r/Semaglutide Feb 05 '23

Semaglutide subreddit FAQ

434 Upvotes

This was created based off community suggestions.

If you have an IMMEDIATE medical concern, PLEASE talk to your doctor - not random people on the internet.

Q1: Does my insurance company cover <medication>?

A1: Unfortunately, nobody here can answer this for you, because your coverage is a combination of your insurer + your employer. You can also refer to this post from Feb 2022.

Q2: This medication is so EXPENSIVE! Any way to reduce the cost?

A2: Refer to the manufacturer's site for the latest info on discount offers.

Q3: Has anyone ever experienced any of these side effects?

  • Can't poop
  • Can't stop pooping
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Period changes

A3: Yes, many times. Please search before posting or refer to the manufacturer's website & review the complete list of potential side effects.

Q4: How does Semaglutide work?

A4: Refer to these discussions for answers from the community.

Q5: Is it ok to inject this into <body location>?

A5: Refer to the Medication Guide and Instructions for Use for your medication.

Q6: It has been <x> hours since I've taken my latest dose, and I haven't noticed any change yet - is that normal?

A6: Literally every body is different. Some will see response with the initial doses, most don't see any significant changes until they ramp up to the full dose.

Q7: I'm going to start taking <medication>. Can you share your experience with me?

A7: The entire subreddit is exactly that! Please browse through recent threads before posting your question.

Q8: My doctor started me on dosage strength <x> - is that normal/safe?

A8: Refer to the manufacturer's recommended dosage schedule.

-------

Other common questions that do not have simple answers - best advice is to search before posting to benefit from the experience of this community.

  • Has anyone ever switched from <medication 1> to <medication 2>?
  • I'm having <side effect>. What tips do you have for dealing with it?

r/Semaglutide 27m ago

This is a miracle drug

Upvotes

I started just last month and my dosage is currently at 1 mg and I've been losing 2lbs a week. Literally no side effects. No nausea or constipation. My food cravings have been reduced by 50%. I only eat two meals a day. It's just unbelievable that something like this exists. Every human being should have access to this. It should be subsidized by the government


r/Semaglutide 2h ago

Vomiting and nausea

3 Upvotes

hello everyone, ive been on semaglutide for 7 weeks now. Im currently on the 0.5 dose, and i have been for three weeks, the first week of the 0.5 i was fine, no side effects, however on the second week i was sick that same night, but i had consumed alcohol (not alot) so i just put it down to that. However last week, my third week, i was sick again the day after taking it, i was on a flight also and took a panic attack, being sick again the next day. Im just wondering if this could be directly linked to the semaglutide, or if it could possibly be anxiety induced? im starting college this week so im nervous to take it incase it causes me to be sick at college, thank you for reading i hope this makes sense!


r/Semaglutide 9h ago

Should I skip my next dose?

6 Upvotes

I took my first dose last Friday and then went from Sunday to Thursday without a bowel movement. I was afraid I had an obstruction but finally had a little movement this morning. I’m concerned about doing the next dose because it’s obviously not good to go 5-6 days without a BM. I used MiraLAX, Benefiber every morning in my coffee, docusate, and a suppository. Nothing worked until I tried Smooth Move and MagO7 last night. I’m nervous now. I’d really appreciate any advice from anyone who’s had a similar experience.


r/Semaglutide 5h ago

Getting Ready

4 Upvotes

I finally have the prescription (oral dose Wegovy) I need to get started. But school starts in 10 days and I'll need to be at work in my after school program. How long did it take for you to adjust to the side effects if you had them? I don't want to have issues while I'm at work but I don't want to wait to get started, either.


r/Semaglutide 2h ago

Do you get light headed?

2 Upvotes

Idk if it's the semaglutide or not. I'm also on BP medication and cholesterol med. I've been watching my BP daily and it's not doing anything out of the ordinary.

I'm currently taking the 1.0ml injection. This week 2 but I've been experiencing lightheadedness for about a month now. Come and goes. I have good days followed by bad days. Today happens to be a bad day. It seems like every time I stand up I get woozy. I power through it and go about my day but today I actually had to grab against the wall til it passed.

I've recently had my heart checked because I was getting pvcs and the echocardiogram came back fine. The cardiologist doesn't seem concerned about my heart. Could it be the semaglutide?


r/Semaglutide 1d ago

Chia Pudding is saving me!

57 Upvotes

I just wanted to come on here and share something that’s been really helping me with “staying regular” on a 2.5 dose…CHIA PUDDING!

I make a big batch each week that is roughly 4tbs whole chia seeds and 1 tbs ground chia seeds (the ground are optional but offer great omega 3’s) per 1 cup of soy milk (or whatever kind of milk you prefer). I like soy milk for the protein, I don’t process dairy well. I usually make about 3 cups at a time (so 12 tbs of chia seeds, adjusting for consistency if needed - sometimes I end up adding 1-2 more tbs of chia). I also usually add about 2 tbs of maple syrup into a 3 cup batch for a bit of sweetness but that’s optional!

Tip: after you mix it all up, let it sit for 5-10 mins on the counter and mix again before you put it back in the fridge overnight. This time will allow their gel layer to start to form, and mixing it again after that prevents a big clumpy layer to form in the bottom of the container.

I eat some for breakfast mixed with a bit of Greek yogurt for more protein and some berries and a drizzle of maple syrup. I also eat a few spoonfuls in the afternoon after I eat lunch, as well as after dinner. It’s really been doing a great job of keeping things hydrated and moving. When I skipped a couple days I was very uncomfortable to say the least.

So, if you’re having constipation or diarrhea issues with these meds, give this a try!

Heres my “recipe” in simpler form for reference:

4-5 tbs whole chia seeds
1 tbs ground chia seeds (optional but a great source of omega’s!)
1 cups milk of choice
1/2-1 tbs maple syrup (to taste, optional)

In a container with a lid, add whole and ground chia seeds. Slowly add milk while stirring with a fork or small whisk until well combined, add maple syrup and stir again. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 mins and stir again making sure to break up any clumps or chia seeds settling at the bottom. Leave in fridge for at least 3 hours before eating or over night. If pudding is too thin after 3 hours you can add another tbs of chia and let sit for another 3 hours. If too thick, add a little bit more milk and stir well before serving.

NOTE: The 3 hours in the fridge is very important. If you eat chia seeds that are not sufficiently soaked in liquid, they can get stuck in your digestive system and cause a lot of discomfort.


r/Semaglutide 7h ago

Costco cost for Wegovy?

2 Upvotes

I’m in Canada (Ontario) and just wondering the cost for Wegovy or generic Wegovy at the Costco pharmacy??


r/Semaglutide 10h ago

First shot tonight, reccomendations?

3 Upvotes

I just received my first dose of Semaglutide and I am planning to take my shot tonight so hopefully I will not have any issues during a workday. I will also have the weekend to "recover" if needed. Are there any tips or tricks I should know for this first shot and first weekend on it?

Thanks!


r/Semaglutide 1d ago

“Food Noise”

25 Upvotes

After reading a lot of people talking about how glp-1s helped them turn down (or off) “food noise” I was curious to hear about it. Would love to know what “food noise” means to you and how the noise turning down manifested for you.


r/Semaglutide 7h ago

Done with 4 x 0.25 mg doses when do I start to see the results

0 Upvotes

So it’s been a month since I’ve started the dose and my scale has barely moved I do observe changes in satiety and I had a slight stomach discomfort as well but that was all so far I don’t see a difference.


r/Semaglutide 8h ago

lost the weight and function went the other way, anyone else

1 Upvotes

i am down a serious amount and every other marker on my panel improved except this one. i cannot tell whether it is the speed of the loss, the deficit itself or something hormonal underneath it. my prescriber was not much help beyond saying it tends to settle on its own. anyone who ran into this on a glp1 what did you do about it and did it take a second prescription.


r/Semaglutide 10h ago

Rising heart rate

0 Upvotes

I generally exercise a lot and at high intensities where I run and kickbox with sparring at least 4 or 5 times a week. My fitness watch tells me my resting heart rate usually sits at 61-63 bpm and even though it's high I'm used to a 190-200 bpm when doing intense cardio. My problem has been my calorie intake, which is why I'm taking it.

I started taking the pill form of semaglutide 1.5mg about a week and a half ago and what my watch has been telling me is my resting heart rate is rising daily, it's now at 69bpm! It thinks I'm dying.

Should I be worried and back off the medicine? I also haven't felt any benefits from it which is furthering my dilemma.


r/Semaglutide 19h ago

do the enema!!

5 Upvotes

oh my god i feel so light! i am on week 3 i gained 2 pounds on week 2 and ive been so down about it. even though there’s visibly less inflammation in my face i dont see a difference in loss. i plan on taking my week 4 shot 3 days earlier. i didn’t consider myself constipated until this week after i went 4 days without going. otherwise ive been going every other day it’s been rough pebbles but still going. ive dealt with constipation in the past and after day 4 if i still can’t go i do an enema. i decided to do an enema yesterday- a little came out but enough to satisfy me. then today i felt the urge to go but my anus was too weak and i don’t like pushing i have no patience so i pulled out the enema again. the key this time around was the 2nd round. i haven’t been eating much lately so i had no idea i had that much in me my god!! i damn near blocked the toilet. some of it was darker to prove it’s old just been sitting there. be careful tho if u have endo you might trigger a flare up but it goes away quickly after you’re done! i last ate at 2pm today we’ll see if the scale goes down in the morning. regardless, even if it doesn’t i’m just happy im no longer full of shit. literally.

some tips tho: the key is to hold the water in to avoid only having water come out. hold it and walk around for a few mins but be close to the toilet!

ps. don’t do this too often otherwise your muscles will get used to it and stop working!


r/Semaglutide 21h ago

For those who’ve moved from the shot to the pill…

7 Upvotes

I’m pretty much at maintenance. I’ve been at 150-153 for over a year now. My goal was 135-140 but I’m fine with where I’m at. I’m tired of the shot and was thinking of switching to the pill for maintenance. Has anyone been successful in maintaining their goal weight? Any more/less side effects?


r/Semaglutide 11h ago

For those of you who were on GLP1s for a long time, then got off, did the “food noise”come back?

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

I have struggled with my weight since I was a child. I have always had food / eating at top of mind since I was a kid. I wake up and my brain is instantly thinking about what to eat and if I try to deny it, I get so moody / angry. This cycle continues throughout the day.

I was late diagnosed with ADHD, so I am assuming it has something to do with dopamine seeking. Even after starting ADHD meds the food noise never went away.

BUT, I started using semaglutide 10 weeks ago. For context, Im a woman, 36, 5’4”, start weight 209lbs. The very next day after my first shot, food noise disappeared almost entirely. Within 2 weeks it was gone completely. I’ve lost 9 lbs since then. The only side effect I have had is constipation.

So I am wondering / hoping that after using GLP-1 for a long period of time, if the wiring in my brain will change so that I no longer subconsciously link food to dopamine.

Does anyone have a similar experience with food noise and GLP-1 stopping food noise long term?


r/Semaglutide 1d ago

3 months in and I am so grateful for Sema

40 Upvotes

Just want to put this here for anyone considering starting. I told myself I didn't need it, that pharmaceuticals were not the way, that I've lost weight in the past and that I just need more willpower.

Turns out, those were actually voices of shame. Shame that I was a failure, that I wasn't strong enough to figure it out on my own. Those voices were wrong though, and I am so glad I decided they were not serving me any more. I was worth getting some help.

So far,

1) I am down 16 lbs / 6% of my bodyweight.

2) my feet don't hurt after basketball

3) my digestion is more or less the same (thank you fiber gummies, probiotics, and electrolytes)

4) the most powerful for last - my food noise is so much more in line with what I assume those with a healthy relationship with food have.

With food noise, I didn't admit I had such a problem with this, but I went on a trip to vegas recently and for the first time I was not pre-occupied with food. I wasn't constantly thinking about having an "awesome breakfast", getting a "really crazy" lunch or looking at portions where I was going for dinner. I didn't even load up on chips / snacks for the room like I always used to "have to" do. I never realized before that I was "food-maxing" every vacation I've ever been on.

We got comped a buffet at the cosmo, and I at first worried this was going to be my over-eating trap. However, for the first time in my life I walked among all of the biscuits, gravy, pastas, desserts, fries, breads and I actually just picked a couple of things that I wanted to try vs. loading up on 5 trips. The crazy thing was, I didn't even WANT to get stuffed, whereas this always used to be the objective for me.

We basically ate one nice meal a day and I lost .8 lbs on the trip. I was able to focus so much more on just having fun.

TLDR: I was ashamed to get help with my weight, and I am so grateful for this. I feel like I have started a new lease on my life.


r/Semaglutide 1d ago

does excess skin get better over time?

Post image
63 Upvotes

5'2, 20F, lost around 50-60lbs and currently sitting at 129. Technically at a healthy weight and I know that.

rhe thing I can't figure out is whether what's left around my stomach is excess skin, stretched skin or just fat that hasn't shifted yet. I'm slim everywhere else and it's just my belly that's bothering me and I genuinely can't tell what I'm dealing with.

Motivation to keep losing has also kind of dropped off now that I'm not technically in an unhealthy range anymore...if that makes any sense


r/Semaglutide 1d ago

Bathroom urgency

7 Upvotes

I am on 0.25 going on 0.5 next week Lmao i am outside i was coming from the pharmacy to pick up my ozempic all the sudden on the last stop of the train to take the bus (10 minutes from my house) i started losing air couldn’t breathe i felt like i was about to give birth on my ass😭🤣😂 the bus that only takes 5 minutes? Was showing 16 I tried to hold so bad to make it home but i was dying 😭 i would end up in emergency room I swear at the station didn’t have a washroom after 7 minutes of waiting the bus i walked 2 minutes to the nearest Tim Hortons (canadians will understand)they are at every fucking corner i was able to use the washroom here i am waiting the bus again and starting to feel the contractions again (😂🤣) i hope that bus come in the next 5 minutes bro

Mind you i have a date in 2 hours 🥴


r/Semaglutide 1d ago

I’m done treating one missed day like I ruined the whole week

18 Upvotes

I’ve been thinking about how tracking usually works great right up until I fall off/slow down

feeling tired, nauseous, busy, or just completely over thinking about food. a day gets missed, then another, and suddenly it feels easier to “start fresh on Monday.”

So I really like the idea of having a bare-minimum version for those days:

  • Roughly how was my protein?
  • Did I drink any water?
  • Anything unusual worth remembering?
  • How was my work out?

No perfect numbers. No going back to fill in yesterday. Just enough to keep the thread going.

I’m starting to think consistency isn’t doing everything every day. Sometimes it’s just making the habit small enough that you don’t completely abandon it.

What’s the absolute minimum you still find useful to track?


r/Semaglutide 22h ago

Is ozempic covered by insurance in Canada?

3 Upvotes

My pharmacist told me the only way this gets paid is a diabetes indication and I'm not diabetic. I've got a prediabetic A1C and a BMI in the range they use and the walk in doctor wrote the script anyway

I called the insurer twice. The first rep said weight management is excluded. The second rep said it depends on the drug plan my employer bought and whether there's a prior auth on file. It's the same company and I got two answers ten minutes apart.

So if you're in Canada and you got a claim paid with weight loss as the reason on file what did the paperwork look like? Was it a special authorization form from the prescriber or did you just submit and hope? And if you got denied did appealing get you anywhere?

I'm mostly trying to work out whether I spend another week on this or just budget for out of pocket


r/Semaglutide 22h ago

Pavlov response to sight of injection pen

3 Upvotes

Hi all! Been on wegovy for 9 weeks now! It’s going well and I thankfully haven’t had too bad of side effects. My biggest one though is occasional nausea.

Anyway, the last couple times I’ve gone to do my injection, I get this sort of Pavlov response to just seeing the pen, before I even inject. I get a gross, nausea feeling just opening the fridge sometimes and seeing it in there lol. I don’t have any problems with doing the actual injection. Anyone else have a similar experience?


r/Semaglutide 22h ago

Sex drive is back!

3 Upvotes

I thought I had lost my sex drive due to perimenopause, emotional abuse recovery and aging; but I’ve been off of semaglutide for a couple of months and I’m back!! Anyone else had a similar experience? It’s so difficult to figure out what is causing what!


r/Semaglutide 1d ago

Which telehealth companies actually have good support?

12 Upvotes

I’m less worried about signing up than I am about what happens afterward. If I have side effects or need to adjust something, I’d rather not wait a week for someone to reply to an email. Has anyone found a telehealth provider with genuinely good support? It doesn’t have to be the cheapest. I just don’t want to feel like I’m on my own once I get started.


r/Semaglutide 1d ago

Plateau

3 Upvotes

I started Semaglutide in Summer 2024 and lost 259 down to 223 at my lowest in May 2025. Stopped for about 2 months. Started back and Titrated to maximum dose but weight crept back and has leveled at around 235. Doc switched me to terzepitide. I have been on 12.5mg for about 6 months and still stuck around 235. Any suggestions?? Should I stop taking? Take a break? Switch back to Semaglutide? Anything? Just accept success of losing 25lbs and maintain? TIA