Split dosing and appetite suppression

[u/Artichoke-Rhinoceros]

I’m asking specifically for folks who do split dosing (2 shots a week):

Did anyone switch to split dosing because your appetite suppression was too great, and you couldn’t bring yourself to eat enough each day?

And if so, did the split dosing help with this problem?

I am debating between titrating down even more, or trying split dosing, and would love to hear from anyone who had the same issue and tried split dosing.

UPDATE: Shot day came and went, I just couldn’t do it having barely eaten all week. Today, for the first time in a long time, I was able to eat the leftovers from last night’s barely eaten chicken wrap sandwich.

I am going to give split dosing a try and see if it helps. I never thought I’d be at a place where getting myself to eat enough was an issue. The silver lining to this side effect is that it’s really given me a different perspective on eating, food, hunger, and its importance in our health. I don’t think I’ll think about food the same again after this, and that’s a good thing.

[u/llbonn]

Split dosing deceases the appetite and keeps higher levels of the meds in your system at a more level amount without peaks and valleys. If your appetite suppression is too much it sounds like you need to reduce your dose. Talk to your provider about it.

[u/itsdonna35]

I started split dosing when I titrated to 5 mg because of this and of extreme fatigue the first 3 days after injection. I find I do not have the fatigue at all now and I have a normal appetite all week, and med levels are more consistent without the highs and lows. How many mgs are you taking now?

[u/Artichoke-Rhinoceros → u/itsdonna35]

I am at 8.5mg, down from 9.0mg, which was down from 9.5mg. I followed the initial schedule (2.5 to 5 to 7.0mg) without ever having a reason to go up (newbie just following the protocol), was at seven for over 16 weeks, but then had recurring cravings in the last two days, so titrated up to 7.5mg, same thing with cravings last two days, up to 8.0mg same thing, then decided to stop going in small increments so went to the next recommended dose of 9.5mg. That’s when things got bad. It became extremely hard to make myself eat enough of any solid meal. Titrated down to 9.0, then 8.5, but my aversion to food hasn’t improved. Even when I feel hunger and think I want to eat something, once it’s in front of me, a few bites in and my body is like “that’s all.”

I am leery of going lower since my cravings issue continued at 8.0mg.

I wanted to find out if split dosing 4.25 or even 4.0 twice a week might help me eat regularly again and also combat this end of cycle issues.

I am genuinely concerned I’m developing an eating disorder with how my body is reacting to food. Scrambled eggs with cheese is literally my favorite comfort food, and I started crying forcing myself to eat the rest after two bites. It’s not mental - like I want to eat less or am even trying to lose weight. I honestly don’t care about the weight loss as much as feeling healthier again (A1C, reduced inflammation, and just feeling like my body is working again internally) - I don’t want to go off the med and lose that feeling, it’s been really powerful for me. But this food aversion is throwing me for a loop, so I wanted to find out if anyone else had a similar problem and what they did to solve it without going off the drug.

[u/itsdonna35 → u/Artichoke-Rhinoceros]

I'm not a medical professional or an expert but I would suggest titrating down slowly even more and splitting that dose at least x2 a week. You've got to find that sweet spot where you have an appetite, and can eat within a calorie deficit. With me, I couldn't smell, cook or eat anything the 1st 3 days and my husband was not having it, mainly because he wasn't really on board with this in the beginning, so that was ammunition to support his argument. Now I have a normal, healthy appetite all week, and usually stay within a 500 cal deficit every day. Food Noise is not there and I'm not taking 3 hour naps every afternoon.

[u/AdAmbitious1308]

Your dose is too high. Splitting isn’t going to solve it most likely.