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Anyone on the Ascend Plus trial?

Hi I started the run in phase about early October on the first 3 mg phase I noticed nothing then the second 7 mg phase I noticed a lack of appetite particularly in the evening I could easily have passed on dinner. I don’t need or want to lose weight but have last half a stone on phase 2. The only side effect other than appetite on this phase has been some hypos.
I received the randomisation 14mg and appetite has returned and hypos have gone. The randomisation questionnaire was the first time I have been asked my bmi. All the pills have been very bitter pills to swallow. I feel I’m on the placebo now but I’ll see the trial through. It’s a good thing to do I think.
 
Good afternoon all,
Started the trial in late Nov 25 and have just started the 2nd bottle of the trial package. Since taking the 2nd bottle, i feel slightly nauseous constantly and really don't have any appetite whatsoever. Will this feeling go away at all? I weighed myself over Christmas and was down to 11st 11lb, which is the lowest i have been since my early 20's.
 
Hi yes I started the 3 mg bottle in October I didn’t notice anything then onto the 7 mg and felt a bit nauseous at first and a drop off with appetite mostly in the evenings I lost half a stone down to 12st 1 (I’m 6’2) my weight stays constant usually I am now on the 14 mg trial pack of active drug or placebo.. it still tastes bitter as hell but I’ve noticed my appetite has returned so unsure if it’s placebo or semiglutide but I’ll continue with it until the end
 
The sickly feeling for me has never gone but you get used to it in the background. It does accelerate if you eat the wrong food though . Also some fizzy drinks. Good luck.
 
Thanks and you. I think it’s a worthwhile thing to do unless the side effects are unbearable
 
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 on it as well and just moved from the 3mg run in to the 7mg dosage. I don't read side effects as it's usually a trigger for me to experience them all! However I have been 'fatigued' and had a 'heavy' tiredness as well as fidgety sleep, plus a loss of appetite but feeling full a lot quicker when I do eat. My blood sugars have been fine but prior to this trial I had gone from HBA1C of 50 to 37 in a year through diet and exercise . I decided to check the potential side affects anyway, and yes everything I'm experiencing is 'normal' as it's more likely when you move from the initial 3mg run in dosage to the 7mg. It's part of the bodies adjustment phase and lasts 1-2 weeks...I'm just over a week into 7mg. Checking my weight shows I'm the same as just befre Christmas so I'm happy it's all working as I go back to my normal regime from yesterday.
 
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I'm now in the first week of the randomisation tablets, which I started on Sunday. I thought at first they must be the placebo, as they didn't taste bitter - but later that afternoon I started to feel slightly sick, and since then I have had those odd not-quite-burps-not-quite-hiccups and occasional spasms of mild nausea (having one at the moment, which is what reminded me to come on here. Plus some constipation, and equally some diarrhoea! I also still have little appetite, although I have felt hungry a time or two this week. So I think I might well be on the 14 mg - I do hope so.

I definitely lost weight while on the running-in phase - I can look at myself sideways in the mirror without wincing! I really ought to buy a pair of bathroom scales, but so depressing when one is still AT LEAST 15 kg overweight! It's great to have lost.... but a long way still to go.

I never thought I'd be glad to feel sick!!
 
Hi

Just reading your posts, there seems to be a pattern on feeling sick when you eat/drink certain things, Diet Coke makes me feel sick, Crisps again sick after eating a cheeky packet of Walkers with a sandwich (other brands are available LOL) but from an appetite point of view I am struggling to eat a plate of food, I am just finishing the 3rd bottle and have completed my first questionnaire on line, so I guess I am now waiting for the next lot of pills to arrive .. I feel as if i have lost weight by my clothes and my tummy appears a little deflated so happy on that point, I am having my periodic bloods done on Thursday so will be interesting to see if my HBA1C has come down, as I recall the last test it was 51 .. I'll keep you posted !!
 
Even if I am on the placebo, my appetite has definitely not returned! A couple of days ago I was hungry about 5:00 pm, so ate a scone with butter and jam (yes, I know, but everything in moderation, right?), and then I simply couldn't eat my supper. And this morning I couldn't finish my porridge, and have only had soup for lunch, with a bit of cheese melted into it. It's just gone 5 now, and I am beginning to feel hungry, but not sure what I could eat that won't destroy my appetite for supper.
 
Probably just as well, as the more we avoid ultra-processed foods like crisps, the better (okay, once in awhile won't kill us, but still!). Our bodies know....
 
Hi - thanks all for writing on here- been a great support. I started trial early September. Very lucky -few negative side effects on run in. Unexpected plus effects - more energy and generally feeling brighter, my mental health in terms of anxiety has definitely improved (hence have the confidence now to write on here now). Lost a little weight - but then have had to change my diet and way of eating (smaller portions, less frequent) so would expect that. Thought like many others when randomised I was on placebo but small side effects and continued fullness very similar to Moiraw above. no weight loss but I have been on holiday...then it was xmas...and an awful lot going on so lucky not to have gained! My diabetes review is due in Feb so will see if any effect there then. Think I would keep going anyway.
 
I just started the 14mg today, and think I am on the real deal as that familiar bitter taste kicked in after I swallowed the tablet. I found that about a week after an increase the nausea kicks in, which is when the drug has reached a decent level in my system. Making sure to eat small meals helps a lot. Stop eating as soon as you feel any kind of fullness feeling.
 
Good morning & hello!
I've have just joined the forum.
I started the Ascend Plus trial in December and this week moved up to the 7mg tablets. I am not sure if its related, but I've felt uncomfortable with bad indigestion & have vomited (badly) a couple of times already after just 3 days. I have been unable to finish my main meal the last 2 days. I thought I'd join this Forum to see if I need to persist in the hope the symptoms improve or whether this is something out of the ordinary.
I was only diagnosed with Type 2 last May (a big surprise to me!).
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
 
Yes your symptoms will improve, I think most people when they jump up to the 7mg experience this, I did. Good luck.
 
RAD123 said:
Yes your symptoms will improve, I think most people when they jump up to the 7mg experience this, I did. Good luck.
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Many thanks for your reassurance RAD123. It is much appreciated. Just had to cancel a night out so hopefully I can rearrange for a week when I'll be feeling better. Thank you!
 
RAD123 said:
Yes your symptoms will improve, I think most people when they jump up to the 7mg experience this, I did. Good luck.
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Yes that's also my experience it does get better - the Ascend+ site has some good tips to help with indigestion and nausea which helped me - especially when I moved to the 14mg. I do still get both symptoms - but it's usually because I've eaten too much or the wrong things or at the wrong time! My bad.
 
Great thanks. I'll take a look at the Ascend+ site.
 
Another morning and even worse In addition to the vomiting, I ache and feel incredibly cold (shivering) and very lethargic.
I am a very active person and for the last 5 days (when I increased my dose to 7mg) I just sat at home.
I entered the trial to support medical research. However, I'm seriously considering stopping. I have had to cancel appointments and I am next at work on Tuesday and presently there's no way I could go.
I'm disappointed but then I have other health issues (osteoarthritis, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome) and can't cope with the additional adverse reactions caused by the trial.
I appreciate reading this make it sound like I'm a hypochondriac. However, I have only ever taken time off work following surgery and pride myself with a 'get on with it' attitude.
Thanks for listening.
 
I’m now a week in to taking the 14mg I’m sure it’s the placebo, no bitter taste to the tablets. No feeling of sickness, now eating all of my evening meals again. I wish it wouldn’t be so obvious what we are taking. Will I continue?????
 
Mine has no bitter taste, and after 2 weeks any side-effects have disappeared. BUT my appetite still hasn't got back to normal, and I've lost 500 grammes this week (finally gave in and bought a pair of bathroom scales). I want/need to continue losing weight, so even though I suspect I'm on the placebo, I'll continue to pretend I'm not!
 
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