Weight Loss Injection check-in 2024

[majesty318]

I am still buying Saxenda from Colombia (where my husband is from) because my insurance covers zero. This is my 2nd week on the highest dose (3 mg). I think I started beginning of December but I forget. I have lost 7 lbs and it's the first time I am under 200 lbs in years. So yay!

Only difficulty is the stress over who can bring me more from Colombia

Anyone use the Henny company that Facebook likes to advertise me? That costs almost the same as what I pay now but I wouldn't have to worry about travelers supplying me!

[pugz]

Jan 23, 2024 15:46:57 GMT -5 vmars said:

Jan 23, 2024 13:17:49 GMT -5 fluffycookie said:

I called at least 15-20 pharmacies (Southeastern Mass) last month (Costco, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Big Y) and none of them had it or had any idea when they would get it in stock.  I also contact Caremark which is mail order and they said they were out of the starter dose.   I was able to verify that my insurance covered zepbound and the Big Y said they could order it so I had my doctor change the prescrition that instead of Wegovy.  They sent the prior authorization and it was approved right away and filled the next day.

I sent it in to Optum RX and it says I will get it between 1/30-2/2 so fingers crossed, but it also says it’s not currently in stock so that’s anyone’s guess lol.

I spoke with Optum last week and they had none in stock, not even the highest doses that everyone else easily gets.  I know it's discouraging but I don't think you're going to be able to get .25, let alone .5 and 1.0. Starting Wegovy right now is basically impossible.  If you can I'd try to get Zepbound or go the compounding pharmacy route. But Wegovy shortage is ongoing and there is no projected end in sight. 

[Nugget T. Brain, The OG]

Jan 24, 2024 11:49:37 GMT -5 pugz said:

Jan 23, 2024 15:46:57 GMT -5 vmars said:

I sent it in to Optum RX and it says I will get it between 1/30-2/2 so fingers crossed, but it also says it’s not currently in stock so that’s anyone’s guess lol.

I spoke with Optum last week and they had none in stock, not even the highest doses that everyone else easily gets.  I know it's discouraging but I don't think you're going to be able to get .25, let alone .5 and 1.0. Starting Wegovy right now is basically impossible.  If you can I'd try to get Zepbound or go the compounding pharmacy route. But Wegovy shortage is ongoing and there is no projected end in sight. 

Agreed.  My SIL has been trying to start Wegovy for months and cannot get any of the doses even though it's covered under her insurance.  If you can, I would go for Mounjaro or Zepbound as they don't have the shortage problem that Wegovy has right now (although some of their doses are a PITA to get too).

[expectantsteelerfan]

I have not had any trouble getting my Wegovy (2.4 mg, the highest dose) filled through Express Scripts. I had issues last month because my prior auth. had expired, and even though my dr. sent a new one and it was accepted (yay! I'm like 2 lbs away from my BMI not being considered obese, and I think my insurance will stop covering it once I am no longer obese. I'm down to 152 lbs, but I'm only 5' tall). But express scripts didn't get the PA even though I had a copy of the notice from my insurance saying it was accepted, so it took a couple of phone calls to figure that out.

[vmars]

Jan 24, 2024 11:49:37 GMT -5 pugz said:

Jan 23, 2024 15:46:57 GMT -5 vmars said:

I sent it in to Optum RX and it says I will get it between 1/30-2/2 so fingers crossed, but it also says it’s not currently in stock so that’s anyone’s guess lol.

I spoke with Optum last week and they had none in stock, not even the highest doses that everyone else easily gets.  I know it's discouraging but I don't think you're going to be able to get .25, let alone .5 and 1.0. Starting Wegovy right now is basically impossible.  If you can I'd try to get Zepbound or go the compounding pharmacy route. But Wegovy shortage is ongoing and there is no projected end in sight. 

I called Optum today and they told me I’d be getting a 3 month supply of 0.25 mg next week. If that falls through I will follow up with my PCP.

[pugz]

vmars that's awesome! I am gonna message them again, lol. I would love to not have to go to Costco monthly to pick up my Rx. I get all my other meds from Optum

[followyourarrow]

I start back on Mounjaro this weekend. It's been awhile since I've taken it. Please remind of some good tips to not feel crummy.

I remember Sunday nights working best, just before bed. This way I can enjoy my weekend and eat out if I want.
Gatorade helps the nausea.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Those who are on tirzepatide, how many have gotten it covered by insurance? And what is it costing whether covered by insurance or not? I tried reading back in this thread but didn't see much about price.

I just had my weight loss dr. appt., and my weight has stayed the same for the past 3 months, so she wants me to switch from wegovy to tirzepatide. She submitted it to my insurance, but was not hopeful it would be covered.

I'd be happy to switch as I still have about 15 lbs to lose and my weight loss on wegovy has been SUPER slow, although at every other appt. it had gone down at least a little. I blame my current stalemate on stopping topimax (it was interfering with another med I take) and having been on vacation last week and eating horribly.

[picksthemusic]

Jan 29, 2024 14:42:32 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Those who are on tirzepatide, how many have gotten it covered by insurance? And what is it costing whether covered by insurance or not? I tried reading back in this thread but didn't see much about price.

I just had my weight loss dr. appt., and my weight has stayed the same for the past 3 months, so she wants me to switch from wegovy to tirzepatide. She submitted it to my insurance, but was not hopeful it would be covered.

I'd be happy to switch as I still have about 15 lbs to lose and my weight loss on wegovy has been SUPER slow, although at every other appt. it had gone down at least a little. I blame my current stalemate on stopping topimax (it was interfering with another med I take) and having been on vacation last week and eating horribly.

So I currently pay $25 for a 3 month supply. I was told at the end of last year that they would stop covering it for me since I'm not a DM2 patient, but for some unknown reason, it was covered again this month and now I have 24 weeks of 7.5mg in my fridge (I'm currently finishing up my last 5mg box before I move up in dose).

I will say I see a lot on Reddit that folks who transition from Wegovy to Mounjaro/Zepbound see a big difference in how the weight comes off. Hopefully it's approved for you and you don't see much in the way of side effects!

[bcv513]

So for those of you that have the prescriptions, how the heck are you finding the meds? My insurance denied the Mounjaro/whatever the new name is because I have to fail Wegovy. I can't find Wegovy anywhere.

[mcmel]

Jan 29, 2024 15:25:48 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

So for those of you that have the prescriptions, how the heck are you finding the meds? My insurance denied the Mounjaro/whatever the new name is because I have to fail Wegovy. I can't find Wegovy anywhere.

Getting it compounded.

[Jalapeñomel]

Jan 29, 2024 14:42:32 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Those who are on tirzepatide, how many have gotten it covered by insurance? And what is it costing whether covered by insurance or not? I tried reading back in this thread but didn't see much about price.

I just had my weight loss dr. appt., and my weight has stayed the same for the past 3 months, so she wants me to switch from wegovy to tirzepatide. She submitted it to my insurance, but was not hopeful it would be covered.

I'd be happy to switch as I still have about 15 lbs to lose and my weight loss on wegovy has been SUPER slow, although at every other appt. it had gone down at least a little. I blame my current stalemate on stopping topimax (it was interfering with another med I take) and having been on vacation last week and eating horribly.

I posted above about the price of zepbound. It’s a little over $500 a month with the manufacturer’s coupon.

Edit: sorry it was on the last check in thread.

[Nugget T. Brain, The OG]

Jan 29, 2024 14:42:32 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Those who are on tirzepatide, how many have gotten it covered by insurance? And what is it costing whether covered by insurance or not? I tried reading back in this thread but didn't see much about price.

I just had my weight loss dr. appt., and my weight has stayed the same for the past 3 months, so she wants me to switch from wegovy to tirzepatide. She submitted it to my insurance, but was not hopeful it would be covered.

I'd be happy to switch as I still have about 15 lbs to lose and my weight loss on wegovy has been SUPER slow, although at every other appt. it had gone down at least a little. I blame my current stalemate on stopping topimax (it was interfering with another med I take) and having been on vacation last week and eating horribly.

I'm lucky that Mounjaro is covered under my insurance without a PA, so I pay $60 for a 3 month supply.  My company also covers weight loss drugs, so Zepbound will be covered at the same cost after 1 year (they don't cover new to market drugs until after 1 year).  Oddly enough, Wegovy requires a PA while Ozempic does not so I'm assuming Zepbound will also need a PA. 

[fluffycookie]

expectantsteelerfan, I needed a PA for Zepbound and pay $25 a month with the manufacturers coupon for commercial insurance.

[followyourarrow]

Please remind me of some good meals/snacks for when you aren't hungry or have no desire to eat. Especially protein based.

[Nugget T. Brain, The OG]

Jan 29, 2024 15:25:48 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

So for those of you that have the prescriptions, how the heck are you finding the meds? My insurance denied the Mounjaro/whatever the new name is because I have to fail Wegovy. I can't find Wegovy anywhere.

Wegovy is basically impossible to get at this point....I would go back to your insurance and ask them to review your denial based on availability.  I think every single dose is on the FDA backorder list. 

[vmars]

Well Optum RX put me on a wait list for Wegovy after telling me I would get it this week😐. I sent a message to my PCP to see what they suggest. They mentioned other injectables, but not sure if I will be approved since I am not diabetic. She mentioned Phentermine, has anyone taken that?

[fluffycookie]

Jan 29, 2024 16:12:06 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Please remind me of some good meals/snacks for when you aren't hungry or have no desire to eat. Especially protein based.

I have been doing cottage cheese and pretzel thins, hardboiled eggs, cheese sticks, protein shakes and grapes for snacks.  For breakfast I have been trying to have egg whites with a piece of toast.  Dinner is normally whatever my family is having.  Lunch I will do a wheat wrap with cheese and turkey or tuna with a tiny bit of mayo.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Jan 29, 2024 16:12:06 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Please remind me of some good meals/snacks for when you aren't hungry or have no desire to eat. Especially protein based.

Nuts are my go-to for this.  If I'm nauseous I go with plain almonds, but if I just need a high-protein snack, I like flavored almonds, flavored pistachios, and Planters Heat peanuts (which I can only find at gas stations in person so I have an amazon subscribe and save of the single-serving sleeves).  

[Jalapeñomel]

Jan 29, 2024 16:23:16 GMT -5 vmars said:

Well Optum RX put me on a wait list for Wegovy after telling me I would get it this week😐. I sent a message to my PCP to see what they suggest. They mentioned other injectables, but not sure if I will be approved since I am not diabetic. She mentioned Phentermine, has anyone taken that?

I’m currently on oral medication called Qysmia—-but I haven’t budged in weight much. My doc wants to change me to Contrave next month.

[Patsy Baloney]

Jan 29, 2024 16:23:16 GMT -5 vmars said:

Well Optum RX put me on a wait list for Wegovy after telling me I would get it this week😐. I sent a message to my PCP to see what they suggest. They mentioned other injectables, but not sure if I will be approved since I am not diabetic. She mentioned Phentermine, has anyone taken that?

I took phentermine several years ago. It caused issues for me with an arrhythmia. I did lose a little bit of weight on it before I decided to stop. I just wasn’t really hungry on it.

[vmars]

My doc asked me to check for coverage on zepbound, but it’s not covered. I can get coverage for ozempic and Monjaro. They have most doses of ozempic in stock except 1mg and only the starter dose for Monjaro. I don’t know if I will get approved for ozempic if I am not diabetic though. She gave me another name of a pharmacy to try associated with the local hospital so I will call there tomorrow.


ETA: I do have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, triglycerides etc. and based on what I have read that may qualify me for Ozempic even if I do not have diabetes. Any one else qualify for these reasons?

[vmars]

Jan 29, 2024 19:45:05 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Jan 29, 2024 19:20:16 GMT -5 vmars said:

My doc asked me to check for coverage on zepbound, but it’s not covered. I can get coverage for ozempic and Monjaro. They have most doses of ozempic in stock except 1mg and only the starter dose for Monjaro. I don’t know if I will get approved for ozempic if I am not diabetic though. She gave me another name of a pharmacy to try associated with the local hospital so I will call there tomorrow.


ETA: I do have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, triglycerides etc. and based on what I have read that may qualify me for Ozempic even if I do not have diabetes. Any one else qualify for these reasons?

What pharmacy are you looking at? I’ve had no issues (so far) with mounjaro at my cvs. Not sure if it’s regional or not either?

I called Optum rx since they offer prescription coverage for my insurance plan. Not sure if I will be able to pre authorized for those meds yet, but fingers crossed.

[starlily]

Jan 29, 2024 16:23:16 GMT -5 vmars said:

Well Optum RX put me on a wait list for Wegovy after telling me I would get it this week😐. I sent a message to my PCP to see what they suggest. They mentioned other injectables, but not sure if I will be approved since I am not diabetic. She mentioned Phentermine, has anyone taken that?

I did 2, 6 week rounds of phentermine several years ago through a med spa. I had to do some initial bloodwork and then go in weekly to get my blood pressure and heart rate checked. Apart from dry mouth, I didn't experience any side effects. I lost about 18 pounds and kept it off until I got pregnant again.

I was told phentermine isn't intended for long term use, so if I had wanted to do another round, I'd have to have taken a break for 2-3 months first. So that might be something to ask about.

[vmars]

Jan 29, 2024 21:44:38 GMT -5 starlily said:

Jan 29, 2024 16:23:16 GMT -5 vmars said:

Well Optum RX put me on a wait list for Wegovy after telling me I would get it this week😐. I sent a message to my PCP to see what they suggest. They mentioned other injectables, but not sure if I will be approved since I am not diabetic. She mentioned Phentermine, has anyone taken that?

I did 2, 6 week rounds of phentermine several years ago through a med spa. I had to do some initial bloodwork and then go in weekly to get my blood pressure and heart rate checked. Apart from dry mouth, I didn't experience any side effects. I lost about 18 pounds and kept it off until I got pregnant again.

I was told phentermine isn't intended for long term use, so if I had wanted to do another round, I'd have to have taken a break for 2-3 months first. So that might be something to ask about.

Yeah that’s what I saw too. I am hoping I can do something else but I would be ok trying it for a short period of time to get the rolling. I wish there was a way to look at all the pharmacies in the area for Wegovy instead of calling every one.

[namasteak]

Jan 29, 2024 16:12:06 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Please remind me of some good meals/snacks for when you aren't hungry or have no desire to eat. Especially protein based.

I have one of these a day - cheapest at Costco

[namasteak]

Jan 29, 2024 16:12:06 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Please remind me of some good meals/snacks for when you aren't hungry or have no desire to eat. Especially protein based.

And one of these (also cheapest at Costco)

[namasteak]

Jan 29, 2024 16:23:16 GMT -5 vmars said:

Well Optum RX put me on a wait list for Wegovy after telling me I would get it this week😐. I sent a message to my PCP to see what they suggest. They mentioned other injectables, but not sure if I will be approved since I am not diabetic. She mentioned Phentermine, has anyone taken that?

I just started a few days ago. So far no real side effects .

[pugz]

bcv513 you really can't start Wegovy right now and I am annoyed doctors keep writing Rxs for it anyway. Just making more work for themselves when patients call back and say they can't get it. Novo has been clear about the shortage for a year now and sends regular updates on them. Like 1.7 was out in Dec but is available again right now.

followyourarrow if you can stomach yogurt or protein drinks they are a good options. Unfortunately I hate the texture of both.

[pugz]

I took my first 2.4 shot on Friday, did it in my thigh and side effects have been fatigue and a headache the last 3 days but today I feel normal. Appetite is low but no nausea.