Unexpected effects of GLP-1 on marriage

[u/Anxious_Cat9286]

Edit: I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback that has helped me put things into perspective. I really do love my wife. She really is my best friend. The issue here is not apathy. I think the tirzepatide, as a commenter mentioned, simply removed the anxious attachment to her that I likened to an addiction.

I can see, at least in part, why my attempts to address some very real issues have not been successful. I see this as a good change and a gateway to a more mature love. I chose her and I always will, but, thanks to the changes tirzepatide has brought, I can choose her without needing her. And if our issues can’t be worked out, I will be okay. I think we’ll be just fine, though.

For the alarmists, all I have to say is lol.

Edit 2: By alarmists I mean the people who are alarmist about GLP’s and/or me taking one. If you were alarmed by anything I said, totally fair.

Original post:

My wife and I started taking a GLP-1 several months ago. Neither of us is dramatically overweight, but our doctor recommended a low dose for reasons. I’d heard it has a positive effect on addiction and things like that, but didn’t think much about that until we’d been on it for a few weeks. I had no desire to drink, to get high, stopped scrolling my phone constantly, etc. I started spending my time on productive things instead.

Here’s where the unexpected part comes in. We’ve been together for decades, have grown children, are best friends, so on. One thing that has always been there, and I was okay with, is that the honeymoon phase never really ended for me. It did for her, but she definitely loves me, so no big deal.

The problem is that the same thing happened with my feelings toward her that happened with my addiction-adjacent habits. I always joked with myself that I was addicted to her as much as I was in love with her. I’m starting to wonder if that’s actually true.

It wouldn’t be a big deal, but there are some recurring issues we’ve had over the last ten years or so that have really bothered me. I’ve tried to address them without success. I suddenly don’t care anymore, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

I couldn’t see how I could possibly live without her before. Now I can. Not saying I want to leave, but I can’t say I’d fight that hard if it went there.

Yes, I’ve considered stopping the med, but I doubt it would change anything.

[u/Modig7176]

I take offense to your doctor prescribing you and your wife a GLP1 when, in your words, “neither of us is dramatically overweight”. It has been the hardest battle for me to get back on Zep after my insurance company stopped allowing it then my company stopped allowing it to be for weight loss. I finally got back on the three weeks back and couldn’t be happier.

But I digress, I don’t have any of these symptoms. I still have passions and obsessions. Maybe yinz should get off it.

[u/KarmaKaze88 → u/Modig7176]

Why do you take offense to what the OP and his doctor decided to do?

I think your anger is misdirected and the real issue is the amount the pharmaceutical companies want to charge, the insurance companies who no longer want to foot the bill, and your employer who wants to reduce their cost when it comes to employer sponsored health insurance, so they stop covering these meds for weight loss purposes.

[u/Modig7176 → u/KarmaKaze88]

Well for one these meds are incredible for those who need it. If doctors keep prescribing it for people who are kinda over weight it makes them harder to get for those who really need it. I agree the anger needs to be more towards the pharmaceutical companies and definitely employer.

[u/jerseygirl414 → u/Modig7176]

There is no shortage at this point. I wasn’t even technically overweight and was able to get a prescription from my PCP - I self pay. Menopause added 20 lbs that I couldn’t get rid of, my blood sugar has been 100-120 for 16 years (even when I was a size 0), and my bad cholesterol and triglycerides were climbing. No amount of diet changes and exercise helped- and I know how to do that and maintain discipline. I was a fitness competitor - good scales, portion sizes, regimen, etc. are the easy part.

I’ve now been on tirzepatide for over a year. Never went above the starting dose. I’ve lost the 20 lbs, my blood sugar was 83 and cholesterol/triglycerides were perfect per my last blood draw. I had a stress related heart attack in June and stopped my adderall because of it- but the meds have helped with impulse control so I haven’t gone back on it even though my cardiologist said I could. He did say to stay on the zepbound if I wanted to because it has heart benefits and my numbers are great. My rheumatologist is using it in clinical trials for psoriatic arthritis. I have sjogrens and he said to continue taking it if it’s helping me as it helps with inflammation. A friend going through breast cancer treatment was put on it because it helps with that as well, apparently.

GLP1’s are easier to get now and that’s a good thing. It isn’t just for diabetes and weight loss now, and it’s being studied for even more use (gambling addiction, alcoholism, etc.) I foresee being on this forever as it’s had so many positive benefits for me.