Where are people getting Ozempic and what does it cost?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So -- is it that you eat less and thus lose weight? (that the meds make you want to eat less)?

Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, or GLP-1 RAs. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone, released in the gut in response to eating.

One role of GLP-1 is to prompt the body to produce more insulin, which reduces blood sugar (glucose). For that reason, health care providers have used semaglutide for more than 15 years to treat Type 2 diabetes.

But GLP-1 in higher amounts also interacts with the parts of the brain that suppress your appetite and signal you to feel full. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, it can cause significant weight loss — and a reduced risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease — in people who are obese or overweight.

Thank you.
So it makes you feel full so you don't eat as much?
In a sense it's still a "fewer calories in than out" diet, except that you would WANT fewer calories in?

[Anonymous]

^ or is it that the lower blood sugar in itself results in weight loss? and/or lower hunger levels?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My doctor has a weight loss specialist. I get my shots there. $550/month. Insurance doesn't cover it as I am only prediabetic.

I’m prediabetic, and insurance has been covering it for me for almost a year. My co-pay is $25/month. I pick it up at CVS and give myself the injection once a week.

You are lucky. Sadly my insurance (MD blue cross carefirst) does not cover it. But $550/month is worth it to me.

Are you still prediabetic after a year? I am wondering what impact it will have on by A1c levels. I've only been on it for 2 months so haven't done a new blood test yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So -- is it that you eat less and thus lose weight? (that the meds make you want to eat less)?

Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonists, or GLP-1 RAs. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone, released in the gut in response to eating.

One role of GLP-1 is to prompt the body to produce more insulin, which reduces blood sugar (glucose). For that reason, health care providers have used semaglutide for more than 15 years to treat Type 2 diabetes.

But GLP-1 in higher amounts also interacts with the parts of the brain that suppress your appetite and signal you to feel full. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, it can cause significant weight loss — and a reduced risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease — in people who are obese or overweight.

Thank you.
So it makes you feel full so you don't eat as much?
In a sense it's still a "fewer calories in than out" diet, except that you would WANT fewer calories in?

DP, but that's basically how it works for me. Not only are you not hungry, but eating too much can make you feel nauseous. So I don't do that too often! I do have to make sure I am getting enough protein with the calories I am eating. I almost have to force myself to eat sometimes.

[Anonymous]

I need to lose 20 lbs and am considering this. Most of the excess weight is due to an SSRI so I sort of feel like if I jacked up my metabolism with medication one way, might as well take medication to fix that.

As a side note - I HOPE they start doing research on prescribing weight loss meds to prevent SSRI weight gain.

[Anonymous]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cqs8tfXJSo_/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I need to lose 20 lbs and am considering this. Most of the excess weight is due to an SSRI so I sort of feel like if I jacked up my metabolism with medication one way, might as well take medication to fix that.

As a side note - I HOPE they start doing research on prescribing weight loss meds to prevent SSRI weight gain.

Same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask your primary doctor to write you an rx (I said to my doc, "I'd like to try one of those new weight loss injectable drugs"). Get the coupon from Wegovy from their website (you have to enter your personal info), go to pharmacy, and fill

It's. That. Easy.

Don't pay extra admin costs through one of those websites. If your doc won't wrote the rx, go to another doc who will. I was on the edge, needed to lose 25 pounds, want to lose 30-35, no diabetes, BMI was 29, blood pressure a little high. Wegovy costs me $25 a month

And, it's not so magical/quick for everyone. The first dose, .25 did nothing for me (first 4 weeks). Same for .50, the second dose (second 4 weeks). Up to dose of 1 now, and finally losing (weeks 9-12). And yes, I've been eating healthy and tracking calories (I use the free app, lose it). You can't rush it, you have to titrate (up your dose) slowly, or you can suffer nasty side effects, fortunately I've had none of those.

Does your insurance cover it? Because I can tell you that even with their coupon, it’s above $1k for me as my insurance won’t cover it except for diabetics. If your insurance doesn’t cover it and you’re getting it for $25/mo, I want to know how you did that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was prescribed Metformin and it has taken off 15 lbs. in two months, along with exercise. I have less of an appetite. It is much cheaper than Ozempic with fewer side effects. 3x/day pill.

+1

Ozempic is expensive, has lots of side effects, have to worry about pancreatic cancer and good luck finding it. It didn't do much for me and I worked out and definitely ate less. I felt very tired and sick most of the time with unending diarrhea. I stayed on a low dose for a long time because of the side effects. Eventually got up to 1 mg and couldn't deal with the side effects. I hear more success with metformin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cqs8tfXJSo_/

I don't take medical or diet advice from a failed DJ.

[Anonymous]

I've been on it since last august and have lost 50 lbs so far (25 more to go). My insurance covered it (UHC) but I just switched jobs and I hope Cigna covers it too. I feel like I can eat a lot less and not be completely miserable and think about food all the time. I am doing weight watchers at the same time to give me parameters and allow me to switch my thinking about food. So far it's been life-changing. I was able to get off BP mds and cholesterol meds.

I just wish people would have more compassion for people with obesity and realize that a lot of the times it's so much more than "just eating less."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was prescribed Metformin and it has taken off 15 lbs. in two months, along with exercise. I have less of an appetite. It is much cheaper than Ozempic with fewer side effects. 3x/day pill.

+1

Ozempic is expensive, has lots of side effects, have to worry about pancreatic cancer and good luck finding it. It didn't do much for me and I worked out and definitely ate less. I felt very tired and sick most of the time with unending diarrhea. I stayed on a low dose for a long time because of the side effects. Eventually got up to 1 mg and couldn't deal with the side effects. I hear more success with metformin.

Metformin is useless for most. Well except it will have you with some serious digestive issues. But it in no way works like Ozempic/Wegovy.

[Anonymous]

I'm pre-diabetic with a BMI of 32. My GP wouldn't prescribe because she didn't know enough about it (strongly implied she had no plans to learn and considered it a vanity thing). She referred me to a weight loss clinic but their first appointment was 6 mos out after I had waited 2 mos to see the GP.

So I signed up with one of those services. They are unpopular but so far I haven't had any serious issues, knock wood. I cleaned up my diet and sleep habits while I waited for the prescription to come through, but I only lost a couple pounds doing that because I already ate pretty well. I'm in week 2 of Ozempic and dropped 7 lbs since starting. BCBS covered it at my $35 copay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was prescribed Metformin and it has taken off 15 lbs. in two months, along with exercise. I have less of an appetite. It is much cheaper than Ozempic with fewer side effects. 3x/day pill.

+1

Ozempic is expensive, has lots of side effects, have to worry about pancreatic cancer and good luck finding it. It didn't do much for me and I worked out and definitely ate less. I felt very tired and sick most of the time with unending diarrhea. I stayed on a low dose for a long time because of the side effects. Eventually got up to 1 mg and couldn't deal with the side effects. I hear more success with metformin.

Metformin is useless for most. Well except it will have you with some serious digestive issues. But it in no way works like Ozempic/Wegovy.

NP. It's working great for me. I take it with food, and it curbs my appetite tremendously. No digestive issues. Ten pounds down in two months.

BTW, there are also digestive issues with Ozempic/Wegovy/Mounjaro, etc. I follow the FB group and they comment daily about crapping their pants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been on it since last august and have lost 50 lbs so far (25 more to go). My insurance covered it (UHC) but I just switched jobs and I hope Cigna covers it too. I feel like I can eat a lot less and not be completely miserable and think about food all the time. I am doing weight watchers at the same time to give me parameters and allow me to switch my thinking about food. So far it's been life-changing. I was able to get off BP mds and cholesterol meds.

I just wish people would have more compassion for people with obesity and realize that a lot of the times it's so much more than "just eating less."

Cigna does not cover it. My doctor prescribed it to me (not diabetic) and Cigna would not cover it. I am in the same boat you are. My old insurance (BCBS) covered it - I lost about 70 lbs and still have a bit more to go. We are now on my husband's insurance (Cigna) and they won't cover it.