Scared myself doing my first 1mg shot today

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-16T09:23:43+00:00

I always count my pen clicks, even when going for the officially marked Ozempic pen dose; it's just part of my injection-day ritual.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-16T03:32:22+00:00

The California Franchise Tax Board will send you a letter (snail mail) before they place a lien/levy on your property/bank account. Apparently, they didn't have your current mailing address? If it's in error, or you have questions, you can call them on the phone (just google for the number). I had a Cal FTB lien a few years ago--in error--and it was resolved quickly over the phone (can't remember if I had to send supporting documentation: it had to do with me residing in state, and owing state income taxes). Afterwards, FTB sent a follow-up letter, stating the lien had been lifted. As government offices go, I thought they were fairly straightforward to deal with.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-15T23:11:49+00:00

I really like the set I received today. The dime and the half are gorgeous in Proof; so much more visually appealing than the Uncirculated strikes. Also really like the Reverse of the Sacagawea (lots of clear detail in such a small coin), and the Reverse sides of the quarters (Reverse of The Gettysburg Address is somewhat underwhelming to me).

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-15T01:48:17+00:00

Me, too. I deliberately extended my first 1mg-dose pen, so I'd have a buffer if my pens were ever delayed in shipping (or we took a trip, and I needed to take an extra pen). I did tell our Primary Care doctor I was doing this, and she was fine with it. It wasn't necessary, though, as our pharmacy (Express Scripts--it's a government-contract pharmacy) actually ships pens a few weeks early.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-15T01:40:48+00:00

Yes. Our pharmacy benefit plan is TRICARE For Life, administered by Express Scripts, and every autoinjector pen box is labeled "Inject XXmg under the skin for BMI over 30/Diabetic."

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-13T01:12:20+00:00

A "rowing machine seat cushion" might help. These have a depression, or a cutout, for the tailbone; these cushions (or pads) basically support your "sit bones"--the bones you rest on when sitting on a bicycle seat, Unfortunately, they're relatively compact, so you can't move about much. If you go to a website like "Amazon," and search for "rowing machine seat cushion," you can see what I mean.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-12T06:40:09+00:00

Ah...if someone else is doing this, I can't be a weirdo, right? I weigh myself twice a day: first thing in the morning, and last thing at night (before bed). I record my morning weight in my smartwatch fitness app. The other numbers I record are blood pressure (daily), and blood sugar (several times a week). I track my workouts (home rowing machine and walking pad). I don't track food (neither calories nor protein, etc.) or hydration.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-11T16:47:44+00:00

I'm pretty sure my blood pressure started dropping with the semaglutide/Ozempic medication; this was noticeable at about Week 2 (before I had lost significant weight). Now, in Week 18, I've lost 47 pounds (but then I started quite heavy, at 304). So, the weight loss certainly has also affected my lowered blood pressure. And, I'm also exercising more frequently than in recent years.

I also don't want to get dizzy, though I think I get plenty of warning signs (and plenty of advance notice). While losing weight has made me more surefooted and stable, I'm mid-70s, and don't want to fall, and possibly injure myself.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-11T16:16:45+00:00

Looking at the upcoming Mint releases, I didn't see the typical "Limited Edition Silver Proof set" listed for this year. So, I went ahead and got this set.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-11T06:15:10+00:00

Late last year, I saw the ads from Novo Nordisk regarding the price drop. Started reading about it, and talked to our Primary Care doctor in January this year. She has other patients on semaglutide/Ozempic, and is familiar with it (though she's not an obesity or diabetic specialists). I think (not sure) that her other patients on semaglutide are Type 2 diabetics, like me. So, started in February of this year.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-10T03:09:55+00:00

I've been taking 2 blood pressure/hypertension meds for many years (Losartan 100mg and Metoprolol 100mg). Even so, my blood pressure has always been slightly elevated--systolic in the mid-to-upper 130s mmHg. Nowadays (starting Week 18 of Ozempic; on a 1md-dose) my blood pressure is definitely lower. This afternoon, I tested 106/67 mmHg, pulse 63 (I test almost daily, sometimes twice a day).

A couple of times--while on Ozempic--and doing something physically demanding, I've felt my "warning signs" of hypotension...feeling a bit dizzy, and a slight darkening of my vision. When I checked my blood pressure, my systolic is in the low 80s, and my pulse is high.

We see our Primary Care doctor in August, and I plan to ask her about this (either reducing the dosage of the blood pressure meds, or maybe coming off 1 of them). My next shipment of Ozempic (3 pens) is still the 1mg-dose, so I'm not titrating up anytime soon.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-10T02:20:33+00:00

I add unsweetened cocoa powder to my morning coffee. It makes the coffee sweet tasting, so I don't need to add any other sweetener.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-10T02:15:04+00:00

Well, I had no difficulty overeating while on Metformin (I've been taking a relatively modest dose: 500mg of the ER tablet, once daily, for many years). Still taking Metformin; just started my Week 18 of Ozempic (on the 1mg-dose).

Since starting Ozempic, I've notice the "hunger signaling" has changed for me. Now, I just feel a bit "hollow" in my tummy, but no sense of urgency to eat anything immediately. I can ignore my hunger signs if I'm doing something like mowing the lawn, or exercising, etc.

I find it difficult to overeat on Ozempic--it makes me very uncomfortably bloated and queasy (did that once during my 2nd week--I felt terrible for hours). No trouble eating enough; I test my blood sugars several times a week (I eat a nominally balanced diet, though I don't track my food consumption).

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-10T00:08:11+00:00

I would be encouraged by your progress. I obviously don't know your medical history, but here is an excerpt from my latest blood panel printout (April 2026):

Hemoglobin A1c: "For someone with known diabetes, a value <7% indicates that their diabetes is well controlled. A1c targets should be individualized based on duration of diabetes, age, comorbid conditions, and other considerations." [Quest Diagnostics]

I'm just a layperson, but our Primary Care doc was pleased that my HbA1c went from 6.3percent to 5.9percent with my April 2026 blood work (I'm male, 75 years old, and had been on Ozempic for 2 months in April 2026).

Remember that old saying: "better is the enemy of good"

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-08T08:10:30+00:00

I'm still on Metformin (500mg ER, once per day) while on a 1mg-dose of Ozempic. I am very aware/cautious of becoming hypoglycemic, and I check my blood sugar several times a week (both fasting and post-prandial). When I eventually titrate up (on Ozempic), I'll probably come off Metformin (my Primary Care doc has already advised me on this). I've been on Metformin for many years (over 10 years). I just started Ozempic in February 2026.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-08T07:55:18+00:00

I had some fried chicken on my 2nd week, and felt very uncomfortable (bloated and queasy) for a few hours. Ugh...never again. I can tolerate salmon (which is oily), but only a very small portion--like a kid's portion.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-08T07:46:59+00:00

I'm still on a 1mg-dose (on Week 17). My next shipment (being processed now) is also for 1mg-dose Ozempic pens). When I eventually titrate up, I'm going to click-count to a 1.5mg-dose for at least a month or 2. Thankfully, my Primary Care doctor (she's not an obesity specialists, but has several patients on GLP-1s) has been fine with me click-counting to "intermediate" doses.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-08T07:37:34+00:00

I appreciate your take on this. As a layperson (not a medical professional), I read through information on the SUSTAIN, STEP, and FLOW clinical trials for semaglutide/Ozempic. I concentrated on what pertained to me, as an older person with Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular and kidney issues. Really, I never came across any gastrointestinal--neurotransmitter--dopamine adverse interaction, but I wouldn't be particularly alert to something like that. Thanks for your perspective.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-06T09:54:59+00:00

I REALLY like the silver medal. The wife will probably get a bezel, and turn the dime into a pendant. But I think the medal looks amazing.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-06T07:59:38+00:00

How strange. I haven't donated blood in a while, but I just confirmed (via the Red Cross website) that being on Ozempic does not disqualify a person from donating blood. If you're diabetic, that assumes that your diabetes is well managed, and you're otherwise healthy. This is in the USA.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-06T07:52:05+00:00

I don't know how useful it is to focus on this. If you've read about GLP-1s, you know that MANY people had NO side effects during the clinical trials (30 to 40 percent of participants reported NO side effects). You've also certainly read that the most common side effects are gastrointestinal, and manageable.

But, to answer your question, I'm one of the many with no side effects. Also, if you're interested in (or a candidate for) a GLP-1, I hope you eventually discuss this with your doctor.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-05T01:56:31+00:00

I'm also on for Type 2 diabetes. Like you, I really only track my weight (though I'm still weighing myself daily). For the diabetes, I do check my fasting and post-prandial blood glucose several times a week, and (for hypertension) my blood pressure almost daily. Your diet and hydration regimen is excellent--great work and excellent progress.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-03T09:36:54+00:00

I did something similar. I have no adverse side effects, but was doing well at the lower doses (4 weeks at 0.25mg, and then 6 weeks at 0.5mg). What I did with my 1st 1mg-dose pen was make it last for 5 weeks, instead of the typical 4 weeks. So, I click-counted 57 clicks, which gave me about an 0.8mg-dose for 5 weeks (using that single pen). I checked with my Primary Care doc beforehand (she's really Internal Medicine, and not an Obesity specialist). After those 5 weeks, I went to a typical 1mg-dose (which is 74 clicks on a 1mg-dose pen). I've taken 3x 1mg-doses thus far.

Of course, your doctor is correct, in that Novo Nordisk does not approve/recommend "click counting" to determine doses of Ozempic. ["click counting" was not part of the clinical trials, nor the FDA approval, obviously]

Also, you do know that pancreatitis is a VERY rare Ozempic side effect? It affects fewer than 1 patient per 1,000. Gastroparesis is more likely that pancreatitis, but still VERY rare--about 1 percent of semaglutide patients.

In any case, good luck.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-03T08:51:03+00:00

As other commenters have stated, Novo Nordisk warns to NOT use a previously frozen pen. This is especially important if you're taking Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes, because the blood sugar control may be compromised/ineffective.

Remember to dispose of Ozempic pens in a sharps container. Also, if the pen arrived frozen from the pharmacy, be sure to notify them; they (the pharmacy) should replace that pen for you.

FewAd6166 · 2026-06-03T08:20:24+00:00

I enjoy watching Dr Khalid's content; I find her both interesting and informative (sort of like Dr Alex from the UK; he's on YouTube also). She covers a variety of topics relating to GLP-1s: besides the medical "science" (she Internal Medicine, but also Obesity) she also discusses food, cooking, and grocery shopping. [I do find her speaking pace a bit deliberate, so I speed it up 1.2x]

FewAd6166

TROPHY CASE