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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

Ozempic new starters thread

645 replies

MedievalMadness · 14/04/2023 16:46

Wondering if anyone would like to join me starting Ozempic. I’m doing my first injection tonight and am very nervous about reactions/side effects. I’m 5’ and 10.5 stones with very high blood pressure which medication is struggling yo bring down, high cholesterol and arthritis.

I would like to get to 9 stones realistically and ideally 8.5. I do seem to have unusual reactions to some medication so am really hoping I can take this without too many problems as I’m sure I’d be far healthier minus a couple stones.

OP posts:
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14
ChiChaNaYubi · 22/04/2023 12:17

My pen arrived today! I’m going out for dinner tonight for my husbands birthday so am treating it as my last meal ha! Will start on Monday. Any tips or advice for me?

Original poster
MedievalMadness · 22/04/2023 12:50

floflip have you tried eating little and often and make sure you’re drinking enough. I’m feeling that’s helping.

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kkr168 · 22/04/2023 14:10

BellsandSmells · 22/04/2023 10:29

If you’re happy on 0.25 can you choose to stay on that? I mean, if you’re tolerating it well and losing steadily, can you choose not to go up to 0.5?

I've been wondering this too.
I joined a Facebook group where the majority seem to be from America, quite a few posters were advised by there doctor to only go up a dose once they stopped losing weight.

Twiglets1 · 22/04/2023 14:38

BellsandSmells · 22/04/2023 10:29

If you’re happy on 0.25 can you choose to stay on that? I mean, if you’re tolerating it well and losing steadily, can you choose not to go up to 0.5?

Yes you can & several people on the other Ozempic thread have done that. There’s no rush to increase your doses, best to do it gradually if it’s working well for you at lower doses. And there’s extra in the 0.25 pen do you can get another couple of doses out of it before moving up to the 0.5 pen.

forthisinamechange · 22/04/2023 22:04

First week almost over. I can honestly say I've not felt any different. Bit concerned! Does it take a while to build up the feeling full not much appetite effect?

Fortheloveofus · 22/04/2023 22:14

forthisinamechange · 22/04/2023 22:04

First week almost over. I can honestly say I've not felt any different. Bit concerned! Does it take a while to build up the feeling full not much appetite effect?

@forthisinamechange I'm halfway through my second week and still haven't noticed much change in my appetite or food intake but am getting side-effects, sadly. I had a conversation with my coach on Thursday, a week in, who reassured me this is normal. Their party line is that it takes a while to build up in your system and can take up to month 3 to notice a difference, although it affects evrtyome differently. I was bitterly disappointed the first week, reading everyone's stories about them losing their appetite immediately, but I'm taking a more pragmatic view this week. I'm trusting the process and prepared to commit to at least 3 months before making a decision about continuing. Expensive, I know, but I've read so many success stories, it would be a pity to start and not see it through till at least the 12 week mark.
Please try not be too despondent

EddieHoweisMYmanager · 23/04/2023 11:50

I’m halfway through week one and I’ve definitely been more mindful over my food intake. I’ve not eaten chocolate all week and haven’t missed it, normally I’m grazing for chocolate what feels like constantly. I did have a Chinese takeaway last night but I stopped well before my plate was empty because I was full and didn’t feel the need to gorge myself.

I don’t know if it’s the medication or the thought of me spending all of this money on this medication and then not seeing a positive outcome, but something has definitely had an impact on the way I’ve approached food this week.

BellsandSmells · 23/04/2023 12:15

It’s strange how some people feel the effects straight away and other don’t. I suppose eventually they’ll work out why this is. Does it depend on your starting weight maybe? Or other health conditions/medication?

ChiChaNaYubi · 23/04/2023 13:58

I did. my first injection this morning! I was so nervous. I had a little wave of nausea about an hour later but other than that nothing. I felt mildly hungry around 12 ish and have just had a roast and eaten maybe a quarter of it. Don’t know if it’s placebo effect but I’m happy either way!

Cabbage4eva · 23/04/2023 15:59

kkr168 · 22/04/2023 14:10

I've been wondering this too.
I joined a Facebook group where the majority seem to be from America, quite a few posters were advised by there doctor to only go up a dose once they stopped losing weight.

Show quote history

Based on my reading, yes, you should stay on the lowest dose that still yields results. A number of reasons for this:

  1. just in general with any medication, you want to be on the lowest effective dose

  2. some people develop a tolerance for a certain dose, where their body learns to compensate (unfortunately) and the drug stops working. If you are not already on the highest dose, then you can increase your dose at that time. If you are already on the highest dose, you're out of luck.

  3. it's cheaper. The longer you can make each pen last, the more you can stockpile Ozempic in the fridge. It lasts until its expiration date in the fridge, which for my pen was a date in 2025. There are people online who are getting the blue pen, which has 1mg in it, but are only on the 0.25mg dose. So for the cost of one pen they are getting four months of medication.

I've also read online about people who do not take it every 7 days but rather wait until they feel the effects wearing off, so they might have gaps of 8 or 9 days between jabs. This way they can stretch out the doses for a longer period of time.

Hopingandhopping · 23/04/2023 18:36

Ok so I've done my first weigh in after my first week, and I am delighted that I have lost 8lbs. I expect much of that is water but even so it is very encouraging. I have been 'dieting' alongside - low cal, reduced carbs, high veg and lots of lean protein.
Appetite has not been the challenge at all, I haven't felt hungry much and if I have noticed a bit of hunger it has been easily manageable with a cup of tea or piece of fruit. The main challenge is being truly conscious of what I am eating - making good choices and portion size. I can see that working on "the head" is going to take as much effort as dealing with the body.
I have been on 0.25 and did my second jab today.

Hopingandhopping · 23/04/2023 18:39

I should add, the lack of appetite is definitely a deterrant to eating too much though. I have no wish to feel really full, feeling comfortable full is easily achievable on smaller portions.
I have noticed that even though I might not feel hungry, if my stomach is too empty and in need of food I can feel nauseous then, so need to eat regularly but less than 'usual'.

Original poster
MedievalMadness · 23/04/2023 20:27

Hoppingandhoping. That’s a wonderful result for the first week.

ChiChaNaYubi. I honestly don’t care at this point if any reduction in appetite is a placebo. Whatever works, I’ll be happy with.

Day 10 here and second injection was on Fri. Today is the first day I’ve felt hungry and not as easily satisfied. I have been for an hours walk today and yesterday but not sure that should be a major factor. I hope I go back to being happy on greatly reduced amounts by tomorrow.

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AncoraAmarena · 23/04/2023 20:36

I did get approved by Juniper on Friday and am waiting for mine to be dispatched. Hopefully it will come tomorrow or Tuesday.

I will take my first shot the evening that it arrives, can't wait to get started. It's very interesting reading how everyone is getting on.

Franklin2000 · 23/04/2023 21:08

Day 3, not eaten until 5 ish, wasn’t hungry this morning, then went for a walk so missed my chance. Had some rice cakes when I got home and felt really guilty. Made myself a nice pasta salad for tea and haven’t eaten much at all. Ordinarily I’d just keep eating but I just didn’t fancy it. I didn’t think I was having any appetite changes but looks like something might be going on after all! Oh, and zero snacks which is unheard of for me!!

Original poster
MedievalMadness · 23/04/2023 21:49

AncoraAmarena. Great you were approved. Let us know how it goes.

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Sameiam · 23/04/2023 22:26

I was finding the apprentice suppression wore off around day four aftrr my injection, but since I went up to 0.5 that’s not happened at all! It was injection night tonight and I still struggled to eat much for lunch/dinner tonight despite it being some of my favourite food. Hopefully other people will find that too. :)

justasmalltownmum · 23/04/2023 22:31

Hello
I just took my first dose tonight.
Weighing in at 13st10lb / 5'4.
BMI showed obese and was developing insulin resistance and the side effects that go with it.

How did everyone calculate how much they would like to loose?

Ideally would like to be size 10, currently size 16.

Thanks!

Original poster
MedievalMadness · 23/04/2023 23:29

sameiam that’s great you are finding 0.5 is really keeping your appetite under control. Yes, I hope others of us find that too.

justasmalltownmum. Welcome and good luck with your first dose.
I was 10.5 st at 5’ and with v high BP I am struggling to control, along with high cholesterol and arthritis, so being at a more optimal weight for my height can only help. I’d like to get to 8.5-9 st and to see a reduction in my BP enough to lower some of the maximum doses of my 4 meds for it and to feel less joint pain. I also find my side boob fat rubs against my arms when I walk and chafes so I’d like that to be less of an issue.

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Fraaahnces · 23/04/2023 23:45

Hi everyone, I had my first dose on Thursday… No nausea, etc. A bit of constipation (undoubtedly from not eating the same volume) so trying to increase water. I found sipping on sugar-free electrolyte drinks helpful when I was feeling a little gross or head-spinny (low BP issues so have them anyway.) The magnesium should really help with constipation too. Am starting the day now with giant iced black coffee and will see if that helps too.
I’m not a huge eater to begin with - but I do binge on crap atm. This has got to stop. Had some icecream and felt a bit bleh. Hoping that means it’s the medication beginning to work.

Original poster
MedievalMadness · 24/04/2023 00:21

Hope the ice cream bleughness was from the Ozempic. Will be testing mine tomorrow as I’m going out for lunch . Hoping I’ll be happy after a starter.

OP posts:
Fraaahnces · 24/04/2023 00:27

Sorry, was interrupted by a stray dog running down the street. Caught her and reunited her with the grandma she was visiting.

Like a lot of others, I am not really “feeling it” as far as appetite suppression goes. I have been tempted to hop into 2nd dose early if necessary.

BellsandSmells · 24/04/2023 10:06

Day 6 for me and I’m definitely much hungrier suddenly. I think the first dose has worn off so I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s - just hoping I react the same way as I have this week and don’t suddenly have nasty side-effects.

ChiChaNaYubi · 24/04/2023 10:11

Day 2 for me, not hungry yet. Have been to the toilet a lot this morning though!

BelBabe · 24/04/2023 10:30

First dose last night!
Obviously it's extremely early days but not too bad at minute. Didn't sleep great last night but that could just be normal Sunday night anxiety 🙃.
Appetite suppression...not too sure I wouldn't be a massive breakfast eater anyway so not eating yet would be normal for me. Just keeping reminding myself it's literally only been 12 hours and it will take a few doses to even build up.

@Fraaahnces what electrolyte drinks are you having? I've seen they're reccomended but I wouldn't even know any brands