Ozempic for those a few months in - part 3

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

Thread was full so I've started a new one. 😀

Hi all,
I've been on holiday with teenage DC for a week. Interesting.
About my journey: I'm 50+ and short, 7 months in, and this was my 1st week on 1mg Wegovy, I've been a super responder but also v disciplined, tracked everything and rarely been eating more than 1000kcal/day. Lost nearly 4 stone, would like to lose one more. Worth every penny, and am now close to BMI 24, and best of all my alcohol dependence vanished almost over night. But I've been worried how sustainable this lifestyle will be long term/without the jab.

I ate more normally this week away (and drank...), had carbs but didn't go overboard, wasn't religious about the water intake, and didn't track calories. In part because I was hungrier (more walking + it takes energy to make sure the teenager has a good time...), in part because I wanted to treat myself, and also because I find the effectiveness + side effects of the jab are waning. Hello normal daily poos! Sorry, TMI. (Def need to go up to 1,7 soon.)

The result: I've gained one pound in a week. And since one pound represents 3500 calories, that tells me that I've had a surplus of around 450 calories/day, ie over my TDEE. Which is easily explained by the glasses of bubbly I've had in the evenings, lovely lunches and dinners, and some snacks and treats.

To conclude: If I ate and drank like this always I would gain 50 pounds in a year. Not good. But if I only had wine at weekends and was careful with portion size and treats; ie saved myself for special occasions, I'd be able to maintain and still eat well. So that's positive going forward.
My concern was I'd balloon having been in extreme calorie deficit for 7 months.

I'm sure this has been answered before but I can't find the answer. So apologies.

I have stalled on 0.5 Ozempic. How many clicks would I need to add onto a 0.5 pen dose to go up to 0.75? I don't want to go straight to 1mg yet.
I've seen the click charts but I can't work out which strength pens are which.
Help!

@VanellopeVonSchweetz99 try not to focus on just one week. You haven’t gained 1lb of fat. The majority of it - if not all of it - will be water retention from a change in your diet.
The same way our weight changes due to our cycle, or if we’ve ate lots of salty food or had alcohol (even if the calories are low) can and does result in weight fluctuation.

Whilst thinking about the future, I think we’re all at risk of being over our TDEE on a daily basis without the meds, unless we change our habits - if not entirely, then at least most of the time, otherwise we’ll end up back where we started.

@Geggs you are absolutely right, and I'm actually hopeful for the future. My carb and alcohol cravings were powerful before the jab, and the thought of going back there is a bit scary. I was never that much over my TDEE, but regularly, for a long time. "Treats" and comfort eating/drinking became the norm and it really adds up. I think I was starting to get insulin resistent too, and that's perhaps one reason why the jab has worked so well for me. I'm learning about nutrition and food addiction. My reasons for obesity were complex and I'm sure that's the case for many of us.
I feel sort of sad for 'old me' and wasted years, if that makes sense.

@BrendaLee - I think it would be 18 clicks. On a 1mg pen it’s 36 to get 0.5.

@Peridot1 Many thanks! Brain fog getting in the way of my maths so much appreciated.

@Movinghouseatlast I have Covid right now and haven’t weighed myself but can see that I’m retaining a ton of fluid right now. My joints are swollen and I’m filled with snot and god knows what else. I’d guess that you’re the same! Men always lose weight at the drop of a hat, sk unfair.

Good point! Hope you feel better soon, I'm still suffering ( although not as badly) and I'm over 2 weeks in.

@Movinghouseatlast You too! I’m starting to feel like myself again but it’s been almost three weeks and it was tough. I also got my appetite back today and feel like I can’t get enough salt, which won’t do wonders for the water retention.

hi, I’ve been following this thread with interest. My husband (morbidly obese ) has been through all the stages of ozempic up to 1mg. Switched to 1.7 wegovy once it became available- privately and has noticed it isn’t half as effective. Is this a thing? Are other people finding the same?

People build up a tolerance to it, as your body amplifies hunger signals when you lose weight. He might need to go up to 2.4mg if he's not getting good hunger suppression with 1.7mg.

Or it might be psychological. Ozempic and Wegovy are exactly the same drug molecule.

@MiniCooperLover thanks for reply. Definitely not psychological - surely if he was getting good resistance at 1mg ozempic then 1.7 wegovy should be even better?

I'm assuming this is for me.

There's a reason for the escalating doses. People build up a tolerance to it, as your body amplifies hunger signals when you lose weight.

I had to force myself to eat on 0.25mg. After a week on 0.5mg, I was hungry again. I'm now on 1.0mg and am hungrier than I was on 0.25mg. I'm still losing weight, just not as fast.

Hunger is complex, and not mediated by a single molecule. When you lose enough weight, you trigger a starvation response. Your metabolic rate decreases and your lizard brain starts screaming that you need to eat.

It’s been just over 2 weeks and my boots 1.7mg Wegovy prescription still hasn’t arrived in store! Chased on Friday and was told to try again on Monday….(!)

luckily I have 2 boxes of 1mg in the fridge which I have been using to administer 1.5mg at the moment, so that’s tiding me over.

Felt like I had reached a big milestone today as I had to take the plunge and buy new clothes as everything was starting to look ridiculously baggy on me. I ordered a few things online assuming I’d be the next dress size down, but had to return them as I’m actually 2 sizes smaller than what I’m currently in!

The impact this has had on me and the way I feel has been amazing. I’m finally dressing up again and spending money on hair/nails/feel good things because I actually feel good and worth it now.

3lbs to go and I’ll be back into a weight bracket I haven’t seen for about 7 years!!

I have had my first 1.7mg dose today. Sulphur burps all afternoon 🤢. Not had these with a dose increase before. Not much fun.

An overnight tummy ache and two episodes of vomiting. I am feeling better this morning but not sure what I will do next Sunday.

@RunningAndSinging That's awful, so sorry. Might not help you, but has helped me throughout: Drinking lots and lots of water. A minimum of 2 liters a day. When I do I have no nausea and no burps, and when I don't, I can really feel the side effects. Plus being religious about supplements + make sure you get some salt in your diet, soups are ideal I find.

@CaptinKitty It's an amazing feeling, isn't it? I've treated myself to a lovely coat, bras and some winter dresses and skirts and it's sounds really shallow but I bloody love being able to pick what I like instead of what's available and doesn't look too awful on me. When I started this I was a size 18-20, now more like a 12. Saggy skin not too bad, seems to be bouncing back here and there, but my neck isn't great. DS, mindless but sweet teenager, commented how I look good; "much older, but good!" Oh well. I'll take it.

I bought a coat the other day and very optimistically ordered a size 14 expecting to have to return for a 16 BUT I ended up having to exchange it for a 12!

Glad others are seeing some great tangible results too.

Manual want a photo and are being difficult about prescribing as I’m at a normal BMI. I don’t think they’ll prescribe me going forward. Any decent suppliers for one off orders?

I want to lose 2kg more then slowly drop down my dose. I’ve lost about 40lb so far and then want to maintain. Bit frustrated they are being so difficult.

I tried ASDA but they rejected me as my BMI is under 28 (currently BMI 24).

@Twilightstarbright That's crap. I'm a similar BMI to you now and could def take some v chubby looking unflattering photos, but that's not the point surely? I also want to lose more and then stay on a maintenance dose for a while.
I've been with QuickMeds from the beginning, not sure if they take new people though but worth a try? They've been OK if expensive, bit of hassle waiting around for stock at 1pm and 6pm sometimes without luck, and having to re-submit your details every time. I've slightly exaggerated my weight and waist circumference on their form just to pass. Best of luck.

i think Quickmeds would be fine as long as you give them your starting BMI and history on Ozempic. They used to be one of the better value places but sadly this is no longer true.

Hello all
it’s great to hear of all your journeys with Ozempic.

I have 3 stone to lose. Would you recommend? I am 3/4 way through the myBMI consultation- I wanted to check - is it 199 per month? How many months do you think it will take to lose 3 st? Or will I need to be on it forever? What happens when you stop?

One the best things I've done. BMI of over 40 when I started, I've lost 3.5 stone since mid January so it's not rapid but I've been on endless diets for years with minimal progression. I planned to do 6 months but im now committed to the long run. I do recommend it though.

Im with Boots, £224 on 1.7mg but was £199 on 1mg

@SwimmingFree so is the £199 for a month’s supply? Not just one week’s supply?
I can probably justify £200 per month, but not per week!

Any advice you would give a new starter? Is MyBMI a decent place to get it from?

… and @SwimmingFree thank you for your reply and congratulations on your weight loss!