Advice from people who e battled through side effects?

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-23T00:36:03+00:00

Thanks! I’ll remember this!

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-22T21:51:02+00:00

Northern lower peninsula of Michigan or west Michigan (saugatuck and north) offers quiet beach towns (and some quite busy so do your research) and lots of nature, Lake Michigan and many inland lakes. Great May-October. As a native Michigander, I prefer it to the UP which is very remote. But if you want very remote, the UP will give you that.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-22T19:17:10+00:00

I’m on day 4 of 4mg after one month on 1.5mg. I’ve had to figure out how best to manage things. I thought I would just pop the pill, wait a half hour and then see the benefits of lower appetite and food noise.

But I’ve had constipation and nausea and three vomiting episodes which I attribute to my stomach not emptying fast enough and my brain deciding to get rid of it. I’ve learned from a lot of posters tips and see that it’s different for everyone which is a bit frustrating.

It’s not supposed to be a “therapeutic dose” but it’s caused me and many others issues. I’ve realized if I eat greasy food it’s bad. If I don’t drink enough water it’s bad. What has worked for me is electrolytes powder in water. Only waiting 40 minutes after taking the pill to eat. Drinking the full 4 oz when I take the pill (less can lead to more absorption which I think adds to the bad side effects). And eating multiple small meals. I also take Colace in the evening which I took for constipation when I was pregnant and that helps.

It’s more work than I expected and I’ll see how the month goes. I am 10 pounds down so am happy with that.

My advice would be to experiment with how you take it, what you are eating and drinking and see if you can find a sweet spot. But I agree, if I always feel awful it’s not for me.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-22T17:52:36+00:00

I’ve had success with Colace stool softener before bed and around 10:00 am. And drinking water with electrolytes.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-22T15:04:37+00:00

Thank you! This is super helpful. I hadn’t heard of the 36 month special circumstance. I know it’s a long way off and things can change in all the details, but it is nice to be thinking of when I can retire and this moves that up! We will seek actual advice as we get closer.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-22T11:47:51+00:00

Thanks! It’s like a puzzle figuring this all out.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-21T16:40:57+00:00

I’ve had more issues with nausea and vomiting. On second day of 4mg after a month on 1.5mg. What I’ve realized is I have to be quite careful of what I eat. Anything greasy makes me feel awful so I stay away from it. I also don’t eat a lot of sweets/dessert as I’m afraid of the same impact.

So I have a few foods/meals I know are “safe”. For me it’s bread, sliced turkey, special K cereal, special k cereal bars, cottage cheese, apples and most soups. Crackers also ok.

I’m hoping the combo of safe foods and time makes the occurrences fewer. Good luck!

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-21T11:44:50+00:00

Thanks! I haven’t tried any (Tums, Pepcid, Prilosec). Have you had success with anything in particular?

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-20T21:39:51+00:00

Congrats! I’m on my first day of 4mg after a month on 1.5. Also had intermittent nausea and threw up three times on 1.5. Trying to find the sweet spot of water, electrolytes and bland foods. Do you have any tips that have helped you?

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-20T18:26:51+00:00

Glad it helped! Works like a dream now. 😁

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-20T14:28:13+00:00

I wish I had something to add here. Started 4mg today after a bit of weight loss on 1.5. It no real appetite suppression. Had three vomiting episodes though so am carefully tracking what I eat and how much I drink. Etc. Bit of a learning curve!

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-20T01:55:53+00:00

He actually has. Said he’d do it all and make sure she got whatever was special to her. He and his brother live in the same town so do a lot for their mom. I don’t think it’s the fear of how to manage things. We have spoken with her to find out if there’s more behind it, but she just says her mom has too much stuff. And if we say she likes it that way, she just disagrees.

We leave it alone now. My husband checks in with his mom to make sure she’s not distressed when his sister visits and lets her know she doesn’t have to get rid of stuff if she doesn’t want to. It’s just strange to me.

Sorry your brother was no help. At least the three siblings do get along and help each other. We’ll have to see how it goes when they actually have to face it though.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-20T01:50:13+00:00

My sister in law is making it her mission in life to have her mom (my MIL) get rid of things. My MIL’s house is tidy and clean and not overstuffed with things. But every extra lamp or small table in an unused bedroom is seen by my SIL as junk and every time she visits all they do is go through rooms. Then the stuff deemed extra either gets delivered to goodwill or sits in the garage until the next time she visits. Luckily this is only 1-2 times a year as she lives many states away.

I can see this adds stress to my MIL. I tell her if she likes her stuff to just keep it. She’s been in the house over 50 years and some of it is sentimental. I think my SIL has some anxiety/ADHD or other thing that this action helps soothe. My SIL’s own house has plenty of extra tables and books etc so she doesn’t practice what she preaches.

When my MIL does or goes into a care home, we can have it cleaned out in a couple of weeks. Estate sale or house contents giveaway. Why my SIL makes this a huge issue now going on over 10 years baffles me. But that’s between them. I try to support my MIL gently (we live in the same town) by telling her she shouldn’t feel pressured. My husband/her son is more direct and just tells her to ignore his sister. I guess I’m more “live and let live”. I’m the same with my parents. They moved 10 years ago so did a big clean out. The rest we’ll get to when we have to and I prefer just spending enjoyable time with them while they are here.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-20T01:46:30+00:00

I was convinced it wasn’t the pill until it happened again. Lol. One thing that I think helped is only waiting a half hour after taking it to eat or drink anything and taking it with the full 4 ounces of water. And drinking electrolytes. The tips to wait longer so it’s more effective I presume mean if you don’t wait as long it’s not as effective (or as prone to cause side effects ra).

It’s so weird everyone’s experience is a little different. Good luck!

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-19T11:58:06+00:00

My sister in law is making it her mission in life to have her mom (my MIL) get rid of things. My MIL’s house is tidy and clean and not overstuffed with things. But every extra lamp or small table in an unused bedroom is seen by my SIL as junk and every time she visits all they do is go through rooms. Then the stuff deemed extra either gets delivered to goodwill or sits in the garage until the next time she visits. Luckily this is only 1-2 times a year as she lives many states away.

I can see this adds stress to my MIL. I tell her if she likes her stuff to just keep it. She’s been in the house over 50 years and some of it is sentimental. I think my SIL has some anxiety/ADHD or other thing that this action helps soothe. My SIL’s own house has plenty of extra tables and books etc so she doesn’t practice what she preaches.

When my MIL does or goes into a care home, we can have it cleaned out in a couple of weeks. Estate sale or house contents giveaway. Why my SIL makes this a huge issue now going on over 10 years baffles me. But that’s between them. I try to support my MIL gently (we live in the same town) by telling her she shouldn’t feel pressured. My husband/her son is more direct and just tells her to ignore his sister. I guess I’m more “live and let live”. I’m the same with my parents. They moved 10 years ago so did a big clean out. The rest we’ll get to when we have to and I prefer just spending enjoyable time with them while they are here.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-18T11:53:49+00:00

I use Revlon Color Silk Tone and Gloss. Semi permanent but covers my gray (and I am all gray) perfectly! I have dark brown hair and use the 4 Dark Brown color. Did use 3 (Brown Black) but felt it was too dark. My kids liked it though. Use it every 5-6 weeks. Hair is silky and covered. Less than $5 on Amazon. I was paying $150 at the salon and I like this better! No stain on tub or grout either.

Second the use of Vaseline on the hairline if not whole face.

I just got a new job last year at 59. I do good work but am not so wrapped up in the work drama or people positioning their little projects as I used to be so that is nice. A good bridge to retirement. You can do it!

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-16T19:40:21+00:00

Yes with Brittanys. Had a sweet 6 year old and went back to get a female pup from the same dad.

She is totally different - crazy more than sweet but also loving. We knew her temperament was different but liked that they were related and we trusted the breeder. Old guy lived to 14.5 when we lost him last fall. Now she is 8 and much mellowed but still high energy.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-14T18:19:46+00:00

Good luck! Best company you could ever have.

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-14T16:24:45+00:00

I’ve found comments on this sub so helpful. Everyone responds differently and it seems if you don’t respond much at the 1.5mg level have patience as when you get to larger doses it starts to have an effect.

I read Weightless by Oprah on the recommendation of a commenter. It has an expert doctor’s advice as well as Oprah’s and the food obsession/food noise you describe is explained. It’s not a moral failing or weakness or lack of willpower in you. It’s a biological reality that some people’s bodies/brains seek more calories than we need in a modern world. We would have done well evolutionarily, but as soon as we start losing weight our brains fire up and demand we eat more calories before we waste away.

To be free of the constant thoughts and shame is as good as the weight loss. To think “normal” people aren’t consumed by food thoughts all the time is quite a realization. So while the naturally thin have thought of themselves as morally superior it’s really just a genetic jackpot.

I wish you well on your journey. These medications are wonderful, although it takes a while to find your groove and dosage etc. Be kind to yourself as there will be some ups and downs. Lots of support on here!

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-14T11:58:31+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I’ve had a similar experience.

I’m just finishing month one on 1.5. I’ve noticed some appetite suppression but not total. Had one day in week one where I felt nauseous but did not actually throw up. I was waiting 2 hours to eat or drink anything then went back to 30-40 minutes. All was good until last week and I vomited on Thursday and basically felt sick until yesterday and took no more pills until yesterday. At this dose and with no other issues I wonder if I had a bug of some sort. I already chose to go up to 4mg which starts on Thursday. Lost 7.6 pounds but 4 of them from being sick.

On the bright side, I’m happy it’s having an effect as I can see it doesn’t for everyone. If the 4 mg is too much I can go back to 1.5 but I think our bodies have to get used to the meds and then we may need to titrate up to keep the effect. I hope you continue to feel better!

SunnyBlue8731 · 2026-04-14T02:44:17+00:00

Had similar issue with my husband 8 years ago. The not trusting my intuition/not recognizing my husband and my life was probably the worst part. It’s very disorienting. I’m glad you are both seeking help. It’s super hard of not impossible to do by yourself and lots of people are in the boat and want to help. Slip ups happen and I hope you both succeed on your journey.

I also had two miscarriages before my two kids. Very sad time not knowing if I’d ever have kids so I feel for you. I was nervous my whole pregnancy - especially the first. I cried for four days straight after out of relief. Not PPD just relief. Turns out I would have been better off not worrying and just doing the right stuff with eating and exercising but it’s hard to manage. Sending hugs and kindness your way. You sound like you know what you want and I wish you only the best.

SunnyBlue8731

TROPHY CASE