followyourarrow , please do call your PCP right away. Are you already on an antidepressant? I am sorry you are feeling that way; I have been there and it is soul crushing. I hope that you know you are taking a great first step in knowing you need to reach out to your PCP.
I am on a couple of antidepressants and have been doing really well with them. So I figured life was just nutty, or the antidepressants weren't working any more. But, after this post I realized the timing is too coincidental and I'll give my dr a call and see what she thinks.
I take Mounjaro. I'm also a diabetic. I started it on 2/9 this year and have lost a total of 36 pounds. I'm currently on 7.5mg. My side effects have been minimal. Occasional constipation. Sometimes I'm a little tired the day after I take my shot, but that was more in the beginning. Because I take other medications, I have to adjust those to prevent blood sugar lows. I'm losing about 1 pound a week. I'm half way to my total weight loss goal (personal goal. My endocrinologist doesn't have a weight loss goal for me. She just wants to see my A1C get below 6%). So far my A1C is 6.4%.
Non-weight loss bonuses is a overall feeling of more energy, less inflammation, less achiness, better sleep. I work out 3-4 times a week and track macros. I have to be cognizant of eating enough calories. For me that's about 2100/day.
I've been on Wegovy since March. I have a love/hate relationship with it. The side effects are not my favorite and come in and out randomly for me so I never know what to except. It can by hard to manage at times. I've lost 15lbs since March, not breaking any records but I am happy with it considering I was gaining weekly (not even maintaining) doing the exact same thing as I am now.
dcrunnergirl52, I use Sequence and had no issues with them. The last month they were a little slow/unresponsive so I wonder if they've taken on more clients than they can manage effectively but my specific provider left the company right when I was trying to get my next month's prescription, and during the shortage so it may have just been bad timing.
Post by purplepenguin7 on Jul 11, 2023 12:23:33 GMT -5
pixy0stix, I didn't want to quote. First, I am sorry you and your H went/are going through that. If you don't mind sharing, I am curious how your H's new addiction came out or was managed? There are a few studies that the GLP-1 can be used to help curb addictions. For myself I have noticed that I no longer am addicted/crave diet coke and my shopping habits have been greatly reduced so I definitely noticed a change in additive habits for myself. Of course that is not to say everyone would have the same effect. Sorry if this was too intrusive but I found the addiction connection super interesting.
Post by mustardseed2007 on Jul 11, 2023 12:29:57 GMT -5
I've been getting semiglutide injections. I have had days of horrible nausea, vomiting, terrible stomach issues. We adjusted the dose down and that helped a lot. The compounding pharmacy started also combining it with vitamin b and I think that helped a lot. Today I'm having a day where I threw up for the first time in a long time after getting an injection last night. I had been out and had a drink with friends and previously I had observed that alcohol seems to really not mix with the shots well for me.
Do all of these meds have the depression side effect? I already struggle with that and as much as this weight needs to go, I'm not ready to risk my mental health stability.
I’ve been on Mounjaro since last August and I’m down 80 pounds. I had side effects (vomiting, diarrhea) at first, but that has improved as I cleaned up my diet. I no longer crave sweets or carbs, which is amazing. I no longer obsess about food at all. Makes deciding what to eat hard when you don’t crave anything, but also easier to make a healthier choice as a result.
Oh, I’ve also gone down 2 shoe sizes. Amazing to see the inflammation leave my body!
Do all of these meds have the depression side effect? I already struggle with that and as much as this weight needs to go, I'm not ready to risk my mental health stability.
There's just so much about these drugs that are unknown when it comes to mental effects. That wasn't what was being studied, and if mentioned probably wasn't noted just the physical side effects. Such as, the "curbs other addictions" didn't start coming out until this type of drug was released widely to the public. Since it's a "good" symptom it's been amplified by the news. There's rumblings of it increasing depression, but it's not getting a lot of attention/in the news yet. We're also probably several years removed from looking at any psychological effects. Also, as mentioned above, any increase in depression is probably being attributed to other environmental things.
Post by purplepenguin7 on Jul 11, 2023 14:04:54 GMT -5
pixy0stix, oh gosh, that's awful. I am so sorry. I think any of us who have dealt with food addiction can relate to the shifting addictive behaviors.
interestingly, I did just read about the link to sudicidal thoughts on reddit. followyourarrow, others have said but please put it a call to your healthcare provider.
I’m using sequence, which Ive been happy with. I started Wegovy over the winter and I’ve lost about 20 pounds, so I’m definitely a slower loser. Ideally, I’d lose 30 more. I’m on the highway dose now and my side effects have been minimal.
Pixy I am so sorry 😢 I can’t imagine how stressful that was.
I have heard people say that they felt flat/depressed at some point. Food can give dopamine hits so losing that can feel jarring. I still get my hits on Dr Pepper.
I am already on 2 depression/anxiety meds plus high doses of vitamin D and have not had any increase in depression.
I effed up my injection last night and not sure how much leaked out.
pugz that’s reassuring! I’m a few months out from the possibility of starting but I should give my psych a heads up to see what he thinks/knows something I don’t.
My thyroid is now under control so my dr thinks the RA inflammation could be causing the slow steady weight gain that nothing stops.
...The only way I could lose any weight was with extreme carb restriction and staying under 1000 cals a day. Not sustainable and not healthy. These drugs have proved to me that no amount of diet and exercise would have ever outran my insulin resistance...
I have had some pretty significant nausea and exhaustion on Wegovy. Particularly when moving up doses. It gets better with each shot of the same dose and eases as the week goes on. I felt better overall on Mounjaro, but my insurance only covers Wegovy for now, so it is what it is. The benefits 100% outweigh the side effects for me.
yes, this. It is so refreshing to be able to lose weight without spending all my waking moments thinking about measuring food, or what I am "allowed" to eat, etc. It felt so disordered, where as now, I eat what I want and when I want, it is just much smaller portions.
This is one of my biggest issues currently. I know how to lose weight, I know how to cut calories and exercise, etc, but I'm also in a place in my life where all of that is just too much right now. I have a sick husband, a high needs kiddo, a job that I hate that keeps me really busy, my IL's are living with me in my 3-bedroom house, like I don't have the capacity for what essentially feels like a full-time job, when I already basically have 3 other full-time jobs. At the same time, I have high blood pressure, fatty liver disease and high cholesterol, shit needs to change and Wegovy feels like a good option to get me started in the right direction. I'm also in the process of getting started with a therapist to address :all of this: plus the food issues.
@pixystix, I didn’t see the details before deletion, but I echo your concerns about another addiction sometimes emerging. My sister had weight loss surgery, lost over 150 lbs, and has been battling alcoholism that was not present before the surgery.
I know this is anecdotal, and I also know that for many people who wish to lose weight, eating is not an “addiction” or a form of self-medicating, but for those for whom it is, this is something to be aware of.
Post by themoneytree on Jul 11, 2023 18:13:43 GMT -5
I lost about 30 lbs myself and then had a huge autoimmune flare with tons of terrible pain and gained 50 lbs. It was awful. I started Wegovy in January and it’s taken this long to get down 23 lbs. It’s very slow for me, but I’m ok with it.
I’m just going to keep plugging away and see how it goes. It really is helping me a lot. I do have some nausea side effects, but nothing I can’t manage. I just hope I keep going down even if it’s slow.
Do all of these meds have the depression side effect? I already struggle with that and as much as this weight needs to go, I'm not ready to risk my mental health stability.
I have not noticed this at all, however I am already on the highest does of meds a depressed and anxious gal can take
Do all of these meds have the depression side effect? I already struggle with that and as much as this weight needs to go, I'm not ready to risk my mental health stability.
I have not noticed this at all, however I am already on the highest does of meds a depressed and anxious gal can take
girl me too - my psych is talking about lowering them since my anxiety is SO MUCH better since my hyperthyroid got under control.
I am not on it, but my only concern would be that this is something you would have to keep doing to keep the weight off. I think that would be something to really consider. Either way, I know this is hard. I am struggling with the 40+ pounds I have put on.
I’m just about three weeks into Wegovy, starting at the .25 dose. I’ve lost six pounds. My insurance covers it for weight loss with a pre-auth asserting an overweight BMI. My BMI is 36. With my coverage, it should be $40/month, but Walgreens automatically applied a coupon and it’s $24.99. I had no trouble getting my first month, but the pharmacy is out of stock for my refill. I haven’t tried too hard to get it, but I will probably call around some tomorrow to see if I can find it anywhere.
I have some mixed feelings about being on it. I truly don’t think obesity in and of itself is an illness. I believe in HAES. I know our society has a fatphobia problem. I’ve spend the past five years after gaining about 50 pounds trying to get right with my body, accept it for what it is, throw out diet culture, etc. What prompted me to actually ask my doctor about this was some blood work I had in the spring. I gained 15 pounds in just three months and was very active - on the Peloton 3-4 times a week, light strength work, some yoga, etc. My A1C and glucose were in pre-diabetic range in 2020 and 2021, and were on the top side of normal in 2022. I started suspecting insulin resistance in myself this spring after my physical and my numbers were still almost pre-diabetic, and my BP and cholesterol were high. Some insulin resistance symptoms are HBP, high cholesterol, and skin tags, all of which I have. So anyway, that prompted me to ask about that and the meds and my PCP was receptive and has had many patients who she prescribes too.
I haven’t had many side effects, but I’m still on a really small dose. I’ve been taking my shots on Friday evening so I can sleep in a little the next day and take it easy if needed. I do feel maybe mildly hungover the day after, a little tired, occasionally queasy. Honestly, I didn’t have “food noise” or overeat before the med. I think my ADHD med was already suppressing my appetite a bit. So none of that has changed. I don’t think I’m eating all that much less, TBH. I definitely haven’t been as active these weeks because I’ve been out of town and been slammed at work. But the weight is coming off, I’m guessing because of the med’s affect on insulin.
I am not on it, but my only concern would be that this is something you would have to keep doing to keep the weight off. I think that would be something to really consider. Either way, I know this is hard. I am struggling with the 40+ pounds I have put on.
Yes, long term maintenance is something to consider, but this is no different than losing weight any other way. If you are able to lose weight through diet, you will gain if you stop the diet.
GLP-1 drugs aren’t just appetite suppressants, they’re helping treat insulin resistance, PCOS, etc that make weight loss difficult. These are chronic conditions like high blood pressure. You wouldn’t stop taking blood pressure meds just because they’re working. Same with these drugs.
pixy0stix I'm sorry that happened, but please don't lump everyone that takes these meds as someone that has an addiction or has to have therapy with them. Mental health is important for everyone, but it's not necessarily tied to these meds.
After a major weight loss in the mid 90s (I'm that old), I maintained that until 2020 when I was hit with a major cardiac problem caused by a virus (not COVID-if anyone wants the long story, DM me). My cardiac problems have been mentioned before. Add in a diagnosis of a clotting disorder, a blood clot in the heart, open heart surgery, many many exercise restrictions, and more...the weight crept up on me a bit. I was back in the obese category for the first time in over 20 years. I was NOT happy with where it was Semiglutide/Wegovy/Ozempec is the ONLY weight loss medication that is SAFE for me to take. It's been approved by the panel of doctors I work with as being appropriate for me as well. This was after losing NOTHING following months of trying. I'm down about 22 pounds and very close to my maintenance weight that I should be able to keep with no problems. I did for MANY years.
I'm not lumping everyone together. All I'm saying is that the mental health aspect has to be addressed as well. It doesn't even have to be about addiction. Our society has been mindfucking people who don't fit ideal body standards for generations. We've all been pushed miracle drugs, and miracle diets, and lifestyle changes in the hopes to change who we are on the outside without addressing our very core beings. And there are people out there, probably quite a few since there's a drug shortage, that think that losing weight is all they need. I'm just reminding people to take care of their whole selves.
I am not on it, but my only concern would be that this is something you would have to keep doing to keep the weight off. I think that would be something to really consider. Either way, I know this is hard. I am struggling with the 40+ pounds I have put on.
Yes, long term maintenance is something to consider, but this is no different than losing weight any other way. If you are able to lose weight through diet, you will gain if you stop the diet.
GLP-1 drugs aren’t just appetite suppressants, they’re helping treat insulin resistance, PCOS, etc that make weight loss difficult. These are chronic conditions like high blood pressure. You wouldn’t stop taking blood pressure meds just because they’re working. Same with these drugs.
People stop taking medication all the time. They go off their mood altering medication, ADHD medication, cancer treatments, and yes even blood pressure medication just because it makes them feel bad long term. People will go off these classes of drugs, too.
Do all of these meds have the depression side effect? I already struggle with that and as much as this weight needs to go, I'm not ready to risk my mental health stability.
They CAN they don't necessarily. I wouldn't say I have depression on (or off) Wegovy, but I do suffer from anxiety and take Effexor for it. If I miss even 1 dose of the Effexor (which I know you're not supposed to, I don't do it on purpose), I notice my anxiety heightens and I do think the Wegovy might have something to do with it.
Post by somersault72 on Jul 12, 2023 10:22:50 GMT -5
I've been on Wegovy since January and I've lost right about 50 pounds. I've definitely suffered some side effects but it's not been THAT bad. I've been on the highest strength for a month now. I probably have another 40-50 pounds before my goal. I don't have a specific number in mind.
As far as staying on it indefinitely, that is what I will likely be doing.
The shortage makes me nervous about people skipping strengths. That is how people end up in the hospital taking this medicine. I am in a FB group and see a lot of providers writing for it that probably shouldn't be. I am not one of the lucky people who didn't have side effects though. In fact, I stayed on 0.5 for an extra month because it made me so sick after the first 2 shots.
I've been on Wegovy since January and I've lost right about 50 pounds. I've definitely suffered some side effects but it's not been THAT bad. I've been on the highest strength for a month now. I probably have another 40-50 pounds before my goal. I don't have a specific number in mind.
As far as staying on it indefinitely, that is what I will likely be doing.
The shortage makes me nervous about people skipping strengths. That is how people end up in the hospital taking this medicine. I am in a FB group and see a lot of providers writing for it that probably shouldn't be. I am not one of the lucky people who didn't have side effects though. In fact, I stayed on 0.5 for an extra month because it made me so sick after the first 2 shots.
My SIL got an RX for it. She was maybe 140lbs to begin with and now shares clothes with her 12 yr old daughter..she is probably under 100lbs now
Not sure if that is what you were referring to re providers but seems like it could be dangerous for some folks with ED if doctors aren't more careful.
I've been on Wegovy since January and I've lost right about 50 pounds. I've definitely suffered some side effects but it's not been THAT bad. I've been on the highest strength for a month now. I probably have another 40-50 pounds before my goal. I don't have a specific number in mind.
As far as staying on it indefinitely, that is what I will likely be doing.
The shortage makes me nervous about people skipping strengths. That is how people end up in the hospital taking this medicine. I am in a FB group and see a lot of providers writing for it that probably shouldn't be. I am not one of the lucky people who didn't have side effects though. In fact, I stayed on 0.5 for an extra month because it made me so sick after the first 2 shots.
My SIL got an RX for it. She was maybe 140lbs to begin with and now shares clothes with her 12 yr old daughter..she is probably under 100lbs now
Not sure if that is what you were referring to re providers but seems like it could be dangerous for some folks with ED if doctors aren't more careful.
I wasn't but I'm sure that does happen.
It comes in 5 different strengths to titrate you up to the highest dose. Ideally you spend a month on each strength until you get to the highest one. There is currently a shortage of the lower 3 strengths and some people are skipping one or two (or even all 3 in some cases) of the lower doses so they can be on the higher 2 which are not currently part of the shortage. There is definitely a reason why want you to gradually increase up to the highest dose. I know firsthand the shortages are frustrating. I got my first prescription in March of last year and between last year's shortage and insurance I didn't start until January of this year.
Post by wanderingback on Jul 12, 2023 11:09:03 GMT -5
Other cautionary story I’ll share! If you are capable of getting pregnant, don’t necessarily attribute nausea and fatigue to the meds if you haven’t ruled out pregnancy. Some people on these meds have PCOS so have irregular periods anyway. Have had some abortion cases where people didn’t realize they were pregnant cause they though their pregnancy symptoms were from the meds.