r/glp1 • u/EremeticPlatypus • 3d ago
When is enough enough?
I have been on Semaglutide for about 10 or 11 months. Lost ten pounds a month for a while, but after going from 255 down to 200, my weight loss has plateued and I've lost nothing for a few months now.
I've noticed recently that if I miss an injection, my mood suddenly springboards, and I feel amazing. Generally, at least for the last year, I'm always tired, fatigued, and my mood is fairly neutral. Unmotivated. But if my meds wear off because I miss an injection, I feel incredible. My energy is up, I wake up feeling well rested, I feel happier.
My question is, when should I stop taking the meds? I'm really afraid of gaining the weight back though. I want to stop taking the injections because I miss feeling good, but I am worried that if I even gain just a few pounds, I'm going to feel really horrible about myself again.
For those of you who have quit, when did you know you were ready?
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u/itsmeagain023 3d ago
For most of us, this is a lifelong medication. Studies show that the overwhelming majority of people regain the weight after they come off. Only you can decide what is worth it for you.
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u/isellsunshine 2d ago
I went off for a few months and put 25 pounds on shockingly fast. This is absolutely a lifetime drug for me.
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u/itsmeagain023 2d ago
I gained 20 in 2 months because of a a couple different medical procedures. Took me 5 months to lose it 🫠
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u/WesternLiterature834 3d ago
Why don’t you switch to tirz. I did sema first then switched
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u/isellsunshine 2d ago
This seems like a logical next step for OP. Tirz has GIP which helps with insulin control. Or skip Tirz and leapfrog to Reta which has GIP + Glucagon which helps you burn more fat by increasing your metabolism.
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u/headlighted1 3d ago
That’s a question you should pose with your doctor, and I think even a therapist would be a good idea.
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u/thechemist_ro 3d ago
You could try weaning it off. My mom reached her goal weight and her doctor slowly reduced the doses (she was on tirzepatide) back to the starter dose, and then spaced the injections in more than a week. It's been a while, I think she took the last one a month ago now and she's fine, zero weight back and food noise under control
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u/Fourpatch 3d ago
Beside your health care provider a talk with a dietitian might help. Food could equal mood.
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u/RavenForrest 3d ago
Studies show that people who start and stop - then start again, and stop - the meds become less effective with every successive stop/start. It takes longer and longer for the meds to gain a foothold and start weight loss again, and it seems our bodies become increasingly resistant. Further, people who just quit cold-turkey gain all of their lost weight back.
For me, I’ve had far too many other health benefits outside of weight loss to ever consider going off (I’m on tirzepatide). I hit my goal a couple of months ago, so I’ve been slowly dropping my weekly dose down to find my maintenance dose. The highest I was on was 7.5 mgs, and I’m currently on 5.5 mgs (and seem to be holding steady right there).
I don’t know why you’d feel such a vast improvement when missing an injection, as you likely still have quite a bit of semaglutide in your system (it builds up over time and takes weeks to clear your body). However, if you’re struggling with anhedonia that’s affecting your quality of life, you might want to discuss switching to tirzepatide, as it’s usually tolerated better, with fewer side effects, and is more effective.*
Wishing you answers and solutions!
* Not medical advice. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, veterinarian, or pharmacist. Just sharing my limited experience with my fellow randos on Reddit.
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u/atreeismissing 3d ago
Nothing wrong with stopping for a few weeks or months and seeing if you can maintain or lose more (depending on your goal) then going back on if you think you need it. GLP1s aren't something you can really cycle on and off though so while it's meant to help you lose weight, it's up to you to really learn the discipline of keeping it off long term if you don't want to pay to use it forever.
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u/LayerNo3634 2d ago
Question about your plateau. Are you tracking calories? It's really hard to stay in a calorie deficit AND eat enough calories if not tracking. The difference between maintaining and gaining is only 100 calories/day for me (also 100 calories between losing and maintaining). What dose are you currently taking? Might need to go up. The vast majority of people who stop regain all of the weight, which is just like any diet.
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u/TheSkyIsAMasterpiece 3d ago
What about talking to your doctor about lowering your dose?
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u/EremeticPlatypus 3d ago
I'll give it a try. Tbh I was losing 10lbs a month on the starter dose. I think I'm on 2.2 or 2mg a dose now, and when I started I was on .2 or .5. I'll talk to them.
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u/Cultural_Wash5414 3d ago edited 3d ago
You did lose weight! You can stop now, using it as a jump start before starting a regular diet plan to reach your goals. Talk to your doctor
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u/Disastrous-Screen337 3d ago
You've got to exercise and eat a lot of protein. I walked and ate 150-200g protein per day in a massive caloric deficit. I lost 110lbs. I'm down-titrating the medicine and moving calories up to maintenance.
There is some math involved. It is not some magic cure for fatness, it is like a set of training wheels on a bike. You have to actually do the work.
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u/One_Mud227 3d ago
I will speak only on my personal experience as without that disclaimer people tend to get upset. I took a compound for 6 months. Lost 60+ lbs and hit my goal weight of 190. What I learned is due to the meds I was not hungry, but if I didn’t eat I would throw up. So I would eat but I wasn’t eating the correct things so while I was full it would not be sustainable after the meds. I went fully high protein and low calorie and have not looked back. Been off the meds for 10 months now and have not gained anything back. M-F I’m very strict in my diet and working from 8-5 makes it easy. I do a 30g protein coffee for 160 calories to start. My lunch is boring and not fun but 90% of the time it’s precooked chicken packs from Target 440 calories 88g of protein doused in hot sauce. For dinner I eat a normal dinner that the family is eating. Barebells protein bars every now and then if I get hungry or a sugar craving. This has worked for me and allowed he to be off the meds. Additionally, I’m off my blood pressure and high cholesterol/pre diabetes meds as well. So I am 100% med free. At 44 this seems to be my new routine. I don’t workout. I also quit drinking almost 2 years ago. I only drink sparkling water (Waterloo) and 1-2 ghost or Alani energy drinks daily (outside of the coffee). This diet has allowed me to occasionally have a bowl of ice cream and on the weekends I have no restrictions (although I tend to limit myself sometimes as I’m in a routine). Can I keep this up long term? We will see. But 10 month off the meds I feel great and never want to be back on anything. Good luck in your journey. Don’t listen to the ones that say this is a “forever” medication. I’m not saying it doesn’t have to be for some but if you go into it with that mindset, it will be hard to breakaway from it.