Before I ever considered semaglutide, I gave Weight Watchers a real shot. And honestly? It worked — I lost 20 pounds. But it was so hard to maintain. Tracking every bite, staying inside my routine — it took everything I had. Then I went to visit my sister for a week, and the second I left my food and structure behind, I spiraled. I couldn’t get back on track. Not only did I gain the 20 back, I added another 10. That’s when I knew: it was time to try something else.

I looked into GLP-1 medications, but my insurance didn’t cover a thing. So I had to find an affordable option on my own.

I’ll be honest — I was super hesitant about the online providers. I’ve got major medical anxiety, and I wanted someone I could trust face-to-face. So I found a local holistic provider who works with vetted compounding pharmacies. She ran a full panel of labs before we even talked about meds, just to rule out any underlying issues.

Once my labs came back clear, we ordered the semaglutide. I started on what she called the “baby dose” and increased slowly — not on the usual four-week schedule, but based on how my body felt. And because of that, the weight came off more slowly.

The side effects were no joke. I had awful nausea. If I didn’t eat a solid breakfast packed with protein, I was running for the bathroom. Sometimes I had to force myself to eat just to keep the vomiting away. And the constipation? Brutal. I already have neurogenic bowels from my previous spinal injury (CES), so that part was extra rough. These magnesium gummies became my best friend. 

At six months in, I was on 1mg weekly. By month 11, though, I hit a wall. I hovered between 177–180 pounds for weeks. The nausea hadn’t let up, and I felt stuck. So I went back to my provider, and we decided to try switching to Tirzepatide.

Game-changer.

I’m only two weeks in, but the nausea? Gone. The food noise? Gone. I feel like myself again — motivated and in control.

That first week on Tirzepatide wasn’t perfect. I took what was supposed to be an “equivalent dose” to what I’d been on with semaglutide… and ended up with heart palpitations that triggered a full-on panic attack (thanks, anxiety!). I nearly passed out. I called my NP the next day — she wasn’t overly concerned and told me to lower the dose for week two. I did, and since then, no side effects.

It’s been a slow and steady process — full of ups, downs, panic attacks, protein smoothies, and magnesium gummies — but I finally feel like I’m on the right path.

And I’m proud of myself for not giving up.