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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Stopping ozempic

13 replies

Childbeingreallybold · 06/04/2023 15:17

Hi
I am due to start ozempic tomorrow but because of cost can only commit to 6 months. Has anyone any experience of starting it and then stopping after a few months? I know the general advice is that the weight comes back

OP posts:
mumwheresmyribena · 06/04/2023 15:47

There was a Zoe podcast last week where this was talked about. They reinforced that Ozempic isn't a magic pill for weightloss and to stand the most chance of being successful, the "space" that Ozem gives you should be used to change eating habits; eat lower carb, less fat, higher fibre and protein, less sugar and get fitter & take more exercise. This is actually possible because Ozempic isn't a quick fix, it's exactly the reverse.
They also touched on maybe it will be a long-term drug for lots of people because obesity is a chronic condition.

Original poster
Childbeingreallybold · 06/04/2023 16:34

That sounds like it’s not a bad thing to take for a few months. Just to get space

OP posts:
Original poster
Childbeingreallybold · 06/04/2023 19:20

I listened to that and he seems to suggest you’ve to be on it forever!!! Am I missing it? Thanks so much

OP posts:
mumwheresmyribena · 06/04/2023 20:06

He talks about people with chronic obesity being on it long-term and also the part that your set point plays in your weight. But not everyone has chronic obesity though. However if you do, it's always going to be a struggle to lose weight and keep that weight off for most people. He's suggesting that instead of yo-yoing up and down, a "steady state" of maintaining might be achieved with something like Ozempic - but it hasn't been around and tested long-term for weight control yet

Dr Andrew Jenkinson in "Why we eat (too much) talks about set points and how you can lower it, it's very worth a read, and also fits in nicely to making new habits while on Ozempic. In fact the podcast dovetails quite nicely with that book where they talk about the root causes of obestity.

Charlieiscool · 07/04/2023 05:53

Good luck OP and please let us know how you get on. Are you paying around £40 a week? I am thinking of taking the plunge but I’m not sure about making that kind of financial commitment long term. I’m not diabetic either which I think it’s meant for.

Fraaahnces · 18/04/2023 02:29

I know it’s been a while since you wrote this, but I thought I would answer this from a nursing as well as a personal perspective.
I have known bariatric patients who have lost LOTS of weight following surgery and then re-gained it (and some even gained more). As you know and people above has said, it’s a fabulous start - but it’s not a miracle. You need to accept that you are in control of what you eat and food is fuel, etc… Bariatric surgery isn’t a magic wand either, and it comes with even greater risks than Ozempic and of course the same life-long lifestyle changes for it to work. Either way, it’s not going to work overnight, either. Frankly, I’d rather have a needle in my tummy once a week than have surgery and the pain and recovery.

And as someone who has lost and gained weight a bajillion times myself - to the point of having lost 65+kg and maintained my goal for several years. Was sooooooo confident I would maintain it, but of course menopause hit and other life issues and guess who’s starting Ozempic later this week? *I have 10-15kg to lose, so not nearly as much this time!!!) Again, I am aware that this comes with total change of lifestyle. I refuse to call it a diet.

salsmum · 18/04/2023 02:42

I have been on saxanda and did quite well starting in March 2022 and loosing about a stone and bit for holiday in august... I had a really traumatic time in august wen my travel partner stole £3000 from me so I let myself go and ate badly after that experience. I've gone back on sax now to try and lose again and get fit but I'm only on the 2nd amount click and suffering with really bad wind, constipation and stomach pains so was wondering if this medication might be better?

Fraaahnces · 18/04/2023 06:37

Sounds like you did well losing however much the partner weighed! I hope you pressed charges! (And feel better soon!)

Original poster
Childbeingreallybold · 18/04/2023 07:19

Fraaahnces · 18/04/2023 02:29

I know it’s been a while since you wrote this, but I thought I would answer this from a nursing as well as a personal perspective.
I have known bariatric patients who have lost LOTS of weight following surgery and then re-gained it (and some even gained more). As you know and people above has said, it’s a fabulous start - but it’s not a miracle. You need to accept that you are in control of what you eat and food is fuel, etc… Bariatric surgery isn’t a magic wand either, and it comes with even greater risks than Ozempic and of course the same life-long lifestyle changes for it to work. Either way, it’s not going to work overnight, either. Frankly, I’d rather have a needle in my tummy once a week than have surgery and the pain and recovery.

And as someone who has lost and gained weight a bajillion times myself - to the point of having lost 65+kg and maintained my goal for several years. Was sooooooo confident I would maintain it, but of course menopause hit and other life issues and guess who’s starting Ozempic later this week? *I have 10-15kg to lose, so not nearly as much this time!!!) Again, I am aware that this comes with total change of lifestyle. I refuse to call it a diet.

Thank you. And good luck

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 18/04/2023 08:10

Childbeingreallybold · 06/04/2023 15:17

Hi
I am due to start ozempic tomorrow but because of cost can only commit to 6 months. Has anyone any experience of starting it and then stopping after a few months? I know the general advice is that the weight comes back

I took it for only 6 weeks and lost close to a stone. However, have to be honest and say that despite all my good intentions of changing my relationship to food etc, I feel I have put most of it back on. The reason being that my appetite returned with a vengeance when I stopped taking it, in fact I felt starving.

Charlieiscool · 18/04/2023 08:15

twiglets1 that’s sad to hear. Did you just suddenly stop when you reached a healthy weight or does the dose reduce for a while? Is this something that could be used long term to maintain the weight loss?

Twiglets1 · 18/04/2023 08:22

Charlieiscool · 18/04/2023 08:15

twiglets1 that’s sad to hear. Did you just suddenly stop when you reached a healthy weight or does the dose reduce for a while? Is this something that could be used long term to maintain the weight loss?

I had to stop because I was suffering a lot of nausea and vomiting, I was worrying about having to take time off work with sickness plus I hadn’t told my husband I was trying Ozempic and the side effects were getting hard to explain. I was still only on the smallest 0.25mg dose so yes, I just stopped taking it and all the side effects quickly stopped. Including loss of appetite, unfortunately.

I think the general advice now is that for weight loss to be maintained long term, most people would have to carry on taking Ozempic for life or at least beyond the 2 years that is currently recommended by the NHS.

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