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Anyone on the Ascend Plus trial?

Back on the Ascend Trial from tomorrow. 3mgs
 
I’m on day 4 of the randomisation. I have a feeling I’m on the placebo which I’m gutted about as I’m having no side effects at all
 
JackieJ said:
I’m on day 4 of the randomisation. I have a feeling I’m on the placebo which I’m gutted about as I’m having no side effects at all
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Same for me JackieJ. The 3mg and 7mg had a horrid taste and were quite chalky to the touch, whereas my randomisation tablets are very smooth, with no taste whatsoever. Im gutted as I feel im definitely on the placebo, and the thought of taking a useless tablet, when I already take enough already, for 5 years really doesn't fill me with hope. Weird to think I was actually looking forward to having the side effects back! At least i would have known i was still being treated and hopefully protected against heart attack/stroke. Im seriously thinking of ringing them to advise i don't want to continue in the next couple of weeks.
 
Hi Lorraine

I've been on the randomisation for just over a week now, and was convinced that I was on the placebo, but I am now beginning to question myself. The only side effect I'm having is diarrhea, which is a a difficult one for me as I have had multiple bowel ops over the years, so I'm not sure if it's a side effect of taking (or not taking), the placebo (or the real thing) that's causing this. But....... I am still losing weight - which is what's making me think am I on the "real deal"? It's all very odd.

I had horrendous nausea (which did eventually subside), when I was on the 7mg, so I thought 15mg is going to be a nightmare - but I've had no nausea at all. I still feel full most of the time and feel that my appetite is suppressed. Like you I'd decided that if I was on the placebo that I wasn't going to carry on - what's the point? Are you still losing weight or not? I'm going to keep going whilst I'm losing weight. Maybe my body has just got used to it (I really really hope so). So don't give up yet Lorraine - we're all different aren't we?! Good luck!
 
Thanks for replying JackieJ I too had awful nausea, no appetite and some diarrhoea on both the 3 and the 7, but after taking immodium for 2 days, it's been almost 3 weeks since I had any bowel movements whatsoever and haven't lost any weight this last week.

I'll carry on for a couple more weeks to see what happens but things aren't looking very promising to me right now that im on the 'real thing'

Take care, and please let me know how you're getting on x
 
As on the 3mgs at the moment Bowels just ok. Must pay attention as last time went a week between. Don't want to go through that again. Difficult to know when to take something to help.
 
SemaEXPT said:
Mine are also tasteless, I am convinced that my tablets are placebo
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I was going to ask if anyone thinks if they're still on Semaglutide, but their tablets don't have the bitter taste as before?
Hiya Hrich, I feel exactly the same as you and all the others that have commented about them feeling they're on the placebo and don't want to waste 4 1/2 years taking a tablet for nothing when, (if their GP agrees) they could be taking the actual medication.
I did compare both tablets 7mg and 14mg to see if I could tell the difference when I received my 6 month bottles. The first thing I noticed was that the 14mg tablet was very smooth and not feeling chalky like the 7mg did. In every other way from what I could tell there was no other difference, until the next morning when I took my first 14mg tablet and there was no nasty taste. From all the other comments so far, no-one has said that their tablets don't taste bad, but feel they're still taking the real medication. Im going to give these 'placebos' 28 days and see if there is any change from last month and then decide whether to carry on or not. Good luck with your decision
 
SemaEXPT said:
Mine are also tasteless, I am convinced that my tablets are placebo
Click to expand...
I was going to ask if anyone thinks if they're still on Semaglutide, but their tablets don't have the bitter taste as before?
Hiya Hrich, I feel exactly the same as you and all the others that have commented about them feeling they're on the placebo and don't want to waste 4 1/2 years taking a tablet for nothing when, (if their GP agrees) they could be taking the actual medication.
I did compare both tablets 7mg and 14mg to see if I could tell the difference when I received my 6 month bottles. The first thing I noticed was that the 14mg tablet was very smooth and not feeling chalky like the 7mg did. In every other way from what I could tell there was no other difference, until the next morning when I took my first 14mg tablet and there was no nasty taste. From all the other comments so far, no-one has said that their tablets don't taste bad, but feel they're still taking the real medication. Im going to give these 'placebos' 28 days and see if there is any change from last month and then decide whether to carry on or not. Good luck with your decision
 
Lorraine Richardson said:
I was going to ask if anyone thinks if they're still on Semaglutide, but their tablets don't have the bitter taste as before?
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Tablets are still bitter but the after taste is different which used to last for a few hours in the morning. Wondered this too. Also, I will be restarting blood donation. This will be on my record, and can donate providing my dose has not changed in the last four weeks.
 
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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Started "Run In" a week ago -- no problems other than slight nausea and feeling "full" plus occasional constipation
 
I previously posted on here in June 2024. I had started the trial and was suffering from nausea and questioned whether this was worth it. I’m now 16 months into the trial. I am certain I’m on the real tablet as have lost 32lbs in weight, my diabetes level of 53.. though not particularly high, is now down to 41 which is in the normal range and no need for Metformin now. The nausea does subside with time and I found anti-sickness tablets helped in the early days. My relationship with food as changed. I don’t have cravings or hunger pangs. My taste buds seem to have changed as well. sweet things don’t have the same satisfaction they once had! I did speak to the team and got my tablets reduced to 7mg as I had some severe bouts of sickness 6 months ago but this turned out to be gallstones and the gallbladder operation is any day so I didn’t need to drop the level. Saying that, I still get the same benefit as when I was on 14mg. I’m so pleased I persevered with the trial as my health has improved immensely.
 
Well done Growler, perseverance paid off and you have given me hope for which I thank you.
For those suffering from constipation I found that a stool softener such as Dulcoease worked for me with a very low dose after the initial course -- follow the instructions. Have lost half a kilo so far and nausea has passed.
 
Well done Growler! Losing over 2 stone is a fantastic achievement. Glad to hear you carried on the trial even though you were suffering nausea as a side effect. I also had the same side effect, and it got to the point were I didn't want to eat much at all, but then felt sick with hunger pangs! Im now on the placebo, and seriously considering coming off the trial completely. I just really don't see the point of carrying on taking something for nothing.

Take care, Lorraine
 
Hi - I am on the Ascend-Plus trial - I am just about to start the third bottle of the run-in.
I have a question for those people who are further ahead on the trial:

When did you get the questionaire that you are supposed to do towards the end of the run in period - I am assuming it will not be too long as they will not want a gap between the run-in and the real/placebo tablets for the trial. I am just concerned I may miss the email, so wonder at what point other people got it.

So far I have tolerated the run-in tablets really well and my BG is down considerably, so really hoping I don't get the placebo. I was on Metformin but could not tolerate it at all, so had to stop after a few weeks as I literally could not leave the house, so it is amazing to have something that actualy seems to help with lowering my BG and that I can tolerate well.
 
Hi AllieRainbow,

I got a letter in the post at the end of the first or second week i think. The tablets came the week after.

From what most other people, (as well as myself) deduced straight away that it was the placebo due to the non-bitter taste and end of most side effects too. Hope you manage to continue on the real stuff as it seems to definitely helping you xx
 
Thanks - I will look out for a letter, and hope I get the real thing - if not I will persist with the keto, and get results anyway.
 
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