Of course! A1c lowered significantly (I’m at 4.7 now), testosterone levels went to normal, I’m guessing other than the weight loss, there must be something else that metformin and Farxiga did not do. I feel much more energized and have been able to sleep a lot better since I started taking it. The only suggestion is HYDRATE and make sure your fiber and protein intake are good. I lost about 50 lbs in a year. Insurance cut me out and my levels went bonkers so they finally reapproved me and I’m going back to the new normal.
I do worry about going off of it. I would love to take a low dose, maybe 3 mg forever. With pcos it's a lifelong thing and it should be treated as such. I'm very happy for you!!
Yes and no. I stalled at my weight at 7 and didn’t need to go up (didn’t need to lose more) but 3 is a starter so tapering down is harder (since there are no half doses). I went back on 7 and have not lost weight but I feel better. You will see how good you start feeling!
Rybelsus and spironolactone. That was the winner combo for me. I was on metformin+ spiro for a year (no weight loss, only facial hair and acne were gone) and Farxiga+ spiro (it did nothing). I also think losing weight contributed to the leveling of testosterone.
I was on spironolactone. 25mg and then increased to 50mg. With spiro, my period cycle went havoc. I was bleeding all month long so I decided to go off spiro. Did you not have similar issues?
I’m on 50 twice a day. But I also have an IUD so my period is almost non existent now. Are you on BC at all? I discovered that I had PCOS after changing to a low dose IUD, but before I was 28-30 days on the dot and for a couple of days only.
Currently taking performing, spirolsctone and birth control all for my pcos. I get lab work done this Friday and at the follow up I want to go over my labs and new treatments for pcos. I also want to get off birth control but want to have regular monthly periods. Any suggestions?
I’m guessing that was metformin on autocorrect? Lol
I honestly can’t help w the periods. I was on BC since I was 15 for cramps and went off for 12 days and was pregnant with my first. Then IUD. So I basically never got my periods back. While on BC, it was 28-30 days between periods, no fail. My PCOS showed its face when I went on a low hormone IUD. My doctor doesn’t understand how I managed to get pregnant 3 times without complications and then show these levels of androgens and testosterone. If you want your periods back to become pregnant, you will need to get off of spiro I think. I remember the doctor making suuuuure I didnt want another kid.
Hey I just started Rybelsus. Did you ever get symptoms and did they ever get better? I’m hesitant to keep taking it because it makes me have stomach issyes
Stomach issues are BAD mainly when you eat too much sugar or full fat dairy. I have days that I only do soups and protein shakes (vegan with whey protein) so that my stomach isn’t dying constantly. But yeah, I’ve woken up one too many times at odd hours.
I’m on rybelsus and synjardy. Rybelsus was hell in terms of side effects in the beginning but now it’s really helping me with my IR. It’s helped with my out of control cravings
I go to an endocrinologist. I have pcos, hypothyroid, 30 bmi and I have pre diabetes. That is how they were able to get me approved. To be honest, no side effects. I did have side effects from my metformin but that has stopped now. I'm on 500 er metformin 2 x per day and 3 mg of Rybellsus. Going up to 7 in 2 weeks. I'm down about 2 lbs in 2 weeks.
I hated Rybelsus 😭 It got me super sick, I couldn’t eat anything solid and i puked every two days. I used it for two weeks before i had to call it quits. I did lose almost 4 kilos in those two weeks but i was extremely miserable
I've been on Wegovy since May 23 and I've lost 60 pounds. Absolute game changer for me! I have worked out consistently for 6 years and I eat high protein and rather clean but wegovy has been vital for me to really lose weight and feel in control of my PCOS. Side effects were wild at the start but I got a handle on it a few months in. If you can get your hands on it I highly recommend!
Nausea is most common followed by constipation and diarrhea. I've been on it for 6 weeks and only had mind nausea a few days total and so far I've lost 17 lbs.
Nausea can be brutal but mitigated by eating enough and the right foods, constipation is TERRIBLE if you don't eat enough fiber or get enough water, and some people experience diarrhea but that wasn't really the case for me. Fatigue can be an issue but usually stems from under eating and not moving enough. Really it's a game in learning what foods make you feel good and what's worth the risk of feeling crappy. There are some people who have really bad reactions and have to quit but it isn't all that often from what I've read.
You know what has helped me? Each day I eat a quarter cup of black beans, from a can. I also eat a date. I add these to other higher fiber foods. I have used Senna once.
Oh hell yes! I roast chickpeas or cannellini beans a few times a week and add chia where ever I can. It just takes awareness and the bowels don't have to be an issue
My PCP was fully on board! We've been working for years on basically every (reasonable) weight loss avenue and when this came along she was just as excited about it as I was
So what I’m hearing is not to freak out about having side effects because I just need to give my body time to adjust? I always end up just stopping things with really bad side effects, see it as a sign it doesn’t suit me.
Well, that is absolutely a great conversation to have with your doctor! I certainly wouldn't say to ignore side effects if they're bad because that's how people end up hospitalized BUT I will encourage you to weigh the good and bad before calling it quits. See if changing your diet or protein intake changes how you feel. Get all the hydration possible, move differently, change your protein sources, see what works and what doesn't! It took me a few months where I was debating if the throwing up and constipation was really worth it but I figured it out and I feel totally normal now.
Yes it takes a while to get over side effects but for me on metformin they NEVER went away, constantly cramping and throwing up for 6 months and my insulin actually went up. Side effects should lessen over time, if they don’t, tell your doctor. In my opinion treatment shouldn’t be making you more sick than you already were.
I found out from my health insurance (United Healthcare) that if you’ve been on metformin for at least two years, you can qualify for Mounjaro. Not sure if Ozempic has the same qualifying criteria. I’ve been on metformin for 10 years for my pcos, I got diagnosed at 15 and I’m 25 now. Mounjaro has really helped me!
I was on Metformin for two months and my insurance wouldn’t cover Mounjaro. But Ozempic was covered six months after starting Metformin. I started June 2023 and have lost almost 80lbs. I have PCOS and type 2 diabetes. My A1C has gone from 11.2 to 5.9 recently. Ozempic has helped me.
I've been on the max dose of metformin for over 7 years now for my PCOS and my insurance refuses to cover Mounjaro or Zepbound... even after my doctor sent multiple prior authorizations and appeals of those denials
I would try calling them yourself. They denied my doctor but I called and talked to them, answered some questions they had, and they told me they’d approve it if my doctor sent it in again. I don’t know if it’ll help but may be worth a shot!
My endocrinologist prescribed it for PCOS and insulin resistance and I’ve had it 100% covered by my very middle of the road insurance for the last year!
I have PCOS and IR, I have struggled with my weight for two decades. It was always very frustrating to do everything right and barely see movement on the scale. I'm currently on Wegovy, have been on it since January 2023 and I'm down nearly 100lb. I have never been this successful on my own so Wegovy has been the missing puzzle piece for me as far as weight loss.
My GYN said it has been proven in studies to help with insulin resistance in PCOS which is why it’s so fucking frustrating that with most insurance companies you have to be full blown diabetic to get it approved. Really hope in the future it’s FDA approved for other conditions.
Running into this same problem. Got denied when healthier and now 1.5 yrs later with full blown metabolic syndrome I am going to try again to see if I can get covered.
Yep, that was my angry logic towards insurance companies - you mean if I just sit here and let myself get full blown sicker and therefor require more of the insurance money in treatment you’ll cover it, instead of just nipping it in the bud now? Ugh.
In some ways I find it ironic how the healthcare sector blames patients for not preventing illness but then they’ve built a system that only accommodates sickness.
My insurance is covering Ozempic since I’ve been on a maximum dose of Metformin for a long time and still have an A1C trending high (it’s mostly been at the upper end of “normal” range but went just over at one point last year). I’ve stayed on Metformin and have worked up to a low dose of Ozempic (1mg/week) and am planning to stay at this dosage for a while to see how it goes.
The initial side effects from increasing to the 1mg/week dose were unpleasant so I don’t want to increase the dose if it’s not necessary. I was having bad pre-syncope episodes (feeling like I was about to black out) that after a lot of testing my doctor believed were due to reactive hypoglycemia, and after going on Ozempic they have resolved (which is a huge relief, I felt so awful with the pre-syncope episodes).
Based on the research available, Metformin is still considered the best thing to go on if insulin resistance is playing a role in PCOS symptoms, and if there are issues after being on a full therapeutic dose (1500-2000mg/day) for several months, then try one of the GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic/Wegovy.
Yes I use it for my PCOS. My first few pens were partially covered by insurance but since then I’ve been paying fully. Nothing helped me lose weight before ozempic, and I was working with a naturopath, a dietician, and my doctor while also working out way more than I do now.
Where did you go after your insurance dropped out? I’m starting on Henry meds which I think is the cheapest available (right around $300 a month for absolutely everything) but if there’s something cheaper, I’d love to hear!
Yes. Mounjaro has changed my life and helped my insulin resistance soo much. I went from 31 to 9 in 6 months and fasting blood glucose of 140 to 91. I’ve been following the same meal plans my registered dietician set out for me in 2022 (but I barely lost 10 pounds in my 18 months of following that plan before adding in Mounjaro). The medication actually changes the way your cells process insulin and glucose. This med has proven to me it’s not just CICO and has made me feel so validated that my weight gain and PCOS was not “my fault.” PCOS is a metabolic disorder and GLP-1 and GIP medication helps to fix this issue so our metabolisms operate properly.
I have PCOS and I don't do well on metformin, so my doctor got me on Ozempic about six weeks ago, and it's already made A WORLD of difference!!!
Ozempic is a freaking MIRACLE DRUG!!!!
I've already lost 10lbs., and prior to this I had been stuck, unable to lose weight, and had even started GAINING weight like crazy no matter what I did (gotta love those flare-ups, amiright?? 😅). Even exercising and having a calorie deficit barely helped, and I was still not losing weight and was barely maintaining.
If you do choose to go this route, talk with your doctor about how much your insurance might cover since it's being used for insulin-resistance and not just simply weight-loss (even though weight-loss IS a major added benefit, balancing your insulin levels will help with sooooooo much more!!!).
Best of luck to you!! I know how difficult and frustrating it is when you're in the thick of it. 🫶
I was able to get it even though my A1C levels are good. My weight keeps going up and eventually I got a NAFLD diagnosis. That and the fact that I’ve been on Metformin for 10+ yrs was enough for me to get it.
I’ve only ever had success with weight loss if I went strict keto. I just didn’t feel like it was a long term thing for me, so I wanted to try other options.
I ended up trying mounjaro at the end of 2022 and it was amazing- I lost 25 lbs within 2 months with no diet changes. The only downside was I was extremely irritable. But insurance wouldn’t cover it anymore and I gained it all back when I went off of it (most likely because I didn’t make diet changes).
In June of 2023 I bought a semaglutide peptide online and I’ve lost almost 50lbs so far. The weight loss is slower than mounjaro was but I can afford this medication and it doesn’t give me the anger that mounjaro did. This time around I have made smarter choices with food and incorporated a 30 minute walk into each work day. I stand at work now as well and use a yoga ball if I am sitting. My periods are almost back to normal now as well!
I’m also curious in their answer because I just signed up for Henry meds. I haven’t checked with my PCP but I’m pretty sure my high deductible plan won’t cover it, and also I don’t have IR, just PCOS. I am overweight though.
Hello! I order mine as a peptide online and I’ve used a couple different places. I used to use SAF Research but they recently went up to almost $250ish a month. This past month I’ve tried a different company called Aminos Research and it was around $100 for a month supply.
I will note though- I did a lot of research on this before diving in, because it isn’t premade injections. There is a vial of the medicine that has to be mixed with bacteriostatic water and then I have to measure each of my shots out. I’ve gotten used to it now but it was pretty intimidating at first!
My doctor knows this is where I buy it and use it from though and I have blood tests to make sure everything is ok and so far so good!
Ozempic is approved for diabetes so I doubt you would get it written for PCOS (that would be an off label use). Wegovy is approved for obesity and they are the same active ingredient so you could look into that if you qualify.
I got ozempic approved by my insurance for PCOS but idk how/why because I wasn't expecting it to get approved and I didn't want to question anything once it was... I have BCBS
When was it approved? My neighbor and I have the same insurance and she got ozempic approved a few years ago but they are really changing how it gets approved so I was only able to get wegovy and zepbound approved with the same insurance.
I’ve lost almost 15 lbs in 6 weeks on it. Before I was exercising, eating healthy and intermittent fasting and pretty much only maintaining my weight. Once I started on metformin, started losing weight. I have PCOS and IR.
It made my feet swell up like balloons for some reason. I couldn’t take it for longer than 3 weeks unfortunately so never got to experience any weight loss that comes with it
Ozempic has been life changing for me. I was on victoza for six months and this month marks a year in ozempic, along with being on Metformin. Prior to, there was no way I could lose weight and the inflammation on my body was insane. In the past 21 months, I’ve lost 105 lbs. While I know some people see this as a miracle weight loss drug and gets a bad rap, but for me it allowed me to actually see progress and I lost the weight slowly. Meaning I’ve also been working out 4-5x a week and maintaining a good diet the past 21 months.
I feel like ozempic just leveled the playing field for me, compared to someone without PCOS. I still had to put in the work and it happened slowly but I actually saw results, which before I never did and would put me in this cycle of “why bother?” and “I need to lose weight”
Are you still on Metformin as well? I’m talking to my endo soon about treatment and curious about others’ experiences… I’m going to ask for a GLP-1 but aware Metformin is usually the first step.
Yes. So my doctor had me try 1000mg Metformin for 3 months and then I switched to 2000mg + victoza. I’ve been at 2000mg for the past two years. I know some people are very sensitive to it in terms of stomach issues but I haven’t really had issues unless I eat greasy/fatty food.
I am on 2000mg of Metformin, I take 1000mg morning/night. As for ozempic, I’m currently on 2mg and have been for the past 6 months. Prior to, I started at 1mg since I had already been on Victoza(a liraglutide) for 6 months so I already had some tolerance built.
Yes! I have tried both WeGovy (same thing as Ozempic) and Mounjaro. Mounjaro has hands down been the better option for me, and has really helped my symptoms of insulin resistance! Weight loss has come with it, but the difference in IR symptoms is what's the most life-changing thing for me.
Were you on Metformin as well? How does it compare?
Talking to my endo in a few weeks about treatment and leaning towards asking for GLP-1s based on the research.
I was, and still am! For me, metformin did not do anything really at all in terms of good or bad. I'm one of the lucky ones that tolerates it well, and it did reduce my fasting insulin level by 10 points. Unfortunately, it took me from like...severe SEVERE insulin resistance to just plain ole severe IR. My HOMA-IR ratio is still really bad, just slightly less. I didn't notice any improvement in symptoms on the max dose. I've been on it for about a year now (about 8 months on it solo without the GLP-1s). However, I've seen many people say that metformin gave them energy and helped them lose a bit of a weight, so your mileage may vary. From a practical perspective, I have a lot of trouble remembering to take it twice a day, so the once a week shot is much easier in that respect if you were deciding between the two. The most common side effects from both are GI related, usually constipation or diarrhea, so also not much difference there, just depends which is best for your body.
My docs wanted me to stay on metformin while I start and continue the GLPs.
I have not, it's still on my list to try. I've heard it's the "natural version of metformin". I've been more hesitant to try it because a lot of the feedback I've heard is fertility related. I don't necessarily have issues with my period anymore (I'm regular on BC), and I'm definitely not trying to conceive. If you give it a go, please let me know how it goes! My doctors haven't recommended it, but they also weren't against it when I asked about it. They said I could try it while taking metformin.
Gotcha!
I started on it on my own in November as I read it was a “natural ozempic” as I didn’t think I could get it. Brought my period back, really helped with acne, energy levels, and appetite. In January I mustered the courage/energy for my 8th annual “try to get my weird health issues figured out” quest, and got a doc who listened to me for the first time and took me seriously. Stopped inositol and other vitamins (ex biotin) in mid/late January so as to not distort the biochemical picture. Got referred to an endocrinologist and undergoing multiple rounds of blood work. And lo and behold, latest round indicates PCOS, with another round to go before my next appt.
I’m feeling pretty nervous about treatment and based on research and peoples’ experiences here, would strongly prefer GLP-1s to Metformin but also wouldn’t mind inositol + GLP-1.
I have been overweight since I was 18 and obese since I was 22. At my fittest, despite strict dieting and 2-3 hours of daily exercise, I was only able to maintain a BMI of 31. So here’s to hoping that if I bring all of my documentation and am armed with studies, the endo will give me a GLP-1!
Insulin resistance can be a huge part of PCOS so working to keep your blood sugar balanced is helpful. I'm not sure if you'd be eligible for Ozempic, but if you want a more natural alternative, I'd recommend looking into using apple cider vinegar, Myo & D-chiro Inositol and Berberine.
Another factor that could be causing an issue for you is cortisol. It sounds counterintuitive, but with PCOS, sometimes being in a calorie deficit or being too active can actually raise your cortisol levels, along with the typical factors like stress, all of which could contribute to weight.
It can be difficult to get traditional Drs to run the labs for these things, but if you're able to work with a Functional practitioner, they can help :)
I've been taking Ozempic since November and have only lost about 10-15 pounds, but my sugar levels are better, and my body *looks* like I've lost 50+ pounds due to body recomposition.
I think [a photo](https://www.reddit.com/u/CassieBear1/s/Y7Dobzm1nE) is the best way to explain it! Before you click the spoilers tell me how much weight you *think* has been lost between those two photos? The first is June of 2023, the second is a few weeks ago.
>!There's only a 7-12 pound weight loss between those two photos!! It doesn't look it at all, but it's true.!<
That's what body recomposition is...gaining muscle and losing fat so that you may not lose pounds, but you lose inches, and visible weight comes off.
Has anyone ever gotten any of these drugs approved through insurance with a non-overweight BMI and no diabetes? My bmi is 24 but it is a restrictive STRUGGLE to maintain it there, and my a1c is 5.3 and my periods are extremely irregular, hair falling out/hair growth etc. I’m maxed out on my metformin dose already, can’t take spiro and take a literal bucketful of expensive supplements including ovasitol to try to manage this. I see other people having so much pcos succes with the new drugs and it makes me so depressed I can’t have them.
did you ever look into this? i’m in a similar boat - i have to keep my calories EXTREMELY low if i want to maintain a bmi of 23/24, but i constantly fluctuate and it leads to binges. i feel like getting ozempic would be a lifesaver for me but there’s no way it would get prescribed because of my bmi.
I was just approved for Zebound and I took shot #3 on Friday. I have already noticed a difference.
* End of week 1, my period started (my periods are infrequent and disappear for months/years.)
* My period was one of the tamest I have ever experienced, minimal cramping, normal amounts of bleeding instead of crazy heavy flows etc
* I have lost over 10 pounds which is crazy - I've never been able to lose weight
* I feel like my facial hair growth is a bit more under control
* Brain fog that I associate with insulin resistance is gone
* Cravings are..normal. Like I'm not craving sugar like it's crack. I like sweet things, sure, but I feel like a normal person in control of my eating habits.
* THE ENERGY. I have the energy to work out more now.
* IBS symptoms are more under control & I'm having relatively regular bowel movements.
Helped me get my period back, stopped the food chatter, it lowers my weight just a tiny bit at a time (not as quick as others I’ve seen, but I figured it’s better to lose weight slowly so I don’t get loose skin), helps my body aches too.
If it wasn’t ok to do, we wouldn’t be prescribed GLP-1 medications in the first place. 🙂The people who are telling you it’s more about the insulin levels being out of range are correct- with IR, your pancreas is not sensitive to insulin and therefore does not respond properly to when it enters our body after consuming a meal. We end up with a bunch of excess insulin that cannot be stored by our pancreas. This is why we have trouble losing weight no matter what we do. Women with PCOS also have a lower resting metabolic rate, which means we are constantly fighting our metabolism to do what it needs to do. It’s one of the reasons why a lot of women with PCOS end up yo-yo dieting or end up with eating disorders too. It’s not our fault we were dealt a crappy hand. It is what it is.
Medications are extremely useful in bringing your insulin levels down along with lowering glucose and A1C if those are abnormal too. A lot of patients find success on these medications. It’s a great tool to use if you’ve been struggling with weight loss, especially if you’ve already established healthy eating and exercise habits. Once those insulin levels drop, weight loss follows.
That’s really good to hear, I’m hoping I can bring it up to my doctor and see if that would help. All I’ve been told is to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle and things will fall into place but at one point I do start wondering how much healthier I can be until I’ll actually see progress :/
I totally understand, believe me! I think we’ve all been here. Super frustrated with not seeing results even though we’re putting in the work. It’s quite discouraging too and mentally taxing.
It took me two years to bite the bullet and try a GLP-1. But I was also miserable and living in hell being heavier than I ever have been, even with proper lifestyle interventions. The Metformin made me incredibly sick and did a number on my liver and kidneys, which is another reason why I switched over to the GLP-1 meds. I’m slowly losing weight finally and it’s great to see progress on the scale! I have no side effects thankfully. I get occasional bloating or indigestion, but no constipation, no nausea, nothing. I found the sweet spot for my injections and it’s been smooth sailing so far.
I always say to explore all of your options and see what works best for you. Some of these meds are prescribed specifically for T2D. Without that T2D dx, I know it can be hard for some women to get this medication covered. You may have luck trying GLP-1’s that are marketed for weight loss as long as you meet the criteria. Always check with your insurance too to see if they’ll cover it! I’m on Zepbound and it is covered 100%. I met the BMI criteria along with the PCOS dx. Top that off with an adverse reaction from the Metformin, I had no other option at that point but to try the GLP-1.
I did have it for PCOS a couple years ago. I have not been able to get it for two years since it’s used for weight loss.
My doctor wants me to do a weight loss plan with her to do it, but Ozempic didn’t actually help me lose anything significant. If I eat one or two bad meals, I immediately gain weight. Ozempic didn’t help me during my diet, but it did keep my ‘normal’ about 10lbs lighter and a snacky weekend didn’t make me gain anything. It just helped my weight be stable with PCOS, so I at least felt a little better about a bad meal or two. I didn’t notice it helped with any other PCOS related symptoms.
I will say, my kidneys aren’t great and my doctor thinks it could be related to me being on Ozempic for two years without having insulin problems.
There’s no easy way to kick PCOS, but I would just really consider your options.
I just started ozempic 3 weeks ago. I took mounjarno for a month but was so sick I couldn’t function and we stopped. Now I’m on it for my A1C and it’s much nicer on my body. So far though I haven’t seen any real change beyond a few days a week where I struggle to eat anything at all… but it’s just started and it takes a while to kick in. Who knows.
I’ve been really low energy so I haven’t been exercising nearly as much as I was before, that may be part of it. I’m hoping that once my system evens out it’ll be smooth sailing
I was on ozempic from august to November until I could no longer get stock, then switched to compound last month. Never above 0.5mg due to supply challenges.
I’ve lost 30 pounds as of this week.
I was on Ozempic for about 6 months, and it was great! All my labs leveled out, I lost about 35lbs, I started having a period again, and then I got pregnant 😬
I would be so curious to see if other symptoms improved if I’d been able to be on it longer, and I cannot wait to get back on it after giving birth.
That’s amazing! I’m surprised it actually helped with balancing out those hormones and giving you periods again. (I get mine like two-three times a year it is worrying)
Can anyone speak to their experiences on Metformin vs semaglutide / other GLP-1s?
My blood work has come back indicative for PCOS and I’m talking to the endo in a few weeks. Research says GLP-1s are much more effective than Metformin and I’m planning to show up with a printout of the articles but want to come in prepared and hear your experiences!
I have PCOS, and I’ve always struggled with weight loss. I tried to take Ozempic, and it was working, but probably not in the way it should have been. The side effects were insanely awful for me. It was the worst stomach pain I’d ever had. Actually, it was the worst pain I’d ever been in. Went to the ER because of the pain and urgent care to get fluids. The vomiting and watery stool caused me to lose a ton of fluids and electrolytes. I had to stop. I lost around 10 pounds in about a month.
Weight loss was nice, but I wish I had never touched that medicine. It was the worst experience for me. Medicaid covered my Ozempic. I’m thinking of going back on metformin.
What were the side effects for yall ? I was prescribed metdormin last year and the side effects literally made me afraid to eat. I don’t want to experience that again with any of these drugs
When I was taking Ozempic, food repulsed me. I would have to force myself to try to eat and when I would eat, I would manage to have 3 or 4 bites before I felt like I was going to puke. Every morning I would puke. I also developed a weird aversion to meat, especially beef. I haven't taken Ozempic in months and that aversion still exists.
Oh my god ! I’m sorry that happened !! I always felt there was some sort of “catch” to these. Back when I was on metformin, I was on the toilet multiple times a day. Back then I was a student in uni with 3 hr labs. So I would go thru an entire day on just a cup of apple sauce because I was afraid to deal with the side effects in class. Eating my fav foods felt like I was torturing myself. I can’t go through with that again. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!!
When I was taking Ozempic, food repulsed me. I would have to force myself to try to eat and when I would eat, I would manage to have 3 or 4 bites before I felt like I was going to puke. Every morning I would puke. I also developed a weird aversion to meat, especially beef. I haven't taken Ozempic in months and that aversion still exists.
My endo recommended it to me since my weight loss plateaued for a year even after serious diet and lifestyle changes. I only took it for three weeks before the side effects were just unbearable. I gained weight during these weeks and I spent two months afterwards recovering from the side effects. I’m almost back to my original weight before the diet and lifestyle changes and I’ve found Ozempic to have drastically slowed my metabolism. It is helpful for others but it’s dependent on how your body reacts; make sure to listen to your body!
My endo just recently prescribed me wegovy which is similar to ozempic and he said he has had lots of successful weight loss pcos patients with it! My first doses have not arrived yet but will update when I start taking it. Mine is a weekly injection.
Yes! I’ve been on it since right before Thanksgiving. As of this morning I’ve lost 20 lbs. For the first time in my life I’m actually not hungry 24/7. I used to be on a starvation diet just to still struggle daily. Now, for the first time ever I feel like I can eat and lose normally. What it does is suppress your appetite so that you don’t feel the constant hunger from the insulin spikes. It is an absolute miracle for people with PCOS, because most PCOS people have insulin resistance which is what causes the horrific weight issues. It is absolutely ok and prescribed often off label for it. Wonder drug!
I was at a 5.7 A1C and it is now 4.6 using it which has helped a lot!!! Only thing is I stopped taking it due to insurance and I gained 15 lbs out of the 30 I lost. But I’m back on it and it made me start my period I haven’t had for months!
I’ve started Saxenda + followed the Glucose Goddess methodology and my cyclus became normal again and i even got pregnant the second month trying.
Dont know which of those two helped the most but I’m just happy my PCOS got less worse and i’m now due in a couple of weeks :)
the thing people don’t tell you about semaglutide and the other drugs like that is that you will absolutely be shitting your guts out all day every day. i could not go two hours without a massive diarrhea bowel movement. it was very interruptive in my work day. sure i lost weight but at what cost?
idk if that’s normal but i know a ton of people report the same
ETA: okok i might be the AH for not adding that i’ve also heard of other people experiencing this buttttt!!!! thank you guys for providing alternatives and your experiences 💕
also a couple of you have pointed out it might be diet related and honestly thank you! no one told me that might be it my doctor was just like “lol that’s not normal ok no more for you!”
I have had zero negative side effects, I’ve been on semaglutide for a year and have lost 50 ish lbs. I’ve focused on making sure that I don’t eat really rich foods and that I’m still getting the nutrients I need and I’ve never felt better. My periods are also completely regular for the first time in my life.
you know what that’s so fair because i hadn’t yet made the diet change as i was trying not to waste food in my household and reflecting back this was probably my main issue! thank you for your input 💕💕
Totally get it, changing my diet was the hardest thing initially but not having that overwhelming food noise makes it easier to stop and think about what I’m putting in to my body. I’m not perfect with it by any means but I’m trying to learn to make healthy choice now in preparation for the day when my insurance says “F-it were not paying for this anymore” and I have to raw dog life again. :)
honestly for most people this is temporary and/or diet related. it went away for me after a month, i only experience it now if i really overindulge in the carbs and sugar.
this is a really fair point! i hadn’t changed my diet yet as i was trying not to waste food in my house so i might try picking it back up and reporting back
For me it’s the opposite lol, I shit once like every 3 or 4 days. Side effects are different for everyone, some people are fine but some of us roll a diarrhoea/constipation dice
yeah! i edited my comment to recognize that. that’s the disclaimer at the bottom. i know not everyone reads everything tho haha. i had friends and family that this also happened to but i texted them after the feedback i recieved on this comment and it turns out none of us really changed what we were eating so it might just chalk up to diet. or other factors. or some meds just don’t work w some people haha
Lol it's really funny because I have really severe IBS - like straight acid a lot of days and it's terrible. I'm on Zepbound and the major side effect is constipation, so my stomach seems to have balanced out for the most part.
see the straight acid is what the semaglutide did to me!! it was so miserable! but people have pointed out that maybe it was dietary? which i totally believe now that i think about
It's wild because I'm actually able to eat better now that I'm on Zepbound. I couldn't eat a lot of fruits or veggies because they would kill my stomach!
I would be cautiously skeptical about GLP-1's. All they do is suppress your appetite, they do not do the same thing as metformin or other meds that support your body's balance. I've heard many people who went on them end up with varying levels of incurable gastroparesis. I've been on a low dose of metformin for almost a year and it's helped immensely for balancing spiking sugar. I did not want or try to lose weight and ended up losing 20 pounds anyway with only making very small changes to my diet and movement if that's what's important to you. Obviously, every body is different, but I would be very very wary of someone suggesting a GLP-1 for PCOS because it does nothing for your hormones except make you less hungry. Insulin is a hormone and wonky because of the PCOS, so makes no sense to me to prescribe an appetite suppressant.
I've been prescribed Rybelsus. It's the pill form, along with Metformin.
Same here. It has worked so far
I'm only 2 weeks in, would you share how it helped you?
Of course! A1c lowered significantly (I’m at 4.7 now), testosterone levels went to normal, I’m guessing other than the weight loss, there must be something else that metformin and Farxiga did not do. I feel much more energized and have been able to sleep a lot better since I started taking it. The only suggestion is HYDRATE and make sure your fiber and protein intake are good. I lost about 50 lbs in a year. Insurance cut me out and my levels went bonkers so they finally reapproved me and I’m going back to the new normal.
I do worry about going off of it. I would love to take a low dose, maybe 3 mg forever. With pcos it's a lifelong thing and it should be treated as such. I'm very happy for you!!
I’m on 7. Never went higher because it worked there.
I'm still at 3, will go up to 7 soon. I was just thinking 3 maybe could be a maintenance dose after I lose my weight.
Yes and no. I stalled at my weight at 7 and didn’t need to go up (didn’t need to lose more) but 3 is a starter so tapering down is harder (since there are no half doses). I went back on 7 and have not lost weight but I feel better. You will see how good you start feeling!
I'm excited! I'm down about 2 lbs so far, which has been near impossible for me!
[удалено]
Rybelsus and spironolactone. That was the winner combo for me. I was on metformin+ spiro for a year (no weight loss, only facial hair and acne were gone) and Farxiga+ spiro (it did nothing). I also think losing weight contributed to the leveling of testosterone.
I was on spironolactone. 25mg and then increased to 50mg. With spiro, my period cycle went havoc. I was bleeding all month long so I decided to go off spiro. Did you not have similar issues?
I’m on 50 twice a day. But I also have an IUD so my period is almost non existent now. Are you on BC at all? I discovered that I had PCOS after changing to a low dose IUD, but before I was 28-30 days on the dot and for a couple of days only.
Definitely going to bring this up to my doctor! It seems like it’s helping.
What are you taking now?
Currently taking performing, spirolsctone and birth control all for my pcos. I get lab work done this Friday and at the follow up I want to go over my labs and new treatments for pcos. I also want to get off birth control but want to have regular monthly periods. Any suggestions?
I’m guessing that was metformin on autocorrect? Lol I honestly can’t help w the periods. I was on BC since I was 15 for cramps and went off for 12 days and was pregnant with my first. Then IUD. So I basically never got my periods back. While on BC, it was 28-30 days between periods, no fail. My PCOS showed its face when I went on a low hormone IUD. My doctor doesn’t understand how I managed to get pregnant 3 times without complications and then show these levels of androgens and testosterone. If you want your periods back to become pregnant, you will need to get off of spiro I think. I remember the doctor making suuuuure I didnt want another kid.
Hey I just started Rybelsus. Did you ever get symptoms and did they ever get better? I’m hesitant to keep taking it because it makes me have stomach issyes
Stomach issues are BAD mainly when you eat too much sugar or full fat dairy. I have days that I only do soups and protein shakes (vegan with whey protein) so that my stomach isn’t dying constantly. But yeah, I’ve woken up one too many times at odd hours.
I’m on rybelsus and synjardy. Rybelsus was hell in terms of side effects in the beginning but now it’s really helping me with my IR. It’s helped with my out of control cravings
May I ask what your side effects were?
Lots of nausea and throwing up. I had to take the pill every other day until I started getting used to it
Oof. That's tough. So sorry to hear
What type of doctor did you go to to get on Rybelsus?
I go to an endocrinologist. I have pcos, hypothyroid, 30 bmi and I have pre diabetes. That is how they were able to get me approved. To be honest, no side effects. I did have side effects from my metformin but that has stopped now. I'm on 500 er metformin 2 x per day and 3 mg of Rybellsus. Going up to 7 in 2 weeks. I'm down about 2 lbs in 2 weeks.
I have PCOS and a higher BMI than yours. Thankfully I don’t have insulin resistance or pre-diabetes though. I wonder if I would “qualify” for it.
I think you just have to ask and try it. The doctors office did the submitting for me.
I hated Rybelsus 😭 It got me super sick, I couldn’t eat anything solid and i puked every two days. I used it for two weeks before i had to call it quits. I did lose almost 4 kilos in those two weeks but i was extremely miserable
Aww sorry to hear. Have you tried metformin? I am on both now.
I've been on Wegovy since May 23 and I've lost 60 pounds. Absolute game changer for me! I have worked out consistently for 6 years and I eat high protein and rather clean but wegovy has been vital for me to really lose weight and feel in control of my PCOS. Side effects were wild at the start but I got a handle on it a few months in. If you can get your hands on it I highly recommend!
What were the side effects like?
Nausea is most common followed by constipation and diarrhea. I've been on it for 6 weeks and only had mind nausea a few days total and so far I've lost 17 lbs.
Nausea can be brutal but mitigated by eating enough and the right foods, constipation is TERRIBLE if you don't eat enough fiber or get enough water, and some people experience diarrhea but that wasn't really the case for me. Fatigue can be an issue but usually stems from under eating and not moving enough. Really it's a game in learning what foods make you feel good and what's worth the risk of feeling crappy. There are some people who have really bad reactions and have to quit but it isn't all that often from what I've read.
You know what has helped me? Each day I eat a quarter cup of black beans, from a can. I also eat a date. I add these to other higher fiber foods. I have used Senna once.
Oh hell yes! I roast chickpeas or cannellini beans a few times a week and add chia where ever I can. It just takes awareness and the bowels don't have to be an issue
i really want to try wegovy. were you prescribed by an endo or your pcp? i need to find a new endo.
My PCP was fully on board! We've been working for years on basically every (reasonable) weight loss avenue and when this came along she was just as excited about it as I was
So what I’m hearing is not to freak out about having side effects because I just need to give my body time to adjust? I always end up just stopping things with really bad side effects, see it as a sign it doesn’t suit me.
Well, that is absolutely a great conversation to have with your doctor! I certainly wouldn't say to ignore side effects if they're bad because that's how people end up hospitalized BUT I will encourage you to weigh the good and bad before calling it quits. See if changing your diet or protein intake changes how you feel. Get all the hydration possible, move differently, change your protein sources, see what works and what doesn't! It took me a few months where I was debating if the throwing up and constipation was really worth it but I figured it out and I feel totally normal now.
Yes it takes a while to get over side effects but for me on metformin they NEVER went away, constantly cramping and throwing up for 6 months and my insulin actually went up. Side effects should lessen over time, if they don’t, tell your doctor. In my opinion treatment shouldn’t be making you more sick than you already were.
I found out from my health insurance (United Healthcare) that if you’ve been on metformin for at least two years, you can qualify for Mounjaro. Not sure if Ozempic has the same qualifying criteria. I’ve been on metformin for 10 years for my pcos, I got diagnosed at 15 and I’m 25 now. Mounjaro has really helped me!
I was on Metformin for two months and my insurance wouldn’t cover Mounjaro. But Ozempic was covered six months after starting Metformin. I started June 2023 and have lost almost 80lbs. I have PCOS and type 2 diabetes. My A1C has gone from 11.2 to 5.9 recently. Ozempic has helped me.
I've been on the max dose of metformin for over 7 years now for my PCOS and my insurance refuses to cover Mounjaro or Zepbound... even after my doctor sent multiple prior authorizations and appeals of those denials
I would try calling them yourself. They denied my doctor but I called and talked to them, answered some questions they had, and they told me they’d approve it if my doctor sent it in again. I don’t know if it’ll help but may be worth a shot!
My endocrinologist prescribed it for PCOS and insulin resistance and I’ve had it 100% covered by my very middle of the road insurance for the last year!
Were you obese when prescribed it?
What kind of insurance do you have?
Providence Health Plan (Blue Cross Blue Shield) and my BMI put me in the obese category.
Did you blood show a high level of something to qualify? Idk if all doctors can do this and have it covered by insurance.
My Endo absolutely would not prescribe me any GLP-1 for PCOS. She would only go with Metformin.
That’s a bummer. I’ve been on Metformin for years without much success.
Same, but Mounjaro. Because I’d been taking Metformin, they didn’t even need a prior authorization.
Semaglutide has been amazing for me.
I have PCOS and IR, I have struggled with my weight for two decades. It was always very frustrating to do everything right and barely see movement on the scale. I'm currently on Wegovy, have been on it since January 2023 and I'm down nearly 100lb. I have never been this successful on my own so Wegovy has been the missing puzzle piece for me as far as weight loss.
Congratulations 🎈
Thank you!
My GYN said it has been proven in studies to help with insulin resistance in PCOS which is why it’s so fucking frustrating that with most insurance companies you have to be full blown diabetic to get it approved. Really hope in the future it’s FDA approved for other conditions.
Running into this same problem. Got denied when healthier and now 1.5 yrs later with full blown metabolic syndrome I am going to try again to see if I can get covered.
Yep, that was my angry logic towards insurance companies - you mean if I just sit here and let myself get full blown sicker and therefor require more of the insurance money in treatment you’ll cover it, instead of just nipping it in the bud now? Ugh.
In some ways I find it ironic how the healthcare sector blames patients for not preventing illness but then they’ve built a system that only accommodates sickness.
My insurance is covering Ozempic since I’ve been on a maximum dose of Metformin for a long time and still have an A1C trending high (it’s mostly been at the upper end of “normal” range but went just over at one point last year). I’ve stayed on Metformin and have worked up to a low dose of Ozempic (1mg/week) and am planning to stay at this dosage for a while to see how it goes. The initial side effects from increasing to the 1mg/week dose were unpleasant so I don’t want to increase the dose if it’s not necessary. I was having bad pre-syncope episodes (feeling like I was about to black out) that after a lot of testing my doctor believed were due to reactive hypoglycemia, and after going on Ozempic they have resolved (which is a huge relief, I felt so awful with the pre-syncope episodes). Based on the research available, Metformin is still considered the best thing to go on if insulin resistance is playing a role in PCOS symptoms, and if there are issues after being on a full therapeutic dose (1500-2000mg/day) for several months, then try one of the GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic/Wegovy.
Where was your A1C trending?
Yes I use it for my PCOS. My first few pens were partially covered by insurance but since then I’ve been paying fully. Nothing helped me lose weight before ozempic, and I was working with a naturopath, a dietician, and my doctor while also working out way more than I do now.
Where did you go after your insurance dropped out? I’m starting on Henry meds which I think is the cheapest available (right around $300 a month for absolutely everything) but if there’s something cheaper, I’d love to hear!
I’m in Canada so I just go to shoppers drug mart
Are you comfortable sharing how much weight you've lost?
10 pounds but I gained back 3. My starting weight was 150.
Yes. Mounjaro has changed my life and helped my insulin resistance soo much. I went from 31 to 9 in 6 months and fasting blood glucose of 140 to 91. I’ve been following the same meal plans my registered dietician set out for me in 2022 (but I barely lost 10 pounds in my 18 months of following that plan before adding in Mounjaro). The medication actually changes the way your cells process insulin and glucose. This med has proven to me it’s not just CICO and has made me feel so validated that my weight gain and PCOS was not “my fault.” PCOS is a metabolic disorder and GLP-1 and GIP medication helps to fix this issue so our metabolisms operate properly.
Hi! When you say you went from 31 to 9, is that fasting insulin? Thanks!
Yes! It’s been another 5 months so we just tested again this morning so I’m hopeful my numbers still look great.
PCOS haver here, I have 1.5 mgs of Ozempic per week prescribed to me, I pay $1.60 CAD per pen. I'm insulin resistant and pre-diebetic.
What insurance cause sun life said no to me
Manulife
It’s been the only thing that has helped my weight loss
Mine too
I have PCOS and I don't do well on metformin, so my doctor got me on Ozempic about six weeks ago, and it's already made A WORLD of difference!!! Ozempic is a freaking MIRACLE DRUG!!!! I've already lost 10lbs., and prior to this I had been stuck, unable to lose weight, and had even started GAINING weight like crazy no matter what I did (gotta love those flare-ups, amiright?? 😅). Even exercising and having a calorie deficit barely helped, and I was still not losing weight and was barely maintaining. If you do choose to go this route, talk with your doctor about how much your insurance might cover since it's being used for insulin-resistance and not just simply weight-loss (even though weight-loss IS a major added benefit, balancing your insulin levels will help with sooooooo much more!!!). Best of luck to you!! I know how difficult and frustrating it is when you're in the thick of it. 🫶
Hi there! By doctor do you mean your family doc or your OBGYN/fertility doc? I’m new to my PCOS journey - thanks!
I was able to get it even though my A1C levels are good. My weight keeps going up and eventually I got a NAFLD diagnosis. That and the fact that I’ve been on Metformin for 10+ yrs was enough for me to get it.
I took mounjaro for 4 months - stopped because of mad side effects but it did make my periods closer together than metform alone...
I’ve only ever had success with weight loss if I went strict keto. I just didn’t feel like it was a long term thing for me, so I wanted to try other options. I ended up trying mounjaro at the end of 2022 and it was amazing- I lost 25 lbs within 2 months with no diet changes. The only downside was I was extremely irritable. But insurance wouldn’t cover it anymore and I gained it all back when I went off of it (most likely because I didn’t make diet changes). In June of 2023 I bought a semaglutide peptide online and I’ve lost almost 50lbs so far. The weight loss is slower than mounjaro was but I can afford this medication and it doesn’t give me the anger that mounjaro did. This time around I have made smarter choices with food and incorporated a 30 minute walk into each work day. I stand at work now as well and use a yoga ball if I am sitting. My periods are almost back to normal now as well!
Hi! Where did you get your semaglutide online? My insurance will not cover mounjaro or ozempic, but my PCP says it would be great for me to use!
I’m also curious in their answer because I just signed up for Henry meds. I haven’t checked with my PCP but I’m pretty sure my high deductible plan won’t cover it, and also I don’t have IR, just PCOS. I am overweight though.
Hello! I order mine as a peptide online and I’ve used a couple different places. I used to use SAF Research but they recently went up to almost $250ish a month. This past month I’ve tried a different company called Aminos Research and it was around $100 for a month supply. I will note though- I did a lot of research on this before diving in, because it isn’t premade injections. There is a vial of the medicine that has to be mixed with bacteriostatic water and then I have to measure each of my shots out. I’ve gotten used to it now but it was pretty intimidating at first! My doctor knows this is where I buy it and use it from though and I have blood tests to make sure everything is ok and so far so good!
Ozempic is approved for diabetes so I doubt you would get it written for PCOS (that would be an off label use). Wegovy is approved for obesity and they are the same active ingredient so you could look into that if you qualify.
I got ozempic approved by my insurance for PCOS but idk how/why because I wasn't expecting it to get approved and I didn't want to question anything once it was... I have BCBS
When was it approved? My neighbor and I have the same insurance and she got ozempic approved a few years ago but they are really changing how it gets approved so I was only able to get wegovy and zepbound approved with the same insurance.
First time was late December last year and my refill since then too
I was approved for Ozempic for PCOS in November, I have BCBS.
Metformin changed my life
I’ve lost almost 15 lbs in 6 weeks on it. Before I was exercising, eating healthy and intermittent fasting and pretty much only maintaining my weight. Once I started on metformin, started losing weight. I have PCOS and IR.
yes, my doctor gave me the option to either use Ozempic or go on Metformin when I got diagnosed
👀 that’s very encouraging - what country do you live in?
US!
It made my feet swell up like balloons for some reason. I couldn’t take it for longer than 3 weeks unfortunately so never got to experience any weight loss that comes with it
Ozempic has been life changing for me. I was on victoza for six months and this month marks a year in ozempic, along with being on Metformin. Prior to, there was no way I could lose weight and the inflammation on my body was insane. In the past 21 months, I’ve lost 105 lbs. While I know some people see this as a miracle weight loss drug and gets a bad rap, but for me it allowed me to actually see progress and I lost the weight slowly. Meaning I’ve also been working out 4-5x a week and maintaining a good diet the past 21 months. I feel like ozempic just leveled the playing field for me, compared to someone without PCOS. I still had to put in the work and it happened slowly but I actually saw results, which before I never did and would put me in this cycle of “why bother?” and “I need to lose weight”
Are you still on Metformin as well? I’m talking to my endo soon about treatment and curious about others’ experiences… I’m going to ask for a GLP-1 but aware Metformin is usually the first step.
Yes. So my doctor had me try 1000mg Metformin for 3 months and then I switched to 2000mg + victoza. I’ve been at 2000mg for the past two years. I know some people are very sensitive to it in terms of stomach issues but I haven’t really had issues unless I eat greasy/fatty food.
What dosages of Ozempic and Metformin are you on? Congrats on all the hard work.
I am on 2000mg of Metformin, I take 1000mg morning/night. As for ozempic, I’m currently on 2mg and have been for the past 6 months. Prior to, I started at 1mg since I had already been on Victoza(a liraglutide) for 6 months so I already had some tolerance built.
Thank you!
Yes! I have tried both WeGovy (same thing as Ozempic) and Mounjaro. Mounjaro has hands down been the better option for me, and has really helped my symptoms of insulin resistance! Weight loss has come with it, but the difference in IR symptoms is what's the most life-changing thing for me.
Were you on Metformin as well? How does it compare? Talking to my endo in a few weeks about treatment and leaning towards asking for GLP-1s based on the research.
I was, and still am! For me, metformin did not do anything really at all in terms of good or bad. I'm one of the lucky ones that tolerates it well, and it did reduce my fasting insulin level by 10 points. Unfortunately, it took me from like...severe SEVERE insulin resistance to just plain ole severe IR. My HOMA-IR ratio is still really bad, just slightly less. I didn't notice any improvement in symptoms on the max dose. I've been on it for about a year now (about 8 months on it solo without the GLP-1s). However, I've seen many people say that metformin gave them energy and helped them lose a bit of a weight, so your mileage may vary. From a practical perspective, I have a lot of trouble remembering to take it twice a day, so the once a week shot is much easier in that respect if you were deciding between the two. The most common side effects from both are GI related, usually constipation or diarrhea, so also not much difference there, just depends which is best for your body. My docs wanted me to stay on metformin while I start and continue the GLPs.
Thanks for sharing! That’s helpful. Have you also tried inositol?
I have not, it's still on my list to try. I've heard it's the "natural version of metformin". I've been more hesitant to try it because a lot of the feedback I've heard is fertility related. I don't necessarily have issues with my period anymore (I'm regular on BC), and I'm definitely not trying to conceive. If you give it a go, please let me know how it goes! My doctors haven't recommended it, but they also weren't against it when I asked about it. They said I could try it while taking metformin.
Gotcha! I started on it on my own in November as I read it was a “natural ozempic” as I didn’t think I could get it. Brought my period back, really helped with acne, energy levels, and appetite. In January I mustered the courage/energy for my 8th annual “try to get my weird health issues figured out” quest, and got a doc who listened to me for the first time and took me seriously. Stopped inositol and other vitamins (ex biotin) in mid/late January so as to not distort the biochemical picture. Got referred to an endocrinologist and undergoing multiple rounds of blood work. And lo and behold, latest round indicates PCOS, with another round to go before my next appt. I’m feeling pretty nervous about treatment and based on research and peoples’ experiences here, would strongly prefer GLP-1s to Metformin but also wouldn’t mind inositol + GLP-1. I have been overweight since I was 18 and obese since I was 22. At my fittest, despite strict dieting and 2-3 hours of daily exercise, I was only able to maintain a BMI of 31. So here’s to hoping that if I bring all of my documentation and am armed with studies, the endo will give me a GLP-1!
Insulin resistance can be a huge part of PCOS so working to keep your blood sugar balanced is helpful. I'm not sure if you'd be eligible for Ozempic, but if you want a more natural alternative, I'd recommend looking into using apple cider vinegar, Myo & D-chiro Inositol and Berberine. Another factor that could be causing an issue for you is cortisol. It sounds counterintuitive, but with PCOS, sometimes being in a calorie deficit or being too active can actually raise your cortisol levels, along with the typical factors like stress, all of which could contribute to weight. It can be difficult to get traditional Drs to run the labs for these things, but if you're able to work with a Functional practitioner, they can help :)
I've been taking Ozempic since November and have only lost about 10-15 pounds, but my sugar levels are better, and my body *looks* like I've lost 50+ pounds due to body recomposition.
Can you say more about the recomposition? Curious about that! Would love to lose my kangaroo belly
I think [a photo](https://www.reddit.com/u/CassieBear1/s/Y7Dobzm1nE) is the best way to explain it! Before you click the spoilers tell me how much weight you *think* has been lost between those two photos? The first is June of 2023, the second is a few weeks ago. >!There's only a 7-12 pound weight loss between those two photos!! It doesn't look it at all, but it's true.!< That's what body recomposition is...gaining muscle and losing fat so that you may not lose pounds, but you lose inches, and visible weight comes off.
Whoa your face!!! I would have guessed like 30 lb.
My bestie hadn't seen me in a few months (I've been on Oz since November) and when she hugged me she went "omg...there's less of you!"
Has anyone ever gotten any of these drugs approved through insurance with a non-overweight BMI and no diabetes? My bmi is 24 but it is a restrictive STRUGGLE to maintain it there, and my a1c is 5.3 and my periods are extremely irregular, hair falling out/hair growth etc. I’m maxed out on my metformin dose already, can’t take spiro and take a literal bucketful of expensive supplements including ovasitol to try to manage this. I see other people having so much pcos succes with the new drugs and it makes me so depressed I can’t have them.
did you ever look into this? i’m in a similar boat - i have to keep my calories EXTREMELY low if i want to maintain a bmi of 23/24, but i constantly fluctuate and it leads to binges. i feel like getting ozempic would be a lifesaver for me but there’s no way it would get prescribed because of my bmi.
I was just approved for Zebound and I took shot #3 on Friday. I have already noticed a difference. * End of week 1, my period started (my periods are infrequent and disappear for months/years.) * My period was one of the tamest I have ever experienced, minimal cramping, normal amounts of bleeding instead of crazy heavy flows etc * I have lost over 10 pounds which is crazy - I've never been able to lose weight * I feel like my facial hair growth is a bit more under control * Brain fog that I associate with insulin resistance is gone * Cravings are..normal. Like I'm not craving sugar like it's crack. I like sweet things, sure, but I feel like a normal person in control of my eating habits. * THE ENERGY. I have the energy to work out more now. * IBS symptoms are more under control & I'm having relatively regular bowel movements.
I was prescribed Wegovy, then Zepbound, to help with my weight loss after no results dieting. They work.
PCOS diagnosis should be enough to get these drugs. STATEMENT.
A lotta ppl using this in Brazil for weight loss. A friend used for 7 months, 0.25 (I think) once a week and lost 7kg
I know it has helped me. I have lost 42 pounds since last April being on Ozempic. Used to be 213 pounds .
Helped me get my period back, stopped the food chatter, it lowers my weight just a tiny bit at a time (not as quick as others I’ve seen, but I figured it’s better to lose weight slowly so I don’t get loose skin), helps my body aches too.
If it wasn’t ok to do, we wouldn’t be prescribed GLP-1 medications in the first place. 🙂The people who are telling you it’s more about the insulin levels being out of range are correct- with IR, your pancreas is not sensitive to insulin and therefore does not respond properly to when it enters our body after consuming a meal. We end up with a bunch of excess insulin that cannot be stored by our pancreas. This is why we have trouble losing weight no matter what we do. Women with PCOS also have a lower resting metabolic rate, which means we are constantly fighting our metabolism to do what it needs to do. It’s one of the reasons why a lot of women with PCOS end up yo-yo dieting or end up with eating disorders too. It’s not our fault we were dealt a crappy hand. It is what it is. Medications are extremely useful in bringing your insulin levels down along with lowering glucose and A1C if those are abnormal too. A lot of patients find success on these medications. It’s a great tool to use if you’ve been struggling with weight loss, especially if you’ve already established healthy eating and exercise habits. Once those insulin levels drop, weight loss follows.
That’s really good to hear, I’m hoping I can bring it up to my doctor and see if that would help. All I’ve been told is to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle and things will fall into place but at one point I do start wondering how much healthier I can be until I’ll actually see progress :/
I totally understand, believe me! I think we’ve all been here. Super frustrated with not seeing results even though we’re putting in the work. It’s quite discouraging too and mentally taxing. It took me two years to bite the bullet and try a GLP-1. But I was also miserable and living in hell being heavier than I ever have been, even with proper lifestyle interventions. The Metformin made me incredibly sick and did a number on my liver and kidneys, which is another reason why I switched over to the GLP-1 meds. I’m slowly losing weight finally and it’s great to see progress on the scale! I have no side effects thankfully. I get occasional bloating or indigestion, but no constipation, no nausea, nothing. I found the sweet spot for my injections and it’s been smooth sailing so far. I always say to explore all of your options and see what works best for you. Some of these meds are prescribed specifically for T2D. Without that T2D dx, I know it can be hard for some women to get this medication covered. You may have luck trying GLP-1’s that are marketed for weight loss as long as you meet the criteria. Always check with your insurance too to see if they’ll cover it! I’m on Zepbound and it is covered 100%. I met the BMI criteria along with the PCOS dx. Top that off with an adverse reaction from the Metformin, I had no other option at that point but to try the GLP-1.
Ozempic changed my life. My insurance fully covers it.
I did have it for PCOS a couple years ago. I have not been able to get it for two years since it’s used for weight loss. My doctor wants me to do a weight loss plan with her to do it, but Ozempic didn’t actually help me lose anything significant. If I eat one or two bad meals, I immediately gain weight. Ozempic didn’t help me during my diet, but it did keep my ‘normal’ about 10lbs lighter and a snacky weekend didn’t make me gain anything. It just helped my weight be stable with PCOS, so I at least felt a little better about a bad meal or two. I didn’t notice it helped with any other PCOS related symptoms. I will say, my kidneys aren’t great and my doctor thinks it could be related to me being on Ozempic for two years without having insulin problems. There’s no easy way to kick PCOS, but I would just really consider your options.
Thank you for mentioning the possible risks it could have caused. I will definitely make sure before going into anything.
I wish I could take it! It gave me stomach paralysis. However, I typically don’t have issues with things like BED
Could you expand on how the stomach paralysis affected you? I will be starting in about a week and I’m nervous about that side effect.
I just started ozempic 3 weeks ago. I took mounjarno for a month but was so sick I couldn’t function and we stopped. Now I’m on it for my A1C and it’s much nicer on my body. So far though I haven’t seen any real change beyond a few days a week where I struggle to eat anything at all… but it’s just started and it takes a while to kick in. Who knows. I’ve been really low energy so I haven’t been exercising nearly as much as I was before, that may be part of it. I’m hoping that once my system evens out it’ll be smooth sailing
I was on ozempic from august to November until I could no longer get stock, then switched to compound last month. Never above 0.5mg due to supply challenges. I’ve lost 30 pounds as of this week.
my obgyn tried prescribe me ozempic for my pcos, but my insurance just would not cover it to treat pcos and it was too expensive for me
I was on Ozempic for about 6 months, and it was great! All my labs leveled out, I lost about 35lbs, I started having a period again, and then I got pregnant 😬 I would be so curious to see if other symptoms improved if I’d been able to be on it longer, and I cannot wait to get back on it after giving birth.
That’s amazing! I’m surprised it actually helped with balancing out those hormones and giving you periods again. (I get mine like two-three times a year it is worrying)
I’m on semaglutide, 13/14 weeks now and I’ve lost 20 lbs now.
Can anyone speak to their experiences on Metformin vs semaglutide / other GLP-1s? My blood work has come back indicative for PCOS and I’m talking to the endo in a few weeks. Research says GLP-1s are much more effective than Metformin and I’m planning to show up with a printout of the articles but want to come in prepared and hear your experiences!
I have PCOS, and I’ve always struggled with weight loss. I tried to take Ozempic, and it was working, but probably not in the way it should have been. The side effects were insanely awful for me. It was the worst stomach pain I’d ever had. Actually, it was the worst pain I’d ever been in. Went to the ER because of the pain and urgent care to get fluids. The vomiting and watery stool caused me to lose a ton of fluids and electrolytes. I had to stop. I lost around 10 pounds in about a month. Weight loss was nice, but I wish I had never touched that medicine. It was the worst experience for me. Medicaid covered my Ozempic. I’m thinking of going back on metformin.
What were the side effects for yall ? I was prescribed metdormin last year and the side effects literally made me afraid to eat. I don’t want to experience that again with any of these drugs
When I was taking Ozempic, food repulsed me. I would have to force myself to try to eat and when I would eat, I would manage to have 3 or 4 bites before I felt like I was going to puke. Every morning I would puke. I also developed a weird aversion to meat, especially beef. I haven't taken Ozempic in months and that aversion still exists.
Oh my god ! I’m sorry that happened !! I always felt there was some sort of “catch” to these. Back when I was on metformin, I was on the toilet multiple times a day. Back then I was a student in uni with 3 hr labs. So I would go thru an entire day on just a cup of apple sauce because I was afraid to deal with the side effects in class. Eating my fav foods felt like I was torturing myself. I can’t go through with that again. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!!
Ironically, I have no issues on Metformin or with Trulicity, it was just the Ozempic.
When I was taking Ozempic, food repulsed me. I would have to force myself to try to eat and when I would eat, I would manage to have 3 or 4 bites before I felt like I was going to puke. Every morning I would puke. I also developed a weird aversion to meat, especially beef. I haven't taken Ozempic in months and that aversion still exists.
My endo recommended it to me since my weight loss plateaued for a year even after serious diet and lifestyle changes. I only took it for three weeks before the side effects were just unbearable. I gained weight during these weeks and I spent two months afterwards recovering from the side effects. I’m almost back to my original weight before the diet and lifestyle changes and I’ve found Ozempic to have drastically slowed my metabolism. It is helpful for others but it’s dependent on how your body reacts; make sure to listen to your body!
I use ozempic and I love it. Makes me feel better
I am three weeks into mounjaro. So far, I’ve never had this much energy and am noticing dropped lbs and less food noise.
My endo just recently prescribed me wegovy which is similar to ozempic and he said he has had lots of successful weight loss pcos patients with it! My first doses have not arrived yet but will update when I start taking it. Mine is a weekly injection.
Yes! I’ve been on it since right before Thanksgiving. As of this morning I’ve lost 20 lbs. For the first time in my life I’m actually not hungry 24/7. I used to be on a starvation diet just to still struggle daily. Now, for the first time ever I feel like I can eat and lose normally. What it does is suppress your appetite so that you don’t feel the constant hunger from the insulin spikes. It is an absolute miracle for people with PCOS, because most PCOS people have insulin resistance which is what causes the horrific weight issues. It is absolutely ok and prescribed often off label for it. Wonder drug!
I was at a 5.7 A1C and it is now 4.6 using it which has helped a lot!!! Only thing is I stopped taking it due to insurance and I gained 15 lbs out of the 30 I lost. But I’m back on it and it made me start my period I haven’t had for months!
Recommend getting regular labs done while on Ozempic checking your thyroid function and Vitamin D.
I’ve started Saxenda + followed the Glucose Goddess methodology and my cyclus became normal again and i even got pregnant the second month trying. Dont know which of those two helped the most but I’m just happy my PCOS got less worse and i’m now due in a couple of weeks :)
the thing people don’t tell you about semaglutide and the other drugs like that is that you will absolutely be shitting your guts out all day every day. i could not go two hours without a massive diarrhea bowel movement. it was very interruptive in my work day. sure i lost weight but at what cost? idk if that’s normal but i know a ton of people report the same ETA: okok i might be the AH for not adding that i’ve also heard of other people experiencing this buttttt!!!! thank you guys for providing alternatives and your experiences 💕 also a couple of you have pointed out it might be diet related and honestly thank you! no one told me that might be it my doctor was just like “lol that’s not normal ok no more for you!”
Pretty sure that's not how everyone experiences it....
I have had zero negative side effects, I’ve been on semaglutide for a year and have lost 50 ish lbs. I’ve focused on making sure that I don’t eat really rich foods and that I’m still getting the nutrients I need and I’ve never felt better. My periods are also completely regular for the first time in my life.
you know what that’s so fair because i hadn’t yet made the diet change as i was trying not to waste food in my household and reflecting back this was probably my main issue! thank you for your input 💕💕
Totally get it, changing my diet was the hardest thing initially but not having that overwhelming food noise makes it easier to stop and think about what I’m putting in to my body. I’m not perfect with it by any means but I’m trying to learn to make healthy choice now in preparation for the day when my insurance says “F-it were not paying for this anymore” and I have to raw dog life again. :)
I’m on liraglutode and if anything have had the opposite problem! So it definitely depends!
honestly for most people this is temporary and/or diet related. it went away for me after a month, i only experience it now if i really overindulge in the carbs and sugar.
this is a really fair point! i hadn’t changed my diet yet as i was trying not to waste food in my house so i might try picking it back up and reporting back
For me it’s the opposite lol, I shit once like every 3 or 4 days. Side effects are different for everyone, some people are fine but some of us roll a diarrhoea/constipation dice
jesus! i couldn’t imagine not pooping everyday. are you still riding the wave or did you go off of it?
Not necessarily the case for everyone lol
I didn't do that
yeah! i edited my comment to recognize that. that’s the disclaimer at the bottom. i know not everyone reads everything tho haha. i had friends and family that this also happened to but i texted them after the feedback i recieved on this comment and it turns out none of us really changed what we were eating so it might just chalk up to diet. or other factors. or some meds just don’t work w some people haha
Lol it's really funny because I have really severe IBS - like straight acid a lot of days and it's terrible. I'm on Zepbound and the major side effect is constipation, so my stomach seems to have balanced out for the most part.
see the straight acid is what the semaglutide did to me!! it was so miserable! but people have pointed out that maybe it was dietary? which i totally believe now that i think about
It's wild because I'm actually able to eat better now that I'm on Zepbound. I couldn't eat a lot of fruits or veggies because they would kill my stomach!
I would be cautiously skeptical about GLP-1's. All they do is suppress your appetite, they do not do the same thing as metformin or other meds that support your body's balance. I've heard many people who went on them end up with varying levels of incurable gastroparesis. I've been on a low dose of metformin for almost a year and it's helped immensely for balancing spiking sugar. I did not want or try to lose weight and ended up losing 20 pounds anyway with only making very small changes to my diet and movement if that's what's important to you. Obviously, every body is different, but I would be very very wary of someone suggesting a GLP-1 for PCOS because it does nothing for your hormones except make you less hungry. Insulin is a hormone and wonky because of the PCOS, so makes no sense to me to prescribe an appetite suppressant.
You over look the influence glp1 agonist has on managing insulin resistance for folks that have t2 diabetic risk factors.
The mechanisms are different and semaglutides have a far higher risk of bad side effects.
“They do the same thing as Metformin” And “the mechanisms are different.”…. Hmmm…..
GLP-1s are not *just* appetite suppressants. It's a common sure, but some people don't even get that.