Weight Loss Injection check-in 2024

[krystee]

I can’t fill my mounjaro anymore due to availability issues, and Walgreen’s has no idea when it will be back. Meanwhile my food thoughts are constant again, and I am snacking all the damn time. I basically need it to be a normal human (plus I have a type 2 diagnosis and my A1C was fantastic on it). I am worried about what to do next if Wegovy also has supply issues.

[mofongo]

Apr 9, 2024 16:52:25 GMT -5 krystee said:

I can’t fill my mounjaro anymore due to availability issues, and Walgreen’s has no idea when it will be back. Meanwhile my food thoughts are constant again, and I am snacking all the damn time. I basically need it to be a normal human (plus I have a type 2 diagnosis and my A1C was fantastic on it). I am worried about what to do next if Wegovy also has supply issues.

What dose is it? Could you go down to the next dose, or up if it’s not 15mg?

[expectantsteelerfan]

CVS currently isn't able to fill my 7.5 script for Zepbound and the pharmacist there said she they had no idea if/when they'd be able to get it. I messaged my Dr. to ask her to send it to Express Scripts, but I have no idea if they are having trouble getting it too. I guess if they are, I will try Walmart next.

I think I would have been fine going from 2.4 of Wegovy to at least 5 of Zepbound...as I said earlier, going from the 2.4 of Wegovy (which is the highest dose of that) to the 2.5 of Zepbound was like backtracking for me, and I gained a few lbs during the 4 weeks I was on that. I didn't have any side effects from 2.5 of Zepbound, and the only side effects I had from going up to 5 was a slight increase in reflux when I eat foods that are trigger foods for me.

The med shortage has my anxiety pinging over this. I don't want to go back to not being on anything. I have 1 box (4 doses) of the 2.5 Zepbound left, and I can't decide if I should spread it out or take 2 each week for the next 2 weeks, and then if I still haven't found the 7.5, ask my Dr. to switch me back to Wegovy. My weight loss had stalled on that, but at least I wasn't gaining on it.

[sadie]

Apr 9, 2024 16:19:29 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

Apr 8, 2024 9:09:28 GMT -5 sadie said:

Has anyone switched from Wegovy 2.4 to a higher dose of Zepbound,-7.5 or 10-without titrating up from the starting dose of 2.5?

This is being recommended to me, and I'm nervous about side effects.

I haven't asked, but with the current shortage I have seen people on reddit saying they asking their doctors to go from 2.5 Zepbound to 7.5 because of the shortage of 5mg and all of the doctors have said no because of possible GI effects.  Are you unable to get the next dose of Wegovy or the 5mg of Zepbound? I remember when I met with my doctor in December she said that antidotally the practice had been hearing that the Wegovy hospitalizations/issues seemed to be related to the higher doses and people not being able to get the prescription filled and when they did going back to the higher dose and not titrating back up.   

No-I've been on compounded semaglutide equivalent 2.4 for months and have plateaued. I want to try (compounded) tirz instead. Since you draw up your own dosage from a vial (vs a preloaded pen), I'd have access to all doses. The doc is saying since both work similarly, I shouldn't have an issue handling tirz at a higher dose.

[krystee]

Apr 9, 2024 17:21:56 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Apr 9, 2024 16:52:25 GMT -5 krystee said:

I can’t fill my mounjaro anymore due to availability issues, and Walgreen’s has no idea when it will be back. Meanwhile my food thoughts are constant again, and I am snacking all the damn time. I basically need it to be a normal human (plus I have a type 2 diagnosis and my A1C was fantastic on it). I am worried about what to do next if Wegovy also has supply issues.

What dose is it? Could you go down to the next dose, or up if it’s not 15mg?

I was at 7.5. I’ll ask if they have 15. Or maybe I could do a 5 and a 2.5 and do two injections.

[mofongo]

Apr 9, 2024 19:22:10 GMT -5 krystee said:

Apr 9, 2024 17:21:56 GMT -5 mofongo said:

What dose is it? Could you go down to the next dose, or up if it’s not 15mg?

I was at 7.5. I’ll ask if they have 15. Or maybe I could do a 5 and a 2.5 and do two injections.

There’s a 10 too.

[pugz]

fluffycookie try grocery store pharmacies and Costco. That's where I've had the best luck.

[egishere]

I went to my endo yesterday and she said they are hearing the shortages should be ending later this month but who knows. I haven't had any issues getting my mounjaro from Safeway pharmacy...yet. I'm moving up to 7.5 and the Dr just sent in the Rx so we will see. My friend swears by Sams Club- says they are always able to get hers.

[picksthemusic]

I want to know why they are insisting on focusing on keeping the pens vs. just going to vials. I know they're probably worried about folks using more or less than intended and not getting the right dose, but if they have the pharmacists teach/show how to use it properly, it shouldn't be a big deal. Have videos on YT or on their website showing how to properly draw and give. It's not that complicated, and people are doing it for compounded anyway. And I believe Canada and Australia do vials. They just want to keep the US on pens. It's so frustrating.

[SusanBAnthony]

Apr 10, 2024 12:52:13 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

I want to know why they are insisting on focusing on keeping the pens vs. just going to vials. I know they're probably worried about folks using more or less than intended and not getting the right dose, but if they have the pharmacists teach/show how to use it properly, it shouldn't be a big deal. Have videos on YT or on their website showing how to properly draw and give. It's not that complicated, and people are doing it for compounded anyway. And I believe Canada and Australia do vials. They just want to keep the US on pens. It's so frustrating.

Didn't insulin always used to be in vials you drew up yourself?

I bet it's because of pricing (at least partially). They can make more money if you are locked into a specific pen at a specific price vs buying a vial.

They could also offer both so the pens could be prescribed to people who can't handle a vial for whatever reason, at healthcare provider discretion.

[picksthemusic]

Apr 10, 2024 15:21:39 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

Apr 10, 2024 12:52:13 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

I want to know why they are insisting on focusing on keeping the pens vs. just going to vials. I know they're probably worried about folks using more or less than intended and not getting the right dose, but if they have the pharmacists teach/show how to use it properly, it shouldn't be a big deal. Have videos on YT or on their website showing how to properly draw and give. It's not that complicated, and people are doing it for compounded anyway. And I believe Canada and Australia do vials. They just want to keep the US on pens. It's so frustrating.

Didn't insulin always used to be in vials you drew up yourself?

I bet it's because of pricing (at least partially). They can make more money if you are locked into a specific pen at a specific price vs buying a vial.

They could also offer both so the pens could be prescribed to people who can't handle a vial for whatever reason, at healthcare provider discretion.

Exactly. The $$ is definitely the reason (and the gatekeeping). I just wish the FDA (if they're responsible for the holdup) would just approve vials. If it's Eli (and Novo), then they need to quit being greedy. Especially knowing it only costs them $5 to make the medication!

[mellymel]

Apr 10, 2024 17:45:50 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

Apr 10, 2024 15:21:39 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

Didn't insulin always used to be in vials you drew up yourself?

I bet it's because of pricing (at least partially). They can make more money if you are locked into a specific pen at a specific price vs buying a vial.

They could also offer both so the pens could be prescribed to people who can't handle a vial for whatever reason, at healthcare provider discretion.

Exactly. The $$ is definitely the reason (and the gatekeeping). I just wish the FDA (if they're responsible for the holdup) would just approve vials. If it's Eli (and Novo), then they need to quit being greedy. Especially knowing it only costs them $5 to make the medication!

The FDA did approve vials for Zepbound last week! Not sure how long it will take Eli Lilly to make the switch to vials but at least the approval exists now.

[krystee]

As an update, Walgreen’s told me they have no Mounjaro in any dose, and the only similar med they have in stock is Ozempic in limited doses. We’re seeing if my insurance will approve that one. I am super annoyed since I wasn’t just taking Mounjaro for weight loss purposes, and my insurance has some kind of deal with Walgreen’s so prescriptions are only fully covered there, so I can’t call other places to see what they have.

[expectantsteelerfan]

I checked in with CVS again and they checked all their locations within 20 miles, and none have any doses of Zepbound in stock and no estimates on when they will get it, so I called my Dr. and left a message (after messaging through the app on Monday) asking her to either send my rx to Express Scripts or any other pharmacy she suggests that might have it in stock. I also texted a close friend (who I am actually going to see in person tonight for an event) whose dh is a pharmacist at a local grocery store and asked if she'd ask him if he knew if his store had it in stock when she had a chance. I really wish my next appt. with my Dr. was closer than May 20, because this is doing not fun things to my anxiety. I have trouble calling places to begin with, so I have to psych myself up to call my Dr., esp. when I've already messaged through the ap but haven't heard back, and add calling pharmacies to ask about their stock of a med. on top of it and I'm past my limit.

[fluffycookie]

I am going to try to go back down to 2.5mg since I have a feeling it's going to be weeks before I can get it. I had some random stomach issues when going from 2.5 to 5mg so I would rather be safe than cause GI issues by jumping back to 5mg.

[lovelovelove]

I'm so sorry for everyone struggling to get their meds!! I've been in an insurance and stock battle for almost 5 months and finally got wegovy approved and my pharmacy said they should have it in stocks in about a week. I'm really looking forward to trying this new journey for myself- I have high cholesterol and significant weight swings due to ovarian failure, really hopeful this helps regulate things for me after almost 20 years of this.

[pugz]

one tip, ask for a 90 day Rx when possible. Obviously if you're titrating up that's not a good option but I'm on 2.4 and having 3 boxes in my fridge has been great.

Also I tried vital protein powder today but HOW DO YOU MAKE IT DISSOLVE? Does it only dissolve in hot liquids because I'm an ice girl.

[fluffycookie]

So ironically I messaged my PCP last night to send in a prescription for 2.5mg since it's been over two weeks since my last shot and I had no clue when I would be able to get the medication since all doses are backordered. Shockingly I just got a notice from Walmart that it's ready for pickup....yay!! It will be 17 days tomorrow since my last dose. I was able to lose on the 2.5mg so I am hoping that it continues. I am hoping to go back up to 5mg either next month or the month after because my PA, which expires in July, says I have to be on at least 5mg and lost 5% of my bodyweight from when starting meds. Maybe because of the shortage they will change the dosing requirement. I have met the 5% loss which I am so happy about. My joints feel so much better and I am sleeping better at night.

[EvieEthelGarland]

Apr 10, 2024 15:21:39 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

Apr 10, 2024 12:52:13 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

I want to know why they are insisting on focusing on keeping the pens vs. just going to vials. I know they're probably worried about folks using more or less than intended and not getting the right dose, but if they have the pharmacists teach/show how to use it properly, it shouldn't be a big deal. Have videos on YT or on their website showing how to properly draw and give. It's not that complicated, and people are doing it for compounded anyway. And I believe Canada and Australia do vials. They just want to keep the US on pens. It's so frustrating.

Didn't insulin always used to be in vials you drew up yourself?

I bet it's because of pricing (at least partially). They can make more money if you are locked into a specific pen at a specific price vs buying a vial.

They could also offer both so the pens could be prescribed to people who can't handle a vial for whatever reason, at healthcare provider discretion.

My dial/clicker broke and Novo wouldn't tell me how many units are in 1MG so I could draw it out with an insulin syringe.  They had me email a picture and sent me a code for a free pen to pick up at the pharmacy.  But if it only costs a few dollars to make, what's their loss? and now I have 3 extra doses. 

I only ever get insulin in vials. I had to get prior auth this year because my plan only covered pens, despite them being pricier.  I use a pump and I'm sure there's a hack I could find on YouTube, but I don't know how I could fill my pump cartridge from a pen with a microneedle. 

[Saudade]

Apr 11, 2024 15:19:58 GMT -5 EvieEthelGarland said:

Apr 10, 2024 15:21:39 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

Didn't insulin always used to be in vials you drew up yourself?

I bet it's because of pricing (at least partially). They can make more money if you are locked into a specific pen at a specific price vs buying a vial.

They could also offer both so the pens could be prescribed to people who can't handle a vial for whatever reason, at healthcare provider discretion.

My dial/clicker broke and Novo wouldn't tell me how many units are in 1MG so I could draw it out with an insulin syringe.  They had me email a picture and sent me a code for a free pen to pick up at the pharmacy.  But if it only costs a few dollars to make, what's their loss? and now I have 3 extra doses. 

I only ever get insulin in vials. I had to get prior auth this year because my plan only covered pens, despite them being pricier.  I use a pump and I'm sure there's a hack I could find on YouTube, but I don't know how I could fill my pump cartridge from a pen with a microneedle. 

The insulin syringe is likely 100units/1 mL

You should be able to calculate from there

[majesty318]

Apr 5, 2024 10:57:32 GMT -5 Aloe Vera said:

My insurance denied Mounjaro so we're going to try Bupropion and Naltrexone. The claim is a loss of up to 15% of your body weight. If this is true, it would bring my BMI closer to normal.

I tried  this for a while. I lost but definitely slower than the injections. But better than nothing!

[shauni27]

Apr 11, 2024 10:06:26 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

I checked in with CVS again and they checked all their locations within 20 miles, and none have any doses of Zepbound in stock and no estimates on when they will get it, so I called my Dr. and left a message (after messaging through the app on Monday) asking her to either send my rx to Express Scripts or any other pharmacy she suggests that might have it in stock. I also texted a close friend (who I am actually going to see in person tonight for an event) whose dh is a pharmacist at a local grocery store and asked if she'd ask him if he knew if his store had it in stock when she had a chance. I really wish my next appt. with my Dr. was closer than May 20, because this is doing not fun things to my anxiety. I have trouble calling places to begin with, so I have to psych myself up to call my Dr., esp. when I've already messaged through the ap but haven't heard back, and add calling pharmacies to ask about their stock of a med. on top of it and I'm past my limit.

Express Scripts is out. They called me last week trying to get me to switch to them rather than a local pharmacy I use and so I did, due to the lower cost. But then it shows while it was approved, they have no stock. I called to see if they had other lower doses available and they said they had none. I obviously changed my script back to my local pharmacy, but was annoyed that they got me to switch in the first place!

[sofamonkey]

I spoke with my regular doc, and I think I’m switching to a daily sublingual semaglutide. I’ll let you know how that works. LOL

Ever since the Push health switched to enexia pharmacy, I’ve been unhappy with the meds (I’ve now gained 15 pounds!!!) and customer service from both push and enexia aren’t great. So, hopefully this will be a better experience.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Apr 15, 2024 11:07:56 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

Apr 11, 2024 10:06:26 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

I checked in with CVS again and they checked all their locations within 20 miles, and none have any doses of Zepbound in stock and no estimates on when they will get it, so I called my Dr. and left a message (after messaging through the app on Monday) asking her to either send my rx to Express Scripts or any other pharmacy she suggests that might have it in stock. I also texted a close friend (who I am actually going to see in person tonight for an event) whose dh is a pharmacist at a local grocery store and asked if she'd ask him if he knew if his store had it in stock when she had a chance. I really wish my next appt. with my Dr. was closer than May 20, because this is doing not fun things to my anxiety. I have trouble calling places to begin with, so I have to psych myself up to call my Dr., esp. when I've already messaged through the ap but haven't heard back, and add calling pharmacies to ask about their stock of a med. on top of it and I'm past my limit.

Express Scripts is out. They called me last week trying to get me to switch to them rather than a local pharmacy I use and so I did, due to the lower cost. But then it shows while it was approved, they have no stock. I called to see if they had other lower doses available and they said they had none. I obviously changed my script back to my local pharmacy, but was annoyed that they got me to switch in the first place!

Yeah, when I called Express Scripts, they told me their next expected shipment was May 1, although that's not guaranteed.  They were at least polite when I called and gave me as much info. as they could.  I called every other local pharmacy, and no where has any in stock.  I do get that pharmacies are severely understaffed and pharmacists are overworked, but I hated making those phone calls to begin with, so for them to be so obviously annoyed with me just for asking if they had it in stock or had any idea when they might get it back in stock made it that much harder to make the next call for me.  
So I did message my Dr. about switching back to Wegovy, which was actually the suggestion of the woman I spoke to at Express Scripts when I spoke to her as well, but she did warn me that they were already seeing an uptick in those rx's so that might be what a lot of others are doing, and by the time my Dr. responds that might be out of stock too.

[picksthemusic]

Apr 15, 2024 12:11:16 GMT -5 sofamonkey said:

I spoke with my regular doc, and I think I’m switching to a daily sublingual semaglutide. I’ll let you know how that works. LOL

Ever since the Push health switched to enexia pharmacy, I’ve been unhappy with the meds (I’ve now gained 15 pounds!!!) and customer service from both push and enexia aren’t great. So, hopefully this will be a better experience.

Just in case, I've heard folks really like Mochi if they're going the compounded route. Hope this works for you!

[turtle1120]

I just started Mounjaro a week ago, but I’m already getting nervous about getting more after my initial four weeks is up. Has anyone switched to compounded meds to bridge the gap because of the shortages? Did it work as well as name brand?

[EvieEthelGarland]

In the past week I got letter that Ozempic is no longer covered and that my endo died of cancer.

I am scared for my diabetes control.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Apr 18, 2024 13:15:12 GMT -5 EvieEthelGarland said:

In the past week I got letter that Ozempic is no longer covered and that my endo died of cancer.

I am scared for my diabetes control.

Yikes, I'm sorry.  What was the reason given for Ozempic not being covered any longer?  And are there other endo's in the practice that are going to take over your care or are you starting over looking for a new provider?

I forgot to look back and see if I did say that I messaged my Dr. asking to switch me back to Wegovy after I contacted every local pharmacy asking if they had Zepbound and no one having it, and she wrote back saying 'the issue with that is that if we switch back I have to redo your prior auth. and cancel the zepbound, and now Wegovy is out of stock too' and that was it.  So I guess I'm just waiting for zepbound to come back in stock, but I saw an article today that said even though the shortage was initially supposed to be over after April, it now may not be until July.  So yay.  

[EvieEthelGarland]

Apr 18, 2024 15:33:35 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Apr 18, 2024 13:15:12 GMT -5 EvieEthelGarland said:

In the past week I got letter that Ozempic is no longer covered and that my endo died of cancer.

I am scared for my diabetes control.

Yikes, I'm sorry.  What was the reason given for Ozempic not being covered any longer?  And are there other endo's in the practice that are going to take over your care or are you starting over looking for a new provider?
  

I have T1 and Cigna now only covers for T2.  There is a whole endo team and a new doctor starting in August, so I'll have coverage but she was the best doctor I've ever had.  We were a great team for 16 years and I'm sure I can find it again, but it'll take a while. 

[picksthemusic]

I have called Costco the last couple of weeks (once a week - I try not to be a pain), and they have 10mg and 15mg in stock, but nothing else. The other doses are on backorder.