Zepbound side effects scaring me from starting meds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a doc thinks anyone’s co-morbidities are serious enough to outweigh the risks of what’s likely to be nauseous/fatigue/constipation - what makes we humans think your impending heart attack/stroke/joints no longer working properly/back pain/diabetes would be better?

I mean, seriously? How well are we going to be able to juggle all this when sick (beyond the GLP1 queasiness) with a liver starts going out and one is battling serious organ problems?

Sorry for the tough love - I know it is mean to talk about getting sicker and sicker but those of us who are/have been/will be sicker without this medicine KNOW these fears!

Can I tell you how much easier it is to feel occasional digestive upset when you are at a healthy weight — would that inspire you? This is in fact my experience!

Those of you fortunate enough to have a doctor who keeps up with the latest in medicine are lucky to get a script! Try it.

Zepbound is a great option for some patients but it’s not the best, or only, option for all.

People are lucky to get an experienced doctor who isn’t just auto-prescribing “trendy” medications.

Let's use me as an example: I'm 5' and weigh 150 lbs. While I don't have a lot to lose, my goal is to reach 130 lbs so I can fit into clothes from a few years ago. Although I'm not technically obese, I'm at the higher end of the overweight category. In fact, I could lose up to 50 pounds and still be within a healthy weight range.

I've been trying diet and exercise for over a year, but at my age, my body composition and weight haven’t budged. I don’t want to increase workout time (I already do 45 minutes of cardio/strength every other day), and reducing calories more isn’t feasible because it’s already challenging to get enough protein with three meals.

My primary care physician prescribed Zepbound, which I started last week (so far, no side effects). This prescription came through my regular pharmacy.

I think the only person suggesting "other options" might not fully understand that, when diet and exercise aren’t enough, these medications are often the best solution for reaching a healthy weight. If someone can't tolerate the medication due to side effects or other reasons, exploring alternatives makes sense. But for people like me, this is the best path to achieving a healthy weight.

But your PCP isn’t well-versed in all of the options out there.

You can’t say it’s “the best solution” for you if you never explored the other options with a knowledgeable doctor.

You heard about Zepbound. You asked your sketchy PCP for a prescription and they said sure.

You have no idea what the “best path” is for yourself or anyone else.

You're actually the one who knows nothing about me, or my PCP, or anyone else's circumstances or their doctors ... yet you seem to be wanting to tell all of us about "other options." Maybe go troll elsewhere ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a doc thinks anyone’s co-morbidities are serious enough to outweigh the risks of what’s likely to be nauseous/fatigue/constipation - what makes we humans think your impending heart attack/stroke/joints no longer working properly/back pain/diabetes would be better?

I mean, seriously? How well are we going to be able to juggle all this when sick (beyond the GLP1 queasiness) with a liver starts going out and one is battling serious organ problems?

Sorry for the tough love - I know it is mean to talk about getting sicker and sicker but those of us who are/have been/will be sicker without this medicine KNOW these fears!

Can I tell you how much easier it is to feel occasional digestive upset when you are at a healthy weight — would that inspire you? This is in fact my experience!

Those of you fortunate enough to have a doctor who keeps up with the latest in medicine are lucky to get a script! Try it.

Zepbound is a great option for some patients but it’s not the best, or only, option for all.

People are lucky to get an experienced doctor who isn’t just auto-prescribing “trendy” medications.

Let's use me as an example: I'm 5' and weigh 150 lbs. While I don't have a lot to lose, my goal is to reach 130 lbs so I can fit into clothes from a few years ago. Although I'm not technically obese, I'm at the higher end of the overweight category. In fact, I could lose up to 50 pounds and still be within a healthy weight range.

I've been trying diet and exercise for over a year, but at my age, my body composition and weight haven’t budged. I don’t want to increase workout time (I already do 45 minutes of cardio/strength every other day), and reducing calories more isn’t feasible because it’s already challenging to get enough protein with three meals.

My primary care physician prescribed Zepbound, which I started last week (so far, no side effects). This prescription came through my regular pharmacy.

I think the only person suggesting "other options" might not fully understand that, when diet and exercise aren’t enough, these medications are often the best solution for reaching a healthy weight. If someone can't tolerate the medication due to side effects or other reasons, exploring alternatives makes sense. But for people like me, this is the best path to achieving a healthy weight.

But your PCP isn’t well-versed in all of the options out there.

You can’t say it’s “the best solution” for you if you never explored the other options with a knowledgeable doctor.

You heard about Zepbound. You asked your sketchy PCP for a prescription and they said sure.

You have no idea what the “best path” is for yourself or anyone else.

You're actually the one who knows nothing about me, or my PCP, or anyone else's circumstances or their doctors ... yet you seem to be wanting to tell all of us about "other options." Maybe go troll elsewhere ...

So your PCP brought it up? No.

You wanted a trendy medication and you got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a doc thinks anyone’s co-morbidities are serious enough to outweigh the risks of what’s likely to be nauseous/fatigue/constipation - what makes we humans think your impending heart attack/stroke/joints no longer working properly/back pain/diabetes would be better?

I mean, seriously? How well are we going to be able to juggle all this when sick (beyond the GLP1 queasiness) with a liver starts going out and one is battling serious organ problems?

Sorry for the tough love - I know it is mean to talk about getting sicker and sicker but those of us who are/have been/will be sicker without this medicine KNOW these fears!

Can I tell you how much easier it is to feel occasional digestive upset when you are at a healthy weight — would that inspire you? This is in fact my experience!

Those of you fortunate enough to have a doctor who keeps up with the latest in medicine are lucky to get a script! Try it.

Zepbound is a great option for some patients but it’s not the best, or only, option for all.

People are lucky to get an experienced doctor who isn’t just auto-prescribing “trendy” medications.

Let's use me as an example: I'm 5' and weigh 150 lbs. While I don't have a lot to lose, my goal is to reach 130 lbs so I can fit into clothes from a few years ago. Although I'm not technically obese, I'm at the higher end of the overweight category. In fact, I could lose up to 50 pounds and still be within a healthy weight range.

I've been trying diet and exercise for over a year, but at my age, my body composition and weight haven’t budged. I don’t want to increase workout time (I already do 45 minutes of cardio/strength every other day), and reducing calories more isn’t feasible because it’s already challenging to get enough protein with three meals.

My primary care physician prescribed Zepbound, which I started last week (so far, no side effects). This prescription came through my regular pharmacy.

I think the only person suggesting "other options" might not fully understand that, when diet and exercise aren’t enough, these medications are often the best solution for reaching a healthy weight. If someone can't tolerate the medication due to side effects or other reasons, exploring alternatives makes sense. But for people like me, this is the best path to achieving a healthy weight.

But your PCP isn’t well-versed in all of the options out there.

You can’t say it’s “the best solution” for you if you never explored the other options with a knowledgeable doctor.

You heard about Zepbound. You asked your sketchy PCP for a prescription and they said sure.

You have no idea what the “best path” is for yourself or anyone else.

But you do. You know all of this, including that OP's PCP isn't well versed. You're an idiot, among other things.

--NP

No, I obviously don't know what the best path is for PP. And PCPs obviously doesn't have the experience/knowledge of a specialist.

PP wanted a trendy medication and pushed her PCP to prescribe it.

The entire reason why I brought up "other options" is because OP was concerned about the side effects and didn't have much weight to lose. It also wasn't clear if her doctor was a specialist or explained the "other options" to her. If she just saw her PCP maybe she wasn't aware than there are other options out there.

[Anonymous]

What are the other options that you speak of? Please don’t say Metformin. Everybody knows they don’t work and will have you in the bathroom constantly. GLP’s aren’t trendy. They’ve been around for over 15 years. The weight loss phenomena is new but not the efficacy of the medications.

I have been on a type of these meds for over 6 years. Literally changed my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in my early 50s and perimenopausal. Scared about the side effects. I have a demanding day between work and kids' responsibilities (3 kids, middle school and under), so being nauseous or generally not feeling well enough to handle the day's demands would be problematic. I am reading that the first couple of days after injection are not easy. I'm wondering if there are strategies to put into place to mitigate the side effects noted for the first couple of days. (Scared to start ... and scared not to start.) Dont have a lot to lose, but due to comorbidity issues doc wants me to get to normal BMI.

I was so scared to start! I started compounded tiirzepatide because I wanted to be able to control the dose and pay out of pocket. I started at 2.5 and had VERY LITTLE side effects. I was so shocked! I have a few great tips. Number one take the shot at night! Be sure you let it get to room temperature first and pinch the injection site super hard and then release it slowly while you inject slowly. Be extra well hydrated with electrolytes and be sure to take some fiber gummy‘s. Day two and three I don’t believe that you’ll experience very many side effects – or at least I don’t know of many people who have. I was a little tired but still able to function! I ate small protein packed meals every two hours and incorporated protein shakes and protein bars to be sure that I was always eating a little bit. I drink extra electrolytes, Continue to exercise, and continue to take fiber to be sure didn’t suffer any regularity. I truly never suffered nausea, constipation, or anything like that. Plan to titrate up very very slowly if you can and look up how to break stalls if you need to before you up your dose. I am still at .30 which is really low on week 10 and losing! I weighed 175, have lost 18 lbs and am within 12 lbs of my goal weight!! Started August 19. I follow Countess of Shopping on you Tube and the Reddit threads.
I am so happy I did this!!

If you’re taking name brand Zepbound you do not pinch the skin or inject slowly. Just fyi OP.

[Anonymous]

My side effects have been minimal, non-debilitating, and have decreased as time goes on. Zepbound has been life-changing. Absolutely start it. Also, check out the Zepbound subreddit. It includes a Beginner’s Guide and FAQ section with lots of great tips. @amyinhalf on instagram is also a good follow. She was on the Oprah special and lots 160lbs on mounjaro. She has lots of good advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a doc thinks anyone’s co-morbidities are serious enough to outweigh the risks of what’s likely to be nauseous/fatigue/constipation - what makes we humans think your impending heart attack/stroke/joints no longer working properly/back pain/diabetes would be better?

I mean, seriously? How well are we going to be able to juggle all this when sick (beyond the GLP1 queasiness) with a liver starts going out and one is battling serious organ problems?

Sorry for the tough love - I know it is mean to talk about getting sicker and sicker but those of us who are/have been/will be sicker without this medicine KNOW these fears!

Can I tell you how much easier it is to feel occasional digestive upset when you are at a healthy weight — would that inspire you? This is in fact my experience!

Those of you fortunate enough to have a doctor who keeps up with the latest in medicine are lucky to get a script! Try it.

Zepbound is a great option for some patients but it’s not the best, or only, option for all.

People are lucky to get an experienced doctor who isn’t just auto-prescribing “trendy” medications.

Let's use me as an example: I'm 5' and weigh 150 lbs. While I don't have a lot to lose, my goal is to reach 130 lbs so I can fit into clothes from a few years ago. Although I'm not technically obese, I'm at the higher end of the overweight category. In fact, I could lose up to 50 pounds and still be within a healthy weight range.

I've been trying diet and exercise for over a year, but at my age, my body composition and weight haven’t budged. I don’t want to increase workout time (I already do 45 minutes of cardio/strength every other day), and reducing calories more isn’t feasible because it’s already challenging to get enough protein with three meals.

My primary care physician prescribed Zepbound, which I started last week (so far, no side effects). This prescription came through my regular pharmacy.

I think the only person suggesting "other options" might not fully understand that, when diet and exercise aren’t enough, these medications are often the best solution for reaching a healthy weight. If someone can't tolerate the medication due to side effects or other reasons, exploring alternatives makes sense. But for people like me, this is the best path to achieving a healthy weight.

But your PCP isn’t well-versed in all of the options out there.

You can’t say it’s “the best solution” for you if you never explored the other options with a knowledgeable doctor.

You heard about Zepbound. You asked your sketchy PCP for a prescription and they said sure.

You have no idea what the “best path” is for yourself or anyone else.

But you do. You know all of this, including that OP's PCP isn't well versed. You're an idiot, among other things.

--NP

No, I obviously don't know what the best path is for PP. And PCPs obviously doesn't have the experience/knowledge of a specialist.

PP wanted a trendy medication and pushed her PCP to prescribe it.

The entire reason why I brought up "other options" is because OP was concerned about the side effects and didn't have much weight to lose. It also wasn't clear if her doctor was a specialist or explained the "other options" to her. If she just saw her PCP maybe she wasn't aware than there are other options out there.

I went to a "specialist" only to be told about outdated meds like metformin (though great if blood sugar without weight is an issue), Alli, all kinds of derivatives of fen-phen, and straight-up OTC appetite suppressants (WTH?!!). It's presumptuous to assume that a PCP doesn't know what options are available or that a patient is looking for "trendy." What patients are looking for are results and outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be too I know of two people who ended up in the hospital.

From zepbound? Bullsh*t.

When there were shortage, people we starting at high doses. Or skipping multiple doses when they went up. If you add that to eating a crappy diet (lots of fat and sugar— something else people who are willing to skip proper dosing do), I could see one person in the hospital.

OP— I started in April 2023 with Wegovy. Changed to Zepbound when it went on the market. 100 pounds down and plateaued. And that’s fine. I wish I could get another 20, but 100 pounds at age 50 is a miracle. Some side effects on Wegovy, especially if I deviated from the high protein low fat, low in simple carb diet. Only side effect on Zepbound has been some constipation. A magnesium supplement and drinking lots of water solved that.

Follow the dosing.
Small high protein meals. I eat 5x a day/ 1200 calories total. If your doctor doesn’t work with a dietician, see one. Insurance should cover it.
Less fat. Fewer carbs, and look for complex carbs over simple carbs. No stuff with added sugar
Stay hydrated. I aim for 100 oz of water a day
Checkin with your doctor regularly— I see a PA and dietician every month, and get regular body scans composition scans and regular bloodwork.

****And this is important for women over 40– you need to strength train. And learn how to do it properly from someone who knows. I work with a personal trainer twice a week (120 minutes). Once women hit perimenopause, they will lose as much muscle as fat when they diet unless they actively work to preserve muscle. And once you lose muscle as a woman of that age, it’s hard/impossible to get it back. I’ve lost about 80 pounds of fat, 12 pounds of water and 8 pounds of muscle. Maintaining the muscle has been huge for me.

You can do this. But, when I started I told myself the meds have a week long half life. So, it’s a week long commitment you renew each week. Start Friday after work. If you have side effects, they should be clear by Monday. And if you think the side effects are bad, don’t continue the next week.

[Anonymous]

I love how people who have lost weight after decades of being out of shape think they have all the answers.

Call me in 5-10 years if you’ve kept off then weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My side effects have been minimal, non-debilitating, and have decreased as time goes on. Zepbound has been life-changing. Absolutely start it. Also, check out the Zepbound subreddit. It includes a Beginner’s Guide and FAQ section with lots of great tips. @amyinhalf on instagram is also a good follow. She was on the Oprah special and lots 160lbs on mounjaro. She has lots of good advice.

🐽

Why now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in my early 50s and perimenopausal. Scared about the side effects. I have a demanding day between work and kids' responsibilities (3 kids, middle school and under), so being nauseous or generally not feeling well enough to handle the day's demands would be problematic. I am reading that the first couple of days after injection are not easy. I'm wondering if there are strategies to put into place to mitigate the side effects noted for the first couple of days. (Scared to start ... and scared not to start.) Dont have a lot to lose, but due to comorbidity issues doc wants me to get to normal BMI.

And some people, me included, have NO SIDE EFFECTS other than losing weight. You don't hear from those people much, but I am here to tell you, just do it!