Coming off/ after mounjaro

[Cerialkiller]

Can't see any recent threads on this topic so maybe this could be a useful resource for some people.

I've decided to stop or at least take a break from mounjaro for a week or two after finishing 7.5pen and losing 25lb. It's been really great for me but I have noticed a pattern of getting a sore throat weekly after the jab and after this long I can really deny it as coincidence. I had throat surgery last year and I have a post viral cough that isn't shifting after 2 months so I'm coming off to see if it helps. I may start again once I'm better.

My next jab is due today (fresh 10mg in the fridge) but I'm not going to take it.

So naturally I am concerned about my cravings coming back and gaining weight as I would be anyway at goal weight. I can't afford to do this long term so this was always going to be a question for Mumsnet it's just earlier then anticipated.

So. Those that have successfully lost weight and come off mj, can you tell me how you are doing? Are you gaining weight? Continuing to lose? Struggling with cravings? Do you feel different then when you were heavier? All the gory details please.

I am hoping they bring out a tablet form of tirzepatide similar to the semaglutide tablet Rybelus, for maintenance in the future. it will be a big money maker so I am sure Eli Lilly is looking into it.

I will be on MJ for at least a year, and I don't think it is delusion to believe the prescribing of this medicine and possible maintenance options will change quickly over the coming year(s).

In the meantime I will try my best to make the life changes and plans I need to sustain this once I come off because I won't be able to afford it on my pension in a few years time!!!!

I'm thinking one very likely development is a 1 dose pen, like they have in the US, which will get round the 'use within 30days once open' issue, and enable individual dosing schedules/micro dosing at lower cost.

Has anyone gone abroad with the pens and needles? Did you have to declare them and how did they travel? Can’t believe I didn’t think of this before 😵

@Fluffymeringues
Not personally but have seen others' posts. Apparently it's fine - just carry everything in your hand luggage, take the box with the prescription printed on it. It's a prescription med, legally given, so you've every right to have it with you. Don't leave in suitcase as temperature in hold can, apparently, get too low.

Ty

Thanks for the post. I’m watching with interest as I’ll come off it at some point. Please update when you can on how you’re getting on.
I hear you about one dose pens but that’s a horrible load of packaging. I hope they come up with a pill in recyclable blister pack.

Hey for those who want to know. I've been off it for 3 weeks and stayed the same in weight. I lost 3stone in 5months but came off due to going upto 12.5mg and it made me feel horrible. So binned it. My hunger hasn't returned badly, slightly thinking more of what to eat for my next meal but I'm managing to control so far.

I've been off for 6 weeks now and weigh slightly less than I did when I stopped. I never went higher than 5mg and lost almost 3 stone in 5 months. My hunger has returned to pre-mounjaro levels but I am managing with willpower and the stronger desire not to get fat again!

Hi Im in my second month taking 2.5mg and in fairness I do not want to increase this up if my suppression stays the same how long did it take you to lose the weigh TIA

So glad to see a positive post! How are you finding it now? I’m on my last dose. Like you, the 10mg made me feel crap. I ended up buying additional needles & splitting the dose over more weeks. I think I will not be prescribed any longer due to a “gap”, but I’m a few pounds off a good goal weight.

I was never ever overweight until having children- so I’m hopeful that my weight will stabilise and not increase after stopping.

Hey, I am now i think maybe 3 months off and I have managed to maintain my loss. I've I'm toying between a pound on or off each week but doing ok
My hunger is 100% back and I don't find myself over eating but in managing to pull myself back each week when needs be. So yeah happy all in all.

I was slim untill my little boy so similar to you. I just want to be able to run after him when I need and bend down comfortably so very happy. I'm a size 16 now where I was a 20 so I'm not skinny but very comfortable so yeah keep plodding on eh :)

@Louiseoliver i am currently working down from a size 20 to maybe a 14/16 so very similar journey. It’s good to hear you got there and that you are staying there. Well done. It’s also so good to hear it can be done.

I definitely want to eat everything again but yes I think it can be done with determination to stay on track

I feel a responsibility to share my experience in case it helps someone else make an informed choice.

I took Mounjaro for 6 months. While I did lose nearly 2 stone during that time, I also experienced a serious medical complication — an internal bleed in my small intestines which left me hospitalised for 10 days. It was frightening, painful, and completely unexpected. Digestion was painful and for weeks I flared up and had symptoms like Crohns and ulcerative colitis and was assessed for bowel cancer. Although consultants were unable to conclusively say it was Mounjaro, I decided to stop the medication and my body slowly healed. Unfortunately despite my best efforts, I’ve regained 3 stone this year my sugar cravings are worst than they have ever been. Emotionally, it’s been heartbreaking,
the hospital stay was frightening for my family and impacted my mental health. Add that to 6 months of money down the drain. All for a summer of looking good. It wasn’t worth it.

This is not an anti-medication post — I know Mounjaro has helped many people. But these drugs are powerful and still relatively new. Please don’t assume they’re risk-free, especially when taken long-term.

This journey is harder than most people realise — and it’s not just about willpower.

Thanks for this post @AwakenedWonder

I’m about to start Mountjaro tomorrow, hoping to lose 3 stone and 5 lbs.

I’m the kind of person to be sceptical of get-thin-quick medical hypes, but I’ve read so
much postive stuff, and weighing up the balance of risks versus those of being nearly 14 stone I’ve decided to go for it; but came on here to ask how people were, one year on.

I’m sorry and slightly alarmed to read of your experience, Awakened. May I ask what your starting weight was?

More generally, I’m looking for recommendations as to the best time of day / week to take the jab. I’m think one hour before bedtime to sleep through the worst of any side effects?

@Nachoinseachthu I do my injection just before bed on a Sunday night, because I work from home on a Monday. Like you say any immediate side-effects are slept through, though I don’t have many anymore.

@AwakenedWonder I’m sorry to hear about your experience, that must’ve been very frightening for you and your family.

I'm so sorry @AwakenedWonder that sounds very scary. Glad you are healing.

I've taken mounjaro for coming up to a year now with no adverse effects.

@AwakenedWonder thank you for sharing your experience. How awful and glad to hear you are on the mend.

An update: I went back on the jabs with a view to taper down gradually this time and hopefully lose what I had gained (plus a bit more as a buffer) and finish with a proper plan for maintenance thid time. It's been about 6 weeks and I have nearly lost the weight I've regained...but I've had awful side effects this time. When I went up to 5mg I felt like I'd been hit by a bus, and went back to 2.5mg. It's put me right off tbh. I'm due a dose tonight and I just feel like I don't want to! I might stick on the 2.5, then go down to 1.75 for the remainder of this pen.

@Nachoinseachthu I started at 13 st 7 lbs. The warning signs for me were feeling like I had a heavy weight in my stomach and nausea, which I mistook for a feeling full feeling.

I took mine on Monday afternoon as I had a day off on Tuesday. Quite early on I felt nauseous like I’d eaten too much, so I had meal replacement drinks in the day, ate healthier and generally was very holistic in my approach, kept up my step count etc, but would sometimes feel nauseous despite my efforts. Just be so careful and listen to your body. The “side effect” was the warning sign and I missed it.

I’ve been off for two weeks and I can already feel the weight creeping back. I’ve never had an off switch with food. I will be starting again on a low dose this week.