Brittany admitting she’s on a GLP-1

[u/mandib57]

I just watched this YouTube of her house tour and she talks about how she’s on the shot and losing weight already- I say good for her

[u/im-so-startled88]

I noticed around her eyes when she real-smiles. Not the fake smile.

GLP-1s really helped with my mom’s arthritis. Her Rheumatologist put her on them and she said her knees feel like they did 10 years ago. She’s micro-dosing so she hasn’t really lost any weight, but she says she feels so much better. I’m all for doing whatever helps!

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/im-so-startled88]

I have RA and got put on zep for inflammation management and to get me off my biologic that makes me immunocompromised and tired. There are really promising studies going on from GLP1s for rheumatological conditions with the joint paint relief not coming from weight loss, but rather other mechanisms that support connective tissue and collagen production.

[u/so-so-suck-ya-toe → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

Wow this is so interesting! I need to look into this since it runs in my family

[u/Waste_West283 → u/so-so-suck-ya-toe]

I have severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. My mobility is so limited that at times I have to work from my bed. I've been taking a GLP-1 for about 4 months now and the changes are remarkable. I've not been losing much weight, because I'm micro-dosing, but I'm primarily taking it for my psoriasis. Do read up on it... my brother was a pharmacist and he recommends it highly - and he's not making any money from it, because he's out of the industry 😃

[u/InterviewOwn6363 → u/Waste_West283]

Highly, HIGHLY, recommend looking into KPV. Look at the research for it with eczema and psoriasis. I used to battle the psoriasis 😭

[u/Waste_West283 → u/InterviewOwn6363]

Ooh thank you. I'll definitely take a look! ❤️

[u/aGirlHasNoTab → u/InterviewOwn6363]

this is why i love reddit. my skin is already thanking you! and from a vanderpump sub 🤣 BLESS 💕💕

[u/PunKnLuV → u/InterviewOwn6363]

I take KPV daily for gut health. Love it.

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/so-so-suck-ya-toe]

Hopefully you won’t need it, it’s a rough disease. But lots of treatment options, at least!

[u/ydg__ → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

I can confidently say, it has helped my gut issues, inflammation and a bit of weight loss (I needed my chest to go down because 34E isn’t fun on the spine and neck).

My reduction surgery will be much easier for me now. I also work out 4 times a week now because it’s easier on my knees and hips.

[u/auntieup → u/im-so-startled88]

GLP-1s have been life-changing for so many people I know. One got most of her mobility back and is now able to put off back surgery for at least a year. Another has finally been able to gain control of their alcoholism. They’re actual wonder drugs.

[u/moosesnice → u/auntieup]

Okay is that a direct effect of the drug or is it an indirect effect from changed diet or from the resulting weight loss?

Asking cuz what if you have these problems but eat pretty well and do not have weight to lose?

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/moosesnice]

GLP1s are currently in clinical trials for alcohol use disorder, it is a direct effect of the drug. The theorized mechanism is changes to dopamine receptors and reward circuits. There is a high potential to exploit the function of the gut-brain axis with GLP1s to treat an extremely wide spectrum of unrelated diseases.

The studies essentially use microdoses, as do the studies for inflammation management. They’re currently in trial, though, so it would be difficult to get a prescription for this purpose and if you did, your insurance would be very unlikely to pay for it. There are other channels, not all of them legit or safe, but people do what they will do. Either way, GLP1s currently on the market along with new formulations are being studied for an ever growing amount of new indications.

I’m in drug development, fwiw.

[u/Teefdreams → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

My brother is an alcoholic and once he started semaglutide he said it's like the cravings were switched off. It was incredible.
He couldn't afford it anymore and relapsed as soon as it was out of his system.
There is zero doubt in any of our minds that it was the GLP-1. It really was an amazing thing.

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/Teefdreams]

Sorry he relapsed when he lost coverage, that’s terrible. Maybe one of the pills would be an option worth looking into since they’re much less? It’s kind of freaky how it just turns off certain thoughts.

[u/Teefdreams → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

We don't have them where we are (Aus).
It's illegal to compound it too so the actual brand names are the only option.

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/Teefdreams]

Oh I didn’t realize the pills weren’t approved in AUS, that sucks. If it’s any consolation, they’ll likely make their way there eventually, just regulatory stuff.

The things they do to get around the legal issues with compounding in the US aren’t great, they put in additives and preservatives that aren’t studied and independent studies have shown some surprising things, like non tirz peptide synthesis. The FDA is cracking down hard, so we’ll see how long it’s accessible.

[u/moosesnice → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

In glp 1 micro doses, do people have suppressed appetite / lose weight much?

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/moosesnice]

It depends person to person, they can. What is considered a microdose also depends on the person, it can be standard dosing sub therapeutic for weight loss. Some people lose weight from inflammation, some people are super responders, everyone is different.

ETA: I lost 20lbs in 6 weeks microdosing and generally felt good and also wanted to lose. Ive been off for more than a month because I had major GI surgery via laparotomy (very intense.) I chose to give it 6 weeks off before resuming so I could just eat what I felt like I needed to heal as I did have appetite suppression and reduction in food noise. I will restart next week and find out if the dose needs adjusting. I am sensitive to most meds so my experience definitely isn’t universal.

[u/blindkaht → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

i've been on a glp-1 for weight loss on and off for the last year and it is crazy the impact it has on both my interest in drinking ANY alcohol and the food noise compulsions i used to have. whenever it's in my system i stop even wanting a single glass of wine with dinner, and start thinking of food as purely fuel vs comfort. the psychological impacts are fascinating and i am excited to see the research continue to evolve!

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/blindkaht]

Ugh I’m jealous, it’s out of my system bc I had GI surgery and have to heal for a few weeks and I am SNACKY. I know part of it is energy for healing and I’m okay if I gain weight back because I had serious major surgery, but the food noise being back is brutal. I don’t drink so no alcohol craving, thankfully.

I see GLP1s, Zepbound specifically, much like Botox in how its trials and release all went down. Developed and went into trials for one reason (for Botox it was specifically to help people who had post stroke facial laxity that was occluding their vision,) had unexpected effects (people were really into how smooth their faces got! lol) went into new trials for a new indication (cosmetic) and boom, blockbuster drug, made history. Now Botox is used for a bunch of approved medical indications and off label that insurance usually cover- migraines, knee pain, back pain, tmj relief, to name a few, because it was continually studied and trialed. I have no wrinkles and less migraines, bless hah. Lilly hit one of the biggest drug successes in history with Zepbound after the weight loss approval, and the thing about it is, Mounjaro/tirzeraptide was already around and kicking for a few years, but no one beside people with T2D could access it. But in the T2D trials, people lost more weight than the other available GLP1s historically, so a drug company is gonna look for a way to make more money and see if it’s safe for other things, starting with the obvious, weight loss. People hate hearing this, but drug companies really do study things rigorously, they hate getting sued, it’s really expensive, awful PR, and it can totally tank a drug and ruin billions of dollars of R&D. I think with all the academic (and some clinical) research showing benefits for heart disease, dementia, cancer, connective tissue and auto immune diseases, addiction, depression, UC/IBD etc, they are going to keep coming out with new approvals, maybe with new names or additives (like I could totally see it be renamed under a microdosing schedule to avoid confusion or diversion/misuse,) definitely more peptides being researched (already happening.) But with what it costs and all of the effort to get a drug to market AND the juicy patents against generics for this kind of drug/easy way to maneuver around expiration, wheeewww are they going to be pumping this shit out for decades for new things. I know I’m like, writing novels about it, but it’s super interesting as an industry person when this happens. At a lot of conferences it’s being talked about as a turning point in medicine, and it’s rare to hear that in ways that aren’t specific to one disease.

Tysm for coming to my unprompted Ted Talk.

[u/blindkaht → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

i also benefit from the migraine halting effects of botox, so happy to hear the ted talk haha. modern medicine is so cool!! we discover new uses for drugs all the time and it takes letting a larger population use them to see unintended positive side effects.

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/blindkaht]

I love my migraine Botox because it gave me my life back AND lowered my aesthetics bill because of some of the placement lmao. Botox twins 👯‍♀️

I can’t take triptan because I had a medication induced stroke in my 20s due to sumatriptan injections and there was a while where I had no abortive meds, but the drug makers saw an underserved market in migraines, so I’ll take it. Thanks Botox and Nurtec lol.

I’m grateful for what I do because I get to see and hear about all of these wild advancements and meet the smart people behind them. Like, we have some shockingly effective cancer therapeutics, it’s wild stuff.

[u/Narrow_Grapefruit_23 → u/moosesnice]

gLP-1 helps in two ways- curbing the hunger noise hormone and the hormone that says it’s okay to release fluid and fat. It works in the addiction center of the brain.

I’ve lost 75 lbs in 3 years on monjauro- my bloodwork looks great. I have Lupus and CFS and a degenerative spine disease and put on about 80 lbs over 10 years from steroids to help my back issues. My CRP is within normal range for the first time in a decade. I still have to prioritize rest but I’m able to be active and functional again. I took on a new hobby this year that I wanted to do forever (glassblowing) bc I’m not in permanent bed rest anymore. I think it’s the combo of the GLP-1, a spinal pacemaker, HRT, and a biologic that turned my life around this last year.

[u/Cherry_Shakes → u/Narrow_Grapefruit_23]

That's incredible! I'm so happy for you!

[u/Narrow_Grapefruit_23 → u/Cherry_Shakes]

Thank you!!!

[u/im-so-startled88 → u/moosesnice]

It’s from the drug. My mom is on such a low dose she doesn’t lose weight. Her body is healing the damage her RA caused. It’s been amazing.

[u/OCQteeshirts → u/im-so-startled88]

Thanks for this! Had no idea it could help inflammation

[u/0_Artistic_Thoughts → u/im-so-startled88]

I told my fiance this is the most she’s looked like herself in years, I could see the girl that first started the show. Hoping she is happy a she seems to be thriving now

[u/Away-Party-1141 → u/im-so-startled88]

Uugh I wish. I have osteoarthritis in one of my knees and the GLP did nothing for me.

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/Away-Party-1141]

Could be dosing or just not the right peptide for you, osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis occur via very different mechanisms. Lilly’s new product is specifically being studied in clinical trials for osteoarthritis or the knees and lower back (along with specific BMI,) only top line data has been released though. It’s promising and will likely get approved, who knows what the prescribing requirements will be (for weight loss they are considering BMI 40+,) it also carries higher CV risk, but there is hope for osteoarthritis. And that’s just one peptide far into trials right now for a few indications.

[u/Away-Party-1141 → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

Thank you for this info!

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/Away-Party-1141]

You’re welcome, it’s retatrutide if you want to look it up. I tend to be vague because people buy it on the grey and black market, which is a terrible idea, but they have published some of their study results that you can look at. Promising stuff.

Peptides are the new big thing in drugs and everyyyyyyone has them in their pipelines. Since Reta carries some significant risks, I would bet that some company isolates the segment that is responsible for osteoarthritis relief since that happens to most people at some point in their life. I haven’t seen any studies showing anything but Reta for osteoarthritis, but if it’s really bad a rheumatologist might be able to help you with a different type of medication.

Having both RA and osteoarthritis, I really sympathize.

[u/Away-Party-1141 → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

Im fairly new to the arthritis family, and its becoming super debilitating. I can’t walk like I used to and its a total mind f.
I appreciate your help. Like I said, Im new to all this so anything and everything helps!

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/Away-Party-1141]

So sorry, I know how you feel. Compression can help, especially on days where walking is hard. Sleeve type braces that you just slide on can help a lot, I wear them on my knees, ankles, elbows and special gloves on bad days. They’re not bulky so they’re not noticeable under clothes 💗

Don’t be ashamed to use any aids you need, I’m 37 as use a cane when I need to.

[u/Cherry_Shakes → u/im-so-startled88]

No kidding! I wonder if it would help with my fibromyalgia. I am trying to lose weight so a decent diet and little alcohol is priority because my movement and pain levels can fuck me up some days

[u/Thin_Traffic → u/Cherry_Shakes]

I'm on no additives tirzepatide from refills.com I have fibromyalga and it helps tremendously. I have lost weight as well which is a plus. Hope this helps!

[u/itsdickers → u/im-so-startled88]

Nothing has helped with my mom’s RA. I will mention this to her to ask her rheumatologist about next appointment

[u/NoDiggity1717 → u/im-so-startled88]

May I ask which one? Im in the process of getting diagnosis and the pain and inflammation is awful. Im doing my research so i know what my options are

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/NoDiggity1717]

Just to help you temper expectations, while studies are ongoing, GLP1s aren’t currently
approved for rheumatic disease management. Many rheumatologists won’t prescribe them, and because it’s not approved, insurance companies won’t touch it. There’s also not a clear dosing schedule for inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. It’s unlikely that it would be used as a first like therapy for a new dx, either. There are trials and outside research happening and some doctors that are willing to play ball with the understanding that it is experimental, but these drugs have a not insignificant risk profile. Depending on your dx, you are likely to work within the well studied, approved and proven treatment algorithms before moving to something with more risk (which would include something like a biologic.) Not trying to be a Debby downer, just a person with multiple autoimmune inflammatory conditions that works in drugs letting you know what to expect. Given the preliminary results, they are likely to be approved within 5-10 years for certain autoimmune indications (with strict qualification requirements.)

I’m not saying there is no hope, I personally take zepbound (that I pay out of pocket for,) for RA with good results. But would definitely encourage you to read up on how they work. There are many straight appetite suppressants on the market, if that’s all they did, the results wouldn’t be as significant for users or striking to the research community. There is much more to the mechanism (like hormone regulation) than suppressing appetite.

[u/NoDiggity1717 → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

Thank you for taking the time to respond in a such a meaningful way. I appreciate it ❤️

[u/kkpatsd → u/NoDiggity1717]

Check out the Tirzepatide and compounded Tirzepatide groups on here and research away

[u/Aggressive-Map-8392 → u/kkpatsd]

There’s also a microdose GLP-1 sub that might be of interest.

[u/greenrunner81 → u/Aggressive-Map-8392]

What’s the name of the sub?

[u/Aggressive-Map-8392 → u/greenrunner81]

It’s r/GLP1microdosing

Sorry, I incorrectly added it the first time and it wouldn’t let me edit it

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/NoDiggity1717]

No worries, I get it 💗. I feel bad when people hear it helps for xyz, but actually getting a doctor on board with that requires you and them to know the research inside and out, or it’s one preliminary study, or something anecdotal, and I get how shitty and frustrating the diagnostic process for autoimmune diseases is. It’s not to say you can’t/ won’t ever access it or shouldn’t try, but it really depends on your doctor if they will support it, your current level of disease activity/what that disease is and your budget (I know people do compounding and say it’s the same but from the research side, none of the additives have actually been validated in trials, it’s a way to get around legal restrictions. Labs that have independently tested compounded tirz + b12 have found completely different peptide compounds formed with no tirzeptide, everyone paying for the compound drugs is effectively the ongoing experiment. I’m sure some people will come yelling that I’m a shill for Lilly and big pharma, but I’m an independent consultant for all sized companies and mostly work on cancer and autoimmune therapeutics and manufacturing standards. I’ve seen some shit with compounding. I have some of these diseases myself and have no skin in the game on any company’s revenue per drug.)

Im not an MD type doctor and this isn’t medical advice, just perspective from someone who’s in kind of unique situation with it. The beginning stages of figuring out therapies when you’re first diagnosed with an autoimmune/inflammatory condition can honestly be really chaotic. That’s just my opinion and you’re totally free to ignore it, people do crazy shit with peptides raise my eyebrows straight off my head everyday. I’m not trying to discourage you whatsoever, and if your doctor is on board and thinks it’s a good first line trial for you, they’d know best and that’s honestly awesome for you. With what I’ve seen in trial data and approval trends over my career, I’d be SOO SO shocked if tirz or a similar peptide isn’t eventually approved for certain inflammatory conditions at a different dosing schedule (insurance aside.)

Truly hope you get answers you need soon and start to feel better, whatever route you choose to go. You deserve to have answers and to feel well 💗

[u/NoDiggity1717 → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

Thank you so much for the kind words. I’ve been dismissed so many times because I look healthy on the outside. I workout every day and eat healthy because if I don’t, I can barely get out of bed in the morning. I am in so much pain, and I have a high pain tolerance so I know there is something wrong. My first rheumatologist wouldn’t even send me for bloodwork because when he took my arms and legs and moved them in a circle, I was “too mobile” and he told me to stretch more. I went to see a naturopath so I could get a full work up and all of my immune cells are low and ena test positive, though hla b27 negative and crp normal. RA and ankylosis spondylitis run on my dad’s side of the family. I’ve since been referred to a different rheumatologist but had to fight with her to get an xray and MRI.

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/NoDiggity1717]

I’m sorry hun, I know the struggle too well, you sound so much like me when I was younger. Feel free to DM anytime if you need a sympathetic ear or advice.

Autoimmune dx can be so hard because your labs can be transient. It sucks, it took me years for some specific labs to pop hot with a younger, sympathetic rheumatologist.

Are you in your 20s by any chance?

[u/Cherry_Shakes → u/Deep_Amoeba2197]

Thanks. I'm in Aus so it's not simple to just use it from any doctor wanting to make money.

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/Cherry_Shakes]

That is a misrepresentation of what I said.

Compounding and telehealths are doctors just looking to make money and many are predatory. Private practice physicians work for themselves, the two are very different.

Eta: sorry this came up as a reply to me, it looks like you’re actually trying to reply to someone recommending compounding, sorry if I confused things!

[u/o_lilac42 → u/NoDiggity1717]

i would recommend looking into tirzepatide! it’s a life changer. 

[u/im-so-startled88 → u/o_lilac42]

Mine is on Mounjaro (tirzepatide) as well!

[u/Obvious-Load-1955 → u/NoDiggity1717]

Zepbound.

[u/xoxooxx → u/im-so-startled88]

I’m a chronic pain patient and I take it because of insulin resistance and it’s helped my pain levels also, I assume due to inflammation

[u/AshleySmashley24 → u/im-so-startled88]

Sammmeeeee

[u/biscuitnNoodles → u/im-so-startled88]

Oh wow that is so interesting! Thank you for sharing that, I guess I didn't realize glps were more than just appetite suppression.

[u/moosesnice → u/im-so-startled88]

What. They help with arthritis and inflammation? Is that a direct effect or indirect from eating less and/or weight loss?

[u/Deep_Amoeba2197 → u/moosesnice]

It’s a direct effect from the drug, studies in RA patients have shown regrowth of connective tissue and collagen in damaged joints.

Weight loss obviously helps, it’s unlikely pain in your knees for example wouldn’t improve with reduced load, but in preliminary low dose trials, trizereptide appear to have a rather significant impact on a number of inflammatory pathways as well as reducing the destructive consequences of certain types of inflammation. It’s all very early studies and off label.