Anyone on the Ascend Plus trial?

I started the trial in January and on 13th April I finished the third bottle of tablets. Side effects had mostly disappeared apart from not feeling that hungry. The week after I had my diabetes review and my HbA1C was 34 down from 56 the previous September and the best I had ever had. I had also lost 12kg. It is obvious to me that I am on the placebo (bit annoyed about that!). Appetite is back, finger prick levels are up and weight has increased.

I am thinking about contacting my GP and asking to be prescribed them.

))Denise(( said:

I started the trial in January and on 13th April I finished the third bottle of tablets. Side effects had mostly disappeared apart from not feeling that hungry. The week after I had my diabetes review and my HbA1C was 34 down from 56 the previous September and the best I had ever had. I had also lost 12kg. It is obvious to me that I am on the placebo (bit annoyed about that!). Appetite is back, finger prick levels are up and weight has increased.

I am thinking about contacting my GP and asking to be prescribed them.

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I believe I am on Placebo disappointed as run in tablets really brought down my HbA1C.
I had no side effects at all, lost bit weight approximately 6lb that was only downside for me. Blood glucose definitely gone up according to finger prick tests.
I am sticking with trial for now as when I signed up I knew it was 50% chance of being on placebo.
Doctors here won’t prescribe semaglutide, but if they do start using the drug in my area I will definitely be asking for it.

Lilak said:

Just started my 3rd bottle of the randomised tablets.
Still got reduced appetite, and losing weight (lost just under 9kg since I started on the trials).
So I am convinced I am on the Semaglutide and not placebo, will find out when I have my next HbA1C in about a month.

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Had blood tests last week, HbA1C is now down to 34, so a massive drop, and confirms I am on Semaglutide and not the placebo.
Also, have lost just over 12kg since I started the trials, and wife says I am looking gaunt.
She's also worried because I have lost a lot of muscle tone.
I am constantly tired, with no energy, and have recently started yawning all the time, which isn't nice when in company.
In addition, I have really bad bouts of nausea, which is worrying especially when there is nothing else that could have caused it.
I may come off for a few months (enough time for next HbA1C test), see if anything changes.

Katy56 said:

Do most of you who think you’re taking the ‘proper’ drug vs. placebo in the randomisation period have the bitter taste when taking the tablet? My new randomisation tablets are tasteless and too early to tell if it is placebo, but seems a too obvious difference to use in a drug trial surely

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Definitely have a bitter taste, and along with the other symptoms, I am positive I am on the Semaglutide.

Lilak said:

Had blood tests last week, HbA1C is now down to 34, so a massive drop, and confirms I am on Semaglutide and not the placebo.
Also, have lost just over 12kg since I started the trials, and wife says I am looking gaunt.
She's also worried because I have lost a lot of muscle tone.
I am constantly tired, with no energy, and have recently started yawning all the time, which isn't nice when in company.
In addition, I have really bad bouts of nausea, which is worrying especially when there is nothing else that could have caused it.
I may come off for a few months (enough time for next HbA1C test), see if anything changes.

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Hi, its such a double edge sword trial isnt it. Many got the placebo but I was like you, fortunate to get the semaglutide and, since April have reduced 19kg and my HbA1C to 39. I am now in line for a total knee replacement with the diabetes under control and the weightloss but it comes at a price. I too am tired, feel really nauseous most days and the constipation is dreadful. I am not sure if I will have 5 years in me to do this. Could you start lifting some weights to regain and retain muscle tone? I have started using dumbells to help. Its certainly not a dream drug but I try and refer to my leaflets to remind me of the trial .. it is taking us all in the right direction but not easily.Good luck with your tiredness ..

Lilak said:

Definitely have a bitter taste, and along with the other symptoms, I am positive I am on the Semaglutide.

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Lilak said:

Had blood tests last week, HbA1C is now down to 34, so a massive drop, and confirms I am on Semaglutide and not the placebo.
Also, have lost just over 12kg since I started the trials, and wife says I am looking gaunt.
She's also worried because I have lost a lot of muscle tone.
I am constantly tired, with no energy, and have recently started yawning all the time, which isn't nice when in company.
In addition, I have really bad bouts of nausea, which is worrying especially when there is nothing else that could have caused it.
I may come off for a few months (enough time for next HbA1C test), see if anything changes.

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Hi, I am also in my 3rd 14mg bottle and strongly believe I am not on placebo. Loss of appetite, stomach pains, fatigue , nausea etc have continued. I have always wanted to lose weight but not so much like this. When I weigh myself at the end of this month and I am still losing weight, I might have a break from the trial. On a positive, I am loving the weight loss compliments I am getting

Palmer6 said:

Hi, its such a double edge sword trial isnt it. Many got the placebo but I was like you, fortunate to get the semaglutide and, since April have reduced 19kg and my HbA1C to 39. I am now in line for a total knee replacement with the diabetes under control and the weightloss but it comes at a price. I too am tired, feel really nauseous most days and the constipation is dreadful. I am not sure if I will have 5 years in me to do this. Could you start lifting some weights to regain and retain muscle tone? I have started using dumbells to help. Its certainly not a dream drug but I try and refer to my leaflets to remind me of the trial .. it is taking us all in the right direction but not easily.Good luck with your tiredness ..

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Hope all goes well with the knee replacement.
I have just had my left knee replaced (just over 10 weeks ago) and the weight loss helps with the recovery, although my leg muscles need a lot of work as they too have diminished.
I had cartilage implant on my right knee in 2011 (was told it would last 8-10 years, but 13 years later still going strong).
Unfortunately, I am at the age where everything starts to play up, and will need to get down to some serious rebuilding once my knee is able to withstand the pressure (at the moment it is still slightly swollen, and cannot take too much weight).

As expected since HbA1C has gone back up. Definitely on placebo

theresaxx said:

As expected since HbA1C has gone back up. Definitely on placebo

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Just to add my blood glucose hba1c before the trial was 70 after the run in 53 and 3 months on placebo 56. I felt so much better when I was on the run in trial tablets, I had so much more energy and brighter, the only downside was the weight loss. I will keep following the messages on here it will be nice to find out if weight loss stops and how long semaglutide keeps people’s glucose levels down.
Wishing you all the best luck in controlling your diabetes

Lilak said:

Hope all goes well with the knee replacement.
I have just had my left knee replaced (just over 10 weeks ago) and the weight loss helps with the recovery, although my leg muscles need a lot of work as they too have diminished.
I had cartilage implant on my right knee in 2011 (was told it would last 8-10 years, but 13 years later still going strong).
Unfortunately, I am at the age where everything starts to play up, and will need to get down to some serious rebuilding once my knee is able to withstand the pressure (at the moment it is still slightly swollen, and cannot take too much weight).

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Glad the knee replacement went well and thanks for the tips on the weight loss helping the recovery.

Palmer6 said:

Glad the knee replacement went well and thanks for the tips on the weight loss helping the recovery.

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Hope yours goes well.
Before you go in, make sure your quads are in good shape, as they will be crucial to a quick recovery.
Also, work on your straight leg raises, as these will be hard for the first couple of weeks after surgery, but don't worry, it is normal, and you'll get there once the pain is easier to manage.
You will get discharged with minimum pain killers, so make sure your GP is aware and prescribes more, you need them to progress with the exercises.

theresaxx said:

Just to add my blood glucose hba1c before the trial was 70 after the run in 53 and 3 months on placebo 56. I felt so much better when I was on the run in trial tablets, I had so much more energy and brighter, the only downside was the weight loss. I will keep following the messages on here it will be nice to find out if weight loss stops and how long semaglutide keeps people’s glucose levels down.
Wishing you all the best luck in controlling your diabetes

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I'm sorry you have been given the placebo, especially as the run-in tablets were doing you good with your blood glucose (HbA1C) levels.
I've come off the Semaglutide for a while now, having lost just over 15kg since I started, and am looking very gaunt.
Now I need to build my muscles up to get body back into shape.
Also need to stop feeling sick every morning (no, I'm not pregnant, and would make a fortune if I was - I"m a 67 year old man).

I've been on the run-in for about 6 weeks but particularly over the last couple of weeks, since the dose changed from 3mg to 7mg, I have been feeling really ill with vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea. I've been completely off my food and got to the point where I was afraid to eat, having to force myself to have something for my metformin and gliclazide tablets to land on.

I went to see my GP last week and he was unaware I was on the trial - it apparently wasn't in my notes though I'm sure the invitation originated from my surgery. Anyway, he deemed it was unlikely to be the drug as I'd done a few weeks, and thought my symptoms were reflux exacerbated by stress (I'm having an awful time at the moment) and gave me some lansoprazole capsules as well as testing for H. pylori. No results yet but I've continued to be sick and nauseous. In addition I've felt lethargic and light-headed, presumably due to lack of food. The only upside has been losing about 12lb over the last few weeks.

Today I spoke to one of the doctors on the trial and she said it's highly likely that I'm one of the one in 10 people who aren't able to tolerate the drug. As a result she's advised me to stop participating. I'm really disappointed because I really hoped it would work for me, and now I fear I'll put the weight back on.

Im on my 3rd bottle 14mg. Symptoms are easing, but still suffering with bad Wind and belching. Is it safe to take Apple cider vinegar while on Semglutide. ? As i heard it helps with reflux

I'm about to start the first randomised batch. The run in for me has been brilliant - morning bloods have been much lower than previously and have lost 5kg.
I'm really hoping my tablet tomorrow has the bitter taste I will be so disappointed if it's not.

Palmer13 said:

I have found that travel sickness tablets DO really help the incessant nausea with the semaglutide. I feel much better…

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that's good to know!

Well morning bloods 6.8 which is down even more since run in, bitter taste in mouth but wondering if it could be sinuses because I've got a better of a headache since yesterday, feel no hunger, so not sure if I'm p. The proper stuff or placebo ... time will tell I suppose

Lilak said:

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.

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Hi, are you still suffering with the symptoms s or they have settled down. I am 3 months on and the symptoms are not getting better/manageable. Thanks

Palmer13 said:

The nausea on the placebo/14mg semaglutide is becoming unbearable. Anyone else having good days and bad days? My fasting glucose varies too - 6.6 this morning. Headache and constipation is becoming constant.

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Hi. How are you getting on with ascend plus?

Growler12 said:

Same issue here. By mid afternoon, I am so tired and have fallen asleep. I think, for me, it is because I don’t feel like eating because of the nausea so it becomes a vicious circle. I’m now working on eating lots of tiny bits of food throughout the day and using peppermint and ginger to help with the other issues. It’s just trying to get the balance right.

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Hi, if you don’t mind, share how you are getting on with semaglutide please. I believe it is helpful to know how other participants are finding the trial. 3 months on, I am still experiencing nausea and other digestive problems. Thanks