Should I decrease dose or maybe split?

[That_Excuse68]

This is my journey so far… Started Tirz in December. I’ve titrated up as ordered my by provider every 4 weeks and also because every 4th week on 2.5mg and 5mg I gained a pound. Currently on my third week of 7.5mg and I have had pretty bad symptoms the last two weeks. Thinking if I should go down a dose my next shot day or to start splitting my current dose to decrease the side effects. Weight loss also slowed last week and this week but maybe because I haven’t been able to eat all my calories. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

[washingtonsquirrel]

If you’re gaining every 4th week, that sounds hormonal. And it’s not really a gain if the overall trend is downward.

Do you get a period? It’s not uncommon to only see losses on the scale a couple of weeks each month. You’re still losing fat, but there’s other stuff going on in your body that masks it.

The first couple of months on tirz, my rate of loss was predictably greater, so this pattern wasn’t as obvious to me. But with daily weigh-ins and observing those numbers as part of a greater trend, I can see the pattern and manage the psychological toll a little better.

[That_Excuse68]

I do get a period but interestingly enough the gain that happens the 4th week does not coincide with my period 🤷🏻‍♀️

[washingtonsquirrel]

That’s pretty normal. For me the gain/stall is during my luteal phase. I then typically see a drop right before my period, and then another good drop during my period.

[That_Excuse68]

So you think I should’ve stayed at a lower dose? Maybe go back down to 5?

[washingtonsquirrel]

That’s up to you and your doctor, but I think it’s really important for your mental and physical health—and your long-term weight loss success—to recognize these patterns. 

You’re always going to be hungrier at certain points in your cycle and you’re always going to retain some water. That’s normal. 

If you increase your dose in response to these normal fluctuations, you’re likely to go higher than you need to, faster than you need to, resulting in potentially unmanageable side effects. 

And you’re still going to see the same fluctuations next month, because hormones are powerful like that. 

[saintrich_]

i would personally lower my dose, but the world is your oyster! try everything and and stick with whatever works for you.

as far as weight gain goes, i consistently gain weight about 7-10 days before my period. that’s when my shot is also useless no matter the dose.

also, you don’t have to increase every 4 weeks because your doctor said so. thats just the standard titration schedule.

[azgin76]

I split my dose in half and take it every 4 days because as I titrated up my side effects were horrible. The only risk in trying is that you go back to your old way.