Married couple Sarah and John Anderson share how their experiences with Ozempic have impacted their health and changed their relationship with food.
Sarah and John Anderson
When 51-year-old Sarah Anderson was diagnosed with prediabetes, her doctor prescribed Ozempic off-label to manage her blood sugar levels and assist with weight loss.
“I have an aortic aneurysm, so due to my heart condition and prediabetes, my doctor wanted me to lose some weight,” Sarah shared.
Sarah was familiar with Ozempic because her 54-year-old husband, John, had started using it six months earlier to manage his type 2 diabetes. Within four months, John’s A1C dropped to 5, and he lost 15 pounds.
“Seeing John’s success definitely influenced my decision to try it,” Sarah said.
Over the years, Sarah had tried numerous weight loss programs, including Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, with only temporary success. She also took the prescription phentermine before their wedding in 2008 and lost 40 pounds but struggled to maintain the weight loss. After taking Ozempic for six weeks, she lost 14 pounds.
How Ozempic Changed Their Relationship with Food
“Ozempic made me feel full and disinterested in food. John would ask, ‘What’s for dinner?’ and I wouldn’t really care. I’d have a bit of cereal or a few bites of food, and that was enough,” Sarah explained.
Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, Associate Professor of Medicine at Cornell and Chief Medical Officer at Found, notes that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, aids weight loss by creating a feeling of fullness, delaying stomach emptying, and lowering blood sugar levels.
John started Ozempic primarily to manage his diabetes and blood sugar levels, not for weight loss. He had lived with diabetes for 15 years without trying to lose weight.
“I’m not one to follow a diet, so I wasn’t the best patient when it came to monitoring carbs and sugar intake,” John admitted. “I never had the drive to lose weight, but I knew I should.”
While on Ozempic, John found that he felt full faster and ate less. “I’d eat half a sandwich and feel full, which is why I lost weight,” he said. After a few years, he became accustomed to stopping when he felt full.
Sarah also learned to eat smaller portions and noticed a reduced desire for alcohol. “I wasn’t a big drinker before, but now even a second glass of wine makes me feel ill, so I’ve cut down,” she said.
Since both Andersons are on Ozempic, they find it easier to manage their weight together. “John not wanting to eat makes me not want to eat. We avoid snacking between meals and only have dessert or popcorn if the other does,” Sarah explained.
Impact of the Ozempic Shortage
In 2022, the FDA reported shortages of Ozempic, affecting many users, including the Andersons.
John managed to consistently get his prescriptions filled, but his insurance recently stopped allowing a 90-day supply, eliminating his previous discount. He now fills one month at a time.
“John didn’t have an issue because his dose is lower. But at the time of the shortage, I was on 1mg, and I couldn’t find it anywhere,” Sarah said.
Unable to get her prescription filled for two and a half months, Sarah regained 10 to 12 pounds during that period.
Rebound Weight Gain
Dr. Sethu Reddy, President of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, explains that rebound weight gain is common when stopping GLP-1 analogs like Ozempic. “These medications’ effects are not permanent, and stopping therapy can reverse progress,” Reddy said. Kumar emphasizes the importance of long-term commitment to medications for chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity.
When Sarah resumed Ozempic in February 2023, her doctor increased her dose, and she lost 5 pounds. “It’s not as effective as before the break, but it still suppresses my appetite,” she said.
Positive Health Effects
Despite the challenges, Ozempic has significantly lowered Sarah’s blood sugar levels. Her doctor mentioned that if her blood sugar continues to improve, she might switch to Wegovy solely for weight loss.
“I’d be happy to switch to Wegovy if it means I don’t need Ozempic for blood sugar control,” Sarah said.
John plans to continue using Ozempic for diabetes management as long as his doctor recommends it. “I also take metformin, and together they seem to work well,” he said.
Conclusion
The experiences of Sarah and John Anderson highlight the benefits of Ozempic in managing diabetes and aiding weight loss, despite some challenges. For anyone considering Ozempic, it is essential to discuss long-term treatment plans with a healthcare provider to maintain the positive effects.