u/Gullible_Language358

Please help me understand

Since I started taking this medication five weeks ago (I switched to 4mg for the second month) what I find appetizing has really changed. I used to have a serious sweet tooth, I mean since I was a kid and I’m in my fifties, but that’s really shifted. Now I crave savory foods and really don’t want to eat “empty calories.” I like to get a smoothie with almond butter. I crave miso soup and sushi. I don’t even like electrolyte drinks because I don’t want the sweetness. In the beginning I was eating chocolate protein bars as a snack but now I don’t find that appealing. Now I crave apples and cheese sticks.

I should add that I’ve been dealing with migraines triggered by foods for a good ten years and that’s one reason why I’m taking this medication. The thought of eating a chocolate croissant for breakfast is not appealing at all and I prefer an egg sandwich. I’m still trying to find my equilibrium and I still struggle with nausea sometimes but I’m fascinated by this change.

At this point I can’t see going up to a higher dose. I’m very much feeling the effects of this medication. I had spent the first month on 1.5mg and by the end I was feeling almost nothing. For the last few days on 1.5mg I doubled up my dose while waiting for the new prescription. Now I feel the effects much more. It also seems super subtle in some ways. I don’t get so much of a bloated feeling after eating like I did at the very beginning. I have days where I feel super tired. And if I go for more than four hours without eating my face can feel flush and I get nauseous. When this happens I have to hurry to find something to eat and get myself to slowly eat despite the nausea. Eventually I feel better.

The foods I crave have totally shifted. I used to crave sweets so much more. Now I try to settle my stomach with an apple. Today I sought out miso soup and then sushi from a local Japanese vendor. I like to eat yogurt with honey or I crave kasha.

I stopped counting numbers when it comes to protein and fiber. I still very much focus on making sure they’re a central part of my meals but I don’t track specific numbers and I’m still regular (cough, cough). I drink a ton of water or seltzer with those lime packets. And I have one 24oz green tea/passion fruit herbal tea mix a day with no sweetener (usually from Starbucks). I don’t crave snacks or get food noise but I’m trying to make sure I’m not hungry while keeping a calorie deficit - I find a cheese stick as part of a snack can help. Ok end of my rant, thank you for this sub!

I’ve been on the 1.5 mg dose of my first month. At first I could kind of feel the effects of fullness, the reduction in food noise and a change in what I was craving. But at week three I started to feel very little a the hunger was returning. I asked my pcp to increase the next month’s dosage to 4mg and figured while I’m waiting I’d take the last few days to double the pills to equal 3 mg - and that’s when it hit. I’m on the 2nd day of 3 mg and now I really feel the fullness from eating a small amount - like a half a sandwich. And I make sure to eat again every three to four hours to avoid feeling unwell. I’ll also feel full after eating a snack of just maybe two handfuls of berries.

I’m also taking this mediation to try to help with migraines and today my head has felt really clear 🤞🏼

I’m almost done with my third week on 1.5 mg and this afternoon/late morning I had a bout of crazy nausea and felt flush. It reminded me of being pregnant. I pushed through and found something to eat - some kasha and a bean salad. I sat for a bit on a park bench and ate really slowly. That seemed to help and I was able to feel normal again after that. I’d guess it helped with my blood sugar level. Just wanted to share for others who are struggling. I’m still sorting out how much to eat and when while maintaining a calorie deficit.