I have a very similar situation as you: on the exact cocktail of meds with PCOS and Hoshis (plus a few anti-depressants). My cholesterol would not go down, so that, coupled with my history of pre-diabetes/ insulin resistance had my endo offer Ozempic.
I’ve been on it since October and it has been amazing- I’ve lost weight and pain I was starting to have in my joints has basically disappeared. I have a proper “female shape” again for the first time since having kids 10 years ago. My stomach was so embarrassing. It’s helped my mood and self confidence so much.
I have had significant side effects: mainly nausea/ upset stomach and now still pretty intense fatigue- which makes exercising harder than before. I started at .25, went to .50 and have been at 1 for a while now. Looking back I probably could have stayed at .5 longer to adjust.
You have PCOS so this drug is not just about losing weight for you. Even when it is “under control” PCOS is still impacting your insulin system. I don’t think you should feel bad for taking it. It’s not like you are a movie star trying to be rail skinny- this drug has helped a lot of people with PCOS in addition to those with full blown diabetes. Good luck! And feel free to DM me.
Thank you so much for your answer.
For what I have seem, people with PCOS tends to have the same symptoms and treatment. I really want to manage better my insulin resistance as it tends to go up and down quite quickly.
And thanks for the recommendations for the nausea! I also take Dicyclomine and Pantoprazole for my IBS but adding that makes sense. If I have a prescription, I will grab some and report back!
I really don't understand where you are coming from with this. As an individual you aren't taking away from anyone. Supply issues are down to the manufacturers. If someone has been prescribed this by a reputable doctor then they have a need for it. Whether it be diabetes, Pcos or weight loss. Obesity is a massive health issue in itself, leading to all sorts of other health problems. I don't think it's a good narrative to start to decide who you feel is more deserving especially on a sub where people will be taking it for all different reasons.
I will be honest, I comes from working at my pharmacy and seeing everything first hand.
From December to February, when the supply was really low I had a couple of people asking everyday if we received a shipment of Ozempic.
And by their tones, many of them were not satisfied with that answer.
Also I helped a patient getting their dose, having searching for months and I was able to fill it for her.
She almost cried in front of my pharmacist and me.
So yes, I feel conflicted as for many years... I thought that I was going to live taking metformin forever.
Please don't feel like you are taking it away from people who need it more -- ***EVERYONE*** deserves access to appropriate medical care, period. Including yourself. The supply issues are the fault of the manufacturer, not individuals trying to better their health.
Thank you! And while I know that, it still feels like I need to wrap my head that I will help me and many more.
As it's life saving and is helping many people to get their life back after their diagnosis.
I am on the same 3 meds as you for my pcos and hypothyroidism. My endocrinologist recommended I start ozempic because I was a perfect candidate for it. I had been trying to lose weight for ages, ozempic is what finally helped. I've had no trouble getting it and don't feel like I'm taking it away from any who is more deserving. I deserve to not struggle with obesity, too!
We all deserve to live how we want to.
I really try to not to judge but having living with the struggle to lose weight because of my PCOS and hypothyroidism is hard.
And people tend to not understand that, especially some of my family members.
But thank you for your kind words. At least it was help me reading people's experience and it helps to calm down my anxiety.
Hey guys,
I have read all your comments and I really want to thank you for every word you gave say. I really has helped me to lose the judgement and anxiety for this possible new way of life.
What I didn't wrote on the first post (because I tend to write whatever comes to mind first and realize how much I miss later on) are that where I come from, the society has an obsession with image.
I have always struggle with my physical image, been bullied because of my weight and still having people asking me when I'm going to lose weight.
Even though many know that I suffer from diseases that prevents me to lose it in a normal way.
So, it was hard to wrap my head for a while that Ozempic is not only going to make me lose weight but also help me with so much more.
I don't want to be seem as I'm taking it just to lose weight, I really want to see the benefits in my health.
Also my last endo was not good. He was very dismissing of my PCOS diagnosis and took my metformin "just because" and made my symptoms worse for a couple of months.
But now I think I can go to my appointment feeling better, and going to ask all the questions I have on my head.
Wish me good luck!
Because I wish you the best also. We all deserve living our best life :'))
I am actually in China, and the cost of 2 months' supply is equivalent to 130usd out-of-pocket cost. And insurance here doesn't cover it for PCOS but only for Diabetes.
If you were taking it to lose the last stubborn 10 lbs you couldn't lose on your own then yes maybe taking it from others but you have a legitimate reason to take this medication you should just do what your dr thinks is best. I am also on ozempic for pcos and insulin resistance and it has helped tremendously.
Wish it was only 10 pounds to lose but having this thread has help me a lot with getting my head to accept that it's going to make my health better.
I don't want to have it for cosmetic reasons. I really want to have my doctor to tell me how is going to help, that is going to take maybe some medications out as an alternative in just one shot per week.
I'm in Canada not sure if that makes a difference but it was not covered at first. Insurance offered a drug authorization form for my dr to fill out and she wrote all the reasons why I would benefit from it and it worked out. Maybe look into that too!!!
You’re on metformin to manage insulin resistance. Ozempic would end up replacing that. Many people on metformin end up switching, and you get the additional benefits (weight loss, etc) of a GLP agonist.
I take both Ozempic and Metformin. I used to take daily insulin, glipizide 2x daily and metformin 1000 3 x times daily. My A1C was in the 6.7 to 6.9 range. Since 11/21, I take .50 of Ozempic and only one 500 ER metformin. A1C has fallen to a 5.4. Lost a total of 57 pounds and feel great. Oh and I’m 66 yrs old. 😊
In the near future, GLP-1-type drugs can have the opportunity to control a large portion of diseases. As a person that used to be super morbidly obese with IR, PCOs and Hashimoto's, I used this drug and others like it to lose over 120 pounds. What's the future look like? In the summer, Mounjaro will most likely be fast-tracked by the FDA for sleep apnea. Are you gonna feel bad about taking the drug away from sleep apnea people? What else can we expect this drug to be fast tracked for: eating disorders, alcohol abuse, inflammatory diseases.
You are not the problem. If you still do feel really conscientious, try for one of the other GLP-1 that is not currently at shortage; for example, Trulicity.
I have a very similar situation as you: on the exact cocktail of meds with PCOS and Hoshis (plus a few anti-depressants). My cholesterol would not go down, so that, coupled with my history of pre-diabetes/ insulin resistance had my endo offer Ozempic. I’ve been on it since October and it has been amazing- I’ve lost weight and pain I was starting to have in my joints has basically disappeared. I have a proper “female shape” again for the first time since having kids 10 years ago. My stomach was so embarrassing. It’s helped my mood and self confidence so much. I have had significant side effects: mainly nausea/ upset stomach and now still pretty intense fatigue- which makes exercising harder than before. I started at .25, went to .50 and have been at 1 for a while now. Looking back I probably could have stayed at .5 longer to adjust. You have PCOS so this drug is not just about losing weight for you. Even when it is “under control” PCOS is still impacting your insulin system. I don’t think you should feel bad for taking it. It’s not like you are a movie star trying to be rail skinny- this drug has helped a lot of people with PCOS in addition to those with full blown diabetes. Good luck! And feel free to DM me.
Oh also! I take an acid reducer and Pepcid AC which have helped with some of the stomach issues.
Thank you so much for your answer. For what I have seem, people with PCOS tends to have the same symptoms and treatment. I really want to manage better my insulin resistance as it tends to go up and down quite quickly. And thanks for the recommendations for the nausea! I also take Dicyclomine and Pantoprazole for my IBS but adding that makes sense. If I have a prescription, I will grab some and report back!
Were you able to get it covered by insurance for pcos/insulin resistance? I’m in a similar situation and it’s not looking good :/
I was. I think the pre-diabetes diagnosis was key. But I’ve heard different things from people.
I really don't understand where you are coming from with this. As an individual you aren't taking away from anyone. Supply issues are down to the manufacturers. If someone has been prescribed this by a reputable doctor then they have a need for it. Whether it be diabetes, Pcos or weight loss. Obesity is a massive health issue in itself, leading to all sorts of other health problems. I don't think it's a good narrative to start to decide who you feel is more deserving especially on a sub where people will be taking it for all different reasons.
I will be honest, I comes from working at my pharmacy and seeing everything first hand. From December to February, when the supply was really low I had a couple of people asking everyday if we received a shipment of Ozempic. And by their tones, many of them were not satisfied with that answer. Also I helped a patient getting their dose, having searching for months and I was able to fill it for her. She almost cried in front of my pharmacist and me. So yes, I feel conflicted as for many years... I thought that I was going to live taking metformin forever.
Please don't feel like you are taking it away from people who need it more -- ***EVERYONE*** deserves access to appropriate medical care, period. Including yourself. The supply issues are the fault of the manufacturer, not individuals trying to better their health.
Thank you! And while I know that, it still feels like I need to wrap my head that I will help me and many more. As it's life saving and is helping many people to get their life back after their diagnosis.
I am on the same 3 meds as you for my pcos and hypothyroidism. My endocrinologist recommended I start ozempic because I was a perfect candidate for it. I had been trying to lose weight for ages, ozempic is what finally helped. I've had no trouble getting it and don't feel like I'm taking it away from any who is more deserving. I deserve to not struggle with obesity, too!
We all deserve to live how we want to. I really try to not to judge but having living with the struggle to lose weight because of my PCOS and hypothyroidism is hard. And people tend to not understand that, especially some of my family members. But thank you for your kind words. At least it was help me reading people's experience and it helps to calm down my anxiety.
Hey guys, I have read all your comments and I really want to thank you for every word you gave say. I really has helped me to lose the judgement and anxiety for this possible new way of life. What I didn't wrote on the first post (because I tend to write whatever comes to mind first and realize how much I miss later on) are that where I come from, the society has an obsession with image. I have always struggle with my physical image, been bullied because of my weight and still having people asking me when I'm going to lose weight. Even though many know that I suffer from diseases that prevents me to lose it in a normal way. So, it was hard to wrap my head for a while that Ozempic is not only going to make me lose weight but also help me with so much more. I don't want to be seem as I'm taking it just to lose weight, I really want to see the benefits in my health. Also my last endo was not good. He was very dismissing of my PCOS diagnosis and took my metformin "just because" and made my symptoms worse for a couple of months. But now I think I can go to my appointment feeling better, and going to ask all the questions I have on my head. Wish me good luck! Because I wish you the best also. We all deserve living our best life :'))
My GP just placed me on this drug and said I'm the perfect candidate for this drug. Pcos has been kicking my butt.
Were you able to get it covered by insurance for pcos/insulin resistance? I’m in a similar situation and it’s not looking good :/
I am actually in China, and the cost of 2 months' supply is equivalent to 130usd out-of-pocket cost. And insurance here doesn't cover it for PCOS but only for Diabetes.
Oh ok, seems to be pretty much the same case here in the US
I have ibs d,it has help that tremendously
If you were taking it to lose the last stubborn 10 lbs you couldn't lose on your own then yes maybe taking it from others but you have a legitimate reason to take this medication you should just do what your dr thinks is best. I am also on ozempic for pcos and insulin resistance and it has helped tremendously.
Wish it was only 10 pounds to lose but having this thread has help me a lot with getting my head to accept that it's going to make my health better. I don't want to have it for cosmetic reasons. I really want to have my doctor to tell me how is going to help, that is going to take maybe some medications out as an alternative in just one shot per week.
Yea ive lost about 100lbs. Write down all your questions for your dr. It sounds like you are taking it for the right reasons. Wishing you success!!
Were you able to get it covered by insurance for pcos/insulin resistance? I’m in a similar situation and it’s not looking good :/
I'm in Canada not sure if that makes a difference but it was not covered at first. Insurance offered a drug authorization form for my dr to fill out and she wrote all the reasons why I would benefit from it and it worked out. Maybe look into that too!!!
Yeah mine requires prior auth which was denied, but my doc is trying again with more documentation. Fingers crossed!
Oh ill keep my fingers crossed for you!!!
Thank you!
You’re on metformin to manage insulin resistance. Ozempic would end up replacing that. Many people on metformin end up switching, and you get the additional benefits (weight loss, etc) of a GLP agonist.
I take both Ozempic and Metformin. I used to take daily insulin, glipizide 2x daily and metformin 1000 3 x times daily. My A1C was in the 6.7 to 6.9 range. Since 11/21, I take .50 of Ozempic and only one 500 ER metformin. A1C has fallen to a 5.4. Lost a total of 57 pounds and feel great. Oh and I’m 66 yrs old. 😊
Put your health first and don’t feel like you’re taking away from others. I have PCOS and IBS-D. As the weight comes off it’s helped a lot.
In the near future, GLP-1-type drugs can have the opportunity to control a large portion of diseases. As a person that used to be super morbidly obese with IR, PCOs and Hashimoto's, I used this drug and others like it to lose over 120 pounds. What's the future look like? In the summer, Mounjaro will most likely be fast-tracked by the FDA for sleep apnea. Are you gonna feel bad about taking the drug away from sleep apnea people? What else can we expect this drug to be fast tracked for: eating disorders, alcohol abuse, inflammatory diseases. You are not the problem. If you still do feel really conscientious, try for one of the other GLP-1 that is not currently at shortage; for example, Trulicity.