Question re weight loss

Has anybody used a product called Saxenda?
Ive got so much going wrong with me that one of my endocrinologists wants me to to try it.
It’s an injection for weight loss. It costs a bomb but he’s had patients lose 20-30 kgs (44 - 66 pounds) on it.

Go figure it can cause suicidal thoughts.

It’s got pretty much typical possible serious side effects from what I’m seeing on there web sight.

Have you asked your GP and Pdoc about it ?

I’m seeing both again next week so I’ll ask them then.
I suspect my pdoc will want me out of this current episode and stable on Epilim before considering it.
I also want to know the % of patients that suffer the ‘suicidal thoughts’ side effect.
I just don’t want to end up obese

I’m going to guess and imagine Pdoc and GP are going to be at a loss for true information to be honest.

Over all these years on PC and just my random searches I have never heard of the Med.

One would think if it’s a safe medication then Pdocs should recommend this as they hand you a prescription for X since almost all psych medications has weight gain problems , yes I see exceptions. But not many.

Maybe you could call the manufacturer directly to get actual info and legit numbers that you can present to Pdoc and GP ???

Would definitely show them you are serious about wanting and deserving some help to allow your body to be healthier , as we know weight gain increases risk of diabetes, heart risk and joint problems just to name a few.

Maybe they will/can refer you to a specific medical provider that uses this on a routine basis?

Thanks to you I plan on talking to my Doctors about this medication and any others than might benefit me.

I’m sure it’s a very expensive medication( F you Big Pharma) But it might have a program based on income that could defer the cost a bit or all of it. I use to take Otezla and it was outrageous but I qualified due to my income and I was sent medication every 3 month free. It’s saved my mind I no longer scratched like a dog with mange.

Please do let me know what you find out. I’m sure many people here would love to know more about this.

My primary care recommended this drug but says insurance won’t cover it. She said she would call and try though. According to my insurance company it would cost about $4000 for a 90 day supply. Also the figures I saw on suicidal ideation as a side effect was between 0.1% - 1%. I am desperate and need to lose 90 pounds but I am not sure I am ready for this drug yet.

I don’t have any advice I just wanted to offer support. I’ve gained a ton from psyc meds and I’m having the worst time trying to lose it. I hope that you find something that works for you.

I've never heard of Saxenda either, but I know that some people take a medication called Metformin that is also used for diabetes and has been helpful for some for weight loss. I've never tried Metformin, but my psychiatrist briefly mentioned it recently. I know of more than a few people with bipolar disorder that were/are prescribed Metformin for the purpose of weight loss.

I am using Metformin to counter Seroquel weight gain but it is not working. Only thing that will work for me is getting off of Seroquel but then I won’t sleep and my depression will come back. I just scheduled a booster infusion of Ketamine because that seemed to work for me. I hate how we have to choose between our mental health or physical health. I also hate big pharma and the price of all these medications. If Saxenda wasn’t $4000 I might have tried it. It is bad enough that Ketamine is $425. Surprisingly my insurance cover about 60% of that after my deductible. It just costs way too much money in this country to try and get well.

I’m allergic to Metformin so it’s not an option for me. TMI warning: it caused very serious diarrhoea that would run down my legs. Gross.
Saxenda - I’ve got two big concerns. One, the increase in suicidal thoughts - I already suffer badly from these. Two, the cost - I’d have to ‘trial’ it for 4 mths which is $1600. Yeouch.

Yeah Metformin just left me in the bathroom too.

Yeah that’s a big price tag but what if it works well .... Big Pharma will rob people blind.

Metformin did nothing.

My sister experienced the same "accidents" from Metformin. She had to stop it for that reason. She was taking it for her diabetes 2 and not weight gain, though she was very overweight at the time.

Oooh, that explains it! Ive noticed a little loosey goosey if i take a higher dose of metformin and a lower dose of food.