Semaglutide/ Wegovy/ Ozempic early user queries

[mynamechangemyrules]

Hello all, I've seen the threads but had a few queries which weren't covered and hoping someone who's in the midst of using one of these drugs could assist me.

I have approx 15-20kg to lose (up to about 3 stones) and I usually do well with fasting, but I have never been this fat and I have never been this stressed and busy...

My friend is having wonder results from it and I'm wondering whether I'll just go for it... but I have questions!

Would other people work out you're doing something because you really don't eat much at eg BBQs/ social events?

Can you have a glass of wine at events etc?

I have quite a physical job- would it floor me/ wipe out any working time?

And how do you come off it? Wean yourself? Or stay on it forever..?!!

Would other people work out you're doing something because you really don't eat much at eg BBQs/ social events?

Possibly but probably not. You can still eat a meal and people really don't pay that much attention. You can always tell them you're on a bit of a health kick atm if they query it.

Can you have a glass of wine at events etc

Yes but you may not want to. I didn't enjoy alcohol very much for a while, until my body was more used to the drug. I found 2 drinks sipped slowly was fine but my body couldn't handle more than that.

I have quite a physical job- would it floor me/ wipe out any working time?

You don't know how it's going to effect you until you try. A small minority of people feel very sick and can't continue with it. Some people have no side effects at all. Most of us are somewhere in between. I've had fairly mild nausea and the odd bout of diarrhoea. It's never stopped me doing anything.

And how do you come off it? Wean yourself? Or stay on it forever..?!!

It's really up to you. Some people stay on a small maintenance dose, although in the UK it's currently only licensed to be used for 2 years. I've lost 3 stone over 6 months and I'm currently weaning myself off. The best approach is to have maintenance and life after Wegovy in mind from the start. Focus on building sustainable habits. I feel like I've broken the bad habits and my diet and exercise regime is brilliant now. I'm very focused on not slipping back. You need to stay on top of it; keep weighing yourself, keep tracking food, tackle any small gain immediately. I've spent a small fortune on new clothes and binned my fat stuff. I can't gain again, I'd have nothing to wear!

That's all so helpful, thank you. I am already 'trying' to be healthy so I don't think people would be too shocked, I'm just concerned with a weekend with friends coming up next weekend where we've planned all the meals etc and even on a health kick I'd eat it all as it's not unhealthy as such. Might start after that.

I'm hopeful it could break my cycle too. Mine is a fairly quick misery/ stress weight gain after a lifetime of being 'average'/ appropriate BMI so I'd hope this could boot me back to my normal status.

I'd love to hear your weaning off update as you go! Amazing weight loss 👍🏼

@AhBiscuits -also, I have quite targeted areas to loose from, am hoping it isn't just tummy fat as that's not really my problem as such. Assuming weight comes off all over? Sorry if a stupid question

Firstly, I think people don’t pay as much attention to what you might or might not be eating as you think.

it’s difficult to answer your questions because semaglutide affects people in so many different ways. You might be fine at a dinner, or might have high appetite suppression and find it difficult. If it a social occasion you could decide to eat very lightly earlier in the day?

most people seem to have some kind of tiredness as a side effect. But you can’t predict what side effects you will or won’t have until you start - and even then it seems to change from week to week.

Weaning off/stopping is also a difficult question. The trials say stopping cold turkey leads to putting the weight back on. Some on mumsnet are tapering down with a view to stopping completely but there isn’t enough people doing it yet to come to any conclusion.

@lastapache yup true no one really cares what I'm eating I suppose 😂

I'm excited to just get on and try it, then if it doesn't work I'll get back on the fasting wagon.

I'm hoping with this being a misery related sudden gain.... maybe I have a chance of keeping off if I go back to my normal eating instead of the nonsense of recently

How you getting on @mynamechangemyrules I've started it today 🙈

I'm on my second week now on lowest dose and have lost 7lb so happy at the moment I'm excited to see how i go each week

I've done a lot of socialising since I've been on it

Yes I drink a glass or two of gin and tonic and I've been fine.

I eat out but choose carefully.
I try to check menus in advance so I can choose a low cal Option or
Maybe do a starter with
A side salad.

I just tell people I'm
Dieting. I've not
Mentioned the injections.

I lost 19lb intermittent fasting in the past so they assume I'm doing that again.

So far I've
Lost 12lb in 4 weeks.

Coming off I intend to use a calorie tracker and just be sensible.

If I have a
Huge Cake then I won't have chips that night. I'll
Prob go back to a fasting day once a week. The jabs have helped Me Retrain my brain a little and get out of those bad habits. I knew I was eating poorly but because all my other attempts had failed since menopause I would cave and give up. This is enabling me to not give up.

It's a
Miracle drug.

I completely agree it's just given me the ability to say no to snacks and be much more selective what I eat as my main meal, don't get me wrong I had a pizza alongside 6 glasses of prosecco and paid the price the morning after with diarrhea hahah this certainly makes me think wisely with my meal options now

Hi all, I’ve lostone and a half stone since I posted. And I only took it for 5 weeks… Haven’t put any back on in the time after, but I do want to carry on losing the weight that’s left. It’s somehow felt right to have a break from it for holidays etc. as it does make me fee tired and a bit rough generally and I was panicking that I’d come off and eat all day- I don’t! It does give you space to retrain yourself. Of course I’m sure you could just eat it all back on but it’s made me make space for myself and my health rather than eating my feelings!

Can anyone help.

I have been taking Wegovy since Feb. I have been using up the whole pen, then buying another at the next dose. My 1mg pens are lasting weeks. However, the online pharmacy says I have not been using enough and must have had a break but I haven't at all.

They seem to suggest you do 4 doses then throw the pen away, even if the reservoir is still nearly full.

Any idea what to do. Thanks

Are you sure you’ve been taking four 1mg doses from the 1mg pen? AFAIK there’s only four doses and then it’s empty. Or are you still taking 0.25mg or 0.5mg per dose, in which case the pen would last longer?

I know the Ozempic pens have 8 doses in the 0.25mg pens, and about 5 doses in the 0.5mg pens, but I’d heard the Wegovy pens are way more exact?

I am screwing the top all the way round and then injecting. It just seems to still be full and have way more doses.

I am going to switch to Mountjaro after a break for the more exact pens.