To NOT use the new wonder drug Ozempic??

[Poopoolittlekitten]

It’s the one that you inject once a week and has amazing weight loss results for most people.
DP has been hinting heavily that I should try it, they would support me, cost would be irrelevant if I wanted to use it ( about £150 a month in the U.K. on private prescription)

I am 100 LBs overweight. I do need to do something about it, although at the moment I don’t have many issues to do with weight , yet. No diabetes, no pre diabetes, blood pressure normal etc but I would qualify for the drug on weight alone.

I am hesitant because I have heard about ‘the rebound’ where studies have shown that most people who stop the drug after a year, pile ALL weight back on very quickly. Plus, side affects.

YABU - try it you need something drastic, short term gain will be worth it

YANBU - you need to have major lifestyle changes and not ‘cheat’ with a drug

This. A million times this.

I take it as i am diabetic, and about to be put on insulin after sugar rocketed.
I started July 2022, I have lost 3 stones but my sugar has gone from 79 to 51 in that time. If i eat crap, it makes me ill, as it warns you. I can't eat cheese, pasrty or pork i have found. Apart from that, it's all good for me. I dont think about food constantly. I dont obsess about food anymore

The side effects comments on the ozempic threads are much more honest than reported by Mairead. The early threads had people stopping it because they couldn't cope. I've been one of the lucky ones with very mild side effects.

I don't think ozempic should be anyone's first choice on the weightloss front, why, if you can just cut carbs, would you pay £150-£200 a month for a drug. Almost all the people on the ozempic threads have tried every eating plan under the sun, some have sustained them for months (I did low carb high fat for 8 months). I was constantly thinking about food, constantly hungry and pretty miserable. As soon as I ate "off plan" I ended up with insatiable cravings for sugar, it meant I couldn't have a piece of my kids birthday cake or eat at friends houses etc. But for some people it isn't like that, for some people they feel amazing on it, can have a very occasional treat without fucking up the whole week. And for those people I'd say great, stick at it! You have to find what works for you. And personally I'd try the cheaper options first.

I'm being honest about my side effects and I'm not the only one by any means 🤷🏼‍♀️
yes several people have had very bad side effects but most haven't. It's important people know that.

I used it and lost 2.5 stone in 6-7 months. No longer taking it (4months since) and have maintained weight. My appetite is still reduced, my attitude towards food has changed too. I'm not as interested in food as I used to be. I did have some constipation at the start but I took fibre tablets and that sorted it.

Forgot to say I was on a low dose 0.25 per week for the first 2 months then upped to 0.5 (two doses spread over the week).

Hi, I took saxander for 18 months, lost 8 st. Went from 23 st and size 34 to 15 st and size 16.
my life has completely changed. I’m able to do things iv not done for 15 years.
I now go on hikes, do yoga , swim and just find life so much easier.
im stating sailing and rock climbing in the next few weeks.
iv not had any saxanda for 5 months now and iv not put anyth8ng back on.

I tried it but had very bad side effects. So tired I could hardly get out of bed and also made me both anxious & depressed.
I am in obese range ( need to lose 2 stone) but my blood sugar is normal.
For me, I get a similar appetite reduction by going low carb. I only had a mild appetite reduction on Ozempic.
Just be aware of that.

Yes, I think it's really important to be clear that it is NOT a miracle drug. It only works for obese people who are obese for a specific set of reasons. I'm not a medical professional but from the ozempic threads it's clear that those who suffer with "food noise" as we've coined it, get huge benefits from it, if "food noise" makes no sense to you as a concept, it may not work!

‘The companies I used to buy from want to know your weight and height to work out your BMI and they provide this information to your GP so you cant lie’

Just to clarify, it is absolutely possible to purchase it online, with an online pharmacy who do an ‘assessment’ ie you answer questions AND without your GP being informed.
I got all the way to putting in my card to pay before get cold feet and cancelling.

You opt out of telling your GP if you want by ticking a box that says you understand the side affects and will contact your doctor if you have any adverse side effects.

@Dixiechickonhols that's amazing, did you calorie control?

Yes, it's a private prescription and they don't have to inform your GP if you don't consent. Some companies insist on a picture of you, but others don't, and some insist you use their scales which are linked to an app, but most don't.

You can lie, but you'd be really stupid to do so. It's a very powerful drug.

I don't think the danger of gallstones isn't emphasised enough with these drugs

Then you'll also need about another 6-7k for a private gallbladder removal or you'll lose weight on the NHS waiting list anyway because of the horrendous stomach pain.

Slimmingworld. It gets criticised on mumsnet but I find it suits me. I eat mainly real not processed food, cook from scratch.
I don’t eat pasta by bucketload, Müller lights and all the sw myths.
Today I’ve had blueberry baked oats for breakfast. Lunch chicken salad and a protein yoghurt/banana. Tonight I’m making homity pie (potatoes/cheese/veg)
I’ve gone from a 20 to a 12 and not piled it all back on.
I’m on instagram if you send me a pm.

If I was overweight enough to be suffering health issues I think I would do it. As it is I’m just a little plump and otherwise horribly healthy. The side effects don’t outweigh the positives in
my case.

If you approach your gp they may offer support. I know someone who filled in a form last week with their gp - bmi had to be 30 plus and was then offered 3 options - one was free slimming world, one was something online. Can’t recall 3rd option. So you can try what suits you best.

My father took it for diabetes and it made him really sick. He was nauseous and vomited a few times. He took 2 injections and refused to take any more. The effects on his gastric system lasted months. He didn't need it for weight loss. Just diabetes management.

@Dixiechickonhols well done! I don't have insta but thanks for the offer.

No unless you can commit to taking it for the rest of your life. If you are obese particularly higher levels of obesity you have a very low chance of not regaining the weight. Weight loss surgery although drastic has better long-term outcomes for obese people.

Weight loss can contribute to gall stone formation but so can being fat

Unfortunately its a risk the overweight have either way

I used this about 2 years ago to lose some regain after a gastric sleeve. I just got it from an online pharmacy (but I did discuss with a Dr at work). It worked for me, well it got me started. I'd regained 3 stone and I lost the first with ozempic and the rest myself. It doesn't magically make you lose weight, your appetite is reduced and you just don't feel like eating. I coped with the side effects fine.
Personally I don't think you lose any more weight than if you just stuck to a restricted diet, it's just a tool as you don't want to eat. But you do need to make the effort to be nourished (I know this from my sleeve).

I've kept the 3 stone off thankfully as it's expensive.

I was 18 stone highest weight now 9 stone , I previously yoyoed but I haven't been this weight since the age of 14. The only thing that worked for me was weight loss surgery it seems drastic but probably a lot cheaper over the long term than the dieting clubs and weight loss drugs even with the cosmetic surgery added on top. I've maintained for quite a few years now because I can't physically eat lots anymore. No diet clubs needed, for many obese people once they stop the ozempic the weight will go back on that's the nature of the beast.

I had a gastric sleeve. Went from 18.5st to 11st - 11st 4lb depending on time of the month. Changed my life & very minimal side effects. If you're serious about losing weight and keeping it off, start researching this option. You may be able to get referred on the NHS or look to pay privately

I take it. I am pre-diabetic but it has helped me lose weight. It's not a miracle. But it did help me lose a few pounds. I've lost 70 lb since the end of April through calorie counting mostly. The only side effect I experienced was nausea, But that stops once your body gets used to it. I'm in the US though and on my health insurance it's free; I don't pay anything for it.