Done with STEP-UP trial!

WellWin

Well-known member
START WEIGHT: 257 lbs || CURRENT WEIGHT: around 160

Started in size 20/22 pants, XL shirts. Now in size 10 pants and medium shirts.

I finished my participation in the Novo Nordisk STEP-UP trial on July 5th. It was testing 7.2mg injectable semaglutide against placebo and the standard 2.4mg dose. I had a 1 in 7 chance of placebo; 3 in 7 of 2.4mg; and 3 in 7 of 7.2mg. Double-blinded, so I don't know my dose until late 2025 when they publish the results.

I started in mid-Feb '23, and increased the dose every month (assuming I wasn't on placebo, which i doubt). By July '23, I was either at 2.4mg or bumped up to 7.2mg. I stayed there until Jan '24, when I told them I was worried about lack of appetite, hair loss, and my period stopping. They dropped me to 1.7mg, which I've been on since.

I didn't track kcals. I have a bad history with it. But if I'm experimenting with a new recipe, I'll add up the kcals, protein, and fiber to see if I want to adjust (and then never look again). I try to eat more protein, fruits, veg, and beans. I eat out and drink occasionally.

I met their exercise goals already (powerlifting 3x/week and softball 1x/week). I kept that up through the trial, plus volleyball for about 6 months.

My worst side effects were constipation (still dealing with it) and some nausea with dose increases. The benefits are worth it. My food noise on 1.7mg is maybe 10-20% of what it was, depending on the day. Just enough to make me think about wanting something sweet when I'm stressed, but not overwhelming. The lower food noise is the biggest benefit, plus improvements in my IBS, skin, and more.

The trial has a 9-week washout period, with a follow-up to check blood levels (to make sure the 7.2mg dose is cleared out).

I'm working to get insurance to cover brand-name after the washout. Plan is to maintain at 1.0 or 1.7mg. I was automatically denied because my BMI is around 25-26, so they said no. We're appealing, hoping a human looks at it! haha

Ask me anything about the trial, semaglutide, food, exercise, whatever! I'm grateful for the trial and hope I can continue after the washout.
 
Welcome to the forum! Please remember to not discuss non-FDA approved medications. If you're new here, check out the .
 
Congrats!! I worked as a clinical appeals nurse. I hope a real person looks at it! If the doctor's appeal fails, YOU can also appeal. Some places even have two appeal levels, where the final level requires a specialist to review the case. So if an obesity med doc prescribes, it's reviewed by one too. Reach out if you need help! It's great if your plan covers weight loss meds, many employers are opting out to cut costs. Short-sighted, given the expensive diseases impacted by obesity! Anyway, congrats!
 
Thank you for posting! I'm in a clinical trial for a different GLP-1 and curious about post-trial access. Hoping a real person looks at yours and you can continue! Congrats!
 
Thank you for participating in a clinical trial. They come with risk, but are necessary for the rest of us to get this medication. So thank you!
 
Incredible response! As someone who designs and runs clinical trials - THANK YOU for your participation and completing your follow up. It is super important for advancing the evidence around these meds and it will help a ton of patients.
 
I’m in the same study. I couldn't go higher than 1.7 because of skin sensitivity. I'm down from 235 to 185 though
 
WellWin said:
I'm working to get insurance to cover brand-name after the washout. Plan is to maintain at 1.0 or 1.7mg. I was automatically denied because my BMI is around 25-26, so they said no. We're appealing, hoping a human looks at it! haha

That's so frustrating! It's ridiculous how insurance companies can be. I hope your appeal works out!
 
WellWin said:
I'm mostly worried about the "food noise" coming back. It's been so quiet for so long!

That's what I'm afraid of too. I've heard that for most folks, these are lifelong meds. Our bodies fight to get back to where they were.
 
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