Saxenda, Ozempic and Wegovy advice and support #4

[raspberryjuice]

One of the biggest things for me recently has been not worrying about the scales and focusing on the other parts of my weight loss journey.

This time last year I went on holiday and I could only just squeeze the belt around me on the plane, and that was if I tucked it under my stomach and breathed in (probably should have asked for a belt extender but I was so embarrassed I squeezed myself in).
I’ve just been on a plane again today and not only does the belt now fit comfortably, I have all this excess at the end. It reaches the end of my knee if that’s not clear on top of my dress

Saxenda, and now ozempic, has completely changed my life. I will forever be grateful to the ladies who posted on thread 1 who I followed for months before giving it a go myself.

 

[DanaScully]

Hope it's OK to ask this:

Are weight loss injections available on the NHS for those entitled to free prescriptions?

I'm in the obese BMI category and currently the heaviest I've ever been. I've tried Slimming World, intermittent fasting, meal planning etc but can't maintain my weight loss.

I have hypothyroidism also so it seems to take me longer than others to lose weight. Thanks in advance.

 

[observerisshe]

Hope it's OK to ask this:

Are weight loss injections available on the NHS for those entitled to free prescriptions?

I'm in the obese BMI category and currently the heaviest I've ever been. I've tried Slimming World, intermittent fasting, meal planning etc but can't maintain my weight loss.

I have hypothyroidism also so it seems to take me longer than others to lose weight. Thanks in advance.

No. For anything purely for weight loss, you have to be referred to weight management and to be honest. Hypothyroid wouldn’t even push you through. Best paying private.

 

[Sodivine]

Hope it's OK to ask this:

Are weight loss injections available on the NHS for those entitled to free prescriptions?

I'm in the obese BMI category and currently the heaviest I've ever been. I've tried Slimming World, intermittent fasting, meal planning etc but can't maintain my weight loss.

I have hypothyroidism also so it seems to take me longer than others to lose weight. Thanks in advance.

It seems to vary from CCG to CCG, and from GP to GP. The only way you will know is if you ask your own GP. I wouldn’t rule it out because there are people who have asked and been prescribed it very easily. Not so common, but worth asking.
Also bear in mind supply is low so you may have trouble filling the prescription at your local pharmacy. Getting a prescription is only one hurdle…

 

[mindlessness]

One of the biggest things for me recently has been not worrying about the scales and focusing on the other parts of my weight loss journey.

This time last year I went on holiday and I could only just squeeze the belt around me on the plane, and that was if I tucked it under my stomach and breathed in (probably should have asked for a belt extender but I was so embarrassed I squeezed myself in).
I’ve just been on a plane again today and not only does the belt now fit comfortably, I have all this excess at the end. It reaches the end of my knee if that’s not clear on top of my dress

Saxenda, and now ozempic, has completely changed my life. I will forever be grateful to the ladies who posted on thread 1 who I followed for months before giving it a go myself.

This is such a great representation of the non-scale victories that lie ahead for me and others here, thank you @raspberryjuice

Hope you have a lovely holiday!
---

Hope it's OK to ask this:

Are weight loss injections available on the NHS for those entitled to free prescriptions?

I'm in the obese BMI category and currently the heaviest I've ever been. I've tried Slimming World, intermittent fasting, meal planning etc but can't maintain my weight loss.

I have hypothyroidism also so it seems to take me longer than others to lose weight. Thanks in advance.

The Lloyds Pharmacy website has a good page explaining how you might be able to get Saxenda on the NHS but there are hurdles - you need to have tried lots of others things first and also have other issues (like hyperglycaemia etc).

Who Can Get Saxenda For Free?

Saxenda is available to a select group of people on the NHS.

onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com

It might be worth at least chatting to your Doctor to find out if it's possible? Especially with the hypothyroidism as well. Good luck!

 

[plinky2]

I’m so annoyed I forgot to do the 6 second holding in today, I was out when I was doing it, so was rushing. I did 2 x 0.25mg for my first 0.5 dose and messed up! I couldn’t see any liquid on my stomach and I feel it stinging so here is praying. I am also not really losing very much tbh, if I can even get up to 1mg at one point I will try but if it proves too hard to get I might swap to something else as it’s frustrating
---

Hope it's OK to ask this:

Are weight loss injections available on the NHS for those entitled to free prescriptions?

I'm in the obese BMI category and currently the heaviest I've ever been. I've tried Slimming World, intermittent fasting, meal planning etc but can't maintain my weight loss.

I have hypothyroidism also so it seems to take me longer than others to lose weight. Thanks in advance.

You need to find out what your ICB do. If they have weight management services in place then the GP cannot issue and you have to move though tiers 1 & 2 to qualify for the injections. But your ICB might not have these rules, so you just got to get round your GP. Tbh I was under the impression ozempic for weight loss wasn’t prescribable in primary care as it’s off licence so would technically require a specialist. You might get Saxenda

 

[clworld2]

I have just ordered ozempic from pharmacy planet the read the trust pilot rookie mistake looks like Il be starting next week !

 

[mindlessness]

I’m so annoyed I forgot to do the 6 second holding in today, I was out when I was doing it, so was rushing. I did 2 x 0.25mg for my first 0.5 dose and messed up! I couldn’t see any liquid on my stomach and I feel it stinging so here is praying. I am also not really losing very much tbh, if I can even get up to 1mg at one point I will try but if it proves too hard to get I might swap to something else as it’s frustrating
---

You need to find out what your ICB do. If they have weight management services in place then the GP cannot issue and you have to move though tiers 1 & 2 to qualify for the injections. But your ICB might not have these rules, so you just got to get round your GP. Tbh I was under the impression ozempic for weight loss wasn’t prescribable in primary care as it’s off licence so would technically require a specialist. You might get Saxenda

Yeah they (the NHS) won't do Ozempic prescriptions for weight loss, we have to wait for wegovy. Which is coming...at some point? Who knows!

 

[Clickbait]

Are people finding shortages in every product at the moment? And is there quite a big variation in price depending on who you buy from?

I’ve been reading these threads for a long time. I have a fair bit of weight to lose and now I’m back to work after maternity leave I have some capacity to focus on calorie counting. I have very little time for exercise aside from that associated with lifting/carrying/pushing around a baby, but I’ve found in the past my weight loss has been all diet-related.

My one concern is that we’re trying for a second baby and they recommend stopping taking any weight loss drugs 2 months before trying. I don’t have the time to wait (because of my age) to put the baby plans on the back burner until I lose the weight, and think the weight loss will be beneficial to chances of conceiving and health during pregnancy and afterwards.

I’m thinking that the Rybelsus tablets might be the best option as I can stop them the same day if I were to get pregnant.

Has anyone been in this position or in a similar one? Would be useful to hear your thoughts.

Also helpful to know a trusted supplier for Rybelsus tablets. Thanks

 

[caremum]

Are people finding shortages in every product at the moment? And is there quite a big variation in price depending on who you buy from?

I’ve been reading these threads for a long time. I have a fair bit of weight to lose and now I’m back to work after maternity leave I have some capacity to focus on calorie counting. I have very little time for exercise aside from that associated with lifting/carrying/pushing around a baby, but I’ve found in the past my weight loss has been all diet-related.

My one concern is that we’re trying for a second baby and they recommend stopping taking any weight loss drugs 2 months before trying. I don’t have the time to wait (because of my age) to put the baby plans on the back burner until I lose the weight, and think the weight loss will be beneficial to chances of conceiving and health during pregnancy and afterwards.

I’m thinking that the Rybelsus tablets might be the best option as I can stop them the same day if I were to get pregnant.

Has anyone been in this position or in a similar one? Would be useful to hear your thoughts.

Also helpful to know a trusted supplier for Rybelsus tablets. Thanks

Good luck with baby making. I put on 4 stone pg1 lost 2 got pregnant and put on 3 stone. Wasn't super skinny to begin with but lost 6 stone afterwards. I didn't have any health issues.

My weight creep gain came at peri meno so cant answer the pgy issue but I have seen on other boards ttc is a big no no but people have gotten pg and gone on to have healthy babys too

 

[mindlessness]

Are people finding shortages in every product at the moment? And is there quite a big variation in price depending on who you buy from?

I’ve been reading these threads for a long time. I have a fair bit of weight to lose and now I’m back to work after maternity leave I have some capacity to focus on calorie counting. I have very little time for exercise aside from that associated with lifting/carrying/pushing around a baby, but I’ve found in the past my weight loss has been all diet-related.

My one concern is that we’re trying for a second baby and they recommend stopping taking any weight loss drugs 2 months before trying. I don’t have the time to wait (because of my age) to put the baby plans on the back burner until I lose the weight, and think the weight loss will be beneficial to chances of conceiving and health during pregnancy and afterwards.

I’m thinking that the Rybelsus tablets might be the best option as I can stop them the same day if I were to get pregnant.

Has anyone been in this position or in a similar one? Would be useful to hear your thoughts.

Also helpful to know a trusted supplier for Rybelsus tablets. Thanks

I would definitely chat to your GP re TTC and Rybelsus as I believe the advice to stop 2 months before applies to the pills as well as the drug in injection form. https://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/semaglutide.html But best to talk to a medical professional about your options I think. Good luck!

I think across the board there are shortages I'm afraid. Definitely there's some variation in price but it seems like all the main places have upped their prices (because it's more expensive for them to buy the medication to then sell on).

 

[mindlessness]

After my second dose of ozempic (0.25) last night I'm definitely feeling more tired today. Trying not to have a nap because then I know I won't sleep tonight! Appetite definitely lower. It could all be in my head but I think things are tasting a bit different too?

 

[DanaScully]

It seems to vary from CCG to CCG, and from GP to GP. The only way you will know is if you ask your own GP. I wouldn’t rule it out because there are people who have asked and been prescribed it very easily. Not so common, but worth asking.
Also bear in mind supply is low so you may have trouble filling the prescription at your local pharmacy. Getting a prescription is only one hurdle…

This is such a great representation of the non-scale victories that lie ahead for me and others here, thank you @raspberryjuice

Hope you have a lovely holiday!
---

The Lloyds Pharmacy website has a good page explaining how you might be able to get Saxenda on the NHS but there are hurdles - you need to have tried lots of others things first and also have other issues (like hyperglycaemia etc).

Who Can Get Saxenda For Free?

Saxenda is available to a select group of people on the NHS.

onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com

It might be worth at least chatting to your Doctor to find out if it's possible? Especially with the hypothyroidism as well. Good luck!

I’m so annoyed I forgot to do the 6 second holding in today, I was out when I was doing it, so was rushing. I did 2 x 0.25mg for my first 0.5 dose and messed up! I couldn’t see any liquid on my stomach and I feel it stinging so here is praying. I am also not really losing very much tbh, if I can even get up to 1mg at one point I will try but if it proves too hard to get I might swap to something else as it’s frustrating
---

You need to find out what your ICB do. If they have weight management services in place then the GP cannot issue and you have to move though tiers 1 & 2 to qualify for the injections. But your ICB might not have these rules, so you just got to get round your GP. Tbh I was under the impression ozempic for weight loss wasn’t prescribable in primary care as it’s off licence so would technically require a specialist. You might get Saxenda

Thank you all. I'll mention it to my GP next time I'm there (if I ever get an appointment).

 

[oddsock17]

Can I ask what the shelf-life is like for the pens? I'm currently pregnant and wouldn't be using it until around September Incase I managed to get ahold of some in the meantime

 

[PrincessCharming]

The date on my most recent pen is April 2025.

If I was thinking of starting towards the end of the year I’d hold off on buying. Wegovy might be available by then and it’s going to be cheaper. Also current prices are high and they might stabilise when stock becomes available.

 

[plinky2]

Can I ask what the shelf-life is like for the pens? I'm currently pregnant and wouldn't be using it until around September Incase I managed to get ahold of some in the meantime

It’s quite long, mine is 2024 on it. You just can’t open it and use it as then you only have 56 days

 

[Anonymous_Troll]

First month completed on Ozempic and I’ve lost 11lbs. Admittedly most of that was in the first week and then 1lb losses for the remaining weeks but it’s going in the right direction. I’ve never been a 1lb loss a week woman, because I’m so all or nothing. Either bingeing or restricting; losing half a stone in a week or gaining it back. So the fact this is helping me maintain some kind of normality with my eating is a miracle. Looking forward to the increased dose this week of 0.5 as the appetite suppression did wear off towards the end of the month for me. Hoping for another half a stone this month!

 

[caremum]

First month completed on Ozempic and I’ve lost 11lbs. Admittedly most of that was in the first week and then 1lb losses for the remaining weeks but it’s going in the right direction. I’ve never been a 1lb loss a week woman, because I’m so all or nothing. Either bingeing or restricting; losing half a stone in a week or gaining it back. So the fact this is helping me maintain some kind of normality with my eating is a miracle. Looking forward to the increased dose this week of 0.5 as the appetite suppression did wear off towards the end of the month for me. Hoping for another half a stone this month!

I was the same. Its so nice to be normal now. If we are out I'll have a cake or a drink. I eat breakfast which I never did as it triggered day long binges.

Though last night had a very gripey tummy and had a toilet dash. Think its cos I've upped my fruit consumption to counteract constipation which worked a little too well

 

[plinky2]

My losses have ramped up a bit since going to 0.5mg but I am also really having to monitor what I am eating carefully to get the loss moving, which is to be expected I know.

 

[Brian Butterfield]

My losses have ramped up a bit since going to 0.5mg but I am also really having to monitor what I am eating carefully to get the loss moving, which is to be expected I know.

I'm on my second week of 0.5 mg and I've barely lost anything in 7 weeks and due to the shortage Manual can't put me up to 1 mg in two weeks as planned