Post by somersault72 on Apr 24, 2024 10:37:40 GMT -5
I've hit my first official plateau (no real weight gain since between my last 2 doctor visits). I'm already a "success story" (lost 21% of my total body weight), but I am still technically obese and I'm sure at least 30lbs from where I'd like to be. I have lost between 60 and 70 lbs for which I am happy and grateful. I talked to my provider and I have not been exercising, so I will try this, which I need to do anyway for SO many reasons, and if the scale still doesn't start to move I think I will try Zepbound (currently on Wegovy) if I can find it at my next visit. I STILL am getting compliments from people even though the scale hasn't really moved in 3 months, so that is nice. I also did a course of Accutane for my decades long acne issue so I really feel like a new person lately.
FWIW, I DID try phentermine in the form of Qsymia 3-4 years ago. I did lose weight about 20lbs on it, but I definitely worried about it affecting my heart. It didn't to my knowledge, but I worried about it.
Congratulations to all who've been having success! As someone who has had weight issues my entire adult life, this has been a life changer!
Switched to tirz from sema this morning after plateauing a while (hit nearly a 24% reduction in weight, so may be done with sema). I'm still considered overweight, so I'm hoping to drop another 20-40lbs.
I have lost 15.8 lbs so far. My first check up is next week, so I am interested to see what my blood work says. I think 1.0 of Wegovy is the best dose so far. I still get hungry but my appetite is more suppressed than before. I still get really tired the day after my shot, does that ever go away?
Day after fatigue went away after a couple of months on 1.7. But for 2.4 I feel like it is getting worse, or something else is going on, not sure what.
Post by soccermama on Apr 24, 2024 12:11:55 GMT -5
(Hope its okay for me to put this here)... I had a productive appointment with my dietician this morning. After almost a year of working on all of this from being diagnosed as T2D, have been on ozempic and metformin for a year....finally over the last 6 weeks or so my blood sugar/numbers are the best they have been this whole time. Which is great news.
The not great news is that I really haven't lost any weight. Which is SUPER frustrating. After I was diagnosed and starting taking the meds, I did lose about 7-8 lbs...which I have put back on plus a few more. I need to lose about 35-40 lbs to be at a healthy weight. My dietician asked me to start counting calories for the next 2 weeks and then we will reevaluate.
I just wanted to provide some potentially helpful info of something that has been a life saver, for me. I'm 100% not a dr so for sure I wouldn't expect someone to just go buy phentermine without a discussion with their dr. It's a scrip not OTC anyway.
I'm sorry Contrave didn't work for you.
I don't think everyone has issues with amphetamine drugs, as I did wonderful on Wellbutrin for depression and now phentermine, hence my rec to look into it for those having issues with their current med.
The best luck to you on your journey. π
I want to clarify this so that if there is anyone lurking they don't get the misinformation.
Phentermine is not an amphetamine. It is a stimulant that works to suppress appetite. Due to being a stimulant, it is a controlled substance.Β
Wellbutrin is also not an amphetamine. It is an antidepressant that works for appetite suppression as well as smoking cessation. It makes up part of the medication Contrave, which also includes Naltrexone.
Phentermine should only be used for 3 months at a time due to the cardiovascular side effects
Contrave should be discontinued if there is <5% weight loss after 3 months.
I do believe phentermine is a cousin of an amphetamine. I am not a professional on this matter. This is what my Dr told me.
Phentermine is not showing long term cardiovascular effects the way you stated. Of course, I'm not a dr, speak with yours, etc. Here is a study showing the opposite
I want to clarify this so that if there is anyone lurking they don't get the misinformation.
Phentermine is not an amphetamine. It is a stimulant that works to suppress appetite. Due to being a stimulant, it is a controlled substance.Β
Wellbutrin is also not an amphetamine. It is an antidepressant that works for appetite suppression as well as smoking cessation. It makes up part of the medication Contrave, which also includes Naltrexone.
Phentermine should only be used for 3 months at a time due to the cardiovascular side effects
Contrave should be discontinued if there is <5% weight loss after 3 months.
I do believe phentermine is a cousin of an amphetamine. I am not a professional on this matter. This is what my Dr told me.
Phentermine is not showing long term cardiovascular effects the way you stated. Of course, I'm not a dr, speak with yours, etc. Here is a study showing the opposite
Sure, if you want to get down to the details about it, itβs r/t amphetamines. Doesnβt make it an amphetamine and a blanket statement of βitβs an amphetamineβis misleading. It also doesnβt show up across the board on a UDS but can cause false positives, as can many different meds.
It can be a great tool. It doesnβt mean itβs great for everyone. It doesnβt mean it doesnβt have serious side effects. Do I prescribe it? Absolutely. Medicine is not black and white and you shouldnβt believe it to be.
I do believe phentermine is a cousin of an amphetamine. I am not a professional on this matter. This is what my Dr told me.
Phentermine is not showing long term cardiovascular effects the way you stated. Of course, I'm not a dr, speak with yours, etc. Here is a study showing the opposite
Sure, if you want to get down to the details about it, itβs r/t amphetamines. Doesnβt make it an amphetamine and a blanket statement of βitβs an amphetamineβis misleading. It also doesnβt show up across the board on a UDS but can cause false positives, as can many different meds.
It can be a great tool. It doesnβt mean itβs great for everyone. It doesnβt mean it doesnβt have serious side effects. Do I prescribe it? Absolutely. Medicine is not black and white and you shouldnβt believe it to be.
I definitely do not believe medicine is black and white. Hence, speak to your PCP. Again, it's a scrip so (general) you would need to speak to your PCP anyway and hopefully discuss whether the medicine is a good fit for (general) you.
I felt your statement about cardiovascular effects after 3 months were a bit misleading, personally.
Post by followyourarrow on Apr 26, 2024 8:00:38 GMT -5
I did 8 weeks of Mounjaro at 5, and I've done 6 weeks of 7.5. I hit 30lbs lost this morning. I have an appointment next week and I'm thinking I'll ask to move up to 10. I feel like the food noise is coming back and my blood sugar is averaging 116 and I'd like to drop it just a little lower yet.
I did 8 weeks of Mounjaro at 5, and I've done 6 weeks of 7.5. I hit 30lbs lost this morning. I have an appointment next week and I'm thinking I'll ask to move up to 10. I feel like the food noise is coming back and my blood sugar is averaging 116 and I'd like to drop it just a little lower yet.
30 lbs lost is great!
Is Mounjaro hard to find in stock? That is one my insurance won't cover at all, but at this point if I haven't found Zepbound anywhere by my next appt., I might offer to pay out of pocket for a month or two if that one is easy to find. Getting desperate over here and not liking seeing the scale go up instead of down.
I did 8 weeks of Mounjaro at 5, and I've done 6 weeks of 7.5. I hit 30lbs lost this morning. I have an appointment next week and I'm thinking I'll ask to move up to 10. I feel like the food noise is coming back and my blood sugar is averaging 116 and I'd like to drop it just a little lower yet.
30 lbs lost is great!
Is Mounjaro hard to find in stock? That is one my insurance won't cover at all, but at this point if I haven't found Zepbound anywhere by my next appt., I might offer to pay out of pocket for a month or two if that one is easy to find. Getting desperate over here and not liking seeing the scale go up instead of down.
So far I haven't had issues finding it, Walmart has had it. I can't get it through my smaller, local pharmacies.
Post by weightlossae on Apr 26, 2024 15:26:38 GMT -5
Had a follow up with my endo this morning. He took me off my low dose slow release insulin and upped my mounjaro to 5. Iβm excited but also nervous about lows (the majority of my reads have been in the 80s and 90s on 2.5) - and also having issues with highs and lows traveling (we leave in 5 weeks for a 10 day international trip). He did send in the script for 3 months and I havenβt had issue getting the 2.5 at my local grocery store so Iβm hoping I still have luck but Iβm not getting excited.
Post by followyourarrow on Apr 26, 2024 15:30:19 GMT -5
weightlossae, I struggle with lows at times too. I've found upping my protein intake significantly helps. I'm going on a 10 day international trip in a few weeks as well, and I'm nervous about the lows, especially because I'll be more active. I'm bringing protein bars with me and I think I'll pack some skittles and m&ms just in case. Maybe some trail mix. If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them!
weightlossae, I struggle with lows at times too. I've found upping my protein intake significantly helps. I'm going on a 10 day international trip in a few weeks as well, and I'm nervous about the lows, especially because I'll be more active. I'm bringing protein bars with me and I think I'll pack some skittles and m&ms just in case. Maybe some trail mix. If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them!
I am always trying to get more in but donβt track and Iβm a lazy eater some days because Iβm at home. I eat a lot of cubed chicken with various bbq seasonings (we have a plethora bc DH smokes meat), Kodiak pancakes, Seeq strawberry lemonade protein drink, and pistachios. The salt and vinegar and chili mostly bc they satisfy the snacky flavor. I love Barebells for protein bars and I also like keto bars when Iβm trying to get the protein without a lot of carb. Sadly the keto bars are super heat sensitive so you canβt travel with them at all which is what Iβm worried about for our trip since even the barebells probably wonβt fare well. I guess I need to look for a different type. I donβt like jerky at all. I do love the mini skittles to keep in my purse for low. Much more enjoyable to eat than glucose tabs.
Post by followyourarrow on Apr 29, 2024 9:42:47 GMT -5
I think I read in this tread, or it may have been a TikTok, to do the shot in your arm for a more effective week. I tried it last night and feel very rough this morning. We'll see how the week goes.
I think I read in this tread, or it may have been a TikTok, to do the shot in your arm for a more effective week. I tried it last night and feel very rough this morning. We'll see how the week goes.
I have done it twice now and did not notice any difference :/
Post by expectantsteelerfan on Apr 29, 2024 14:29:26 GMT -5
I was at my pharmacy today for other stuff, and asked if they had any update on Zepbound (no, lol), and if they happened to have any Wegovy in stock. She said she did have 2 boxes of the 2.4mg in stock, so if my Dr. sent the rx for that she could fill it. So I messaged my Dr. asking to switch back to that again (esp. since the news is saying Zepbound is going to be out of stock through June). In my last message with my Dr. my Dr. said it was a pain to have to re-do my prior auth. to switch back to Wegovy, along with it being out of stock now too, but that seems like a cop-out to me. But I'm guessing if my Dr. will re-send my prior auth for Wegovy and then send an rx for that, it'll take a few days, and who knows if it'll still be in stock at that point.
I think I read in this tread, or it may have been a TikTok, to do the shot in your arm for a more effective week. I tried it last night and feel very rough this morning. We'll see how the week goes.
I have done it twice now and did not notice any difference :/
I agree. Iβve now done it twice in my arm and no difference except I felt like the needle was almost completely painless in the arm.
expectantsteelerfan, Somewhat related, I was listening to NPR and there was a story about a different medication (primarily for kids if I recall?) that was also in various strengths and doses and was also having major shortages. They had to get a prior auth for every dose/strength and then by the time it was approved that dose was unavailable, so they were looking at laws and regulations allowing providers to submit PA requests proactively for various doses. Some insurances were allowing it and others were not.
it was very relatable for what we are going through with this. It was interesting.
mcmel, I am so hit or miss with my shots; sometimes I do not feel it AT ALL and other times it stings, and then occasionally I hit a nerve and as soon as the injection goes in, my cheek right next to my nose and eye starts tingling. so odd.
Post by SusanBAnthony on Apr 30, 2024 6:50:40 GMT -5
shauni27 it may have been ADHD meds. We have so.rhow been freakishly lucky with DS's but I have heard horror stories. An employee at work couldn't get it at all for about a year (just started being able to again). People with ADHD are about the least equipped to chase down meds like that!
The most frustrating part of med shortages IMO is that they keep saying next month will be better. It's a year + later! How about some honesty of when it's actually likely to be better given more and more people are being prescribed the med (which is a good thing).
SusanBAnthony, that was my assumption but I did not hear the start of the story so I missed the drug name/type. H was diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 and has still not even been able to try a medication because of the shortages.
SusanBAnthony, that was my assumption but I did not hear the start of the story so I missed the drug name/type. H was diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 and has still not even been able to try a medication because of the shortages.
Growth hormone? This one is an injectable that is in shortage
Post by EvieEthelGarland on Apr 30, 2024 10:37:17 GMT -5
I had received a letter from Cigna that they would not cover ozempic because I do not have T2 diabetes, despite covering it for the past 18mo for my T1 and the tightest control I have ever had in my 38years of dealing with this disease.
A 3 month supply is out for delivery today at my standard copay!!!
My weight loss has stalled, but my A1C is my bigger priority.
I hit 25 pounds lost in six weeks! I am struggling to eat though. Yesterday I had a bowl of cheerios, a banana, and half a burger with some sweet potato. I know that's not enough but I just can't force myself to eat. It's so weird.
Post by doggielover on Apr 30, 2024 15:54:11 GMT -5
I know I'm only a few days in from my first injection but I haven't noticed any side effects that a lot of people talk about. I also know it's way to soon to see any weight loss.
I know I'm only a few days in from my first injection but I haven't noticed any side effects that a lot of people talk about. I also know it's way to soon to see any weight loss.
I've had few to no side effects, which had me nervous in the beginning that it wouldn't work. I started in September and am down almost 40 lbs, so it's definitely working.
I know I'm only a few days in from my first injection but I haven't noticed any side effects that a lot of people talk about. I also know it's way to soon to see any weight loss.
I've had few to no side effects, which had me nervous in the beginning that it wouldn't work. I started in September and am down almost 40 lbs, so it's definitely working.
I haven't had a single side effect on Saxenda - started in December and have been at the max dose for a while now. This one is not as "strong" as some of the other meds but I have lost 18 lbs so far.
If you are on Wegovy when did you move from 1 to 1.7? I had my doctors apt on Monday and she said I can move up whenever I want. I have a few more doses of 1.0 so no big rush to decide. Was there a big difference? Right now I get some nausea and my appetite is suppressed so I donβt feel like I need to go up yet. So far I am losing about 1 pound per week.
Post by followyourarrow on May 3, 2024 7:45:27 GMT -5
I saw my endocrinologist yesterday and my A1c is down to a 5.3 from a 7.3 in January! He told me to keep doing what I'm doing an he'll see me in 6 months.