Do I bite the bullet and order Mounjaro?

[NearlyAutumnNow]

Hi all, I have an under active thyroid (medicated now) and high blood pressure (non medicated as the docs are giving me time to lose weight and see if it has any effect). I have a BMI of 38. Tried dieting on and off for years but really struggling to maintain willpower with a very busy life and young kids. Consultant for thyroid suggested I consider Mounjaro. Up until this time I knew nothing about it but have done a bit of reading and it sounds like a miracle drug, if such a thing exists! I’ve just got to the checkout bit of Voy and chickened out!!!

what i don’t know much about are the side effects - are there any and are they common? I have read of some people feeling nauseous for first few days. But anything else?
also I read something about taking supplements along side it / what do I need to take?
is there anything else I need to be aware of before I hit the “buy” button on Voy?
needing a bit of encouragement but hoping this could be the thing I need to help me out of my weight rut!

Gastric side effects of various types can affect people. Bear in mind that people tend to only post about issues, not plain sailing, which skews the perception of how common they are. I've had one episode of unpleasant side effects (D&V) which might have been related to something dodgy that I ate, but exacerbated by the effects of the Mounjaro. That's in 11 weeks and I have been losing weight consistently and with relative ease during that time.

If you take a dose and it has bad effects immediately, you can decide to stop and do no more injections, or reduce the dose. You don't have to continue if you get major side effects. Alternately, some people find that the initial dose (2.5mg) doesn't have much effect and it's only when they move up to higher doses that it starts to work for them.

The only way to know is to try it.

Thank you both.

@SilenceInside may I ask how you’re getting on weight loss wise and in what time frame?

what should I take to minimise hair loss?

I feel like my hair is already not great as I have PCOS and I really don’t want to exacerbate the thinning - just to add to the list of ailments 🤣 but overall the weight loss will help the PCOS too hopefully!!

@MinervaMcGonagallsCat thats a great loss, well done! Very encouraging!

There are loads and loads of threads in this topic with real-life experiences, why not just browse them?

@HotCrossBunplease it’s rather overwhelming, I guess I’m really looking for some encouragement to give it a go!

I've been taking MJ for 9 weeks and have lost 13 kg (28.6 lbs)!

Positives:

• stabilises blood sugar
• stops food cravings
• reduces appetite a lot
• food becomes a minor consideration each day
• you can eat a greatly reduced food intake but not feel deprived
• you can keep this up for weeks on end without cracking!

Negatives:

• feeling nauseous or vomiting
• diarrhoea if you eat the wrong things (you have to identify those that upset you - often fatty or sugary foods). This can be really severe.
• alternatively constipation as the speed food moves through your gastric system slows down
• finding much food unappealing
• having very unpleasant sulphurous burps
• indigestion
• low blood sugar symptoms (MJ is a diabetes medication)
• fatigue

These side effects tend to happen when you start a higher dose or if you eat something fatty etc. They don't usually happen every week all the time. But it isn't a walk in the park due to these side effects. Not everyone gets any though!

@NearlyAutumnNow If you haven't used a discount for Voy, it would be cheaper for you to do so. Feel free to ask and i can send you a discount code link. I used Voy too with a discount here. Nothing for you to do other than to use the link to order and it gives you £80 off your first order (and I get a discount too for my next one) from checkout. No pressure to use mine though.

I've just started my dose today so I can only encourage you to try it and see. So far, feeling okay. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

I also have an underactive thyroid. I have been on Mounjaro for nearly 7 months and have lost over 5 st.

It also helps with PCOS.

I believe it is like a miracle drug.

That's interesting that your consultant suggested it. Good to hear that.

I say go for it. A majority of people don't get side effects. So worth the risk I think.

Oh supplement wise, I suggest fibre tablets as constipation can be bad. Psylum husks are good (solgar brand)

Protein is key to avoid hair loss. Keep your protein up helps with that. Also making sure you eat enough calories in a day.

@NearlyAutumnNow I had a very high starting weight which I think meant an initial weight loss in the first two weeks that isn't typical. I lost 11lbs in the first two weeks.

I'm also losing on average 4lbs or so each week, again because my weight is still very high it is easier for me to be significantly under my TDEE each week. I have lost 44 lbs/20kg or so, going from 139kg to 119kg. I expect my weekly weight loss to slow down or even plateau as my total weight reduces. I've also been lucky in that I've not had a plateau as yet.

My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. It is life changing.

The only way to find out is to try it.

Read Johann Hari's The Magic Pill. Good discussion of risks Vs benefits.

No it's not. It's a book written by a proven plagiarist and liar with significant factual errors. Don't waste your time. Please do some research on this chap before taking anything he writes at face value.

I enjoyed it. It's an interesting discussion of the drug.

"Interesting" is not accurate nor well evidenced or researched. It's an opinion piece with factual errors from an extremely flawed character. Best to make that context extremely clear before recommending it.

Give it a go. If you have bad side effects you can stop.
I have lost 40 lbs since May, without any effort at all -- all the angst that used to surround dieting is just GONE. And I've had no side effects whatsoever.

I’m 10 days in and feeling great. Insomnia week 1 - very unusual for me. Also, surprisingly, my muscles don’t feel as tight, limbs feel looser as if it’s reduced inflammation. I didn’t expect that at all but I notice it as I’m walking about. Lost a tad under 3kg quite effortlessly. All good things to report here. Hope that helps

I’m in the same boat thinking about it but as yet I have no health problems other than being fat so I don’t think it’s a good idea for me personally to rely on a drug to make me slim. I’ve read it’s like anything and when you stop the weight goes back on so you have to be on it forever and who knows what the long term effects are. Especially if you have young children.

@Candyfluffs the risk of regain is the same for any method of dieting. It's not a quick fix and being aware of needing to maintain once stopping taking the injections means you can plan and prepare for it. The side effects are known, this drug has been around for 8 years or so. The risks and health issues associated with long term obesity means the risk of possible side effects is worthwhile. It is precisely because I have children that I need to sort my weight out. I would not be using these injections if other methods had been successful.

@NearlyAutumnNow Obsidian and I both started this back in February. I’ve gone from just over 14 stone to 9 and a half. I’m 5’7 and early 40’s for reference.

It has changed my life. Honestly, do it. A lot of us who started when it was first released are now off MJ and also not posting as much on the main threads. But if you go back to thread one you can see how clueless we all were. It is funny reading it back.

No real side effects for me. Constipation yes. Easily resolved. And I have had hair loss. But… I have a lot and take all the supplements I can.

As we said when there were only about 20 of us jabbing. Its liquid willpower and witchery.

@Candyfluffs, don't let these things put you off - you might not have health problems now, but they will come. And it isn't true to say that we "don't know what the long-term effects are." These are VERY well researched drugs, researched for long-term side effects in diabetic patients who have been using them for many years. Yes, their use of obesity is new, but their long-term impact on the body and long-term benefit is extremely well researched.
Dieting is a struggle. This makes it not a struggle. Why struggle?

Just do it!
I've had no side effects to mention. I do get the feeling many side effects are linked with refined carbs so maybe avoid those. I've not eaten any since I started- no desire for them at all.

I'd take it like a shot if I wasn't a therapist! Cannot risk sulpherous burps or intense diarrhoea!

I can share my experience however I don’t have any other health concerns. I highly recommend you discuss Mounjaro with your medical team to see if it’s right for you.

I am really happy I decided to try it. I am on week 7 and have stepped up my dose. I feel quite lucky as I haven’t really had any side effects - it’s been a fairly effortless way to lose weight. There has been some tiredness here and there but honestly I can’t really tell you any other side effects. I have never felt nauseous. I have lost over 8kg in total which is a third of my overall goal. It’s given me a massive confidence boost and has completely improved my life and my willpower.

The full list of things I dislike are:

• the cost, £100-200 every month will add up fast. It’s a commitment for sure, but can be offset slightly with lower food costs
• self-injections, it’s fine but can be a bit odd/unpleasant and finicky. I remember on one occasion I messed the injection up as loads was left on my skin. Some people bleed/bruise.
• the ordering process, sometimes you need to send photos of yourself or your scales to confirm your current weight.
• the delivery process can be complicated as it is sent with ice packs to keep it at a certain temperature before use. I have never had an issue with delivery but I have read stories of others having issues if they miss the delivery or it’s a hot day etc
• if you suddenly get a cold whilst taking MJ, it can be really difficult. That combination meant I couldn’t take in the nutrients I needed and felt particularly tired/hungry/dehydrated
• the first weeks on MJ can be confusing. If you eat “too much”, it can be physically painful, your sides will hurt. But there’s no instinctive way to know what is too much at the beginning, you might find yourself not being able to eat much at all. Expect to waste food, for things to go off, for you to misjudge what you can handle especially in social settings
• The appetite suppression can be inconsistent which can put you at risk of overeating