“I started Ozempic last night” - THREAD SIX

[Peridot1]

Hi all. Just spotted the previous thread filled up so thought I’d start a new one quickly.

@Menora @UnleashTheBaby Please read the leaflet that comes with the pen, it has most of this info in it. It's always really important to read Patient Information Leflets when you start taking any prescribed medication.

You don't need to refrigerate the pens once you've started using them. You can bring forward your dose as long as it's more than 2 days since your last dose but then you're following doses will also be brought forward.

Thanks!
don’t know if I am imagining it but I still feel slightly hungry but less obsessively focused on food

I did read it but I think I didn’t spot all of it or take it in so I need to keep reading
I put mine back into the fridge so I know where it is. Does it make much difference?

My next dose would then be late, as I am away until a Tuesday so I either take it with me or I extend it by 3 days which I think is ok, from what I read

I keep mine in the fridge for convenience but once you start to use it, as long as it's below 30⁰ it's fine out of the fridge.

Here is an online copy of the UK patient information leaflet for Ozempic for those that need easy access to it. Patient Information Leaflet (somtimes shortened to PIL) are always online as well as printed, just make sure you search for a UK version, if in doubt go to the manufacturer's website or medicines.org.uk as below
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.9748.pdf

For glycaemic control and for Ozempic to be as effective as possible, the aim is to build up to a steady and constant amount of Ozempic in your bloodstream. The half-life of Ozempic is 7 days, so if you want the most efficient and effective result take it every 7 days and let it build up in your system for 6-10 weeks until it's steady.
If you take it earlier then it will still work but you will have more in your system than needed during the crossover, you may see unwanted side-effects (you may not). If you're taking it later than 7 days, it will have left your system. I doubt that on the dot of seven days your appetite will revert to as you were before you took Ozempic but given that lots of people say the that any appetite suppresion wears off for them towards the end of the week anyway it's not something I'd do.
Personally, I want to give Ozempic the best shot I can, so I'd just continue with it as normal. However, if I was new to Ozempoc I don't think I'd start taking it within a couple of weeks of a holiday until I knew how I'd react to it.

I agree, I wouldn't start taking it a few weeks before a holiday. Why risk ruining a holiday with nasty side effects like nausea?

I would wait and start taking it after a holiday. Take it when you have a clear stretch ahead where you can take it regularly and when you have the ability to cope best with potential side effects.

Hello all, I've just caught up with the thread and great to see all the progress.

I've completed 4 weeks at 0.25, and 4 weeks at 0.5. Sunday is my injection night, so I dithered on whether to go up to 1mg last night or stay on 0.5mg for a while longer. Progress has been slow for me, I have lost 3.2kg in 8 weeks, so I decided to up it to 1mg.

Then I started reading about all the pen shortages and perhaps I should have stayed on 0.5 to eke out my supply. But it's done now.

I got my last one from Quickmeds and I have signed up to their email notification for new stock.

No no sorry my holiday is in August

I’ve got 12 weeks till my holiday, so I thought it was a good time to start now but as I am flying in august I was considering what to do by that time - I don’t have to take it in hand luggage so ought to not need to worry about having a prescription? It’s an EU country so wasn’t sure about travel with the pen

by that time I could just do a few hours early then start it up again 10 days later
I have plenty of time to worry about it was just a query

I have read the info it was more about health/side effects (learning all the practical parts now) I also watched a video about injecting. I also spoke to someone in real life who has started it

It was a general comment @Menora not directed at you, meant for info for the group not a single person, the issue has cropped up before so the answer bears repeating. Travelling with the pen isn't an issue, people travel with med pens all the time all over the world (think insulin and epi-pens).

It’s a good point though, thanks 🙏🏻

It was a general comment yes.
And you are overthinking it if you’re already planning for August. A lot could happen between now and then - Ozempic may or may not agree with you, for example.
There is a lot of general information out there about Ozempic - lots of research to do if you are giving it a serious go.

I am on week two now, injected this morning, 12 hours later than last time. First week I lost 1.5kg and 1cm off my waist, I don't have a BMI over 30 and never have but I do have a hormone issue which is why I think I was prescribed. My biggest thing has been food noise, I was also binging before and that's not happened now. I really feel positive about things going forward.

The only thing I would say is that after my second dose I am far hungrier. Like the opposite effect has happened. I am really quite surprised by the hunger too. I do feel funny though, like twitchy. I definitely had some side effects, mainly lethargy but nothing I can't cope with. I am injecting in thighs and no nausea yet.

I'm just starting week three and am a bit worried about stock levels. If I have a gap before getting hold of any again, I guess I'll have to do another month on .25 before upping the dose. I'm a bit worried about the medical effects of sporadic use - my understanding is it's supposed to be taken continuously.

Is there any indication of when stock might come back in? I'm with Health Express.

@AlbertCampion - you don’t have to stay with one supplier and I think most people are just shopping around until they find a supplier with stock. If Health Express do an email,notification system maybe sign up for that or email them to ask about stock.

Hi all
Have had a stressful day at work and cane home and binge ate. Tbh my eating has been awful for the last few weeks and I'm appalled with myself.

I'm 5'4 and must be at least 14 stone if not more. I don't have scales and feel too embarrassed to weigh myself in public.

Think its time now for me to consider some help in the form of ozempic but need to take the leap.

Have dipped on and of these threads without posting but as I'm not getting any younger, just fatter, its got to stop.

Thanks @Peridot1. I'm on the HealthExpress email alerts. MyJuniper are not taking any new customers and no luck with Manual. Can anyone recommend any other suppliers?

Does anyone have any idea how long the shortages might last? I've just read an article which says it might be for the whole of 2023. I am really concerned cos obviously if I can't get a steady supply then it is probably not good practice to stop and start. Feeling quite disappointed as I've found it so brilliant after only two weeks - thought I'd had a weight loss breakthrough!

Regarding stock I'm only on the 2nd day of my 2nd injection so I do have a while. However I'm wondering if anyone has tried the tablets? They seem to be in stock.

Morning everyone,

First of all thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. I've found it very helpful to read both good and not so good.

I'm about to order from Quickmeds and wondered if anyone has a discount code that they can share?

Fingers crossed they'll approve and have stock buy the time I've completed my order.

Hi everyone. I placed an order with quickmeds at the weekend and haven't heard anything further. I know the pharmacist normally calls but I've heard nothing. I've tried to call them and email them but no joy. Has anyone else had this? Worried my order has got lost in the system somehow.

Have you checked what it says in your account section of the website @Springclean8?

Just trying QuickMeds for stock. Thought I'd quickly check if anyone has a discount code? I know there were some referral ones floating about on earlier threads.

I take it back. Had a phonecall from THE most helpful man at quickmeds and my order is on its way. Whoop whoop.