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Today is the start of Month 2 on "the pill" for me. That pill, of course, is Ozempic. (Actually the brand name for the pill is Rybelsus; it's the same medicine, semaglutide, as Ozempic injections.) The start of Month 2 is significant because, first, it's a chronological milestone. And second, because I'm switching up to a higher dose.
In terms of milestones, how have I done so far? Pretty well, I'd say. In one month on the starter dose I kept bad side effects to a minimum while reducing my blood glucose 15% and losing 10 pounds. That weight loss was more than I expected in the first month, but I'll take it, gladly!
I'm a bit nervous about starting the higher dose. It's more than double the starter dose, 7mg now vs. 3mg last month. I expect side effects will hit harder. Today, Day 1 on the 7mg dose, I haven't had any bad side effects yet. But I expect in another day or two to be facing challenges of increased stomach pain and bowel irregularity. Meanwhile I'm doing what I can in terms of eating carefully to avoid the worst of these.
Today at lunch, for example, I continued to indulge my habit of dining out regularly but eating only 2/3rds of what I used to eat. Hawk and I went to a cheesesteak restaurant! This time I ordered a half sandwich instead of a full, with a small side of fries. I'll see in a few days if this proactive adjustment continues to be enough to manage the 7mg dose or if I need to make bigger changes.
In terms of milestones, how have I done so far? Pretty well, I'd say. In one month on the starter dose I kept bad side effects to a minimum while reducing my blood glucose 15% and losing 10 pounds. That weight loss was more than I expected in the first month, but I'll take it, gladly!
I'm a bit nervous about starting the higher dose. It's more than double the starter dose, 7mg now vs. 3mg last month. I expect side effects will hit harder. Today, Day 1 on the 7mg dose, I haven't had any bad side effects yet. But I expect in another day or two to be facing challenges of increased stomach pain and bowel irregularity. Meanwhile I'm doing what I can in terms of eating carefully to avoid the worst of these.
Today at lunch, for example, I continued to indulge my habit of dining out regularly but eating only 2/3rds of what I used to eat. Hawk and I went to a cheesesteak restaurant! This time I ordered a half sandwich instead of a full, with a small side of fries. I'll see in a few days if this proactive adjustment continues to be enough to manage the 7mg dose or if I need to make bigger changes.
