To stop and restart to lose more

[SurreyisSunny]

I’ve been on MJ for 17 months. I lost 5 stone and was thrilled. I started maintenance last July and successfully kept most of the weight off (i gained about 5-6 pounds). I then felt I went down doses too quickly (I went up to 12.5mg and came down monthly) so went back up to 7.5 for 1 month to see if I could lose a little more. It didn’t work so I accepted my weight. I’m now on 5mg and feel like it’s completely stopped working and I’ve had a stressful time so piled the weight on more. All my new wardrobe is now tight. I’m about 1 stone over my goal.

Ive now decided to stop MJ (took my last golden dose yesterday) and restart. My Q is how long a gap do I need for it to be effective again? 1 month, 2 months? I’d like to shift that stone and possibly a bit more so if I gain again I have more wriggle room

I'm not sure why you want to completely stop and restart? If you are on 5 mg why don't you just go up to 7.5 mg?

I tried to go back up to 7.5mg and it made no difference and I lost no weight although I maintained. Also cost is a factor.

I want to go back to where it really worked and lose 1.5 stone

you would need a min of a month for the drug to leave your system so your likely looking at 2+ months gap

I really wouldn’t stop in your case. I don’t think there is anything to suggest this would work other than a few anecdotes. If you are tapering down and it’s not working then tapering back is logical. Alongside being stricter with food until it becomes easier to be. Perhaps monitor your symptoms and suppression more closely. Is it working some of the week? On higher doses the peaks and troughs are significant and some have (again anecdotally) had more success split dosing more frequently so levels never drop quite as low.

You probably need to give it longer on 7.5mg. As you’re near to your healthy BMI, you’re unlikely to drop weight as quickly as when you started.

Some other posters have said that after stopping MJ and restarting a month or so later, it has stopped working for them, even on the higher doses.

I read alot that second time tound it can take longer to be effective so a break may not work in the way you hope it will

Anecdotally people find it less effective second time round and need to go up to at least their highest dose before it works, and often the one above, as such, although you would restart it is likes several months before it kicks in for you.

that’s why 7.5 didn’t work, you now need 10. If cost is an issue, then I’d do that as it’s way cheaper than what you’re suggesting, which is you will buck the trend and lower doses become effective for you.

in addition in the time off it’s likely you will keep gaining.

mainrwqnce on the drug requires will power and if you’re relying on it to keep you in check then you’re in for a lifetime of higher doses.

Echoing what previous poster has said , the heavier you are the quicker the weight will come off , fact you lost 5 stone indicates you had a lot to lose ( not being rude ), the last few lbs/ stone is always going to be harder .
What is your weight / BMI now ?