First time with Ozempic--advice?

P

Protein-IMO

Well-known member
Hey all, I'm in Canada, about 5'8", weighing in at 250, and just got approved for Ozempic for my type 2 diabetes through my work benefits. I'm scheduled to start this Sunday using the 0.25-0.5mg pens, and eventually move up to the 1mg pens.

I'm hoping to hear about other people's experiences, especially during the initial 2-4 weeks. Specifically:

- What to expect with food. Will I only be able to eat half my usual meals? Less? I know overeating is a no-no, so I'm trying to gauge how much it impacts appetite.

- What symptoms should I watch for? I know nausea is common, but are there any serious red flags I should be aware of?

- Any beginner tips or tricks?

Thanks in advance!
 
I've been on it for about a month and a half now. Started low and increased every couple of weeks. Last night was rough – I was throwing up while dealing with the WORST constipation and diarrhea at the same time. Drink a LOT of water to avoid constipation; it's awful. Everyone's different with side effects. I've been mostly okay. Some nausea for the first day after the shot, and twice I've had terrible cramps and pain.
 
Everyone reacts differently to the starting doses - some people feel the changes right away, some don't feel anything. My meals gradually got to be about half of what they used to be. Honestly the biggest thing for me is to listen to your body and stop when you feel full. Much harder than I thought. If you think "I'm almost full but it's only a couple more bites..." — STOP. Put down the fork! But also, make sure you eat enough to maintain a good calorie deficit. If you don't feel hungry at all you might need to lower your dosage.
 
Advice? Get ready for your stomach to feel like it's full of cement... Your appetite will be gone. After a couple of months, I don't even want coffee anymore. I used to drink a cup or two every day, now it's been weeks since I've had any. You might get a lot of burping and gas, especially after meals or at night. I've felt nauseous a few times but I think it was my vitamins. I stopped taking them and it seems to have cleared up. Good luck!
 
Consider searching for a Canadian group online for GLP-1 users; I've found it pretty helpful. Also, do searches on this forum too.

I put together an Ozempic "kit" with stool softeners, a gentle laxative, and prunes. Also anti-diarrheal meds, just in case. And an anti-nausea medicine. I took the anti-nausea meds at bedtime for the first few nights, which helped me get through the worst of it. And then for a couple days after my injections, until things stabilized.

I had to adjust my diet. I was doing low carb and high fat before starting, but couldn't handle the fat. Adding carbs back was harder than expected because I have some dietary limitations and had been eating low carb for a long time. Even now, I eat fewer carbs than most people around me, but more than before Ozempic.

Take your measurements before you start. If you don't have a CGM, get a glucometer and check your blood sugar regularly for a while. People usually don't get low sugars on Oz, unless they don't eat, but it's good to see them normalize. Don't panic if you don't lose weight right away. I didn't lose anything for the first month or so, but I did lose an inch off my waist.

I'm happy that my blood sugar is so good, even if I eat potatoes. I've lost about 20% of my weight. It's easier to exercise without the extra weight. I hope you have a good journey.
 
Remember in the beginning that you can't eat as much as you used to, especially for the first few days. For the first 2-3 days, deliberately eat a smaller amount. If you're still hungry, have another small portion later. I've had a little nausea here and there, but it seems to happen when I eat too much. Watch out when you go out to dinner! It's easy to overeat because restaurants give you huge plates AND you're talking to friends, so you don't realize how much you're eating!
 
Hey there! I'm also Canadian, with similar stats. I'm 5'7" and 243 lbs, but I'm not getting approved through benefits because I don't have diabetes. I'll be paying out of pocket and planning to start in April. My doctor suggested that I stick with the lowest dose of 0.25 for up to 6 weeks to minimize side effects. He also gave me two prescriptions for antinauseants, and told me to take a stool softener daily, and to drink a lot of water. He said to eat a bland diet the day of the injection and to keep meal sizes small. He said the people who have the worst side effects are the ones who increase doses too fast, which is why he suggests staying at the lowest dose for 6 weeks at the start. He also said to aim for about a pound a week of weight loss - slower is better and less side effects. Good luck to you! Let us know how it goes when you have your first injection. I'm really nervous about the potential side effects.
 
Everyone responds differently. My only side effect has been acid reflux, which is easy to handle with antacids. I'm eating about half to three-quarters of what I used to. Snacking is totally gone for me. You probably won't feel very hungry since your hunger cues are muted. You'll feel full really fast. Focus on small meals with high protein and high fiber. Drink lots of water, have electrolytes once a day, and take a good multivitamin. Tracking everything in a GLP-1 app is super helpful!
 
I started 0.5mg on Thursday and I've never felt so sick! I couldn't keep anything down, even small things like yogurt or toast, I had a terrible migraine, and felt like I had a bad flu. My husband got me some anti-nausea meds and migraine pills and I was able to eat a small meal tonight that I didn't throw up. I'm going back to the doctor on Monday because my reaction was so extreme.
 
plot-twist said:
Well, fingers crossed for the best and no side effects! I'm starting my first dose today.
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Let us know how you feel! I've discovered that even though the media says everyone gets side effects, some people don't, and up to 25% can't tolerate the drug. If you see benefits, that's great, but the side effects can be intense.
 
I agree with @Veggie-Coffee about minimizing meal sizes. Portion control is key on this med. It's not about deprivation, it's about eating mindfully and stopping when you're satisfied, not stuffed. A smaller plate can really help with that.
 
Take it slow on the plunge, sit down after, and expect nothing from the first dose - the appetite signal usually shows up around weeks 2-4. Starting at 0.25mg is the standard intro, and timing it before a light meal helps if nausea is an issue.
 
The needle is incredibly tiny, you don't feel a thing. I do mine on the abdomen. Squeeze some skin and push the pen gently until it sits flat. Painless. Count 7 or 8 before releasing. You'll find it easy. Won't be an issue by round two, I guarantee.
 
Found out wine actually helps with the constipation issue. Had some rose a couple times and hours later the problem cleared up. First time was intense diarrhea, second time was rough but less severe. Not an ideal solution but interesting enough to mention.
 
Started ozempic mid-January at 0.25mg and moved up gradually. By late April I'd lost 18 pounds in four months and my cycle and insulin improved. Then I got a positive pregnancy test and stopped right away. My doctor wasn't encouraging about continuing. Looking for stories from others who've been pregnant while on this or just after - how'd it go? What happened?
 
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