Experience with GLP-1s

#1

I’ve started seeing a lot more interest in GLP-1s on the forum so I thought I’d reshare my story and offer my anecdotes for those curious about GLP-1s and their impact on longevity.

In March 2022, I embarked on a transformative weight loss journey, starting at 365 pounds with a height of 6’4".

I am a Type 2 Diabetic and at that time, I had an A1C of 13 (ER Visit was shocking). I recognized the urgent need for change and began taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Over the course of my journey, I lost 150 pounds, bringing my weight down to 215 pounds.

This significant weight loss has not only improved my glycemic control but also significantly reduced my cardiovascular risks, as supported by studies like the SUSTAIN-6 trial and the LEADER trial.

My success with GLP-1 medications also spurred my interest in longevity interventions such as Rapamycin.

Currently, my regimen includes:

Daily:
40MG/5.75 - Telmisartan/HCTZ (Blood Pressure Control)
10MG - Cetirizine (Allergy Relief)
1200MG - Fish Oil (Neuroprotective)
80/10MG - Bempedoic Acid/Ezetimibe (Cholesterol Management)
50MG - Vyvanse (ADHD)

Every Other Day (EOD):
40MG - Testosterone Cypionate (Muscle/Energy) Edited for Clarity
5MG - Cialis (Cardiovascular Health/Sexual Function)

Weekly:
4MG- Sirolimus (Longevity)

Biweekly:
12.5MG - Tirzepatide (Appetite and Blood Glucose Control)

As Needed:
200MG - Celebrex
(Inflammation)100MG/Meal - Acarbose (Blood Glucose Control)

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Peptides + rapa + acarbose
#2

Me @ 365 Lbs.

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Me @ 215lbs

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#3

Thanks for sharing and well done! You look and sound like you are well down the path towards health and longevity, which is a great success story.

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#4

I’d avoid celebrex completely if I were you. Since it’s a COX-2 selective inhibitor it increases cardiovascular risk. If you’re going to take an NSAID you’re probably better off taking one that isn’t selective for COX-2, like naproxen or ibuprofen.

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#5

Appreciate the feedback!

I avoid most antiinflammatories, however when faced with the choice between a COX-1 or COX-2 inhibitor for inflammatory pain, I have to consider the well known gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1s. I avoid the additional stomach upset by using Cobix.

Also, a daily low dose aspirin can help eliminate the cardiovascular risks associated with COX-2 Inhibitors, considering the increase risk in clotting associated with COX-2s.

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#6

@MichGuy12 Awesome. Great story, congrats, and thanks for sharing. GLP1’s are a huge benefit to a large number of people.

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#7

@MichGuy12 congrats on your achievements! I noticed you said you’re taking tirzepatide 12.5mg TWICE weekly, is that correct? If so, that’s a pretty high dose (higher than max approved of 15mg once weekly). Or when you say “biweekly” do you mean “every two weeks”?

Also, what’s been your experience with side effects? Thanks

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#8

CONGRATULATIONS!! You should be very proud of yourself because it’s not easy!

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#9

Sorry for the confusion, it’s biweekly I take it every fourteen days. When I was originally prescribed it, I was taking it weekly. However, once I reached a normal (Actually below normal 4.9 A1C) my physician had me move to once every two weeks.

Sides are almost all gastrointestinal: upset stomach, gas, bloating, diarrhea. I’ve had a few weird sides periodically; Food getting ‘stuck’ in my upper digestive track.

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#10

Great journey. However, instead of taking 12.5 every other week, why don’t you take a smaller dose every week? The half-life is about 5 days. When taking it weekly, your levels will be much more even, and you will have fewer side effects.

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#11

It’s definitely something I’m considering heading into the back half of the year. The shortage from Eli Lilly really played a big factor in spreading out the doses as well.

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#12

Your progress is awesome! Congratulations and nice work!!!

One question, you mentioned you take

I don’t understand that. Are you taking 125 mg total in a week, broken up into multiple small doses? Or are you taking 125 mg each time, on average 3.5 times per week (total = 438 mg/week)? If the second thing, I think that dose might be a dangerously high dose, no?

I think the GLP-1 class of drugs is huge. The data we have is incomplete, but it does look like they reduce heart disease risk, kidney disease, reverse fatty liver, and more, as well as improving glycemic control and reducing weight. For those of us with type 2 diabetes and/or weight to lose, they seem like a true game changer.

Best wishes for continued success on your journey.

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#13

You are correct. I actually break the total dose of 125mg and ‘pin’ every other day.

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#14

Congratulations man. You really did your research and took control of your health because your regimen looks very well thought out. Thanks for sharing this.

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#15

Great job! Very impressive :+1:

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#16

That is a lot of test! Puts you in supraphysiologic T… did you do bloodwork? Is this through a physician or UGL test? No doc would give you that much…

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#17

Hey, great job! I myself lost ~13% body weight on Tirzepatide. Wish it was more :slight_smile: But you get what you get.

That testosterone dose seems a little high. I do think normal testosterone is healthy, but too much or too little can be harmful. Also normalizing blood testosterone levels can take years (based on studies). I’m not quite sure forcing that process to be faster is health promoting. Most studies that show the benefits of testosterone supplementation are with physiological doses like ~100mg/week — not much more. Internet is full of claims like “dose it until you feel your best”. The studies that show benefits don’t quite follow that approach. Given the possibility of harm regarding longevity, I’d be cautious about supra-physiological doses. Best.

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#18

You are correct, that would indeed put me into supraphysiological levels of T. I made an edit to clarify that I pin 40MG/EOD for a weekly total around 125MG/Week.

Since that’s been clarified, :joy:. I’ve used both UGL and Pharma with negligible differences. What it has done is helped me maintain my muscle mass as I’ve lost weight from taking tirzepatide.

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#19

I was pushing 400 Lbs. here.

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#20

218.8 Lbs. this morning.

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