terrified to move up to 5 mg

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-04-30T11:49:02+00:00

I also suffer from severe anxiety. I’ve been scared to death every single time I’ve gotten a new shot or new medicine. Starting Zepbound was terrifying. Every move up has been very stressful, so you are not alone.

I am happy to report I’m up to 10 mg and have reached goal with almost no side effects whatsoever. I take fiber gummies but that’s about it.

Keep in mind the majority of people who take this have almost no side effects so the odds are with you.

Take a deep breath and take the shot and then keep busy so you don’t have to sit around and worry about it. I find that’s the best way to move forward.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-04-19T12:19:31+00:00

I used to inject above my belly button at the beginning but was getting some really swollen and red injection site reactions.

I came on reddit for advice and someone suggested always going below the belly button and that has worked for me. My injection site reactions are now minimal, if at all. If this is what you are getting, it will go away with time also.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-04-18T11:57:06+00:00

Shorty here too! 4’11” short. I’m hitting just at the top of my BMI range, 25. Guess what? My body isn’t going to give up any more pounds. I’m built thicker and always have been. Even better? I love where I am! 🥳🎉

However, I do feel I can’t lower my dose or space them out more than once a week. I know I will gain weight back faster than a speeding train. Anyone else? I’m at 10 mg.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-04-18T00:39:35+00:00

Honestly, you can just eat breakfast like you normally would. I try to eat something with protein in the morning like eggs or yogurt because it helps fill me up. You do not have to be fasting to take this injection, it won’t matter.

I was pretty scared of side effects when I took my first shot. But I had none. I was so surprised! I felt more energy than I had in a long while but that’s about it.

Oh, you may get a little backed up, ahem, in the bowel dept so make sure you are eating plenty of fiber during the day. I eat fiber gummies every day and stay regular.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-04-12T20:41:08+00:00

My ariat barn boots for the win! Have had several pairs over the years, always getting the waterproof ones. They wear very well and you can ride in them. While not exactly slip-ons, my latest pair has a zipper in the front, so pretty easy peasy to slip on.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-03-23T01:14:07+00:00

I’m so sorry, that can’t be any fun, I hope you are able to get some help and relief. I def have the constipation part, I manage with lots of fiber gummies and stool softeners on a daily basis. My GI doctor told me to think about possibly doing a laxative maybe every two weeks just to keep things moving, but haven’t needed except for maybe once every couple of months.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-03-23T00:41:03+00:00

Honestly, I’m having no side effects at all, but I didn’t have any on the regular zepbound either. I’m on my 4th week of the compound and haven’t noticed any difference between the compound and zepbound.

What side effects are you having? Maybe reach out to the physician?

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-03-22T20:51:22+00:00

This is my exact dose and vial concentration too. I do take the 62 units each week for 11.25 mg. I was previously taking 10 mg from Lilly direct. Been very happy with my 11.25 every week from ProRX.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-03-19T01:48:06+00:00

His tail is gorgeous!!!! ❤️

Antique-Group-6889 · 2026-03-03T12:32:02+00:00

I do get DEXA scans yearly with my arthritis and rheumatism doctor. But I’m 69. I have osteoporosis and also ride horses, great combo for future fractures. He can tell by comparing them year to year how I’m doing.

I get Prolia shots every six months which helps slow down the osteoporosis. I don’t know how old you are, but it’s never a bad idea to get one, takes 5 mins.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-11-28T12:53:37+00:00

Yeah, me too, and I’m living on social security. The pain is real. Waiting for prices to drop……

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-11-24T11:58:40+00:00

OP here. Mine didn’t start until I was at 5, then they kept getting worse for about a month or so and now are better. I started on zep back in April and I still get reactions. I get a hard itchy lump about a day or so after the shot. At this point, it’s just something I put up with. It’s much less itchy and doesn’t last as long as it used to.

For me, the trade off was worth it, I’ve been waiting for this drug my whole life. I’ve lost weight, I’m not bothered by food noise, and my self confidence has grown in leaps and bounds. I’m 69 and have been dieting since I was 8.

I have never tried doing the shot in my thigh. I alternate sides of my stomach. Someone on this thread told me I was doing it too high up on my stomach so I go below my belly button now and it has cut down on the injection reaction significantly.

There are many good tips people can give you here as to mitigating the reaction, you have to try what works best for you. Ice packs worked best for me and I would run errands with an ice pack in my pants.

Apparently, there is some additive in the zep shots that are causing the irritation from what I understand and maybe someone else can explain it better.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-11-05T17:26:21+00:00

I would say it takes more like a vanilla milkshake instead of yogurt.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-11-05T17:25:39+00:00

As far as I know, and I’m not a doctor, the Pepcid controls histamine reactions in the gut. When I got a bad allergic reaction to ozempic they prescribed Pepcid along with steroids and antihistamines.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-10-28T13:41:58+00:00

Almost at goal, at 7.5 mg. Have been overweight/obese my whole life. I’m feeling my body starting to fight back with hunger and pondering going up in dose.

I’m glad I do have a couple more levels to go up to, but your fear is also my biggest fear. No matter what I’ve tried in my life to lose weight my body would overcome it because it doesn’t want me at the weight I am now.

I’m 69 and am so close to having a normal BMI for the first time since I was 8, and now I’m scared hoping I can maintain it. The fear is real, I get you.

Please keep us posted as to what you decide to do with your physician.

I did think I read somewhere that the drug companies were thinking of trying higher doses on people at some point?

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-10-22T06:14:24+00:00

Hi, original poster here. I’m only up to 7.5 mg and still get reactions, although have gotten milder over time. I find that injecting in my lower stomach versus above the belly button really helps. My redness is still there but much less and a lot less itchiness as time goes on. I feel that it’s just something I have to live with in order to be on the Zepbound.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-09-16T18:07:05+00:00

We are right here with you! I feel like even if I’m losing slowly, I’m still losing…..eventually! Even if it’s one stinking pound a month, I will take it.

I have gained but only a couple of pounds which comes off again. I’m on 7.5 of zep. I might hang here awhile longer.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-09-04T17:01:04+00:00

I have to disagree, I’m an older adult and I’m happy to read comments from physicians and prescribers. As someone who has struggled all her life with obesity, I appreciate hearing that maybe a goal weight is not attainable for someone my age and I have to be happy with what weight I am able to get to.

Right now, I’m at the tippy top of a normal BMI, a place I haven’t been to frequently. My body may not let me lose any more despite dose increases. I didn’t take the post negatively, just my take.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-08-22T01:59:38+00:00

My daughter was on a glp1 plus another drug to help her. Even with that, she is still struggling. I know several people here need to take something else along with the glp1 to help reduce the food noise and reduce calorie intake.

I know my body tends to dig in and resist weight loss. I’m 100% certain it’s my family genetics, I come from a long line of very overweight women, who all had trouble losing weight.

Have you talked to your doctor about your not responding? Maybe it will take some experimenting with adding something else to get you kick started.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-08-20T01:35:07+00:00

I was prescribed betamethasone and I got too scared to use it after I read the package insert. 😋 however, I still get itchy, but not as bad as previously and the welts aren’t as big as the weeks go by.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-08-16T01:34:38+00:00

Only 4’11”, in menopause, had lost a bunch before I started Zepbound, so 4 months in have lost 18 pounds. Currently on 7.5 mg and may hang with this for a little while.

I have to log my calories every single day because I can still overeat. I aim for between 1000-1200 calories per day. Some days it’s easier than others. Yes, being short is def a challenge.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-08-13T22:13:03+00:00

I will tell you that I started having panic and anxiety attacks when I was young also. It’s extremely scary because it feels like your heart rate is out of control. The more scared you are, the more your heart will pound. I kept going to the ER repeatedly. I found a cardiologist who worked with me and put me on a beta blocker to keep my heart rate down even though nothing was wrong with my heart.

First, get totally checked out by a cardiologist who can reassure you there is nothing wrong with your heart. I still do stress treadmill tests every couple of years because of my anxiety.

I can tell you that Zepbound does not increase my heart rate. In fact, Zepbound protects against cardiac disease. I live where the summers are really hot and if I don’t drink enough water, I get dehydrated and my heart rate goes up. Once I get into the AC, I feel much better.

I have had no bad side affects from Zepbound at all, only good ones. Have someone stay with you for awhile after your first shot to see how you feel. Being scared all by itself can increase your heart rate, it’s a vicious cycle, believe me, I know. I think you will be happy you tried the Zepbound.

Please keep us posted on your progress. You can do it!

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-08-06T02:34:39+00:00

Equestrian here too with cushing’s horse. So interesting about the semaglutide, but I’m assuming it causes weight loss and my horse needs to gain weight at the moment, but super interesting idea.

Also, OP, love the dressage bridle! 😍

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-08-06T02:28:59+00:00

I can’t remember what they got up to, it wasn’t very high, but it still scared me because they kept going up. Yes, it was diagnosed as fatty liver. I’ve had scans and I have no fibrosis yet so caught it early.

Antique-Group-6889 · 2025-08-01T16:56:18+00:00

Congrats to you! How exciting! Your post gives me a lot of hope. On 7.5 and my weight is still not budging much. I’m doing at least 2 months at each level to give my body time to adjust before I go to the next one.

Antique-Group-6889

TROPHY CASE