What happens when you STOP GLP-1s?

Welcome to the forum! Please remember to keep discussions focused on FDA-approved medications and avoid any talk of buying or selling. New users should check out the FAQ for helpful info.
 
So, the article says doctors mostly agree it's worth starting even if you can't stay on them forever, but they stress the need for counseling and lifestyle changes.

And apparently, when you quit, the hunger comes back STRONG.

In other words, if appetite was the problem before, it'll be the problem again.
 
So, you're saying if you go off the meds and go back to your old eating habits, you'll gain the weight back? Groundbreaking. Maybe people should focus on changing their diet instead.
 
What about people who just want to lose a few vanity pounds?

I doubt there's much research on that since it's generally not prescribed for such small amounts of weight loss.

I guess it depends *why* you gained those few pounds, right? Was it overeating, or is it like me, where it was just hormone shifts in perimenopause? I only gained like 25lbs, and I don't think I was eating differently. My body just changed.
 
With so much junk food around and obesity on the rise, it's no wonder many people are somewhat insulin resistant and have inflammation.

I tried losing weight the 'natural' way so many times. After my second kid and getting older, it just stopped working. Exercise, calorie tracking...nothing. I was exhausted, couldn't sleep, etc. My blood work was 'normal enough.'

I started with sema, now I'm on a low dose of tirz to maintain. I'm okay with staying on it long-term. I reached my goal weight, and now I'm trying to build muscle. I sleep better, feel better, and my blood work is better. My doc even prescribed low-dose T for perimenopause, knowing I'm on the tirz. It's helped with the painful hormonal inflammation during my cycle. There's more and more research about other benefits of GLP-1s besides just weight loss.

I know someone who uses it for dumping syndrome, and another who says it helps with PCOS flare-ups.
 
I'm planning to stay on it indefinitely. But I've heard your body's set point might change if you're on it long-term and then quit. I wonder if there have been any studies on that? Like, if you take it for a decade, will your hunger cues be better if you stop? That's the dream, anyway.
 
I never plan to stop unless I *have* to for medical reasons. It's fixed a hormonal issue for me. I work out hard and try to be healthy. I've been doing the work for 40 years – therapy, fitness camps, trainers, calorie counting, you name it. This medication is a lifesaver, a medical, emotional, mental, and physical necessity. No more yo-yo dieting for me. If something's broken, we fix it. This fixes *that* broken part of me.
 
The WSJ article is kind of misleading.

Maintaining weight loss takes less willpower than losing it (eating at maintenance vs. a deficit). Some people struggle to lose weight but can maintain it if they're vigilant and make lifestyle changes. They just can't stay in a deficit long enough to reach their goals.

While some may need to be on GLP-1s chronically, providers shouldn't automatically say "you'll have to be on it for life." That implies the user has no control. Some people need to know lasting lifestyle changes are possible. It can provide a reset, and with a healthy attitude, they can stop any weight gain before it gets out of control.

For example, someone could weigh themselves daily and take a weekly average. If that average goes up by, say, 5-10 lbs, they focus their efforts for a month to get back on track. That's doable for many who can't stay disciplined for months. This drug can be a great tool for them.

Testosterone, on the other hand, *does* shut down your body's production, so you likely have to be on it for life. This distinction matters; some people might avoid GLP-1s if they think they'll be stuck on them forever.
 
I've stopped twice now 'cause it made me too weak. I gained a few pounds back, mostly 'cause I was overeating. I don't think the cravings are worse than before. It's just psychological; if you know you're stopping, you might wanna eat more.

There's a psychological thing with this drug. It kinda makes you nonchalant and shuts off all kinds of cravings. I'm naturally intense, and it made me feel blah all the time. Plus, I think it's a bit overhyped 'cause of the muscle loss. I don't know if it's worth it. I got tired of taking laxatives for the side effects, and I felt low energy and like my muscles were weakening. Working out was harder than usual.

It'd be better to just work out hard and lose the weight that way. You'll be hungrier at first, but you gotta get your body into burning mode. You won't lose much the first couple months unless you diet too. I just don't think the drugs are worth it unless you're super overweight. Under 100 pounds overweight? Not necessary. You gotta remember there are other muscles besides the ones you see, like your heart and the ones holding you up. I feel like it weakens everything. And look at those celebs using it to starve themselves; they look awful.

If it works for you, great. But if you're that worried, just work out. Maybe use it as a kickstart to retrain your mind and control cravings. Take it for a few months to establish a new mindset, then focus on exercise and portion control. Gaining muscle will raise your metabolism. If you can't control yourself, maybe you need it. It could help lower cholesterol and blood sugar if you have health issues. But for those of us it doesn't work for, we gotta go the old-fashioned route.
 
Belly-B-Gone said:
I've stopped twice now 'cause it made me too weak. I gained a few pounds back, mostly 'cause I was overeating. I don't think the cravings are worse than before. It's just psychological; if you know you're stopping, you might wanna eat more.
Click to expand...
I think you hit on something there. It's a HUGE mind game. When you're ON it, you feel like you have this cheat code for cravings. When it's GOING AWAY, it's like, "OMG I have to eat ALL THE THINGS before it's too late!" Then you're off it and it's not actually as bad, but the momentum's already there.
 
I saw a thread where someone said they felt totally lost after stopping Ozempic. Like, no one warned them about the mental/emotional stuff. They said their hunger came back super strong, they lost muscle, had zero energy, and their mood was all over the place. Anxiety, brain fog, the works. Makes you wonder if docs are really prepping people for the AFTER.
 
I am never ever going back to the food noise. I eat well, I work out...I'm 55 and done with fighting that battle. I'll stay on a maintenance dose forever if I have to.
 
Hormone_Havoc said:
I saw a thread where someone said they felt totally lost after stopping Ozempic. Like, no one warned them about the mental/emotional stuff. They said their hunger came back super strong, they lost muscle, had zero energy, and their mood was all over the place. Anxiety, brain fog, the works. Makes you wonder if docs are really prepping people for the AFTER.
Click to expand...

That's why I'm so hesitant to ever come off. It's not just about the weight, it's about the whole cascade of effects it has on my body and mind.
 
I saw a post from someone who lost a bunch of weight -- down to 125 from 178 -- then gained back to 141 after stopping. But they said they actually felt *great*! They intentionally stopped at a lower weight knowing there might be a rebound. Maybe that's the way to do it?
 
I think people on this med are less likely to become insufferable because we know it could've gone the other way without science helping us out.
 
Not much science on cycling these off and on, mostly just what people share. But evidence points pretty hard at restarting being less effective and needing way higher doses to kick back in. Recent rat study on the forum about stopping and restarting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top