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Post by smasonnc on Sept 27, 2023 16:17:02 GMT
I would love to find a source of meds because I need to lower my BMI to avoid a recurrence of breast cancer. I just saw my primary and endocrinologist and I’m SOL. I’m overweight but not obese, I’m insulin resistant but not diabetic, low blood pressure, and I’m on Medicare so they don’t cover it for weight loss. I don’t even qualify for coupons. I’m eating right and working out and I’ve gained and lost the same 5 pounds for 4 months. I guess just paying the crazy amount of money is my only alternative. 😖 If anyone has a source, I’m listening.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Sept 27, 2023 16:44:03 GMT
If anyone has a source, I’m listening. I think it's Gennifer who is using a compounding pharmacy to get her Rx at a much lower cost. Tearisci mentioned upthread that her sister is using a compounding pharmacy as well. Hopefully they can give you some guidance on finding one! |
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,247
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Sept 27, 2023 18:40:32 GMT
I went to a compounding pharmacy and it was $100 my first month and will be $160 the next month and then it goes up from there. How much I don't know but as the dosage increases, so does the cost. I hope not too crazy because I think it could really work for me.
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Post by Zee on Sept 27, 2023 19:00:00 GMT
It's expensive even through a compounding pharmacy AND the big pharma companies are moving to sue them so they can continue to charge even more. I understand it, but I don't like it.
So I guess I'll be stocking up for as long as I can afford it! It's a breakthrough drug for sure. I dread the day I can't get it anymore and have to go back to the sugar cravings, insulin and glucose roller coaster, and hormonal surges.
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
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Post by Gennifer on Sept 27, 2023 22:26:01 GMT
Did any of you notice any side effects with alcohol? I'm a wine drinker and wondered how it would go with the medication. I’ve never been a huge, regular drinker, but a lot of people who were borderline problematic have said it has reduced their urges to drink. I had one time that I felt some slight nausea the next day, which may have been related. I’d had quite a bit that night (shots), and I’ve never had that as a side effect from drinking before. |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,240
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Post by Gennifer on Sept 27, 2023 22:27:10 GMT
If anyone has a source, I’m listening. I think it's Gennifer who is using a compounding pharmacy to get her Rx at a much lower cost. Tearisci mentioned upthread that her sister is using a compounding pharmacy as well. Hopefully they can give you some guidance on finding one! I was originally using HenryMeds, who ordered my prescription from a compounding pharmacy. I’m still working my way through my last vial from them, but I’m switching over to mixing my own from peptides. HenryMeds was $300/month (so $900 total) for a 3-month supply. Ordering the peptides is under $100 for the same 3-month supply. I wouldn’t suggest anyone start with the peptides, though. I’m comfortable doing it now because I’m know how my body has reacted and I understand the dosing. I think people should definitely be under a doctor’s care when they start this, just to make sure they react well to the medicine and don’t have serious side effects. |
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Post by cmpeter on Sept 27, 2023 22:50:53 GMT
My doctor recommended this Canadian pharmacy, since I am pre-diabetic and insurance won't cover the meds. canshipmeds.com/It's about $250 a month for the Rybelsus. I've been on the 3mg for 30 days and have not noticed a change I go up to 7mg for 30 days (starting tomorrow) and then 14mg. |
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,247
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Sept 28, 2023 0:19:57 GMT
I just gave myself my first shot in my thigh tonight and it was easy peasy. Thanks for all of the recommendations and guidance through this process!
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,617
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Post by jayfab on Sept 28, 2023 2:48:36 GMT
Did any of you notice any side effects with alcohol? I'm a wine drinker and wondered how it would go with the medication. Well if I try to have a few beers too soon after eating I get kinda sick and a horrible feeling of being overly full. But if I don't eat before having drinks I do feel the effects a lot quicker so I am pretty careful. |
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Post by dewryce on Sept 28, 2023 3:24:07 GMT
I’ve read that consuming alcohol will slow down the weight loss efforts; they didn’t indicate if it was just more calories or another effect of it. I started Ozempic at .25mg in December for my blood glucose levels (Diabetic) and stayed on it until 3 or 4 months ago. I didn’t lose weight and it didn’t change my urges or amount I could eat but my glucose levels went down. And I don’t remember any side effects. Then I went to .5 for a month, then 1, and just this month 2 mg. Since I started increasing the doses my fasting blood glucose dropped dramatically, which is amazing. I also wasn’t hungry (or thirsty), didn’t think about food, and couldn’t eat much at all. Some weeks I lost 7 pounds, some none, but I think that was due to water retention with physical issues and not actual weight. It ended up averaging about 2.5-3 pounds a week for a total of 34-40 pounds, depending on when I start counting. I was eating pretty healthy most of the time, including very few processed carbs/foods a week and trying hard to get my veggies and proteins in. But I couldn’t eat enough for that. The thing is, not being starving all the time made that possible because I didn’t have to eat crap just because it was ready right then. We took our time and cooked healthy at home. But these past few weeks have been very discouraging since I started the 2 mg. It has made me very nauseous, I actually had to keep a trash can by my med this past weekend, whereas I had only thrown up a couple of times before, and always while I was brushing my teeth. But I felt sick all weekend long. I’m wondering if it was because I took it 5 days late. Thanks for the recommendation to do the shot in the thigh, I’ll try that this weekend. mom how did she say she used the alcohol prep pads? Also, the shots are nothing. The needle is a very small gauge and barely goes in. The thing that’s the most discouraging though is that my appetite and thoughts about food have come back with a vengeance, and I don’t get full nearly as quickly. Then I’m hungry immediately like I used to be. It works by slowing your stomach down, which is what makes you feel so quickly and for longer. This is a known temporary side effect, but from what I’ve seen is supposed to last much, much longer than it has with me. A lot of people run into this around a year to 18 months. Another way it works is its effect on one of your hormones (GP-1 IIRC maybe GL-1) and that’s what helps with the feeling hungry and thinking about foods. But when you stop getting as many calories and go so low your body sort of protects itself and ramps up production of another hunger hormone (gherlin) so you will eat more. Again, this side effect doesn’t usually occur this quickly. But I almost feel like I did before I started the shots. I’m hoping the overproduction of the 2nd hormone is a temporary side effect, I have a doctors appointment and will ask next week. I wish I had known these details so we could have run blood work at the beginning with the hormones to confirm that is what’s going on with me. Does the Mounjorno have the same effect on blood sugar? If I’ve become a non-responder I wonder if I’d be able to switch. As for the constipation, I had a real issue with that at first because my water intake dropped dramatically. As I made the effort to increase it, and I stopped getting so full so quickly I was able to drink more, this side effect has gotten much, much better. I’m still not as regular as before, but it’s livable at this level. |
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Post by Zee on Sept 28, 2023 5:13:06 GMT
dewryce Mounjaro seems to be somewhat better tolerated and result in slightly more weight loss, from what I've read and heard. It acts on the liver and pancreas rather than just the liver. I have never had any real nausea, just a sort of slight queasiness for a couple days when first upping the dose. But food just doesn't sound very good and not much appeals to me, which like you said gives me the time to choose a bit more wisely. But MY ASS IS GETTING FLAT and I've never had that a day in my life. Clearly I'm losing muscle. Gonna need to get stern with myself about squats. I can't have a flat ass. I looked at myself from the side while getting dressed today and it was a little shocking 😳
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Post by dewryce on Sept 28, 2023 11:17:22 GMT
dewryce Mounjaro seems to be somewhat better tolerated and result in slightly more weight loss, from what I've read and heard. It acts on the liver and pancreas rather than just the liver. I have never had any real nausea, just a sort of slight queasiness for a couple days when first upping the dose. But food just doesn't sound very good and not much appeals to me, which like you said gives me the time to choose a bit more wisely. But MY ASS IS GETTING FLAT and I've never had that a day in my life. Clearly I'm losing muscle. Gonna need to get stern with myself about squats. I can't have a flat ass. I looked at myself from the side while getting dressed today and it was a little shocking 😳 Thanks, I’ll definitely ask my doctor about it next week. My concern is that my insurance won’t cover it since Ozempic is the one indicated for diabetes. Tell me about it. No matter how big my butt had gotten it was always high and round. Not so much anymore. I know things are going to get way worse with the amount of weight I still need to lose. And I have terrible arthritis in my knees, squats are not an option. But since they are for you get to it! I’ll just live vicariously through you. |
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,247
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Sept 28, 2023 13:23:07 GMT
I took my first shot in the thigh last night and it was nothing. I barely even felt it. I haven't felt nauseous yet so I'm hoping that I won't.
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Post by mom on Sept 28, 2023 14:10:40 GMT
I’ve read that consuming alcohol will slow down the weight loss efforts; they didn’t indicate if it was just more calories or another effect of it. I started Ozempic at .25mg in December for my blood glucose levels (Diabetic) and stayed on it until 3 or 4 months ago. I didn’t lose weight and it didn’t change my urges or amount I could eat but my glucose levels went down. And I don’t remember any side effects. Then I went to .5 for a month, then 1, and just this month 2 mg. Since I started increasing the doses my fasting blood glucose dropped dramatically, which is amazing. I also wasn’t hungry (or thirsty), didn’t think about food, and couldn’t eat much at all. Some weeks I lost 7 pounds, some none, but I think that was due to water retention with physical issues and not actual weight. It ended up averaging about 2.5-3 pounds a week for a total of 34-40 pounds, depending on when I start counting. I was eating pretty healthy most of the time, including very few processed carbs/foods a week and trying hard to get my veggies and proteins in. But I couldn’t eat enough for that. The thing is, not being starving all the time made that possible because I didn’t have to eat crap just because it was ready right then. We took our time and cooked healthy at home. But these past few weeks have been very discouraging since I started the 2 mg. It has made me very nauseous, I actually had to keep a trash can by my med this past weekend, whereas I had only thrown up a couple of times before, and always while I was brushing my teeth. But I felt sick all weekend long. I’m wondering if it was because I took it 5 days late. Thanks for the recommendation to do the shot in the thigh, I’ll try that this weekend. mom how did she say she used the alcohol prep pads? Also, the shots are nothing. The needle is a very small gauge and barely goes in. The thing that’s the most discouraging though is that my appetite and thoughts about food have come back with a vengeance, and I don’t get full nearly as quickly. Then I’m hungry immediately like I used to be. It works by slowing your stomach down, which is what makes you feel so quickly and for longer. This is a known temporary side effect, but from what I’ve seen is supposed to last much, much longer than it has with me. A lot of people run into this around a year to 18 months. Another way it works is its effect on one of your hormones (GP-1 IIRC maybe GL-1) and that’s what helps with the feeling hungry and thinking about foods. But when you stop getting as many calories and go so low your body sort of protects itself and ramps up production of another hunger hormone (gherlin) so you will eat more. Again, this side effect doesn’t usually occur this quickly. But I almost feel like I did before I started the shots. I’m hoping the overproduction of the 2nd hormone is a temporary side effect, I have a doctors appointment and will ask next week. I wish I had known these details so we could have run blood work at the beginning with the hormones to confirm that is what’s going on with me. Does the Mounjorno have the same effect on blood sugar? If I’ve become a non-responder I wonder if I’d be able to switch. As for the constipation, I had a real issue with that at first because my water intake dropped dramatically. As I made the effort to increase it, and I stopped getting so full so quickly I was able to drink more, this side effect has gotten much, much better. I’m still not as regular as before, but it’s livable at this level. So I texted her and she says she just holds the prep pads under her nose --- she swears it makes the nausea feeling go away almost immediately. She says she will lay down (if she's able to) and just hold the prep pad under her nose and breath in the alcohol from the pad. And within a couple of minuets, she feels much better. |
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Post by lily on Sept 28, 2023 15:28:52 GMT
My doctor just mentioned these meds to me but at this time I turned him down, after he said the average person loses about 15-20 lbs. overall. I ultimately (according to weight charts which are stupid) need to lose like 150 so hearing about the side effects, losing only 15 does not make it seem worthwhile to me. And my insurance was strange....a 28 day dose was $100 at the store, but $200 via mail order.
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,247
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Sept 28, 2023 15:36:02 GMT
My doctor just mentioned these meds to me but at this time I turned him down, after he said the average person loses about 15-20 lbs. overall. I ultimately (according to weight charts which are stupid) need to lose like 150 so hearing about the side effects, losing only 15 does not make it seem worthwhile to me. And my insurance was strange....a 28 day dose was $100 at the store, but $200 via mail order. I really think it varies by person. Like you, I have a significant amount to lose but if this puts me on the right track toward that goal, it's worth it to me. I think the price can really vary depending on where you get it. I got mine at a compounding pharmacy which seems to be the cheapest option. I paid $100 for my first month and the price goes up from there as the dosage increases. So far no side effects but I just took my first dose. Fingers crossed! |
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Post by Zee on Sept 28, 2023 18:42:31 GMT
dewryce Mounjaro seems to be somewhat better tolerated and result in slightly more weight loss, from what I've read and heard. It acts on the liver and pancreas rather than just the liver. I have never had any real nausea, just a sort of slight queasiness for a couple days when first upping the dose. But food just doesn't sound very good and not much appeals to me, which like you said gives me the time to choose a bit more wisely. But MY ASS IS GETTING FLAT and I've never had that a day in my life. Clearly I'm losing muscle. Gonna need to get stern with myself about squats. I can't have a flat ass. I looked at myself from the side while getting dressed today and it was a little shocking 😳 Thanks, I’ll definitely ask my doctor about it next week. My concern is that my insurance won’t cover it since Ozempic is the one indicated for diabetes. Tell me about it. No matter how big my butt had gotten it was always high and round. Not so much anymore. I know things are going to get way worse with the amount of weight I still need to lose. And I have terrible arthritis in my knees, squats are not an option. But since they are for you get to it! I’ll just live vicariously through you. Mounjaro is for diabetes also. Only Wegovy is for weight loss (it's the same thing as Ozempic). |
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Post by dewryce on Sept 28, 2023 20:11:10 GMT
Perfect, thanks! This gives me hope again, which I really needed right now. About to go on 3-day trip out of town and KNOW I’ll gain weight from it.
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Post by heckofagal on Sept 28, 2023 20:49:23 GMT
Just a few days in and I think things are going well. Haven't really noticed any negative side effects. I am extremely tired this week but I know I'm not getting enough sleep. I've started tracking my food on the Lose It! app, which will help me keep track of my protein and fiber intake. Currently drinking one of the Body Armour Lyte sports drinks and its rather tasty.
I also think that this med is lowering my blood pressure. I have not been on it long enough to be weight loss related but my BP typically runs 135/XX at a minimum and twice this week its been at 125/7X.
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Post by Just Beth on Sept 29, 2023 22:11:17 GMT
I saw my friend this afternoon and she said to mention to anyone getting nauseated --- she said keep alcohol prep packets in your purse and she swears it makes the nauseated feeling going away. This is true. We give patients an alcohol swab to smell to quickly combat post op nausea. You |
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Post by flanz on Nov 1, 2024 23:49:53 GMT
Bumping because I just started taking semaglutide three days ago.
I would love to hear everyone's updates as to how the meds are working for you, if you're still on them, or if you've needed to stop and what that was like.
I would be thrilled to lose 40 pounds in total, not aiming for the 60 lbs which would put me back at my healthy, feel good, 41 year old weight before I started taking antidepressant meds and then menopause. I don't expect to get all the way back there.
I am prediabetic with elevated fasting glucose and HbA1c.
I recently went on a low dose of BP Rx.
And I've been taking a statin but my lipid levels are still too high, esp. triglyceride.
I'm taking sublingual drops made at a compounding pharmacy in the area.
One dose every other day for a full week, then daily.
Tomorrow will be my third dose. I was amazed that I could ignore the Halloween candy easily even on day 1. I've been eating less, including lots of protein and veg at every meal. Really hoping I don't develop any side effects, as it feels like I'm on a good path.
So if you'd like to update me/us, please do!
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,240
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Post by Gennifer on Nov 2, 2024 4:43:09 GMT
Bumping because I just started taking semaglutide three days ago. I would love to hear everyone's updates as to how the meds are working for you, if you're still on them, or if you've needed to stop and what that was like.
So if you'd like to update me/us, please do! I’m so excited for you! I started taking it in Mar 2023. Starting stats: 198 lbs/32 BMI, current weight 128 lbs/21 BMI. I used a compounding pharmacy to start out, and eventually switched to peptides. I followed the regular dosing schedule (maybe a bit slower at titrating up) and topped out at the 1.7mg dose. When I hit my final goal weight in Jan 2024 (the goalpost kept moving!) I switched to maintenance, meaning I’ve lowered my dose back down slightly. Beginning next year I may start trying to wean off, but I’ve had some other, non-weight benefits from the medication so I’m okay staying on it indefinitely. I had very minimal side effects: slight fatigue or nausea, usually only for 24-48 hours after the shot, and that was only the first few months. My biggest advice would be to prioritize your protein! Keep in mind that while some people see results right away, it’s also really common to not lose weight until you hit the higher doses, 1.0, 1.7, or 2.4. (I have heard that the drops aren’t as effective as the injections, but I also don’t personally know anyone who has tried them.) And, since these threads are useless without photos and I’m still getting used to my new body… here’s the before/after:  |
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Post by flanz on Nov 2, 2024 6:04:59 GMT
CONGRATULATIONS, GENNIFER!
I am hoping that I will also have success and be spared side effects.
Your story and photos are inspirational!
How often did you weigh yourself during the process? I'm thinking once a week...
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3boysnme
Full Member
Posts: 405
Aug 1, 2023 13:28:26 GMT
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Post by 3boysnme on Nov 2, 2024 9:25:24 GMT
Wow Gennifer! That is awesome! I started taking Ozempic 4 weeks ago. Haven't really noticed a big loss of weight. I'm doing .25mg and the doctor had said he wants to increase it to .5mg. I'm on it for diabetes, but hoping for weight loss as well. My A1c before starting it was 10.7. Now it's 9.2 so that appears to be working. Still have a long way to go.
Flanz, thank you for bumping this! My nutritionist was concerned when she found out I was on it. She thought I was taking it for weight loss. She warned me about losing muscle as well as fat. She wants me to up my protein. Going shopping today to get a protein powder for shakes.
I'm in my 60s. I'm experiencing acne. Like all over my face. I'm wondering if the cause would be the Ozempic. Has anyone else experienced that? I feel like I'm back in my teens again, and not in a good way.
And lastly, I've been injecting in my stomach, but last week I injected it into my thigh. It hurt! Like really bad. I don't know what I did wrong. I had to put a warm compress on the injection site. I didn't notice any nausea when injecting into my stomach, but thought we were supposed to move the injection site around. Once I did my upper arm and that hurt as well, but not as bad as my thigh. I think I'll just stick to my stomach I guess.
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Post by peasapie on Nov 2, 2024 11:16:26 GMT
Wow Gennifer, your weight loss is admirable! I know it’s not just the meds - my cousin is on ozempic, eating carefully and walking daily, and has lost 80 lbs in the past year. Such good news for everyone’s health.
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
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Post by mich5481 on Nov 2, 2024 13:23:25 GMT
I do get light headed when I stand suddenly (I have low BP) and have to take in some salt when that happens. Gatorade is a life saver. That's not a common side effect. Thanks for bumping this thread. Earlier this year, I started to develop this side effect. One night, my BP dropped to something like 85/48 (I was using my mom's BP machine to test at home). The night that happened, I literally used a salt grinder right over my tongue to get salt in ASAP. When I spoke to my doctor, he had me drop from 2.4 to 1.7, especially since my BP dropped more than 20 points when I went from sitting to standing in his office. I have decreased my dose, but I still have a few bouts with dizziness. I've never had BP problems before, so I can't adjust any medicines to help alleviate the problem. Overall, my other symptoms have largely subsided. I have lost more than 100 pounds since I started Wegovy at the end of March 2023. I am still overweight,but I apparently don't look like it. My bridge job was closed for the past month due to Hurricane Helene, and we went back to work on Thursday. Three different people said it looked like I'd lost weight over the time we were closed, and I think I'd lost 4 pounds. When I told 2 of them the BMI says I am 10-15 pounds overweight, they didn't believe me. One person asked me how much I weigh, and she was shocked when I said I was 180 that morning. She and the others guessed I weighed between 130 (yeah, right) and 150s. I'm 5'9", so my height helps. I also measure at 5'9" now at the the doctor's office, while before I'd been 5'8" - once the nurse tried to say I was 5'7.5" and I had her remeasure my height because I wasn't ready to start shrinking yet! (It was 5'8" the second time because I made sure to stand extra straight and tall.) I've had the doctor's office check my new height twice, and I'll recheck it when I go back in December for my follow up exam. I guess I literally don't have as much weight dragging me down! I'm not sure what will happen when I reach my goal weight/my COBRA insurance runs out. I did stockpile a bunch of 1.7 and 2.4 doses, because my insurance counts them as two different scripts. I may get my doc to write a second script for 1.0 so I can have that for when I am read to wean myself off of the medicine. |
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Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,247
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
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Post by Tearisci on Nov 2, 2024 13:35:01 GMT
Wow, great job Gennifer! I never ended up losing anything on Semaglutide and now I'm taking Mounjaro because I am slightly diabetic. I just went up a little bit in dosage so I'm hoping it will do something toward weight loss. |
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
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Post by mich5481 on Nov 2, 2024 14:10:54 GMT
Wow, great job Gennifer! I never ended up losing anything on Semaglutide and now I'm taking Mounjaro because I am slightly diabetic. I just went up a little bit in dosage so I'm hoping it will do something toward weight loss. Unfortunately, I don't think these meds are as effective for weight loss for people with diabetes - I hope you have better results with Mounjaro! |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,240
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Post by Gennifer on Nov 2, 2024 14:15:28 GMT
How often did you weigh yourself during the process? I'm thinking once a week... I honestly weigh myself almost daily, even now that I’m maintaining. It doesn’t bother me to see my weight fluctuate 5ish pounds during the month, but if it goes more than that I want to be aware. I know that some people say that’s not healthy, but I celebrated every few ounces that went away. It works for me, especially because I didn’t “see” any difference in my body for probably 50 pounds… I needed those hard numbers to convince myself that change was actually happening. I did also use a spreadsheet to keep track of my weekly losses, so I could see that it was a pretty steady decline. I also took body measurements every couple of months. |
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,240
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Post by Gennifer on Nov 2, 2024 14:17:32 GMT
And lastly, I've been injecting in my stomach, but last week I injected it into my thigh. It hurt! Like really bad. I don't know what I did wrong. I had to put a warm compress on the injection site. I didn't notice any nausea when injecting into my stomach, but thought we were supposed to move the injection site around. Once I did my upper arm and that hurt as well, but not as bad as my thigh. I think I'll just stick to my stomach I guess. I did my thigh once… like you, it hurt more, so I just went back to my stomach. As long as you’re alternating sides each week you’re fine. |
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