I want to provide a counterpoint to the overwhelmingly positive stories. Tirzepatide did not work for me, not because it was ineffective — it worked too well on my GI system.
2.5mg was fine. Mild nausea, nothing dramatic. I lost 4 lbs in the first month.
5mg was tolerable. Nausea increased, definitely felt "off" for 2 days after each injection. The appetite suppression was noticeable and welcome. Lost another 8 lbs over the next 4 weeks. The sulfur burps were constant and mortifying — I work in a shared office.
7.5mg broke me. The first injection at this dose triggered nausea that did not stop for five days. I could not eat anything without feeling like I was going to vomit. I actually did vomit twice, both times after trying to eat a normal meal (normal for me at that point being half a chicken breast and some rice). The constipation became severe — I went six days without a bowel movement despite drinking water constantly and taking fiber supplements. I felt weak, dizzy, and exhausted.
My doctor prescribed ondansetron for the nausea, which helped somewhat, but I was essentially taking one medication to manage the side effects of another. She suggested dropping back to 5mg and staying there, which I did for two more weeks. But even back at 5mg, the GI issues persisted at a level I was not willing to live with.
I lost 18 lbs total over three months. I have gained back 7 since stopping. My doctor and I are discussing other options.
I am not anti-tirzepatide. It clearly works extraordinarily well for many people. But the narrative that the side effects are "just a little nausea that goes away" is incomplete. For some of us, the GI effects are severe, persistent, and quality-of-life-destroying. If you are considering this medication, be prepared for the possibility that your body may not tolerate it, and know that stopping is a valid choice.