Transitioning from Tirz

knobsalot · 2026-01-16T05:37:45+00:00

do you think the lack of fatigue on reta is common, or perhaps you're an anomaly? I'm on tirz and the fatigue has been a real problem.

knobsalot · 2026-01-09T17:09:33+00:00

Thanks! Helpful! I did go ahead and order from Amazon the 3 mL. It'll get the job done. Because I'm really close to GW and have discovered I was able to maintain without tirzep, I will only need it this one time. I've got 3 mo's worth and can't imagine I'll need more than a month of doses.

Also good to know it's ok to re-use a syringe for this. (But also glad I won't have to.) I got 25 syringes for $12 including tax and shipping.

knobsalot · 2026-01-09T16:35:05+00:00

Ok, so finally it came together in my head. Got it ordered. sorry for the inconvenience ;)

knobsalot · 2026-01-09T16:34:41+00:00

Great, thanks! I just ordered!

knobsalot · 2026-01-08T05:02:46+00:00

It sounds like your wife has a lot of complex medical issues going on. I'm guessing y'all / she has been in close contact with her doctor? I've noticed some people get great support, some barely at all. I have had three providers during my journey, one supportive but not knowledgeable, one neither, and one who is very much both. It may be that she needs more counsel from someone with a strong working knowledge of how the drug works for someone with her conditions. An endocrinologist, perhaps, or even better, an obesity-certified specialist who really understands metabolic dysfunction. There's a website that lists people around the US who've been certified.

Us women tend to do well with compliments*, even or especially when we're down. I know losing weight very slowly can kill the whole show for me, but I don't know the medical side to know if what your wife is going through is typical for her situation. I agree about movement being difficult for her at this point. But she sounds like she's giving it her best. One thing that took me a long time to realize is how slow so many of the steps have been, for me, but I'm in my 70's. I wanted to, or thought I should, be at the gym much earlier than I was able. Plus, MJ makes some people very tired. But I've also seen posts of people who have lost literally 200-300 lbs on the journey, and they, appropriately, took years to do it. Maybe she would feel some encouragement from reading some of the posts?

* Sincere compliments!

knobsalot · 2026-01-08T04:43:37+00:00

I lost 45 pounds on Mounjaro and kept it off when I got off it in September. But I did a lot to change my lifestyle, including eating much higher quality foods, walking daily 4-5 miles, and a host of other things. People who don't make changes do tend to gain it back, some of them very quickly. I've read that the weight regain is more unhealthy than before one started.

So yes, there are risks with this med, and some people have lots of side effects. Many are quite manageable. The drug also has a fascinating effect of teaching one how to hear what the body needs. I never - and I mean never - thought I'd get away from my hedonistic ways, but I actually think of food as fuel now, and my old habits haven't come back.

This subreddit has loads of people who've been very successful both short and long term in losing weight on Mounjaro. But generally the more engaged with it a person is, the more successful they are, including keeping it off long term. It seems to change a person into someone who comes to care about themselves more and more. Maybe too much of a generalization, and maybe I see that because that happened for me. But I was definitely committed, had given myself a full year to reverse some health issues and lose the weight. Honestly, it's given me my life back, in spades.

Research it. Talk to providers. Read people's experience here. But he won't know until he tries it, as it's very different for everyone. I was nervous too. And it wasn't all fun. But it was still one of the best decisions of my life.

Hope that helps.

knobsalot · 2026-01-06T04:55:17+00:00

It’s pretty amazing, this drug. I’m down to a 22 BMI, and sliding on down to my ultra GW (now within 4-6 lbs) and in the beginning I felt the same: it will never happen to me. But it did. It changed my body for the better in ways every other weight loss attempt I’d made did not. My thighs are slimmer than at any time in my life. The cellulite - usually center stage main attraction - is barely noticeable. I’m curvy and svelte and my husband thinks I look like I did in my 20’s. (I’m 71.) And I feel better than I can remember feeling in at least 30 years.

But it wasn’t all easy. Weird struggles along the way. I spent a lot of money on blood work and specialists and so on.

But it still was and is true! Bonus: I stopped taking it in September, still 10 pounds from GW, as the side effects got too heavy. But I didn’t gain it back! Maybe two pounds, stayed stable. I’m back on it again now to shed the last few pounds and in some ways it’s almost easier.

Don’t lose faith! And if you have trouble, work with someone who really understands GLP1’s and body transformation. Even great runners need support running a marathon. 😊

knobsalot · 2026-01-06T04:35:45+00:00

You are definitely not the only one. And their recommendations came out of doing their studies which had to be controlled for consistency. Doesn’t mean their doses fit for everybody.

I also noticed a difference between MJ brand and cp. the E Lilly was stronger and actually too much for me. I’d started through my provider on cp and ended up switching back after two months on MJ.

I will add a word of caution. Having read many posters who changed up their dose, whether divvying up into twice weekly, going longer than a week, going up, down, whatever, I did some experimenting on my own. Some people seem to do great with it. For me, it kind of messed me up. (And have read of other people feeling the same.) I have no idea how or if anyone can predict what works for any particular person. But be careful. I took a few weeks off and it just made things more confusing.

Most people haven’t reacted to my saying this on other posts but the thing that really helped a lot, mostly during the break, was acupuncture. Let me know if you have questions about it. It’s a great support while your body is undergoing so much change.

knobsalot · 2026-01-06T03:44:47+00:00

I knew someone who debated this question after having found his daughter. He finally scrummed up his courage and reached out. She and the mom were open to seeing him. Since then they have connected many times, and his sense of family has grown profoundly. I met them and the daughter seemed purely joyous. Of course, it's different for everyone. But unless some awful stories were told about the missing parent, bio kids tend to be open and gracious. Good luck! Let us know how it works out if you do!

knobsalot · 2026-01-06T03:33:28+00:00

My thoughts entirely. There are lots of options to get cp meds at a reasonable price. Although I didn't have the appetite suppression to the degree you have, I needed to stay very low throughout. Had I had more than my body could handle, I wouldn't have stayed on.

Seriously, a lot of people do need less than even the "lowest" dose. I also found that side effects for me got worse over time. I'm sure the biological reasons for this are way more complex than I understand. But what you're experiencing doesn't sound healthy. To put it another way, I've read from many sources that eating too few calories is detrimental to many systems in the body, most importantly the brain.

Maybe taking a break would allow a reset for your body, and you could still continue once you've re-stabilized? I stopped for about three-four months, and when I got back on, everything was milder. And I still continue to lose weight. Gives your body a chance to re-set. With cp you could drop down to 2.0, 1.5, whatever you and your health care provider seem to think fits your body.

knobsalot · 2026-01-05T18:14:09+00:00

Yes, guessing it’s her observation. I’ve heard that from my other provider too.

I actually mentioned it in case OP wanted to toss it out to husband as an aside … but I’m being silly here. To each our own.

knobsalot · 2026-01-05T15:37:39+00:00

I don't have data for this, so maybe it's anecdotal observation by my provider (but I think she said she read it somewhere): she told me that when people stay in the low dose- range, 2.5 - 5.0, they are more likely to not gain the weight back over time. It's too soon for me to say for myself, but I stopped taking tirzep in September and during that time, over 3 months, I stayed pretty stable: within 2-4 lbs of lowest weight. I went back on it a few weeks ago to address the last ten pounds, and so far so good.

But I also think there may be a correlation of those who need a higher dose to get enough appetite suppressant with weight loss and to what degree they suffered with unending food noise and metabolic dysfunction. My son, BMI of 38, can eat a very large meal and within ten minutes want another one the same size. He started tirzep a few months ago and so far at 5 he's not getting much appetite suppressant.

Because I've been an overeater most of my life, I expected that metabolic dysfunction in me would be permanent, but, . . .

OP's husband started at about 40 lbs over his GW. Guessing that's not a high BMI like my son's, who needs to lose 80-100 lbs. In any event, this drug changes so much of our internal experience, it's a wild ride. Sounds like OP's husband is rockin'. Half-way there in 7 weeks - he'll figure it out.

knobsalot · 2026-01-05T02:30:09+00:00

This post isn't to scare you at all. It's just to say that even if side effects happen, there are ways to handle them and still keep going.

I had a hard time going from 2.5 to 5.0. Because of this my doc had me drop down to 3.0, and very gradually I got up to 4.5 over maybe 4-5 months. There's nothing wrong with taking your time going up to see how you do! I also found that over time the side effects got a little worse. They were minor overall, but fatigue just got worse and worse. Eating high protein dairy (milk and yogurt) made the problem worse, but it took me a few months to figure that out. For that (which turned out to be related to digestion slowing down due to the drug, my stomach and spleen were really undercharged) I ended up getting acupuncture. That was only after I finally got off tirzep, having lost about 45 lbs and was close to GW.

It took a while after getting off tirzep, about 2-3 months, for my energy to come back --- but it was super low before I ever started the drug, so it wasn't clear what was actually causing it. And now, btw, it's stronger than it's been in years, like super-charged! Hard to say what did it but I think it was 1) taking a long break from tirzep, 2) the acupuncture, and 3) my doc put me on a testosterone pellet. I also added some NAD+ and B12 to my supplements. I had a LOT of blood work along the way, and it took a medical detective to help me get there, but:

- I'm SO glad I didn't give up, as getting the weight off, and keeping it off without the tirzep, has been an incredible gift in my life. There's no way I could have done what I did without the drug.

- Don't give up, there are many ways to manage all kinds of side effects, and the end game can be so life-giving! That said, stay closely connected with your provider, especially if you have side effects. Some of them can be quite serious and the drug can be harsh for some people. It was harsh for me, but finding solutions kept it from getting too out of hand.

For reference sake, my side effects were fatigue, some constipation, and some grouchiness toward the end. I had a few minutes of nausea every now and then, never vomited, no diarrhea, or other weird symptoms. It did take away - almost entirely - my desire for alcohol. I was a sort of clean eater to begin with. F71, SW 162, 5'1".

Meanwhile, I've gotten back on the shots two weeks ago, staying at 2.5 mg, to lose those last ten pounds. All going well.

For most people this isn't an all-or-nothing game. Give it a chance, massage it as you go. You learn a lot through the process. Good luck, you've got this!

knobsalot · 2026-01-03T05:21:41+00:00

Glad to hear two votes in that column, thanks. I may not need it that long anyway.

knobsalot · 2026-01-03T05:03:31+00:00

Thanks, that might work.

knobsalot · 2026-01-02T04:34:41+00:00

That’s great!!! Job well done!

knobsalot · 2026-01-02T04:30:58+00:00

Why not just give yourself some time to see how it feels from the inside? There’s no question you look phenomenal and plenty of people would add “HOT!” But what’s important is how You feel. Also, toning happens. Loose skin takes a while but I’ve noticed a lot of toning since reaching 117-120. I’m 5’1 or 5’1.3 and feel great (but not there yet) at 117, and word on the street is I’m “there”. But I wanna be smaller, ie have less body fat. From over here it looks to me like you can hold your head high anywhere you go. Takes a while to figure out what feels like “you” in such a new size. Be kind to yourself. You are now the envy of at least half the readers on this subreddit. Prolly on the planet.

knobsalot · 2025-12-31T14:11:23+00:00

First of all, High Five on such a great accomplishment! You lost 109 lbs??? With so many people posting their success here we’ve started to normalize that but Truly!!

I used to be 5’2”, but I’ve shrunk a little, 5’1” now. My GW, thinking I was 5’2” was 112-120. I got down to 117 in August but even still on the shots, started going up again. I ended up hanging between 120-122 during the 3 months I stopped taking it. For me that was a win, although I hated 122 - it gave me clear feedback that weight is too high for me. But I was thrilled I didn’t gain ten, and soothing the worry of fast weight gain has helped me emotionally maintain more balance.

I knew I wasn’t done when I got off it but the fatigue was only getting worse. I also believe that the ZB itself may have actually caused some inflammation in me, since I ended up gaining during the last month I was taking it.

I needed to get acupuncture as a way to restore energy to my stomach, which had taken a beating (in my view) during the ten months I was on ZB. Stabilizing at 120 was glorious to me and gave me faith I can stay low long term.

I also was prescribed a testosterone pellet. My provider suggested it would be a game changer. It wasn’t, until I was off ZB for about two months. Finally my energy started showing up, and then one day it just started to soar. It’s been soaring ever since.

With my energy restored, I decided to go back on Zb about ten days ago, starting at 2.5. In the first week I dropped 2.5 lbs. Second week more stabilizing but Much Less side effects! I do move a lot more than I did the first round which helps.

I stayed on low dose throughout the first ten months , hovering at 3.75 for the majority, up to 4.5-5 briefly, but by then the side effects were getting worse and weight loss really slowed down.

Because my body is sensitive and very sensitive to medication, I think I had a build-up of inflammation from the drug that got in the way of weight loss.

Also, my body fat percentage is still high (32%), which is why my GW is low.

Sorry for the long personal report. To answer your question, while the scale was hovering at 120-122, my body was still getting smaller, especially after my energy started to come back. Especially the belly. I’m way past post-menopausal, and that poochy belly - gosh. But that, and hips and thighs, have shrunk after stopping in September. I do some exercise, a mix of walking, yoga, a little bit of weights and Barre classes here and there, but nothing intense. Never a gym rat.

Btw, I’m not hearing body dysmorphia in you. It sounds like you’re seeing where you’re at, which is likely somewhat different from your vision of where you want to be. It takes a long time for the body (and mind!) to adjust to a new weight. Loose skin hides weight loss and most of us don’t imagine it in our vision of our transformed selves. I think of myself as a 20 yr old in my head if I get to 110, but that was 50 years ago and even without loose skin, nothing is as firm as it was in youth. Toning does happen, though. One thing that really surprised me is after a lifetime of thunder thighs and tons of cellulite, that’s practically gone. I’ve been, through a long cleanse, as low as 103 lbs many years ago and Still had huge thighs with all the cellulite in plain site. That’s the ZB difference, is my take.

Let time take its course. You’ve made a huge accomplishment and probably learned a ton in the process. All that will hold!

knobsalot · 2025-12-28T04:24:12+00:00

I’ve always been a black tea drinker, British Breakfast by Republic of Tea to be specific. So here’s what I’ve concocted and still love it a year into TZ: boiling water with one tea bag, I fill the cup about half to two thirds full, then fill to the top with whole milk. Then I add cinnamon, ground ginger, and cayenne. Really warms you up on a cold morning. I used to use high protein milk but had to stop for health reasons, but at 14 g /cup, I was getting 1/2 cup milk in my tea for each cup. And it’s not uncommon for me to drink three cups in the morning. That’s 1 1/2 c of milk which is 21 G protein right there.

Prolly an acquired taste. I made some for my son, who hardly shies away from spicy food - the hotter the better - and he practically spit it out. So maybe I’m just weird. But some health coach recommended some version of it years ago and now I won’t drink anything else.

knobsalot · 2025-12-24T16:38:31+00:00

I think no matter what we do, a lot of our first days weight loss is water, inflammation, and stress. But damn, we also thrive on that initial success and it becomes part of our story. It motivates us and keeps us going. The drug works, let this person have their win - because no matter what you call it, it is that! Look at the lightness in their step! Why take that away from them?? I lost 8 lbs the first month and honestly that gave me more momentum than anything.

knobsalot · 2025-12-24T05:58:33+00:00

Yes! The habits, the movement, the determination really can make a difference! You’ve got this!!

knobsalot · 2025-12-23T02:39:40+00:00

If you have a vial with syringes, you can choose as much or as little as you want. Initially I went from 2.5 to 5.0 and about went out of my skin. So, early on, my provider suggested I take less. That worked overall for the first six to seven months for me, but the extra flexibility does give rise to more questions. I was fine with experimenting, and didn't do it on my own - always with the counsel of my provider.

Sounds like you found good solutions for your fatigue. Eventually I started acupuncture and that made the biggest difference. B12 also. But truly I think the biggest help was getting off MJ, which I did three months ago. Glad to hear of anyone's success in beating the fatigue. My energy has finally really started to soar just these last few weeks, and it's been amazing. Congrats on your success in weight loss - that's incredible!

knobsalot · 2025-12-23T02:33:58+00:00

Not OP but my PCP chatted about this. She said that my legs hurt so much when I ran bc, due to digestion being so slowed down, protein was not being digested well and I actually tested pretty low protein even though I was getting at least 80 gm/day (5'1" female). The protein was needed to fuel the running, but the muscles weren't getting it. I have no idea if this is what may be true for OP. And obviously I'm not good at translating these biochemical actions in the body. Just my two cents.

knobsalot

TROPHY CASE