Weight Loss Injection check-in 2024

[vmars]

Apr 3, 2024 12:22:57 GMT -5 Aloe Vera said:

Anybody has been approved with no Type 2 diabetes diagnosis?

I started the process through the WW Clinic. My insurance only covers Mounjaro but only if you have a type 2 diagnosis. The care team is going to work on getting me the max coverage.
Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy aren't covered. Mounjaro would cost $105/month.

Yes, for Wegovy. I couldn’t get ozempic or Mounjaro with out a diabetes diagnosis. It’s been around $16 - $25 per month.

[sofamonkey]

Apr 3, 2024 19:30:23 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

I'm sorry sofamonkey. My Dr. switched me from Wegovy to Zepbound because my weight loss had stalled on Wegovy, and going from the highest dose of Wegovy to the lowest dose of Zepbound had me gain about 5 lbs in the 4 weeks I was on that first dose. Seeing the scale moving up and up instead of down is such a mind fuck at this point. I messaged my doctor in a panic asking if we could increase my dosage before my next appt. since I'm only going every 4ish months at this point, and luckily she was like sure, and I moved up a dose and she said after 4 weeks I could move up again. I haven't lost the 5 lbs I gained, but I haven't gained any more. But now my 4 weeks on the 2nd dose is up, and I messaged my Dr. asking to move up again, and I haven't heard back (that was Monday). I called the office to follow up today and left a message since I'm supposed to take my next dose Friday, but looks like at this point I'm not going to have anything to take. Her office is usually quickly responsive so I thought messaging Monday would have been fine, but I guess I waited too long, but we were out of town last week.

I’m sorry you’re dealing with that.

Mine is supposedly the same med. I just think it is crappy quality. Oh well.

I hope you get your meds sorted out.

[weightlossae]

Apr 3, 2024 16:58:04 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

I’m almost two weeks in on Wegovy and I’m down 16 pounds! I’m actually having a hard time eating especially protein. I bought some premier protein shakes but when I opened it the smell made me gag. Anyone have recommendations for protein sources?

I really like SEEQ protein drink. I have only used the Strawberry Lemonade and Grape. I don’t like the grape as much - I think the flavor is kind of lacking but I really enjoy the Strawberry Lemonade and I like that it’s not milky/chalky/no aftertaste.

[egishere]

Apr 3, 2024 10:03:49 GMT -5 majesty318 said:

Mar 27, 2024 16:15:36 GMT -5 egishere said:

klassygoosey , I would also look at trying Mounjaro to see if you do better on that. That sounds awful and not worth being on the medicine! What body area do you inject in? If doing stomach, try your thigh instead.

Speaking on injection sites... Last week I injected my mounjaro in my arm for the first time and wow! I did not have much of an appetite at all for several days. It was crazy how much more effective it was. We were in NYC on spring break and I only had a couple bites of my kids pizza.

I want to try my Saxenda in my arm - where exactly do you do it? I am thinking my flabby underside but I can't find any actual pictures or videos to explain!

Yep that's exactly where I do it.  I do it myself too-just kind reach around and poke that area with my arm slightly bent.

[Aloe Vera]

Apr 3, 2024 20:35:52 GMT -5 vmars said:

Apr 3, 2024 12:22:57 GMT -5 Aloe Vera said:

Anybody has been approved with no Type 2 diabetes diagnosis?

I started the process through the WW Clinic. My insurance only covers Mounjaro but only if you have a type 2 diagnosis. The care team is going to work on getting me the max coverage.
Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy aren't covered. Mounjaro would cost $105/month.

Yes, for Wegovy. I couldn’t get ozempic or Mounjaro with out a diabetes diagnosis. It’s been around $16 - $25 per month.

Ok good to know. My insurance app will tell you what meds are or aren't covered. Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy aren't covered per my plan. Mounjaro is and it is for TD2 patients only. Price at my pharmacy would be $101 for a month

[sadie]

I think I've reached my max loss on sema...I've lost 24% of my highest weight.

I'd like to be down another 20-30 lbs, so I'm considering trying Tirzepatide.

[pugz]

klassygoosey I would stop taking it. If the side effects are reducing your quality of life it is not worth it. I'd consider trying Zepbound.

[Aloe Vera]

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.

[joyful2002]

Apr 3, 2024 16:58:04 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

I’m almost two weeks in on Wegovy and I’m down 16 pounds! I’m actually having a hard time eating especially protein. I bought some premier protein shakes but when I opened it the smell made me gag. Anyone have recommendations for protein sources?

All of the Core Powers and Fair Life chocolate milk. 

[Aloe Vera]

Apr 5, 2024 11:00:17 GMT -5 joyful2002 said:

Apr 3, 2024 16:58:04 GMT -5 bcv513 said:

I’m almost two weeks in on Wegovy and I’m down 16 pounds! I’m actually having a hard time eating especially protein. I bought some premier protein shakes but when I opened it the smell made me gag. Anyone have recommendations for protein sources?

All of the Core Powers and Fair Life chocolate milk. 

I second the Fair Life protein shakes. They have one that is 26g of protein and another one that is 46g. They taste so good. This is my go-to breakfast when on the go.
Costco will carry a pack of the 26g or 46g from time to time.

[followyourarrow]

Any type2s struggling with their blood sugar going too low on these meds? I'm having that issue, again. Thankfully with the Dexcom I can see it coming and try to stop it before it goes too low. The last two days have been pretty bad with my numbers dropping down into the 70's. The lows make me feel terrible, then my stomach gets upset when I eat something sweet to bring it back up, overall I'm tired and cranky. I know FI is tired of worrying about me and having the dexcom alarm go off in the middle of the night.

[EvieEthelGarland]

Apr 5, 2024 11:15:10 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Any type2s struggling with their blood sugar going too low on these meds? I'm having that issue, again. Thankfully with the Dexcom I can see it coming and try to stop it before it goes too low. The last two days have been pretty bad with my numbers dropping down into the 70's. The lows make me feel terrible, then my stomach gets upset when I eat something sweet to bring it back up, overall I'm tired and cranky. I know FI is tired of worrying about me and having the dexcom alarm go off in the middle of the night.

do you take insulin or other diabetes meds?  If you do, talk to your doctor about adjusting those. Otherwise, having protein with every meal helps me stay steady(ish).  I have T1 and had to adjust everything and it still seems to change every few weeks, but a spoon full of PB does wonders.  

[followyourarrow]

Apr 5, 2024 11:32:34 GMT -5 EvieEthelGarland said:

Apr 5, 2024 11:15:10 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Any type2s struggling with their blood sugar going too low on these meds? I'm having that issue, again. Thankfully with the Dexcom I can see it coming and try to stop it before it goes too low. The last two days have been pretty bad with my numbers dropping down into the 70's. The lows make me feel terrible, then my stomach gets upset when I eat something sweet to bring it back up, overall I'm tired and cranky. I know FI is tired of worrying about me and having the dexcom alarm go off in the middle of the night.

do you take insulin or other diabetes meds?  If you do, talk to your doctor about adjusting those. Otherwise, having protein with every meal helps me stay steady(ish).  I have T1 and had to adjust everything and it still seems to change every few weeks, but a spoon full of PB does wonders.  

I don't take anything but the Mounjaro.  I'd forgotten that my dr had recommended a spoonful of pb! I'll try that.  I have protein at every meal and snack.

[weightlossae]

Apr 5, 2024 11:15:10 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Any type2s struggling with their blood sugar going too low on these meds? I'm having that issue, again. Thankfully with the Dexcom I can see it coming and try to stop it before it goes too low. The last two days have been pretty bad with my numbers dropping down into the 70's. The lows make me feel terrible, then my stomach gets upset when I eat something sweet to bring it back up, overall I'm tired and cranky. I know FI is tired of worrying about me and having the dexcom alarm go off in the middle of the night.

I am only on 2.5 but am nervous about this when I move up to 5. My doctor still has me on Levemir 2x/day (low dose) but my numbers have mostly been in the 80s/90s/very low hundred when I check them (I don’t use a CGM by choice).

[sandandsea]

I’ve been on a waitlist since January with CVS and joined a waitlist in March at Walgreens and Optum and still have t been able to start wegovy. It’s really discouraging as my doctor thinks it will help me significantly. Any idea for any mail in places that have it in stock? Has anyone had luck with Amazon or Costco?

[picksthemusic]

sandandsea I use Costco, and am on 7.5 currently. I have a back stock (thankfully) so I'm not too desperate. But I am in touch with Costco weekly about their stock, and right now they are out. They encouraged me to call back when I can to see if they have it. I haven't called in a bit, but I plan on it today just to see.

[sadie]

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.

[fluffycookie]

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.   

[fluffycookie]

I can't get zepbound. The pharmacy had ordered it, but it was cancelled last week. I had my Dr send the prescription to Lily Direct last week, but people on Reddit are saying it's taking almost 30 days from the script being sent to being onboarded and processed, but they are out of stock as well. Several people had luck with amazon pharmacy, but it wouldn't let me transfer the prescription today. I emailed my doctor back today and asked them to resend it to the original pharmacy and will hope for the best. I am only on 5mg, but at some point I wonder if I will need to start again at 2.5. I was on 2.5mg and then stayed on 5mg for the last two months and planned to do the 5mg again this month since I was losing and the side effects were minimal on the 5mg. Ugh. I hate this! I am nervous about the food noise coming back.

[followyourarrow]

fluffycookie, I've oddly had luck with Walmart. I hate going there, but so far they've had or been able to get the meds for me.

[fluffycookie]

Apr 9, 2024 16:30:04 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

fluffycookie , I've oddly had luck with Walmart. I hate going there, but so far they've had or been able to get the meds for me.

Thank you!  I will try there tomorrow.

[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.

[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.

[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!