Ozempic - for those of us a few months in - Part 2

[Peridot1]

Just spotted the other thread had filled up so started I new one.

Just looking to share my recent experience.

Been on ozempic since January, gradually increasing dose to 1.5mg/week. I've lost 40lb in total. Over the last 8-9 weeks, this has really slowed down, losing on average 1-2lb per week, sometimes nothing.

I have just under 10mg in stock which will last around 6 weeks at 1.5mg. I only have around a stone left to lose to get to a normal weight so was starting to think about gradually coming off due to price increases/shortages etc.

I go on holiday in 4 weeks, so wasn't sure what to do: decrease dose so it lasts longer? Stay at the same dose?

I went back to the original meta-analysis on ozempic and weight loss, and noted that the studies where participants took 2.4mg showed more than twice the weight loss of those receiving less than 2.4mg (obviously the "less than" dose could be anything). Reading that, I thought 'sod it' and decided to up my dose to 2.4mg for the 4 weeks before my holiday and use up the whole supply in a kind of 'last hoorah'. Nothing else has changed.

This week, I have lost (drumroll.....) 6lb!!!!!

I have no idea why, none of the side effects have come back, including the delayed gastric emptying, and I feel exactly the same, but something seems to have suddenly shifted!

Just sharing because I can see a few of you are looking to decrease doses in order to eke out your supply, and I wonder (based on experience n=1, so not hugely robust!) if that might be a mistake and you'd be better off going up for a shorter period if you're close to goal?

Has anybody else done this??

Will report back as to what happens next week...😊

@AndSoFinally that's brilliant weight loss and no side effects well done you.

How long have people plateaued for? I'm on week 15 and on 0.5mg still due to side effects. The last six weeks or so I've lost only 1 -1.5lbs very demoralising and all my thoughts of being a failure re fatness have come back.

I'm due to go up to 1mg in two weeks but I am scared as I've felt pretty rotten on ozempic.

So how long have people sts and plateaus for? Please give me hope xx

@SarahC50 I had the same issue - I only lost 3/4lbs between the 7th April and 3rd June (you can see it in the graph where it starts levelling out). Very frustrating - I persevered doing the same things but they didn’t seem to be working anymore. Went up a dose, started losing again, have now lost 7lbs since 15th June. Overall weight loss is 39lbs with 5lbs to go til goal weight.

While acknowledging you've had great results by going up above 2, I do wonder if that's going to cause any issues with your pancreas? I'm sorry if I'm being overly pessimistic but I feel like the guidelines are there for a reason? Hopefully it's nothing anyway.

I’ve definitely plateaued over my 5 months on Ozempic. But I’ve kept going with it (up to 1mg) and the weight has slowly dropped. I would say to those who are plateauing to just stick with it.

Also, those that are plateauing - drink about 3 litres of water a day.

I read it on here and didn't believe it. I then dropped 1/2 stone in 2 weeks.

Did my fourteenth jab today and felt it go in and had a spot of blood. Anyone else had that? Normally can hardly feel the jabs! I have got a bit casual about it now and worried I did it wrong?! Although how wrong could it go? Similar place as previously and needle that came with the pen...

@MiniCooperLover 2.4mg is the Wegovy dose for weight loss, rather than the top Ozempic dose

I missed 4 doses, so 4 weeks worth. I had done 0.25 for 4 weeks, 0.5 for 8 weeks.
I took my first 0.25 back on Wednesday. How many more doses/weeks would you reckon on 0.25 or would I need to do the whole 4 weeks again?

@TheGoodEnoughWife it can happen if you hit a tiny blood vessel - has happened to me a couple of times

@Capuccinopup that's really encouraging thankyou. I'm doing all the right things and don't want to further cut my calories as it won't be sustainable for me. I'll report back on how the increased dose works

@Teddypops thankyou I'm definitely going to try that starting tomorrow x

Ps @Capuccinopup 39lbs bloody 😍😍😍😍😍

Thank you @Capuccinopup.

Sadly, I've come to the end of my ozempic journey. 20lbs down since February. I moved up to 1mg a few weeks ago with Juniper, but I've had the worst diarrhoea and vomiting. Sulphur burps. Can't eat anything. And I'm so weak.

I have no idea if you can stop taking ozempic suddenly, but the prescriber at Juniper seemed ok with it.

I'm still 2-3 stone off where I wanted to get to. I don't know if these symptoms are something completely unrelated, but in a way it would be much less scary if it was just down to the ozempic. I'll be doing tests with the GP next week to find out.

Hopefully my spot at Juniper will help someone out with supply! Good luck everyone. I'll come back and let you know the results.

17 weeks in and 44lbs down here, went up from 0,5 to 75 two weeks ago.
I have given it my all but also seem to be a super responder, which has helped me go into extreme calorie deficit. Something that isn't for everyone but historically the only thing that works for me. I'm 50 and short, and my maintain number is as low as 1000-1200 kcal/day (which is bugger all, so no wonder I was obese really).
I've been averaging on 700 kcal/day which may sound shockingly little but it's the truth.

I want to lose another stone which will take me to a normal BMI. I can't say I've really suffered, I focus on protein and fiber and take good supplements, and have small treats and nice meals with wine at the weekend.
I do worry about how sustainable this is, especially in a future without the jabs, but I'm resigned to the fact that portion control and keeping an eye on the calories will be something I have to think about for the rest of my life now. I'm very motivated, feel great mentally and physically, and at least 10 years younger. Recently checked blood pressure and it's good.

Damn GP just pulled me off ozempic. My kidney function is declining and we cannot figure out why. Diabetes is well under control. She says it is a very rare side effect, less than 1% of people have kidney issues on ozempic. I'm pissed off and hoping it isn't ozempic but something else.

Week 15 jab done last night, I'm sticking on 0.5 for the time being, started a new pen last night so have 3 more doses, I've resigned myself to stopping after these if the supply issues stay as they are, and I'm ok with that. I've been tracking what I eat, keeping low carb and trying to change my habits around food so I hope I'll be able to keep that up.

Started 232lb, BMI 35.3
Currently 207lb, BMI 31.5

So total 25lb loss, 10lb more to move into the 'overweight' category.

I joined juniper months ago for the cheap first month (at 0.5 since I’d done a month on manual first) but it was more expensive than quickmeds etc so didn’t use it again. Thankfully had the forethought to just delay my shipments vs cancelling all together, as I’ve just requested a dose review and they’ve put me up to 1mg with proof I’ve been on it for a few months already elsewhere! Surprised considering the shortages, but might be worth trying if anyone else is in the same situation. Now to see if they do ship me the 1mg.

The symptoms of sulphur burps, vomiting and diarrhoea (or constipation) are classic Ozempic side effects, though most people don't get them severely and some lucky people don't get them at all. It is almost certain that they will stop when you stop taking Ozempic.

Mine stopped immediately when I stopped taking it but I was only about 6/7 weeks in. Yours may take slightly longer to stop as you will have more Ozempic in your system. Then again, maybe you don't have that much in your system if your body keeps rejecting it.

@Twiglets1 oh thank you, this is really good to hear... In a way!

I'm at my wit's end with the vomiting. Right now I'm completely empty and I have no idea when I'll be able to eat anything again. Not the kind of diet I'd like to continue!

I'll be really disappointed if I can't continue with ozempic because it really lifted me out of the constant grazing and sugar dependency. Results for me were very slow but steady.

I think the worst effects were coming roughly 7 days after each jab... I'd already spread them out to 10 days to manage side effects.

Even though I'm only 20lbs down on a 70lb goal, it's still a start and I'm hoping I'll continue in the traditional way once I've recovered from whatever this is!

As you say, the worst effects were coming roughly 7 days after each jab. If there are no more injections, there will be no more horrendous side efects a few days later.

It's scary when you keep vomiting, I've been there and know. It's completely unsustainable as a "diet" and I think you are doing the right thing in stopping Ozempic. It's also disappointing, I know.

I continued with my diet after giving up Ozempic and am now using Orlistat tablets to keep me on the straight and narrow. I can't eat too much fat with Orlistat so it keeps me mindful of what I'm eating. The weight loss is a lot slower but it's still coming off gradually. At least Ozempic has kickstarted your diet (as it did mine), so it wasn't all negative. I really hope you feel better soon!

@Twiglets1 I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that the symptoms are so similar. I was really worried something was seriously wrong with me. Hopefully the tests will confirm it is nothing serious.

Thankfully I'm over the worst now I think.

I definitely can't keep being so ill every week or 10 days. My boss was really starting to worry about me!

Good call about orlistat. I think it might be a good step to keep the cals and fat content in check and encourage me to keep going. I'm pleased I've had such a good kick start and want to keep going now. Did you find the hunger a problem when it returned? I'm hoping 3 months is enough to reset me and keep me from going back to the sugar etc.

I did find I was very hungry when I first stopped taking Ozempic, I won’t lie. I was also excited to be able to eat food I love again without feeling nauseous or feeling full after two mouthfuls!

I put some of the weight back on but then I had a word with myself and realised I had to continue trying to lose weight as I was still obese. Experimented with a couple of methods and then tried Orlistat which is working so far. It’s not as easy as Ozempic as you do still feel hungry and get cravings. But on the bright side, I feel perfectly healthy taking it & it’s nowhere near as expensive as Ozempic. I honestly shudder when I remember those awful sulphur burps or the awful feeling of nausea.

Yay! You are all still going! Bravo!