Coming off Ozempic

[supermarketscrunchie]

I have been on ozempic for 8/9 months and am now at my goal weight. I lost nearly 2 stones before ozempic and 3 stones on. It's truly been the best thing to happen to me. It's a lifelong dream to be a size 10 and no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't achieve it.

I want to come off it now as feel I need to try to manage without it. It's sooo expensive! I'm so scared of regaining as research suggests this to be common. I have changed certain things in my life now though as I no longer drink and I fast as a general rule (no snacking at night and no breakfast).

Anyone else coming off and feeling nervous? Would be nice to share the experience 😊

I wish those of you coming off Ozempic success in maintaining your weight loss. It won't be easy and I can understand your frustration that having found something that works, you may now need to come off it, temporarily at least. But the shortages are very real and to quote this article, "patients, charities and health officials have called for prescribers to stop issuing a diabetes drug for weight loss amid a national shortage for those most in need".

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) says supplies of Ozempic and similar drugs are not expected to return to normal "until at least mid 2024"

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jul/30/prescription-of-diabetes-drug-ozempic-for-weight-loss-contributing-to-uk-shortage

@Twiglets1 we are all very aware of the shortages, clearly that is why we are coming off it. I had hoped to chat to others at a similar stage and see what their plans were for using their remaining doses as best as they can. I don't want to talk about the shortages or argue who is most deserving of the drug but maybe it is impossible to have a thread about reducing ozempic without it turning into a debate about shortages,diabetics etc.

@SilkySuky I feel the same I've responded well to ozempic and lost well but I do feel a bit defeatist and worry it will all come back on. It's a difficult place to be after investing financially,mentally and physically in a treatment plan that has had to stop. Good luck.

Do have a look at the Glucose Revolution by Jessie Inchauspe. I couldn't afford to go on Ozempic, but her hacks flatten glucose spikes in the same way as semiglutides do. The results are of course not going to be as dramatic, but it might help manage any returning carb cravings as you come off Oz?

She's also on IG as the Glucose Goddess.

@Inkpotlover thankyou I will have a look. Is she the lady that suggests apple cider vinegar?

Yes! I actually like drinking it, it's nicer than it sounds! I'm early days following her hacks but already I'm eating better – no carb cravings - I have bags more energy and I no longer need my 3pm nana nap after lunch! I really do think it could help any Oz users worrying about cravings returning with a vengeance.

@SarahC50 I'm sure you will be able to chat to others coming off Ozempic on this thread and discuss plans etc.

However, although you may all be aware of the Ozempic shortages as they relate to you, some people do not seem aware of the wider issues. Even on this very thread there was someone suggesting that people paying for it privately are doing the NHS a favour.

I'm not judging anyone for using Ozempic, I tried it myself for weight loss so I can understand the appeal if it works for you. But on a thread about Coming off Ozempic, some people will be interested in why they are experienced such difficulties in getting hold of it and when these are likely to be resolved. As the article points out, the supply chain issues aren't likely to be resolved until mid 2024 at least, which is useful information if people are planning what to do.

This is an interesting thread. Isn't ozempic supposed to give people the headspace to address their bad habits and to start new ones that will allow them to eat healthily and sensibly so that when they come off ozempic they maintain their weight loss? That's certainly what the ozempic threads a few months ago were saying. Why are posters so worried about stopping?

@Inkpotlover that sounds great especially the energy levels and not needing a nap. Definitely going to look into it. Thanks x

Because if you've lost a significant amount of weight for the first time in your adult life that means you're now in, or almost in, the healthy BMI bracket, the thought of going back to what you were before will be distressing beyond belief. You only have to read these threads to know that most posters HAVE made significant changes and are eating sensibly, but they're going to be losing their crutch. Of course they are worried!

You're welcome! I'm trying not to be too evangelical about it because it is still early days for me, but it's hard! I feel SO much better already.

Plus, you're meant to take it for up to two years. Because greedy online providers kept signing new patients even though supplies were starting to slow, some posters are having to give it up after only a few months, so there is the worry for them that it's not been enough time to ingrain new habits.

Drugs like Ozempic work on the hormone and blood sugar issues that many people who suffer with food cravings need support with (which is why it works for people with diabetes too). Not everyone who is overweight has those problems but for those that do, medication like this works in a way that 'addressing bad habits' doesnt always.

You're making the mistake of viewing weight gain and loss through a moral perspective. People who are overweight are not naughty people with bad habits (some of the time).

@AutisticLegoLover really judgemental and unhelpful comment. Are you on ozempic or do you just come on these threads to berate those of us who are?

I'm sure I've read that Ozempic is only given to T2 diabetes patients not Type 1.

I'm not berating or making moral judgements. I read with interest snd remember the earlier threads being full of comments about headspace for good habits and how weight gain wasn't inevitable once stopping. This thread seems the opposite hence my question. I think suppliers are immoral and have sold a dream that is extortionate and not necessarily achievable. Weight issues are complex and ozempic promises a relatively quick and easy fix. NICE guidelines say it should be used alongside dietetic input and psychological support but online providers only sell the drug for extortionate prices. It's morally wrong.

I think it makes sense to titrate down just as you titrated up at the beginning. Hope all goes well.

@AutisticLegoLover I'd say it's a control thing as well - ie being able to decide how to titrate down slowly, have longer to establish habits etc.

For a lot of people this is the first thing that's worked and has worked phenomenally well. Everyone's now had the rug pulled out from under them and that's upsetting.

Luckily for me I've been a super responder and lost 2st in 3 months on 0.25 and 0.5. Even though I'm in much better habits I'm still scared of all the food noise coming back and essentially being back in a fight with myself 😣

Its not a quick and easy fix at all. You still have to eat less.

Not everyone who is overweight has psychological issues with food, some just have uncontrollable cravings and hormonal changes (by way of medication or WLS) can support that.

Its not that much different to people being put on medical alternatives to heroin/alcohol. We dont expect heroin addcits to 'get into good habits'.

Your taste buds and cravings do change when using medications like this, you dont 'need' carby/sugary items, you want more savoury/watery type flavours and textures. It changes what your brain craves.

So there is a mixture of effects.

Once is licenced for weight loss here, it will be prescribed in the way it is in other countries.

Ironic considering a lot of us could end up diabetic if we couldn't get the weight off though?

( I'm not on it yet , considering !)

There is an irony to it in some cases, though I still think priority should go to Diabetic people over those who fear they may become Diabetic in future if they don’t lose weight. But many private providers aren’t even taking care to make sure they only prescribe it to the genuinely obese.
The private clinic I used (Mayfair weight loss clinic) never even asked me to send a photo of myself. They relied on people being honest about their BMI which not everyone will be. On the Ozempic threads on Mumsnet and elsewhere, you see people talking about can they get it if they only want to lose a stone, say. The honest answer is that they easily could before the extreme shortages, just by lying on the online forms.

You would be crazy to start it at the moment with the supply issues. I would wait until Wegovy is available in the U.K.

@AutisticLegoLover I am with juniper and if you had any experience or knowledge of being prescribed ozempic you would know that juniper don't just prescribe. I am on a treatment plan, I have a health coach who is a qualified dietician and the app has numerous educational resources. My coach has been invaluable regarding my diet,emotions and eating. I sent photos and juniper wrote to my GP before I was approved for ozempic.

Ozempic has worked really well for me, the drug has worked and I've changed my habits for the better. It is not immoral and they haven't missold me a dream.

I think it is very disingenuous to question why people are worried about stopping ozempic. I truly wonder what your intention is of joining these ozempic threads, certainly nothing you have said has been helpful or supportive.

I agree with what @bellac11 says, obesity and eating is extremely complex and there is no one single solution. If you had suffered lifelong fatness like me and the others on ozempic you would grasp this very basic fact.

I've been breaking my rybelsus tablets in half mainly because of the side effects (bad headaches) but this does mean my supply will last longer. On the downside, the appetite suppressant effect is much milder so it does have to be combined with a lot of willpower and exercise but it stops me snacking as much!