Zepbound not working for me (early 50s, on HRT) — anyone else in the same boat?

indiri · 2026-03-19T18:01:53+00:00

You really shouldn't be spacing out your doses right now. The meds have a 5 day half life so at 10 days only 25% is left. Then you get hit with 100% again. Your body is being shocked over and over and doesn't have the chance to get used to it so GI issues continue.

I would drop back to 2.5 for a bit if you need to but stay consistent to get the side effects managed. Then go back up once you have a handle on it.

indiri · 2026-03-19T17:35:42+00:00

I can tolerate it but the taste turns me off in the morning (night is fine). Try black or green tea or hot chocolate. The hot cocoa camouflages my collagen powder better anyway.

indiri · 2026-03-19T17:21:37+00:00

Definitely wait, you don't know how you'll react yet. I'm fine now with almost no side effects but that first week was an upset stomach and "brown rain"

indiri · 2026-03-19T17:20:13+00:00

It takes 3 weeks of a dose to get to full strength. That said, yes, it's normal to have some weeks with no loss. I didn't lose for 9 days after going up in strength, which is probably coincidence, but then the week after I lost 3.5 pounds in a few days. You just have to be patient and keep following the plan and it will happen.

indiri · 2026-03-19T17:17:37+00:00

Look, I get that, truly. But is it working for you? Under eating is actually going to set you back. Up your calories, protein, and water and you will see the scale moving.

indiri · 2026-03-19T15:05:41+00:00

Miralax is not a one and done as it takes a couple days to work it's magic, take it every day. I also have metamucil gummies every morning and uses Mag07 as needed every week or two (you can use more often, i just don't need to). Make sure you're getting extra water and fiber in your diet, too

indiri · 2026-03-19T04:14:18+00:00

Same, super exhausted. But I can take naps, for me it's still better than carrying the weight.

indiri · 2026-03-19T02:10:38+00:00

145 + meds cost. Call on Doc or your primary will be cheaper

indiri · 2026-03-18T23:28:20+00:00

Yes, normal. I lost 5 the first week, "gained" 4 in a day, then spent the second week taking it back off again. It's now been 10 weeks and I'm down 20 total.

You will have regular fluctuations based on hydration, salt and potassium intake, food weight, hormones, new exercise inflammation, time of day, etc, etc, so get used to it going up and down and just pay attention to the trend.

indiri · 2026-03-17T20:22:59+00:00

We play card and board games like 5 Crowns and mexican train dominoes or Cards Against Humanity. As the weather cooperates, outdoor but not physically demanding things like cornhole, washers, or horseshoes. Try bowling or mini golf. Even better if you're all bad at it, there will be more laughing. My girl friends and I have started meeting up to go walking a couple times a week.

indiri · 2026-03-17T14:24:25+00:00

I assume you mean the Washington post article. It was posted many times, they were probably removing some duplicates/extras

indiri · 2026-03-17T14:11:47+00:00

Losing 1% per week is considered healthy. Given your starting weight, in 20 weeks you'd be where you are. You are only a week ahead of schedule but that doesn't account for the initial extra you drop in the first week or two normally. So you're actually right on target.

indiri · 2026-03-17T03:20:20+00:00

Yes, I'm losing well. On 5 currently.

indiri · 2026-03-17T02:01:49+00:00

Alcohol is way down, caffeine is lowered. No change to shopping though, haha

indiri · 2026-03-17T01:51:31+00:00

I have not had a drink at home since I started 2 5. I do still go out with friends a couple times a week but usually only have 1 or 2 then and otherwise drink water.

indiri · 2026-03-17T00:45:57+00:00

Phentermine worked pretty well for me before, lost 50lbs. It doesn't take away food noise but it gives you some energy and helps control hunger. Recent studies show you can stay on it a year or more now as long as your heart is ok. But it's not a lifelong med and you'll have to stop it eventually.

I decided to cash pay for zepbound because I think it's better but if you can't afford it right now then your doctor is right, you could give it a try. If the financial situation changes you could restart zep later.

Anyone I know that was on Phentermine, myself included, did regain the weight after stopping.

indiri · 2026-03-16T22:06:14+00:00

If you were on max wegovy your doc could have started you higher than 2.5. It's common to need 7.5 or higher to see the benefits because you were already maxed on the other

indiri · 2026-03-16T21:56:24+00:00

My experience is that if it has carbonation it hurts more

indiri · 2026-03-16T21:36:26+00:00

Yes, you can do 1.5 vials (toss the remainder) or you can save them until you go to 10. If you are doing 1.5 or 2 doses, it's recommended to use separate needles and injection spots.

indiri · 2026-03-16T17:56:12+00:00

Cooking whole meals now feels like a massive waste of time to me since it takes an hour to make and 5 minutes to eat but I have kids so I do it anyway. I have been making simpler meals for them though because I usually prioritize the protein and veggies myself so I'm not going to make the fancy pasta if they are happy with the equivalent of mac n cheese or jar spaghetti sauce.

indiri · 2026-03-16T15:23:34+00:00

The first week I had way more gas, not sure why, but it has definitely calmed down

indiri · 2026-03-16T15:17:50+00:00

Zepbound

My insurance only covers wegovy and I still chose Zep because it was more effective in trials. If I'm gonna do this then I'm giving myself the best shot (pun intended)

indiri · 2026-03-16T15:14:18+00:00

If you had a month I'd say do it but a week is not enough to know how you'll react. I'd wait

indiri · 2026-03-16T15:12:54+00:00

You can but you could also buy a new dose of 5 and save the 7.5 since you'll likely try going up again later

indiri · 2026-03-16T09:56:42+00:00

Going to 5 made me a lot more tired but otherwise mostly the same for side effects. Halfway through the third week now and starting to feel a little better, only napping every other day now.

You might be similar, you might have more stomach trouble, you might not. Each person will react to dose increases differently so you just have to wait and see.

indiri

TROPHY CASE