So….anyone been on semaglutide while backpacking?

[Joey G]

There’s a good chance my doctor will give me the option soon to go on semaglutide to help with weight loss. My health insurance is going to pay for it so I’m seriously thinking about it. I’ve been training for the upcoming backpacking season for 6 weeks and I’m concerned if there are side effects, it might affect my training. I’m planning a wonderland trail backpacking trip in August. I’m also hoping that it wouldn’t affect my performance of that trip.

Anyways, anyone been on semaglutide while backpacking and if so can you share your experience?

[bradmacmt]

Joey, I don’t have any experience with semaglutide, but am wondering if you have ever watched the documentary “Forks Over Knives?” If you haven’t done so, I’d encourage you to.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

I am a Type II diabetic, and I have been on Ozempic for about a year now.  I recommend that you keep a log as for the first 6 months your body does go through changes and adjustments.  I used to tolerate temperatures fairly well and these days, I tend to feel cold more often.

With respect to backpacking, people tend to go calorie negative for their trip.  On a recent trip to Catalina, I got cold at night.  It was only in the 40’s and my quilt is rated to the 30s but I had a t-shirt and pants on and that is unusual for me.  I suspected that with the hike that I didn’t eat enough food that day.  The next day, I made sure that I ate, and I was plenty warm that night, back to my normal pattern.

For training and the trip, it may be worthwhile to get a continuous blood glucose monitor; my insurance wouldn’t cover it.  My 2 cents.

[John Brochu]

I take Ozempic for diabetes, and other than the side effects most people get while ramping up the dose, I have no issues. I think if you start soon by August you should be fine. Also, some of the other options have fewer side effects from what my doctor said. (We almost switched to one of the others before my side effects subsided.)

[Kevin Babione]

I’m a Wegovy patient…Specifically for weight loss and it worked well for me.  The slow ramp-up of the weekly dosage I believe really minimized the side effects…A couple of things to consider:

• Constipation can be an issue…As I was getting used to Wegovy, I “enjoyed” Metamucil twice a day and it helped
• Time your shots…Varying by a day (or two) each week isn’t a big deal, but these have to be refrigerated so you can’t easily take a pen on a backpacking trip.  For example, I do my weekly shot on Thursdays.  If I’m leaving early for a trip I can do it Wednesday and then the next Thursday when I get back.

Good luck!  It’s been a game-changer for me.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

Do read the storage labels as Ozempic may be different.  If you are going for a week or so and teh temperatures are not too extreme, you may be fine having it unrefrigerated (see below).

FYI – if you are flying Internationally, it would be a good idea to carry your prescription (hard copy) with you.  On a flight to Norway, we had a layover in Heathrow and my Ozempic was in a cold storage container in my carry-on.  Security almost didn’t allow me to take the meds with me.  I was attempting to pull up amy online records and they eventually let me pass with a warning.  My 2 cents.

Ozempic should be refrigerated (kept between 36°F and 46°F) until the first use. It is a good idea to avoid storing your pen in the fridge door since it opens and closes throughout the day, meaning the pen may not stay cool enough. Similarly, keep Ozempic pens away from cooling elements, which could get too cold.

After using the prefilled pen for the first time, you can then store it at either room temperature (59°F to 86°F) or in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F) for up to 56 days. Don’t put the medication in the freezer at any time.

[MJ H]

Maybe my doctor thinks I’m poor? I know he thinks I’m fat (fairly) and he hasn’t brought up Ozempic.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

For weight lose, it can be difficult to get insurance to cover it.  Out of pocket, it would be over $1200 a month.  Being a Type II, it took me 6 months to get approval,

[MJ H]

In that case, my doctor is right about two things.

[Jerry Adams]

isn’t ozempic just once per week?  so maybe you could take it just before and after a trip?

if you were due to take it during your trip could you just wait until you got back?  If it was delayed a few days would it make much difference?

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

Jerry, you are probably correct. I have been working hard on getting my A1c levels down and just want to keep things steady.

[John Brochu]

@Jerry

Yes, once per week. And you can stretch it out to like 9 or 10 days to work around a longer trip.

[Joey G]

My main concern is dealing with side effects while on your trip. I would probably just skip taking it that week.

[AK Granola]

Not speaking from my own experience, but having observed a lady on a trip I went on, who had recently started taking Ozempic. She vomited up just about every meal and was not strong enough to hike.  Maybe that isn’t typical, but it sure was unpleasant for us and very sad for her, as she had to turn back.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

When I started Ozempic (as a Type II), my Dr. started me on 0.25 ml for a month or so, then transitioned to 0.5 ml. after a couple of months transitioned to 1.0 ml.  You do these transitions for you to get used to any changes or side effects.  Your body tends to tell you what is working and what is not.  It’s an adjustment, for me, it’s a lifetime drug treatment.  After about a year, I am still noticing differences that I need to adjust to.  My 2 cents.

[Susan V]

I have been on tiripizide and lost 40 lbs so far.  I recently noticed early muscle fatigue at about six to ten miles in and have been reducing my dose.  Has anyone else noticed strength changes?

[Bob Shuff]

Following…I started with 0.25 dose and moved to 0.5 but had pretty bad hiccups a few days after the dose. That eventually subsided and I’ve lost a lot of weight and got my A1C down a lot. Recently I’ve noticed my hunger returning and my weight creeping up so I’m moving up to the 1.0 dose soon. I’ve definitely noticed feeling colder and attributed that to the loss of fat. I’ll see if it correlates to my eating.

In the past I didn’t lose my appetite hiking, even at Eastern Sierra altitudes, but I also used Diamox (pre Ozempic). I guess I’ll have to check the potential interaction. Google said it can combine to cause low blood sugar. I’ve never been known to have dangerous lows, but the recommendations for a continuous glucose monitor and/or higher carb foods might make sense as a precaution. In the past, I tried to eat more proteins and fats, but always gave myself some leeway for the quick energy of carbs during a backpacking trip. For better or worse, on Ozempic I have not restricted carbs and have a healthy A1C and weight – but I know I eat a lot less overall than I used to.

[David Adler]

I’m taking Zepbound, I’m on the second level which is 5mg and have been on the medicine for 7 weeks. I went backcountry sking last weekend and the main issue (aside from being out of shape ) was a lack of interest in eating at all!  Makes it rather challenging to perform when not eating enough

[Joey G]

I started Zepbound yesterday. 2.5 mg. Insurance pays for it. Thanks for al the information everybody.

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