I had my first real medicine crisis this week; the very popular Moundaro medicine I’ve been taking for diabetes is so much in demand it has suddenly not been available for weeks at a time, and when it is, it is a different measure than my doctor wants me to have.
The advice I got from a nurse was to call different pharmacies and see if it was available anywhere. It isn’t, and I had a confab with my primary care doctor, Dr. Dodge. We agreed I would switch to another diabetes medication, which has also become wildly popular with people seeking weight loss.
Todd, my Walgreens pharmacist, really came through for me. I got my first dose of another medicine today—Ozempic, an older and well-tested one.
It was unnerving, as medicine is essential for stabilizing my blood sugar.
The doctors and the pharmacists told me they are swamped with angry people demanding the medication. Many don’t seem to accept that the pharmacies and physicians don’t make it; they only sell it.
The medicine is often life-saving, but the process is, as we all know, a hideous mess.
Ozempic is not a weight loss drug; it improves blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics like me. My doctor has great faith in it. I’ve been losing weight with Mounjaro, which has become wildly popular primarily as a weight loss drug.
Many diabetics can’t afford it anymore. I’ve heard good things about Ozempic, and I’m eager to try it.
I’m eating well. I have a nourishing and healthy breakfast and lunch, and on most nights, I skip dinner. Since overnight is a sensitive time for blood sugar, this has been helpful (sometimes).
I go out to dinner with friends or Maria, but I have very small amounts of food. My blood sugar is good, but it’s been creeping up a bit as I get older. We want to get out front on that. Ozempec will help, and I’m lucky to be able to get it. ($249 per month right now, $1,000 without insurance.
I’m told lots of people who need it can’t afford it, and if they could, it’s hard to get.
As you can see, I got a couple of purple flowers today. I want more color contrast in my photos. This is an Iphone photo; the Iphone is great on vivid color.
My friend Ian McRae is coming over tonight to play chess with me; He’s bringing a pizza. I told him I’m not eating dinner these days; he should get the pizza, eat a slice, and take the rest home when he leaves. I might cook a few dumplings so he doesn’t eat alone.
We have become good and easy friends.
I haven’t been able to get my diabetes medicine either (Trulicity). It isn’t as good as Mounjaro but it does make a difference. It took about a month to really kick in. But now I haven’t had any in 3 weeks and it doesn’t look like any is coming in anytime soon. I strongly feel that these medications should only be given to actual diabetics when there is such a shortage.
judicious, unbiased commentary on type 2 diabetes:
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/friday-favorites-vegetarian-muscle-power-strength-and-endurance/
Like you, as a diabetic I’ve had good luck with Trulicity 4.5 ml, but like all “weight loss” injectable medications, I can’t get any. So far I’ve lost 50 pounds between Trulicity and my
Endocrinologist lowering my insulin dosage. I’m down to 8 units at bedtime VS 2 years ago when I was at 80 units.
I’ve called all of the pharmacies in my area and no one has any. Unfortunately for me, Walgreens isn’t in my health insurance plan any longer, so I can’t call them to see if they have it. I am fortunate that I have 9-3ml Trulicity pens in my refrigerator.
I agree with Jamie, that these drugs should be reserved for diabetics first and foremost.