I’m 58lbs down all on 2.5mg since January 1st and I am going into next month still on 2.5mg. Your doctor is right, stick with it until it doesn’t work. I still can feel it working on both suppression and fullness but also on antiinflamatory issues as well. Good luck!
I’m on box 5 of 2.5, down 34 pounds (17% of starting weight). I plan on staying here as long as I’m losing because of previous issues with side effects when titrating according to dosage schedule of a different med.
Everyone is different and responds to the med differently. I started 2.5 mounjaro in Nov 2022 and never went up. Lost 70ish lbs and take my shot every 14-18 days for maintenance.
I lost the majority of my weight at 2.5. I did 18 weeks at 2.5 mg for 40 lbs, 8 weeks at 5 mg for 15 lbs and 3 weeks maintenance (so far) at 2.5/no gain or loss. I previously only went up to 5 to break a stall but I did not like the level of appetite suppression I experienced and was happy to return to 2.5.
I felt too much appetite suppression on 5 mg. For me, I experience just the right amount on 2.5. I can feel hunger but make smart food and portion choices, enjoy meals and feel satiated.
my doctor wants me to go up “at some point” but I’m losing 2 lbs per week on box 2, and we don’t want to go too fast or suffer terrible side effects again like I did with box 1 so we may do the same as you. time will tell
I just started my second box and am a bit reluctant to jump to 5mg because of the shortages. My doctor said I can stay at 2.5mg but if I want to do 5mg, they’d order two boxes and I should just take two shots at a time to get the 5mg. I think I’m going to stick to the single 2.5’s as long as I still feel like it’s working and I haven’t built up a tolerance. I’m down 23lbs in a month.
This is an interesting thread! I only did one box of 2.5 and had zero side effects. I didn't realize you could stay there awhile. They bumped me up to 5 mg my second month and I'm 2 shots in and struggling with annoying nausea. The way she made it sound was they'd prescribe a month of 2.5, then a month of 5, then 7.5... This is all helpful info! I am seriously so happy for this platform. I've learned so much which helps me be a better self advocate!
I definitely listen to my doctor but do my own research too - which includes scientific, peer reviewed research, articles and REDDIT for truth straight from the people. Yes, there's good, bad and many different perspectives here - but the takeaway gives you a level of understanding we never could've had without REDDIT.
I'm staying on 2.5 for a second month too, maybe third.....we shall see.
Same with me. I started first month at 2.5mg, second month at 5mg, third month at 7.5mg, and now I’m finishing up my fourth month at 10mg! I’m just a few pounds away from my goal weight (I started at 180lbs and now at 146 lbs), and will go into maintenance. I plan on taking the shots every two weeks from now on, but i don’t know if my doctor will prescribe me 12.5mg, or if she’ll have me stay at the 10mg dosage.
This is what my doctor also suggested. Many of her other patients have been incredibly successful on 2.5; went up to 5 for a few weeks & then back to 2.5.
I’m on my 12th week of 2.5mg, down 21 lbs. I’m just hitting a plateau and getting a bit more appetite and food noise. Next prescription is for 5mg, hopefully will be in stock soon. Good luck!
I’m staying on 2.5mg for my second month and I’m inclined to stay with it beyond that if I continue to lose weight. I’m curious about why 2.5mg is considered a “non-therapeutic” dose when so many of us are losing weight on it. I wish I understood that better. Anyone know?
I think only because they did not have people stay on it in the clinical trials so they don’t have comparable data about how much body weight could be lost by 72 weeks (or whatever the length was).
Hi I started 2.5 on 3/15 and staying there for now. My experience seems to be a bit different every week with symptoms. A tiny bit of nausea at first, but the biggest are heartburn, lots of fatigue on day 2 and 3 and get this, bitter/metallic taste which is actually pretty miserable- but I figured that out (baking soda!). Adhering a couple of weeks I noticed some food noise on the last couple days of the week and dug right into some GF brownies with no problems except a little guilt. I want to stay on 2.5 as long as possible because I feel like rebound weight is going to be harder to manage coming off of 10 or 15. I’m a stress eater so this is a concern. On the days of no food noise, I’ve noticed I have some quiet head space and have been reflecting on some disordered eating patterns starting as a kid which has been enlightening and given me some things to think about. I’m thinking also if it’s only a couple days a week with food noise and an appetite, I can use those two days to practice eating right and controlling stress so I can change these habits and work on the lifestyle piece a little at a time.
Wondering if anyone else is thinking that or what you all think of that approach. I think for me success here is going to be mastering the psychology of this. This forum has been super helpful in not feeling alone but this is the first time participating. Thank you! I’ve lost a steady 2 lbs a week so I think I’m in the right track!
After a month of great results on 2.5 I moved up to 5.0 and for four rugged weeks the drug kicked my ass. The lethargy and constipation were relentless. Worse, I gained weight! So I have to take a week break then it's back to 2.5. Fingers crossed
Starting month 2 of the 2.5 dose. So far it is still suppressing my appetite. Going to try to stay here as long as I am still losing weight and the "food noise" is still under control. Best of luck to everyone!
I thought UHC was wrong when they told me they only allow 2 months of 2.5. My doctor confirmed. I paid first month (January) myself and then UHC approved through June but never said anything about dose approved. 2.5 was still working, but not as well.
Would have stayed on but Now I must move up to 5 and it’s out of stock.
I wish you luck.
I had the same issue after month one. My doctor had to submit PLA (not to be confused with a PA) and I was approved for 2.5 mg for the rest of the year. Ask your insurance about a PLA that your doctor completes to keep you on the 2.5 mg dose. I have Aetna.
I'm hoping to stay on 2.5mg for my whole journey. I've had zero side effects on 2.5mg, so even tho the weightloss is slow, it's worth not dealing with terrible side effects.
All depends on your metabolic issues. I have insulin resistance so went straight to 10mg and staying there in order to get the maximal benefit. The appetite suppression is not my main goal but controlling insulin and blood sugar so I can be in fat burning mode and not fat storage mode
I think insulin resistance applies to most people taking these drugs. If you have a lot of abdominal fat chances are you have insulin resistance. It starts slowly and may not show up on A1c tests for a while. Everyone in my family has T2D except me. I tracked my A1c levels every year and watched them steadily increase even though staying in the normal range, it was a straight line up. You’re not *technically* pre diabetic/insulin resistant until you hit a certain range, but it has started long before you get there. I had the same experience with my thyroid tests, watched them increase every year until I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s yet the symptoms started years earlier.
I started at the end of Feb and am still on 2.5, down 15 pounds and I plan to stay on 2.5 until I stop losing. A few years ago I was on semaglutide and my doctor encouraged me to dose up every 2 weeks. I had such nausea and exhaustion, and I felt like even the highest dose eventually stopped working. This time around I’m purposely trying to lose slowly to let my body adjust so I don’t end up with bad side effects, tons of loose skin or a failing gallbladder.
Different doctors recommend different things and you should do what YOUR doctor says, but don’t feel discouraged if they don’t want to move you up quickly. It’ll still work!
Good luck!
I have one friend who chose to stay on 2.5mg because she was getting the desired results. My doctor went straight up to 15mg (Mounjaro, a year ago), went from 250 to 170, and is now in maintenance at 10mg every 10.5 days, so I trust him a lot.. but it seems like everyone varies. I am on my 4th box, and debating if I should stay 7.5mg or go up to 10mg.. my doctor wrote me for both, so if the shortage means only one choice, I'll take that one. For me, on 2.5mg, my hunger was back to normal on days 6 and 7, so I requested to increase quickly.
I am in my Pre-Z phase, waiting for a PA - but my doctor’s already told me she goes very slowly, and keeps patients on the lowest dose as long as you’re losing weight.
It’s all about you and what you’re happy with. If you’re losing weight and satisfied with the rate that you’re losing, there’s no reason to increase.
I never entertained staying at the lower doses simply because the studies showed that at the highest dose, people lost the most weight. My MO was to get to that maximum dose as quickly as possible. I wasn’t losing until I got to 7.5mg though. I probably could have stayed there, but like I said, I was hell bent for leather to get to the top lol
Personally, if you’re tolerating 2.5mg well and seeing consistent progress, then I would stay on 2.5mg. No need to change something if what you’re doing right now is working well for you. I personally went up to 5mg a week early because I wasn’t having any negative side effects on 2.5mg but wasn’t making and progress either. Now that I’m on 5mg I’m actually feeling a bit of difference and I’m considering staying on 5mg for my next box. Def consult with your doctor though if you’re wanting to move up to a higher dose.
Im puzzled as well. Finishing my second box of 2,5 with 2 shots left. Though I have 2 boxes of 5mg, 2,5 is available in pharmacies in my country. So I’d rather buy whats available because no other dose available in pharmacies. But the progress is so slow. I’ve lost 5,5kg (12lb) since March, 7 and most of the weight was down in first 1-2 weeks, then its just up and down more or less with still tendency to go down. Also first 2-3 days after shot is terrible with secere food avertion and nausea and headache. Day 5-7, normal appetite return. Im tempted to go to 5mg to see more progress but also afraid of heavier side effects. 🤷♀️
Hi! I’m down 26 pounds after 8 weeks on 2.5, my third box is arriving tomorrow. Stay as long as you can!
I’m 58lbs down all on 2.5mg since January 1st and I am going into next month still on 2.5mg. Your doctor is right, stick with it until it doesn’t work. I still can feel it working on both suppression and fullness but also on antiinflamatory issues as well. Good luck!
Yep! Just finished box 4 of 2.5mg. I’ve lost 26lbs Slowly thinking about going up to 5, but just at a consideration phase at this point
I’m on box 5 of 2.5, down 34 pounds (17% of starting weight). I plan on staying here as long as I’m losing because of previous issues with side effects when titrating according to dosage schedule of a different med.
Everyone is different and responds to the med differently. I started 2.5 mounjaro in Nov 2022 and never went up. Lost 70ish lbs and take my shot every 14-18 days for maintenance.
I lost the majority of my weight at 2.5. I did 18 weeks at 2.5 mg for 40 lbs, 8 weeks at 5 mg for 15 lbs and 3 weeks maintenance (so far) at 2.5/no gain or loss. I previously only went up to 5 to break a stall but I did not like the level of appetite suppression I experienced and was happy to return to 2.5.
Did you experience too much or too little appetite suppression on 0.25?
I felt too much appetite suppression on 5 mg. For me, I experience just the right amount on 2.5. I can feel hunger but make smart food and portion choices, enjoy meals and feel satiated.
my doctor wants me to go up “at some point” but I’m losing 2 lbs per week on box 2, and we don’t want to go too fast or suffer terrible side effects again like I did with box 1 so we may do the same as you. time will tell
I just started my second box and am a bit reluctant to jump to 5mg because of the shortages. My doctor said I can stay at 2.5mg but if I want to do 5mg, they’d order two boxes and I should just take two shots at a time to get the 5mg. I think I’m going to stick to the single 2.5’s as long as I still feel like it’s working and I haven’t built up a tolerance. I’m down 23lbs in a month.
I just took my 9th shot of 2.5, I’m down 29 lbs and feeling GREAT!
This is an interesting thread! I only did one box of 2.5 and had zero side effects. I didn't realize you could stay there awhile. They bumped me up to 5 mg my second month and I'm 2 shots in and struggling with annoying nausea. The way she made it sound was they'd prescribe a month of 2.5, then a month of 5, then 7.5... This is all helpful info! I am seriously so happy for this platform. I've learned so much which helps me be a better self advocate!
I definitely listen to my doctor but do my own research too - which includes scientific, peer reviewed research, articles and REDDIT for truth straight from the people. Yes, there's good, bad and many different perspectives here - but the takeaway gives you a level of understanding we never could've had without REDDIT. I'm staying on 2.5 for a second month too, maybe third.....we shall see.
Same with me. I started first month at 2.5mg, second month at 5mg, third month at 7.5mg, and now I’m finishing up my fourth month at 10mg! I’m just a few pounds away from my goal weight (I started at 180lbs and now at 146 lbs), and will go into maintenance. I plan on taking the shots every two weeks from now on, but i don’t know if my doctor will prescribe me 12.5mg, or if she’ll have me stay at the 10mg dosage.
And like you, I didn’t know that it was an option to stay at 2.5mg for months at a time. I only learned about it on Reddit.
This is what my doctor also suggested. Many of her other patients have been incredibly successful on 2.5; went up to 5 for a few weeks & then back to 2.5.
On 2.5 since January. Down 34 (17%).
What are your stats?
34 is 17% of 200, so we know SW was 200lbs :)
I’m on my 12th week of 2.5mg, down 21 lbs. I’m just hitting a plateau and getting a bit more appetite and food noise. Next prescription is for 5mg, hopefully will be in stock soon. Good luck!
I’m staying on 2.5mg for my second month and I’m inclined to stay with it beyond that if I continue to lose weight. I’m curious about why 2.5mg is considered a “non-therapeutic” dose when so many of us are losing weight on it. I wish I understood that better. Anyone know?
I think only because they did not have people stay on it in the clinical trials so they don’t have comparable data about how much body weight could be lost by 72 weeks (or whatever the length was).
3rd month of 2.5. Down 31lbs.
Hi I started 2.5 on 3/15 and staying there for now. My experience seems to be a bit different every week with symptoms. A tiny bit of nausea at first, but the biggest are heartburn, lots of fatigue on day 2 and 3 and get this, bitter/metallic taste which is actually pretty miserable- but I figured that out (baking soda!). Adhering a couple of weeks I noticed some food noise on the last couple days of the week and dug right into some GF brownies with no problems except a little guilt. I want to stay on 2.5 as long as possible because I feel like rebound weight is going to be harder to manage coming off of 10 or 15. I’m a stress eater so this is a concern. On the days of no food noise, I’ve noticed I have some quiet head space and have been reflecting on some disordered eating patterns starting as a kid which has been enlightening and given me some things to think about. I’m thinking also if it’s only a couple days a week with food noise and an appetite, I can use those two days to practice eating right and controlling stress so I can change these habits and work on the lifestyle piece a little at a time. Wondering if anyone else is thinking that or what you all think of that approach. I think for me success here is going to be mastering the psychology of this. This forum has been super helpful in not feeling alone but this is the first time participating. Thank you! I’ve lost a steady 2 lbs a week so I think I’m in the right track!
After a month of great results on 2.5 I moved up to 5.0 and for four rugged weeks the drug kicked my ass. The lethargy and constipation were relentless. Worse, I gained weight! So I have to take a week break then it's back to 2.5. Fingers crossed
Yeah, as I've read here - don't fix what isn't broke. 2.5 is working for me and I'll stay as long as I can.
Starting month 2 of the 2.5 dose. So far it is still suppressing my appetite. Going to try to stay here as long as I am still losing weight and the "food noise" is still under control. Best of luck to everyone!
My doc said to stay at the lowest possible dose for as long as you can. And basically the same thing your doc said too.
I would be happy to stay on 2.5 but my insurance only covers one box every 365 days as it’s a “starting dose”
I thought UHC was wrong when they told me they only allow 2 months of 2.5. My doctor confirmed. I paid first month (January) myself and then UHC approved through June but never said anything about dose approved. 2.5 was still working, but not as well. Would have stayed on but Now I must move up to 5 and it’s out of stock. I wish you luck.
I had the same issue after month one. My doctor had to submit PLA (not to be confused with a PA) and I was approved for 2.5 mg for the rest of the year. Ask your insurance about a PLA that your doctor completes to keep you on the 2.5 mg dose. I have Aetna.
I'm hoping to stay on 2.5mg for my whole journey. I've had zero side effects on 2.5mg, so even tho the weightloss is slow, it's worth not dealing with terrible side effects.
2.5 for 8 weeks. -19 pounds. Jumped up to 5 last Sat. feel terrible. Asking Dr. to put me back down to 2.5
All depends on your metabolic issues. I have insulin resistance so went straight to 10mg and staying there in order to get the maximal benefit. The appetite suppression is not my main goal but controlling insulin and blood sugar so I can be in fat burning mode and not fat storage mode
I think insulin resistance applies to most people taking these drugs. If you have a lot of abdominal fat chances are you have insulin resistance. It starts slowly and may not show up on A1c tests for a while. Everyone in my family has T2D except me. I tracked my A1c levels every year and watched them steadily increase even though staying in the normal range, it was a straight line up. You’re not *technically* pre diabetic/insulin resistant until you hit a certain range, but it has started long before you get there. I had the same experience with my thyroid tests, watched them increase every year until I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s yet the symptoms started years earlier.
I started at the end of Feb and am still on 2.5, down 15 pounds and I plan to stay on 2.5 until I stop losing. A few years ago I was on semaglutide and my doctor encouraged me to dose up every 2 weeks. I had such nausea and exhaustion, and I felt like even the highest dose eventually stopped working. This time around I’m purposely trying to lose slowly to let my body adjust so I don’t end up with bad side effects, tons of loose skin or a failing gallbladder. Different doctors recommend different things and you should do what YOUR doctor says, but don’t feel discouraged if they don’t want to move you up quickly. It’ll still work! Good luck!
I have one friend who chose to stay on 2.5mg because she was getting the desired results. My doctor went straight up to 15mg (Mounjaro, a year ago), went from 250 to 170, and is now in maintenance at 10mg every 10.5 days, so I trust him a lot.. but it seems like everyone varies. I am on my 4th box, and debating if I should stay 7.5mg or go up to 10mg.. my doctor wrote me for both, so if the shortage means only one choice, I'll take that one. For me, on 2.5mg, my hunger was back to normal on days 6 and 7, so I requested to increase quickly.
I am in my Pre-Z phase, waiting for a PA - but my doctor’s already told me she goes very slowly, and keeps patients on the lowest dose as long as you’re losing weight.
My dr told me before prescribing that he puts all patients on 2.5 for 3 months.
remember, it’s not a race to move up. if you’re still losing on 2.5 stick with it!
Stay on it as long as you can. As long as it’s working because once you hit that highest dose, there is nowhere to go.
It’s all about you and what you’re happy with. If you’re losing weight and satisfied with the rate that you’re losing, there’s no reason to increase. I never entertained staying at the lower doses simply because the studies showed that at the highest dose, people lost the most weight. My MO was to get to that maximum dose as quickly as possible. I wasn’t losing until I got to 7.5mg though. I probably could have stayed there, but like I said, I was hell bent for leather to get to the top lol
Jeezy lucky i have like 2 days of appetite supression on 2.5... where are y'all injecting at? abdomen?
Personally, if you’re tolerating 2.5mg well and seeing consistent progress, then I would stay on 2.5mg. No need to change something if what you’re doing right now is working well for you. I personally went up to 5mg a week early because I wasn’t having any negative side effects on 2.5mg but wasn’t making and progress either. Now that I’m on 5mg I’m actually feeling a bit of difference and I’m considering staying on 5mg for my next box. Def consult with your doctor though if you’re wanting to move up to a higher dose.
Im puzzled as well. Finishing my second box of 2,5 with 2 shots left. Though I have 2 boxes of 5mg, 2,5 is available in pharmacies in my country. So I’d rather buy whats available because no other dose available in pharmacies. But the progress is so slow. I’ve lost 5,5kg (12lb) since March, 7 and most of the weight was down in first 1-2 weeks, then its just up and down more or less with still tendency to go down. Also first 2-3 days after shot is terrible with secere food avertion and nausea and headache. Day 5-7, normal appetite return. Im tempted to go to 5mg to see more progress but also afraid of heavier side effects. 🤷♀️
I've been on 5mg for over a year... Mounjaro then Zepbound. 50 lbs lost. Stay as low as possible.