Am I daft to discuss starting Mounjaro with my GP?

[NippyCrab]

Hey I know there are lots of Mounjaro threads but I'm hoping this one gets a wee reply or 2. I want to start Mounjaro, I've checked the interactions with 2 medications I am on, Quetiapine 50mg and Sertraline 150mg and there's no issues I can see. I have a Dr app next Thursday about my HRT issues and I also want to ask if she would support me on Mounjaro or at least check my medication interactions for reassurance.
My question is, if your GP is aware of your use of Mounjaro what was their opinion? I don't want to have it vetoed without them listening to my reasoning.
😊

@NippyCrab ive had nothing but positive impact on menopausal brain fog and a 85% drop in joint pain I’m early 50s and been on HRT for 7yrs. I think it’s to do with the way the drug works it helps reduce body fat which releases the oestrogen stored in the fat. I’ve lost 3.5• off my waist in 6 weeks. This is all menopausal belly gained in last 4yrs! I hope it works for you.

It can only be done on the NHS by a tier 3 clinic, so the discussion would be to ask for a referral. Large areas gave zero funding for GLP1s including the whole of london

Wow thank you so much! X
I will have a look at magic pill, I read the links above re menopause too which really does make this a good decision for me. X

@radio4everyday I have no intention of pursuing anything through the NHS but thank you for the information.

what is your reason for swapping? im on wegovy but now mounjaro is now available i also use boots... you have to have a 4 week break between the 2 as well?

Then it's a private dr to talk to, just take a printout of your medical history and meds. Not your GP.

@WheresSummer99 that's like a dream for me at the moment. I woke up last night and it was like having a big rubber ring around my waist with this jelly belly.

Hi OP, I did an e-consult to ask about this same as you yesterday. I too am on an antipsychotic which causes weight gain.

They were pretty helpful, I didn't ask for a GP but it was a GP who called back and discussed orlistat, metformin and the injections, she said I would be a candidate on the NHS for them but it would be a long wait.

I'm going to try metformin for now, see my other thread on here if you like. Hope this helps a bit!

Oh, I also asked about changing from olanzapine but they told me all the meds in that group are the same, it could well be the meds which are adding to the problem.

Thank you @Orangesandlemons77
Well that's me ordered my first lot, taking that photo was disgusting, I've taken 2 side on pics to keep in a folder. Thank you everyone for the replies and support. I better get my mint tea and burp capsules 👀

I hope it goes well for you @NippyCrab i haven’t had the burps actually the opposite I’ve weaned myself off omezprazole after 3d on MJ and my digestive issues are reduced by 90%. I’m eating lower carb, higher protein plus lots salad, veg and fruit. It’s been life changing for me. Plus no coffee and one cuppa caffeinated tea in morning. I’ve just not wanted it. The headache I had during first 3 days was I think a sugar and caffeine detox. I’ve not had a hormonal migraine for 5weeks since starting, having suffered repeatedly for last few years of peri-meno hell. Good luck I hope it helps you have a life reset too as being in 50s has been exhausting for me but this has helped me take back control & feel positive again.

It's always wise to let your GP know if you are taking any medication they are not aware of.

I had ticked the box on my order for Mounjaro asking if I wanted my GP notified..

about 5 weeks after starting I had a phone consultation with my GP who wanted me to have a review of my thyroid medication as it was still a bit low. She asked if I had noticed any weight gain.

I explained that no - in fact the opposite as I was on MJ. and had lost 11lbs. I was quite surprised that she admitted to 'not having a clue what this was and had never heard of it' but said she would look it up and double check that it wasn't contraindicated with thyroxine . (I had already notified my prescriber about my thyroid and they had approved it - I was just getting a second opinion)

GP came back with the all clear.

I am really quite gobsmacked that a GP had not heard of this drug. Especially as it has been approved for use for one of the major causes of long term ill health in the uk. - obesity.

@WheresSummer99 what a positive happy post, this is exactly what I want. I want me back, my hormonal tummy is really bad, swollen, my endometriosis has flared up after being dormant for a few years. Having chronic conditions just holds me back with weight loss. I drink a lot of coffee, I like it strong, so 2 mugs of coffee in the morning is probably the equivalent of six cups to someone else. I've been listening to Dr Michael Mosley just one thing for a while and there's changes I can make re caffeine in the morning, a mug of hot water maybe. I've noticed a significant decline in my health since I had my last big flare of my condition in 2022, when I turned 50.

@Tenaciousbeyondallthings I've ticked the box to let the surgery know im starting it, I'm seeing her on Thursday re my HRT and I want my Evorel patches reduced, and maybe get a progesterone gel rather than the Utrogestan. 11lbs is fantastic, wow, and it is shocking that your GP hadn't heard of the drug, it should be widely known about.

Anyone have any tips to prepare me before I start, my order is waiting on approval. Will I get some mint tea? Xx

@itainthalfhot - I started taking Ozempic and then switched to Wegovy and am now on highest dose but have pretty much stalled. It’s so expensive I don’t want to just keep going on Wegovy if Mounjaro may be more effective and boost me a bit. I have been on the medication for over two years. Lost just over three stone but have stalled now for ages.

I know you are supposed to have a month break if you change medication according to Boots and I’m ok with that. Although I will research other providers and may change based on cost. I have two more doses in my current pen.

@NippyCrab good luck! Everyone is different with side effects. Mint tea is not a bad idea. Be aware of possible constipation. That was my worst side effect. Drink lots of water and eat lots of fibre.

I was worried about gastric effects as I have problems and considered seeing GP to discuss before buying privately, but in the end didn’t after doing some online reading but did choose Lloyds because I’ve used their private online GP service before and found it useful. I did fill in the detailed questionnaire and note the medications I take and tick the box to let GP surgery know. So far the medication side effects are very minimal for me although I’m still on 2.5 dose and weight loss is slow and steady so very pleased. I would say I had some symptoms that I put into the online chat after my first few weeks follow up they do and the GP responses and follow up questions were quite thorough hence why I’m still on 2.5 for an extra month, so that has also given me some reassurance that they’re not prescribing blindly. Good luck in your journey.

If you have an appointment with GP I would mention it but perhaps manage expectations as to what advice GP will offer at this stage except obvious medication interactions.

I'd be interested to hear how you get on, as you're taking similar meds to me which cause the weight gain. Best of luck with it. I can't afford it right now but might try it in future

I mentioned it to my GP as I wasn't sure the contraceptive i was on would continue to be effective. My GP was really supportive and helpful. I ended up on a different contraceptive because of the advice.

I booked an appointment with my pharmacist and got the all clear because I'm on a lot of meds.

This is all so positive, @90yomakeuproom there was one option that said it could reduce the effect of my current medication and gave me the option to exclude it from their choice of drug for me which was good.
I went with Voy as @mounjarorocks kindly gave me a referal code and the process was thorough and I'm waiting on a clinician to approve my order.
If anyone is due to start and wants a referal code for the £84 off let me know.
I can't wait to start.
@Peridot1 it's so frustrating when the loss stalls, the wegovy on the Voy site said a 12% overall weight loss compared to 20% for mounjaro.

Good luck @NippyCrab, I am excited for you

Thank you @mounjarorocks I can't wait to see the scales in the 12's it's been a long time xxx

Good luck, not all providers automatically inform your GP - I am with Zava and they have given me a letter to give to my GP, so I guess if you want to keep it to yourself then you can and if you want your GP to know then you can give it to them.

Some providers use a nurse prescriber and others use a pharmacist (from reading up on the facebook group), with mine I had a consult with a GP who approved my meds and I have access to a GP for any queries so every provider is different.

Here is a list of costs as at yesterday that I lifted from another user.

The prices in yellow are cheapest - I don't have a code for any of the others, as I don't use them but if anyone wants to order from Zava - here is a 15% off REFK6MCB which makes it the second cheapest

I'll look up the FB group, there's great prices on there. I will tell the GP on Thursday so they definitely have the info.
X

Ps, have any of you had anyone be off with you when you spoke about using a weight loss drug?
I have this one friend, and tonight she's said well just eat less and exercise more! I have tried to explain its not as easy as that for me, there are so many factors to why I'm finding it difficult. We do a weigh in together every Friday morning and send each other the results. Xx