From a Type 2 Diabetic

You have seen the articles, the commercials, the celebrities gushing, and the warnings. Here is my experience. Perhaps different from what you know so far.

Why Ozempic?

I am a Type 2 Diabetic. It snuck up on me, because of my own denials. Doctors warned me of “pre-diabetes”. No worries, I’ll just eat better, exercise more. Then I forgot about it. Finally, years later I was forcefully told, “ You are T2D… and this can kill you!”

I began taking metformin, maxed out the dosage. Exercised, ate better. My A1C dropped nicely from 10 to 6.5. Weight remained an issue. I rode my bike every other day, hitting my target heart rate and keeping it there for an hour at a time.

Yet I did not lose much weight. Then Covid, a very bad booster reaction, pulmonary embolisms, detached retina that took many surgeries, kidney stones… all in one year. 2022 was the only time I ever hit my out of pocket maximums. Hospital visits were slightly nicer knowing every trip was completely “free”.

Hmm, should I?

Late in 2022 I heard about Ozempic. My A1C had trended back up to 7.3. As I researched, I read how this drug should bring your A1C down fast, substantially, and sustainably… as long as you continued taking it.

I became aware because celebrities were taking it “off label” for weight loss. Thus causing a stampede to doctor’s offices, and resulting in a temporary shortage. But I wanted it for T2D… mostly. Weight loss would be a great side benefit. My doctor agreed, and prescribed the beginning dosage. Insurance paid a 90 day supply completely since it was late 2022 and I had hit my out of pocket max.

Securing a supply

Since I was hearing about a looming shortage, and for some other (silly) reasons I waited till early 2023 to begin taking it. In this way, I procured another 90 days just as I began my Ozempic journey.

Not without some drama. My insurance company denied the refill as they were trying not to pay for people using it for weight loss. Without insurance it would cost $3,600 for a 90 day supply! After repeated denials to my doctor’s nurse, I was told that I could only file for a “final appeal”.

Somehow my hero doctor called the insurance company and got me another 90 days… for just $12.

Meanwhile, I had a 65th birthday in April… so Medicare and a new insurance company for prescription drugs. Another 90 days, when I eventually need it will cost $124. I can also cut that in half by ordering a higher dosage pen and count clicks to remain on the lower dosage.

The results

My A1C is down to 5.7 on only the minimum 0.5mg Ozempic weekly dose. I have lost 30 pounds so far. About 2 pound a week. While people in it for weight loss are titrating up to a 2.0mg dose as fast as they can, my doctor tells me I probably will never need to increase mine from 0.5mg.

What Reddit says

While the Reddit forum is full of people with awful side effects, I have near zero. Partly because 80% have minimal side effects. Maybe also because of my low dosage.

It concerns me reading how desperate people are to lose weight. Side effects so severe they have multiple emergency room visits.

Then some people who have lost a lot of weight, but their body image is so poor they are desperate to lose … another ten pounds. I have seen photos of women who look fantastic. They have reached s very healthy weight… but their minds can’t fathom it.

And, some people who have been on high dose Ozempic for extended time periods and have lost nothing. Of course, I have to wonder how much they still eat, and what. And their exercise routines.

My food

Early on I was afraid of nausea and intestinal issues. Especially prevalent if you eat too much. So I began at the 0.25 dosage and decided to eat 1/3 of what I had previously. With no significant side effects I bumped up to eating 1/2 what I previously ate. If we went out to lunch, I ordered the same, but brought 1/2 or more home for dinner.

I also cut out sweets and junk, but I abide by the one bite rule. If my wife is having potato chips… I have only one. Yes, I can easily eat just one now! I have had a small bite of carrot cake last week and honestly no longer liked it.

I eat probably way too much fruit. But increased veggies a lot. A salad every day, carrots, celery. Amazing how sweet green beans taste now that I no long eat sweets. Oh, and I only drink water… except an occasional unsweetened ice tea. And I still eat meat.

The first couple weeks, I am certain Ozempic helped me reduce portions. But since then, I believe it is mostly me. I do eat something when hungry. But fruit or veggies between meals. I stop when I am no longer hungry.

Wrap

So here I am, 15 weeks in. I inject 0.5mg (completely painlessly) once a week. My A1C is fantastic for me. Lost 30 pounds. Expect I will continue to lose 2 pounds a week. Eating less than I did, I believe permanently. No real diet… just cut out sugar and junk.

Riding the bike trails four to five days per week now that the snow has stopped. Going to start a little weight lifting again. Building back endurance and muscle.

Miracle drug? For me, yes! I expect to continue taking it for the rest of my life.