I'd like to lose about 20 lbs in about 25 weeks.

Menopause combined with stress eating has really done a number on me.

I am hypothyroid and have insulin resistance (have a "metabolic disorder" according to endocrinologist, similar to PCOS, DD has it too but worse than me)
Hormones are out of control and the cravings have been uncontrollable for about 18 months. I gained 25lbs!

Dr prescribed Wegovy (due to only being pre-diabetic, I do not qualify for Ozempic or Mounjaro). Have been unable to get Rx filled through local pharmacy or mail order due to back orders and high demand. Plus my insurance doesn't cover it.

Even after coupon, it's $900/month.

Sooo a friend has a friend who goes to a clinic instead, where they compound their own Ozempic and Mounjaro. I was skeptical but after seeing friend's results and hearing it was $300, decided to try it.

This is an absolutely amazing game changer. To be free of the constant cravings and resulting blood sugar highs and crashes is nothing short of a miracle. I don't feel an ounce of guilt about using it because it's really designed for people like me--addresses the insulin resistance and hormones that I have been fighting my entire adult life.

I just finished week 3 and I'm down 12lbs. I don't expect that to last forever but it's made a world of difference in my mood, my relationship with food, and how hopeful I feel about getting back to a healthy weight without starving and suffering and feeling obsessed with my weight and with food.

I often have to make myself eat and when I do it's probably Greek yogurt, or toast, or a hard boiled egg.

Not sure I'll stay on it forever (if I wasn't working it would be more of a financial burden) but for now I'm just loving it.

Coworker with PCOS just started at the same clinic and she's doing great too. Now I am also paying for DD as well and she feels the way I do--finally free.

Not saying this is right for you but just wanted to share that it can be great for some people and I'm not going to hide that I'm using it or apologize. I would at least like to continue until I'm out of menopause, as I think the hot flashes are significantly less since I stopped taking in so much sugar and junk.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what my A1c is next time.

Zee I couldn’t agree more. To realize this is how “normal” people feel in regards to feeling full and not having cravings 24/7/365, wow. I can’t even comprehend growing up having freedom from being a slave to your hormones. I’m taking Ozempic and my A1C has gone down dramatically, even on a really low dose (.25 until last couple weeks). I take my shot on Sunday, and Friday night/Saturday am I start feeling the cravings again, but they’re manageable. I’m not being overly dramatic when I say how life-changing this is. I was diagnosed as insulin resistant in my mid-20s and in all this. time I very rarely felt not hungry. Even after eating a meal.

Actually, right now I’m working hard to make sure I eat enough. My 2nd week at the .50 dosage I lost 7 lbs, that’s just way, way too fast.

So freecharlie if you have a significant amount of weight to lose and your provider is willing to give you a prescription, I would seriously consider it. Good luck!

I think the suggestion is a BMI over 30.

I would be happy with 25 lbs off but according to my BMI, I could lose 44. BMI isn't the most accurate for my body type (I have a lot of muscle and typically weigh more than I look) but I'm happy it worked out in my favor in this case.

Exactly! Until I didn’t have to deal with it anymore I didn’t realize just how much of an impact this has had on my life. Probably how I’d feel if I didn’t always have a low level of pain, as it becomes your new normal. I hope it continues to work well for you.

What type of dr or clinic would I be looking for? I started low carb and had initial great results but have been on a plateu for awhile and think that may be helpful to me. My cravings are significantly less and am happy with some of the non weight loss things that have happened (better skin less fatigue) but really need to lose weight. 

I started compounded semaglutide (aka Wegovy/Ozempic) in March. I had about a month where I didn’t take it because I was switching providers, but in that time frame I’ve lost almost 35 pounds. (I was 198 when I started, and I am 165 now.)

I thought I was going on this to lose weight. I have been ASTOUNDED at the difference in my mental health, and understand now that I clearly had a food addiction before. It has also made a big difference in my general anxiety and nervous habits. This may be a life-long medication for me, but not at this level for much longer. Another 10-15 pounds and I will start titrating down to find my maintenance dose.

I use HenryMeds, which is an online company. I have virtual appts with a doctor in my state. I pay $297/month for doses up to 1.0, which is what I am on. If you want the higher doses (1.7 or 2.4) it’s $397/mo. It’s shipped to me (in Utah) every 3 months from a compounding pharmacy in Texas, although that depends on your state.

I’m happy to answer any questions about my specific experiences, but here are some previous threads:

2peasrefugees.boards.net/thread/137424/ozempic-semaglutide-weight-loss

2peasrefugees.boards.net/thread/138320/discussed-ozempic-weight-loss

2peasrefugees.boards.net/thread/138655/any-experience-wegovy

I'm in Georgia too - would you be willing to  share the name?  I see ads for places like this but am afraid of being scammed.

I don’t think I’m brave enough to post photos here, but this thread did inspire me to take pics and measurements today. My “befores” were all a week in, after I’d already lost 6 pounds, and I can’t believe the difference! I was a little afraid that what I felt and saw in myself wouldn’t be as noticeable to others, but it’s pretty clear.

I have a question for those using the meds, and I don't ask this to be argumentative, but for understanding.

I've recently lost a bunch of weight on my own (no restrictive plans, no meds). Late last fall I asked my NP about weight loss drugs like Wegovy, Monjauro, and Ozempic (sorry if my spelling is off). I was seriously overweight. High BP, pre-diabetic. She would not prescribe any of these meds for me because they are in short supply (which has only become worse since) and are needed for those who are diabetic and/or have other, more serious weight related issues. To be clear, I've got about 7-8 pounds to go, so I have no desire to start taking them now. I also realize that (hopefully sooner rather than later) this meds will be in better supply.

If you do not have the health related concerns that Drs are looking for to prescribe these meds, is there any guilt associated with taking them from people for who they were designed? Does that make sense? Especially if you only have say 20-30 pounds to lose?

Please don't rake me over the coals, I'm just trying to understand this whole thing. Thanks!

I'll PM

They are compounding their own so you're not taking anything from anyone. You're not getting actual Mounjaro, you're getting its chemical equivalent.
Which sounded sketchy but I trusted the referral I had gotten, hoping I wasn't paying $300 for a fake placebo. It is definitely the real deal. Much cheaper than the actual drug.

You can look up medical weight loss clinic and there are probably several near you if you live in a metro area. There are online companies too.

I have a few thoughts on this.

First, what is in short supply is actually the pen that the name-brand prescriptions are injected with. If you’re on one of those, your prescription comes with the pre-filled pens, and you use one per dose. What I am taking is compounded semaglutide, from a licensed compounding pharmacy. My medication comes in a vial and I draw my shots using standard insulin needles. All readily available, so what I am taking has no effect on someone unable to get their prescription filled.

Secondly, I think we all are aware that most people with Type2 diabetes could have avoided the diseases with weight loss and dietary changes. I could continue on the path I was on, and chances are I would end up being diagnosed with one or both of those and would have to take medication like this anyway. I’m doing this proactively to hopefully avoid that outcome, with my lifelong health in mind.

So, no, I don’t personally feel guilty.