Anhedonia and Zepbound Therapy
I have been on Zepbound regularly for 16 months. I am at my goal weight, actually a few pounds below. I was at 230, now 137 pounds, 5'7". This is the first time in my LIFE that I have been at a healthy BMI, even after having gastric sleeve surgery in 2014. I am taking 10mg of Zep every 2 weeks. I pay privately through LD. I also have Hashimoto's and feel like this has greatly reduced my inflammation, joint pain, fatigue and brain fog.
I feel like since having to stop worrying about always eating, or the constant nagging of "working on my weight" I almost feel lost. I have read about how Zep can cause Anhedonia and loss in pleasure as the medication can desensitize the brain's ability to gain benefit from Dopaine, which is our pleasure hormone. There are other circumstances that I feel could be contributing to my feelings such as isolation. I am working far away from home on a locum contract in a town where I know nobody other than my work colleages. I work in health care and cannot just fly home whenever I choose. This is not forever and we are working on some financial goals so there is an end in sight hopefully in the next 8-12 months. I have a trip home planned at the end of June to see my family and I am looking very much forward to that.
I am just very concerned that if I stop the medication (like we all worry about) the weight will return with a vengence, the hunger, the joint pain, fatigue and brain fog will also return making my life miserable. My TPO antibodies (this is autoimmne and attacks the thyroid) actually increased during a time I went down in dose from 10mg to 7.5mg for a period of about 6 weeks. The weight wasn't an issue, it remained pretty stable. It really was just the way my body felt. I work in healthcare and have also read recently about Saffron, L-Theanine and other supplements that can help the brain's ability to better receive Dopamine. I'm already taking Magnesium Glycinate for sleep which works great. I am also on Levothyroxine, Progesterone and Estrogen patches as well. My vitamin D levels are great. I wish I had more training in functional medicine.
Has anyone taken a Zepbound break? What was your experience? Has anyone tried combating the side effects? If so what did you take? COULD this just be situational? I have no thoughts of self harm, or harm to others. I just need to find and feel joy. I have so much to be thankful for and it feels terrible to just feel gray.. All. The. Time.
Thanks for reading and I appreciate your input.
Eeyore ~ oh bother