Weight loss drug thread for usage advice (not debating)

Parent Cafe Health & Wellness
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Hi all! I wanted to start an advice thread for those of who are trying to acquire, or in the process of using, the new weight loss drugs like Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, etc. The other thread, though having much useful material, started out being about compounded versions, and often became a place where the use of any version was debated, medical practitioner attitudes, and other issues. So I’m hoping to keep that over there, and start a different angle here.

My story–After a failed attempt to get Wegovy last year (insurance battle and then lack of supplies) I started over this summer with a new prescription for Mounjaro, which the insurance company after some back and forth switched to approval for Zepbound (since I don’t have diabetes, I think). I ran into the same supply issues as last year, but suddenly out of the blue my prescription was filled today, so here I am starting that journey.

I have some questions for those who have taken these already–

–how did you decide what day of the week to take, and did you (can you) vary that afterwards?

–how long did it take you to feel effects physically, and then in weight loss?

–how much side effects did you have and what kind (feel free to ignore this or be vague!0

–have you had trouble getting refills in a timely manner (and if so, what effect did the interruption have?)

These are my first thoughts and questions. I would love to hear others’ experiences if you’re willing to share, and it’s fine of course for those who would rather stay private.

I’m pretty excited for this–exercise and very, very careful eating have not been enough for me, and I hope this is the jumpstart I am looking for.

Hope to have a community of supportive friends on this journey!

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I just read this article in NYT today. I think it’s interesting for people who are starting this therapy as well as those who have used it for a time. Free link.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/health/ozempic-weight-loss-drugs.html?unlocked_article_code=1.B04.Jng8.xh8ZVN71qjUs&smid=url-share

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I have been taking Mounjaro/zepbound since 2022 so I can give you my experience. I have lost 115 pounds. I took the shot weekly for 4 months and then started spacing them out, I’m currently trying to maintain my weight and only take it every 4-5 weeks. I’ve responded very well and feel very fortunate for this medication.

I assume you are taking it for weight loss and not diabetics as I can’t speak about the diabetes issue.

Do a lot of reading and the number one piece of advice I can give is listen to your body, don’t rush the process and don’t be in a hurry to lose the weight. If you have weight loss and feeling appetite suppression stay on the lowest dose possible for as long as you can. (Once you’ve reached the highest dose you are stuck)

I take my shot just before bed usually on a Friday night just in case I feel any side effects and I’m not worried about work the next day. My main negative side effects are insomnia and cold intolerance When I was taking it weekly I did have some mild nausea/constipation but that hadn’t been an issue for over a year. I do have muscle loss despite going to the gym 3-4 x per week but I do know I don’t eat enough protein. I suggest if you are having side effects don’t push through them, back off on the dose and definitely don’t go up.
My positive effect other than the weight loss is my joint pain was eliminated after only 2 week, my mood changed and my mental health has improved, ( Alas I do think I’ve swapped a food addiction to a thrift store addiction…lol)
I’m 58 so my skin hasn’t shrunk, you still may have body image issues, I’m not willing to have surgical intervention so I’m rocking my saggy body.

It has a long half life as I’m not diabetic I’ve been totally fine spacing them out.

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Earlier this year there was a shortage and this was the first time I couldn’t fill a prescription, I did have to wait 10 weeks, but as I’m only taking 1 a month I luckily didn’t run out.

I felt the effects immediately and lost 7 pounds (of inflammation on week 1) I then took 4.5 month to lose another 52 pounds, that’s when I started to space out the doses as I didn’t want to go too fast. ( I didn’t gain the weight overnight, I didn’t feel it was healthy to lose it overnight)

There are several FB ‘support’ groups that can give information but it’s not all good advice.

If you do need surgery for any reason you will have to be off it for about 2 weeks before as it does delay gastric emptying.
And if you are taking other medication this slow gastric emptying may interfere with the effectiveness of your other meds.

My insurance doesn’t cover this so I’m paying out of pocket but the investment in my improved health has been priceless.
I hope this helps and good luck.

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I have been taking Zepbound about 7 months and I’ve lost 36 lbs.

I started with 2.5 for 2 months, then moved to 5. I tried 7.5, but the nausea and lack of energy sent me back to 5.

The shortage did affect me—I had to switch to Wegovy for a month. It really did not suit me. I became bloated, constipated and even gained 1-2 lbs that month. As soon as I switched back to Zepbound, it came right off me and my bloating ended.

I’m about 10 lbs from my goal weight and then I hope to switch to a maintenance dose. My biggest side effects on Zepbound have been nausea and sometimes some mild light headedness.

The other thing that happened early on (about 6-7 shots in) is that I developed an injection site rash on my thigh. My doctor recommended I switch to my stomach to inject the shot, and take a Claritin about an hour beforehand. I haven’t had any problems since.

With supply shortages, I have found it necessary to have a number of CVS pharmacies on speed dial, so I can find out who has it in stock. I have driven an hour from home to get my dose. So, sometimes you have to work hard to find it… but damn, it works well, and I think it’s worth trying to get, even if it’s a hassle.

Good luck!

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Thank you each of you for your generous replies! I’m reading and learning. Right now with first dose, mildly nauseous, not particularly hungry. So far so good.

Appreciate the heads up about ways to access refills. I guess that will be an ongoing issue, I will definitely use these pieces of advice to try to keep doses coming. Also good to know it’s not disastrous if you don’t get it right away. Just keep plugging.

I’ll be back with more questions for sure! And I hope the thread can be a resource for othrs pondering or starting out, or just needing some support or information.

Thanks again for sharing your experiences!

(Also, at least one person has responded privately, which I totally appreciate and will be happy to interact with anyone who wishes to.)

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I am taking Ozempic. Fortunately it is covered by my insurance-I called before it was prescribed and found out what conditions they would approve it for, and “luckily” one was a condition I have a diagnosis for. I’m not diabetic.

They had me get the drug, then wait to take it for a month and get the next refill before starting, in order to not be impacted by supply issues.

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Okay truly dumb question. Woke up with a runny nose and sneezing . Thinking it’s just a concurrent cold but wondering if anyone has seen that as a weird side effect.

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There no dumb question, but I’ve never heard of these drugs causing respiratory cold like symptom’s just GI upsets.

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Thank you for this thread. I just started Ozempic a week ago and have had a positive experience so far. Although I am already down a few pounds, the most beneficial result is that my “food noise” is almost completely gone. My battle has been against unwanted cravings and feeling constantly hungry, even after a satisfying meal. Always feeling anxious. All those obsessive thoughts went away and I finally feel free. However long it takes to lose the weight is okay because I am confident that I can reach my goals. Very grateful for this medication.

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It’s only been a day for me, but I too feel like the food noise is gone. Maybe it’s psychological, but I don’t think so. It’s an amazing feeling.

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I didn’t even realize how loud my food noise was until I started Zepbound and it evaporated. It has been such a relief and why it feels like a miracle drug to me.

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Went on Mounjaro in January after being dx’d with Type 2. Was able to get it for two months, then absolutely nothing for the next four. It completely turns off the hunger switch for me. I’m pushing myself to eat more protein based on comments here and elsewhere. I’m taking 10 mg every week, though I’m on vacation now and couldn’t guarantee refrigeration, so I’m going 19 days without. I stretched to 2-3 weeks during the availability gap. After two weeks, I can hear the food noise coming back, but I’m motivated enough now to stay on track. Have lost 27 lbs so far. Have also noticed that I need to be much better about getting enough fiber, if you get my drift. Otherwise, no side effects.

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I just started compounded Ozempic almost a month ago after an earlier rx of Saxenda. My insurance stopped approving that Rx, so I thought I’d just try the compounded Ozempic and not worry about insurance.

I had the same experience with both so far: decreased appetite, a few pounds lost in the first few weeks so far (7-8), and upsettingly, hair loss which I can’t really afford as my hair is already thin.

I did some research and the hair loss side effect was attributed to poorer nutrition after starting the med, but my hair loss starts almost immediately after I begin taking it, so I think that explanation is malarkey.

Wondering if any of you have experienced hair loss?

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I started Mounjaro on July 14 and just finished my first month. I lost about 4 lbs and my only side effect was fatigue, which went away after week 2. I was told to order my refill after the 3rd shot, which I did. The pharmacy (Walgreens) was initially out but had it within a few days, well before I needed it.
Moving to 5mg tomorrow so, hopefully supply won’t be an issue. I have T2 Diabetes so its covered by my insurance, except for a small copay.

I find that I’m rarely hungry but do still have a psychological urge to eat - not really food noise - just habit, I think. I’ve been focusing on getting enough protein and trying to up my strength training. Its definitely easier to eat smaller portions and not feel the need to finish what’s on my plate.

I have a repeating reminder on my calendar, otherwise I’m sure I’d forget. One of the reasons I chose Mounjaro over Rebelsius is that I frequently forget my daily meds/vitamins so I figured once a week would be easier. I take it Sunday morning.

I am worried about hair loss but, so far, nothing unusual in that area. Prior to taking the med, I experienced a ton of hair loss. Dermatologist said its genetic but I’ve noticed that it gets significantly worse if I don’t get enough protein.

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I’ve lost 40 pounds (and counting) on Wegovy since February of 2023. I really only have 10 pounds left to get where I would like to be, and that’s coming off very slowly. Actually, weight loss was very slow in the beginning, and started happening faster once I was on the highest dosage.

The main reason is that I got up to 185 pounds on a 5-1 frame, from eating my feelings over a couple years. Plus, menopause. I just couldn’t stop the train, if you know what I mean.

I have always taken the injection in the abdomen. I decided to take it every Monday morning (that works for me) and weigh myself every Friday morning. Both are alarms on my phone. On Wegovy you can vary the injections a day or so in either direction easily. I switched mine a full week one time and just planned ahead to gradually change the day of the week.

The main side effect I had in the beginning was constipation. Like, bad (TMI). That’s because it delays gastric emptying. Plus, less food in meant less food out. I drank a ton of water, used some OTC laxatives and got back on track. That lasted several weeks, but has not been an issue since.

The weirdest thing - and it’s a good thing - is that I just don’t crave anything high calorie or rich. I can buy ice cream for my husband, and not eat a bite. I gravitate towards good choices, and I am satisfied with much less of whatever I am eating. There are times I just forget to eat. It’s something I’ve never experienced before lol. I definitely feel using it as a tool has helped me fix my brain to make better choices.

My insurance covers most of it, for which I am grateful. My co-pay is $75 every three month supply - I get it through a mail order pharmacy and order it right away when I can, and have not had issues getting it. I always have a stockpile in my fridge.

I started it without doing any research or anything - my doctor prescribed it, I took it. So I wasn’t too worried about any side effects because I didn’t know about any lol. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t. I’ve learned as I’ve gone.

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First you have to determine whether your new hair loss is breakage or telogen effluvium (the hair actually falling out by the root, not breaking off.) To do this, gently rake the fingers of both hands through your hair once without tugging. Then take each hair that came out and check it for a tiny “root ball” at one end (often too small to see, but your fingers will feel it if you run each strand between thumb and index finger.)

If there is no “root ball” then it is breakage, and almost always caused by injury to the hair such as chemical injury from bleaching or perms, or mechanical injury such as heat from curling iron, blow dry, traction from pony tails etc.

If there is a root ball, then it is a telogen loss. ALL of our hairs have a normal cycle where they grow for a few years, then rest by spending a few months “pulling up their root into a ball”, then falling out, then doing nothing for a time, then starting a new hair. Normally only a portion of our hairs are in the resting phase at any one time. However a stressful event (illness, malnutrition, major hormonal change etc.) can cause many of the hairs to go into telogen all at once. However since it takes the hair about 3 months from the time it decides to go into telogen to the time it actually falls out, you have to look back ~3 months to find the stressful event.

To determine whether you are having a normal amount of hairs entering the resting phase, or whether your amount is abnormal, count the number of hairs you get in both hands after you do the raking described above (1 rake through hair with both hands, no tugging.) Any number up to 10 is normal. Numbers above 10 on a regular basis are not normal, and warrant a trip to your doctor for a thyroid test.

If the hair loss continues to be a problem, a dermatologist should be consulted. They are the experts in hair (as well as skin and nails.)

Best wishes!

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It’s ok to be at room temp for 21 days.

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I had hair loss starting at 5 month mark but it’s now all grown back.

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Everyone on here has described the decreased food noise and that is amazing. I feel like a normal person for the first time in my life. My brain has definitely switched and I now want the healthier options.
I’ve been taking these meds for almost 2 years and wouldn’t trade that aspect of the med but if anyone is a social eater and takes pleasure from entertaining then not wanting food or to cook could leave a void.
Yesterday I wasn’t hungry but knew I had to eat something, I looked in my fridge, cupboards and pantry and nothing sounded good. If you go out with friends you may be embarrassed by just eating half a salad ect.

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I tried it and all had rootballs. 24 hairs. Also have had a recent normal thyroid test.

Nothing stressful that I can think of three months ago and like I said, this has happened to me immediately after starting two different weight loss drugs although I think it might have been worse with Saxenda. Could be because that’s a daily injection.

The saving grace is that my lifelong fine straight hair has turned very curly starting in perimenopause so at least it has some volume now!

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