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Anyone on the Ascend Plus trial?

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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I'm now on the randomisation trial after the initial run in. I initially suffered some nausea especially at night but reduced the effects by drinking a lot of water with the tablet and waiting a least an hour before eating. The BG control improved dramatically to such an extent that I he'd to reduce my lantus by 40% and rapid by a similar amount. I wear a continuous glucose monitor and the improvement in TIR was outstanding. I am also convinced that I'm on the placebo, no nausea, my appetite has returned and a marked decline in BG levels. I have a BMI of 24 so I'm not concerned about weight loss. I'm seriously thinking of stopping the trial if I can get the semaglutide on my diabetic prescription. Any thoughts on that!
Alan
 
I have just started the randomised dose and can e fairly sure I'm on the placebo. My bs levels had been so good on the 7mg and I'd lost 10 pounds so was feeling great. I'm pretty devastated to be honest. It's the only thing that had worked so far. I've emailed the trial to ask for advise - can I change my dose or should I contact the Dr? The thought of battling through trying to find something when there's a tablet that can fix it is ridiculous. Has anyone looked into getting it privately?
 
sarahemlee said:
I have just started the randomised dose and can e fairly sure I'm on the placebo. My bs levels had been so good on the 7mg and I'd lost 10 pounds so was feeling great. I'm pretty devastated to be honest. It's the only thing that had worked so far. I've emailed the trial to ask for advise - can I change my dose or should I contact the Dr? The thought of battling through trying to find something when there's a tablet that can fix it is ridiculous. Has anyone looked into getting it privately?
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Yes, devastated is the word I’d use too. I’m giving it a few months just to be sure I’m on the placebo then will check with the doc to see if there are any options. It’s not about the weight really. Could do to lose a bit but the feeling of wellbeing, less joint ache etc etc is superb. I know that the 7mg is about right for me. I guess if I had the higher dose, I’d possibly have been asking to reduce.
There’s a brilliant article I have just read online by Harriet Walker in the Times. I agree with a lot she says. If I can work out how to post a link will. In it she mentions a legit uk doctor who will prescribe the pen version for £250 a month.
 
Mandible said:
Yes, devastated is the word I’d use too. I’m giving it a few months just to be sure I’m on the placebo then will check with the doc to see if there are any options. It’s not about the weight really. Could do to lose a bit but the feeling of wellbeing, less joint ache etc etc is superb. I know that the 7mg is about right for me. I guess if I had the higher dose, I’d possibly have been asking to reduce.
There’s a brilliant article I have just read online by Harriet Walker in the Times. I agree with a lot she says. If I can work out how to post a link will. In it she mentions a legit uk doctor who will prescribe the pen version for £250 a month.
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Sorry, not allowed to post link, got it via Apple News. Hopefully you can find online
 
I’ve an appointment with private consultant on 3 Jan to see if he can prescribe Rybelsus privately for me, don’t really need it for weight loss but BS levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels were brilliant when on 7mg plus having read research re. Cardiovascular health, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it feels like a no brainier.
 
Katy56 said:
I’ve an appointment with private consultant on 3 Jan to see if he can prescribe Rybelsus privately for me, don’t really need it for weight loss but BS levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels were brilliant when on 7mg plus having read research re. Cardiovascular health, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it feels like a no brainier.
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That's interesting, would be good if you recommend someone to see - where are you based?
 
Post randomisation and I am pretty certain I am on semaglutide as the taste of the tablets is just the same as before.
Before Christmas felt really unwell and developed a water infection that is still ongoing and after every course of antibiotics it just reoccurs after a couple of days. I am now being referred to a Urologist. Has anyone else had similar problems? I have researched if there is a possible link to the semaglutide which was pretty inconclusive TBH.
I have now lost one and a half stone so down to my goal weight and have had a conversation with Ascend who have agreed that I can remain on the 7mg tablet rather than 14mg as the weight loss is unsustainable. Time will tell whether staying on the 7mg is going to be ok I hope so as my blood tests are all under control usually in the 4.5 to 8.0 mmol range and my my latest HbA1c result just before Christmas came back at 55.
 
Alan H said:
I'm now on the randomisation trial after the initial run in. I initially suffered some nausea especially at night but reduced the effects by drinking a lot of water with the tablet and waiting a least an hour before eating. The BG control improved dramatically to such an extent that I he'd to reduce my lantus by 40% and rapid by a similar amount. I wear a continuous glucose monitor and the improvement in TIR was outstanding. I am also convinced that I'm on the placebo, no nausea, my appetite has returned and a marked decline in BG levels. I have a BMI of 24 so I'm not concerned about weight loss. I'm seriously thinking of stopping the trial if I can get the semaglutide on my diabetic prescription. Any thoughts on that!
Alan
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I am also on placebo, blood glucose was great on run in tablets, I definitely do not need to lose weight, I lost around 4lb on run in tablets so not too bad.
I feel so frustrated to know there is a medication that will help me but it’s not available to diabetics via GP especially if you have no weight to lose.
It will be interesting to see if your GP will prescribe semaglutide.
I have recently changed GP practice so maybe I will try and persuade them to prescribe semaglutide.
 
No insights I’m afraid scubastu. Hopefully you will be ok and able to stay in the 7mg. I’m on placebo now but I did notice my frequency of urination dropped on lead in phase and usually got an undisturbed sleep. However, having previously had a kidney stone I tried to keep my water intake high, especially in the morning.
No expert but maybe if your antibiotics did work initially you would need a longer course. Good luck.
 
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 started Ascend plus the end of November, and apart from the first morning I had an upset stomach after the first couple of hours I’ve had no other side effect, just wonder though whether I am on proper tablet or placebo. I will persevere until July until I have my next diabetic check to see if there is any improvement. No real weight loss yet but then there has been a Christmas Inbetween and I have been over indulging lol.
 
Just a reminder that it's against forum rules to name an individual HCP/clinic on the open forum.
 
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?
Click to expand...
 
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?
Click to expand...
Hi. I have been on the run in for 9 days now. No bad side effects so far only positive ones - seem to be sleeping better and deeper. I also don't have such food cravings - now I will just eat1 biscuit instead of 3 or 4 and I can easily resist sweet things. Don't ever feel hungry any more.
 
I have been on the trial for some time.
Side effects ok except 1...... constipation.
Off to doctor and hospital tomorrow with a letter ........
I am not worried too much but nurse was.
May have to come off trial.
 
I had to leave trial when I developed constant vomiting after certain foods and drinks. Was taking 14 mg daily and when I could keep nothing down except boiled water GP became very worried.
 
caroline51 said:
Hi. I have been on the run in for 9 days now. No bad side effects so far only positive ones - seem to be sleeping better and deeper. I also don't have such food cravings - now I will just eat1 biscuit instead of 3 or 4 and I can easily resist sweet things. Don't ever feel hungry any more.
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I have been on the trail 2 weeks, I’m still on 3mg with minor side effects, nothing to report really. However it hasn’t slowed down my eating as yet, I still feel hungry x
 
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