Wegovy/Saxenda for weight loss?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you supposed to be on it for life or just temporarily?

The program is for a year, under the assumption that after a year of working on building the right habits/frame of mind, you'll be able to taper off the medication. I'm only a few months in, so have a ways to go.

I have struggled with compulsive eating for many a year and this medication just completely erases that all-encompassing need. It is a relief to not have to fight that battle anymore. All of the signals inside my body screaming for more, more, MORE just vanished. It has also helped me get control over my drinking, which was getting out of control. You just don't feel hungry, and when I do, it's significantly attenuated compared to the raging hunger I would feel. And it only takes a few bites before you start feeling full.

I was worried about the injection but the needle is so thin and the injection pen so ingeniously simple to use, it's really quite the nothingburger, to quote a PP's phrase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading some of these posts like the one above feels a little like an ad, and I’m surprised nobody has talked about what it’s like to inject yourself with a needle. Is that hard? For me that would be the biggest turn off of trying this out.

I'm a PP on this thread. I have lost 30 pounds since the end of October. The medication doesn't work for everyone, but when it does, the results can be amazing. There are, however, real side effects--such as constipation and no longer enjoying food and alcohol, in my case. I also have to supplement with vitamin B12 and I suspect I may be iron deficient (checking with PCP on that one). That's what happens when you eat substantially less food.

As for injecting myself, I have no problem. However, I did go through IVF so this is nothing in comparison.

PP, what was your original weight before the meds? TIA!

I was 203 pounds before the meds. My goal weight is 140.

To the PP asking about alcohol--my stomach just doesn't have room. The meds give you a full feeling; it's why you eat less. I just can't fill my stomach with liquid anymore, and it's impossible to get that "buzzed" feeling; but it's also hard for me to drink enough water. However, everyone reacts differently. Some people are able to drink as before. some people lose a taste for it, some people get sick, and some people find they get drunk very easily. For me, I get a sick feeling after one or two drinks.

PP, did you see a big difference going from 0.75 to 1 mg? The studies have been done on Wegovy, which is 2.4 mg. Ozempic goes only to 1 mg and I can't afford Wegovy.

[Anonymous]

I'm not the PP you quoted, but I've lost most of the weight I lost working up from .5 to 1.0 and now 1.7. 2.4 is way too hard on my system -- I took it twice and never again. I'm hoping to lose a bit more/maintain on 1.7, but if I'd stopped at 1.0, I'd still be 30+ pounds down (I'm 45 pounds down now).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Outside of calibrate how do you get this medicine covered by insurance? I was thrilled to finally find a local doctor that does medical weight loss that takes insurance but the pharmacy just called and said the wegovy prescription will not be covered. I called and they will only cover trulicity with a prior auth. Is it the same as wegovy assuming the prior auth goes through and is approved?

.pay out of pocket if needed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not the PP you quoted, but I've lost most of the weight I lost working up from .5 to 1.0 and now 1.7. 2.4 is way too hard on my system -- I took it twice and never again. I'm hoping to lose a bit more/maintain on 1.7, but if I'd stopped at 1.0, I'd still be 30+ pounds down (I'm 45 pounds down now).

Thank you for the response PP! So, I'm assuming you are on Wegovy, because O. goes only to 1. Is my understanding correct?

[Anonymous]

Yes. I'm on Wegovy through Calibrate.

Wegovy and Ozempic are the exact same medication, and the titration doses -- 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg are the exact same as well. Wegovy is also available in 1.7 and 2.4 mg, whereas Ozempic stops at 1.0. Wegovy was trialed/approved for weight loss, whereas Ozempic was trialed/approved for Type 2 diabetes. The manufacturer of both drugs (Novo Nordisk) is seeking FDA approval for 2.0 mg for Ozempic as well.

https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/ada-2021-novo-trumpets-data-higher-dose-ozempic-as-lilly-competitors-loom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't use Calibrate, how do you find a doctor willing to prescribe?

To the person who said they use the Rivas weight loss center in Md, how much does it cost and how often do you go? What do they offer other than a prescription?

And last, do these places (Calibrate/ Rivas) have diets that you follow? Just wondering if they work around significant food allergies.

I go to the Rivas center in Frederick, which is near where I live. They have other locations throughout Maryland. I pay $110 per injection, and the injections are weekly. So I pay $440 a month for the medication. They do not work with insurance. However, they have a direct pipeline to a pharmacy that provides the medication, so you never have to worry about shortages or insurance denial.

The center also goes over diet. it recommends intermittent fasting, with a focus on lean protein, vegetables, and reduced carbs. Each week you check in with the PA and talk about side effects, progress, diet, anything really. I'm not sure what happens after I reach my goal weight--perhaps they taper you off the medication? I know I can't afford to pay $440 a month for the rest of my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading some of these posts like the one above feels a little like an ad, and I’m surprised nobody has talked about what it’s like to inject yourself with a needle. Is that hard? For me that would be the biggest turn off of trying this out.

The needle is the size of a piece of thread and it's very short. I can barely feel it during the injection. It does not hurt, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't use Calibrate, how do you find a doctor willing to prescribe?

To the person who said they use the Rivas weight loss center in Md, how much does it cost and how often do you go? What do they offer other than a prescription?

And last, do these places (Calibrate/ Rivas) have diets that you follow? Just wondering if they work around significant food allergies.

I go to the Rivas center in Frederick, which is near where I live. They have other locations throughout Maryland. I pay $110 per injection, and the injections are weekly. So I pay $440 a month for the medication. They do not work with insurance. However, they have a direct pipeline to a pharmacy that provides the medication, so you never have to worry about shortages or insurance denial.

The center also goes over diet. it recommends intermittent fasting, with a focus on lean protein, vegetables, and reduced carbs. Each week you check in with the PA and talk about side effects, progress, diet, anything really. I'm not sure what happens after I reach my goal weight--perhaps they taper you off the medication? I know I can't afford to pay $440 a month for the rest of my life.

Do you have side effects from the injections? I was watching YouTube videos and some people stopped the injections due to side effects. I was almost ready to try it, but the side effects gave me pause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't use Calibrate, how do you find a doctor willing to prescribe?

To the person who said they use the Rivas weight loss center in Md, how much does it cost and how often do you go? What do they offer other than a prescription?

And last, do these places (Calibrate/ Rivas) have diets that you follow? Just wondering if they work around significant food allergies.

I go to the Rivas center in Frederick, which is near where I live. They have other locations throughout Maryland. I pay $110 per injection, and the injections are weekly. So I pay $440 a month for the medication. They do not work with insurance. However, they have a direct pipeline to a pharmacy that provides the medication, so you never have to worry about shortages or insurance denial.

The center also goes over diet. it recommends intermittent fasting, with a focus on lean protein, vegetables, and reduced carbs. Each week you check in with the PA and talk about side effects, progress, diet, anything really. I'm not sure what happens after I reach my goal weight--perhaps they taper you off the medication? I know I can't afford to pay $440 a month for the rest of my life.

Do you have side effects from the injections? I was watching YouTube videos and some people stopped the injections due to side effects. I was almost ready to try it, but the side effects gave me pause.

NP here. I am the OP who started the thread. I was very hesitant because of the side effects, but started in Oct with Calibrate and am I up to 1 mg dosing now with ease. I have had very few side effects - maybe a slight, slight bout of nausea once or twice that was cured quickly with a Pepcid Complete. My coach and dr both said that 95 % of the patients they see do not have side effects, and I luckily am one of those people. They start you on a very low dose, so you will know pretty quickly how well it agrees with you. But the odds are in your favor. Go for it! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP, how are you doing weight-wise?

I definitely have had side effects. I'd still take Wegovy. Nothing has been so extreme I've wanted to quit -- except I tried two weeks of 2.4 and that is too high for me. I'm back down to 1.7 and staying there for the foreseeable future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, how are you doing weight-wise?

I definitely have had side effects. I'd still take Wegovy. Nothing has been so extreme I've wanted to quit -- except I tried two weeks of 2.4 and that is too high for me. I'm back down to 1.7 and staying there for the foreseeable future.

I'm down 15 lbs, over 13 weeks. I started 1 mg about three weeks ago, after 6 weeks on .25 then 4 weeks on .5 - I've been taking it slow. It's been about a 1lb a week, but my coach pointed out that I made it through the entire holiday season and still lost weight, so I am happy about that. I definitely feel a marked decrease in my appetite since starting 1 mg, so I think the higher dose will work a little better for me. I am a little scared to try 1.7 & 2.4, but I'll do it once/if the 1mg starts to wear off.

It's just amazing how this medicine works. My brain isn't constantly telling me I'm hungry like it used to -- I feel like I know what a normal person's hunger cues are now! My entire life my brain and gut were just insatiable and now I can totally relax around food. Even my anxiety is better. Excited to see where this goes in the next few months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't use Calibrate, how do you find a doctor willing to prescribe?

To the person who said they use the Rivas weight loss center in Md, how much does it cost and how often do you go? What do they offer other than a prescription?

And last, do these places (Calibrate/ Rivas) have diets that you follow? Just wondering if they work around significant food allergies.

I go to the Rivas center in Frederick, which is near where I live. They have other locations throughout Maryland. I pay $110 per injection, and the injections are weekly. So I pay $440 a month for the medication. They do not work with insurance. However, they have a direct pipeline to a pharmacy that provides the medication, so you never have to worry about shortages or insurance denial.

The center also goes over diet. it recommends intermittent fasting, with a focus on lean protein, vegetables, and reduced carbs. Each week you check in with the PA and talk about side effects, progress, diet, anything really. I'm not sure what happens after I reach my goal weight--perhaps they taper you off the medication? I know I can't afford to pay $440 a month for the rest of my life.

Do you have side effects from the injections? I was watching YouTube videos and some people stopped the injections due to side effects. I was almost ready to try it, but the side effects gave me pause.

NP here. I am the OP who started the thread. I was very hesitant because of the side effects, but started in Oct with Calibrate and am I up to 1 mg dosing now with ease. I have had very few side effects - maybe a slight, slight bout of nausea once or twice that was cured quickly with a Pepcid Complete. My coach and dr both said that 95 % of the patients they see do not have side effects, and I luckily am one of those people. They start you on a very low dose, so you will know pretty quickly how well it agrees with you. But the odds are in your favor. Go for it! Good luck.

Thanks. I think I will give it a try. I can always stop if it doesn't agree with me.

[Anonymous]

Ok well, I was curious about wegovy because if this thread so I ordered it from alpha (online doctor) and it came fast and was cheap. I was scared of side effects so waited two weeks before I took first injection. Now I am five days in or so? And it really is incredible how I eat like a normal person instead of wanting to inhale everything and stuff myself. I’ve always been a big eater, have a huge appetite. Don’t know how it does this but would love to know. No side effects so far but I wouldn’t want to be on it for too long because I see a lot of pancreatitis on the Facebook group and that scares me.

[Anonymous]

I am 5 weeks in just started 0.5mg dose yesterday of Wegovy. I’m lucky that my insurance covered this with a prior Auth from my PCP. I have a $30 copay. I have definitely noticed a change in appetite. I feel full for the first time ever in my life. If I force myself past that full signal I end up very sick. I still have to listen to the signals though which I am not used to at all. I lost 15# within the first 3 weeks but that has plateaued, I’m hoping the increased dose will start the weight loss again. I started at 309 lbs so I have a lot of weight to lose and realistically this drug is not expected to get me there. I do hope for more than the 15% that is most common. I was hoping for faster weight loss but trying to be patient. I am doing Noom as well but when I started Noom my weight loss stopped so I wonder if that is Correlation or causation. The injections do not hurt at all as long as you let it come to room temp before injection. My first injection I actually thought It was faulty because I felt nothing at all.