Doctor prescribed semaglutide for off label use in inflammation treatment

[songsofpyramids]

Autoimmune conditions run in my family. As well, my crp has been high for years and have had in general crappy inflammation markers despite the diet of a boring monk, no drinking, no fun stuff, or really anything that would contribute to systemic inflammation. It is assumed I have reactive arthritis, but the issue is not far enough along the damage can be seen in imaging, and I lack the genetic markers that allow for diagnosis.

There are essentially no drugs to lower crp without legitimately insane complications. One of the potential drugs to bring inflammation down can have the side effect of making your damn bone marrow stop producing. I have been unwilling to engage in these frankly experimental treatments as the drugs are either brand new or in testing. The exception to this appears to be glp1 drugs, which are safe, well tolerated, and with minimal side effects.

My doctor actually agreed that the time was right to do something radical, and prescribed me semaglutide from a compounding pharmacy that has the non-salts, as close to pharma version as possible version of the drug for $150 a month which is negligible to me. I am currently doing a prescription strength 3x a day nsaid treatment over the next 2 weeks to hopefully bring down the inflammation significantly, getting blood tests following that, and starting at .25mg for a month and moving up to .5mg sema.

I am 5’10” at 170lbs around 15% body fat, so I am very much not the usual patient prescribed this medication. Are there any people here who have experienced decreases in body inflammation after starting glp1 drugs? I’ve read for some people it is life changing in terms of reduction of inflammation.

If anyone has any tips, tricks, or words of wisdom for a gym rat about to be exposed to glp1 drugs for the first time I’d love to hear it? How much appetite suppression did you feel at .5mg? I am worried about maintaining my muscle and weight when I’m on it and will likely add hgh back into my regime after I get used to it to get a nice recomp as well.

Sorry for what is in essence a stream of consciousness post, but I’m very curious what the community thinks of this.

 

[putt putt]

Are you micro dosing to avoid unwanted appetite suppression?

No I could use the appetite suppression- I really want to avoid the side effects for now. The nausea and constipation etc. I really want to focus on the inflammation. I’m not adverse to taking the full dose. I have been watching Hunter Williams/Jay Campbell’s videos that they recommend micro dosing. I figured if it doesn’t work I’ll go the more traditional route.

 

[Ghoul]

No I could use the appetite suppression- I really want to avoid the side effects for now. The nausea and constipation etc. I really want to focus on the inflammation. I’m not adverse to taking the full dose. I have been watching Hunter Williams/Jay Campbell’s videos that they recommend micro dosing. I figured if it doesn’t work I’ll go the more traditional route.

My two cents is:

Sides and appetite suppression are one and the same. The sides are the same symptoms you'd have if you force fed yourself beyond your limit. They're the same mechanism the body uses to influence your behavior. By learning the "warning signals" and immediately stopping you can avoid nausea.

I personally find the spike from larger doses is an important element to systemic inflammation reduction, which you won't reach on smaller doses.

There's another issue with micro dosing, complex and controversial, but I think you have one shot at exceptional sensitivity (and therefore effectiveness), when you start using GLPs for the first time, Any long gap, or micro dosing protocol puts that at risk.

I advise users to stick to once a week dosing, plan to stay on continuously, adjusting dose up or down, to maintain this good sensitivity as effectively as possible.

Of course you do you, I'm just offering my opinion based on what I've learned and observed first hand (like I said it's complicated). In any case, these are great for your overall health and I wish you the best of luck.

 

[putt putt]

My two cents is:

Sides and appetite suppression are one and the same. The sides are the same symptoms you'd have if you force fed yourself beyond your limit. They're the same mechanism the body uses to influence your behavior. By learning the "warning signals" and immediately stopping you can avoid nausea.

I personally find the spike from larger doses is an important element to systemic inflammation reduction, which you won't reach on smaller doses.

There's another issue with micro dosing, complex and controversial, but I think you have one shot at exceptional sensitivity (and therefore effectiveness), when you start using GLPs for the first time, Any long gap, or micro dosing protocol puts that at risk.

I advise users to stick to once a week dosing, plan to stay on continuously, adjusting dose up or down, to maintain this good sensitivity as effectively as possible.

Of course you do you, I'm just offering my opinion based on what I've learned and observed first hand (like I said it's complicated). In any case, these are great for your overall health and I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you! I’ve read a lot of your posts over the past year and have always found value in them. I stocked up when you sounded the alarm. I have a stock of Tirz, and sema from QSC. I also bought BPC and TB -500 but haven’t tried them yet either. I need to lose 20-25 pounds but at the moment I can’t weight train - not until I get my back pain under control. I wanted to get the inflammation under control and then kick it in high gear to lose weight and build muscle

 

[Ghoul]

Thank you! I’ve read a lot of your posts over the past year and have always found value in them. I stocked up when you sounded the alarm. I have a stock of Tirz, and sema from QSC. I also bought BPC and TB -500 but haven’t tried them yet either. I need to lose 20-25 pounds but at the moment I can’t weight train - not until I get my back pain under control. I wanted to get the inflammation under control and then kick it in high gear to lose weight and build muscle

As a former long term back pain sufferer, I'm sure you know it's both a source of weight gain, and worsened by excess weight.

A GLP is the perfect way to reduce that pain via systemic anti-inflammatory effects (on the vagus nerve) and mechanically from weight loss. On top of that, white fat is a major source of cytokines, making any excess weight an inflammation factory.

 

[putt putt]

I fear the “ozempic butt” but I do think I will take the traditional dose. I just saw the videos on micro dosing and thought I would start there using inflammation reduction as the goal. I over think/complicate sometimes.

 

[SubparMarioBro]

Sides and appetite suppression are one and the same. The sides are the same symptoms you'd have if you force fed yourself beyond your limit. They're the same mechanism the body uses to influence your behavior.

Prior to starting on GLP-1s I’m not sure that it was possible for me to eat enough to feel that way. I’m well aware that other people eat too much and feel sick. I could eat a Costco pizza and feel fine, throw on a chicken bake too. I don’t think I’d ever felt sick from eating too much food. With GLP-1s I feel like I have a more normal physiological response to overeating, kinda like what I’ve heard other people describe.

 

[Ghoul]

Prior to starting on GLP-1s I’m not sure that it was possible for me to eat enough to feel that way. I’m well aware that other people eat too much and feel sick. I could eat a Costco pizza and feel fine, throw on a chicken bake too. I don’t think I’d ever felt sick from eating too much food. With GLP-1s I feel like I have a more normal physiological response to overeating, kinda like what I’ve heard other people describe.

A lot of people describe feeling full for the first time. "Normal" is precisely right.

 

[roofer22]

I fear the “ozempic butt” but I do think I will take the traditional dose. I just saw the videos on micro dosing and thought I would start there using inflammation reduction as the goal. I over think/complicate sometimes.

Lift and that won’t happen. Work the glutes

 

[putt putt]

Lift and that won’t happen. Work the glutes

Yeah that’s why I wanted to address inflammation first - so I can lift. Right now all I’m able to do is walk for exercise and stretch/yoga. But I definitely will once I’m able

 

[Nidus]

I am wondering if anyone done labs and tracked his inflammation markers? I am planning to do the same after 8 weeks on Tirza and see if they changed much

 

[putt putt]

I am wondering if anyone done labs and tracked his inflammation markers? I am planning to do the same after 8 weeks on Tirza and see if they changed much

yeah I definitely need to have them checked but my doctor didn’t even check my a1c in 2024. I didn’t ask because she normally does. I need to go to an independent lab.

 

[songsofpyramids]

I am wondering if anyone done labs and tracked his inflammation markers? I am planning to do the same after 8 weeks on Tirza and see if they changed much

I’m having my 3 month check in with blood work this week and will report back.

 

[songsofpyramids]

My CRP fell from over 11 to under 3 in a six month period. I saw slight improvements on most my blood markers as well. This shit is magic.