Anonymous wrote:Was surprised today when at my doctors visit, my doctor said I could be prescribed Zepbound if I wanted it because I have co-morbidities (pre diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol) with BMI at 27. I have heard stories of people losing massive amounts of weight with GLP-1s, but fewer stories of people with less weight to lose. Can anyone share their experiences? I am very afraid of the side effects, and if it were just for weight loss I don't think I would do it. However, diabetes and hypertension and heart disease run in my family. At 50, I am also concerned about cognitive decline and I have heard that these drugs can be neuro-protective, so that is really appealing.

I currently exercise, but also am a stress eater and have not managed to break that habit on my own. Can anyone share their experiences on these drugs for moderate weight loss? I plan to follow up with the doc at next visit, but didn't have time to ask all the questions I had. Do you stay at a lower dose for lower BMI? Are there fewer side effects at lower dose? What happens when you reach BMI 24.9? Does insurance no longer cover and you go off of it or pay for it on your own? Thanks in advance!

I started at BMI of 30.6. Insurance would not cover so I pay cash via LillyDirect pharmacy (my doc sends the rx there, I get a text to check out and pay and it’s typically overnighted to my door).

I have been extraordinarily responsive to this medication. I lost something like 8 pounds the first month and I stayed on the lowest dose for a month longer than typically recommended. I started May 1 and I’m down 25 pounds (BMI now 26, I’m approaching my goal weight). I’m still on the second dose which is technically not even a therapeutic dose but it works for me. Some people do not experience therapeutic effects until higher doses, I don’t think it’s BMI dependent. Each month I have a check in with my doc and we discuss progress, how I’m feeling, etc and make a decision together whether to stay on current dose or move up. Her position is if I’m making good progress and feel good, to keep it as a lower dose.. I definitely noticed a diminishing effect after a couple of months on the lowest dose and moved up at that time.

My side effects have been minimal. The first few months I had mild queasiness the day after the shot and a mild headache, both usually gone within 24 hours. I have always struggled with constipation so I make a concerted effort to get enough fiber, water, and physical movement. My one persistent side effect is I’ve been more “burpy” especially noticeable the ~24 hours following a shot.

Something I wasn’t prepared for was the cycle of appetite suppression. The first day or so after shot day I don’t want to eat a thing and it is a focused effort to get adequate nutrition (I try really really hard to hit 100g of protein a day. I use liquid supplements to help). The next couple of days I can eat easier but I’m not exactly hungry. The last 36 hours or so before the shot I feel like I can eat more “normally” and I need to be more planful in making sure I have nutritious meals or easy to grab things ready.

I hope this helps! I know there are lots of horror stories about side effects and I was very worried myself but honestly it’s been a dream. I still exercise, I still focus on nutrition but I’m so much more in control in situations I used to not be (social events, restaurants, etc) and I’m very motivated bc for the first time in my adult life my efforts have observable results.

I believe insurance coverage (if you get it) is based on starting BMI so you wouldn’t lose it once you’ve lost weight.

Anonymous wrote:I have a prescription for Zepbound from my PCP but Kaiser won’t cover it for lower BMI. Is there anywhere near or online I can get it compounded? $1150 a month without insurance.

I’m doing Zepbound out of pocket using LillyDirect as the pharmacy and it’s less than half that. The first starter dose is $349 and the rest of the doses are $499. I also save the little bit on the bottom of the vials and I can usually get 5 injections instead of 4 from a “one months supply” (my physician is the one who suggested I try that).

Mine was through Lilly Direct (online) with dr submitting the prescription. Paid $380/month supply of 2.5mg dose. BMI under 30 with comorbidities but insurance didn’t cover it. Have lost weight, feel great, and last round of labs showed the best numbers I’ve had in a long time. To me, the out of pocket expense is 100% worth it.

I have a prescription for Zepbound from my PCP but Kaiser won’t cover it for lower BMI. Is there anywhere near or online I can get it compounded? $1150 a month without insurance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just double check your insurance. Mine won't cover prescription for comorbitites unless I have a BMI over 30. Once you figure that out you can just stay on the starter dose. I have been on 2.5 for over a year. I don't have side effects but I am now off my high blood pressure medication!

Has your insurer been willing to cover after your BMI dropped below 30?

I wasn't over 30 when I began. I started at 26 and am now at 23.

I am just waiting out the formulary for next year to see if anything changes with my insurance.

Anonymous wrote:Just double check your insurance. Mine won't cover prescription for comorbitites unless I have a BMI over 30. Once you figure that out you can just stay on the starter dose. I have been on 2.5 for over a year. I don't have side effects but I am now off my high blood pressure medication!

Has your insurer been willing to cover after your BMI dropped below 30?

Just double check your insurance. Mine won't cover prescription for comorbitites unless I have a BMI over 30. Once you figure that out you can just stay on the starter dose. I have been on 2.5 for over a year. I don't have side effects but I am now off my high blood pressure medication!

Anonymous wrote:I’m about 5’4” 145. I used Zepbound to takeoff about 10 pounds. I think it’s magical

I definitely had nausea and you really have to make an effort to eat a lot of fiber, but not only did. I lose weight really quickly, it’s the only time in my entire life that I haven’t had food on my mind every second of the day

There are long periods of time when I kind of forget about food and that is such a novelty to me. It makes it much easier to manage my way once I stop the meds

It took me about three weeks on the base dose to lose about 12 pounds

It feels like I’m going to need about one dose a month to maintain? Or maybe this was my last dose? Only time will tell.

The idea of forgetting about food sounds fantastic. I decided to give it a try, but I leave for vacation next week and trying to decide whether to get it filled before or after. I think I will wait because being nauseated on vacation is not appealing.

I’m about 5’4” 145. I used Zepbound to takeoff about 10 pounds. I think it’s magical

I definitely had nausea and you really have to make an effort to eat a lot of fiber, but not only did. I lose weight really quickly, it’s the only time in my entire life that I haven’t had food on my mind every second of the day

There are long periods of time when I kind of forget about food and that is such a novelty to me. It makes it much easier to manage my way once I stop the meds

It took me about three weeks on the base dose to lose about 12 pounds

It feels like I’m going to need about one dose a month to maintain? Or maybe this was my last dose? Only time will tell.

I’m around BMI 24, and currently on 2.5mg. It’s only been a week, but no side effects so far, and I feel great! I plan to use it until I’m around BMI 20.

OP again, sorry I know there are a lot of posts about this, but it seems that most people who don't have a lot to lose are using microdoses from compound pharmacies, whereas I have to get the regular min prescribed by the doc and allowed by insurance. Curious about those with similar profile

Was surprised today when at my doctors visit, my doctor said I could be prescribed Zepbound if I wanted it because I have co-morbidities (pre diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol) with BMI at 27. I have heard stories of people losing massive amounts of weight with GLP-1s, but fewer stories of people with less weight to lose. Can anyone share their experiences? I am very afraid of the side effects, and if it were just for weight loss I don't think I would do it. However, diabetes and hypertension and heart disease run in my family. At 50, I am also concerned about cognitive decline and I have heard that these drugs can be neuro-protective, so that is really appealing.

I currently exercise, but also am a stress eater and have not managed to break that habit on my own. Can anyone share their experiences on these drugs for moderate weight loss? I plan to follow up with the doc at next visit, but didn't have time to ask all the questions I had. Do you stay at a lower dose for lower BMI? Are there fewer side effects at lower dose? What happens when you reach BMI 24.9? Does insurance no longer cover and you go off of it or pay for it on your own? Thanks in advance!