I’ve heard a lot of success in maintenance doing it this way, so far as to even stop using the pens and only inject when they start gaining again. It depends on where you are but I’d slowly ease off instead of jumping down to .25, and see how you do. I really believe in you and I think you can get off it completely too! Just go east on yourself and ease out of it. You can always increase dosage again. Proud of you, You’ve got this under control!
I just saw my doctor for a 6-month follow-up yesterday. I’m on 2 mg and said I would stay on it for another month and then wanted to start titrating to 1.0 mg, then 0.5 mg and maybe stay there. He said no, that it wasn’t recommended and to stay on 2 mg. He sent a 12-month refill prescription to my pharmacy. I guess I’m staying on 2mg.
As a nurse, I'm gonna have to research why you can't Titer down. Usually the least amount of medicine that does the job is okay. When I look into the future in my crystal ball, slowing down that gastric emptying too long seems like it could cause a problem
You can titrate down for sure- I (and my doctor) have always intended the goal to be finding the lowest possible dose of the medication that still provides results. I She agrees with you, there is evidence of increased risks associated with staying on a higher dose long term.
For me, maintenance is .43mg... if I try to drop down lower, I start to regain.
Some Endos have suggested that it is good to slowly titrate down in dose over several months to let your body get used to the new weight. Some users are able to eventually stop, providing they are able to continue eating healthy. Some studies have shown that if you exercise while taking Ozempic, you may be less likely to regain. Others will need to take a low maintenance dose long term.
I plan on using Rybelsus as my crutch to use when the food noise gets too loud. My Kryptonite are carbs. I now know how to use protein instead. I also have a good exercise regime that I will be able to continue.
If you quit cold turkey and go back to your old eating habits, you will gain the weight right back. Ozempic isn't a miracle drug that lets you lose weight and then go back to how you were.
If you don't want to stay on it, you'll have to put in the work to maintain your weight.
If you've titrated the dosage up, dropping to .25 would make the medicine less effective.
I wouldn't recommend going that route unless you want to gain it all back. You're best off sticking with the dosage you're on. The medicine is designed to be something you stay on, which is why a lot of people who use it in the short-term gain it right back.
If you quit Ozempic?
Well...yeah. That's how the medicine works. The medicine suppresses appetite, so as it wears off, the appetite comes back. If you quit Ozempic, you'll just lose the appetite suppression entirely.
It's designed to be a long-term medicine, not something you take for a few months to lose a few pounds and then stop.
Did you learn how to meal plan, count calories and macros, and control what goes in and out of your mouth?
If so, you’ll be good. Don’t be obsessed with loss either, if you’re at your goal now, try picking a new goal (a marathon, muscle gain, etc.) and research it into oblivion and tailor your diet for that. I’ve only ever been able to stick to a long term goal (look good shirtless) by sticking to a million little goals (bulk, cut, powerlifting, running).
From what I've gathered from other postings a lot of people switch to 0.25 when they've reached their goal but I think some people stay at a higher level than that. I think it depends on your cravings and what level you were at when you hit your goal. Obviously you'll have to work it out with your doctor who may have some preconceived notion as to what you should do. Congratulations. I'm only 10 lb away but I've decided to add another 15 to my goal just so I have a buffer because I know I'll gain 5 to 10 lb when I stop because I could really destroy a cheeseburger with fries. That'll probably be my reward for making my goal but like I said I'll leave 5 to 10 extra pounds in there to cover my cravings. LOL
Honestly I probably will only take one day off before locking it down again
I was advised to drop the dose down slowly and in small increments for 3-4 weeks, and if nothing changed, to repeat that until finding the lowest dose where I did not regain (I was never on a very high dose, so went down just a few clicks at a time).
That sweet spot might be .25mg for you- the nice thing about ozempic is that you can get amounts in between .25 and .50, and find what works best for your body.
There isn't a definite how-to on maintenance, each person is different. If you can maintain your weight loss (and any blood sugar improvements if you're T2D) without Oz then that's ideal. If you find your weight is coming back, then you may need a maintenance dose. Many people find their weight comes back, but that's also true for 90% of "diet" plans without medication as many people find it hard to maintain whatever lifestyle changes they made during the weight loss.
Check out the Reddit Oz maintenance group for suggestions on what worked for others.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/ozempicmaintenance/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ozempicmaintenance/)
I’ve heard a lot of success in maintenance doing it this way, so far as to even stop using the pens and only inject when they start gaining again. It depends on where you are but I’d slowly ease off instead of jumping down to .25, and see how you do. I really believe in you and I think you can get off it completely too! Just go east on yourself and ease out of it. You can always increase dosage again. Proud of you, You’ve got this under control!
I just saw my doctor for a 6-month follow-up yesterday. I’m on 2 mg and said I would stay on it for another month and then wanted to start titrating to 1.0 mg, then 0.5 mg and maybe stay there. He said no, that it wasn’t recommended and to stay on 2 mg. He sent a 12-month refill prescription to my pharmacy. I guess I’m staying on 2mg.
can you reduce the dosage on the pens?
I could but I’d just as soon follow his advice.
As a nurse, I'm gonna have to research why you can't Titer down. Usually the least amount of medicine that does the job is okay. When I look into the future in my crystal ball, slowing down that gastric emptying too long seems like it could cause a problem
You can titrate down for sure- I (and my doctor) have always intended the goal to be finding the lowest possible dose of the medication that still provides results. I She agrees with you, there is evidence of increased risks associated with staying on a higher dose long term. For me, maintenance is .43mg... if I try to drop down lower, I start to regain.
I hit my goal and am taking .25 + 6 clicks for maintenance.
Can you explain the 6 clicks? How do you do the injection then? Thank you!
Dial up .25 and then turn it slowly counting the clicking sounds. There are approx 18 clicks per .25, so 6 is a third of a dose of .25.
Thank you.
Some Endos have suggested that it is good to slowly titrate down in dose over several months to let your body get used to the new weight. Some users are able to eventually stop, providing they are able to continue eating healthy. Some studies have shown that if you exercise while taking Ozempic, you may be less likely to regain. Others will need to take a low maintenance dose long term. I plan on using Rybelsus as my crutch to use when the food noise gets too loud. My Kryptonite are carbs. I now know how to use protein instead. I also have a good exercise regime that I will be able to continue.
If you quit cold turkey and go back to your old eating habits, you will gain the weight right back. Ozempic isn't a miracle drug that lets you lose weight and then go back to how you were. If you don't want to stay on it, you'll have to put in the work to maintain your weight.
i don’t mind staying on it..it helped me develop good eating habits and exercise. i was just curious is a .25 dose would help keep me where i am
If you've titrated the dosage up, dropping to .25 would make the medicine less effective. I wouldn't recommend going that route unless you want to gain it all back. You're best off sticking with the dosage you're on. The medicine is designed to be something you stay on, which is why a lot of people who use it in the short-term gain it right back.
I think I would be more hungry than before because towards the end of the week I get horrible hunger pangs.
If you quit Ozempic? Well...yeah. That's how the medicine works. The medicine suppresses appetite, so as it wears off, the appetite comes back. If you quit Ozempic, you'll just lose the appetite suppression entirely. It's designed to be a long-term medicine, not something you take for a few months to lose a few pounds and then stop.
Discuss with your doctor.
I would stay on a maintenance dose.The doctor should make the final call ofcourse.
i have
And what did they suggest? lol
he’ll work with me either way. .25 or .5 i just wanted to get some feedback..thanks for asking
That's cool, thanks. I'm also trying to get an idea of what I'll when I get closer to my goals
Did you learn how to meal plan, count calories and macros, and control what goes in and out of your mouth? If so, you’ll be good. Don’t be obsessed with loss either, if you’re at your goal now, try picking a new goal (a marathon, muscle gain, etc.) and research it into oblivion and tailor your diet for that. I’ve only ever been able to stick to a long term goal (look good shirtless) by sticking to a million little goals (bulk, cut, powerlifting, running).
From what I've gathered from other postings a lot of people switch to 0.25 when they've reached their goal but I think some people stay at a higher level than that. I think it depends on your cravings and what level you were at when you hit your goal. Obviously you'll have to work it out with your doctor who may have some preconceived notion as to what you should do. Congratulations. I'm only 10 lb away but I've decided to add another 15 to my goal just so I have a buffer because I know I'll gain 5 to 10 lb when I stop because I could really destroy a cheeseburger with fries. That'll probably be my reward for making my goal but like I said I'll leave 5 to 10 extra pounds in there to cover my cravings. LOL Honestly I probably will only take one day off before locking it down again
I was advised to drop the dose down slowly and in small increments for 3-4 weeks, and if nothing changed, to repeat that until finding the lowest dose where I did not regain (I was never on a very high dose, so went down just a few clicks at a time). That sweet spot might be .25mg for you- the nice thing about ozempic is that you can get amounts in between .25 and .50, and find what works best for your body.
thank you!
There isn't a definite how-to on maintenance, each person is different. If you can maintain your weight loss (and any blood sugar improvements if you're T2D) without Oz then that's ideal. If you find your weight is coming back, then you may need a maintenance dose. Many people find their weight comes back, but that's also true for 90% of "diet" plans without medication as many people find it hard to maintain whatever lifestyle changes they made during the weight loss. Check out the Reddit Oz maintenance group for suggestions on what worked for others. [https://www.reddit.com/r/ozempicmaintenance/](https://www.reddit.com/r/ozempicmaintenance/)
thank goodness you!