Where to start? Completely lost.

[SwiftiesVSLestat]

Hi I have been reading some of the MJ, ozempic, Wegovy threads here.

But can someone point me in the direction of some good information for beginners? Like how to pick which one? How do you know you are getting it from a reputable source?

How long does one prescription last? How often do you inject it? Or does it depend?

Or even if someone can recommend somewhere to get a good consultation that would answer all these questions.

Many thanks.

I've been taking Mounjaro injections for about 2 months now, so hopefully I can answer those questions.

The two injections available are Wegovy and Mounjaro. Wegovy is semaglutide which is the same drug in Ozempic but in tbe UK at the moment it is branded Wegovy. Mounjaro is a drug called tirzepatide. It's newer than semaglutide and seems to be more effective for weight loss and have fewer side effects. Both drugs have a similar action on the body, mimicking what happens after you eat, to reduce your appetite and make you feel fuller for longer.

Which one you pick is up to you, but I chose Mounjaro because of its apparently greater effectiveness and fewer side effects. There have also not been any supply issues with it so far in the UK.

In terms of reputable sources, there are many online pharmacies that will prescribe it. Big ones like Boots, Asda, Lloyds, and others like Pharmacy2u, MedExpress, Voy. Any pharmacy advertising them should be regulated by the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) and should give their GPhC reg number and details on their website, along with the named responsible pharmacist. They should ask for full medical details, and current photos of you, so they can see your figure and see you standing on scales. Some places offer counselling, online support, a subscription service, referral discounts and so on.

One prescription lasts for a month or so. It's an injection pen that contains 4 doses of the drug, that you self inject once a week on the same day. If you have a holiday or an issue that means you need to change the day you can move it a couple of days forwards or backwards. The instructions that come with the injection pen will explain it all.

Importantly, you need to have a BMI of over 30 to be prescribed these injections. Sometimes they will be prescribed if your BMI is over 27 and you have weight related health conditions but that's quite unusual.

Hope that helps!

Thank you so much. I was looking at the prices and thought that was the price per injection not per month so couldn’t work it out.

May I ask if there’s anyone you have found it ‘better’ to get it from?

How has it been for you?

My BMI is over 30 I want to try it but am also nervous. No other health issues at the moment but I do have adhd.

I have been on mounjaro for 5 months, and I get mine from Asda. I think as long as you order from a reputable pharmacy, it's all much of a muchness. I am going to change my supplier though as Asda do not support maintenance (meaning they will just refuse to prescribe as soon as you hit BMI 25).

The prices are price per pen. Each pen has 4 doses officially. However you can get a fifth dose out of the pen - there's lots of videos and explanations on how to, which brings the cost per dose down.

There are good podcasts/videos online about mounjaro, but I don't have these to hand now - you should be able to find them on the previous long running mounjaro threads.

Mounjaro has been life changing for me. I'm almost 50lbs down from 5 months ago. It anecdotally helps ADHD symptoms too.

I get my prescription from ASDA which has been excellent so far, it is not the cheapest and I pay for delivery, but they have been very prompt with approval, prescribing, answering questions and delivery. The pen arrives in cold packaging, with ice blocks and insulation and has always been very cold so no worries about it being too warm in transit.

I know that many other people on the threads here use the other sites that I mentioned, amongst others, they all seem much of a muchness. Some are much smaller operations that the likes of Boots, Asda and so on. Some people prefer that. I prefer not to use Royal Mail which Asda doesn't, they use DPD and I know that my current local DPD delivery driver is reliable.

My starting weight was 140kg or 21st 12bs or so. I am now around 19st 3lbs or 122-ish kg after 8 weeks or so. I had a big drop in the first week, which does sometimes happen, and then a more steady loss after that. Bear in mind though that the first 4 weeks of Mounjaro on a 2.5mg dose each week are not intended to produce weight loss. It's to get your body acclimatised to the effect of the drug, but some people do have an immediate effect of appetite suppression and therefore weight loss. I am currently on the next level of dose, at 5mg, which I will stick with for now, as I am losing weight and not having any significant gastric side effects. I had one bad week, but I think I ate something dodgy and then had a more severe reaction than I normally would.

The thing I find the most amazing effect is the complete lack of interest in snacking and the lack of obsessive thoughts about food, almost from the first day of taking Mounjaro. I can eat a small amount of something I would usually want to overeat, and then I just feel full and stop. It's been a total game-changer. Plus I can eat a calorie deficit and not feel severe hunger or feel that I am depriving myself. So I have stuck to a calorie deficit for the longest time in the last decade or so!

I have been on it 6 months and use Bolt Pharmacy. I have had no issues with them and they are pretty cheap compared to Boots, Asda, Voy etc.

I meant to say I am using Mounjaro as works better than Wegovy with less side effects.

Every online pharmacy has lots of info on the drugs and usage on their websites. Plus you can see the prices of each pen as they tend to get more expensive as the dose increases. Here's the pharmacy I use

boltpharmacy.co.uk/product/Mounjaro-2/

Wow that’s amazing. If it helped my adhd it would be a bonus!

Is the obsessive food thoughts that are my main issue and one of reasons I was thinking of going down the weight loss injection route.

So that’s great to hear.

Well done on your weight loss as well.

Thank you. Working out yeh best priced place is one of the things I am trying to do, I don’t kind paying for it but don’t want to pay over the odds, iyswim

Sounds like Mj is the way to go.

I am currently in week 11 of taking Mounjaro. It has not only taken away the 'food noise', food cravings etc but has also helped me cut my alcohol intake massively and given me a sense of control over both my mind and body that I don't really remember ever having before!

I chose Mounjaro as the results were better than Wegovy and it seemed the 'newer version'!

There are a number of Facebook groups with price comparisons and a TikTok lady called vikki also produces a list. Look at what different subscribers offer and remember you can move! Good luck

Is it possible to get the same results from HRT? I follow an influencer who claims her very dramatic weight loss is HRT, but that does seem improbable.

Unless you were able to maintain a healthy body weight pre- menopause and then suddenly shot into the obese range, I think this is very unlikely!

If, like many of us here, you have ALWAYS been overweight, hrt won't make a blind bit of difference!

I've been on HRT for almost 15 years and put on the weight whilst on HRT. Several attempts to diet didn't work but so far on Mounjaro I've lost 33lbs. Unless I was on the wrong HRT.

How do you have to prove that your BMI is over 30?

Do you need approval from your GP and does it go on your health record?

What are the nost common side effect people have noticed on Mourjano?

You take full length photos of yourself holding a handwritten sign with the day's date, and also a photo of your feet on scales with the date sign visible too. A lot of places also now want a copy of your photo Id too.

I had to send photos of myself before my first prescription was granted. You don't need GP approval but most prescribers send a letter to your GP so the GP is aware.

I have had no major side effects. A bit of tiredness occasionally, sometimes feeling cold, the injection site goes a bit itchy and red now I'm on high doses. The most common side effects I hear about in these threads is nausea, sulfur burps and diarrhoea. Some people get used to the drug but others drop the dose a bit until the side effects disappear or become more manageable.

No you don't need approval from your GP. You can choose whether to notify them or not, some providers might do it automatically, not sure. Some providers generate a letter you can download to print and send to your GP if you want.

My prescription does show up on the NHS app under "short term medicines".

I gained a lot of weight on HRT!

Did you suffer from the weight loss making your face saggy and gaunt?

No gauntness so far. I've gone from 188lbs to 155 and am aiming for 140. But I have already considered that if I start looking saggy in the face I will stop and put a couple of pounds back on even if I am not yet at goal weight.

I've lost it quite slowly over 6 months. My body is thinner but still a bit flabby so I am starting to exercise now. Weights to build muscle and and Pilates and yoga.

How does it help with adhd symptoms? I’ve not heard that one before.

Thanks everyone. I have ordered my first pen.

Took the photos. I am waiting for the application to be reviewed then it will be sent out.

Nervous but hopeful!

@MetabolismLost I said anecdotally. On the long running threads on here, Reddit and tiktok, many of those using mounjaro who have ADHD have reported reduction in symptoms.
I don't know if I have ADHD (my husband and mum reckon I do, but I don't really care to know one way or the other), but I have definitely noticed less anxiety and just an overall even-ness in my general mood. I have a stressful job, but it bothers me much less than it used to.
Others have noticed less pmt, less menopause symptoms and better feelings of wellbeing. There are some studies that show it has other benefits, not just weight loss/cardiac health.