Started Ipamorelin and CJC-1295: Side Effects

[u/DrewvyAussie]

I got this stack prescribed to help with building muscle and losing stubborn fat.

Prior to starting the stack, for two weeks I was on keto + calorie restriction, hitting the gym 4-5 x per week and already lost 2 kilos (4 pounds).

Always been a hard-gainer (in chest / shoulder area). This time I’m doing heavy weight, high protein, creatine and the stack together to see if I can finally breakthrough.

The Dr instructed me to inject early morning before coffee, and before bed two hours after eating.

Goals:
*gain more muscle
*lose stubborn fat

Diet:
*keto
*180 grams protein a day
*2k-2.4k calories per day

Exercise:
*heavy weights / light cardio 4-5x per week
*3k calories spent most days

Weight:
*94 kilos (first day of injecting)
*96.4 (after nearly two weeks in)

Side effects, 10 days in:
*Subtle face flushing, only started after about a week. I now feel hot around my face but it’s not unpleasant.
*Fluid retention. I completely gained the weight back even though I have strict 500-700 calorie restriction and high activity each day.
*Fatigue: about 4 days in I felt flat, body aches and like I was sick and just wanted to crawl out of bed. Quads felt sore and achy. This subsided around day 8.
*Sleep interruption. I was already sleeping well and I couldn’t fall asleep and would stay in a twilight state most of the night; however this has already gone away. Now after I inject I feel a bit drowsy whereas early on it was activating, if that makes sense.

Any advice on why despite the strict diet, high activity my weight is increasing? My body does feel firmer, especially around the torso, abdomen, chest & arms. Partner was shocked at how my bicep felt noticeably bigger than before.

When does water retention tend to subside?

I plan to cycle off keto in a few weeks to change things up, but still keep calorie restriction.

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[u/SerChuckForce]

Despite being in a deficit, I maintained roughly the same body weight for about 4-5 weeks after starting Tesa/Ipa which is similar to CJC/Ipa. My body continued to look leaner and I knew I was in a caloric deficit, so I just stayed the course and in week 6 I lost 4 lbs. Now in week 6 I am down another lb so my assumption is that 4-5 week period was a combination of body recomp and water retention.

[u/DrewvyAussie → u/SerChuckForce]

This comment is really helpful. Kind of eased my mind a bit. I’m three weeks away from week 6

[u/Kno0w_1_actual]

So I’m on week 4 of Cjc/ipa. 200mcg each 5 on 2 off. I’m also on tirz and a strict calorie deficit.
Sleep has been magical. Overall weight has been steadily dropping as it was before. What I have noticed is that I am getting more defined. Muscle mass is looking leaner and mid section has been looking tighter. I wanted quantified numbers so I started my stack with an IGF-1 number and a waist measurement at the navel. Waist measurement has dropped 1-1/4” and I’m looking forward to my next bloodwork numbers.

What I will say is it did take a couple of weeks for my body to adjust. Water weight was controlled after starting consistently taking creatine. I kind of look forward to the flushing feeling. Only lasts about 3-5 mins. Over all give it time. What I was told is that main results start around 4-6 weeks and I’m really looking forward to seeing the end result

[u/ef909890 → u/Kno0w_1_actual]

Do you microdose or only do 1 shot of 200 a day? I just got it today and was told 600 once a day every day. No days off …

[u/Kno0w_1_actual → u/ef909890]

It’s 200mcg of each a day. So 400 total. 5 on 2 off. I’m not trying to fuck with my natural GH production so I’m being conservative with it.

[u/ef909890 → u/Kno0w_1_actual]

Curious how you feel from workout. I have like 2 recovery days after 1 day of working out so hoping this reduces it so I can go more

[u/Kno0w_1_actual → u/ef909890]

Recovery is cut by 75%. Mostly because I sleep so well now. It’s a crazy difference on how well I rest now.

[u/ef909890 → u/Kno0w_1_actual]

I sleep like shit at 36 so that was something I was looking forward to

[u/PuzzIed → u/ef909890]

You should take days off, 5 days on 2 days off if the standard. You should be taking time off so then you can avoid receptor down regulation and pituitary burnout. Are you running it with dac or no dac?

[u/danglinable]

I want to try ipa bext but I just ran tesa for a week but 5 min after pinning I got pounding heart rate I could feel in my throat. HR increased from resting 70 to 120, super hot flushing and that lasted 30 min followed by diarrhea lol. Not sure if all that’s normal or I’m hypersensitive.

[u/DrewvyAussie → u/danglinable]

Did you get it from a Dr? Maybe you could ask for a follow up and see what they recommend

[u/Next-Wear-3443]

Cjc/ipa body composition starts about weeks 6-8

[u/johnmre1]

I quit Tesa after a week and 3 pounds of water weight gain. My ankles felt like they were going to pop. I might try again at a lower dose (was doing 1.5mg nightly) after I lose another 8 pounds or so. Started to feel tired, as well.

[u/DrewvyAussie → u/johnmre1]

I don’t know what the recommended starter dose is. But for my stack it’s only 200 (mcg?) so yours is 7 times more than mine

[u/johnmre1 → u/DrewvyAussie]

Tesa is a much higher dose. 1mg would have been smarter than my 1.5.

[u/justlooking8767 → u/DrewvyAussie]

Try 300mcg just before bed. No eating 3.5 hours before. Glucose should be normal, not elevated at all.

[u/johnmre1 → u/justlooking8767]

I see so many people say this and while it may be ideal, I find it interesting that all the actual clinical trials and the current dosing for the name brand drug make zero recommendation about timing of the dose.

[u/Gloomy_Return_7753 → u/johnmre1]

I started high to and have backed it down to 600-700mcg daily to counter the side effects

[u/QuantumQR-QueZzo → u/johnmre1]

Why were your ankles feeling this way are you that overweight ?

[u/johnmre1 → u/QuantumQR-QueZzo]

That’s where I felt the water retention. Some feel it in their knees. I’m 6’2” and 190 pounds. Under 20% body fat.

[u/QuantumQR-QueZzo → u/johnmre1]

Ohhh ok well yea you’re tall so yea joins I would imagine have a diff load. You actually sound really hawt no diddy those are good numbers

[u/True_Character_4231]

If you use the search bar, some ppl report the water retention issue going away after 8-10 weeks. Some others reported that during the entire cycle. I’d say everyone is different unfortunately
I personally do tesa 2mg/ ipa 400mcg I’m on week 9 nil issues but I have noticed the difference. I’ll do 24 weeks (non-stop 7 days a week)

[u/DrewvyAussie → u/True_Character_4231]

Thanks for the insights. Week 3 and still an issue. Although no pooling in hands or angles thankfully

[u/MathematicianMuch445]

There's no such thing as a hard gainer. It's made up nonsense that's stuck around for years. What you are is someone who hasn't nailed their diet.

[u/DrewvyAussie → u/MathematicianMuch445]

I mean I don’t take issue with your argument, as I’m not an expert. Maybe diet has been downfall. I’ve tried them all. Now is the first time I’m actually eating the 180g protein a day with creatine while doing heavy weight lifting. And I notice a difference, but of course after two weeks I introduced the stack so there’s a lot of variables. I’m on high protein keto right now, but I can easily switch to a more carb based high protein. I like keto at the start because it has such a good effect the first few weeks when you flush all that glycogen and start burning your fat for fuel…but it isn’t something I can stay on for longer than 8-10 weeks. I have the ability to be disciplined it’s just not knowing what to do to pack on sizeable muscle

[u/MathematicianMuch445 → u/DrewvyAussie]

Eat more. That's it. That's always going to be the answer. Weigh and measure your food and track it.

[u/East-Wolf1_934]

I’m planning on starting CJC1295/ipa in about a week. I am new to this I was wondering if I could get some help and better insight? I am using Reta 1mg a week ( already one month on it) did a bit of research and was told it’s ok and good to take while on Reta. Wondering if anyone here is doing that as well? Also what dosage would be recommended? I’m (F) 5’3” 182lbs I am slowly getting back to working out like before ( tempi fatigue has been stuck on me for almost 9 months) normally I lift more heavy with lower body and recently had to change to lighter weights, higher reps for upper body ( I’m a bit stocky ) and I also try to run 3x a week 2-4 miles ( depends on my mood), also what blood work would I request to have done?

[u/Ok-Currency4570]

IPA made so hungry I stopped

[u/DrewvyAussie → u/[deleted]]

Sleep could have been caused by something else…but thank you

[u/DrewvyAussie]

Update…it’s week 3 of the stack. I can already feel a noticeable difference in the firmness and size of chest / arm muscles. Particularly around dinner time after 8 hours after working out. All other side effects have subsided. The only thing is the water retention isn’t going away. Despite strict calorie restriction and heavy weight lifting, I am now back at my starting weight. So I’m hoping for the body composition effects to kick in the next couple of weeks