I’m sorry your insurance isn’t covering. And the price being charged is outrageous. I, too, am doing it the old-fashioned way–diet and exercise, with this fabulous drug to help me. None of us is taking the easy way out.
Wishing you success on your journey.
Note that one of the effects of GLP-1 drugs is reduction of appetite.
If you were presciped Zepbound, there is a savings card on Eli Lilly web page which brings the price down to $650 or for the lower doses you can order through Lilly direct for $550 (for the 5mg dose) I’ve been taking this for 2 1/2 years and insurance hasn’t covered any of it. I’m down 120 pounds and have maintained a stable weight for well over a year.
Can you give me an idea of your yearly costs?
Well I’m not the norm. Zepbound worked really well for me initially so now I only take 1 injection per month in order to maintain this weight. So my oop per year is $1650, but my groceries are less I never eat out anymore and save money by meal planning and taking my lunch to work.
Don’t you still have to diet and exercise with the GLP-1 drugs?
Yes, that was my point. That using GLP-1 drugs does not mean you are not doing it the old-fashioned way. Calorie restriction, privileging protein, fiber, and hydration, and plenty of exercise, are all part of my journey.
I don’t have access to brand name GLP-1 meds (I’m on Medicare) so I’m considering the compounded version offered by Weightwatchers. Their best price is $189 per month with a 12 month commitment. I have to have a telehealth visit with their doctor so I will ask if this is permissible, but I’m hoping to start with a lower than usual dose to minimize side effects. Does that sound reasonable to those of you with experience with GLP-1?
Is it a one year commitment to the WW program, so is it a one year commitment to purchase the medication?
Apparently it’s a one year commitment to Weightwatchers. If the medication isn’t working for you you get switched over to their Points program for the rest of the term. I think I’ll start with the 3 month term which is more expensive but only obligates you for three months. If it works I can switch to the lower price program when the three months are up. I figured it was worth it to me to spend $700 for three months to find out if I can tolerate it and if it works. Especially compared to what the brand names cost.
I’d try to go directly through the manufacturer
https://zepbound.lilly.com/sleep-apnea
Especially if you have some of the co-morbidities listed. I started with the coupon from Eli Lilly and now it’s covered by blue cross. Highly recommend. Good luck everyone.
I;ve been on this journey for a while and found that tracking both food intake and emotional triggers helps a lot.
Too late to edit. Spoke too soon. I thought it was covered by anthem ca blue cross but apparently not. Back to the Eli Lilly coupon. Doing the shot (.5mg) every two weeks now which seems to work well. Trying not to get too skinny. Trying to make sure I’m eating enough protein. But happy to be eating foods I like as well just not too much of the bad stuff (ie carbs and cheese).
My problem is that even with the meds carbs and cheese will always be my favorite things to eat. Sigh. Like I do pretty well with packing my lunch and eating a healthy lunch and dinner. But when I get home from work I want a quick snack and I always - ALWAYS - go for a piece of cheese, or some pita chips. I never go for the clementine.
I was going to get on one of these meds but decided I just can’t afford it. So my doctor prescribed Phentermine. I’ve taken it only a few days, but boy, is it suppressing my appetite! I’m excited. I sure need a jumpstart. I’m a stress eater and have gained a ton of weight the last year. This new med makes me full quickly, so that it’s kind of uncomfortable to keep eating.
I went on the Phen/fen treatment in the mid nineties and it was the only thing that ever work for me. They discontinued the combo treatment due to a higher risk of heart issues. I’ll have to check out if the Phentermine only treatment may be an option for me. I’ve avoided the GLP’s up until now but I have a feeling I’m heading that way.
I was one of those Phen/Fen users that ended up in the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack. The ER folks said never use that stuff (this was before they pulled it due to heart issues) so I was off of it immediately after but I gained back all my weight 3 times faster than I lost it and it kept on coming for the next 30 years. I think Phentermine alone is okay but I just am afraid of the regaining more than what I lost again.
Wow, that’s scary!
I anticipate I will need to stay on the med long term. It’s only $12/month.
I’ve been on phentermine a couple of times in the past and lost weight both times, although I did plateau eventually and was advised not to stay on the medication long term, so when I stopped taking it I gradually gained weight.
My main issue with phentermine were the side effects I experienced - severe dry mouth, and I felt jittery and it really impacted my sleep. I was required to get my blood pressure checked regularly. But it was effective.
I have been on Wegovy since August. Fortunately it is covered by my insurance due to another medical issue I have. I’ve lost almost 45 lbs, but am still in the “overweight” BMI category (but no longer obese). I recently had to stop taking it for a month because in the new calendar year my insurance required it go through the approval process again, which took almost 6 weeks. In the month I wasn’t taking it I gained 4 lbs (about a pound a week) but once it was re-approved and resumed I am now back down to where I was before the break.
I have already lost more than the 15% typical weight loss on Wegovy - my loss is closer to 25%.
All of a sudden my Zepbound isn’t working as well at quieting food news and keeping my snacking down. I went up a level last week, hoping that would help, but haven’t seen much in the way of effects.
I suspect much of this may be life related. My spouse and I are both federal employees and the last six weeks have just been really stressful. I’ve always been a stress eater and that seems to have resumed. Add to that I’m wondering if I’ve maybe finally hit menopause. Regardless of the why, I’ve been eating more snacks than usual, and need to figure out how to stop that.