Gray options vs pharmaceutical options

[Iamnew2this]

Hello I was wondering if the potency is less with gray options than, pharmaceutical options, and how to adjust for dosing. Should my reconstituted tirz be increased slightly? Thank you

 

[Int96]

No, it's the same thing. One thing to consider is that often times the generic (gray) product is over filled so keep the tested amount in mind when doing your calculations.

 

[Iamnew2this]

No, it's the same thing. One thing to consider is that often times the generic (gray) product is over filled so keep the tested amount in mind when doing your calculations.

No, it's the same thing. One thing to consider is that often times the generic (gray) product is over filled so keep the tested amount in mind when doing your calculations.

Thank you for reminding me about the overfill! I've been on 7.5mg for 6 weeks, 5 weeks pharmacy and 1 week reconstituted. I'm at a standstill on the scale. I just increased my dose to 8mg. I guess that I just had to increase my dose. Thanks again!

 

[chmuse]

I believe most of our grey tests at a higher 'purity' than name brand a lot of the time. That doesn't necessarily mean much, but realistically it works the same. Keeping in mind the overfill as mentioned above.

 

[Iamnew2this]

This vial conformed to 31.39mg so, I just treated it like 30mg. Some of my others are 33mg and 35. something. I'll watch out for those. I hope that this is ok, I'm new, lol. I did notice 2 weeks ago, my 5th week on 7.5mg pharmacy tirz, I was getting cravings and the food noise quicker than usual. This 6th week with reconstituted tirz the same thing by the third day. I guess it was just my time to increase my dose. I bumped it up to 8 and in a few days, I'll even increase .5 more if I need to. Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it!

 

[nonyabizznez]

At minimum I'd stick to dosage levels in the trials 4wks each (2.5, 5, 7.5 ,10 ,12.5 ,15). The longer you are able to stay at a dose is a win for stretching your supply AND budget! Even if you gain after a week I'd continue that dose another week to be sure before you increase. If you're using gray then increase in smaller increments like .5 instead of Lilly's 2.5.

You might get lucky and eventually (with patience) get to goal without maxing out. I was able to do it at 5mg in less than a year after maintaining my fatness for 59yrs!

Keep in mind nobody on script paying OOP is reaching for a 2nd $250 Zepbound shot from their fridge on day 3 or 4 when they wake up with no "feelz'.

PS - it's the same stuff, Tirz is Tirz.

 

[Iamnew2this]

I just injected 8mg today. Are you suggesting that I stick with 8 for 4 weeks and not go higher, right? I was at 7.5 for 6 weeks before. TIA

 

[Iamnew2this]

I just injected 8mg today. Are you suggesting that I stick with 8 for 4 weeks and not go higher, right? I was at 7.5 for 6 weeks before. TIA

I also want to mention that I think it's awesome that you got to your goal on 5mg. Congrats to you!

 

[nonyabizznez]

I also want to mention that I think it's awesome that you got to your goal on 5mg. Congrats to you!

Thanks and yes, I'd stay at 8 but since you didn't go to 10 there's flexibility there. I think not weighing was the trick for me. I didn't get on the scale at all, not even once! I didn't go to the gym or exercise either. I just let the Tirz enhance my life instead of living my life for a number on the scale. I'm sure I would have dosed higher (and probably maxed out) if I was dosing by scale fluctuations. I basically broke it down to what was sustainable for me which was exactly what I was doing (nothing) with less of an appetite (Tirz) and that equates to achieving goal weight and now trying to eat more or dose less to maintain it. Eventually the great majority who stick with it lose a substantial amount of weight and most of the negative feedback during the effort stems from lack of patience IMO.

 

[gman1]

11 weeks at 2.5mg followed by 33 weeks at 3.5mg followed by 11 weeks at 4.0mg (current dosage). Down 54 pounds from 218 to 164, at goal weight and maintaining well. Advice - Titrate up to the minimal dose that works well for you. Good luck to all.

 

[Iamnew2this]

Thanks and yes, I'd stay at 8 but since you didn't go to 10 there's flexibility there. I think not weighing was the trick for me. I didn't get on the scale at all, not even once! I didn't go to the gym or exercise either. I just let the Tirz enhance my life instead of living my life for a number on the scale. I'm sure I would have dosed higher (and probably maxed out) if I was dosing by scale fluctuations. I basically broke it down to what was sustainable for me which was exactly what I was doing (nothing) with less of an appetite (Tirz) and that equates to achieving goal weight and now trying to eat more or dose less to maintain it. Eventually the great majority who stick with it lose a substantial amount of weight and most of the negative feedback during the effort stems from lack of patience IMO.

That was such great advice! I give you so much credit. You did great and thank you!

 

[Iamnew2this]

11 weeks at 2.5mg followed by 33 weeks at 3.5mg followed by 11 weeks at 4.0mg (current dosage). Down 54 pounds from 218 to 164, at goal weight and maintaining well. Advice - Titrate up to the minimal dose that works well for you. Good luck to all.

You did so good! I'm going to try and take it slow. I've been on tirzepitide since September. I'm trying to stay low. I really hope I don't go up to 15mg. 10mg would be great. I have about 40 more pounds to go, I already lost 58. May I ask you how/ what dose you're maintaining at?

 

[Iamnew2this]

That was such great advice! I give you so much credit. You did great and thank you!

 

[Iamnew2this]

May I ask are you still on 5mg? How many times per month?

 

[nonyabizznez]

May I ask are you still on 5mg? How many times per month?

I'm still at 5mg once per week because I'm managing glucose. I also know I'll bounce right back to my old weight without Tirz providing the internal switch I'm lacking.

I paid out of pocket (I think $1050 for 4 doses of 2.5 Mounjaro ) before insurance approval a year ago. Then once I got insurance approval I was stretching doses due to shortages. I never considered bumping up frequency or dose but stick a kit in my freezer and the flexibility is tempting! It's like ice cream you wanna go back for more.

I just read someone's post on a Cagri thread in a different forum "Stopped on 12mg reta. Stacking 2mg cag with 2.5mg sema and 15mg tirz presently"

Complaining that Cagri is having no effect.
WHAT?? How did they put their finger on it? I wanna say you screwed the pooch!

It's not hard to get to this person's pin cushion status with all this affordable shizz out there. Every unnecessary increase or 'stack it cuz ya got' it is one step closer... Just my 2¢

 

[chmuse]

I'm still at 5mg once per week because I'm managing glucose. I also know I'll bounce right back to my old weight without Tirz providing the internal switch I'm lacking.

I paid out of pocket (I think $1050 for 4 doses of 2.5 Mounjaro ) before insurance approval a year ago. Then once I got insurance approval I was stretching doses due to shortages. I never considered bumping up frequency or dose but stick a kit in my freezer and the flexibility is tempting! It's like ice cream you wanna go back for more.

I just read someone's post on a Cagri thread in a different forum "Stopped on 12mg reta. Stacking 2mg cag with 2.5mg sema and 15mg tirz presently"

Complaining that Cagri is having no effect.
WHAT?? How did they put their finger on it? I wanna say you screwed the pooch!

It's not hard to get to this person's pin cushion status with all this affordable shizz out there. Every unnecessary increase or 'stack it cuz ya got' it is one step closer... Just my 2¢

Thank you for bringing me back down to earth, btw. Like yeah, I can add tirz..... But I SHOULD just increase my sema dose (and I'm trialling the cagri, but that was more for liver than weight loss.) Weight loss should be my pleasant side effect.... Not my GOAL. IlY

 

[Iamnew2this]

$1050 is insane, but you ended up doing really great! Thank God your insurance ended up covering the med. My doctor gave me a sample box in September and when October came, of course, I wasn't covered. I ended up using telehealth and compound tirz. I was always bouncing back and forth to this sub tizepitidehelp. I've spent so much money on compounds, thinking that I was wise. The price was much more accommodating, but I wised up even more. I haven't been working for almost 4 years due to medical issues. For now, I buy domestic. I feel most comfortable with that right now. I try and hit the sales whenever I can. The price is sooo much better. I can also understand being tempted to increase or to add to, but for me, I don't think it's necessary. I do get tempted, too! For some, that's their thing. I'm just really happy that I found my way here and am offered such great advice from some really awesome people!

 

[Iamnew2this]

Thank you for bringing me back down to earth, btw. Like yeah, I can add tirz..... But I SHOULD just increase my sema dose (and I'm trialling the cagri, but that was more for liver than weight loss.) Weight loss should be my pleasant side effect.... Not my GOAL. IlY

Right? Nonyabizznez put it right into perspective!

 

[nonyabizznez]

Thank you for bringing me back down to earth, btw. Like yeah, I can add tirz..... But I SHOULD just increase my sema dose (and I'm trialling the cagri, but that was more for liver than weight loss.) Weight loss should be my pleasant side effect.... Not my GOAL. IlY

Full disclosure I grew impatient with filling Mounjaro scripts so I banked them in my fridge when I could get them. During the shortage I went compound with Lavender Sky and didn't buy gray until last August.

My insurance stresses me out with their pre-authorization process and I don't want to depend on always having a script. Even with script my copay avg is $160/mo (compared to $11/mo gray). So in addition to 50 5mg Mounjaro shots I've got 2500mg Tirz, a couple Sema kits (never tried it but a plan B) and plenty of Cagri. So when the zombies come during the apocalypse I'll be jabbing them with Tirz!

I take 5mg Tirz and 1.25 Cagri. Added Cagri because it's an enhancement and not a overlap or duplication of what Tirz was already doing.

 

[Jackal]

Doing the same as you @nonyabizznez , My husband is the one who qualifies for the brand name drugs and I push him every month to get as much as they will give him to stockpile. I am trying to help 4 people now so the more drugs, the better, Especially if we can get the insurance to pay for it.