GLP-1s losing steam after a while?

K

KellyHub

Active member
Hey everyone, long time no see! Been on this journey for a while now.

Got some potentially bad news to share. I'm about 5 years into using a semaglutide, and honestly, things aren't looking great. I had a big drop initially, but I've regained about 45 pounds. It's getting harder to lose weight. The appetite suppression isn't cutting it anymore; I'm stuck around 2000 calories daily, and I'm still getting those hunger pangs—stomach cramps, lightheadedness, and headaches galore.

I'm practically living on a diet, just watching others enjoy their meals. Even a single cheat meal throws me back a week or two. I'm thinking of calling it quits soon. I've only managed to lose like 3 pounds in half a year, and that's with a crazy workout routine that's just making my chronic pain worse. I'm just not sure this is worth it for maintenance. I think I could maintain this without it. My plan doesn't cover other treatments, so I'm stuck for now. I'm hoping the higher dose gets approved, or maybe a med break will help reset my tolerance and boost effectiveness down the road. Has anyone else hit this wall?
 
Quick update: Things took a turn! I'm at my lowest weight since late last year. Guess I'm sticking with it for now.

Thanks for the replies!
 
This is exactly what I've been trying to find out. Nearing the two-year mark, and I'm seeing a significant drop in effectiveness. My doctor's put me on something else to kinda counteract the hunger coming back. I've tried asking about what happens long-term when these things aren't a "forever fix," but most people seem pretty sure they'll be good forever.

Anyone think switching to a tirzepatide might help kickstart things again?
 
I dropped 75 pounds with semaglutide over about 2 years, then plataued for the last year I took it. Been tracking my food for those three years. Since I stopped losing weight, I decided to go off of it and try to maintain on my own. It's been a couple weeks. I'm a bit more hungry, but I'm using mindful eating techniques to deal with cravings and haven't gained anything. I feel better, actually. I felt really tired the whole time I was on semaglutide.
 
Have you had your thyroid checked out? Or seen a hormone specialist? Something else might be messing with your hormones. Are you taking any other meds that might be boosting your appetite?

You've been on this for a while, so you probably know your body well. If you're eating around 2000 calories daily, you shouldn't be having those symptoms. Maybe something else is off if that amount isn't enough to satiate you.
 
The recent studies on weekly doses of 7.2 mg are promising; showing much better results than 2.4 mg, without increased side effects. Perhaps that will be the eventual solution. One day we might laugh about those early days when the 2.4 mg dose was the max. I commend your open sharing, and wish you the best in finding a solution.

Also, have you considered a second appetite suppressant, like naltrexone/bupropion or metformin? I know you've been at this for some time, so please forgive me if these are things you've already considered.
 
Wait, so you started a semaglutide back in 2020, got to your goal weight, stopped the injections for a while, and then gained 45 pounds back? Now you're injecting a semaglutide again, paying out of pocket, hoping to lose weight again because your insurance doesn't cover it?
 
Hey to the OG members of this little corner of the internet! This forum has been super helpful for so many. Hoping this thread can do the same for you. I took a break earlier this year, and it brought my dose way down. It was somewhat helpful, and I played around during this break with upping my calories for a "refeed."

My body and brain seemed to need it. I didn't have any binge eating or overeating during that period. My weight went up about 5 pounds, but a lot of it seemed to be water weight and inflammation that dropped off within a week or two of restarting the medication.

My doctor's been supportive of me tracking and tweaking my dose and the frequency since the first few months. I'm about a year in now, and I'm seeing reduced effects, but I'm also spacing out my injections to every 10 days or so. Maintaining is fine for me since the last few pounds are just for looks.

I'm all for "diet breaks" and being realistic when weight loss just isn't happening. Being kind to yourself during tough patches is key, even with the frustration and disappointment. I think the body pushes back sometimes. Or fights like crazy.

Best of luck, this is an important topic. I've seen other people have luck transitioning to another GLP-1 or taking a good break and restarting, but others haven't had as much luck... Best to you, and I'll be watching for updates. Others are dealing with it, and others will definitely struggle with this later on.
 
I'm in the same boat right now. I've gained 20 pounds back and feel hungry all the time. It's scary feeling like I'm losing control. I'm trying everything I know, but I'm binging at night again. It really sucks.
 
Instead of a break, I use reverse dieting when I stall. I add 100-150 calories each week until I gain a bit. Then, I stay at that maintenance level for at least 6 weeks. After my body seems to adjust, I start cutting calories again. I've lost another 10-12 pounds this way twice in the last year. I'm trying it again while on vacation for 3 months.
 
I heard a doctor on a podcast talking about cycling semaglutide. He said the most weight loss usually happens in the first 3 months. He didn't understand why people would titrate up to the highest dose and stay there forever.

The doctor had his patients do 3 months on a semaglutide and 2 months off, taking a low dose of metformin during that time. Then, they'd go back on the semaglutide.

I'm on my second round of a semaglutide, about 10 weeks in, and I'm still losing steadily.

I'm thinking about taking a month off after this run. Maybe it's about tolerance.

I also titrated up really slowly. Started at .25, then .30, then .40, and now I'm on .50.
 
Have you tried intermittent fasting? I lost loads of weight without any injections. Not eating until midday and then a light evening meal plus exercise had me dropping 4-6 pounds a week. It takes time to get used to feeling hungry a lot, but it gets easier.
 
Been on 2.4 for about 4 years. I've been able to maintain my weight without issue. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
 
Glad we're talking about this. Yeah, it stopped working for me too. And eventually, a tirz did as well. I think that's just how these things go. I tried cycling off and on, but they were even less effective the second time. I don't think they're the lifetime fix they're made out to be. Personally, I'm maintaining pretty well without meds now, but I wanted to chime in and say that, yeah, it definitely stopped working for me too.

To add to that, I eventually maxed out both doses, and I responded really well both times. I lost about 115 pounds, but I've also gained a lot of muscle, so it's hard to say. I work out a lot; I'm at the gym 4-5 times a week and walk 20k+ steps a day. I don't count calories, just for context.
 
I'VE BEEN ON GLP1S SINCE 2013

I've been on all of them since 2013. I've never hit my goal weight, but I've maintained a 80-95lb loss for years, which is about a third of my starting weight. My obesity specialist thinks that's a huge win and says your body will do what it does; you can't always force it to your target weight. Ideally, I'd like to lose another 45-65.

I pretty much flatlined on the highest dose of one option and stayed there for several years. Then, I switched to another one a few months after it was released and lost another 8-9 pounds, but I've gained that back recently because life's been hitting hard. But I'm still down about 80. I've felt less intensity and more food noise over time, needing a high dose just to stay stable. I just went to the highest available dose and I am maintaining. Still hanging in there.
 
A1C-Slayer said:
I work out a ton, I go to the gym 4-5x a week and walk 20k+ steps a day.
Click to expand...
Wow, that’s amazing! I've been trying to incorporate more strength training. I saw someone say, "People think these injections are the answer, but it's really a small part of losing weight and getting fit. They need to buy a few weights and start getting fit."
 
40mg here. 80 dropped my BP too low, felt dizzy after sitting. Switched to 40 and cruise at 110-120 over 65-75. Never got side effects, just great BP.
 
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