The Saxenda Sisterhood

[Saxendastarter]

Hi all,

As the last thread is filling up I thought I'd start a new one so we don't get lost.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/4788207-im-starting-saxenda-this-week

This is the follow up from "I'm starting Saxenda this week" I'm personally journaling my way to a hopefully healthier and happier life. I'm journaling what I'm eating, the weight I'm losing (and gaining) and trying to see the positives outweigh the negatives on a daily basis. I'm joined on this thread and journey by many amazing women who are all very supportive and who are also sharing as much or as little as they like.

I'm finding I'm opening this thread instead of opening the cupboards, the fridge and the food delivery app on my phone and feeling less in my struggles and frustration and writing about my days makes me realize my life isn't all bad.

I'm thankful for all the voices in this thread and feel supported by the sisterhood of women from all over facing the same body struggles as I am.

I post some pictures and photos and I really like it when others do too.

If you're new please join us if you want to and let us know how you're getting on with your Saxenda journey. Come here for compliments when you deserve them and commiseration when you need some. You're welcome whatever your age, wherever you are and if you have 1kg or 10 stone to loose.

I've been on Saxenda for 10 weeks and lost 9.2kg (1st 6.2lbs) so far. I started at over 96kg and am now 87 and a bit. I have at least another 20kg to go to be happy with how I look - but knowing that the Saxenda sisterhood is here makes the journey seem less intimidating.

Evening All

Sorry those struggling with supply.

@upanddownandupanddown sounds like a sensible plan, you've really been through it.

I had a busy day today, forgot my BP meds this morning (a very rare occurrence). Had felt faint yesterday and was wondering if it was BP or blood sugar, GP won't renew my HRT without a BP reading so I took it having not had a tablet for 20 hours - high normal!!! Woo hoo, best reading I've had in over two months - my BP is the main reason I started on this journey and I was beginning to worry they'd have to start messing with my meds again (never a pleasant process).

Not had much appetite today after feeling ravenous all evening yesterday, so I'm going to stick with 1.8 a little while longer. Still weigh the same as a week ago, really hope the scales shift this week.

The weight management service session was a total waste of time as expected. Half the callers wanted to access saxenda but there are no doctors in the weight management service just dieticians, so even though their clinic is the only one the NHS allows to prescribe saxenda for weightloss it is not possible for mine or the surrounding counties as no doctors to prescribe it! Such a farce. Apparently they might be setting up a new clinic later in the year, but even then you have to be prediabetic with a comorbodity plus BMI over 35 (NHS doesn't require pre-diabetes just any comorbidity so it's a local decision that goes against national guidelines).
I was shocked by some of the advice given which sounded like it hadn't changed for 40years (and look how successful that's been...) - honestly telling people they should have a bowl of cereal for breakfast but only 2 heaped tablespoons of cereal, no advice on how to manage the inevitable hunger eg upping fibre and protein, telling folk a calorie is a calorie when that has well and truly been debunked in terms of achieving weightloss. It was what I expected but I was so disappointed to be proved right.

Sorry, that was long. Rant over! DH asked what happened when you come off sax, just wanted to understand the long term process and outcomes. He's been more support than I expected tbh, not that he's not usually supportive but he loves me as I am and I thought he might not love that we can't afford a holiday as a result of my private prescriptions.

Non-scale victory- went to IKEA and didn't buy any chocolates, cakes or Swedish sweets - that is unheard of for me, I am proud of myself!

I’m sorry if I’m being a Negative Nancy on this thread 🥺 In a weird way I wish I hadn’t started Saxenda as I am now so scared of not getting any! It’s not even a direct weight issue rather than fast impact on my mobility …. It’s not a listed side effect but it’s massively reduced my swollen feet and ankles… they were so bad I couldn’t even get my Crocs on and am 90% sedentary and immobile. The weight itself will take years to solve, that’s ok, but I am loving feeling that I can take a few steps now! Bizarrely for someone who is so very morbidly obese I don’t have enough comorbidities to get it on NHS and haven’t done the tier process before now so won’t be able to go down that route in any time. I just hope I get lucky with stock somewhere or feel like my feet will be like Cinderella and turn to giant marshmallows when my pen runs out 😂😂

I’m not sure supply is going to improve much anytime soon. The government issued guidance last week that clinicians shouldn’t prescribe any of the glp-1 drugs including saxenda unless for type 2 diabetics for now, and even then not prescribe to new diabetic patients. Ozempic is very in the spotlight with the government guidance now being no prescribing off licence whilst there are stock issues too but it lists saxenda as well. I think it’s aimed at nhs clinicians mainly but I would be surprised if the government didn’t have at least some sway in where the stock goes whilst there is a shortage and have it directed away from at least some of the private pharmacies to sure up supply for diabetics

It’s bad when you think of people with a medical need being deprived, puts it in perspective more 😕

Well done to everyone who is losing and commiserations to those who are struggling to get supplies.

I lost my way a bit over the weekend due to being sleep deprived, stressed with work and family meals out. I'm back on track with a vengeance today though (hopefully!)

The weather has taken a bit of a nosedive this week and I find it hard to plan what to wear as it seems to be hot one minute and rainy, windy and cold the next. So I end up wearing a summer dress in the rain or overdressed when it's boiling hot.

@Pineapplepansy , I’m out today for DHs birthday . Bought a new floaty dress and pumps . I will most likely spend the day soaked to the skin with soggy feet. Might have to swap the obligatory denim jacket for something water proof . 😂

@MrsHedgehog72 . Is there any other medicine you can access for the swollen feet . That’s not a good place to be in . X

@Footgoose possibly furosemide… but I’m a shocker for not wanting to bother doc or be NHS fat burden, that’s why I’m happy I can do Saxenda myself independently and hopefully get on top of a years and years situation. Oh and furosemide makes you pee like a horse 😂😂

I have just managed to make an order for 5 pens for home delivery from boots. 3 pen packs are available in stores.

I am losing very slowly compared to you guys, but I am tracking calories and trying to retrain my eating habits as a priority and then using a small dose of saxenda to take the edge off hunger cravings.

Hoping this approach will mean when I get to goal and wean off saxenda my eating habits will be very different and easier to maintain ?!

I absolutely understand the supply worry for those with diabetes for whom saxanda is working, but it isn't the only serious health condition approved by NICE to help treat. My heart is enlarged due to previously uncontrolled BP, the meds have work for a few years but no longer seem effective, and I really don't want a stroke or aortic aneurysm before I'm 50 (well, at all to be fair). I absolutely do not feel selfish for getting a private script to help improve my health condition, I'm not even using it 'off-label'.

There will be other pharma companies developing more of these treatments (I appreciate that doesn't resolve the current supply issues) hopefully the success of these newish drugs will change the way we treat obesity in the future.
Really wish I'd bought shares in Novo Nordisk now!

So frustrated.

Notification from Asda saying they’d have stock from ten am. Spent half an hour trying to log in but page kept crashing. Now they’re out of stock.

I have a few days left of my last pen and I’m getting quite stressed. I’ve lost two stone and I’m worried that I’ll lose that momentum.

I’ll be careful what I eat and hopefully not put any

Sorry, posted too soon.

hopefully not put any weight back on.

like @Everdecreasingcircumferences , I’m using this in line with guidelines, not off-label, because I have the conditions it’s recommended for so I don’t feel bad about getting a private prescription.

Fingers crossed I snag some next time Asda have some. If anyone spots anywhere taking new customers do shout.

Good luck everyone! x

Why is there a shortage? Is it literally because it was read about in the news and every Tom, Dick and Harry decided they would like to use it or is there a problem on the manufacturing end?

@charlotr366 I've also not been losing very fast because I have not gone over 1.2 dose. I too hope this will help me carry on once I'm finished - I am also on my last pen and I have given up trying to get more. I was getting too stressed which was making me want to eat more, so counter productive!

The supply issue is a joke. There is some serious bashing of people using this medication for weight loss as if we were stealing from others and using it just to lose a few pounds before summer. For those who are being forced to stop, I would lower the dose gradually on your last pen so as it lasts longer and it also reduces the shock to your body in case you do need to stop. I don't think it's safe / recommended to go from 3 to nil overnight.

Good luck to everyone with finding pens!

That’s a good point @CiderJabs . My dose hasn’t gone above 1.8 (horrible nausea and even fainted once in the bathroom!) so I’ve been losing more slowly. I might try to reduce to .9 and then .6 and see if that helps to keep the late afternoon and evening g cravings at bay.

Rightangled have 2 pens….

I didn’t manage to get through on Asda either, kept crashing, will try again next week. I’m not down to my last pen so will leave the rightangled stock for others for now, hope someone manages to nab it

I had the same issues with Asda this morning, will try next Tuesday as they have said they are getting some stock every week. Hopefully if some people have got three pens this week then they won’t be trying for more next week and I can get through

Thanks for that @Sotiredmjmmy - I think I may have been lucky (although they wanted a full length photo and my driving licence!)

@Vinvertebrate yes they asked the same for me last week, but the order did arrive next morning

@Vinvertebrate I managed to order some Pens from Rightangled last week & they were pretty good, came quickly.

Resigned that when these pens run out I shall be going it alone. I'm concerned that there have been reports that these drugs are being investigated as people have reported MH issues, and they are going to become more restricted. They really have been life changing for me.

I don't know if anyone listens to Podcasts, but the Diary of a CEO with Dr Giles
Yeo is fascinating -about weight loss and genetics

@Glorfindels I love a podcast thanks. Will have a listen to that.

I collected my prescription at Boots today, having ordered yesterday and the mess up last Friday.

@Glorfindels , giving it a go now . Thank you .

Day 79 (yesterday)

Breakfast
Vegetarian full English
Iced tea
Iced coffee

Lunch
Cocktails
Peach Juice

Snacks
Prosecco
Coke Zero

Supper
Beef fillet w/ bernaise
Roast potatoes
Salad
Prosecco

Day 80 (Today)

Breakfast
Greek salad
Water

Snacks
Cappuccino
Iced tea
Iced coffee

Lunch
Grilled Asparagus and truffle burruta salad
1 whole litre of fizzy water
Expresso
Waffle with berries and pistachio cream (regret this - wasn't good but didn't finish it)

Snack
2x cocktails

Supper
Fizzy water
Iced tea
Part of a fried sharing platter ( also not good but also tried things but didn't eat them)
Negroni

Welcome @Azandme Well done on your loss to date! I hope you manage to find some pens.
@CiderJabs thats a great loss - do you feel "reset" enough to go it without the pens?
@ThisMustBeMyDream Congrats on another good weigh in! I hope your family visit goes well.
@Tarragon123 Congrats on a new low (weight 😂 - out of context that sounded sarcastically bitchy ... ) I have my headphones for the return and will not try and be social and might even get a bit tipsy before the airport to make it more bearable ... it's ridiculous really - I deal with much more stressful shit on a daily basis but loose it on what should be a pretty routine procedure for me ...
@Glorfindels Thanks - it's nothing in the scale of things but just makes me angry against myself really that I can't suck it up - have had a lovely few days so far.
@LostMyMindset Welcome!!! Let us know how things go for you. How are you feeling ?
@Hopeful1984 Salut !! I was exhausted too to start with but it did get better. Where are you headed on holiday?
@freetheunicorn1 @Vinvertebrate Have you had news on your orders? @MrsHedgehog72 Bienvenue! I hope you manage to order somewhere. And I love a negative nancy - rant away - I feel it helps. And you're not a burden you're a person.
@Everdecreasingcircumferences Sorry to hear that the weight management service was so useless - didn't you know just eat less and move more 🤦‍♀️ ! Well done for the blood pressure - that's amazing, and for avoiding the aisle of doom at Ikea.
@upanddownandupanddown Sounds like you've made the right decision - I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. I hope you find your path.
@Sotiredmjmmy The guidance in France is to not prescribe at all anymore and even with a prescription (as always) pharmacists have a veto right on delivering and are being encouraged to not deliver and report to the health authority who is still prescribing - I'm honestly thinking or reordering through my Netherlands website before they run out - I have 5 pens left but would like a bigger buffer.

@Footgoose Happy DH birthday! I hope you have a lovely evening in your floaty dress.
@charlotr366 Slow and steady ... Keep on at it!
@Namechange602 I hope you manage to restock.

TW re mental health ahead

@KPops22 @CiderJabs @everyone

The supply issue is so complex isn't it. On use on of off label - I am obese now - My mental health suffers tremendously because of my weight. Being overweight makes me even more depressed than usual ( I have diagnosed Major depressive disorder ) I'm pretty persuaded that a change of meds after my last very dark period also contributed to my massive weight gain - My doctors over the years have agreed to try nearly anything to help my depression as I'm high functioning but do tend to have a suicidal episode every three four years, thats just how my life is. But being so overweight has been my hardest struggle to date. I've felt so destroyed being so heavy. So unable to hide my inner turmoil. So close to giving up. I feel no guilt in taking Saxenda and won't be shamed about it. I know there is a shortage. But I really really need this drug. If my feeling of doom was related to any other factor than weight doctors and society would find it normal to do everything, to try anything to make it better. I see no reason why weight is excluded from "noble" causes. Sorry that was a rant - not aimed at any of you lovely ladies of course - just pure frustration. God I wish I had novonordisk shares to boot!