Just need a friendly hand hold

[OliviaFlaversham]

Apologies from the start that I’m being needy. I know I am but also know to ask for the help!

I am hugely overweight. 8 stone overweight.

From reading all the threads I think MJ is best for me but now I don’t know what to do. I know there are referrals etc but I wondered if anyone can help me work out where is best for me to order from and what I should consider when choosing where to.

My husband works from home so someone is always in (except one day a week) if that makes a difference.

Is there anything that would prevent me from being prescribed it?

I have access to private GP via telephone but not sure if that is useful or not for this.

Thanks in advance!

Hi @OliviaFlaversham, I started using Mounjaro about 4 months ago, I was just a touch under 22st when I started.

You can order from any reputable online pharmacy. You can find a list of them at comparison sites like

www.missmounjarouk.com

monj.co.uk

The pharmacies listed there are all GPhC regulated.

Some pharmacies offer a subscription model, others you just reorder and pay each time you need the next prescription. Some offer coaching and online support, all of them will be contactable for any questions or queries.

If your BMI is over 30 then it is very likely you will be prescribed. You fill out an online consultation which will cover various health aspects. There are some conditions that might exclude you but those are not common. Once you've done the consultation you should be asked to upload current photos of you so they can check your physique matches what you've told them about your weight. Then the order is sent for approval by the supervising doctor and then prescribed and posted to you.

Some of the bigger companies that have physical pharmacies let you pick up from a pharmacy instead of having it delivered. Asda, Boots, Superdrug for example.

There is a thread in this section for discount codes for first time purchasers, I would take advantage of those if you can.

The private GP might prescribe it to you but I don't know if it would be more expensive than the online pharmacies.

When you choose a provider you have to fill in a questionnaire. This will determine if you can be prescribed the medication. You will usually have to upload photos of yourself (front & side facing) a photo showing weight on scales and proof of ID but this varies depending on provider.

This website is good. It shows the trust pilot score and GPHC reg for each provider.
Also includes the codes used to get the price that’s posted.

monj.co.uk/

Good luck on your journey 😁

All providers are much of a muchness really. It's a straightforward process to apply, just fill in the form, give the evidence they request (mine was a real time photo) and that's it - they decide if you are eligible, let you know and then send it. Keep in the fridge till you use the pen the first time then wherever after that. It's much less stressful when you start than it all seems when considering it.

I just bit the bullet and didn’t mess around with price comparison as it just would have meant I put it off…

went with asda. Easy process and I’ve been getting 10% offers from them regularly

and then you just inject and no big deal 😁

You are likely to be on it for 6-12 months so go with a cheap supplier who posts it unless you want to pick it up in person or have some kind of support (and these threads will support you). I have used both Bolt and Family Chemist and would recommend both.

The other thing to not is that you can change supplier so just get started and then see how you feel about the supplier and the cost.

I get mine from ASDA online doctor - no complaints but they're not the cheapest (or the most expensive) and only offer 10% discount codes. They do offer support but I haven't need to use it ('ask the doctor'). I'm happy with them and no plans to change.

A friend of mine went with VOY - more support but she has already become frustrated with it and tbh I think some of the advice she has been given is too formulaic and due to this lacked basic logic at times. She is thinking of changing.

Honestly, it sounds like they are much of a muchness. I can only recommend ASDA as it is all I know (had 6 pens from them now, and ordering to arrival is very quick). Whoever you go with - if they offer a discount code use one (see official thread for that). I didn't use a discount code with my first order as I was worried that the person whose code I used would see my name. That doesn't happen!

I felt like I had to get all my ducks in a row and find out everything but one day I just decided to do it NOW and I am so glad I did.

Oushk lets you pick which delivery day you want. That's what swung it for me. But they've been great so far. Seem to do discounts but, thankfully, no annoying referral codes.

@OliviaFlaversham You can't really go wrong with the comparison websites already posted. Choose one from the lists and just go ahead.

I'd suggest you choose the pharmacy you can stay with and is affordable enough for longterm without needing to chase discounts and switch around if you want to just focus on getting on with your MJ journey. However, if you're up for that (which is fine too), then you'd be okay choosing any of them initially.

Ridiculous but your responses have made me a bit emotional. The contemplation and build up to ordering is exactly how you’re all saying it. You clearly understand where I am mentally! Thank you. So much.

If you are still on the fence try watching this, its is very light and a bit amusing.

How he describes MJ working is exactly how it worked for me, I just stopped thinking about food all the time. I have no idea how many stones I will lose - it should be around 9st to get me to a healthy BMI, but I am in my mid 50s/menopausal now so don't know if that is realistic. The benefits of no longer being mobidly obese far outweighed the risks for me. I am 18 weeks in now and have lost over 50lbs with only minor/moderate, but manageable side effects.

It is scary to start with, especially for a needle wimp like me, but I soon got into the swing of things.

There is a great group of poster in the >5st to lose thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5183561-mounjaro-wegovy-with-5st-30kg-to-lose-thread-3?reply=139397043 if you want to join us there to ask anything when you have a lot to lose, either before or after you make your decision. There is also usually a monthly thread so those who start together can learn together.

I use Oushk Pharmacy, I like them because there isn't the hassle of trying to get referral discounts for your next pen and I have always managed to get a discount code to use for any of my pens (I've had a mixture of 15%, £25, 16% off) and they allow me to pick a delivery date. They currently have a HALLOWEEN code for 16% off until the end of the month if you use them. They also have a supportive facebook page and do fairly regular live Q&As.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hi I tried MJ. Kept putting it off but I was suffering really badly with binge eating, I could be so healthy all day and then in the evening at work I would eat all of the things and it was like I had no off switch. I put on loads of weight but just couldn't stop.

I knew about wegovy as a friend tried it. She was beginning to look great. But I still couldn't quite convince myself to.

After about six months another friend said she was going to try MJ and I thought well if she can do it then I can too.

I went on here and pulled a code off the thread where people post them. I tried Voy because it was a big discount.

They wanted me to fill out a questionnaire and then send pics of myself. My friend went with Boots online I think. She got rejected first as her clothes were too baggy in her picture, so I wore leggings and a vest top rolled up to show my expansive belly. I got accepted. She had to send photos of her scales but I didn't. Also I think Voy doesn't tell your gp either.

it was great, i just stopped having the desire to shove all the food in my face every evening. so i had my normal dinner and that was enough. I just didn't feel the constant 'oh that looks good I'll taste that'

Also I was a bit more full at dinner and lunch and didn't go for seconds. And I was able to skip pudding because I felt dated and no longer had that craving for something sweet to finish my meal

Honestly it's been so worth it. I've been at it a month and have lost a stone.

I'm now switching to med express as it's cheaper moving forwards. I took a referral code from the thread there too

Hello,

I think I'll be joining you later this week. I have around 9.5/10 stone to lose and I've failed miserably any other way.

Want to buddy up? I've not ordered anything yet, but will probably go with Ouskk for the blue light discount.

If you are thinking of buying soon the blue light discount I think is only £15. The current Halloween discount is 16% and would save I think £22 on a 2.5mg and just slightly more on a 5mg (check first). Not much of a difference but every bit helps. It is valid until the end of this week and can be used on multiple orders (order one pen in each order and select a date in the future, you can change dose and pay difference if you change your mind, the drawback is you need to pay when you order)

Voy had an offer on last week, 44% off, so £111 instead of £199. I purchased spur of the moment, had to upload my driving licence and a full length photo of myself. They pfffer the option for them to tell your GP, but you can choose not to. That was Thursday evening, Mounjaro delivered Saturday. It’s still in my fridge, as I’m too nervous to take it.

Med express have blue light discount too, and it works out more than a refer code... thats gonna be my next one!

This is all so helpful. Have gone with Asda as although they give an annoyingly big delivery window, I can drive to one to collect.

I am on the ordering page-is it right that it is asking for payment before I have done any photos or had the consultation?

Have you filled out the questionnaire first? I can't remember what happened with the first order, but when I re-order, it's the medical questionnaire first, then what level of medication I'm requesting, then how I want it delivered, then payment.

The first time, after paying I then had a message asking for photos to be uploaded before the order would be approved. It was approved later that day.

Yes that’s the same for me then. Have done questions and the rest. Thank you!

I don't know why they give such a big delivery window, it's always been really prompt for me, always at the start of the window they give. So basically next day delivery. Maybe it's where I live!

Today I'm due to use the 4th dose in my first pen, I also have a lot of weight to lose and understand how you are feeling. From deciding I wanted to start until actually ordering took me two weeks, I went with the family chemist, the online process was straightforward, they weren't the cheapest for the first dose but the prices overall seem reasonable for the different doses, the pen didn't include needles, etc but I ordered the starter pack which included swabs, 100 needles and a bin. They provided me with a letter which I emailed to my GP. The first delivery took a couple of days longer than expected but they emailed me to let me know and gave me a money off code for my next order.

I haven't used the support they offer, I watched a youtube video showing how to use the pen, it was much easier to administer than I expected and I haven't felt the need to contact the pharmacy with any questions. I need to place my next order and think I will increase from 2.5mg to 5mg as this week I did feel a little hungrier but still didn't have any food noise and had a good loss.

I have lost 15 lbs in 3 weeks, which was way above my expectations. I also haven't really had any side effects, first injection site was a bit itchy and I have been feeling a bit cold. I have been taking fibre tablets each day and some multi-vitamins.

I really appreciate all of you giving your time to me!

I have submitted photos and it says 2-3 days to review them and get back to me. I was pretty disgusted by the photos and by the scales-was higher than I expected and the heaviest I have ever been.

@SilenceInside I wasn’t sure who they’d use for delivery and they said by Tuesday next week which is a day we can’t be in for and where we live, deliveries can be hit or miss!

Sorry, another question. Just realised my £150 order says only one pen/dose. I thought I would get 4 and order monthly? below is what it says:

Mounjaro KwikPen 2.5mg 2.5mg
1 pre-filled disposable injection Mounjaro KwikPen 2.5 mg with needles and sharps bin

Don't worry! There are 4 doses in a pen.

It's a 2.4ml pen, each dose is 0.6ml. The pen lets you do four injections before the mechanism stops working.

There is only one supplier of Mounjaro in the UK at the moment as it's under patent, the pens supplied are all the same wherever you get them from.