GLP1 weight loss users

pamsahdev
pamsahdev Posts: 1 Member
edited May 17 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi, I’m Pam and I’m looking for folks using any of the GLP1 drugs for weight loss drug. Please share tips and tricks you are using.
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Replies

  • teramae
    teramae Posts: 78 Member
    Hi, I am using a tirzepitide. I just started over a week ago. But am only using it every other week-ish since my insurance does not cover it. I am using MFP to prioritize protein and fiber. I am a vegetarian, so I feel like hitting those protein goals can be hard. I sent a friend request.
  • leahnalley8503
    leahnalley8503 Posts: 1 Member
    My insurance does not cover GLP1 injections, or weight loss related visits. I keep seeing adds for several different companies promoting the use of GLP1 injections. However, there is a membership fee you have to pay before you can even get an idea of how much the injections will cost. Anyone have recommendations? Or can anyone advise me of the total costs?
  • MargaretYakoda
    MargaretYakoda Posts: 2,986 Member
    leahnalley8503 wrote: »
    My insurance does not cover GLP1 injections, or weight loss related visits. I keep seeing adds for several different companies promoting the use of GLP1 injections. However, there is a membership fee you have to pay before you can even get an idea of how much the injections will cost. Anyone have recommendations? Or can anyone advise me of the total costs?

    If you have to pay to see how much the injection costs, I personally would avoid it.

    Double check with your insurance company about the specific drugs and programs they will approve, and under what circumstances. Most will cover it now if you’re diabetic. Some only if you’re insulin dependent. Worth double checking every six months or so. Things are changing pretty rapidly on this front.

  • kaferine69
    kaferine69 Posts: 199 Member
    I'm on a semaglutide compound. I initially went through my GP, who has a health & beauty clinic on the side. I trust him because he has been my doctor for 15 years, but I dearly paid for that trust. He charges $600/month for consult/check-ins, injection, and B12 injection. I did it once and do weekly injections at home.

    There is a pill form called Rybelsus that I am moving to. You can sign up on their website and they give you manufacturers coupons. Insurance won't pay, but with the coupons it's $50/month. My GP says the pill is not *as* effective, but for the price, it's worth trying. He's swapping me over to Rybelsus next week. My last injection on the semaglutide compound is this week.
  • MDarleneB
    MDarleneB Posts: 10 Member
    I am currently on wegovy and have lost some but I’m still on a lower dose so I’m hoping to get bumped up when I see my dr this week… I am losing but mostly because I’m actually making lifestyle changes! I have never been so ready to do healthy things in my life. I’m even doing dumbbell workouts now and I have never been into even trying always just wanted to lose without changing anything but I can’t eat as much at one sitting so that helps … good luck to you :)
  • JodieHut
    JodieHut Posts: 703 Member
    It's GREAT that there are so many options right now! And making changes in food choices and daily activities has been nice.... before tirz the food noise was too much to stay focused for long periods of time. Not obsessing over food is such a mental relief.

    My side effects have been annoying though.... typically I dont feel well the day after my shot. It has lessened with each shot, but I look forward to none eventually.

    @tinybear2006 ... love that you are using dumbbells! I dusted off my kettlebell and have been swinging that around on my lunch at work!

    @kaferine69 .... I havent heard of that pill form... thanks for info. I will definitely be researching that!

  • jaxbert
    jaxbert Posts: 1 Member
    I started Zepbound on March 5, I’ve lost a little over 30 pounds so far. (276 down to 246)… insurance doesn’t cover it, but there is a coupon to bring it down to $550 per month, plus I’m using my HSA.
  • JodieHut
    JodieHut Posts: 703 Member
    @jaxbert ... wow, you've had great results so far! Congrats! Have you ever considered using a compound instead of Zepbound? The prices are much lower. The telehealth company I use accepts HSA and FSA as well. (The dont write letters though, if needed.) Wishing you continued success! :)
  • dontlikepeople
    dontlikepeople Posts: 142 Member
    I took semaglutide for 6-8 months. I never got the appetite suppression like others had. Once the dose was ramped up to 2.5mg i had appetite suppression but quickly adapted and it was gone. All I really had for 6-8 months was burping and constipation. Despite what the doctor said, I quit cold turkey and experienced no negative effects, in fact I'm losing weight faster without it.

    But I've been hanging around forums, and some people respond to it really well, it seems to really be hit or miss.
  • kaferine69
    kaferine69 Posts: 199 Member
    dontlikepeople wrote: »
    I took semaglutide for 6-8 months. I never got the appetite suppression like others had. Once the dose was ramped up to 2.5mg i had appetite suppression but quickly adapted and it was gone. All I really had for 6-8 months was burping and constipation. Despite what the doctor said, I quit cold turkey and experienced no negative effects, in fact I'm losing weight faster without it.

    But I've been hanging around forums, and some people respond to it really well, it seems to really be hit or miss.

    I still seem to experience appetite as well, but I don't think it's as severe. I don't really spend so much of my day thinking about food anymore.
  • JodieHut
    JodieHut Posts: 703 Member
    @Courtney9233 .... that's great progress! I have a lot of weight to lose, so I hope I can be patient. I know it will take me a year or more as well. I need to work on my patience! :)
  • kaferine69
    kaferine69 Posts: 199 Member
    I've gone up to 3 units of semaglutide as of yesterday. Thankfully I did not react as poorly to this dosage increase as the last one. I hope it will help control my hunger a little more; so far I have noticed a curb on my appetite, but nothing drastic. But this is working for me, because I'm eating much better and moving around a lot more. I think I'm down about 14 lbs in one month, but I've definitely lost in my measurements. I'm able to walk for longer periods without pain.
  • HappyDonkey75
    HappyDonkey75 Posts: 291 Member
    dontlikepeople wrote: »
    I took semaglutide for 6-8 months. I never got the appetite suppression like others had. Once the dose was ramped up to 2.5mg i had appetite suppression but quickly adapted and it was gone. All I really had for 6-8 months was burping and constipation. Despite what the doctor said, I quit cold turkey and experienced no negative effects, in fact I'm losing weight faster without it.

    But I've been hanging around forums, and some people respond to it really well, it seems to really be hit or miss.

    I tried the same drug, the daily shot, it worked slightly to decrease my appetite initially, I got up to the full dose but then it just didn't seem to work at all, so I guess my system adapted like you. I stopped as well cold turkey with no noticeable side effects. I think for the 5 months I tried it, I lost 4 lbs?? maybe.. I did gain it all back . Now since making a decision to get on the MFP train and get serious , I have also lost more weight than I did on the injection. . I had to pay all out of pocket so it is no longer an option for me.

    As far as these compounded options for the medications, how does a person really weed through if they are legitamate . I have heard alot of the compound versions are snake oil...
  • kaferine69
    kaferine69 Posts: 199 Member
    What's everyone's dosages at? Last week I went up to .3 and I'm still feeling appetite and hunger. Not as severely as usual, but it's there.
  • JodieHut
    JodieHut Posts: 703 Member
    Good morning Everyone!

    @kaferine69 .... sorry to hear you aren't getting as much appetite suppression. Your weight loss has been great though! I'm not sure about sema dosing, as I am on tirzepatide compound. I have gotten great appetite suppression from day one.

    @HappyDonkey75 ... When I first heard about the compound meds, I was very interested as my insurance wont pay for the name brands..... so I did a lot of research. I ultimately found a telehealth site I trusted and ordered from. I'm six shots in and couldn't be happier. Apparently I'm a "fast responder", as I've lost 18 pounds in five weeks on the lowest dose.

    I've now taken 6 shots and I feel better and better each week. I am still feeling tired a lot though. I've been making really good eating choices and trying to get in lots of protein.

    I'm sure I will have stalls/plateaus along the way, but I expect that. I'm committed to this for at least a year.

    Hope everyone has a great week!
  • snowflakesav
    snowflakesav Posts: 649 Member
    I am on compounded semiglutide. My dr just bumped me up to 1.2 mg weekly after 12 weeks. I pay 280.00 for 4 weeks out of pocket. No additional expense from my Dr. I get excellent appetite suppression at the lower doses and have lost 21 pounds. I have 30 pounds more to get to my goal weight. I do strength exercises 3 times per week, 14000 steps per day and I have put on some muscle. I’m tracking my food because I want to be aware of any stalls.
    Everyone has a different experience based on their metabolic flexibility, focus on muscle preservation and if they need HRT to manage hormones.
  • JodieHut
    JodieHut Posts: 703 Member
    I'm tired, and I know it's because I am not eating enough. :/

    I have taken seven shots of compound tirzepatide, all at the "loading" dose of 2.5mg. I am never hungry, and when I do force myself to eat I can only manage a few bites. I really want to eat! I think on my next shot day, I will draw only 2mg. Seems ridiculous to me, but apparently my body is very sensitive to this medicine.

    Anyone else responding to the beginning dose so strongly? I dont know what else to do except cut back on it. I want to have my appetite suppressed, but not to the point that I cant eat and am feeling faint all the time.

  • kaferine69
    kaferine69 Posts: 199 Member
    I would definitely talk to your prescribing doctor. Have you experimented with different kinds of foods to see if any will sit well? My mom's injection (she has diabetes) makes her nauseous and sick for like two days after, and she still gets random nausea throughout the week. She finds that some foods sit better than others, and sometimes she can only stomach specific things.
  • jennydowd
    jennydowd Posts: 19 Member
    Hi all! I just took my 6th shot of compounded semaglutide today. I started my weight loss journey in late Feb and lost 18lbs before starting the sema on 5/8. On sema I have lost 15lbs in 5 weeks so far.

    I was on the "loading dose" of .25mg for the first 4 weeks, and I just increased to .5mg last week. On the loading doses, I noticed the food noise would come back a little on day 6. Last week was my first week at .5 and on day 7 (yesterday) I could not really eat, struggling to get to just 650 calories for the day. The only reason I even did that was because I forced down a 230cal protein drink at 8pm! I couldn't sleep last night and I wonder if it is related.

    Today I took my 6th shot (second one at .5) and we'll see how it goes. My appetite is back today.
  • kaferine69
    kaferine69 Posts: 199 Member
    jennydowd wrote: »
    Hi all! I just took my 6th shot of compounded semaglutide today. I started my weight loss journey in late Feb and lost 18lbs before starting the sema on 5/8. On sema I have lost 15lbs in 5 weeks so far.

    I was on the "loading dose" of .25mg for the first 4 weeks, and I just increased to .5mg last week. On the loading doses, I noticed the food noise would come back a little on day 6. Last week was my first week at .5 and on day 7 (yesterday) I could not really eat, struggling to get to just 650 calories for the day. The only reason I even did that was because I forced down a 230cal protein drink at 8pm! I couldn't sleep last night and I wonder if it is related.

    Today I took my 6th shot (second one at .5) and we'll see how it goes. My appetite is back today.

    Wow! I'm on sema. I'm on week 5 and only at .4 dose. My appetite is still present, but definitely lessened. I am able to cut down to 1200 calories now without too much difficulty.
  • mdamrill
    mdamrill Posts: 2 Member
    edited June 12
    I'm on Zepbound since March and it helped me lose 25 lbs so far. I was taking phentermine before and it helped me lose 20 but got stuck. Zepbound is hardcore but works. I'm finally at I point I don't get sick as *kitten*. When I moved up to 5mg I was down for 4 days. Then it was on backorder and I could only get 10mg. I masterfully figured out how to draw it out of pen and am splitting the 10 into 5mg doses.
  • maggybd
    maggybd Posts: 52 Member
    I am on Zepbound since the end of March. I have been on 2.5 till this week. I just did by first 5mg shot. Down 21lbs. I think I am a medium responder. I have to work at it but the tricks that never worked now do. I track my food and try to stay around 1400 calories.
  • amyyoung2108
    amyyoung2108 Posts: 1 Member
    I have a Tue appt with Henry Meds to try the oral Tirzepatide. Has anyone dealt with them or the pill version? I am hopeful this helps.
  • kaferine69
    kaferine69 Posts: 199 Member
    amyyoung2108 wrote: »
    I have a Tue appt with Henry Meds to try the oral Tirzepatide. Has anyone dealt with them or the pill version? I am hopeful this helps.

    My husband is on the pill version. He "lucked" out (said sarcastically) in that his bloodwork showed him on the very low end of being diabetic, so our insurance ended up covering most of the cost for him.

    He always reacts very strongly to new medications, but this one did not give him any side effects. However, it is different in that his doctor is having him on the first, low dosage for 90 days before it gets increased. It has helped his appetite, but has not caused it to vanish. Essentially, it is doing what it is supposed to do, which is to cut back your appetite so it's not so severe, so that all the tips and tricks you've tried in the past that did not work, start to finally work.

    He did not lose anything for the first month, FYI, although I noticed he did lose in measurements (before we started taking them). He is in the second month now and I think he is down about 15 lbs.

    Best of luck to you!
  • medlib
    medlib Posts: 6 Member
    I’m on Rybelsus and plateauing. Any tips?
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,207 Member
    edited August 9
    People on these medications can also help the body naturally secrete GLP-1's and those being whole foods basically, like leavy greens, avocado, whole grains, vegetables, olive oil, legumes as well as eggs and all animal proteins. This protocol not only has the ability to increase insulin sensitively but also has the ability to potentially slow down or reverse diabetes.

    If this sound of some interest to anyone I suggest a few simple google searches to confirm this and maybe spark some interest in improving your own health in a more holistic way. Keep in mind this intervention will have an effect on your blood sugar and I would suggest you be in contact with your PCP that is guiding you through this process because the potential this will effect existing medications is a real one :)
  • kaferine69
    kaferine69 Posts: 199 Member
    medlib wrote: »
    I’m on Rybelsus and plateauing. Any tips?

    How long have you been on it? Have you had an dosage increases? Have you added exercise into the mix?

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