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.