“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.

@RausageSoul I got 4 x 0.25 and 2 x 0.50 out of my first pen.
Didn't change needles when I injected twice but maybe should have. Didn't get any issues though.
I bought 100 cheap additional 4 mm pen needles, brand "CarePoint" from Chemist4U, it came to just under £7. Works totally fine.

I'm om my 7th week and doing pretty well, lost 15lbs. But tonight was the first evening when I wanted seconds at dinner, which I had, and later experienced cravings for chocolate/sweets/ice cream. Had some vanilla kvarg and strawberries instead, but not quite the same obvs. I'm BMI 31,5 (which is actually good considering where I've been ie around 38) with a big apron belly so still some way to go. It's been fairly effortless to be in calorie deficit so far (the only weight loss method that works for me), but today was a challenge.
Took some willpower but happy I didn't cave in.

I've just got my 2nd 0.5 dose after 4 x 0 25 out of my first pen. Looks like a tiny bit left but not enough to keep.

For the first time my leg is stinging about ten mins after the jab. Weird.

Just done my 4th injection. I did 0.25 for the first 2 but had very little symptoms or appetite suppression so did 0.5 last week and today (2 injections each week) but there still seems to be a fair bit of liquid left visible in the window. Maybe just less than halfway along. Is this right? I though 2 doses at 0.25 and 2 at 0.5 would use up the pen?

Sorry should have read above first

Hopefully will get another 0.5 then next week.

@Brunilde - have you read the information about the dosage regime and how it works? By moving up too quickly you are not following the recommendations by the manufacturer and that is the only way it’s been tested and trialled. It’s not all about appetite supression and you do have to work with the medication and use some will power. If you are hungry eat. But eat protein. Make sure you are drinking enough water. Some people take a glucomman supplement for the second half of the week to help with feeling fuller.

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/uk-news/diabetes-weight-loss-facebook-warning-26805735.amp

Note the comment from NovoNordisk at the end. I think there might be a big clamp down on this. Rightly so.

Yes I'm aware of how it works and titration is to adjust to the drug and reduce side affects. As I didn't have any I made a decision to move up early which has worked fine for me. Ultimately the whole point of me taking this drug is appetite suppression and weight loss and if I had will power I wouldn't be spending £200 per month to get some.

I didn’t get any bad side effects either until about week 3 but when I got them, they were horrid.
You’ve made your decision and that’s your choice. But for others thinking about doing the same thing, it’s not recommended because the side effects can take time to kick in and that’s why the manufacturers suggest 4 weeks at 0.25mg for new starters.

@Brunilde are you injecting 0.6 twice weekly? Please watch the build up as this seems a lot is dosing in 4 weeks?

Just had an email from Manual saying that due to shortages, I have to stay on the 0.5 dose for another 4 weeks instead of increasing. Has anyone else had this - I feel like quite disappointed tbh?

Well there are shortages @SOWK. I know lots of people are struggling to get hold of pens. You could try shopping around for another supplier that might have the 1mg pens in stock.

No just 0.5 once per week. Just did it sooner than advised as I had no noticeable effect from 0.25.

I’m on week 7, and have just injected the 0.5 which I’m incredibly anxious about as I had terrible symptoms from about week 3-5 and it’s just settled down again. The dog came running in and jumped up my leg mid dose as well which didn’t help with my stress levels (husband was shouted at for not keeping him away when he knew what I was doing)

so, this is place marking as I don’t know if I’ll need some support now I’ve upped my dose, and also support while I apologise to husband…..and dog….. for being a grumpy cow! Lol!

Is anyone else struggling with side effects after increasing to 0.5mg. I'm on my fourth day of severe nausea,dizzyness and fatigue. Not able to exercise and not really functioning. Doing all the right things re fluids and nutrition, nibbling away. But it's really debilitating. I so want to stay on it as I am seeing good results but I just feel hellish x

@SarahC50 did you find 0.25 stopped working for you?

@Rosie219 in at same point as @SarahC50 and I’ve just found the effects are tailing off with 0.25. I had a full roast dinner today, and whilst my portion size was still much smaller than usual, it was noticeably more than I have been able to eat previously. I’m still losing steadily, but it has just felt time to up the dose (im at week 7 now though)

@Rosie219 yes I found in week four my appetite and fullness changed and I craved crap,was hungrier and ate bigger portions again. If I felt the 0.25mg was effective I'd go back down. I'm hoping it's just this first week that is rough otherwise I'm not sure what I'll do x

@SarahC50 I hope they improve for you. I think some people have done a dose half way between 0.25 and 0.50, by counting clicks to 0.37.

@Dressshelp I'm the same, week 7, but I stayed on 0.25 as I don't have any bad side effects at this dose. It's definitely changed from when I first started, it terms of my appetite is not as reduced, but I'm managing to control my over eating so far!

Apologies if this has been asked.

Are we able to shop around after having the first pen?

Such as getting a juniper, then boots online etc?

I read the article and unfortunately taking this drug does come with its drawbacks. Yes you lose weight quickly but you can also get what is called ozempic face where basically you lose collagen in your face making your face look older. A lot of people end up having fillers in to replace lost fat. Also once you stop taking the drug the weight comes back very quickly and sometimes regaining more. All the cravings are back with a vengeance too!
my husband is a diabetic and I have just questioned the long term use of it. He had to have a break as there was a shortage and also he wanted to see if he could stick to a healthy diet himself. Now even though we eat as healthy as we can he did put some weight back on in a short space of time and then was told there was more in stock and to pick some
up. You are supposed to take this drug for 2 years but my husband has been using it longer apart from the break in between. Still waiting for GP response. My husband lost 4 stone and although that’s great it does worry me the long term affects of using it.
I know there is going to be a new injection specifically for weight loss coming out soon so it may be a better option for people but people should be aware of the risks too. Sorry if I come across negative just they don’t talk much about what happens if you stop taking it.
For me spending a lot of money on these injections and then it’s amazing for a while n then to stop n the weight come back on and more just isn’t worth it for me.

I do agree with you about most people putting the weight back on when they stop taking it. This is supported by studies, though a minority of people will be able to keep the weight off if they have a lot of willpower.

But Ozempic face? That’s no different to any other diet in my opinion where you allow yourself to lose weight too fast, which doesn’t apply to everyone on Ozempic anyway. The media could just as easily make comments about people developing a change in face shape after any diet where people lose weight quickly - Fasting face maybe ?
And personally, though I wasn’t on Ozempic long enough for it to make a difference to my face shape, I would rather have Oxempic face than double chins.

@Thedreamer28 do you have a link to this article? It sounds like it’s got some nonsense in it.

Ozempic face is just silly media chat, anyone who loses weight rapidly will get that regardless of method. I’m losing 2lb a week which is good but not rapid.

Do you mean Wegovy as the new drug? It’s the exact same drug as Ozempic but with a different name.

@Peridot1 thanks for the new thread.

@eloquent yes, you can change suppliers. I got my first pen from Manual and my second from QuickMeds. It seems most suppliers will give you the next dose pen, if you tell them you are currently taking it. Although people have said they are struggling to get the 1mg pen at the moment, due to low stock.

I'm sure it was called Keto face 8 years ago