for weight loss but with being obese it’s also for health reasons.

Summersigh2015 · April 22

tomcustombuilder wrote: »

You can shoot up all you want but until you change your lifestyle you're just kidding yourself that you’ll be successful long term.

Losing the fat isn’t job done its job starting.

I completely agree. Success can only be achieved with a complete overhaul of self-sabotaging habits. Consistent daily exercise and healthy nutrition will get you there. Glossing over these simple lifestyle changes is just yet more avoidant behavior. Changing your health requires hard word and discipline.

MargaretYakoda · April 22

tomcustombuilder wrote: »

You can shoot up all you want but until you change your lifestyle you're just kidding yourself that you’ll be successful long term.

Losing the fat isn’t job done its job starting.

Just an FYI semiglutides are beneficial for other issues besides obesity.

jaelia · April 22

I used it for about 2 months but i stopped because I felt so sick all the time and it was affecting my work. I was very stressed at the time so it didn't stop me from over eating and I didn't lose very much weight.

Now I'm losing weight without it.

dezs2sons · May 2

Yes it’s really helped me stay in control and is helping me as I learn without all the food noise

CrazyMermaid1 · May 2

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.

MargaretYakoda · May 2

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.

The original point of the phrase “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” was that it’s impossible to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. It was originally a sarcastic comment meant to highlight that there are some things a person can’t do without help.

MzBug · May 2

I just started Mounjaro. T2D and CKD. Changed my eating habits and got to "high normal" on the blood work. Doc wants me lower. She thinks this med is more kidney friendly than my old meds. If I lose a bit of weight, all to the good.

janayc2245 · May 3

Wegovy here. On my second month. It has helped a lot with controlling portions and even on my bad days they are not as bad as they used to be.

nivlac1772 · May 3

I used Mounjaro as a tool to kick start my journey. I started in June 2023 and went off in January 2024. It worked great for me, lost 49ers and 3 pant sizes.
I have been maintaining my weight since January 2024 with the lifestyle changes adopted while taking Mounjaro.

glo1196 · May 4

I’m on ozempic. Finally up to 1.0 dose and finally seeing the scale move. I’m eating very healthy and clean. Avoiding all and any fast food, eating a salad with a protien and non-starchy vegetable. I am obese, T2 and have Parkinsonism. I refuse to go down without fighting. Hoping weight loss will help with everything else. Good luck and don’t give up!

watanabelynne · May 5

I’ve been on semiglutide for several weeks and I’m taking it from JumpStart MD, a nutrition and hormone therapy program to help get into better health.

asmokegars1 · May 7

Doing Mounjaro/Zepbound. Down 50 lbs from that. Just recently changed to a low sodium, low saturated fat diet focusing on whole foods. Down another 9 lbs in 2 weeks. Mild stomach irritation is the only side effect for me.

JennyHarrison8465 · May 9

Started March 11th 2024 at 170lbs. Today I am 150.1lbs. It stopped my binge eating disorder. The only side effect I've had the whole time was feeling pukey off and on. Worth it.

snowflakesav · May 10

I started compounded semiglutide (ozembic) .3 mg weekly, the fully loaded dose is 1 to 2.5mg. I lost 11 pounds total since April 27 but my scale indicates I put on 3 pounds of muscle so there is a lot going on. I started at 185 pounds. I fully intend to continue on it until I drop my weight then continue microdosing. I do need to manage my portions and definitely stay active but the medication even at a small dose really helps me unlock the key to when I'm satisfied and stop before I get full.

wkqkn6hcp8 · May 11

I was prescribed Wegovy by my PCP. Unfortunately, insurance won’t cover it. I started taking Semaglutide compound April 16, 2024. I’m down 11.8 lbs. It isn’t a lot, but I have FINALLY found a different relationship with food. I used to joke that I didn’t have the “button” to tell me I was full. I could always eat through the fullness. I was always thinking about food. It was all consuming. If something tasted good, I ate it all.
Since starting this I know what FULL feels like. You can’t overeat or you will feel awful. The first two weeks were rough from a side effects standpoint. I wasn’t surprised. If something is going to have a side effect, I will get it. I’m two days away from increasing the dose. I no longer obsess about food. I have ZERO cravings. Sometimes on day 6 after the injection I may want a candy, but nothing major. I don’t think about food ALL the time. I eat when I’m hungry. I am now more aware of what I’m eating because I know I will be full easier. Therefore, I know I need to eat protein to avoid muscle wasting. I’m much more aware I need to fuel my body before I feel full. I have finally started eating what my body needs vs what I think I need.
As someone who has done most every diet out there, I never got past those cravings or “food noise”. NEVER!! For those that think changing your diet and exercise will eventually make things better…it didn’t for me. I was on the Jillian Michaels program for 1.5 years. I still craved foods everyday. I couldn’t wait until I could eat again. I was on Noom for one year. Both of these programs did what they were supposed to. I lost 40-45lbs with each. Noom has the psychological component to it. I would be obsessing about food, stare at it and ask myself if I really needed it or just wanted it. The noises were always there. It was always will power, but the brain never changed. This is the first time in my life my life isn’t revolving around food, and I am loving it. I used to think it was cheating until I realized I am now feeling what I was meant to…full.

Lunasash · May 12

Started Zepbound 4 weeks ago. Had a huge interaction with my metformin and caused gastroparesis. Threw up a few days worth of metformin at once and realized the problem. Emailed with my GI and Endo. Stopped the metformin and doing much better now. Down 26 lbs total (from before and after starting zep) and get my follow up labs in 2 weeks to see if this is making any difference at all.

Lunasash · May 12

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.

My husband tells me all the time that I am cheating. He says it semi-jokingly...

Oh well, I finally weigh less than him. First time in 13 years! He was always 1 to 20 lbs less than me.

mjsburcham2001 · May 12

I tried. It didn’t work for me unfortunately. 😫

kshama2001 · May 12

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 don't see the "you'll need to change your habits" comments on this thread as the same as “pull yourself up by the bootstraps like the rest of us do.” I've heard from many people, including on this thread, that semaglutides takes away the “food noise.” This usually leads to different habits and thus weight loss.

This "no food noise > eat less > lose weight" pattern happened to me when I was on Phen/Fen. However, I didn't retain those habits when Fenfluramine was taken off the market, and gained most of the weight back.

I'm a lot more mindful now, no to mention older and wiser, and would hopefully retain those habits if I went off it.

I'm with the VA and right now can't get a Rx because of the nationwide shortage and I'm not diabetic. (To my fellow veterans - in my VISN anyway, you have to complete the 16 week MOVE program before you can get in to see the weight loss doctor.)

Because of my whole Phen/Fen experience and because I'm not sure that I could inject myself, I have mixed feelings about pursuing this, plus I'm worried about the nausea side effect.

kshama2001 · May 12

For those of you with the nausea side effect, how did you manage this?

CrazyMermaid1 · May 13

I too was successful with Phen/fen because it changed my brain chemistry to mimic people with normal relationships with food. With Phen/fen, I was able to get full when I ate. Without it I could continue eating and never feel full. With Phen/fen I wasn’t obsessed with when my next meal would come and what I was going to eat. Without it the focus was entirely on food 24/7. The effect of these drugs on people’s brains is proof positive that this is a brain chemistry problem that the medication solves. This is very similar to an antidepressant changing brain chemistry for someone who has depression.

mwright5806 · May 14

I started on May 11, 2024. My doctor was concerned about my BMI and my weight She put me on 2.5 Zepbound, along with a low-cal diet, and try to increase my exercise as able. I have Modic type 1 endplate changes to my endplates in my spine. It's very painful! I had multiple surgeries in 2023, but my Neurosurgeon said there is nothing more he can do, the risks far outweigh the benefits. I have gained weight from being practically immobile for a year now. I stretch every day, some things I can't do, but I have a health coach and I work with a Physical Therapist to adjust my exercises when needed.

I had my first dose on Monday, 5/14/24 and I have followed the low-cal diet and not hungry at all. I feel fatigued but am increasing my protein and electrolytes. I am excited to walk (I use a walker because my Modic Type 1 changes cause me to randomly fall).. Anyway, I am excited and motivated and staying very positive! I am only 60 years old!

Allgaun · May 26

I started Zepbound last week. Other than a headache the day after the first dose I didn’t have any problems. I have to lose about 70 lbs, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, pre diabetes. I have been somewhat successful with just calorie counting, a few times I’ve lost 20-30 lbs only to regain so I decided to try something else.

I’m disappointed with the naysayers who seem to think we’re just not trying hard enough. I need to get out of the yo yo mindset. I’ve never been able to get to an average weight on my own, months of restriction just to put it right back on.

josh250to180 · May 29

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!

josh250to180 · May 29

Allgaun wrote: »

I’m disappointed with the naysayers who seem to think we’re just not trying hard enough. I need to get out of the yo yo mindset. I’ve never been able to get to an average weight on my own, months of restriction just to put it right back on.

Its not necessarily your fault. Its free-market corporate America. Most ads are about things to make you obese, or to eventually deal with the results of your obesity. Fat people make companies rich. They buy the meds, they buy the bigger sizes, they give in to temptation at literally every corner from their stressful job. They watch tv, where every other ad is either about crappy food they shouldn't eat, or a medication because they do.

Ive been lucky to this point. I am at the limit of "I don't need medication". But I am probably 10 years or less away from a cardiac event if nothing changes. And my father just had a triple bypass, after a near-fatal heart attack. This is a man that didn't take any meds. Now, he is on 10 different meds to cure his heart. So I am mentally motivated to do better. Bring it on, corporate America.

elisa123gal · May 29

My husband started on Zepbound a few months ago. All that did was make him feel sick and he didn't lose much weight. With he shortage of Zepbound, he was then put on Ozempic which is working fabulously for him.

For those with the negative comments about these weight loss injections. You are insensitive and don't know what you're talking about. I don't like that my husband is on a drug. But, when he talks openly with me about his struggle with constant hunger and how he felt helpless and doomed... and now he has hope and he can for the first time in his life eat like a "normal" person and think about food with reason. It almost makes me cry. I have no idea ..and neither do you.. of what bigger struggles other people have with what seems "controllable and sensible". Criticizing someone else's path to wellness; are the remarks of a know-it-all bore.

paperpudding · May 29

Criticizing someone else's path to wellness; are the remarks of a know-it-all bore.

Agreed - self righteous know it all comments don't help anyone.

corgisncollies · May 31

I'm on Ozempic to manage my diabetes and have been for 4 1/2 years. For me, it's just another tool. I know it isn't a miracle drug and I have worked hard to change my eating habits. My taste buds have changed so much. Most desserts are way too sweet and I used to have the biggest sweet tooth. I eat tons of vegetables and lean proteins. If it were more affordable, I would eat so much more seafood than I do because I love it now. If I had to pick a favorite food, it would be shrimp. I'm not perfect. I still eat too many carbs some days. I feel like the medication helps me feel full faster so that I am less likely to overeat, but I have had to learn to listen to my body and not eat emotionally. I am down roughly 85 pounds, which is not much considering how long it has taken me and how far I still have to go, but I just keep plugging along, refusing to give up, knowing that I'm still better off than I was.

Angelica_p2 · June 26

dezs2sons wrote: »

Yes it’s really helped me stay in control and is helping me as I learn without all the food noise

I started taking ozempic 23rd May 2024. I have a strong family history of Diabetes and have tried everything to lose weight - which I succeed, and then put it all back on. I have been YoYo'ing all my adult life, and have other health issues because of my weight including high blood pressure and very sore knees and hips. I haven't been able to put my finger on it but thankyou - I don't have that "food noise" in my head which screams at me everytime I feel the slightest bit hungry, and when I start eating I cannot stop. The receptor in my brain that tells me I am full takes a good 2 hours to work, and at that point I have well and truly over eaten. I am now very much in control as the appetite just isn't there anymore. I believe that I just needed a little help for my Pancreas to release a bit more insulin as my food intake has been pretty healthy. I don't eat fast foods, or sugary treats, and I stick to 1200 calories a day in order to create a deficit. I feel like the semi glutide is keeping me on an even keel, and I have lost 9.7 pounds (4.4 kgs) in 5 weeks of starting the medication, with minimum side effects. I am still in the Obese category, and I just want to get to a point where I am in a normal and healthy weight range.
I sometimes feel a bit nauseous but nothing I can't handle. I don't judge anyone that has tried semiglutide to try and get out of the Obese and overweight categories, but those who only have a few kgs to lose (who are still in the healthy weight categories, and want to take semiglutide for esthetic purposes) should perhaps try other methods before messing around with such a potent drug.

Anyone using injectible weight loss meds ? (Ozempic, etc.)

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