Help!

[Sunblocker]

I have read so many threads and I realise that the question has been asked over and over but please indulge me!
so, I’ve put on weight ever since I had my last child at 40. Now 55 and currently 17stone 7lb, 5’6”. I’m on high blood pressure medication and have raised cholesterol. My joints ache, my feet swell and I can’t bear the way I look.
I’ve had Mounjaro in my basket all week and cannot summon up the courage to press pay and order it. What’s stopping me?
my main issues are lack of time to prepare good food. Although I cook from scratch every night, in the day I snaffle back biscuits and chocolate during work- I’m in education at a senior level and am often at school past 6pm, so do a 10hr day most days.
I worry about my health every day and really want to get back to being a woman who loves clothes and dressing up but I hate what I look like and usually pull on leggings every weekend.
Will Mounjaro work for me? I’m scared of any side effects yet have to take blood pressure meds. My weight is linked to the menopause and also wine, which I love and which helps me sleep (although I’ve limited it this week and slept well).Truth is I’m just scared that I’ll damage my health using meds to lose weight, even though I guess drinking and being so huge has so many risks.
Please help- opinions, experiences, thoughts are so welcome as I really think this might be for me.

Why do you think that Mounjaro would damage your health? You might get side effects, which are usually mild, or you might not, but it isn't damaging to take it otherwise it would never be approved.

I've been using it for 13 weeks now, I've lost 3 stone 11 pounds so far, going from almost 22 st to 18 st, I've had one week of side effects that I found difficult at about 5 weeks in but that calmed down and it's been fine since. My feet don't swell anymore and my knees are pain free, plus moving around is so much easier.

I would recommend at least trying it and seeing how you get on. You don't have to continue if you get side effects that you don't want to tolerate.

I’ll just say this - everyone is different. However, the worst side effects people report are pretty manageable things - tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea. Nothing horrible. And these seem to settle within a few days anyway.

I’ve been on it for 4 months now, have lost 51 lbs and have had zero side effects.

Any possible side effect or risk is nothing compared to all the certain side effects and risks of being obese. That was my philosophy anyway. I am well on track to ring in the New Year with a healthy BMI, which hasn’t been the case for me for the last decade or more.

Thank you so much- I think I’m just afraid of the unknown

I get that. But no one is making you take it indefinitely, or for months and months. You can give it a go. Do the 1st injection, evaluate how you feel at the end of the week before the second one is due. If it’s not the one for you, it’s not the one for you. Just don’t take it anymore. It will be out of your system within another week or two.

I was also afraid of the unknown, but was more afraid of the known - diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, multitude of cancers, joints/bones issues, etc etc etc

Yes, @3wDavid has summed it up beautifully, exactly as I would say too.

You will probably get it free from the doc too with high BMI and comorbidities , no judgement btw. I started heavier than you, bmI 42. I'm 52 lb down, 48 to go,

I don't think that it's likely that a GP will prescribe Mounjaro. You would have to go through at least two tiers of weight loss methods that aren't injections before it would be considered and many areas just don't fund it anyway. I don't know of anyone who has been prescribed Mounjaro who isn't also diabetic and already on other medication such as metformin.

Wine will not help you sleep, you know that dont you? ((((HUGS))))

Look, Ive never taken a weight loss injection, but I too spent my middle years over weight, having very healthy , cooked from scratch evening meals , but work shifts meant I ate pure shite during the day.

I too am hypertensive ( have been all my life ) cholesterol whilst isnt frightening , isnt the best, and joints were beginning to give me grief

I was fortunate in one way that I wasnt so big, so it has been a question of pulling the reigns in and buckling down, but its not easy, seriously Im struggling to maintain - I am - but its tough ( the biscuits scream for me )

If I was at the size where the drug was open to me, Id be on it like a shot.

Food noise was a term I had only ever heard on here, believe me, I know what food noise is. Every moment of the day I am thinking of food and if there was something available to me to take that away, Id give my right arm

The unknown?? Did we know what was in the covid jabs or what side effects were going to show up?

At 55 you too are of the generation of who's parents happily took to the GP for inoculations against childhood illnesses. If you have daughters, Im sure you have made sure they have had the new innoculations for Herpes

If you seriously think that Mounjaro is going to kelp you , take it. Theres no shame, you dont have to wear a sticker on your head saying "IM struggling with my weight, Im needing help"

Good luck and I wish you all the very best

It will work for you, especially if your problem is snacking. You just will not want to snack.

Some quick thoughts from me:

Side effects are variable - nausea, constipation/diarrhea, tiredness, headache are the most usual, often for around 24 hours the day after the injection, but everyone is affected differently. Many of these effects also die down after the first month, but you may also have different side effects at higher doses.

Effects are also variable. Some folks have appetite suppression straight away, others take longer and at a higher dose. Bodies are so different! Whatever works for you, works for you.

You can stop at any time, as others say.

Completely normal to feel anxious about it, especially given all of the emotions surrounding weight gain. I remember sitting in the bathroom, pen in hand before my first dose, being on the edge of tears that it had come to this; I felt so ashamed. I am so grateful for having other folks here to talk to.

This will work best as a tool to retrain your habits. Chances are that you'll lose all desire for biscuits and chocolate whilst you're on it; possibly also wine, but that seems more variable. Great that you already cook, so maybe use this time to focus on eating more veg & protein, drinking enough water etc etc.

If you're an emotional eater, you may find this strange gap when you can't simply eat your feelings. Again, use this time to work on it.

Whatever you decide, very best of luck.

I really appreciate your lovely message- that feels incredibly supportive

Snacking has been my weakness due to incessant mind chatter, food noise and not being able to tolerate boredom. Well, that is gone now. It really is like a switch has been turned off.

Like someone said, I'm happily taking this to take that awfulness away and since it's gone, I can now comfortably make the right food decisions (calories in calories out) that my willpower was too weak to do. Mounjaro is like a willpower aid.

Like everyone has said, you only have to try it and if it doesn't work for you, you simply stop taking it. I know how long I spent on here before deciding to jump in and I only regret not taking it seriously and doing it sooner.

So many helpful messages- Mumsnet can be amazing!!!
I do have daughters and both are vaccinated, including the cervical cancer vac. I’m excited to see what might happen!!

Good !!!

You have done the very best to protect your daughters, now go and get the protection you need to be there for your grandchildren

I'm the same as you op, pondering starting.

I think partly excess weight can take up so much mental space, it's scary to think what life would be like without it. Like giving up a shield.

That’s so true. I’ve ordered tonight. Nothing else has helped in the past and I need to get a grip before it’s too late. I am damaging my health so much as I am- wish me luck!

I call it Liquid Willpower. It is amazing - the need to snack is gone, the need to finish everything on my plate even when I'm full is gone, the constant food thoughts are gone.
After years of abusing my body and mind with dieting and negative thoughts, this is just the best decision I have made for myself.
I had a morning of diarrhoea the first week, and vomited once one night the second week. No negative side effects since.
Good luck!

^^ liquid willpower indeed
Food noise gone ! It's freeing

No side effects whatsoever so far, on 5mg and have had 10 mins of nausea one day in total across the 7 weeks so far

My finger is hovering...... has been for the last 7 days. I'm scared of the cost just before Christmas and that I also can't go through with the weekly injection on myself. Which is bloody rediculous as I'm covered in tattoos and I pierced my own nose (as a stupid teen!!).

I'm sick of myself though, perimenopausal, undiagnosed (though certain of) ADHD, sick of the mind chatter and not recognising myself anymore. I'm short and huge, can't climb the stairs at home, keep up with the kids at school (where I work), tie my own shoelaces without it feeling like a bloody mission. I've also had a bit of a health scare lately due to weight related issues (have now been given the all clear but it's scared me).

Please tell me what I am waiting for 🙈 and someone give me a gentle nudge.......

I see OP that you've gone for it, well done!

@Sunblocker do you mind if I ask who you ordered from please?

If what you have written isnt the nudge you need I dont know what is

Sod the cost, We all find the money for our "fixes" be it smokes, drinks, concerts, whatever - you will find the money and surely your health is worth every penny? Dont YOU deserve it?

Just do it....I was 15stone 4 at my heaviest, lost a couple of stone on VLCD but put a lot back on. Im five feet 1 so i looked and felt awful.

I went on Mounjaro on 22nd June and I've lost 2 stone, I'm not the fastest looser but I think this will easier to maintain. I'm now in a size 12 and I literally cried when I pulled on a pair of jeans that have ben in my wardrobe for 10 years unworn.

People are complimentary about my weightloss which gives me such a good feeling but more importantly my blood pressure is now normal, down from 198/95 , my cholesterol is reducing, my joints are much less achey and I want to exercise. I'm doing yoga 3 times a week and gone back to dancing, which I love.

I cannot tell you more to just go for it.

@OverhwelmedMum the injection is the tiniest thing, it really is. I don't even feel it to the point that I have to really watch what I'm doing to make sure it's actually in my skin. The needle is only 4mm long and extremely fine so it's not even a scratch or anything when you do the injection. It takes a few moments and then you're set for the week.

You can change providers to take advantage of discount codes for new customers to help keep the cost down. It's easy enough to sign up with a new provider and show evidence of your current prescription. It does get harder to swap when you get to the point of your BMI being under 30, as some might not accept you as a new customer. Many people also find they save money from not binging or buying lots of junk food/takeaways, alcohol and so on.

I felt similar before starting it but I had so many health issues from being obese and nothing else had worked.

I started it two months ago. I'm three stone lighter. Main side effect is constipation. Food noise has stopped. I have no desire anymore for things I used to crave and eat on a daily basis.

A PP asked where to get it from. Here is a chart showing all the providers with current discount codes. I use MedExpress and have found them fab but the choice is yours.

@suki1964 erm it seems you know me well (I've just spent £150 on a Zayn Malik ticket ). Don't really have many other vices, the occasional crazy night with friends but do have a massive shopping addiction. But currently addressing that.

@SilenceInside I have seen the discount codes thread and I spied a list somewhere with current prices on with different suppliers. So yes if I'm clever I can work the cost out somehow.

I have 6 stone to lose, at least.

And yes @butterfly0404 my blood pressure was the health scare I had...... thankfully it was a one off ridiculous reading and levelled out over a week of readings at a normal rate. My Dad died very early of heart related issues which is another reason to get this addressed.

I'm assuming it's safe to use with HRT? My symptoms are no doubt being made worse by being over weight. GP has prescribed orlistat but I can't get my head into the game with it.

Thank you for your kind replies. Im going to mooch some more with looking at suppliers, discount codes, prices and figure out my budget for the next few months .......