u/Significant_Cost_269

I am 45. Perimenopausal. On HRT. Have PCOS but without insulin resistance. I do not have high blood sugar. I do not have a gallbladder. And I’m obese. I’m tired of being fat. I’d like ONE picture of me before I die that I’m not ashamed of. So I decided to take the risk and order compounded tirzepatide. I ordered from a licensed pharmacy and was prescribed by a virtual doctor. I personally know people who have ordered from this provider and they’ve been successful. I can’t afford the “good” stuff and my insurance won’t pay for it. It was delivered today.

Honestly, I’m terrified. I read the posts where people list all the potential terrible side effects like blindness, colostomy bags, etc. My husband was very vocal about not wanting me to do it due to those side effects. I decided not to tell him. I’ve never lied to that sweet man who has never made me feel anything less than beautiful. But I own a mirror and quite frankly, the man is delusional. So I hid the vials in a baking soda box in the fridge. I really hope he doesn’t decide for the very first time in his life to clean out the fridge. I did tell my two best friends so if it kills me they can give the medical examiner a place to start. I also told them where I hid it, so the vials could be tested if something happens.

I’ve never been a risk taker. My mind has always played out every possible scenario prior to me making a decision and I always make the safe choice. So this is very out of character for me. I just don’t want to be very fat anymore. I don’t want to be skinny. Just less fat. One picture. I know that’s stupid.

I’m hoping if you’ve read this far, you will please give me some advice.

1. What day of the week do you take your shot to minimize the impact of potential side effects to your work life? I’m a kindergarten teacher. I don’t want to be scaring them if I’m running to the bathroom throwing up. They’ll hear me. The bathroom is in our classroom. They also deserve an engaged teacher who doesn’t feel bad all the time from a medicine she chose to take. What day would you suggest I take it? Unfortunately, I was unable to have kids so I do not have someone at home at night or the weekend depending on me for everything. Just my husband and two very spoiled dogs. If that makes a difference in when I take it (work interference vs home interference. I would prefer home for the benefit of my little kinders).

2. How many of you split doses to minimize side effects? Do you still see results? What days do you do the split doses? I’m not necessarily interested in fast weight loss, I’d be okay with slow and steady especially if it helps not have so much loose skin. My hope is 75 pounds. I’d be very happy with that as that was my college weight and I was about a size 10, occasionally an 8 or a 12 depending on the brand.

3. What time do you recommend doing the shot(s)? Is there a difference between AM/PM? Then more specifically, is it better to take before a meal? After a meal?

4. What other advice do you have for minimizing side effects? I’ve read vitamins and protein help. What specifically worked for you? This is what I’ve come up with based on six months worth of researching about these shots:
   *In an attempt to be proactive rather than reactive, I did ask for and received a prescription of Zofran (generic) with my delivery. I wish it had been the dissolving kind versus the pill but it is what it is.
   *I started drinking Ensure yesterday with 30 grams of protein per bottle. I was planning to drink one for breakfast and one for lunch. They have a pretty good random vitamin and mineral assortment.
   *I bought yogurts with 20 grams of protein and protein granola to supplement the breakfast shake. I usually eat between 6:30-7 am.
   *I rarely have time to eat at all at work because in my 25 minute lunch time after getting 25 kids through the line, sat down and helping open everything in their lunchboxes and on their trays, it’s time to leave. Eating in our classrooms is frowned upon. That’s why I thought of the shakes. I could maybe choke down a yogurt real fast in the cafeteria if absolutely necessary. We go to lunch at 10:20. Yes, 10:20.
   *At dinner I’m at a loss because honestly I’m picky. My husband is shockingly way more picky so we rarely eat the same thing.
   *I plan to order fiber supplements if anyone has any suggestions.
   *I know I need to stay super hydrated.
   *I have collagen powder. Is this helpful?
   *I was going to order hair skin and nails vitamins as a preemptive strike against hair loss. Helpful?
   *Due to taking 200 mg daily Spironolactone for PCOS symptoms, I do have to limit my potassium and magnesium intake as it is a potassium sparing drug which also makes me hold on to magnesium. My hope is that I can lose weight and it makes my PCOS symptoms subside and I can go off the Spironolactone or at least reduce it significantly. Yes, I am aware it is now called PMOS but I used PCOS for those who may not know. Please don’t yell at me about that.
   *Any other suggestions?

5. If I can lose weight, has anyone else found a way to mitigate loose skin? I know I’m old and my skin has been stretched but I cannot afford skin removal surgery on my salary. I’m hoping increasing protein, collagen and some light to moderate weight lifting may help. Any advice on that?

Thank you to anyone who read this far. I know it’s a lot. I know it’s my fault that I’m in this situation and needing to take such drastic measures. I am not oblivious to that.

Please don’t be mean to me. I’m just scared and hoping for some kind people to give some advice. As I mentioned above, I am the furthest thing from a risk taker and it’s hard for me to do this. But if I am going to jump off a cliff for the first time, I want to still be safe about it and be well informed. I just thought people that have taken it and lived to tell the tale might make it a little less scary.

Thank you.

So last Septemberish, I started Spironolactone (200 mg) for Hirsutism. It hasn’t really helped but I’m praying for a miracle so I keep taking it.

Then on like April 3 I think, I started 0.5 Estradiol patches + 100mg progesterone. I had a period around like April 22 and I haven’t had one since. Does this usually cause periods to stop? I turned 45 in March. The progesterone was upped to 200mg two weeks ago. I had a period every 4 weeks like clock work from the time I was eleven years old prior to starting HRT.

I’ve never had the privilege of giving birth to a child. I had two miscarriages around 9 weeks, one at 12 weeks and a ruptured ectopic pregnancy that almost killed me. All of these occurred within two and a half years beginning at age 41.

I also take 1000 vitamin D a day due to severe deficiency. A baby aspirin each day. I also have a prescription for Ambien but I don’t really take it that much because it doesn’t help my insomnia. I also started Adderall two weeks ago. It has helped my focus tremendously.

My point with all this was to give a full picture to see if anyone else had their period stop completely after a short time on HRT. Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences!

I’ve had hirsutism for about fifteen years. I did laser removal about a year after it started. It did nothing. If I don’t shave, I can grow a full beard (sideburns, chin, entire neck) in about three days. A full beard with thick black hairs. My head hair is naturally dark blonde! If I shave in the morning, I have a three o’clock shadow. I’ve tried changing my diet, losing weight, metformin, over the counter supplements, creams, and at home laser hair kit. I’ve had my blood tested a thousand times and the testosterone and androgens are on the high side of normal but still within the normal range. I finally started Spironolactone about seven months ago. 100 mg. Went back after six months. No change. Not even a little. Coincidentally because of my age (45 now) and suspected to be in perimenopause I began HRT with 0.05 estradiol patches and progesterone. I got bumped up to 200 mg of Spiro at the same time. It’s been four weeks now on these three and nada. No slowing. No lighter or softer hair. I take 100 mg Spiro in the morning and 100mg at night to keep it in my system. My doctor thinks my PCOS diagnosis could be incorrect due to my always having my period like clock work each month and an average blood sugar of about 80. Where I live it’s impossible to get in with an endocrinologist so I’m having to use my PCP. She’s great and she listens and she researches for me. If it’s not PCOS related, what the hell is causing this? We checked my cortisol and it was normal as well. All I want is to get up and not have to shave every morning or be able to be comfortable with my husband kissing my neck. Does anyone have any advice or been in a similar situation? Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.