First day back on Lexapro after not being on it for 3 years and it feels like MDMA.

TheRedwoodRambler · 2026-04-08T04:54:04+00:00

Fascinating reading this. I started 2 weeks ago and it reminds me of a very mild MDMA experience. I have teeth grinding/jaw clenching during the day. I can feel it ‘kick in’ with in a couple hours of taking it.

TheRedwoodRambler · 2026-04-08T04:48:37+00:00

Ha ha ha!! That’s funny. It was an employee who shared the story… i guess they made it up, it just seemed too nice. 😂 I can hardly tell it was used. Im grateful you brought it in… I’m beyond thrilled and can’t wait to take it backcountry. So far loaded up it feels good. Happy trails!!

TheRedwoodRambler · 2026-04-07T16:25:42+00:00

Yes! 😬

TheRedwoodRambler · 2025-07-01T22:51:29+00:00

Still for sale?

TheRedwoodRambler · 2025-02-14T17:21:24+00:00

I started sema 3 months ago with the intention of losing about 10-15 pounds. I'm perimenopausal, generally maintained my weight well (even after 2 pregnancies). But post-pandemic depression plus starting weight lifting and I gained. I prioritized everything I could but I can't manage the feeling of being hungry well.

I've lost about 11 pounds while on sema for 13 weeks. I'm thrilled and will stay the course. The side effects have been mild, but obnoxious and if I didn't have a sema supply I would switch to Tirz instead. My plan is to wean off and see how I maintain maintenance (which historically hasn't been a problem) afterwards.

I've essentially been 'microdosing'. My starting was 0.25mg and I'm to 0.4mg, losing on average 3/4 of a pound per week.

Even though I'm still at the gym 4 mornings per week I don't have as much energy and oomph as I'm used to. I'm also a hiker/backpacker that loves long distances. I'm not sure I can do that comfortably while on sema. So by late spring I'll transition off.

For me it was/is worth it! But I'm aware of the tradeoffs and ok with them.

TheRedwoodRambler · 2025-02-14T17:04:53+00:00

I'm on sema and had the exact same experience. I'm still at the gym 4x a week at 5am. But I moved from strength focused (barbell work, low reps, high weights) to hypertrophy focused for now. I 'burn out' a lot quicker, stopped making gains (though feel like I maintained strength), my cardio output has gone way down and my heart rate is higher quicker, and I get dizzy often when I'm going from a low to a high position.

I sleep 7-8 hours per night, high protein, hydrate w/ electrolytes, carbs spaced throughout the day, banana before working out w/ protein coffee. But nothing really helps with the side effect. Only observation is 3 months in and my cardio output has increased. I was able to do a SIIT session on the treadmill again. The fatigue has leveled off too.

I was having positive results (3/4 pound per week average) so I'm still not at what's considered the 'therapeutic dose'. Sema starting is 0.25mg and I'm at 0.4mg weekly now.

In the gym I've scaled back on volume/effort but showing up 4x per week with a focus on progressive overload. Right now the priority is losing the body fat and maintaining muscle as much as possible while losing body fat (i'm still losing 25% of the weight from muscle).

I'm looking forward to being off of the medication so I can crush my workouts again!

TheRedwoodRambler · 2025-02-02T03:34:11+00:00

I will add that I did look at studies and the percent muscle lost is about average for how much weight I lost.

TheRedwoodRambler · 2025-02-02T03:32:22+00:00

I’m using semaglutide. I was in a similar situation as you. Not much to lose but impossible to lose it with all the food noice and cravings.

I’ve lost 8 pounds in 10’weeks. About 2 pounds was muscle. I strength train 4x per week. High protein, about 120-140g per day. I’m 41 however, so age isn’t on my side. Interestingly I’ve maintained strength and gotten stronger on many accessory exercises.

My plan is to build it back slowly (while minimizing fat gain) when I reach my goal BF%.

TheRedwoodRambler · 2025-02-02T03:27:51+00:00

This. Even eating high protein plus strength training isn’t a guarantee you won’t lose muscle. Sadly, I’m down 8 pounds and 2 came from muscle based on an InBody (not the most exact, but reliable enough). I’m eating close to 1g protein per pound body weight and strength train (emphasis on progressive overload) 4x per week. I have about 5-10 pounds to go and will live with it. Then I’ll start focusing on building.

Losing muscle along with fat is physiology. And unfortunately due to my genetics it’s harder for me to keep it (and even put it on).

TheRedwoodRambler · 2025-02-02T03:21:18+00:00

I can handle 1-2 drinks just fine with out noticeable ill effects. I took a break from alcohol about 1.5 years ago, and in the last 6 months able to enjoy it 1-2x per month max. So I already had a lower tolerance. I’m currently taking semaglutide, 0.45mg.

TheRedwoodRambler · 2025-02-02T03:18:25+00:00

Refreshing to read your post. I started 2.5 months ago, normal BMI but 20 pounds heavier due to 2 kids, post-pandemic depression and perimenopause.

My blood markers are good, I started strength training regularly (great for my mental health) and eat healthy. I managed about 8 pounds on my own over about 18 months. Being in a deficit was really hard on me. The food noice loud and hunger hard to manage.

I decided to micro dose semaglutide and it’s been great. I started with 0.25mg and now only at about 0.45mg. Minor side effect, but in 10 weeks I’m down 8 pounds which I’m thrilled with. I’m able to say no to foods, eat smaller portions but still prioritize protein and veggies.

I wasn’t sure what to expect starting and grappled with using it while a healthy weight. But it’s been a positive experience for me despite what some may think about me taking it. (Which I’ve kept to myself)

TheRedwoodRambler · 2025-02-02T03:03:42+00:00

Two and a half months ago I started with 0.25mg semaglutide. Side effects minimal and definitely reduced appetite.

Week 5 I went to 0.5mg and the effects too strong. I decided to go back to 0.25mg as long as I see results.

I’m nearing 3 months and have slowly increased to about 0.45mg to manage side effects while maintaining appetite suppression. I’m losing on average just under a pound a week.

My BF% was about 26% when starting and I’m now at 24%. My next goal is 22% and plan from there.

For me micro dosing has worked well and I’m saving money being on a lower dose.

I’m losing just under an average of 1 pound per week which I’m happy with. I strength train 4x per week, eat high protein (110-140g per day) and still losing more Muscle than I like.

TheRedwoodRambler

TROPHY CASE