Mounjaro / Wegovy with > 5st / 30kg to lose: Thread 3

[VelociraptorsVelociRapping]

Thread 3!

Anyone using weight-loss injections to lose more than 5 stone / 30 kg is very welcome to come and chat in this supportive space.

And for this reason, I've decided right now to come and join here instead of the monthly boards. Some of it is very worrying and unsettling.

So here I am. 53, 5 ft 4. Obese. Many chronic health issues.

Started MJ on Saturday.

SW 101.7kg (BMI 39)
GW 64kg (BMI 24)

I did weigh 106kg at the start of September, and lost some on my own, but I felt miserable and alone and really needed help. Oh. Meant to add, so about 38kg / 6 stone to lose.

First weigh in on Saturday.

So when I was on 2.5mg I had nausea and constipation (so much so that the doctor prescribed me laxative drinks)
I'm 3 days into 3.5mg and I have diarrhoea. I would have thought that I would just get more constipated!
Is this normal? I'm worried that it's not a side effect and I'm actually ill (have bad mental health and OCD around illness)
Also, after yesterday's lack of suppression, I am having to force myself to eat today.
Sorry for all the questions and worrying, I have severe mental health issues and no one to ask about these things.
So, I guess my question is, can it make you go from constipated to having diarrhoea??

I've certainly seen this swing between the two reported by lots of people on here. I'm prone to both, especially diarrhoea as I have IBD. However, in 18 weeks I've only had 3 single episodes of diarrhoea and no constipation.

I take psyllium husk capsules daily, and the times I've had diarrhoea have almost certainly coincided with when I've forgotten to take them.

Psyllium husk works for both diarrhoea and constipation, by balancing the moisture in the bowel. Lots of people from the original thread also swore by it.

I recommend ones that are 4000mg or so daily. I've used New Leaf from Amazon, which is 2 capsules daily and includes a probiotic. You could start at a half dose initially.

You can also get it as a powder, but I found it difficult to take.

@Swissrollover I am taking psyllium husk from Holland and Barrett. 6 capsules a day, and I haven't missed a day yet. I did increase my laxative for a couple of days at the end of last week, so that might have something to do with it.
I just have so many issues with being ill that it sets off such bad panic attacks

It sounds like you are doing the right things, and perhaps the increase of meds plus increase of laxatives had that effect. Of course, if you are really worried, your GP or prescriber are best to consult. Also, don't worry about asking questions, we all have them!

What sorts of foods are you eating, especially as you are fighting the cravings and getting no suppression? People often report that high fat, sugary or spicy foods cause them D&V on MJ. They do well eating bland foods, little and often. Protein and vegetables are usually well tolerated. A nourishing chicken soup might be really good for you, if you eat chicken.

I've been drinking miso soup, this has helped combat any tummy troubles; Fermented food is excellent for digestive problems. As a bonus it keeps my taste buds alive so I am more likely to eat.

@Swissrollover I am eating the same thing every day.
So for breakfast, it's an apple (never really been a breakfast person but have to eat something to take my meds)
Lunch I have oats, alpro sugar free yogurt, grapes, raspberries and blueberries, cinnamon and chopped hazelnuts.
Tea I have half an avocado and a boiled egg across 2 slices of wholemeal bread.
Later I will eat frozen berries and I let myself eat a few jelly babies in the evening.
This has been the same throughout the 6 weeks so I don't think it can be food that's making me bad.
I also have IBSD, which had really settled down on the 2.5mg, but today I just feel pretty rotten.

Oh, and I have chopped carrot, celery and cucumber too, normally with my tea

That sounds amazingly healthy! The only comment I could make is that I personally find too many seeds, especially from berries, can encourage diarrhoea/ gut irritation in me. The same with too much fibre, such as wholemeal bread. However, this may be specifically linked to my IBD ( Ulcerative Colitis).

Are you finding the MJ has allowed you to comfortably eat just a few Jelly Babies, and be satisfied? My "Jelly Babies" are a glass of wine. Not brilliant, but I have certainly cut down greatly and on MJ feel that a little of my treat is just right.

@Swissrollover ah sorry, thought you said IBSD
It's strange, I didn't really like jelly babies before MJ, but my nurse told me to get some in case I go into a hypo, and now I love them!
I freeze them so they last a bit longer and am able to just eat a few and put the rest back in freezer

@Changinghabits1973 i started on 21st 13lb lost 21lb so far so long way to go. I find it really fascinating what its done to my mind normally I fail after 2 weeks or if I go and see family in Spain, this time I didn’t it’s easy to eat smaller potion sizes feel contented and not feel like missing out. I’m only on week 7 so early days so far I’ve use u2pharmacy and medexpress as got a 1st time use code and someone used mine thinking of going to oushk as got the 7.5 ready in the fridge. Look around on these thread you will find a link to someone that puts on the current deals on all the pharmacies and you can find some really good spreadsheets to track your journey. Goodluck on your journey I will keep an eye out for your updates

@Thelastdietever - can totally relate to all what you have said ....

Sounds like you are doing amazing - that's a great loss in the 7 weeks; to me it's worth it just for the cravings and disproportionate nonsense snack buying and eating i was doing, thinking that would make me happy just for that hour whilst I was eating it all !! But this is a great tool and personally I don't want to be suppressed for the whole 7 days - i like it to an extent when the hunger noise comes back on the 5th / 6th day as that bit is down to me and how much control I have - which then is a great tool to take with me after I have reached my goal
i am loving this thread as everyone is so supportive and we all have a long way to go to our goals but our journey's are also so different..

I wish you loads of luck too and likewise will be keeping an eye on your updates - WE'VE GOT THIS - EVEN ON WEEKS THAT DON'T GO SO WELL !!! XXX

@RainbowZebraWarrior
I am also 53 with 6 stone to lose 👋
2 stone down so far, so a third of the way there. Good luck!

I really agree. It is almost disheartening to see some people on the September board talking about maintenance already, or maybe being a few lbs or a stone off their goal weight. It's nice to see some of the more long term losses here (as well as looking at some of the huge success stories).

Are they incredibly short, or have they fibbed about their BMI to get their prescriptions, I wonder?!

@VelociraptorsVelociRapping a bit of both I think. The August board is lovely but I can't help but be worried I'll be the only one left on it in a couple of months

We’re delighted to have you here for as long as you need us, @itwasnevermine

I noticed you said you take meds with your apple in the morning. I'm not sure when you take the psyllium, but try to not take close to your meds, as it might affect absorption of them. Especially as MJ slows down digestion.

I get up.early to walk my dogs, so take my psyllium on an empty stomach with my probiotics at about 6am (they come together in lots of formulations, so hope that is ok). I then wait at least 2 hours before eating and taking any other medication/ supplements.

Interesting tip about the frozen jelly babies! Not sure what your other conditions are, but I assume MJ/ weight loss is likely to benefit them, so worth trying to pursue as long as the medics think it safe and you can manage the side effects you are sadly experiencing.

That'll be a while I think!🩷 I've just ordered pen 3 of 5mg. I'm losing a steady 3-3.5 pounds a week on it and I'm happy with that!

The October board that I originally joined has a couple of people at 5ft 1 / 5 ft 3 who are 11 ish stone (apparently just in the obese category by .1 BMI). It didn't sit well with me (and they wrote long posts justifying why they should be on MJ) it simply isn't the same as being obese and having multiple health issues and stroke risks etc. By all means, people can do as they please, but as I say, it doesn't sit well with me.

Definitely interested and will look into this. But am on a lot of medications for various illnesses so will need to check I can actually take injections too.

@Swissrollover that's weird because on my psyllium it says preferably take them with a meal!
Yes, I have a number of health issues that I am hoping MJ will help with. My husband is saying that I am already snoring less and my diabetic bloods are the best they have ever been, so I really need to continue with this

Same with mine - I take mine at lunchtime after I have eaten my lunch

I take my vitamin tablet at the same time, but from what I am reading on here perhaps I should take that at a different time to the psyllium.

I'm meant to be on the August board but have gravitated here mostly!

My losses seemed to stall over the last couple of weeks. Started 5mg on Saturday and 2 kgs have dropped off - 9.4kg since 14/09 which is fantastic!

My DD noticed had had lost which was nice.

Hope everyone else is getting on well.