A really scary experience.. please advise

[Tgilaura]

Morning all.

I am on week 2 day 3 of 2.5mg and have had little in the way of side effects so far.
Yesterday I had a bad stomach which I put down to eating a few pieces of spicy chicken the night before, so I had breakfast and lunch but not dinner as my stomach was painful.

When I went to bed I had a panic attack (which I haven’t had for years) but I recognised it for what it was and was able to breathe and calm myself fairly quickly.
However at 3am I woke to my daughter crying and while I was settling her my heart started racing and I couldn’t breathe.
It took me a good couple of hours to calm down and go back to sleep, and this morning my stomach feels really heavy.

Has anyone else found Mounjaro affects their anxiety?
Has it lasted or being a fleeting thing?
Could it be anything to do with electrolytes?

any advice gratefully received

Do you suffer from anxiety in general ? Have you ever had signs of health anxiety ?

I have been on MJ for 5 months with one bout of constipation for 2 days - solved with mild laxatives. Now on 12.5 and 6 stone down with one to go. Blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rate all now in the green zone from the red zone . So glad I didn't give in to one mild temporary side effect.

I've seen people report both heightened anxiety and lowered anxiety so it really varies from person to person.

I had moderate anxiety attacks (heart palpitations) a few times in the first 2 weeks or so of 2.5mg but taking my anti anxiety medicine for acute symptoms stopped them. I've not really had them anymore, although a few times recently (after starting 5mg) I've had very mild ones that are so fleeting, they're gone as soon as they start.

I do have diagnosed General Anxiety Disorder so I'm sort of used to it but I know the ones that are my usual (I feel every symptom, not just heart palpitations) and the ones that were probably from the MJ medication. I think it's triggered by new shot or increase in dose of the medication as it's only happened at the beginning of each dose.

On the other hand, I've found that I don't need to take my other anti-anxiety daily meds as much because I'm calmer and feel less daily anxiety.

Are you (still) on any medication for your panic attacks?

Op, are these your first panic attacks, or have you had them pre injection?

Sorry that happened to you @Tgilaura . I haven't found myself more anxious on MJ, but I've seen it mentioned as a rare side effect for some people. I've stayed on 2.5mg because of gastric side effects when I tried moving up, but I haven't experienced a negative impact on my mental wellbeing like this so I don't know what to advise. Can you contact your provider?

This is exactly the same side effects I had, but mine kicked in on day 1 of first injection. I stopped taking it after 2 weeks.

People on here talk like it's an absolute miracle with no downsides, I have even been told off for saying that for me it did dreadful things to my anxiety - panic attacks and racing heart - like I am being a downer on the party.

I would have loved it to work for me but it was terrifying.

This is really dismissive and snarky.

Maybe if you had lain awake for several nights with fear rolling up and down your body and your heart racing at 120-140 bpm rather than having "one bout of constipation" you wouldn't have felt it was "one mild temporary side effect"?

@valueyourself @Dragonflysparkles @SheRunsLikeItsARace @TimeToLoseItAll thank you all so much for replying so quickly.
I do suffer with anxiety generally, but not to the point where I ve ever had to have medication for it. I ve previously managed it with exercise and distraction.

The last time I had a panic attack was more than three years ago while I was pregnant.

It’s interesting because up until yesterday I felt that my general anxiety was better than usual so didn’t know what to make of this.

Im really hoping it’s a temporary thing that will adjust as I continue as I m experiencing good suppression on 2.5mg and losing well. I suppose I’d just need to monitor over the next week and see how bad it is 😖😭

Thank you for being so empathetic. It is so frightening while it’s happening and I really thought I was dying at one point.
In the cold light of day this morning I know I wasn’t, but it doesn’t help while it’s going on 😫

Are you eating a healthy balanced diet ? If you are getting surpression from 2.5mg you are lucky because it's only a non therapeutic dose-designed to get your body used to dose.

Drink water
Electrolytes should not be necessary.
If worried see GP.

My provider notifies GPs . I had a conversation about another health issue with mine - and she told me she was also on it along with 4/6 GP colleagues and 6 practice nurses. This lead to a great conversation when she explained how it all works which made me feel much more confident about it all.

Yes just monitor. If it's recurring, do see your GP or you can still talk to your prescriber tomorrow. They're happy to listen to any symptoms you have and advice. I wouldn't give up yet until you've spoken to a medical professional (prescribing pharmacist or GP).

I also have a history of mild anxiety triggered by a run of severe health conditions in my children, but I was totally stable before Mounjaro, off meds, feeling good but obviously overweight.
It was definitely the MJ that caused the change. Kicked in the first night; I stopped after 3 weeks (took a 1.25 ml second dose after 10 days) and have had no recurrence subsequently.

Are you still on it or off it? Your first post seemed like you're no longer taking it and this one seems like you're on a much lower dose that's working. Sorry if I'm misunderstanding.

@VoyOySaveloy
I’m really sorry to hear of your experience, it sounds terrible. And I m sorry you ve been shouted down when you ve tried to talk about it.
While I agree Mounjaro has done amazing things for my cravings and binging in general, it’s still important we acknowledge and discuss these things so people who also suffer can find information that it can indeed by linked to mj.

I guess there’s nothing to do but wait for it to leave my system, but the next few days will be telling as to whether I can manage the panic or not. 😭

@TimeToLoseItAll No, I stopped taking it. Took 2.5 and it was terrifying. Didn't want to give up so left it 10 days and took 1.25. On 1.25 I was getting insomnia, nausea and a racing heart at night but not the full on panic attacks. I just found I didn't want to titrate back up. Panic attacks are scary.

Yes in fact I would say my diet is healthier than when I ve previously tried to lose weight alone - though bland. Lots of chicken and veg, kefir, protein bars and loads of water.

I do appreciate I m lucky to have any suppression at this dose, so if it’s possible this will be temporary I d like to be able to continue as I’m experiencing good results.

@VoyOySaveloy Ah right. I get you now. Yes they're scary and I can understand why you'd stop. Did you talk to anyone - GP, prescribing pharmacist for Mounjaro? The latter always advises to come to them if you have any issues. It also helps for them to record people's side effects on MJ. Maybe they could have given you something to stop the symptoms. I know my anti-anxiety meds have helped me and I'm diagnosed.

It definitely isn't for everyone. I was very cautious about starting MJ in fear of gastric side effects, for personal reasons related to my mental health. I stayed on 2.5mg for two months before risking 5mg. The first 5mg dose gave me horrific diarrhoea for three days and I vomited once which was absolutely it for me - I skipped the following dose entirely and after that went back to 2.5 where I'm staying (and losing weight, two and a half stone down in four months). So I know that any higher dose of this drug is absolutely not possible for me. It's amazing, but if you respond badly to it then you have to weigh that against the benefits.

I suppose, like any med, it’s just not for everyone. MJ is a largely positive experience for most people on here (myself included) but not everyone will be able to take MJ and don’t be too hard on yourself if it just doesn’t suit you and brings out more anxiety and you can simply stop taking it.
I have side effects but no stress or anxiety, the opposite actually as my brain feels clearer without the food noise.

Absolutely. I think this is where I am. I ll have to weight up the severity against the benefits but my loss so far is good.
I have read on Reddit that other people have said it has subsided as they ve continued and gotten used to the dose.

I also agree Mounjaro, like any medication, isn't for everyone. Some people react badly to it, some have few side effects but is manageable, and it works for some with little to no issues. It's just like any medication and I don't see why anyone would shut someone down if it doesn't work for them.

I have sent a message to my prescriber (Asda) just asking their advice so will see what they think.

At the time the support from Voy was not really effective - 5 week wait for welcome coaching session - so I didn't. I had a look on Reddit and could see other people had similar experiences and some worked through it - but I am not so obese (15 stone) that this seemed like my only possible chance.

I switched to intermittent fasting and have lost a stone so far, with no side effects!

I developed a kidney infection and had a really bad panic attack one night in bed. My anxiety had been revving up a bit since taking it but I didn’t put it down to the jab.

I was just googling one night about my kidney infection and came across links to the jab and also in some cases it can cause anxiety.

I know it’s a wonder jab for some and fair play but for me not so good.

@VoyOySaveloy I see. Yes, 5 weeks wait is terrible. I'm glad you've found what works for you. That's the most important thing.

I’ve also just been reading that magnesium can be good at helping to control anxiety and panic. I have some supplements in the house so might try them as well in the meantime.