Ozempic, anyone taking it?

[Bassetmommer]

After doing a lot of research on my own and participating in seminars, I finally got my doctors to agree to allow me to try a GLP1 inhibitor. My diabetes has been well controlled and I have even cut down on my insulin use. But I am unable to lose weight so we are trying Ozempic, (semaglutide). I have to say I am nervous to switch up my medications at this point but there are many good things, kidney friendly, about these new drugs so we will see. Anyone else here on it and if so, what are your side effects if any an your experience with it?

[CatOnACloud]

No, sorry. I did take Invokana, and had a raging 6-month long yeast infection that couldn’t be controlled, which is a side effect for some. I was on it for 6 months but yeah, gyno surgeon says no can do for me with these type of meds I also read where an eGFR below 45 means you shouldn’t be on this class of meds as they wont work, but I am not clear on Ozempic specifically. If it is included in that.

I do hope it proves helpful and not harmful for you!!! Sounds like you’ve done your due diligence, and what else can we do, right?! Gotta try. I think you’re due a break! Let us know.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to CatOnACloud]

HI Cat,The SLGTP 2 inhibitors are the culprits for yeast infections. And no, I would not nor do I qualify for those. This is a different, GLP1. Yeast is not an issue with these and this particular one is safe for all stages of CKD and Dialysis I was surprised myself by that.

Thanks for the reply.

Jane

[barbara55109]

Yep. I have to lose weight to get activated on the kidney transplant list. I am also diabetic. Ozempic and Wegovy are the exact same drug. Ozempic has been approved for awhile for diabetes. You start at .25 mg, move up to .5 mg and later move up to 1 mg. Wegovy does the same slow introduction, but has a 1.7 and a 2.4 dosage. 2.4 is the weight loss dose and 1 is the diabetes dose. There is a HUGE Wegovy shortage in the US. I've been on the 1 mg dose of Ozempic without any weight loss. I was moved up to Wegovy, but had several 1 mg pens left so instead of tapering up to 1.7, I'm tapering up to 2 mg to use up my 1 mg pens. I have one more week of the 2 shots of 1 mg before starting the 2.4. I didn't feel like it "kicked in" until I hit the 1 mg shots. The tapering dosages are to try to minimize the side effects. I have headaches and nausea. I am rarely hungry and am only eating one meal most days. I still haven't lost any weight though. My glucose readings are down though. I keep getting low sugar warnings and I have to eat smarties to get it back up quickly. I joined some Ozempic/Wegovy face book groups. Some people start losing weight right away, others don't. It takes months to get up to the optimal weight loss dose of 2.4 mg. Most insurances won't cover the Wegovy doses. Mine did with a high copay. They stopped offering a discount coupon because of the nationwide shortages. The discount coupon reminds me of the old Colombia record and tape club where your first tapes were 1 cent, but then you had to buy another 10 at above retail prices. The $25 coupons get people hooked for 6 months, but then stop and people will need to pay thousands a month to keep on the drug.

[CatOnACloud in reply to barbara55109]

Those tape deals were so fun as a teen Good luck! But eating only once a day will tank your sugars, that's why you have lows... I get nauseous a lot, I get it, but you also need to eat something to lose. Boiled egg, something...once your sugars get low, then they're likely to spike up. It's obviously a vicious cycle. You're likely aware but...

[barbara55109 in reply to CatOnACloud]

They want me to eat under 1000 calories a day. If I eat more than once I go over that. Frankly, I don't know what to try. I was going to the Y 7 days a week and didn't lose a pound. I can't eat veggies because I have no colon. I have an ileostomy with a parastomal hernia that is prone to blockages. I've been sick since junior high and I'm 58 now. First with ulcerative colitis for over 15 years. Then 5 gut surgeries. Avascular necrosis in my knees and ankles from IV prednisone and now CKD from the constant dehydration of living with a high output ileostomy for over 20 years. Back when I got UC in the 70s the only treatment was azulfidine and prednisone and total colectomy. These days there are many biologics available. I am so sick of being sick. And I can't stop working and go on disability because not only will I lose my health insurance, so will my husband and child. Dealing with life a day at a time.

[CatOnACloud in reply to barbara55109]

Sorry to hear this That's a LOT to deal with. I worry about your steroid use, as I have Cushings from them but adrenal failure means I can't stop taking steroids. Basically, with cushings it's usually impossible to lose weight. Maintaining without gaining is incredibly difficult, and these days impossible for me as well as I am getting colitis to where I have to take steroids. My sister had a near death experience with emergency bowel resection at age 17 and has no peristolic action, has had such severe issues and should have a total ileostomy. Anyways, that's a lot to deal with! 1,000 calories a day with your issues sounds...dangerous. I get no veggies, this colitis...having to go on white bread potatos etc. myself, this sucks for weight loss! UGH. Sometimes all we can do is keep ticking. I know it gets old. I have AVN in both hips as well...and my knee blew out getting into my car last sept. One year with no ACL or meniscus in my knee...they said no surgery at my weight. So i gained 70lbs just from being bedridden! Literally collapsed for 10 months. I think it's done now... nuts ain't it? Seriously, any endo could probably diagnose Cushing's, exogenous, from steroids...they vary greatly in how to treat it, but it helps to have info I always say. If you can't lose weight with all you've done and tried...It just makes me suspect of it. You're unlikely to be getting proper enzyme action...to digest your food, and to balance minerals and vits as well...don't think 1,000 calories...ugh. Just sympathizing with you, not truly offering medical advice, as you know your system best. Just you aren't alone Adrienne

[Skeptix in reply to CatOnACloud]

You have a view on what I should do about the odd bout of proctitis?

Got first bout about 20 hrs ago. Foam/suppositories of some sort cleared it.

17 years later and after a bout of heavy pear eating (at least I think that's what caused the flare: I was eating pears like they were going out of fashion and my guts were rumblin and gassing like mad) a flare. Gastro put me on foam/suppositories and it cleared after a month or two. Hr wanted to keep me permanent on the suppositories (mesalazine) but I thought that a bit extreme: a flare after 17 years and now meds for life??

3 years later and the start of a flare post-a bout of Covid in Jan this year. It cleared quickly by itself - just a few days.of blood on the toilet paper.

Started a plant-based diet 3 months ago and was eating fruit like crazy - big bowls of it for lunch every day trying to get calories on board.

Movements got very loose / 3-4 times per day. Proctitis flared up and I'm on mesalazine again this last 7 weeks and (just about) containing it

I've held off on fruit intake (small amounts only, now) but obviously can't hold off veg entire (what with being on a plant based diet!)

Any advice for a (comparatively) blessed CKD-er (compared to what you guys/gals in thread are going through?

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to Skeptix]

HI Sleptix, One of my doctors recommended that I start adding flax seed to my diet for fiber and also a small dose of plant protein. Win Win. At first, it did nothing, then it sort of blocked me up but after my system got used to it, smooth sailing as they say. I now am a fanatic and use two kinds. Milled flax seed and then a combination of milled flax seed and chia seeds. The milled is less calories, less potassium and less protein than the whole seed and it works fine. I put it in my oatmeal with fruit and I add a some to my dinner depending on what it is. I usually manage to get at least two full tablespoons a day, but I bet its more now. Go slow and build up.

[Skeptix in reply to barbara55109]

Good grief if my almost impossible to find empathy button isn't stirred by that tale. Bloody hell, poor, poor you.

[barbara55109 in reply to Skeptix]

I try to feel lucky. I work full time. I have a wonderful husband and child. I have good insurance, which is hard to come by in the US. 58 and not dead yet!

[Skeptix in reply to barbara55109]

Yeah but still. Sick of being sick is right. Well done for the grateful attitude. I've shaken fist at God for a lot less..

[CatOnACloud]

Ah ha! So many meds. I'll check it out though I can't imagine it wouldn't exacerbate my colitis.

[CalimariBabe]

My BF dieted very strictly without losing weight, then started semaglutide and finally began to lose weight.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador in reply to CalimariBabe]

I have been dieting seriously all my life but the last four years following a renal diet. Then I lost 35 pounds, gained some back over Covid, Went on plant based at the end of January and lost what I had gained and then some. But then it stopped. I tried dropping down to 800 calories a day and nothing but feeling like crap. Then went back to my 1200 or so and lost and gained the same four pounds Hopefully this will move the gauge.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

I am not trying to sell anyone on a drug. BUT... I do have to say that Ozempic is pretty amazing. I was doing great with not gaining weight, but not losing any. I lost 50 pounds in the last four years and kept it off. Then I got COVID in October, and gained 5 pounds because I was so friggin tired. Now it is starting to come off. Ozempic slows down the processing of food and you feel full faster and on less. The side effect of that is that you get extremely constipated. And that is a real issue. But I have managed to get on with it so to speak with a regiment of products that move me along. There can be the opposite effect on some. I rather have that issue then explosive poop. (Not too many people get that though) I am on a Facebook group for O users. Look it up by searching for Ozempic if you have Facebook. This is the best part: My A1c was spinning around 7 for years. Sometimes it was higher, but rarely lower. I was on insulin, and they kept upping the dose, which makes you gain weight, which makes you A1c go up. (Funny how that works) I was also on Januvia. Then last fall I went on Ozempic. I went off Januvia completely. BY January of this year, my A1c was 5.8 and then in June ws 5.6. I am slowly dropping my insulin use because I would rather stay on one shot a week than daily and Ozempic does not make you gain weight and it is kidney protective. I can enjoy foods like bread and pasta that would absolutely spike my glucose, but not now. Check out the Facebook page. It is all people who are on Ozempic and talks about their issues and sucesses.