Feeling frustrated with menopause or perimenopause making it almost impossible to shed those extra pounds? Me too! Tired of trying different diets or methods only to see no real results? Yep, even trusty keto was a struggle. Struggling with cravings and overeating? Yep. Have you considered micro-dosing Semaglutide for weight loss?
I’ll be honest, I had thrown in the towel… keto wasn’t cutting it, inflammation was up, and my brain was feeling foggy. Just when I thought I had my hot flashes under control with amino acid supplements and cutting out bread, the weight gain from quitting smoking in January hit me hard. That’s when I delved into researching Semaglutide “weight-loss injections” as a potential solution.
Is Semaglutide All Hype?
How it’s promoted: “Semaglutide (Ozempic) is revolutionizing the weight loss industry by giving people the power to take control of their weight.” But…. I had mixed feelings about it as I had friends whom were successful (losing as much as 100lbs) but were very sick with nausea and exhausted after their injections… some for as much as the first 3 months. I don’t have time to be sick or battle nausea… so I waited…waited to learn more.
What got me interested: I heard a podcast on micro-dosing, and the claims that people were not experiencing the side effects. Were the results the same? Haven’t found enough research but the argument that it wasn’t a product problem, that the nausea was a dosing problem, just made sense. So I decided to give it a go myself, and I opted for the pill version of semaglutide, under the brand name Rybelsus.
My Research on Semaglutide
Note: that this research is from talking with friends that were on Ozempic injections, with results ranging from 100lb loss to 30lb loss of weight, with varying medical needs. Some diabetic, some not. In addition I listened to podcasts, have personally watched my friends progress, and have searched endlessly online for information on the topic. I am not a doctor, nurse or medical professional.
What is Semaglutide?
Wikipedia short answer: Semaglutide is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management. It is a peptide similar to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, modified with a side chain. It can be administered by subcutaneous injection or taken orally. It is sold under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus for diabetes, and under the brand name Wegovy for weight loss. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.
The treatment also works by decreasing appetite and cravings, but it also increases metabolism to help you finally burn fat effectively.
Medical Description of How Semaglutide Works In the Body (simplified)
This drug connects with the GLP-1 receptors in your body, making you feel less hungry and fuller. It also helps lower blood sugar levels. For people with type-2 diabetes, it helps manage their blood sugar, and for those looking to shed some pounds, it aids in weight loss.
Additional Info: Semaglutide also puts your liver into ketosis, and acts as a neuro modulator to control cravings. I was also worried about my high blood pressure and read a number of studies that claim: Semaglutide is more likely to lower blood pressure than to increase it .
STUDY – Therapeutic Potential of Semaglutide, a Newer GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, in Abating Obesity, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Neurodegenerative diseases: A Narrative Review.
Mahapatra MK, Karuppasamy M, Sahoo BM. Pharm Res. 2022 Jun;39(6):1233-1248. doi: 10.1007/s11095-022-03302-1. Epub 2022 Jun 1. PMID: 35650449; PMCID: PMC9159769.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9159769/
My Journey Micro-dosing Semaglutide
Yes, I decided to try it. Went to the doctor and got the basic 2-month starter protocol $289 Canadian on the co-pay program.
Rybelsus Starter Protocol Consists of:
- 1 months worth of Rybelsus 3mg tablets followed by
- 1 month of Rybelsus 7mg tablets
Starter Instructions From Doctor & Pharmacist:
Take first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a tiny glass of water. I was told 2 oz. Then wait an hour before having anything more. The reasons varied from the doctor and the pharmacist: The doctor explained that the medication needed to absorb; and that I might feel nauseated and might throw up. Hence the need to do so on an empty stomach. The Pharmacist said something similar but refuted the need for it to absorb and said if I found I didn’t get nauseated to still take on an empty stomach but to go ahead with my normal morning routine, which I explained was a big glass of water with a splash of electrolytes and then my morning coffee.
My Stats – Which Qualified Me For the Prescription
- Goal: 30 lbs weight-loss.
- Age: 52 – Non-smoker, with High Blood Pressure, Tail end of perimenopause/ Menopausal .
- Current Meds: Ramipril 5mg daily with a diuretic in it and Pantoprazole 2x weekly for heart burn.
- Current Lifestyle Diet: Keto (ish) try to avoid bread, yeast and wheat flour, limit carbs from a starch (potatoes/rice/ gluten free pasta) to small servings, and was still gaining about 1 -2 lbs a month.
- Ideal Weight: 147lbs
- Current Weight: 179 lbs
- Height: 5 ft 7
- BMI: 30
- Dress size: 12
- Worries: lack of energy, cravings, irritability, low blood sugar and spacey feeling, portion control, nausea, impact on blood pressure & cholesterol.
Week 1 – Micro-dosing Semaglutide
Start date: May 12th Mother’s Day – Doing a self regulated 1/2 starting dose protocol for the first week. Starting weight 179lbs.
Day 1
- 1/2 3mg pill (1.5 mg dose) at 7 am with half a glass of water.
- 1hr later felt fine. No nausea so I had my morning coffee with cream.
- 11am still felt fine so made an omelet while I drank my morning supplement drink 10 oz water with 1 scoop of electrolytes and reds, greens, amino acids, vit D3 K2, collegen peptides & 1 tbls metamucil (which I buy from LiveGood) and then premix 1 weeks worth into one container so I just do the one scoop each morning. https://www.livegood.com/Backtobasics
- 4pm went to a mothers day brunch and ate a regular plate of food, had a mimosa, and dessert. Did not feel nauseated and did not over eat. Turned down seconds because I felt full. Did have numerous cups of tea.
Day 2-5
Same morning routine. No nausea. Ate a Keto Dinner each night. Wasnt hungry for dessert so skipped it. Did make myself a cup of tea each night. Basically I ate when I got hungry (or at the 4 hour mark whichever came first.) I did get a bit hungry after 4 hours post a meal, and did get hungry for lunch by 12:30 (I was up by 7:30 most mornings)
Day 6
Had a city run so couldnt follow normal routine so I took my pill at 7:00 and then made a protien shake for the road. Had water with me as well, but didn’t eat again unil 3:30. Had a lettuce wrapped chicken burger. That night had popcorn with a movie.
Day 7
Back to regular routine – but had a headache all day. Probably didnt get enough water yesterday.
Morning of Day 8
Weigh In: 172lbs
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