Using Saxenda

Hey there, guess who's back!

It’s been about five weeks since I kicked things off with Saxenda and Glucophage, and I’ve already dropped 7kg! It’s not quite the massive landslide I was dreaming of, but hey, I guess everyone’s body reacts differently, right?

Besides watching what I eat, I’ve been getting out for a walk 3.7 miles pretty much every single day. Honestly, I was hoping for a faster drop, but I keep telling myself that this progress is still way better than where I was before.

@Olivia Jackson64/">@@Olivia Jackson64 - The metformin I'm on is 1000mg Glucophage, which I started on the exact same day as the Saxenda. My prescription says I can go up to 1500mg, so I’m going to check with my doctor to see if it’s safe to bump it up. I'm not sure how you handled your pills, but I found that taking them right in the middle of dinner works wonders for me—like, I'll eat half my meal, pop the pills, and then finish up the rest.

@HiP - The clinic I go to near my house is actually pretty decent, though I’ve only seen the doctor twice, and it was a different lady both times. But man, the nurses are absolute gems! I’ve been in more often with them, and they are so sweet, explaining everything from what you need to who to call if something comes up. They really make you feel taken care of. The nutritionist, though? Total vibe killer. Look, I’m obviously no expert here (clearly!), but she literally rolled her eyes when I mentioned Saxenda! She immediately jumped to "oh, once you stop, you'll just gain it all back," and her big piece of advice was basically just to fill half your plate with veggies, less than half of that with carbs, and the rest with meat. Like, duh! I mean, besides eating less overall and swapping sides for greens, what else is there to say? I totally get the concept.

I waited two months for my first appointment and a month for the second, so the wait isn't too bad. When I got the Saxenda, we agreed I'd come back for a check-up in three months. I was actually going to bring up the Saxenda myself, but my doctor beat me to it! And she wasn't pushing it at all; she was super upfront about how pricey it is, but noted how great the results can be. My previous doctor was more focused on grilling me about whether I wanted surgery—like a sleeve or a bypass. Personally, I'm still too nervous to even think about surgery.

Just a little something for anyone feeling hesitant: my experiences with doctors have been genuinely good. Even years ago, before I moved to this area, I went to a clinic in Chicago and they were just as lovely. No one judges you, rolls their eyes, or lectures you. Getting help doesn't cost anything and it can truly change your life. You just have to take that first little step, guys. 😉

Even if the scale isn't moving as fast as I imagined, I’m still feeling hopeful and I’m going to try to tighten up my diet a bit more.

If you've got questions, fire away! If not, I'll catch you all in a week or two.

Good luck everyone, bye!

P.S.
Sorry for the novel, I clearly don't know how to keep things short! 🐔

I think you write very clearly and expressively—your honesty about your experience is incredibly helpful, thank you! 🙂

Look, from where we're sitting, losing 7 lbs is actually great. I know it might not feel like much to you, but take it easy—you're just getting started. Plan for at least a year to lose the weight and then stabilize so you can find a steady rhythm in life without everything creeping back. It depends on how much you need to lose, of course, but one doctor told me that for every month spent losing weight, you need another month just to let your body stabilize. Keep that in mind!

Keep going—I'll be following your progress. Personally, I've upped my activity levels and cut back on the snacking; I even ditched sweets for Christmas, so we'll see how that goes. It’s not a massive overhaul, but it's a start. I haven't made it to the doctor yet—I need to build up some momentum first!

As for surgery, you made the right call. I know several women who have gone through it, and there have been all sorts of complications. There are even forums dedicated to women who've had the procedure if you're really interested in reading up on it—I'll dig something up for you!

Those surgeries are basically shrinking your body FOREVER, and some people still end up gaining weight afterward. So... there are no guarantees with any method, but at least here, you won't be cutting yourself open. Just hang in there and keep pushing forward!

Thanks so much for the pep talk, Olivia Jackson64! You totally hit the nail on the head, and honestly, I can’t even remember the last time I dropped more than five pounds in one go, so this definitely feels like a massive win to me.

And hey, major props to you too for getting things moving—sometimes you just need that little spark of motivation to get going! It’s been a total struggle for me lately, and most days I just want to stay curled up on the couch rather than deal with any kind of exercise, but I’m really crossing my fingers that it eventually just clicks and becomes a regular habit.

I actually found quite a bit of motivation from those step-counting apps. At one point, I got a little too obsessed—started tracking every single movement 🙂—so I eventually had to just delete them. But if you give it a shot, you’ll find yourself naturally pushing for more after a few days. 🙂

I was a bit sloppy tonight, but I'm choosing to ignore it; tomorrow I'm back on track as if nothing happened. Ignore 🙂

It’s a relief to finally stumble upon a community that actually understands this 🙂

My doctor will likely prescribe Saxenda in a few weeks—I need to get some bloodwork done first—but I was hoping someone could clarify a few things:

• What does the monthly cost look like? If I’m reading the math right, the pack is 54mg, but if the dose hits 84mg after the initial four weeks, I guess I'm actually going through about one and a half packs a month. I couldn't find a price anywhere except for the $125 listed here, which would put me at roughly $190 per month?

• Does anyone know if it's cheaper in neighboring areas? I travel to Canada or Canada at least once a month for work, so that might be an option.

• Any advice for those just starting out on this medication?

Hey there! For me, the first pack lasted about five weeks, but once you bump up to the highest dose, one box only lasts around 18 days. Honestly, the price tag is just ridiculous—I’m really crossing my fingers that they make it more affordable down the road. Right now, I'm paying about $135

From what I've been able to dig up on Google, I haven't found it any cheaper anywhere else in the US. I didn't bother checking prices in Mexico or Canada.

I'm not quite sure what advice I can give you, other than you've gotta stick to a diet or at least eat healthy and keep moving! Without that, you aren't going to see any real progress. I've read that for a ton of people, their appetite basically just vanishes into thin air, but for me, it hasn't even come close to that.

Don't forget that you'll need to pick up the needles too! According to what the manufacturer recommends, you should look for 32G, 8mm ones. Those can be hard to find since they aren't meant for insulin, so maybe try ordering them ahead of time. I've been using different ones, like 31G, but I doubt it makes a massive difference.

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Megan Anderson5 said:Don't forget you'll need to pick up some needles—the manufacturer suggests 32G at 8mm, though those can be hard to find since they aren't specifically for insulin. Maybe try ordering them ahead of time. I've used different ones, around 31G, but I doubt it makes much of a difference.

Hmm, what does the total cost look like, if you don't mind sharing?

You can snag a pack of 100 for about $15. It’s super easy because you don't have to commit to the whole box if you aren't feeling it—they actually sell them individually too! The ones I'm rocking right now were just $14.30 for the 100-pack.

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Here is another update on my journey with Saxenda (which I’m taking alongside Forxiga to manage my blood sugar, since my last HbA1C was 7.1; I tried Glucophage previously, but it caused way too much joint and leg pain). 👋

I started back on February 25th. Instead of strictly following the manual's titration schedule, I've been adjusting more gradually—moving from the initial 0.6 dose by adding just one or two clicks each day. Currently, I'm at 1.2 plus an extra two clicks, and I plan to stay right there for a few days. Based on a mountain of research and advice from my doctor—and honestly, considering the cost—my strategy is to stick with whatever dose actually works. As long as my appetite remains suppressed and the weight keeps coming off, I see no reason to increase it until hunger returns or the scale plateaus. That is exactly what my endocrinologist recommended: reach the 1.2 mark and then only adjust as needed. From the very beginning, my experience has fluctuated quite a bit; on some doses, I had absolutely no appetite at all, while on others, I’d feel hungry occasionally during the day, though even a small amount of food would make me feel full.

It might take longer this way, but this is a marathon, not a sprint, and I am in no rush. In these first two weeks, I’ve already lost 5 lbs, which I think is fantastic.

If I could maintain a loss of 4-5 lbs a month, I would be beyond thrilled, especially since nothing worked for me before. I’ve been dealing with diagnosed insulin resistance, PCOS, and hypothyroidism (currently on 150 mcg of Euthyrox daily). For the first time in my life, I actually know what it feels like to be full, and if you ask me, that alone is a massive win. 🎉

I am technically using Saxenda as a temporary measure because my endocrinologist believes Ozempic would be a much better fit for me once it's back in stock, or perhaps Wegovy once it becomes available here in the States.

Wow, man, it sounds like it’s working wonders for you! I wish I could say the same thing, honestly lol. Even though I’m on the full dose, I still feel like I’m constantly hunting for snacks. It’s definitely not as crazy as it used to be, but the hunger is still there, and for a while, I was actually sitting here thinking, "Wait, is this Saxenda even doing anything at all?" haha.

It’s clearly hitting the spot for some people, so seriously, lucky you that it’s working so well! As long as it does the trick, go for it!

Unfortunately, I’m not exactly a candidate for Ozempic, so I guess I’ll just have to keep fighting the good fight with what I've got.

Is Wegovy strictly just for folks with diabetes?

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Megan Anderson5 said:Wow, it sounds like it's working incredibly well for you. I wish I could say the same... I'm on the full dose and I still feel hungry all the time. Not intensely, and certainly less than before, but it's there. There were even times I genuinely thought the Saxenda wasn't doing anything at all...

It clearly works differently for everyone. Good for you if it’s getting the job done. As long as it works, that's what matters...

Unfortunately, I'm not a candidate for Ozempic, so I have to keep fighting this battle on my own.

Is Wegovy exclusively for diabetics too?

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From what I've gathered in the news, Wegovy is being registered specifically for weight loss, while Ozempic is for diabetics (even though they're essentially the same drug?). Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

Haha, thanks so much, Nicole Patel2! I just did a quick Google search and yeah, they look like total twins.

Does anyone have the inside scoop on when Wegovy is actually going to hit the shelves here in the States?

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stormyfalcon4, I’m glad you’re seeing results—it sounds like you've made the right call. There’s no point in overdoing it; just adjust the dosage when the effects start to taper off. Smart move.

George, hang in there. How are you actually feeling? Are you sleeping okay? Keeping busy? Managing to cook for yourself or packing lunches for work?

A little healthy debate never hurt anyone.

I finally scheduled my annual physical for the end of the month—that’s step one. Honestly, I’ve spent my whole life dodging doctors (no idea why), to the point where I officially have "white coat syndrome"—you know, when your blood pressure and pulse spike the second you walk into a clinic 🙂, even though everything is perfectly fine once you get home. I’m convinced I was a surgeon in a past life and accidentally killed someone 😁😁😁😁

So, consider me booking this checkup a massive win. If my labs come back clean, I might just celebrate by running to the Mayo Clinic.

I've also stepped up my activity levels—hitting the gym three times a week now. It isn't groundbreaking, but it’s progress.

Olivia Jackson64 said:Megan Anderson5, hang in there! How are you holding up? Are you getting any decent sleep? Keeping your mind off things with other hobbies? Are you managing to cook for yourself or packing lunches for work?

Just throwing some conversation starters out there!

Honestly, I’m feeling pretty great right now—the nausea has totally cleared up! I definitely get hungry quite often, but it's nothing crazy. I've dropped about 22 pounds in 7 weeks, which feels like a solid win to me because I'm really trying to build those healthy habits with regular meals so I don't just balloon back up once I stop the meds. Because let's be real, once you quit Saxenda, that hunger comes rushing back like a freight train!

Lately, I've been hitting the pavement for over an hour every single day, which is basically my 3.7 miles. I know I really ought to start incorporating some strength training too, but hey, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it!

Oh man, it just hit me—I totally forgot about your earlier post! I am also completely obsessed with all those trackers, you know, the step counters, gym logs, weight scales, calorie apps, the whole nine yards. Sometimes they're a total lifesaver, but other times I feel like it would be way better if I didn't have them weighing on my mind. 🤣

Since I work from home, I don't have to worry about lugging meal prep everywhere. I do most of my own cooking, yeah, but I also pop over to my parents' place for lunch pretty frequently (that's the sweet perk of working remotely, haha!). I eat the same stuff they do, I just tweak my portions to follow my nutritionist's guidelines, and they're super cool about it and help me adjust things so we can still eat together. 😁

I actually had my blood pressure spike above 140 🤣 when I first visited the endocrinologist, and I swear I've never seen it that high in my entire life—not before and certainly not since. They told me straight away it was just classic white coat syndrome.

By the way, I did read up on that whole slow titration thing with Saxenda, but my doctor told me to stick strictly to her plan, so I just followed her lead. Besides, it mostly just took the edge off my appetite; it didn't turn me into a monk or anything!

Way to go, Olivia Jackson64, for getting out there and being active; everyone has to start somewhere, and it's definitely a million times better than sitting on the couch. Don't let it get you down! 🎉

And definitely let me know how that checkup goes.

Megan Anderson5 said:Wow, it sounds like it’s working incredibly well for you. I wish I could say the same, lol. Even on my full dose, I still feel hungry all the time. It's not overwhelming, and certainly less than before, but it's definitely there. Honestly, there were times I actually thought the Saxenda wasn't even working on me, haha.

Since it clearly works for some people, good for you that you can manage it the way you are. As long as it's doing the job, that's what matters!

Unfortunately, I'm not even a candidate for Ozempic, so I have to keep fighting this battle with what I've got.

Is Wegovy exclusively for diabetics too?

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I've realized that a higher dose isn't necessarily more effective. So far, my sweet spot was at 0.6 with 8 clicks. Now that I'm on 1.2, I actually feel hungrier than I did before. Well... I've read that if a higher dose doesn't work for people, they go back down to the lower dose that worked best for them. But then again... we're all different...

Losing 10 kg in 7 weeks is a fantastic result! In my opinion, it's actually not a bad thing that you still feel hunger and your appetite hasn't completely vanished. I'd much rather deal with that than struggle and force myself to eat enough calories; otherwise, you're consuming far too little, which isn't healthy, and let's be honest—you won't be able to sustain that pace once you stop taking Saxenda.

I'm not a candidate for Ozempic through Medicare either. If I recall correctly, you need to have a BMI of 30+ and diabetes where blood sugar hasn't been controlled by two other medications. Since Glucophage worked for me, I'm technically just pre-diabetic (though at the upper limit), not diabetic. But I'll pay for it myself once the supply stabilizes.

And, I won't lie, I haven't started any serious exercise yet (please don't attack me!! 😁). I'm sure the results would be even better if I did.

stormyfalcon4 said:Getting Ozempic through Medicare just isn't in the cards for me, and honestly, I don't even qualify! If I remember correctly, you have to have a BMI over 30 plus diabetes that hasn't responded to two other meds. Since Glucophage actually worked for me, I'm just sitting in that pre-diabetes zone—right on the edge, but not quite there. Still, if the supply stabilizes, I'll definitely be paying out of pocket for it.

And look, I won't even pretend—I haven't really kicked off any serious workouts yet (please don't come for meee 😁!). I know for sure the results would be way more epic if I did.

Aha, so based on what everyone is saying in their journals, I've realized it's basically only private doctors handing out those Ozempic prescriptions, while the hospital doctors aren't doing it. That's why I'm saying I'm not a candidate. I actually read on one of those news sites that $233, which is like 250 less than Saxenda. I'd much rather switch over to that, but I seriously doubt my doctor will let me if the shortage is still this crazy.

No one is attacking you! We aren't all here acting like pro athletes 😁 Besides, if I stopped eating entirely and just dropped pounds like crazy, I probably wouldn't even have the energy to care about going to the gym anyway.

Megan Anderson5 said:Aha, looking at what people are saying on the forums, I've realized that it seems like only private practitioners are handing out those Ozempic prescriptions. The hospital staff won't touch it. That's why I say I'm not a candidate. I read on one of the health portals that $233, which is $250 cheaper than Saxenda. I would much rather switch to that, but I seriously doubt my doctor will approve it if there's such a shortage.

There's really no point in attacking anyone here. We aren't all gathered here because we're elite athletes 😁 Besides, if I stopped eating entirely just to drop pounds rapidly, I probably wouldn't have any motivation left to stay active.

My endocrinologist, who works at a public hospital rather than in private practice, is actually the one recommending Ozempic to me, and my primary care physician writes the prescription based on her recommendation.

As long as you meet the BMI requirements, I don't think there should be an issue getting someone to prescribe it, since the medication is fundamentally used for weight management anyway. Well, okay, it might not be under the name Ozempic—it's Wegovy—but it’s essentially the same thing, just a different brand name. Plus, Wegovy isn't widely available here yet, so everyone just calls it Ozempic. Until it becomes more common, people tend to refer to Ozempic for weight loss because it’s more effective than Saxenda for both regulating blood sugar and managing weight. If I were on Ozempic, I shouldn't need an additional blood sugar medication, unlike the Forxiga (or the Glucophage I was on before) that I'm currently taking.

To "mainstream" doctors, there isn't a distinction in importance between diabetes and obesity. They are both chronic conditions that require medical management. So, one shouldn't really take precedence over the other.

stormyfalcon4 said:My endocrinologist at the public hospital—not one of those pricey private doctors—is the one who recommends Ozempic to me, and then my primary care physician just writes the prescription based on her word.

Honestly, if you hit that BMI threshold, I don't see why anyone wouldn't just write you the script, since that medication is literally designed for weight management! It’s like, okay, technically they might call it Wegovy instead of Ozempic, but it’s basically the exact same thing under a different label, and since Wegovy isn't widely available here yet, everyone just talks about Ozempic. Until Wegovy becomes the go-to, people keep using the Ozempic name for weight loss because it’s such a powerhouse compared to Saxenda for both managing blood sugar and dropping pounds. If I’m on Ozempic, I probably won't even need extra stuff for my sugar levels, unlike how I'm currently taking Farxiga (or Glucophage before that).

To any "real" doctor out there, there’s really no huge distinction in priority between diabetes and obesity. They are both chronic conditions that require serious medical attention, so one shouldn't necessarily be treated as more important than the other.

Aha, gotcha. Thanks for clearing that up, it makes total sense now! 🙂 I'll definitely bring it up next time I have my appointment with the specialist.

Saxenda here! 🙂 It’s my fourth week, and I’m increasing my dose following the instructions. My plan is to work my way up to the maximum dose and then try tapering down from there.
I’m using 32g, 4mm needles—my doctor mentioned those are the best because they’re so thin and cause the least amount of pain.
I actually ended up with this instead of Ozempic, which has been impossible to find lately, but honestly, I kind of like it! I don't think I'll bother switching. I’ve read that Ozempic can sometimes cause tougher side effects since you only take it once a week, whereas with this, you're doing it daily, so maybe the body just adjusts more smoothly.

As for weight loss, I don't have an exact number yet—just something small but definitely noticeable. I’m trying not to get too obsessed with the scale. I haven't started exercising yet; I'm just focusing on eating smaller portions. I’m taking things very slowly because I feel like I’ve spent half my life sabotaging my own system and slowing down my metabolism with yo-yo dieting. I've finally realized that if I want a permanent change, I have to give it time. It's not just about the physical aspect; it's a mental game. Your head needs to catch up with your stomach and realize that this lifestyle shift is a permanent state, not just a temporary fix.

I'm planning to start a food diary soon, so I'm hoping to see even better results.

Also, I am so happy I found this group! Your experiences mean the world to me. I was actually feeling like I was losing my mind because I felt a much stronger effect on a lower dose, and I thought I was the only one who felt like a higher dose worked less effectively. 🙂

stormyfalcon4 said:My endocrinologist at the public hospital recommended Ozempic, and my primary care physician writes the prescription based on her advice.

If you meet the BMI criteria, I don't see why anyone would refuse to prescribe it. It’s designed for weight management. Technically, it should be Wegovy, but since Wegovy isn't widely available here yet, everyone just calls it Ozempic. Until it becomes more accessible, people stick to Ozempic because it outperforms Saxenda for both blood sugar and weight control. With Ozempic, I wouldn't even need extra glucose meds, unlike the Farxiga (or Glucophage before that) I'm currently taking.

To any decent doctor, there is no hierarchy between diabetes and obesity. Both are chronic conditions requiring treatment. One shouldn't take precedence over the other.

Regards,
My endocrinologist turned me down for Ozempic. According to him, I'm not a candidate despite having a high BMI, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and prediabetes. He claims if I just eat less, the weight will drop off...🤦
I have absolutely no comment on that statement...😲

Right now, I'm on regular blood pressure medication and Metformin (they just bumped up my dose because it had zero effect over the last ten months).

Could you please DM me which endocrinologist you saw? I'm looking for a second opinion from someone who acts like a "normal" doctor—someone who actually takes these issues seriously.
Thanks 🙂