Ozempic - For those of us a few months in

[Lndnmummy]

Hi all, thought I would create a designated space outside of the newbie zone for those of us who are in it for the long haul and are a few doses, stone, months down the road.

I've been on this for about 6 months, but only on 1mg for the last couple of weeks. Before I went on it, I'd spent a year going down from 19st to 18st, but this has helped me go down from 18st to 16st5 in the last 6 months, and I'm in it for the long haul (luckily have the funds).

I'm not losing weight at the rate some people are, but I'm losing fairly steadily at around 1 lb a week, so as long as the general direction is down, I'm fine.

What I'm worried about is the research showing that people are coming off this and in 90% of cases most of the weight comes on again. Does that mean that this is life long?

I think it's more to do with people going back to their old habits. They say the same about any diet.

I feel I could be on it forever for sure.

I'm hoping that it will reach me some better habits and break the cycle a bit.

There is a 2 year max apparently.

From what I understand, the 2 years is just what the NHS is prepared to fund - if you're self funding there's no limit.

Not sure where I got that from though!

@smm88 this types of questions are answered on the "I started Ozempic last night" threads.

@NerdyIsMyMiddleName - like any diet or weight loss method if you eat the way you ate to gain the weight in the first place you will gain it again.

I am not sure where the two year max comes from. I’ve only read it on here. I don’t think it’s to do with NHS funding as for the most part they aren’t funding it for most of us! I read an interview in the FT with the CEO of the manufacturer and he says it should be viewed in the same way as a blood pressure medication and people would expect to be on that for life. Obviously he has a vested interested in people being on it for a long time.

My own plan is to gradually reduce the dose once I get to where I want to be and see how I go. I think Ozempic has worked well for me as I’m insulin resistant so I know I will really need to watch my carbs after. Someone on a thread said basically to eat like a diabetic. Given the huge issues with obesity around the world are mainly due to over consumption of processed food and carbohydrates it makes sense.

I have been on it for over a year and have yo yo-ed up and down since Christmas. Like any diet. I’ve had more carbs particularly bread this last week and I am definitely craving them more. I know I do better on Ozempic if I limit the carbs - a lot of people say the same.

So while initially the appetite suppression is great and what helps us lose it’s not a magic fix and we still need to be aware of what we eat and have a plan going forward.

8th injection due tonight and I've hit my first weight loss target - I'm under 200lbs for the first time in over 10 years. I mean I'm 199lbs but under is under! 27lbs down in the 8 weeks. I'm so happy with how Ozempic is working for me.

That’s fantastic @tregunamekoidestrecorumsatisdee. Being under 200lbs is a great milestone.

Thanks @Peridot1 . I've felt in a bit of slump the last couple of weeks but it's very motivating to have hit that first target now.

great to hear your news about another milestone. It's very encouraging to break any barrier .
And finally i am11'13!!
Whoop. Still obese BMI 30.5.
Next stop overweight!!!
I am not having any side effects at all apart from very slight nausea now and again.
I have been taking the 1mg a day earlier each time but think i'll stop this now.
To be honest if I can continue to afford this I wouldn't be opposed to staying on it long term. Perhaps a maintenance dose of 0.5 nhs per week? That feels a long way off though with three stones to go.
I have read that there are other benefits such as it being possibly cardio protective and as I am already on statins that would be beneficial for me.
I'll be interested to see what my next cholesterol levels are and HB 1c .
Have a great weekend everyone and stay away from those hot cross buns!!!

Well done @orangelotus! Breaking the stone barriers is so good. I would be so chuffed to get under 12 stone. My next barrier is to get under 13. I’m up and down like a yo-yo at the moment though.

Thanks and well done to you too @orangelotus

Well done @tregunamekoidestrecorumsatisdee it's a great milestone!

I’ve definitely read the 2 year max thing on other websites not just on here. But sorry I can’t remember which ones.It may just be guidance I’m not sure.

I think I read it on Medscape UK - I work in health so have a lot of related things in my feed - there seems to be lot of research still going on to do with semaglutide, liraglutide and the newest one tirzepatide. I'll try to find the article that said it was 2 years funding, and the one that said that 90% put the weight back on.

Sorry - that was to @Peridot1 🙂

Today was my 3rd injection of 0.50mg but I upped it 0.75 and will do the same again next week before moving onto 1mg. I have enough left over in my original pen for it and didn't want to waste it.

Wow, this is fantastic. I'm just heading into month two, great to see these numbers, I was wondering if things might plateau a bit but this gives me encouragement.

There was an article on Radio 4 recently with top professionals about Wegovy/Ozempic/Semaglutide weight loss drugs which mentioned that the NHS will only prescribe them for a maximum of 2 years. It also discussed that the majority will regain the weight once they stop the medication.

It seems shortsighted of the NHS not to fund maintenance medication once a healthy weight has been achieved. The scientists who worked on the creation of these drugs envisaged them being taken as a life-time treatment, in the same way as diabetes or blood pressure medicines.

That’s very interesting @CountryParsonPetal. I had read they envisaged the drugs being taken for life too.

Most of the articles I have read state for life.

I would quite happily take a maintenance dose to ensure I don't gain weight. However I would want 6 monthly blood tests or something to check nothing was wrong.

But then saying that, it's no different from other medications.

DH takes 2 kinds of BP meds and I expect they have their risks too.

I couldn't afford £150 a month for ever though.

It's a shame your body gets too used to it. I would happily stretch a 1mg pen for 8 x 0.5 doses long term.

I get that for treatment of diabetes @Beenalongwinter but I wonder if it’s the same for weight loss? I suppose it is tied up in HOW Ozempic works for some of us. For some it may just be the appetite suppression. Certainly for me I feel it’s the effect on insulin that has made the most difference. It will be very interesting to see how it all unfolds going forward especially with the newer drugs coming to the market and how they work.

I would love to see a future where these drugs are more readily available and doctors understand obesity more and can prescribe the right medication depending on the person. Maybe based on blood test results. Look at how many people gain weight from thyroid issues and even though medication is available often doctors don’t prescribe the right medication in the right quantities. With menopausal weight gain surely it’s linked to hormones. I’ve read a book where oestrogen is called a fat maker. But many women are given oestrogen in hrt. Some may be more sensitive to the oestrogen.

In one of the articles it states for diabetes and obesity, which is not a pleasant phrase.

True @Beenalongwinter. It does. I’d missed that.

@CountryParsonPetal
I think the main issue with the NHS not continuing to prescribe Ozempic/Wegovy long-term is that NICE who are the body that advise the NHS, are committed to evidence-based medicine, it's a strength as well as a drawback for the system. On the one-hand it means that anything prescribed by the NHS is rooted in firm testing, previous results and efficiency (bang for buck).

But when a new drug comes out they can only base their recommendations on testing and maybe what's happened in other countries. These drugs haven't been tested or used for longer terms - there is literally no evidence for NICE to use.
This will change as time goes on and NICE does change it's recommendations regularly, think about Orlistat/Ali, that was once short-term prescription only but now available OTC.