I have only just started this weekend. But for the first time I can remember I get full. One of the reasons my doctor put me on this even though I was close to a “normal” weight is that I told her that it just bothers me that I’ll go out to dinner with people and they will be like “ I’m stuffed. I couldn’t eat another bite” and these are not teeny tiny people or anything and we have eaten a fair amount. But I’ll be thinking. My god, I could eat another whole meal…. I don’t. I lost 75 pounds by stopping eating even though I was hungry. But now. I get it. Yeah, I’m full and I don’t want more.
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I’m in this thread but very early on.
I take 7.5 mg of Zepbound once every 28 days and have maintained my 120 pound weight loss for the past 3 years. ( I started in October of 2022 and started to space out the doses in March of 2023, I never went above 7.5 mg) The side effects of that 7.5 mg is pretty brutal for 3 days so when I run out I’ll probably do 5 mg every 21 days.
For the first week I can hardly eat anything, second week I feel good and eat a more balanced diet, the third week I still have control over my diet but I do get a little hungry. The fourth week the food noise for sweets is back.
My side effects the few days after the injection is not wanting to eat anything, very slow GI motility, insomnia and bone shivering cold.
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Thank you for sharing your experience. Congratulations on your weight loss!
I’m getting ready to start my 3rd month at 5mg (after several months at 2.5 and 5 months before that on various levels of compounded Ozempic). I’ve lost about 35-40lbs - I don’t weigh myself often, which I know is bad, but I have scale trauma 
I hope to lose 20lbs more and then start to maintain. I don’t plan to move up from the 5mg, mostly for cost reasons but also because of the side effects. It helps to hear your experience. Since you’re only injecting monthly now, do you only get one dose of the 7.5 filled at a time, or still the multi-dose?
Interesting side note about glp-1s . My DH is having surgery today and the facility is now,
In addition to asking all pre-op patients if they are using them, to simply make their protocol for all pts to have only liquids the day before surgery and then NPO after midnight the day of surgery. Because so many people are apparently on glp1s and it slows the digestive system, while they ask patients they just tell all pts this is the protocol. I said patients should have a Colonoscopy while they are at it!
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I’m not using the compounded version so my Zepbound comes 4 injections per box. This 1 prescription lasts me 3-4 months which helps with the cost as this has never been covered by my health insurance.
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If you don’t mind me asking, I’m curious how you are getting the single injection pens without insurance. I believe Lily Direct offers the vials or 4-injection Kwikpen for about half the price of full-price pens. Is there a way to get a discount for the individual pens?
I think @sly123 is ordering the Lilly direct prescription that comes four vials to a box, then just going through it more slowly.
This is what I’m doing, too – going two or three weeks between injections. Some of this is because I’ve had an insane few months with a lot of travel, and I’ve been focused on other things. I’ve found that three weeks is the max I can go in-between shots without getting really hungry or having evil side-effects when taking the next shot.
I plan to get serious and do them weekly to drop another 20 to 25 pounds, then I’ll go back to 5mg every three weeks for maintenance. I really have to get better about exercise and protein intake, too.
I also get bone-chillingly cold, and I’ve been using my space heater near my desk. In the summer in Atlanta, lol.
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I’m doing Lily Direct also. I was just wondering if they adjust the amount they ship to you if you are maintaining vs. trying to actively lose. I’m looking forward to easing the cost also by spacing out the injections.
I’m going to start on Saturday night. I’m hoping for minimal side effects. I’m not looking forward to the needle.
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Last year I was using the manufacturers coupon and picked up the 4 auto injectors at my local pharmacy. The price was $550 for the 4 injections. As I was only using 1 injection per month I built enough of a stock to last me to October this year. I will then try Lilly Direct at the 5 mg dose.
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Ah, that makes sense. I don’t know much about the coupons–didn’t know the price was that close to LD.
I have been going through a stockpile from when I had insurance. I’m doing maintenance now, using 12.5 every ten days, and will try to titrate down as I go on. I’m a little annoyed that Lily Direct prices go up if you don’t order every 45 days, as I’d like to space out farther like you are doing. I’m impressed with your process!
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Wait, what?? I didn’t know that. 
Yeah, for the 7.5 and over, you only get the 449 if you order at least every 45 days. I think the 2.5 and 5 stay 299/399, but I’m not sure. I’m not sure when or if I’ll ever get that low, so it’s an issue if I go that route. Still deciding whether to do that or compounding. Have a couple more months to make up my mind.
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If you are using the pen you will barely feel it.
This is what I find the most interesting about the GLP-1s. And what I could use!
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I did my 1st shot yesterday evening. I think I pulled the needle out a bit early as I had some leakage. I don’t feel great today. Tired and mild nausea and some acid reflux. I’m hoping it goes away by tomorrow. Any tips on dealing with the side effects?
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I’m only on my second week, but electrolytes and lots of water have helped me minimize side effects in this stage. Hope you’re feeling better today, @mom60!
I was told by my doctor to count to ten after the needle goes in and then pull it out. A little leakage is normal.
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What form of electrolytes do you use ?
Feeling somewhat better this morning. Made myself eat some breakfast. Still mild upset stomach and acid reflux. I read online that Tums or Pepcid might be worth having on hand. I’m hoping the side effects lessen as I don’t see myself giving up 2 days each week feeling sick.
I’d also be interested in what electrolytes.
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