I started ozempic last night

[HermioneWeasley]

Going to log my experience here as a journal and also to help others if interested.

having gone hungry to lose 5lbs earlier this year and then stalled because I’m always hungry, I put 4lbs back on. Being v pear shaped I never have a belly, but now it sticks out and digs in and clothes are uncomfortable. Doing more exercise makes no difference. It is clear that will power simply doesn’t work for me.

I took my first dose (0.25mg) last night. Woke up around 2.30 with pain at the injection site which passed. Was v thirsty so gulped water which just seemed to sit there. A couple of small burps. Got back to sleep. Weirdly vivid dreams. This morning, not particularly hungry first thing.

Ozempic is not supposed to be a short term drug. The research is showing that once people stop the weight returns very quickly for most people. My GP expects that I will be on ozempic for a few years and then we will see if my set point has reset at a lower level.

It's a horrible drug for most people. I'd not touch it for a comparatively small weight loss (sorry to be blunt). There's also the ethics issue with the shortage. I don't think it is yet happening in the UK but you'll be lucky to keep getting the medication if it goes pearshaped like it has for Australia and the US. I do have feelings when I see people using it for a small weightloss and diabetics are struggling to fill their script.

I don't know the ins and outs of getting a script in the UK.

I am on week two of going back up to 0.5 mg and am losing weight again. I have also given up sugar this time which is helping. I have a 1mg pen in my fridge at last and hope that once I up the dose things will get easier.

As someone who hasn’t lost loads of weight this way so far - I do exercise quite a bit (regular running and a short daily weight session). Diet is supposed to be 80% of weight loss. I have never lost weight when upping or starting exercise although I do find it motivational to improve my diet when I am trying to get fit. Hoping to be able to run faster with less to carry around.

I think you do need a BMI of 30 or above to get a prescription and I hope that they don’t remove it if and when you drop below 30 as I have already seen a gain just by dropping the dose.

I'm just doing my regular walking the dog at the moment, but when I get down to 12st I plan to start back running. I find it is very hard since I became very overweight because I feel the weight with every step. Should be getting close to that around summertime which will be perfect timing.

ate a 40g chocolate bar last night, needed the loo this morning, not a disaster but I definitely wouldn't eat any more than that. I was kind of testing it too because I'd a sliver of ds's rocky road at weekend and similar thing occured so I wanted to see if it was linked.

My prescription has been approved by Numan and my first pen should arrive tomorrow. I work from home on Fridays so am thinking that if I did the injection on Thursday evening hopefully any unpleasant side effects would be wearing off by the time I need to go in to the office again on Monday.

Do I need to buy a sharps bin does anyone know or does this come with the first pen?

I got prescription from GP who also provided sharps bin.

I inject on Monday eve as I was hoping if I had a couple of drinks at the weekend the side effects would be reduced. Haven't tried any yet but have a work night out on 17th Dec so will need to check before that

Like you @Happierwithouthim I hope to start exercising again when I've lost a bit more weight. I used to exercise a lot and at the moment I have a million excuses not to (work early, finish late, demanding children blah blah) but I feel much better when I do.

(plus I actually have a running machine at home so there's no excuse at all 😳)

It comes in a brown box with everything in, 4 needles and a small sharps box.

Hmmm was having a good day today but visited my folks and have eaten way too much crap. My parents have treats that I don't by so it's always tempting!

Had my My Juniper delivery today. Eek! I seem to be putting off first dose. I think am afraid of failing yet again if that makes sense. I have been struggling with my weight so long it's hard to believe this will work.

I was quite scared (of the side effects) and put off my first dose but actually at 0.25mg not much really happens so just go for it and get started. I get what you mean about being scared of it failing though - hope this is the thing that finally sticks for all of us.

23/12/22
First dose of 0.25 taken
Weight 77.9kg

keep us posted @Delicatesoul and others who are starting

@Queenelsarules i know hat you mean, this was my last hope other than just giving up and getting huge and risking my health, but it’s working for lots of us and you might as well get started and find out. Good luck

my last dose of 0.5mg tonight. Usual,effects. My weight has plateaued for a week+ though which is a bit disappointing

Just taken first dose. I found the instructions long winded but hopefully will become second nature. Good luck everyone 😃

Morning after 1st dose Update:

• No major side effects

Minor effects noticed which are welcome as I want signs:

• Immediately had food cravings even though I'd had dinner before my first injection. I managed to sleep it off.
• Tingling sensation on sites from waist down on some occasions
• Belched once or twice throughout the night.
• Itchiness on face which stops the moment I wipe it down with palm. Face felt like paper, not skin.
• Had lucid dreams.
• Dry throat, which meant I woke to take a sip of water a few times
• Woke up feeling full as though I'm a bottle filled with water and the with the cap in the middle of my throat. I can feel it.

I'll make an effort to have breakfast.

Chocolate is definitely a non runner for me while on ozempic, urgent need to visit loo after chocolate topped wafer biscuit yesterday

I'm all in favour of doing whatever helps. Alongside the ozempic, you might find you have headspace to consider following the approach Gilles Riley sets out in her book and courses. It's based on her work helping people give up smoking, a non food based approach.

In case it's helpful for anyone
https://eatingless.com

All the best for your continued success

I've been on a break for a few months from ozempic due to financial reasons- now I can't seem to get it anywhere! I'm in the uk

Hi! It's available here: www.myjuniper.co.uk/semaglutide-ozempic

I was hoping to start today but my pen wasn’t delivered.

Perhaps just as well as I did feel a bit nauseous today and had a dodgy tummy. I would totally have attributed this to side effects from the jab had I started today!

For people worried about BMI requirements, I started at 32 and have been regularly prescribed Oz by QuickMeds. The last time I ordered one my BMI was 25.1. (Currently at 24.9)

Damn I've been trying to eke out my ozempic due to the shortages here but weightloss has stopped and BSL is creeping upwards. I think I am just going to have to bite the bullet and fill a script with an importer at full price.

Has anyone had trouble with sleep? I'm awake at 4am every day and can't get back to sleep but am shattered 😴

OMG yes me! 2.30am on Wednesday morning and 3.30am Thursday morning so took a sleeping tablet last night. I am a nurse and have a long commute - I am exhausted. I was not sure if it was the jab or just me as I toss and turn a lot anyway but can usually sleep until 6ish. I will have to stop if it carries on I am like a zombie.

Two weeks in and lost 2.7kg despite a few lapses. Feeling well, sleeping well, exercising. Jeans fit better and I think I'm beginning to notice my waist getting smaller. Keep it up everyone! 💪

Great progress @leilani83

re sleep, I find I have very weird, vivid dreams the nights after I inject. I often wake up at 3 or 4 and struggle to get back to sleep, but I’m putting that down to a stressful job at the moment