Hi everyone! I started in late February at 196 lbs. After 11 shots, I'm down to 171, which feels like good progress. I'm still taking 2.5 dose. (After 2 boxes, doctor wrote a prescription for 5.0, but I couldn't find a pharmacy with any available, so I got a 3rd box of 2.5). Meeting with my doctor monthly to discuss progress and side effects. Still also taking 500mg metformin 1x daily.

Positives:
- weight loss (slowed but still happening)
- no food noise (epic!!!)
- cholesterol is down 
- blood pressure is down
- inflammation is down 
- I feel full from smaller portions of food
- very few cravings (things I used to love -- like sugary things and fried foods -- aren't as appealing)

Neutral (but notable)
- I take synthroid since I don't have a thyroid, and my TSH level is now way too low (potentially from slower digestion?). Am reducing my dose to try to get back in a healthy range 
- one pen malfunctioned. Contacted Eli Lilly and got a voucher for a replacement. Easy peasy.
- my hands seem to fall asleep easily now so I'm taking vitamin b-12 to help
- I get a lot of mild heartburn which I never had before 

Negatives
- Still quite nauseated. Not all the time and not as severe as when I began (thankfully). It's sudden, and often does lead to vomiting (even if I haven't eaten much). Does not happen same time every week. Feels more random. It's now just "annoying" vs "terrible."
- Still don't have much of an appetite until close to the end of the week. Finding it hard to get enough calories and protein because the thought of eating contributes to nausea. Have purchased protein shakes but hard to get down a whole one in one sitting. If I feel hungry I try to eat immediately because the feeling will change to nausea quickly. I know I need to eat more to lose more weight -- I'm really trying!!! (My body is likely in starvation mode)
- Unbelievably tired all the time. (Could be related to TSH or not enough calories). Usually in bed by like 7pm... Just feel exhausted. Want to exercise to firm up my skin, but the thought of going to a gym or picking up weights feels laughable with my energy level. 
- I have CVS Caremark prescription coverage and it looks like they will stop providing Zepbound in July (or make it super hard to get.) Doctor says Wegovy tends to have more side effects which worries me since I've had a lot of side effects with Zepbound.

Some days, I feel ill and think it's not worth it and I should stop taking this medicine. Other days, I feel fine and think I should definitely move up to 5.0. Neither doctor or I knows whether insurance will continue to cover indefinitely at 2.5... or if they will let me move to 5.0 and then back down to 2.5 if I have more bad side effects at 5.0. (My insurance company made it hard to get in the first place, so I'm treading carefully -- but the great thing is I only pay $25 a box, so it feels like I should continue while I have coverage ...? 🤷🏻)

All thoughts welcomed ... Anyone stayed at 2.5 for a long time? How was your experience/side effects moving up? 
 

Update after 11 shots