Every 6 days?

[Tovetov]

Does anyone jab every six days rather than weekly? I'm on my second 2.5 pen, excellent suppression, no side effects and steady weightloss, but on the last two days before my injection is due each week the suppression has worn off noticeably.

So rather than increase my dose to 5 I'm wondering if I can stay on 2.5 and increase the frequency to every six days. Does anyone have any experience of doing this please? Or advice about why it's not a sensible idea. Thanks.

I'm doing 5 every 5 days just now. This is the equivalent of 7mg per week.

Doing 2.5 mg every 6 days is equivalent to 2.91mg per week. Every 5 days is equivalent to 3.5mg per week.

You can do it although it's at your own risk.

Thanks @gallivantsaregood Are you doing it because your appetite suppression wears off before a full week?

It is completely normal for suppression to come and go. Try not to rely on it so heavily, for some people the suppression disappears after 2-3 months, but it is still working on their blood sugar and cravings and is enough to support staying in a calorie deficit.

I wouldn’t be considering injecting more frequently on a regular basis when you don’t know the risks around that.

Thanks @NoTouch, that's interesting. I'm just worried that each week I could start undoing, on days 6 and 7, all the progress I make on the previous 5 days. It's requiring a lot, I mean a real lot, of willpower not to overeat on the day or sometimes two before my injection, I also crave unhealthy food that day. I don't have willpower, or much ability to deny myself food (hence being obese!). The 2.5 jab works wonderfully for 5 days.

I'm a year in, I've always tweaked the dose and jab days. Increased dose around period, every 4 days on lower doses, then splitting higher doses etc. All worked out fine no issues and went from 16.7 stone to 10.7 stone.

@Tovetov mostly because the anti-inflammatory effects were wearing off tbh. My old arthritic hands were getting very sore.

Can you not use the time when your appetite is suppressed to learn new habits? How will you ever come off it if you’re so reliant on it to stop you over eating?

It is not unusual what you are feeling. We all remember than initial intense suppression. For most it doesn't last as you body gets used to the medication, you can increase dose/cost, but even at 15mg it wears off eventually for some

No one knows if injecting regularly more frequently over stimulates your receptors making the medication less effective over time, or if it over stimulates your gallbladder, pancreas or other organs increasing risk of uncommon, but more serious, side effects because it has not been trialled that way. You would be doing this without medical oversight. Why take the risk?

Or hold off being an armchair pharmacist, and try to build the habits and patterns of eating in the first 5 days of the week, high protein, fiber, minimal UPFs/sugar/sweetener, food you need to properly chew will all help with those cravings. Keep the cupboards free of food you crave and snack on (difficult this time of year) and the fridge full of protein for snacking (roast chicken, hard boiled eggs) and eat those first. Stay well hydrated.

Look at calorie cycling so you stay in deficit over the week. I have a well chosen takeaway towards the end of my week - smaller portion, but still have and enjoy it guilt free as I know I am within my deficit over the week.

No one said it would be easy, and it isn't, but think long term how medicated weight loss and eventually maintenance should look - relying on it 100% imo (obviously others will have their own opinions, you need to build your own) will not bring long term success.

@morningtrain why would I come off it? If not being overweight was as straightforward as 'learning new habits' these injections wouldn't be necessary!

@NoTouch thank you, you've given me interesting and serious things to consider there. My eating over the first five days is effortlessly sane - balanced, healthy real food, plenty of protein and fibre, lots of water too. It feel miraculous. And I live alone so it's easy not to have UPFs etc in. But the last couple of days it's really hard, just like the struggling of being on 'a diet'.

But I'm only on 2.5 so maybe it'll last the full week if I move up. You're right, best try that first rather than make my own rules this early!

It does have a 5 day half life so until you get to an optimal dose that may last longer, it's quite common to feel hungrier on the last few days. Drinking more water and eating more protein will help satiety and keep you fuller for longer. I've moved to wegovy and it has a 7 day half life so lasts all week long. I get super strong suppression and satiety on 1.7mg.

It builds up in your system so taking 5mg would mean there is more in your system on day 6 and 7. If you use the shotsy app you can put your jab dates and doses in and see how it works.