I had my annual visit with my cardiologist yesterday. She said (in a nutshell) “You look great. Come back in a year. Lose 20 pounds” and said she thought Ozempic would be helpful and to discuss it with my endo. Before I do I was wondering if anyone here has used it? I’ve read that it can lower blood sugar as a side effect - while there are also anecdotal reports that it helps stabilize swings in numbers. Would love to hear some first-hand experiences if anyone would care to share.
Dorie @wadawabbit, first, I’m happy to hear the cardiologist’s good news.
I can’t give firsthand knowledge - last week the nurse congratulated me for being able to gain a pound, but I can offer some of what people have shared. First, look at your situation closely, are you willing to risk another drug that doesn’t have a history clearing it of “causing harm” a few years down the road, to help you shed only 20 pounds?
Yes, there is evidence that after using this drug for a while that BGL goes lower - is the lower BG caused by the drug or by the less-heavy body? There is evidence that a heavier body needs more basal insulin, so loosing weight will naturally reduce the needed amount of needed basal infusion/injection. Be comfortable with adjusting bolus and basal dossing without need of consultation.
A “complaint” I’ve heard is that after using Ozempic for a year that it was/is hard to give up, and another said he began gaining back weight after stopping. Yes, there are two sides to this story and I don’t know how factual this is - I heard this at a diabetes roundtable.
Thank you Dennis. I’ve started (just barely) doing some research on the internet before discussing with my doctor. It appears much of the info out there is anecdotal since the drug has not been tested in Type1s due to the risk of lows. Personally when I am researching anything I like to see what “real life” users have to say - in some ways I find it more helpful than professional evaluations although those are important as well. I just recently saw my endo so this will be a topic for our next visit, this summer.