“I started Ozempic last night” THREAD TWO

[HermioneWeasley]

Here’s a shiny new thread for everyone who’s been sharing their experiences on the original, and of course all new starters are welcome too!

I feel exactly the same. I think I was expecting to feel full whilst eating and think I only feel like that the first 2 says after each dose so was thinking perhaps the effects were wearing off. But when I'm hungry I'm making healthier choices so something's working.

Have any of you heard of an oral weight loss treatment called Canagliflozin? It’s not licensed for weight loss in this country and it’s another drug to treat type 2 diabetes. A side effect is rapid weight loss. An online friend in Canada has been taking it and has lost a significant amount of weight really quickly. I’ve googled it but can only find results of studies carried out on mice! I’m wondering if it’s an actual drug or some kind of scam.

From the quick search I've just done online, I would not be taking that unless I actually had poorly controlled diabetes. Black box warnings a-gogo. Including increased risk of foot and toe amputations (although presumably that has something to do with diabetes also)....

Never heard of it, sorry.

Thanks for confirming it's not a well known and reputable treatment for weightloss!! My friend is a lovely woman but believes everything she reads. I don't think prescription only medication is governed in the same way where she lives. I've done a bit more research, and the rapid weight loss isn't worth the horrific side effects. I'll stick to methods that have been properly trialled and shown to work. I'd rather keep my limbs!

Thanks again.

Just came on as I can finally say, I started Ozempic last night!

Only the 0.25mg dose. Think my injection technique needs a bit of work. I went with inner thigh as I bruise so easily and having looked this morning it was the right choice. I understand it's meant to be placebo at this point, but I must be very easily led as already feel it's working.

I couldn't finish my breakfast and feeling a little nauseous. My main goal for today is to drink enough and ease into this. Got quite a hectic day tomorrow with travel to a work conference and lots of meetings so hoping the side effects stay low level.

I'm absolutely not finding 0.25mg a placebo @RotundRuby I'm 13 pounds down after two injections. I can't actually imagine doubling the dose in two weeks when the 0.25 is working so well. It will be interesting to see if it 'wears off' a bit towards the end of the last week like some people report.

I inject into my stomach so no visible signs even in a swimsuit (at a spa this weekend). That seems easy enough & only leaves a tiny red mark that disappears eventually.
I am about to take my injection 4 on Wednesday and I’ve decided to stay at 0.25mg for a bit longer. It’s still having quite a strong effect on me. Lost my appetite immediately and it hasn’t come back yet. Sometimes I miss being able to really enjoy a meal and eat more than half of it! I can’t have starters anymore or I’m full before the main even arrives.

Slightly annoyed I lost nothing in week 2, but lost 7lb in week one (which is more than I have ever lost on week one of a diet!)

Appetite suppression is working well, so I just wish I could see scale results!

@weightymatters73 I was like this at the start disappointed when a week didn't show a loss but it doesn't really matter when the weight comes off or at what pace once it is coming off.

I went up to 0.75mg last night by counting the clicks, feel fine so far today. I had another half lb lost during the week but it wasn't showing this morning. I'm not bothered really at this stage I can see the weight loss and feel it in my clothes and it'll take a while to lose 5stone but I'll get there for sure.

I definitely found 0.25mg effective and had side effects, everybody is different 😀

0.25 isn’t a placebo dose @RotundRuby. It’s perhaps not as effective for weight loss for some and some providers start people on 0.5 for weight loss but it is effective for a lot of people. It’s a good way to acclimatise to the drug.

weightymatters73, if you're doing the right things it will come off 👍 I had 5lb week 1, 1 week 2 and now 3 week 3 so it's averaging out to a sustainable loss. It's a long game ....

Sounds like I've misinterpreted some of the reading I've done around it being a placebo dose. Regardless, I'm already feeling the effects and I'm so pleased!
I'll have to monitor my sugar cravings as thats my weakness.

I don't know if it's just the sunny morning but it feels so, so lovely to feel this positive about something and I'm so excited to lose some weight and get out of this rut.

You lost 7lbs in 2 weeks. Nothing to be annoyed about. It's very unlikely you could lose 7lbs of fat in 7 days! That would be a deficit of 3500 calories a DAY! It's important to understand how weight loss works so you can remain realistic.

I started 0.25mg on Sunday, have around 2.5 stone to lose. I was really nervous for the side effects but so far so good. Definitely have appetite suppression and seem to have lost interest in sweet foods and crisps. Feeling optimistic for my first weigh in and the road ahead.

@weightymatters73 - I lost 5lbs in my first week. And then gained 1 in my second! But it then came off every week. Around a pound or a little more. Which was slow but it felt effortless. I was just eating less. Not having to stress. Not having to be constantly in control. Not constantly thinking about it all. So don’t stress.

Morning all. Even after all this time I am still learning. My dinner yesterday gave me terrible sulphur burps and I made the mistake of having one too many sugar free sweets - I believe the appropriate phrase is "gastro-intestinal distress" 😊

Feeling fine this morning but keeping it very plain today!

I have a question about keeping Ozempic in the fridge and travelling. It’s never made any logical sense to me that it has to be kept in the fridge before first use but then can be left out. I’m traveling to Australia today and have an unopened pen I am taking. Wondering how best to take it. I’m not due another dose until tomorrow but I was thinking I could take a very small dose today and then the pen is ok to take in my hand luggage. Or I can wrap it in bubble wrap with a freezer pack and put it in my luggage. Any thoughts?

@Peridot1 the product has quite a long shelf life whilst unopened and refrigerated, several years. Provided you’re going to use it all within 56 days and largely kept below 25 degrees I wouldn’t worry about transporting it at ambient temperature.

i imagine the reason is once you start using it it only lasts for 8 weeks so the period before it gets to you is when the supplier needs to keep it refrigerated.
it's the same story with insulin i believe.
i took advice from the OP re this . She advised taking it in hand luggage ( not the needles) and having a letter available to say it's been prescribed for you.
in fact I took 4 separate flights and put the pen in a plastic fluids bag and was not asked once about it. I think because they are so used to insulin pens which are identical.
you can easily get a little cooler pouch from a pharmacy that people use to transport their insulin.
I just put it in the hotel fridge when i arrived.
I don't think you need to break into the pen unless you need to .
Hope this makes sense.
Have a wonderful trip ! And a safe journey x

Oh and don't put it in your hold luggage as if it freezes you won't be able to use it.

Thanks @orangelous and @StuckInTheUpsideDown. That all makes sense.

I’ve taken one on flights before but only to Dublin. I’ll get a cooler pouch if I can. That’s a good idea. Needles will go in suitcase.

Has anyone been asked to provide prescription details for the pens when travelling?

no i wasn't asked but i printed the prescription just in case.
i think they are so used to insulin if just say it was insulin if asked

I have to say I don’t know if I was expecting too much but after doing my first 0.5 yesterday I’m not feeling like it’s doing much. It hasn’t been much of an appetite suppressant so far, I’m still getting hungry but just feeling fuller quicker and for longer. I thought from reading some reviews I just wouldn’t get hungry? Definitely constipated but taking psyllium husk for that.