u/_tanstafl

My mom is deep into the Q world. For the past 5 years or so, I’ve noticed she spends most of her time on Telegram. I don’t believe she watches TV or goes on other social media anymore.

Usually, when I come to her house, she has some sort of live streaming running from her phone. She mutes it when I arrive. However, I see constant notifications popping up from usernames such as “SuperQ” and other “patriotic” names.

She says it’s not all political - she’s “learning so much about so many things, like finance and investing!” (I’ve been financially supporting her for years, and she’s currently filing for bankruptcy, so this is more than frustrating to hear.) She also refers to her “friends,” who I think are actual people she’s talking to on the app.

I’ve never gone through the app on her phone - I’ve only seen glimpses from notifications or times when she’s accidentally left it open on the counter. Does anyone know what this is? Is this a paid service? I’d love to hear from someone who’s done a deeper dive!

ETA: I’m generally familiar with the Telegram app from what I’ve read online, but I am hoping someone can give me more insights about this channel (not sure if that’s the correct terminology). I’d also just love to know I’m not alone!

I’m 3 weeks into my tirzepatide journey (taking my 4th shot tomorrow), and I’m feeling great! I’m less inflamed and more life-focused, which is the dream. I’ve been out of town for the last week, so I haven’t weighed myself in a while, but I know I’ve lost weight (around 5ish lbs). I was soooo much more present on this vacation than I’ve been in years. I already feel more like myself, which is what I wanted!

However, I am starting to get anxious about what to say when my friends start noticing the weight loss. GLP-1s are a hot topic of conversation in my friend group. Everyone has an opinion. Some think they are “cheats,” and others are secretly doing them. A couple friends are openly on them because they are obese.

In particular, one of my best friends has lost 50+ lbs on tirzepatide. Watching her journey and seeing the food freedom she’s experienced over the last few years was a big reason I started looking into it. However, I’ve heard her complain about girls who are “already skinny” taking it. Especially people who are lying about it or not disclosing it. She has also expressed jealousy of my body, which she considers “skinny.” (For reference, my BMI has fluctuated as low as 21 and as high as 28 over the last 20 years, and it was around 25 when I started GLP-1.)

One of my other best friends went on a rant yesterday about all the public figures that are on GLP-1s to chase skinny, and how it’s sad that people aren’t happy with their bodies as they are. However, she’s never been overweight.

Neither of them know I started microdosing GLP-1. I feel like I’m living a lie. It’s frustrating to feel so much better in my body while also feeling shame for using medication. I’m judging myself, too.

How is everyone navigating these situations with friends/family when they start to notice the weight loss? Are you telling them?

(And yes, I know I’m a grown up and can do what I want, but it doesn’t change the fear. I know I’m not alone! Just looking to hear from people who can relate.)

I’m about to start my micro-dosing journey today (I posted earlier this week). In addition to anti-inflammatory benefits, I’m hoping to experience a reduction in my body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). In particular, I’ve been a skin picker and cheek biter since I was very young (my first memories of this behavior are around 3 years old).

I received a few comments on this topic, so I decided to make a separate post.

I’ve been following some anecdotal evidence that GLP-1 may help with BFRBs, and it looks like there’s at least one ongoing study to measure the effects of GLP-1 on hair pulling (trichotillomania). However, there isn’t a ton of scientific evidence on the topic at this point.

Has anyone in this group has noticed an effect on their compulsive behaviors (such as skin picking) since they started GLP-1? I’d love to hear your experience!

UPDATE: it’s been about 24 hours since my first dose, and I’m noticing an increased desire to pick right now. Funny, I think it might be my brain telling me that I need to do it all now before the desire goes away. I am also trying to get through a tough work project. We’ll see if this gets better tomorrow!

I am excited to start Tirz after months of arguing with myself about whether this is “cheating” or lazy. I’ve struggled with 30-lb weight fluctuations and food noise since I was a child, and I’ve also dealt with other harmful habits resulting from mind chatter, including skin picking and cheek biting. I finally decided that it was time to seek some help, and I’m hopeful this may give me some relief.

Anyway, I’m a 34F, 5’1”, 134lbs. I met with a functional medicine doctor today who prescribed me a starting weekly dose of 2.0mg. I’m considering whether I should start even lower - like 1.0mg.

Is it hard to decrease the dose once you get started?

I don’t want to start too high if I can achieve my goals with a lower dose, but she seems to think 2.0mg was a microdose.

Also, if anyone has seen a reduction in skin picking or other body-focused repetitive behaviors after starting this medication, I’d love to hear it!