Anyone on the Ascend Plus trial?

jmj444

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Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
I agree there is a distinctive taste to the tablet. I am 2 weeks into the randomisation and I still have this taste, my appetite has not returned and still have acid reflux so I think I am on the real thing.
 

daffy1

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This is a really interesting thread. I’ve just received the letter and was very dubious and was going to speak to my DN about this and whether it was genuine. But after reading comments I will go ahead with it. I’m 71 and my weight has crept up over the last year due to illness and lack of exercise. My fasting bg is usually between 5 and 8 but by the evening it can be between 8 and 15 and that’s a big concern for me. So I hope that this could help me and hopefully reduce the insulin and other diabetic meds I need.
 
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theresaxx

Member
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14
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Randomised tablets arrived today instructions say to start tomorrow. I still have 14 days of run in tablets left! Seems a waste but I will follow instructions and start randomisation tomorrow.
I hope I am not on placebo as I have had excellent blood glucose levels on the run in tablets and 0 side effects. Only lost couple lbs which is good as I am not overweight.
 
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Lilak

Member
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8
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
2 weeks into the Randomised tablets.
I think I am on Semaglutide, not the placebo.
Lost another 1kg in weight.
Appetite is still suppressed.
An hour after taking the tablet, can't face a morning cuppa or toast (feelings of nausea) so it isn't until late morning or early afternoon before I have a snack.
I will see what my BG levels are in a few months, when I request a blood test, and if still dropping will seek a medication review to reduce my Metformin dosage and/or stop the sitagliptin.
 

daffy1

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2 weeks into the Randomised tablets.
I think I am on Semaglutide, not the placebo.
Lost another 1kg in weight.
Appetite is still suppressed.
An hour after taking the tablet, can't face a morning cuppa or toast (feelings of nausea) so it isn't until late morning or early afternoon before I have a snack.
I will see what my BG levels are in a few months, when I request a blood test, and if still dropping will seek a medication review to reduce my Metformin dosage and/or stop the sitagliptin.
Do they keep on changing the meds so sometimes you get the semiglutide and other times the placebo or are you kept on the same throughout the trial. I did read that the trial could last for 5 years
 

Lilak

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Do they keep on changing the meds so sometimes you get the semiglutide and other times the placebo or are you kept on the same throughout the trial. I did read that the trial could last for 5 years
I believe once you start on the randomised tablets, you will stay on whatever you were given (either Semaglutide or the placebo) as otherwise they cannot measure the outcome of the trial.
And yes, the trial is for 5 years, but you can opt out whenever you wish, or if your prescription medications are changed by your GP to those that are listed in the leaflet.
 
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filly

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Diet only
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Spicy food which is too hot. Nasty people who have no idea on your life journey but feel the need to comment and be cruel.
It seems strange. The last bottle I took didn't seem to do anything. Yet the bottle this month bloods dropped more and have lost a little more.
 
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Lilak

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
It seems strange. The last bottle I took didn't seem to do anything. Yet the bottle this month bloods dropped more and have lost a little more.
Are these the randomisation tablets?
If so, I think you may be on the Semaglutide and not the placebo, and your body may just be settling into the medication.
I have had a quick look at the trial documentation, and it confirms that once you start the randomisation stage, you will remain in the same (Semaglutide or placebo) for the rest of the trial.
I attach a copy of the PIL, paragraph 3 on page 13 is where I got the information from (web link for the downladable document is https://www.ascend-plus-trial.org/files/ascend-plus-pil_full-a4_v-1-3_rgb-for-web.pdf)
Hope that helps, your results look promising.
 

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filly

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Type of diabetes
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Spicy food which is too hot. Nasty people who have no idea on your life journey but feel the need to comment and be cruel.
Are these the randomisation tablets?
If so, I think you may be on the Semaglutide and not the placebo, and your body may just be settling into the medication.
I have had a quick look at the trial documentation, and it confirms that once you start the randomisation stage, you will remain in the same (Semaglutide or placebo) for the rest of the trial.
I attach a copy of the PIL, paragraph 3 on page 13 is where I got the information from (web link for the downladable document is https://www.ascend-plus-trial.org/files/ascend-plus-pil_full-a4_v-1-3_rgb-for-web.pdf)
Hope that helps, your results look promising.
Yes they are. Nearly at the end of the first box....
 
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theresaxx

Member
Messages
14
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Well into 1st bottle randomised tablets, no bitter taste blood glucose levels creeping up slowly but I am stressed as my mum has had a stroke and I did have a couple of days eating things I shouldn’t (son’s 30th)
I think I am on placebo but hoping that the above reasons are causing the increase sugar levels.
Hope everyone is doing well
 

Tadpaul

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
not having puddings
I have just finished my first bottle of the 7mg run in tablets, and for the past week i have had the most horrible 'washing machine' stomach.
Nothing in the previous 7 weeks, no nausea, no constipation, nothing then bam.....
I start the second bottle of 7mg tomorrow, and I'm not looking forward to it,
I am constantly leaving food on my evening meal, never known before, my wife was wondering what was wrong the first few times. No more afternoon snacks, I've lost 14 lbs since the start, and feel a whole load better in myself, apart from this last week. My sugars are more under control, especially in the morning.
I can see the benefits for myself, and want to continue, but the pain for a whole week and ongoing is testing.

I've just got to man up :)
 
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Hopeful34

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,846
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Well into 1st bottle randomised tablets, no bitter taste blood glucose levels creeping up slowly but I am stressed as my mum has had a stroke and I did have a couple of days eating things I shouldn’t (son’s 30th)
I think I am on placebo but hoping that the above reasons are causing the increase sugar levels.
Hope everyone is doing well
I''m sorry your mum's had a stroke @theresaxx . I hope it's a mild one, and she recovers well. Take care of yourself. Sending virtual hugs xx
 

Rosemary A

Newbie
Messages
2
I have completed my run in and just started my second bottle of 14mg. No side effects until the first tablet of the second bottle, of course it could be coincidence but queasy, and vomited once plus awful tummy pains. I will persevere and go get some ginger tea. I do think it's coincidence as I have experienced no problems till now, so much so I thought I was on a placebo. Weight loss but probably as I joined slimming world.
 

Hrich

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Just thought aid start a discussion here for anyone on the Ascend Plus trial by Oxford University.

Started my “Run In” phase yesterday and so far so good. No side affects other than fatigue. How are other folks doing?
Hi I started it on it and have just reached the stage where they have sent me 6mths supply of 14mg. I havent lost any weight, not noticed any changes to my readings. The only thing i felt was full. I have started taking the 14mg today and believe i may be on the placebo, purely based on taste, the initial tablets are bitter, the one I took today is tasteless. If i am on the placebo I am very disappointed, was looking for reduced readings and of course weight loss?
 

Hrich

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi. I'm about 2 weeks into the randomisation and convinced I am taking the placebo. Did anyone else notice a difference in the taste of their run-in drug compared with their randomisation drug? I found the actual semaglutide tablet that I took during the run-in was very bitter on my tongue when swallowing. The randomised drug I'm taking now has no such taste and is completely bland which is why I am sure it must be the placebo. What have other people experienced in regards to the taste?
I am interested in responses as just started taking the 6mth supply and I too noticed that the new tablet, 14mg, is tasteless, like you noted the initial tablets were bitter?
 

Hrich

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Well I thought I wasn't on the placebo but now at the end of first box of proper trial tablets. Now all symptoms gone and not losing weight.
does you 14mg tablet taste bitter or tasteless, mine are tasteless and convinced on the placebo, does anyone know better?
 

Tadpaul

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
not having puddings
After posting on May 31st, I had 'the runs' constantly for 4 days. No, i did not eat or drink anything different to my wife, who remained resolutely normal.
I rang the Ascend Plus helpline and spoke to a clinician, who after 15 minutes or more of consultation, decided I end the trial.

For the past 8 days my problem has not resolved itself, to the point its quite comical now, I've never been so regular, 2am, 5am, empty by 9am.
Start to eat, breakfast 10am, lunch at 1pm, evening meal at 6pm,,,,,,and wait.

I've looked how long Semaglutide takes to works its way out of the system, and its 5 to 7 WEEKS.

I guess it was just not meant to be for me, could be an interesting next month or so.
 

Hrich

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
today has been a difficult day, I truly believe i am on the placebo. Disappointed is an understatement, i felt this was a turning point for me. I am now in the position where I cant foresee me carrying on for 5 years with something that is doing nothing for me, I would love to be that person - you know helping the cause. I am considering going to the doctor to see if they will prescribe me the correct tablet, anyone else in the same position and having the same thoughts?