Sick Visit - Ozempic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pp’s talking about how they had prediabetes and going ozempic in 2021 are not relevant today in 2023. There is a shortage and doctors aren’t just writing prescriptions Willy Nilly anymore. First you’ll struggle getting the script, then getting insurance to pay, then finding a pharmacy who will actually fill it for you. Lots of pharmacies are gatekeeping ozempic and unless your prescription has a TD2 code, they know you’re not diabetic and you won’t be a priority.

NP. That hasn't been my experience in spring 2023. I'm prediabetic, BMI=36, and was given a prescription and insurance coverage without issue. I've lost negligible weight but my A1C has improved. All of my weight gain was in the past 2 years. I don't know if that matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lmaooooo sounds like someone wants ozempic to lose the baby weight! Good luck. Insurance companies have started cracking down and as of July and august, they are requiring prior authorizations unless you are diabetic. Also, if you have pre diabetes, the first medication is metformin. If you manage to get a prescription, good luck getting insurance to cover anything other than a 1 month courtesy fill, before asking for a prior authorization. Next month you’ll full pay and it will be over $1000. Leave the diabetes medication for diabetics. If you are soooooooo concerned about your prediabetes, ask for metformin, but I’m sure you’re mostly only concerned about the baby weight.

+1 yep exactly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My post-partum blood work came back and my A1C is still firmly in pre-diabetes range (had gestational diabetes with both kids). My PCP is booking out for annual visits until next summer. Can I book a sick visit to ask for Ozempic?

You don't ASK for a med, you get what you need prescribed if you need it. Sounds like this is an excuse to use it to lose weight.

Ozempic/Wegovy are used for managing prediabetics, dummy.

So is metformin.

[Anonymous]

This country is so screwed up with absolutely no priority placed on prevention. OP, good for you to trying to get a handle on your health. Whether you want the Ozempic actually for the pre-diabetes or for excess weight, both are sound reasons. For all the shrews trying to make OP feel bad for wanting to lose weight with Ozempic - get a life. This stupid country and these predatory insurance companies would rather people get diabetes and need medication than avoid it in the first place. It's nuts. Overweight/obesity is a massive public health crisis and should be addressed as aggressively as any other dangerous health condition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My post-partum blood work came back and my A1C is still firmly in pre-diabetes range (had gestational diabetes with both kids). My PCP is booking out for annual visits until next summer. Can I book a sick visit to ask for Ozempic?

You don't ASK for a med, you get what you need prescribed if you need it. Sounds like this is an excuse to use it to lose weight.

Ozempic/Wegovy are used for managing prediabetics, dummy.

No kidding but you dont ASK for a specific medicine. You ask to be seen if you are not well.

You can certainly ask for a medication. Patients have autonomy and can certainly ask for a medication or treatment. That doesn't mean the physician is obligated to prescribe it, but they are obligated to listen to the patient and explain why any given medication or treatment may or may not be appropriate. Likewise, if a physician wants to prescribe a medication, it's their duty to explain the medication and why they're recommending it to the patient, and it's ultimately the patient's decision whether to take the medicine or ask for something else.

This entire "you do what you're told" attitude that you and some others suggest is incredibly outdated, inconsistent with patient autonomy, and inconsistent with informed consent. The 1960s are long gone.

[Anonymous]

I asked about Ozempic today.

Diabetic and obese.

Nope, I'm not a candidate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked about Ozempic today.

Diabetic and obese.

Nope, I'm not a candidate.

Why not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pp’s talking about how they had prediabetes and going ozempic in 2021 are not relevant today in 2023. There is a shortage and doctors aren’t just writing prescriptions Willy Nilly anymore. First you’ll struggle getting the script, then getting insurance to pay, then finding a pharmacy who will actually fill it for you. Lots of pharmacies are gatekeeping ozempic and unless your prescription has a TD2 code, they know you’re not diabetic and you won’t be a priority.

NP. That hasn't been my experience in spring 2023. I'm prediabetic, BMI=36, and was given a prescription and insurance coverage without issue. I've lost negligible weight but my A1C has improved. All of my weight gain was in the past 2 years. I don't know if that matters.

Insurance companies have changed their formularies in June and July, due to shortages. I know this because I’m diabetic and I’ve been following the shortages. BCBS is especially cracking down on non-diabetic use of ozempic.

[Anonymous]

Like others have said, metformin is a first line of defense for pre diabetes and probably what a doctor will turn to. OP probably has heard of ozempic because it’s in the news, and may be unaware of metformin.

OP, did the practice do a two hour glucose tolerance test? That’s way more indicative of pre diabetes/diabetes than an A1C postpartum with GD. It’s the standard protocol after GD postpartum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked about Ozempic today.

Diabetic and obese.

Nope, I'm not a candidate.

Why not?

OP might have type 1.

Or as I said before they will start on metformin and see if that works before prescribing a semiglutide

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked about Ozempic today.

Diabetic and obese.

Nope, I'm not a candidate.

Not a candidate for the medication or not a candidate for coverage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This country is so screwed up with absolutely no priority placed on prevention. OP, good for you to trying to get a handle on your health. Whether you want the Ozempic actually for the pre-diabetes or for excess weight, both are sound reasons. For all the shrews trying to make OP feel bad for wanting to lose weight with Ozempic - get a life. This stupid country and these predatory insurance companies would rather people get diabetes and need medication than avoid it in the first place. It's nuts. Overweight/obesity is a massive public health crisis and should be addressed as aggressively as any other dangerous health condition.

Ok, but OP just had her first postpartum visit. So that makes her what..1-2 months after just having a baby and having GD? No Dr is going to write for ozempic this soon after having a baby bc you are “pre-diabetic” You aren’t diabetic, so treatment isn’t dire. This can be controlled with diet, exercise, and time. If some more time elapses and it cannot, then the Dr will be willing to explore pharmaceuticals. But give your body some time. You already have moved from diabetic to pre diabetic so you are headed in right direction.

Give your body some time and work on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked about Ozempic today.

Diabetic and obese.

Nope, I'm not a candidate.

Why not?

OP might have type 1.

Or as I said before they will start on metformin and see if that works before prescribing a semiglutide

OP said her numbers were prediabetic. People with type I diabetes have very different lab numbers than those in the prediabetic category

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This country is so screwed up with absolutely no priority placed on prevention. OP, good for you to trying to get a handle on your health. Whether you want the Ozempic actually for the pre-diabetes or for excess weight, both are sound reasons. For all the shrews trying to make OP feel bad for wanting to lose weight with Ozempic - get a life. This stupid country and these predatory insurance companies would rather people get diabetes and need medication than avoid it in the first place. It's nuts. Overweight/obesity is a massive public health crisis and should be addressed as aggressively as any other dangerous health condition.

Ok, but OP just had her first postpartum visit. So that makes her what..1-2 months after just having a baby and having GD? No Dr is going to write for ozempic this soon after having a baby bc you are “pre-diabetic” You aren’t diabetic, so treatment isn’t dire. This can be controlled with diet, exercise, and time. If some more time elapses and it cannot, then the Dr will be willing to explore pharmaceuticals. But give your body some time. You already have moved from diabetic to pre diabetic so you are headed in right direction.

Give your body some time and work on it.

+1

Everyone just wants that quick fix. That’s not the way to long-term health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked about Ozempic today.

Diabetic and obese.

Nope, I'm not a candidate.

Why not?

I have complications from diabetes (T2) that could be worsened by Ozempic. Diabetic Retinopathy.
My numbers aren't even that high. A1C has been 6.6 - 6.8 for the past 2 years.