Wagovy/Ozempic - anyone else on these?

Oh my gosh! Thank you for this thread! I’ve been considering asking my doctor about this but honestly have been shamed by my family for so long for being fat/lazy (54F, 5’4”, 240 lbs). I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life, including the 10 years I was active duty military. I was a runner, watched what I ate, worked out…nothing helped. I couldn’t lose the weight. U/shmoobel’s comments about constant hunger, food noise, and emotional eating are spot-on a description of me. Knowing there are others out there going through the same thing I have been going through/am going through has helped me decide to call a doctor on Monday. Thank you!!

Been using Zepbound since February. Just cracked the 50lbs lost mark. I'm a 50 year old dude that's struggled with my weight my whole life. These meds are a game changer and anyone that says they are cheating can fuck right off

I used tirzepatide for weight loss. I lost 37 lbs in six months and completely overhauled my lifestyle in the process.

I'm eating fruits and vegetables for the first time in my life (and enjoying them!), no more fast food, red meat, fried foods, very little sweets.

I go to the gym 3x/week and exercise at home the other days. I have more energy, less stomach issues, and my cholesterol levels are back to normal.

A lot of people dismiss GLP-1 inhibitors as a lazy way out but unless you've dealt with constant hunger, food noise, and emotional eating, you simply can't understand how important these meds are. I'm 49 years old and I'm the healthiest I've been in years (and superficially, I look better than ever).

My doc prescribed Ozempic for me, but I am not diabetic. My insurance would not cover it and pharmacies around me want around $1,000 per month for it! The cost is prohibitive

I think the tops I could pay is around $200 per month. In the meantime, I'll work on controlling my intake.

Not I, but someone I know well is on it. She’s down 65lbs in about 6months and feels great. The cost sucks though

I’ve lost 105lbs. I have 5lbs left and super happy, shocked and grateful. I paid a lot of money for this medication and I’d do it all over again. Goodbye to the 2 BP meds, cholesterol med, elevated A1C, pre diabetes and all those clothes I tried to hide in. Life is better!

I started on Ozempic and moved to Wegovy, same stuff, different brand. I wasn't always heavy but as the years came on, so did the pounds. I could take off a few with calorie restriction but I always put them back on. I felt like I was always on a diet and not getting results. My main issue is portion control and being ravenous most of the time, plus I have a sedentary WFH job. The shots have been a miracle drug for me, I can now successfully "diet" and see results for a change. I have better eating habits, use an app to log my foods, and try to eat unprocessed whole foods. I am 54F, 5'2", down to 123lbs from 190lbs (granted I got the first 10lbs off by myself). It's been about 10 months on the drugs with no side effects and I am so happy with my progress. I have more lifestyle changes to make, like getting into the gym, but I walk a few miles a day with my dog. I am a little concerned with what it will be like to maintain after the drugs stop. I asked my doctor about the drugs and my insurance actually covered it.

My husband was on Saxenda. Our insurance stopped covering that one, so his Dr switched him to Ozempic. They covered it because it's for diabetes - my husband is only pre-diabetic, so can no longer get it.

This was his experience. He is about 5'9" - he had stayed at around 200-220 for years, but had some hormone problems that made him gain about 5 lbs a month no matter how little he ate. Once resolved, the weight didn't want to go off. He got up to 290 - the Saxenda helped him get down to about 240.

The Ozempic at 5mg/week took him quickly from 240 to 185 - probably a year. He also cut out all sugar and a lot of other things.

Then, he had a big spinal surgery - 4-level fusion. They wanted him to go off Ozempic for a week before and a week after, then they didn't want him to diet for awhile so that he could build his bones back. He went up to about 225 again even while taking the Ozempic.

He stayed there for awhile - the Ozempic didn't seem to make any difference. His dr didn't want to increase it. He finally started to slowly drop a little, but this was due to following better habits I think - I don't believe the Ozempic works for him anymore at this dosage, which is a mute point because we can't afford to pay for it or Wegovy out of pocket.

Just a warning that this really does seem to be a lifelong medication rather than fix things and you're done.

I take wegovy, been on it a year, lost 37 pounds. Starting weight was under 200, ‘5”9. I went through a few surgeries that rendered me bed ridden for nearly 2 years. I tried traditional weight loss methods, counted calories, walked 5 days a week and did weight training, after working with my dr for over 6 months, she suggested wegovy. It has been life changing for me. I get particularly salty when people bash it or ozempic, these drugs have been villainized by the media and yet study after study show the benefits reach far beyond weight loss, massive reductions in heart disease, reduction in diabetes, cancer, and now they are being studied to aid in addiction recovery. Why people look down at others for taking medication to help Lose weight I’ll never understand, nobody is winning awards for struggling the most on their weight loss and or healthy living journey.

Life changing medication. On a maintenance dose of Mounjaro now after two years and 85 lbs lost. I take it every two weeks and will do so forever. I’m a huge advocate.

I’m into my third month of Wegovy through Sequence.

I’ve been working with a personal trainer who also helps me with diet plans. We’ve completely overhauled my diet and I am no longer susceptible to food noise nor do I snack aimlessly.

My starting weight was 238 lb. and I’m now 222 at 5’10”.

My worst side effect has been dry mouth. I’m drinking at least 90 oz. of water everyday. Going to the bathroom multiple times a day at work sucks but Wegovy has been instrumental in teaching me how to respect food. I look back and cannot believe how much I used to eat, especially when dining out: apps, cocktails, mains and dessert! Now I feel satisfied with just a main and actually leave something on the plate.

Yep 50 pounds down and super happy this medication exists. I’ve lost and gained those 50 pounds so many times in my life. Keeping it off this time.

I've tried but can't get insurance to cover it. I don't have a high aic, just fat and cholesterol but they won't approve it for that.

My doctor recommended Wegovy and Zepbound, but my insurance refuses to cover either one. The irony is that my insurance would approve it only if I had actual diabetes or a similar long-term condition.

My doctor put me on Ozempic for diabetes and it made me too sick to function. I really tried to stick with it, for months, because it was lowering my A1C. But I just couldn’t live that way. I could barely work, I couldn’t enjoy day-to-day life.

I didn’t lose any real weight though. I lost seven pounds, probably mostly water weight from being sick. I gained it back in less than a week after stopping.

I’m on trulicity for diabetes. It’s in the same class but it doesn’t help you lose weight. It keeps my a1c at pre-diabetic levels. But it is causing me to lose my hair.

I‘d already went through my post-menopausal hair thinning before starting Trulicity. This is different. It’s female pattern baldness of the front and crown of the head. All of these drugs (Ozempic, Trulicity, Wagovy, Mounjaro) have this potential side effect. It was not noted in approval trials but encountered in real life. It’s seen more in women but that could be because men expect to lose their hair. Women don’t.

I’m on wegovy. I qualified because of high cholesterol. I’m not sure exactly how much weight I lost. I don’t own a scale. However clothes are fitting better, my face/body looks smaller in pictures. I still eat but drastically less. Sometimes I go hours without eating and I’m fine. The side effects were bad at first- but now I divide my weekly dose in half and it has helped tremendously.

I was pre-diabetic. I got on Mounjaro when it first came out, and you could use a coupon that made it $20.

With over changes, I lost over 100 lbs in 9 months and brought my A1C levels back to normal. When the coupon ran out, and it wasn't covered In switched to ozempic. It worked, but not as well.

Then my insurance stopped covering that as well.

For me, these medications made doing the other things - eating right, and exercise - possible and effective. They don't do much on their own.

I've been on tirzepatide (generic for Zepbound) for 4 months and have lost 40 lbs so far. It's been amazing. Used to be no matter how much I ate and how stuffed I felt I would be ravenously hungry again within 2 to 3 hrs but now actually stay feeling full and get full easier. I haven't changed anything else. I was going to the gym 4 times a week before and still do. I eat whatever I want but I'm eating far less and less often. I get mine through a pharmacy in town so I pay less than $200 a month and it easily is paying for itself with my reduced food budget.

I suffer from depression and anxiety, but not diabetes. I lost 60 pounds, 3years ago and have kept consistent with that, but I can't seem to lose the last 20 to get me below "obese" range. Not sure if I would be eligible for these, but I think it would be helpful. I eat too much crap when I'm struggling with anxiety/depression.

I just started it and can tell it is going to help immensely! I was already active, eating well, etc... I'm so glad there are others that understand obesity is more than just being lazy and eating too much.

Yep. Down 35 lbs, made significant changes to diet. Looking forward to adding more exercise once I get hip surgery.

WeGovy has saved my life. I was 220, now 165 over a year later.

I had fantastic results with Ozempic, I dropped fifty pounds in four months, but getting insurance to consistently cover was a losing battle. Now we have Mounjaro which is a different formulation and specifically cleared for obesity treatment and I’m still fighting with insurance.

I imagine there will comments criticizing people using the semaglutides like the ones you mentioned who are not diabetic. Obesity and Type 2 diabetes have a strong correlation so it’s in everyone’s interest to embrace avoidance treatment instead of waiting for more permanent harm to happen. A point I keep making to my insurance company who apparently would rather save a few dollars now instead of not spending thousands later.

Did it for awhile. Got pancreatitis at the same time. I quit, but not 100% sure it was related.

Heck ya! Love the stuff.

I'm on tirzepatide (both Zepbound and the compound).

Been on it for 6 months. Have lost 53 lbs.

This stuff is damned amazing. I feel amazing, have lost a ton of weight (more to go). I have energy, feel great, amazing attitude and my sex life is back! Oh, my doc took me off a BP med last week as well.

Here's my regimend:

* Targeting 1300-1500 calories a day; Tracking them on an app; Not precise but close enough
* 100 oz water a day (that's key!)
* 100 gms protein a day
* Eating: Eggs, Yogurt, Chicken, Fruits, Veggies. Some beef.
* Reward myself weekly with a cheese burger or chicken sandwich from CFA
* Skipping desert most of the time; occasional reward though not out of the question
* Getting 6-8 hours of sleep a night

There are some side effects, everyone is different. Drinking plenty of water is key to minimizing them.

Major downside is the cost. Currently my insurance is covering Zepbound, but my Dr has warned me that could change. If I go the compound route, I'm paying about $350 a month for the med. Though I will point out, I'm eating less, not going through drive-through for myself and not going out to eat anywhere near as much, so that's all savings that helps offset the cost of the compound.

There's several reddit channels dedicated to the stuff. Check them out!

I'm on Zepbound. 18lbs in 8 weeks.

I'd love to try it. I have a digestive problem and one of the side effects is that I never feel full. I need to be careful to never wonder if I am hungry because my body will *always* respond by feeling hungry. Despite that, after my condition got diagnosed my weight hasn't been terrible. An injury that left me bedridden long term lead to some big weight gain, but I've slowly peeled off about 50 pounds since then. Based on what I know about Ozempic I should be a candidate for it, but I am pretty sure if I ask for it I wont be taken seriously. The last two times I needed medical help I wasn't take seriously. So, I haven't even tried.

It's taken me years to recover from my serious injury and lose the weight. Managing my digestive problems is constant work. But I can't get doctors to ever take my seriously. I can't even get a referral to see a gastro again even though my digestive problems are a huge part of my daily life and I haven't seen one since 2002.

I’m sure there are subs dedicated exclusively to these meds.

I was on wegovy for weight loss for about six months and did great with it, but then my insurance company stopped covering it and I can’t afford to pay out of pocket.

Lost nothing from several rounds of oxempic. But developed a super fun ulcer a few months later and have lost 40 pounds in 3 months.

I really thought I would do anything to lose weight, but now I am so sick and with no energy, I can't enjoy any weight loss. Also doing more testing to see further damage.

So, I guess it's a be careful what you wish for type thing.

I was on Ozempic for diabetes. Had 1-2 days a week where my arse went completely nuclear, couldn't be more than 2 mins away from a toilet. Doctors kept saying to keep at it a bit longer until the 'side effects' settled. Finally started happening and I felt okay and bam.... no more supply of Ozempic available.

So, a few months later when I could actually get my script filled I decided I wouldn't be going back to square 1. It's absolutely worthless for real medical issues unless you can be guaranteed a continuous supply.

Yes! Just started at the end of May and lost 13lbs so far. I've been really happy with the results.

I am actually talking to my doctor in a couple of weeks about starting one of those. I struggle with my weight because of PCOS and now I need a hip replacement because of severe osteoarthritis. They won't do the surgery until I've lost at least 50 pounds though. The combination of PCOS and not really being able to exercise because of the pain every time I move really makes me super worried I'll never be able to have the surgery. I don't know if the drugs will work but I have to hope they will, living like this really sucks.

I used wegovy. I had lost 60 pounds. I’m off it now because my gallbladder went kaput and caused pancreatitis, so my pcp said no more wegovy (it had nothing to do with the wegovy. Gallbladder issues are in my family). I have lost another 20 pounds since feb of this year. After five years of keeping a food log,exercising and a nutritionist, it was wegovy that gave me the kickstart I needed. Also, I would still be on it to be clear. It saved me. I don’t get all the hate and my insurance covered it so I fortunate to only have to a copay.

I'm on ozempic for diabetes and the weight loss is a bonus.

My A1c went 7 to 5.7 to 5.5 (which is great). I've lost about 20 to 27 pounds. Minimal side effects. I have to take a vitamin and B12 or I feel exhausted.

If get back to my prior exercise routine I could probably drop more.

I started with Wegovy lost 20lbs but had bad GI issues. Switched to Zepbound, down another 20 and absolutely zero side effects.

Yes, and it’s life changing! I’m actually a type 2 diabetic and I take Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Tomorrow will mark 15 months on the medication and I’ve lost 92 lbs. It’s been a fantastic experience for me personally, as I’ve been fortunate enough not to have any side effects at all really, aside from some periodic constipation if I don’t keep up my fluid intake. I’m so grateful for these meds.

I’ve just been taken off Trulicity and put on Ozempic for diabetes.

I’m on compounded tirzepatide and I’m down 13lbs in 4 weeks. No negative side effects, better sleep, more energy, less brain fog…it’s been amazing!

I am on Wegovy. I lost 26 lbs. this far. It helps the cravings. I also have MS and am on meds that cause weight gain. And I cannot do hardcore exercise. The Wegovy helps me along with healthier eating and the exercise I can do!

Congrats to you for your journey so far!!

Here’s the thing I’ve seen from friends and family members. Once you’re off it all those urges to eat come back over time. It’s not a temporary drug, it’s a long term medicine. That being said that quiet you get to experience in your brain while you’re on it is totally worth taking it for.

YES. It’s been a goddamn miracle. I started December 15th at 205 pounds, I literally just took my last shot yesterday and I’m currently 160. I just turned 53 and I’m 6 foot tall female. I have no idea what’s going to happen when I’m left my own devices. Turning off the food noise has been a goddamn miracle.

I'm glad it worked for you. I really cannot fault you for what works for you. My only real problem with this class of drugs is more about equity and justice. Under our current system, we cannot give these drugs to everyone who needs them, Instead, we give them only to people that can afford them.

Started it, felt hope, could never find it again.

I was taking Trulicity (after fighting with insurance because nothing else was helping me get my blood sugar down) and it did great…when I could actually GET it.

I would start it, then be forced to stop because I couldn’t get it, and then start it again, and stop it again. Last year a growth was spotted on my thyroid, but nobody seemed interested in that.

Anyway, I just tried to refill my prescription after being on it for well over a year, and once again the insurance company refused to cover it. I haven’t been able to fill the prescription for almost a month, because it has been unavailable.

In the meantime, my insulin dose has quadrupled (and I am still fighting to keep my blood sugar below 300), I’m insanely hungry and tired, and I’m battling chronic infections. I’m on a strict liquid diet because I can’t chew, and it’s miserable.

My sister (40) has been on Wagovy for a yr. She is 5’2” and started at 300 and she is down 75 lbs or so. She had raging type 2 diabetes so that’s why she got put on it. It’s controlled the diabetes and helped her lose weight but she has also had side effects. She is going bald and has uncontrollable diarrhea both of which she feels are worth taking control of her health. She also is now experiencing the shortage due to the popularity of the medication. She’s been out for two weeks and the pharmacy said that they might not have it for months. The medication she is taking while she waits is not controlling the diabetes as well and that feels really frustrating for her.

I’m on Ozempic for T2 diabetes and weight loss. In just over a year, I’ve lost 76lbs (aiming for an even 100) and my A1C + glucose are both NORMAL! It’s been a miracle drug for me and so many others.

Come over to r/ozempic for more fellow drug users. lol

I'm on Wegovy for weight loss, and so far I've lost a little over 20 lbs in about 10 weeks. I've gone up to the 1.0 mg dose so far and this is the point where it's really having an effect on my appetite. A friend of mine is also on it, and he's lost over 40 lbs.

Damn, 85 lbs in six weeks?! Wow.

My spouse is on Wegovy and has lost 6 lbs in 6 weeks.

Did you find that the day after your injection, you’re tired? I noticed my spouse gets real tired in the afternoon the day after they take it. But otherwise, so far so good… they don’t snack nearly as much as they used to, which is good.

I take a drug in the same class for diabetes, but I'm struggling to get it now that it's all going to weight loss.

I have gone from 227, at 5'5.5" to 180, so far. No medication.

I think the key is avoiding starchy carbs. When I don't eat starchy carbs, I am not hungry and not extremely craving sweets and carbs.

No need to risk side effects or fight with insurance companies or risk possible long term issues.

I'm on Contrave for weight loss (it's a combination of bupropion, aka Wellbutrin, and naltrexone). It's helping to reduce "food noise" and excessive evening snacking, but no real weight loss yet, after about 3-4 weeks. I'm trying to be patient and remember slow and steady wins the race.

My doc did suggest semaglutide. I'd like it to be a 'last resort' if Contrave doesn't work, as I'm concerned about side effects. Also, my extended health insurance doesn't cover semaglutide for obesity (only for T2 diabetes), but does cover Contrave. Sema is hella expensive.

Ozempic. I had some weird health shit happen that I blame on the stress of working bedside during Covid. Had Afib and put on some weight due to a med. 60 days into Ozempic and my metabolism returned, off blood pressure meds, and 1 year later I went from bmi of 30 to 22. I’m back to normal. Pretty much all RNs and MDs I work with are on ozempic Do not take it if you have a history of gallstones or pancreatitis. Rapid weight loss will = major health problems if gallbladder isn’t in good condition

Yes, I have lost 60 lbs and no longer have metabolic syndrome. Have you visited r/semaglutide ?

Ozempic is a miracle

since heart disease is still the #1 killer of adults in the US, these drugs could really change health care in the US. imagine all that time and money going to cancer research, or prevention of child abuse, or curing addiction. how amazing would that be?

not sure what the producers of ultra processed foods in the US is going to think. but i’m confidant they could find some other way to make millions while making americans sick.

r/ozempic

Ozempic put my friend’s husband (50’s) in the hospital for almost a week. It seriously damaged his stomach and esophagus. I was thinking of asking my doctor about it, but that put me right off.

There are subreddits for Contrave (pills) and Wegovy (injections) if you’re interested in the experiences of those who are on them.

My pancreas would tell my brain that I was Starving 3 times a day. Wolffish hunger. In my mid 50s I finally thought, maybe my hunger is different…the book Always Hungry was a huge insight for me, and the way he approaches diet and the endocrine system is so helpful. BUT…I was caregiving for parents with cancer & dementia. I took care of them, I couldn’t do me as well. I could always eat. Emotional, metabolic, I just gave up.

I’ve been on Ozempic since January. I get full, and stop eating. I don’t think about food all the time, I’m not insanely hungry. I pick at my food. I’m 5 3’, was 239 lbs, now 216. I’m not actively changing my diet a lot, but I am so incredibly grateful I don’t have to live in the anxious hell of always being aware of food. I’m looking forward to wearing size 16 jeans. I am beyond grateful. I went to an obesity doctor. So incredibly helpful. We do not understand obesity, we really don’t. It’s complex. Getting medical help beyond being told you have to loose weight will become more and more common, I hope. 🌷

Question for you: have you changed your eating habits in a meaningful way, like eating more fresh foods like fruits and vegetables and cutting back on ultra processed, or is your outcome based more on thevdrug turning off your appetite?

I worked on the fen phen litigation back in the 2000s and it’s made me gun-shy of using prescription medication off label for weight loss.

I don’t trust the pharmaceutical companies and their cronies in the FDA to run trials that are more about research and safety and less about getting drugs to the market as quickly as possible for profit.

I recall Vioxx and Meridia.

Been taking Mounjaro for 18 months. Have kept the 65 pounds off that I lost. Was prescribed for my diabetes and my A1C went from 11 to 7.

Worst part about Mounjaro, is getting the pharmacy to be able to stick it, since it's being prescribed for weight loss instead of the diabetes, I have to wait weeks upon weeks to get my prescription filled.

Waiting right now for my next Rx.

My 55 year old co-worker is very open about his journey. He’s down 46lbs in just over 6 months. It’s crazy. He’s not a. If guy either and really didn’t need to lose more than 20lbs. But he looks great.

My insurance company won’t cover it :(

No, but I'm prediabetic and have been having troubles with my sugars so it could be in my future

It has absolutely changed my life. I was pretty sorry for myself and aging fast- mourning the youthful excursions in a boat and up a mountain. Decided to try it (from a med spa since my insurance would not cover) and have been about 9 months in. Went from 203 pounds down to 160 and have been hiking every weekend. I took it very slowly, at our age it's not good to lose too quickly. It cost a shit-ton of money though. I don't regret it at all, and am so glad I did it. I've really been able to get my health back. Also I haven't had a drink since I started.

If you're thinking about it, I would recommend starting and trying to stay at an extremely low dose. Now I'm having to figure out an exit strategy/maintenance strategy and that will involve decreasing back down and spacing out a low dose but if I had stayed low, it would have cost less and been easier to get on maintenance. Side effects are way less with lower/slow increase also.

My wife is taking it. She has lost about 60 lbs and is very happy with the results.

I wish they would get insurance on board with this stuff. It seems to work exactly like everyone things.

I have been trying to get my insurance to cover one of the GLP-1 meds... I'm 5'7" and weigh 265. Nope. no coverage, and I can't afford $1200+ per month.. I'm trying, but it seems impossible. getting depressed, which isn't helping my energy levels.

Funny thing is, they'll cover bariatric surgery... I don't understand sometimes..

57(f). On Ozempic since April. SW 143 CW 121. I am 5” tall. On the 2nd lowest dose (.5), no side effects and doesn’t cost me as much. I am very happy with it.

When I was in my early 20’s, I used weight watchers to lose 40 pds, and kept it off until my hubby passed 2 yrs ago. Plus menopause. I just didn’t have the gumption to work out and eat better, but the extra weight was killing my self esteem and exacerbating my depression. My doc saw this, I asked for it and he took my blood sugar, said it was “high enough” (to be pre diabetic) and gave me a 6 month prescription.

So happy

I tried one week of Wegovy but the side effects were not fun, so my doc recommended I stop. Unfortunately, that left me with three unused .25 doses that are still in my fridge.

I'm not sure if I want to try another option, like Monjourno (or however it's spelled).

No, unless I get diabetes I will not use it.

Hopefully people using a pill for weight loss are also now eating healthy and exercising, because a pill isn't going to give you those benefits.