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Anyone on the Ascend Plus trial?

nursel said:
Hi,
I have just started on 3mg.
How can you tell if on a placebo? Thought even placebo bottles have Semaglutide printed on them.
I have had no side effects as yet and definitely no changes to appetite (feeling full).
How is your treatment so far?.
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As I understand things, everyone is on the real semaglutide during the run in period. After that it's 50/50. I have just started my second batch of 6 months supply and I am pretty convinced that I'm on the real thing. I did get the stomach problems for the first couple of months on the 14mg tablets then all the side effects dissappeared except one. For the last 30 or so years I was getting through between 1 or 2 bottles of vodka a week but since I started this trial I have absolutely no interest in alcohol at all. Can't even finish a pint of beer when out for family meals. Also I've lost nearly 3 stone, 2 trouser sizes and my hba1c figure last week was down to 39 (from 52).
 
Sally66 said:
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?
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I'm hoping to start this trial soon, but am hav8ng trouble finding out from my insurance company whether it will affect my travel insurance. A doctor from the trial I spoke to today said some people had to drop out because of their travel insurance being affected. Had anyone had experience of this?
 
Hi fellow participants.

I have just emailed Ascend Plus to explain what happened when I started the randomisation phase over a year ago now. I’m certain I’m on the placebo. I had immediate rebound weight gain and higher than my usual BS levels despite same low carb diet. Since then weight management has been a massive struggle.

I initially lost 2 stone after diagnosis just through exercise and low carb. The “run in” Semaglutide on the trial helped me maintain this and lose a little more. Since being on the placebo (I am certain I am) I’ve regained a stone, BS gone back to pre-diabetes range (got back to normal before). Psychologically it has really got to me. I swim 1km a day 5 times a week, control my carbs carefully (so low carb diet) and have even reduced to just two meals a day.

So fed up by the weight gain that I’m going to go back to the diabetic team at my GP surgery to talk about it. I doubt very much they will agree to prescribing any weight loss drugs and I just can’t afford to pay.

I have been on antidepressants for over a decade and I’m at the final weaning off stage. The last thing I want is them saying I stay on them and just exercise more and reduce calories further! I’m 58, there are limits to how much exercise I can do.

Like others, experiencing the same, I’m so disappointed. I really saw this trial as a way to help me and feel totally cheated. I understand that scientific trials need some on a placebo but so ****** off that had to be me!
 
Do you really think it’s aspirin the placebo? wow! I never thought of that.you are right about pricking fingers and bleeding. I also bruised very easily now. I just thought the placebo would be a “nothing” tablet. Now I think you may be right. I’ll let you know how I get on with the diabetic nurse requesting weight loss Semaglutide, going to argue my case but don’t have a lot of hope.
 
Sally66 said:
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?
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On to the third bottle, and just hope I get to stay on the real deal when the randomisation starts.

No questionnaires yet, but definitely seeing improvement.
Blood sugars way down with 60 day average of a reading of 6, reduced the himulin from 36 to 26 twice a day, and was losing weight anyway but not sure if that's helping as December was 103kg and now at 97.5kg.

Minor iffy stomach rarely but that's just a feeling of don't want to eat.

So 10/10 so far so good.
 
ChrisMullins said:
On to the third bottle, and just hope I get to stay on the real deal when the randomisation starts.

No questionnaires yet, but definitely seeing improvement.
Blood sugars way down with 60 day average of a reading of 6, reduced the himulin from 36 to 26 twice a day, and was losing weight anyway but not sure if that's helping as December was 103kg and now at 97.5kg.

Minor iffy stomach rarely but that's just a feeling of don't want to eat.

So 10/10 so far so good.
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Hi Chris. Glad to hear it’s working out for you. I’ve taken the decision to end the trial. I know I’m on the placebo and it’s so obvious going from Semaglutide side effects to zero. In fact to go from low BS, losing weight to higher BS and weight gain. I’m fed up now and want to do something to help my weight even if I have to pay for it. I contacted Ascend and they said I’d have to stop the trial to go on to weight management medication.

Very disappointing for me as hoped this could have been a positive experience for me. I realise in the interest of science they had to have 50% on a placebo but I have to put my own health first. Wonder how many clearly on placebos have given up? I don’t think they thought this through. 5 years is a long commitment to a trial. I’ve done nearly 2 years so did my bit.
 
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Sally66 said:
Hi Chris. Glad to hear it’s working out for you. I’ve taken the decision to end the trial. I know I’m on the placebo and it’s so obvious going from Semaglutide side effects to zero. In fact to go from low BS, losing weight to higher BS and weight gain. I’m fed up now and want to do something to help my weight even if I have to pay for it. I contacted Ascend and they said I’d have to stop the trial to go on to weight management medication.

Very disappointing for me as hoped this could have been a positive experience for me. I realise in the interest of science they had to have 50% on a placebo but I have to put my own health first. Wonder how many clearly on placebos have given up? I don’t think they thought this through. 5 years is a long commitment to a trial. I’ve done nearly 2 years so did my bit.
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I'm a placebo who has given up but only because I managed to persuade my GP to prescribe the real thing (after a long econsult outlining my intolerance to metformin and reasons why I should be prescribed it and subsequent HbA1c and face to face appointment). I too lost quite a bit of weight on the trial, only to put it mostly all back on in the 9 months on the placebo. My HbA1c went back up again. I agreed with the Ascend team that I would continue to complete their questionnaires, so I am still on their radar. I'm so glad my GP agreed to prescribe it for me.
 
))Denise(( said:
I'm a placebo who has given up but only because I managed to persuade my GP to prescribe the real thing (after a long econsult outlining my intolerance to metformin and reasons why I should be prescribed it and subsequent HbA1c and face to face appointment). I too lost quite a bit of weight on the trial, only to put it mostly all back on in the 9 months on the placebo. My HbA1c went back up again. I agreed with the Ascend team that I would continue to complete their questionnaires, so I am still on their radar. I'm so glad my GP agreed to prescribe it for me.
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That’s great news about your GP. I’m hoping something similar can happen for me but have yet to be called for my annual review. Shall contact them in a week. Review due 1st July. I have heard that some GPs are not contacting their patients anymore so it’s down to us to be pro active or we will be conveniently forgotten.

Ascend tried to call me today but as it was when I do my daily swim they didn’t get through. No response if you call back so emailed to say when I wasn’t available. Did they speak to you on the phone, Chris.
 
I have posted my AscendPlus envelope, so I will wait to see what happens.

Some posters suggest that the placebo is aspirin. I would have thought this most unlikely. I take a leukaemia drug that is contraindicated with aspirin. This would also upset aspirin dosing. The placebo has to be inert.
 
Ascend contacted me yesterday. This was the following up call to my decision to end my participation. The nurse confirmed that the placebo is NOT aspirin and yes, they couldn’t give this without patient consent.

Good luck to all continuing. I have agreed to do the surveys and if I’m unsuccessful in getting my GP to agree to Semaglutide as a weight loss treatment I may agree to go back on the trial.

This means continuing with what I was previously assigned.
 
Applecore1 said:
I am not sure but from the forums I have read it seems that there is similarity. The difference is rather the individuals response and not so much the way it is taken. I think there is a belief ‘out there’ that injection is better - not sure of the evidence.
I think it comes down to what you want to achieve as a lot of the forums are based on people who just want to lose weight rapidly (not necessarily people with diabetes or high bmi) which for all sorts of reasons/effects is not a great way to lose weight. Also they are probably biased towards people who write on them because they are having problems or rapid weight loss, I would think the vast majority that don’t have problems are not as motivated to post on those forums so it is hard to tell.

I have found in my first week that my queeziness is spread throughout the day and seems more related to my intake than when I have taken the tablet. Now on day 12 and finding I am getting used to things and more used to what I have to do, what I can tolerate and what I can’t.

The biggest forum of users I have found is on mumsnet but there are practices being described on there that frighten the life out of me ( I was a nurse so probably have a more healthy regard for drugs) I recommend it in terms of the wealth of information about side effects and some useful tips on how to handle them but I think there are a considerable number of people posting who are putting themselves at risk. So look with caution.
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I have found the worst side effect for me is that I seem to have a permantly horrible taste in my mouth - I have been on it for about 10months
 
I was sent the information but as I’m on Mounjaro (through the nhs) I didn’t want to risk coming off that and going on a placebo
@Sally66 Did you hear on the news yesterday that you can get weight medication on the nhs now if you have a high bmi, also other health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and overweight. So if you have any of those it’s worth contacting your GP for a discussion.
 
Sally66 said:
I’m one month in to the randomisation phase now and convinced I’m on the placebo. All my side effects (nausea mainly) being in the run in of Semaglutide have stopped. The down side is there has been quite an upsurge in my BG levels. Now true, this has coincided with a little more indulgence over Xmas but I’m surprise by how much of a difference it has made especially to my morning levels. I clearly lost some weight on the drug but pleased today no weight gain since being on this “placebo”.

Anyone else on this and at the Randomisation phase?
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Yes I am. I'm also convinced I'm on the placebo it doesn't taste as nasty for a start. I haven't had any weight loss at all since starting the trial. Bit of stomach troubles and fatigue but that's it.
 
MissMuffett said:
@Sally66 Did you hear on the news yesterday that you can get weight medication on the nhs now if you have a high bmi, also other health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and overweight. So if you have any of those it’s worth contacting your GP for a discussion.
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On another thread GP surgeries are notifying patients that the procedures aren't in place yet so please stop asking, they're overwhelmed with enquiries.

Perhaps in a few weeks though...
 
A quick update following my annual diabetes review. My Hba1c levels have almost halved and are now in the low 30’s. My blood pressure has dropped to excellent normal levels and my BMI is now 27 from 33. I’ve lost 2.5 stone with about 10lbs to go. The weight loss has slowed right down now though which is a good thing.
I’m nearly 2 months into the randomised 14mg and convinced I’m on the real thing. The tablets still taste vile and I’m still troubled with constipation and odd days where the constant burping is horrendous. The nausea isn’t nearly as bad now thank goodness although still there sometimes first thing. It’s reminded me of morning sickness when I was pregnant!
I’m never really hungry still and wanting much smaller portions.
My sleep has vastly improved since being on the trial which is a real bonus.
Apart from the minor stomach issues, I am feeling great.
If I thought I wasn’t on the real thing I would be really pressing my GP to prescribe it. I can’t understand why they wouldn’t when the results clearly show how effective it is and especially for those of us with diabetes and not only wanting it to lose weight.
 
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