I’m surprised that there is so much advertisement for these drugs as weight loss solutions despite the persistent supply issues. I have a friend using it for diabetes (and obviously the weight loss is an added benefit) and she is always having to call around for supply and changing brands and formulations. While I’d like to try it for the weight loss benefit, I don’t want to have to stress about getting it and potentially gaining weight back if I can’t get it for a while.
Any predictions on when supply issues will finally be resolved, if ever?
I talked to my NP yesterday. She’s been doing this for years and said she has no idea when the supplies will be available. She made me switch to Ozempic as she said that’s been the one that is most reliably available. I have to basically start over with the lowest dose and work my way up again, which I think sucks.
I don’t know about the compounded versions. I’m a diabetic and I want my insurance to pay for it (I can not afford to pay more than $1000/mo for it and then another $1000 for other medications if insurance doesn’t pay; I told this to my NP and she said people do have to make the ‘affordable’ decision all the time). That happy Jardiance lady on the commercials? Happy, but not cheap at about $2000 for 90 days.
These drugs are now approved for both diabetes and weight loss, but many insurance companies will only pay for diabetes diagnosis. In fact, I received a letter at the beginning of the year from the insurance company that said my diagnosis had to be for diabetes and that had to be on the prescription.
I’ve lost almost 40 pounds on this, since February of 2023. I might have been able to do it on my own, but I spent two years eating my feelings over some family stuff - that, together with menopause, did a number on me.
For me, it was a tool to help me figure out my relationship with food and get healthier. It quiets the “food noise” - ie, I want to eat something but I’m not really hungry. I actually eat when I’m hungry. At first I had some issue with constipation (sorry TMI) but that resolved itself as I ate better and focused on healthier foods. I have been on the highest dose for months, but recently starting doing it every other week in hopes of eventually going off it. As I’ve lost weight I have become more active, so it’s a circle.
Coffee and rich foods just don’t appeal to me. I’d rather eat simply, even though I’m already a long-time vegetarian. I hope to lose maybe 10-15 more pounds, but those are vanity pounds. I honestly never thought I’d see this weight range again.
Again, for me it is a tool and not a get-thin-quick scheme. You have to put in the work, in terms of monitoring diet and moving. Just as you can out-eat weight loss surgery, you can out-eat this if you try.
All of the friends I know who stopped taking the medication started gaining weight back. After a certain age cutting calories is the only way to keep weight down. Exercise only gets one so far.
This is very true. For me to avoid gaining weight, it looks like around 1000-1200 calories a day would be the only way to do that. Most nutritionists and doctors would say that isn’t enough calories, but I steadily put on 10 lbs a year for 4 years eating around 1600. I track pretty consistently so I know what I eat. I also exercise 3-4 times a week, strength and cardio.
Now, there are days on Zepbound where I have tracked less than 700 calories bc I am just not hungry and am grossed out by food. It’s helpful for weight loss but seems not great for nutrition and fueling my body. I get tired faster when running and can’t lift as heavy right now. I try to make what I eat count (high protein, healthy).
I realize I have probably messed up my metabolism beyond repair but Zepbound has helped me see that I just can’t eat very many calories as a 50 year old woman. It’s been helpful to have something that actually works. My weight loss has not been fast. Roughly 1-2 lbs a week. Once I hit my target weight, I hope to find a maintenance dose that I can get.
I’m very lucky my insurance pays for this. My copays are $20 per month.
That 700 calories is not enough, especially if you are working out. You alluded to it so I’m sure you know how that that few calories can mess up your metabolism. But glad that you’ve found something that works for you. i have about 15 pounds that I am struggling to lose/keep off.
For sure, it’s not enough. And it’s somewhat rare that I eat that few (usually 1-2 days after my shot, when the medicine is strongest). The other days are more like 1100-1200.
But there’s knowledge for me in this—about my particular needs. It’s not like the weight flew off me. Those 30 lbs came off slow and steady. I have had friends who have lost quickly on Mounjaro and Zepbound—like 3-5 lbs a week. That is not me. So, even with what looks like very low caloric intake, I am not shedding weight like crazy. My body likes to hold on to it.
When I began, my weight was 184. I’m now at 153. I’m 5’6, average build. My target is 140-145. I’m not trying to be super skinny. This is a weight I held comfortably for many years of my life, before perimenopause. So, I’m just trying to get back there. If I get to 145-150 I will probably be pretty happy too!
See, this is why I get so annoyed at people who think it always boils down to calories in calories out, and that people who hang onto weight are somehow not disciplined enough. It’s not that simple for some folks!
If I were in this situation, I’d probably just live with the extra pounds since I hate that feeling less than the feelings I get when I eat few calories. But I understand that everyone is different, and what may be comfortable or uncomfortable varies by individual. It’s so hard when you don’t feel comfortable in your body, whether that’s because you feel like extra weight is bothering you, or because you aren’t able to eat enough calories to sustain your body’s activities.
I’m sorry for your conundrum and I hope you’re able to nail down a strategy that works well for you and keeps you feeling your best!
Thank you! And I agree with you about calories in/calories out. For much of my life, I was able to subscribe to that simple arithmetic but it took perimenopause and years of fighting and losing the weight gain battle to realize that it is absolutely not so simple. I totally get it. And it’s so frustrating to feel like you’re doing everything right and not making any progress.
I care a lot about my weight because I have genetic markers for high cholesterol and high blood pressure. My blood pressure is difficult to manage and I’m on 3 different medications to keep it normal. Even when I was running 5 days a week in my early 40s, and 15 lbs lighter than I am today, it needed to be managed. Having extra weight matters. I just want to be healthy and age as best I can.
I did from month 4-8,(I was scared to brush it as it was shedding so much) I don’t think the med caused the hair loss just rapid weight loss. ( I say this because the folks I’ve known who have had bariatric surgery also had hair loss) my hair all grew back and is the healthiest it’s ever felt,
I’m shedding like crazy, too. I did some and while it’s not an official side effect, about 4-5% of folks are reporting hair loss. They recommend eating more protein. I’m not losing super fast, but it’s been steady. Am bummed – my hair was looking the best it has in years.
Hair loss (telogen effluvium) is a known side effect from large or rapid weight loss, including from very low calorie diets and bariatric surgery. It is temporary, and should grow back after several months. Eating a nutrient rich diet is advised, but anyone
losing weight should try todo that anyway. Hair loss after weight loss: Causes, risks, and prevention