semaglutide

It's been about 6 months of using semaglutide. I've lost about 40 lbs. Multiple people, especially over the holidays, have told me they can tell I've lost weight. I can see that I've lost weight in my face. But it doesn't look drastic. I still have 50 pounds to reach my desired weight. I'm still overweight. I suspect the first 30 pounds are easier to lose than the next 30 pounds.

My diet and eating habits have changed a lot since I began taking this medicine. I can still eat a plate of food at a restaurant. but I do eat less calories, less often, more fruits and vegetables. a lot less fried food, candy, rich foods. I can eat two meals a day now, when I used to eat 3-4 meals plus snacks.

I used to obsess about going to restaurants frequently, but I'm okay with eating at home more often. I spend a few hundred dollars every month on this medicine, but I suspect I am breaking even since I don't eat at restaurants as often as I did. I was really emotionally attached to going to restaurants, and having over the top meals, possibly ordering an appetizer or dessert along side an already caloric dinner. It sparked happiness for me - but now I have a much better grasp on this. and can look for activities outside of food to bring me happiness. I feel calmer.

After about 4 months of being on semaglutide, I felt like the medicine was stagnating, and I wasn't losing weight anymore. It took the edge off, but the food noise, and ability to overeat were still there. It was really emotional for me because I was nowhere near where I wanted to be. I reached out to the compounding pharmacy, and they offered me a higher dose -and I am losing weight again, feeling more in control of my eating, not experiencing food noise to the level that I used to. I'll have to wait and see if I feel like it stagnates again in months time.

I really like being on this medicine. There may be unknown risks with it, but for me, I felt like being overweight and overeating was high risk and I really needed help to change my patterns.

Crossposting from Reddit's /r/zepbound sub.

I have worked on this over time in the Mounjaro sub but thought I would post it as it might help a few people.

These are not set rules, but rather a guide that has been found helpful by myself and others. In the early stages of taking the drug, the following steps may prove to be helpful:

Taking the Medicine

• Wait several weeks after picking up the prescription prior to starting. This will give you buffer for supply shortages in the future. These are very real and very impactful so while not required this is highly recommended.
• Go buy the OTC meds listed below in the side effects. These are for just in case they are needed.
• Store your pens in the box and keep inside your refrigerator. Remember vibration, light, extreme cold or heat above 80 degrees Fahrenheit will reduce the effectiveness of your drug.
• Read the booklet inside the box before you do anything. Seriously read it!
• Be intentional about selecting your shot day. For example, doing it on a Friday means experiencing maximum effect over the weekend when tendency to indulge is typically high Re: selecting injection day. Or, you may wish to inject on a Wednesday or Thursday if you experience side effects for a day or two after injection. (so, by the weekend, you’re feeling great and hunger suppression is still strong enough to counter any temptation to over-indulge) Make a choice that works for your life.
• If you need to move your shot day you may do so as long as you don’t take two doses in under 4 days or more than 14 days apart. Under 4 may result in too much medicine in your system. Over 14 days and Eli Lilly recommends starting over from 2.5mg. Either way consult your doctor prior for either scenario.
• Select an injection site location and be sure to rotate between several locations. The injection is hardly noticeable but if you let the pen come to room temp for 30 minutes prior to the shot you will not get a burning sensation from the cold.
• If the pen malfunctions or you have any issues / questions post injection then call Eli Lilly ASAP. Number on the box! KEEP THE PEN. Don’t discard as Eli Lilly may offer to exchange the pen.
• Process a refill as soon as you use pen #3 in each box. Note: If you have a prescription that allows for a 3 month supply then get all 3 months. This will help you manage through potential shortages.

Lifestyle Changes

• Drinking 32oz of water three times a day helps regulate digestion.
• Incorporating lean meats and green vegetables in meals provided essential nutrients and fiber while protein helps alleviate tiredness, and vegetables regulated constipation.
• It’s advisable to minimize fat, sugar, and carbs during this period for better results.
• Purge your house of highly processed or sugary foods, and avoid artificial sweeteners as they interfere with the medicine’s glucagon impact.
• Pick a weigh-in day and maintain regularity. Don’t be surprised or discouraged by stalls that occasionally last weeks or even a month as they are normal. Aim for slow, healthy weight loss of around 2 pounds per week.
• Track calories and macros using an app of your choice. Use this journey to change the way you eat, learn about your nutritional needs, and focus on eating healthier, decreasing the loss of lean muscle mass.
• Get into a fitness routine or some sort. This does not have to be drastic are rigorous but again success with Mounjaro is about changing your lifestyle and health trajectory of which weight loss is just one key metric.

As Your Journey Progresses

• Be ready to titrate up but not too eagerly. One does not have to get to 15mg unless their doctor advises otherwise. Work with your doctor to find the correct dosage, and avoid rushing to the top. This also helps keep weight loss in the 2lb range, preventing loose skin, hair loss, and other side effects of rapid weight loss.
• Start planning for what life looks like at the end of the weight loss journey. This process is called maintenance, and it is vital to keep sight of what happens afterward. It’s essential to avoid being a statistic and gaining back 80% of the lost weight.
• Regularly test your fasting Glucose, A1C, blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol panel. This may be needed in the future to support insurance claims or future PAs.

Managing Side Effects:

• Taking Pepto as needed may help reduce (sulfur) burps. This may turn you tongue black which is normal.
• Taking a Pepcid Complete as needed may help alleviate heartburn.
• Taking Imodium as need for for diarrhea.
• Taking stool softeners as needed aids with constipation early.

Note: Some people have no side effects and some people have a lot. Each person is different. If you don’t have indigestion, don’t the med but have it on hand. Some people have diarrhea instead of constipation, so be prepared but see if you have a side effect before assuming you will have it and taking another medication. Don’t be afraid of side effects or giving shots or any of the other fear thoughts that are stopping you from opening that box and changing your life. You got this!

Have additional issues or questions about Mounjaro, please head to:

Mounjaro Website

I've been on semaglutide for about 9-10 weeks now, and have noticed my belly is a little smaller. Nothing drastic. a few pounds. but I have gone down one hole on my belt! It's a good feeling. I'm hoping it's just the beginning.

I've been eating a lot of salads this week, and not craving greasy/heavy meals. which was not normal in the past.

I took my first .20ml dose yesterday and have felt queasy all day. I took one of my anti nausea pills but it didn't help. I also ate a buttery biscuit sandwich this morning which I regret. I thought about taking a covid test, but my nose has zero mucus in it, I don't think it would register anything.

I still struggle with constipation. I am taking magnesium and fiber gummies every day -which helps. my poops are a lot smaller than they used to be before semaglutide, but I'm definitely eating less too.

My cheapo scale isn't working properly anymore. I'm not sure how much to spend for a new scale. I saw one for $45 on Amazon with a 5 year warranty.

Constipation or Diarrhea are both possible side effects of this medicine. I'm constipated. After 3 days of no poops, I began taking magnesium and fiber supplements. My doctor did explain this could happen when I got the Rx and told me to take fiber supplements and stay hydrated. I've had two very small poops, but imagine there is a lot of poop inside me.

Redditors seem to recommend nbpure Mag O7 but I'm still not sure about it. I may reach out to my doctor to see if I'm in any danger since I haven't pooped.

I am eating less but I'm sure there is old poop in me.

I've moved up from 5 units to 10 finally. 4 weeks of 10 units, then I go up to 20 units! I didn't experience any nausea. I still feel like my appetite hasn't changed greatly. I can still indulge in a large meal. But I think it takes the edge off. I did dream about eating a burger and fries recently.

I forgot to take my weekly dose yesterday. I fell asleep watching a movie. I took it tonight - a day late. Next week I plan on going back to Wednesdays, so I'll take it in 6 days.

I injected above my belly button for the first time today, and actually felt a slight stinging feeling for the first time ever. It was odd but I've gotten over my fear of the needle.

I'm excited for next week, since I will go from 5 units to 10 units! I am happy to have some of the food noise silenced, and hoping for more silence.

Administering a shot is easy now. I'm looking forward to two weeks from now when I increase my dosage from 5 units to 10.

Currently I feel like the medicine takes a slight edge off of my appetite, and I don't feel a sense of panic about getting enough food like I did in the past. But I can still eat large plates of food once a day.

The injection was similar to the first one. I guess my appetite and emotional connection to food are slightly less intense, but nothing significant. I'm suspect once I increase my dosage in months 2 and 3 things will change more drastically.

I took my first dose of semaglutide last night. It's only 5 units for the first month, then 10 units the 2nd month, then 20 units after that. I was scared to inject myself but it didn't hurt! It didn't sting like a flu shot does. I was given anti nausea medicine but didn't need to take it. Today my appetite hasn't been very different. I assume my appetite will change over the next 12 weeks. I'm looking forward to trying this for awhile, and hoping for results.