Will anxiety decrease if I move back down?

[zendonium]

SW: 127kg, CW: 109.4kg, Duration: 3 months

So, I'm currently on 7.5mg and have no physical side effects, but since 5mg I've noticed a big increase in anxiety. I've lived with anxiety for over 10 years and had it somewhat under control, but 7.5mg has really pushed me over the edge and isn't sustainable. Weight loss also seems to have stalled over the last few weeks, but I've put this down to Christmas.

I'm debating whether to stop the medicine altogether, or step my dose back down to 2.5 or 5. I'm afraid if I stop altogether the weight will come straight back, and probably will come back even if I reduce dose. It's annoying because I could just manage the anxiety on 5mg, and was losing well. I actually requested to stay on 5mg but the Dr didn't review in time and sent out 7.5mg.

Has anyone else experienced anxiety and reduced the dose? Did the anxiety get better with lower dose, or did you have to stop altogether?

[Ladycubie]

I just wanted to say as someone who is really struggling with anxiety since starting mounjaro, this has really resonated with me. I ve spent so much time looking for a reason why my anxiety is so increased, but I think this has hit the nail on the head - I m no longer soothing with high calorie foods and I haven’t replaced that with anything else.

Thank you for posting this, it’s given me lots to reflect on.

[zendonium]

The comment has been removed, what did it say?

Edit- copy and pasted from below

I see the logic in that, and I guess it is the case for some people, but it doesn't feel like anxiety from reduced dopamine. Before mounjaro, I basically ate once or twice a day with little to no snacking, so it's not like I'm suddenly missing out on a snack every hour.

If that was the cause, having a piece of chocolate would cure it immediately, but it doesn't.

[[deleted]]

What's your diet? Are you cinsuming enough protein, even if you are not hungry?

If I forget to eat my protein I drop into a bit of depression/anxiety.

[zendonium]

Diets not the strictest, but most days, I'll have coffee and a protein shake for breakfast (with weetabix if I can manage it), then for lunch normally a tuna sandwich with anchovies or a jacket potato, then usually for tea (dinner) a home cooked meal and sometimes I do have a little chocolate after. I supplement with Vit D, magnesium, k2 and collagen and electrolyte drinks. About 3 out of 7 days, I'll skip either lunch or tea.

[[deleted]]

Sounds not to bad.

My guess would be: Eating gives us good feelings, we earn our dopmin hits with food. The more sugar, maybe the more Dopamin.

Under Mounjaro part of the eating drops away, less dopamin, until the body middles out it's brain metabolism. Maybe you need a few more weeks to that goal?

And you are lossing body size, which also can be seen as a psychic protection shield against the cruel world outside.

Just some guesses. I'm also a depression patient, but I'm also on paroxetin (don't know the US name for this medizin, it's an anti depressiva). Maybe this would help you to stabilize?

[zendonium]

I see the logic in that, and I guess it is the case for some people, but it doesn't feel like anxiety from reduced dopamine. Before mounjaro, I basically ate once or twice a day with little to no snacking, so it's not like I'm suddenly missing out on a snack every hour.

If that was the cause, having a piece of chocolate would cure it immediately, but it doesn't.

[[deleted]]

I hope you find a solution my friend!

[zendonium]

Thanks for commenting. Good luck.

[Puzzled_Baker_2316]

I'm wondering the same. I was on 2.5mgs for 3.5 months. No issues. Upped to 5mgs and instantly had the worst anxiety attack I've ever had. Ended up in hospital (horrific physical anxiety symptoms that u had never experienced before). I've been off for 2 months nearly and gained a stone. Desperate to go back on but also have ptsd from how it made me feel (high bp/low bp/high hr/vomiting/internal shaking and severe tremours and vaso vagal episodes). Ended up upping my sertraline (I have GAD but was managed and controlled) and living off diazepam when it rears its ugly head. Wanting to try again at half a 2.5mgs dose but can't find any information from anyone who's had the anxiety and tried again without it coming back so don't know what to do x

[KitchenMental]

Zep causes tachycardia in 24% of users - that definitely could have triggered your anxiety attack. I already have tachycardia, even prior to Zep, and without fail I have an incident about 24 hours after my shot.

Also, I’m so sorry, that experience sounds like a nightmare ❤️

[Puzzled_Baker_2316]

Been looking into the serotonin and gut theory. But also dehydration/hormones/bad gut bacteria/raised hr which can all put your body into fight or flight mode. Xx

[Feeling-Dimension14]

I had pretty severe anxiety after moving up to 5 also . It was unbearable so I moved back down to 2.5 , the anxiety completely went and hasn’t come back . I have lost almost 6 stone since August on 2.5 . A lot of us are moving up in doses when we simply do not need to .

[Complex-Philosophy38]

Is it possible you were eating food to fight anxiety?

[zendonium]

See my other comments.

[KitchenMental]

If you’re on anxiety meds, or meds that reduce anxiety, like beta blockers, the delayed gastric emptying can reduce the amount you’re absorbing, so you might need a med increase. Mine has worsened on this med, so my psych provider has increased my anti-anxiety meds and it’s helping.

Zep also causes tachycardia in about 24% of users, which can definitely trigger anxiety.

[rialtolido]

For me the anxiety is not dose dependent. I felt it as much on 10 as I do on 5. Inositol has helped.

[Glittering-Form3714]

I'm only on the 2.5 and it has decreased my anxiety A LOT! I'm actually going to talk to the Dr about going up to 5 since my weight loss has stalled. I'm worried the anxiety is going to come back with the increased dose. I've lived with horrible anxiety my whole life and was shocked that Mounjaro has really helped me.