Now, I Begin…Week 1

Wegovy.

For those unaware, Wegovy is also known as Ozempic. It’s a diabetes medication that has been found in studies to reduce future heart events by 20% and acts as an appetite suppressant. Insurance companies in the US have begun covering Wegovy for use as a weight loss drug. My insurance company announced they would start covering it for those with both heart disease and obesity, and I started looking into it.

Wegovy acts on areas of the brain which are involved in regulating your appetite. It increases feelings of fullness, reduces feelings of hunger and reduces the preference for high-fat foods. It also reduces blood sugar by promoting the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high.

I’ll be honest with you all, I have struggled with this decision. It’s not been an easy one. I have a complicated history with diet culture wrapped up in complex feelings about my mother. One of my biggest joys in life is baking, and then eating what I’ve baked. But I also know that the trajectory I’m currently on is not helping my overall well-being.

My back has put a huge damper on the amount of exercise I can do; which led to weight gain; which puts more pressure on my already weakened heart, back, foot, and knees. I had a heart attack less than four years ago, but my back has me in such a sedentary lifestyle that I fear the ramifications of my inability to exercise as well as the weight gain will be that I lose all ability to walk.

After a long discussion with my doctor, she strongly recommended that I start taking it. And, I agreed.

Then, there was having to find it. Wegovy is super popular currently because it IS so effective as an appetite suppressant. Pharmacies are sold out all over. But, this morning, I found a pharmacy that had some, and they filled my prescription.

I’m nervous but I’m also excited.

It is my intent to keep you all updated on how things are proceeding on Tuesdays. Shot day.

You should know: 

I do not own a scale, nor will I be buying one. 

I do not have a weight loss “goal” other than becoming more active with less pain. 

I have to see my doctor once a month while I take this, she will be weighing me at those visits. I will keep you updated regarding weight loss numbers on those days.

I currently take two medications for blood pressure, and it is my hope to get off both.

I currently take one medication for cholesterol, and I hope to get off that one as well. 

With my insurance, a one-month supply was $11.20.

This is a medicine they titrate up, so I’m starting on the lowest dose of 0.25 mg. That dose will rise after two months to 0.5mg. I’ve been told the “real” weight loss begins once you’re on a maintenance dose of either 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg depending on tolerance to the medication.

They have to do this to slowly get your stomach used to the changes it’s going to experience. I don’t want to be bogged down with stomach issues, ya know? 

It’s in

It didn’t hurt

Wish me luck!

11 responses to “Now, I Begin…Week 1”

  1. Bow and Arrow Man Avatar
    Bow and Arrow Man

    I very much hope Wegovy does the trick for you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Debbi Avatar

      Thanks, me too

      Like

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Luck 🤞🍀🫂 – Saul

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Debbi Avatar

      Thanks Saul

      Like

  3.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Wishing you luck,. I hope you can accomplish all that you wish. Sending some mega positive vibes 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Debbi Avatar

      Thanks I hope so too So far so good.

      Like

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Hello Debbie, About the meds… 6 years ago I was diagnosed with “pre-Diabetes” and was prescribed “Metformin” my blood sugar was just a bit high, in the AM just before breakfast it would be 120 Or so 115-130 but avg 120. My Dr didn’t tell me that this drug was going to make me lose weigh. Although at the time I started I was at about 175 and for a 5-8 guy a bit of a dad bod,, Any way the pill once a day for the first month did seem to upset my stomach but soon I got used to it , I never knew I took it . within 2 months my blood sugar was down to below 100 and sometimes 90 in the AM and a bit higher at bedtime ,but in a manner the Dr liked. After 3 months I notices I had lost 5 lbs. I go back in 3 months check ups—— just another way the Drcan pad the bill to the insurance—- at each 3 months I was down 2-3 lbs. a slow steady decline , Buy now I had to go back in the closet and get some older pants that were a bit smaller in the waist.. This continued for about 2 years I bottomed out at 145. and back in 32 in waist. This weight change, changed my entire body , My knees were better, I slept better. and was able to come off the Metformin, also the statin I was taking for cholesterol is now 1/2 of what I was taking, This has been at least 2 years and I have gained back about 5 lbs and seem to be stable at 150, I do not consciously watch what I eat, or try to be on a “diet” I just eat what I want when I want it. I do watch the bread and potatoes, just smaller second portions!! Not sure how yous is going to act but they do, do several things beside control Blood sugar!! I wish you luck. I hope you can get some back relief! …………. We got wet warm weather up here the pollen has been washed down, I can now breathe bette and every thing is getting a nice Green color to it.. Have a good day

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Debbi Avatar

      While I’m neither pre diabetic nor diabetic, this medicine has literally changed the way I look at food. I’m having to eat smaller portions because I’ll get nauseous if I eat too much. I have no cravings for high fat foods, and just got full picking mulberries.

      As far as I’m concerned, it’s working maybe a little too well because I’m forcing myself to eat.

      I suspect in the long run that this will make all my joints happier, including my back.

      I’m glad spring is showing itself there.

      Like

  5.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    OH, forgot to sign it,,, Just Me!!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Wegovy Wednesday – Lady Cat Lady Avatar

    […] took my third weekly dose yesterday. In the first and second weeks, I wrote this post on Tuesdays, but a good friend pointed out that Wegovy Wednesday […]

    Like

Leave a reply to Debbi Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Debbi

Welcome to Lady Cat Lady!
I’m a middle aged woman with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who used blogging, therapy, and gardening to help heal the wounds of my past. I just completed my first memoir.