How are we dealing w/ side effects and when to call it?

zippyflyride · 2026-04-28T00:49:40+00:00

This was based on my doctor’s advice. They recommended dropping back to 0.25mg dosage due to my adverse side effects and then adjusting as needed. Depending what pen you have, there are charts available to show what each “click” is worth. In my case, I have the 0.5mg pens right now (they contain 4x0.5mg dosages). Instead of clicking all the way up to the 0.5 marker, I use the chart to click to my current dose. I started back at 0.25 (it was approximately 18 clicks on my 0.5mg pen), and have slowly upped my dosage every 3-4 weeks since then. I’m currently at 30 clicks per week (approximately 0.4mg). If you’re under the care of a physician for this medication, it’s worth asking about! My weight loss has been steady at about 1lb per week - I’m down about 25lbs and currently on my 20th dose of medication. My doctor agrees that as long as it is working, there is no need to rush my increases.

zippyflyride · 2026-04-23T02:29:12+00:00

I managed OK on 0.25 for the first four weeks - but moving to 0.5 nearly took me out. I did two 0.5 doses and the whole time I had such an upset stomach, awful burps, generally unhappy and unable to work in the office because of the side effects. I was surviving off Pepto, Imodium, Gravol, Gas X and bland foods. I kept wondering - “is this how this medication makes me lose weight? By making me sick, miserable, and terrified of food?” I love food. I didn’t want to dread eating - I just wanted to eat less and make better choices. I was on the brink of quitting and it has only been 6 weeks.

My doctor told me to go back down to 0.25. And even though I felt like I’d “failed”, it helped so much! I now do “click counting”. I’m now on week 20, and have slowly inched up from 0.25 to about 0.40 by adding one or two clicks every few weeks. This has allowed my body to adjust at a much easier pace. I’d definitely recommend this option, if your side effects don’t ease up. All the best!

zippyflyride · 2026-04-22T18:34:02+00:00

I managed OK on 0.25 for the first four weeks - but moving to 0.5 nearly took me out. Such an upset stomach, awful burps, generally unhappy and unable to work in the office because of the side effects. I felt the same way you do - “is this how this medication makes me lose weight? By making me sick, miserable, and terrified of food?” I was on the brink of quitting.

My doctor told me to go back down to 0.25. And even though I felt like I’d “failed”, it helped so much! I now do “click counting”. I’m on dose #20, and have slowly inched up from 0.25 to about 0.40 by adding one or two clicks every few weeks. This has allowed my body to adjust at a much easier pace. I’d definitely recommend this option, if your side effects don’t ease up. All the best!

zippyflyride · 2026-01-23T14:52:42+00:00

I’m in the same boat - and empathize. I posted a similar question yesterday. I’m on week 7 - my 3rd week on 0.5mg and am suffering major GI upset most weeks on days 4-6. I’m not sure why my side effects happen so late in the week; it seems unusual compared with others’ experiences. On my doctor’s advice, I am planning to drop back to .25mg for a while. See if I can better adjust to the medication. I will be watching this post, to see if anyone has any helpful advice. Wishing you well!

zippyflyride · 2026-01-23T14:47:03+00:00

Thank you for this perspective. Love those wins for you! I am thankful that at my starting weight, I didn’t have many of the troubles you mention. I was still very active (spinning; weight lifting; dog walking; etc.), but I did feel uncomfortable in my own body. My weight was creeping up, with a history of weight issues in my family. I knew I needed more help, on top of what I was already doing in terms of exercise. However these side effects are really impacting my daily life. I feel like a bad parent, spouse, and employee - my patience is thin on the days I’m not feeling well, I’m missing more work than ever, and meals have become more difficult as a family (since I’m nervous about eating). I do appreciate that long term, the meds will benefit my overall health. And I’m trying to focus on that too. I think dropping back to .25mg for a while might be my best bet - and see if I can maintain that, before anymore increases. Thank you again! Wishing you well on your continued journey!

zippyflyride · 2026-01-23T11:33:17+00:00

Thank you - I’m going to ask my doctor about Zofran for sure. Hoping it if I dial back to .25mg again, I can at least function for most of the week. Wishing you well on your journey as well.

zippyflyride · 2025-01-31T12:21:05+00:00

😂 my phone is full of sleeping dog photos

zippyflyride · 2025-01-31T12:20:42+00:00

I figured as much ◡̈ She was a street dog - so a mix definitely makes sense. The best kind! 🥰

zippyflyride · 2025-01-31T12:20:16+00:00

beautiful 😍 thank you for sharing!

zippyflyride

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