Secret users - how many people do you think are taking MJ

[LeanneJP]

I’m a November starter and haven’t told a soul, not even my DH. I may do at some point, I just want to see how I go for a while. I’m just wondering how many other people may be taking it that we all know in real life but have no clue. On another thread someone said her beautician said almost everyone is secretly on it! Do you really think that’s the case?

Ah, I thought you could only take it for 2 years. She can definitely afford them.

That she'll regain the weight and perhaps more than she lost if she isn't able to address the underlying emotions which caused her to put on weight from childhood.

@Distantview so the same kind of concerns that you'd also have if she was doing WW, SW, etc etc as regain and more is a risk for all methods of weight loss. As anyone who is obese is likely to know from years of dieting and rebounding.

I've been on it for 8 months and have only told about 5 people, they had heard of it but had no idea what it was all about, it rarely comes into conversation with anyone I meet or chat with, it I think a lot of people have seen it in the news but have no clue or interest in what it really is. I think it will take another 4 or 5 years before most people know all about it and know other people who are on it.

I don't know anyone, and I don't suspect anyone either. I probably only know a handful of people who would qualify and would be very surprised if any of them are on it, but if they are then that's entirely their business. If anyone I know who doesn't qualify is on it then I would have an opinion because I don't want them endangering their health for a few lbs.

I am not sure how we could make an informed decision based on the hearsay of one anonymous nurse. If there were really large numbers of people who a) met the clinical criteria for MJ to be prescribed, b) obtained it from a legitimate source and c) used it according to the instructions, and significant numbers of these people were ending up in one ward of one hospital, the hospital would surely have reported this to the relevant government department as it could have national repercussions. Such a situation is most unlikely to remain unreported.

I'm curious about how people manage their life on it if not telling closest people like partners/DHs. I mean how do I people manage at meal times. I would like to try it but would need to tell DH if I did. We eat together in the evening taking turns to prepare the food. If I'm suddenly eating less he would need to know 1. So he doesn't start thinking I'm ill or something. 2. Because he may need to move often prepare his own food if I am either not eating/eating much less/suddenly changing what I eat. I do wonder ...if I go on it is that the end of normal eating together family meals until I'm at my aimed for weight. 🤔 I want to give it a go but do wonder about this.

I do think there’s a lot of judgement, because being fat is seen as evidence of gluttony for some - and the horribleness of dieting is penitence. To these people, the jabs are cheating.

so of course they will wrap their judgement up in fake concern.

and I guess most overweight people know full well they are judged so keeping it quiet if they use the jabs.

essentially any overweight person who’s started losing weight relatively quickly in the last few months, I’d think probably jabs.

@shiningstar2 that's the same as if you were following another weight loss approach, such as intermittent fasting, low carb, WW, SW etc etc or even just calorie counting. So, what would you say to your DH if you were calorie counting? Then, just say that! If you didn't want to tell him that you were taking the injections, that is.

@shiningstar2 - I guess it depends upon how much you need to change your eating habits and how many side effects you get. My weight gain was down to drinking too much and snacking mainly, also portion control (things like eating slices of cheese when preparing a meal). But DH and I have been cutting down alcohol so it hasn't been obvious. My family are used to me doing intermittent fasting so skipping breakfast isn't noticed. I serve smaller portions and eat most of it, its carbs I to cut down so eg only 1 roastie.

I have also managed my injections around events so delaying by a day or two if required. But as I said I've never had suppression so great I can't eat.

@shiningstar2 I've said I'm on a diet hence smaller portions.

@shiningstar2 I said I was on a diet, which I am. I explained I was focusing on eating healthier, increasing protein intake and avoiding snacks, which I am. I also said I was trying to up my activity levels, which I have. Mounjaro is a tool I use to help me do those things.

Sadly, many people are judgemental about weight loss meds because the science around obesity is not well known and the age-old view that 'fat people are lazy gluttons who deserve to suffer through diets or they're cheating and should be shamed' remains remarkably pervasive.

I was honest and told my husband and daughter, from when I was thinking about it, to when I did it and now openly talk about progress. But I eat the same as them at our evening meal, I just eat a smaller portion and tend to not have the carb element, as I feel fuller quicker, I find the carb element just makes me too full , and I need to ensure I eat enough protein, veg/salad. I don’t need to bag up on carbs.

I do think it’s a little sad when people need to hide it from their family, no family should be unsupportive or judgemental. In an ideal world, we would all have supportive family units we could be open with and gain support from.

That’s we go y/ozwmpic, mounjaro is approved for life.

I believe this is entirely correct. All the people who say jabs are 'cheating' - I do believe that this is what they are referring to. That people should have to suffer and as penance for their sins. I think that 'fake concern' would be more aptly labelled 'genuine hope' in most cases.

You still should eat - just smaller portions or healthier (depending on your current patterns) - although when starting there will probably be some times when you can’t stomach much

So your ‘friend’ and a whole hospital full of medics are aware there is a serious issue with either a bad batch of Mounjaro or infant the whole medication

they haven’t reported this but are waiting for the seriously ill patients to alert the media?

Please report this hospital - I am no expert but this must be a breach of medical privacy ethics. It is deeply unprofessional.

if it is true ………

A quick Google will tell you it is true. It's not just the counterfeit versions /misuse that are an issue. Like many medications, it does have to be taken seriously

www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-reminds-healthcare-professionals-to-advise-patients-of-the-side-effects-of-glp-1-agonists-and-to-report-misuse

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-reminds-healthcare-professionals-to-advise-patients-of-the-side-effects-of-glp-1-agonists-and-to-report-misuse

There are lots of potentially nasty side effects, whether the media report on them or not. The kind of issues mentioned here are the kind of things my friend is seeing.

Doesn't mean people shouldn't take them, but you should always know that serious side effects are possible. I am glad they exist believe it or not, but if you don't know the kind of side effects that are possible then you don't know what to stay alert for.

I probably saved my child's life a few years ago because I had read the side effects section of some new medication they were taking and spotted the signs early

Did you read the link? There is nothing in there saying it’s true lots of people are being hospitalised and are seriously ill due to the meds. Did you post the wrong link? Or are you confused as to conversation direction of travel?

Yes, no one is disputing this. It’s like any medicine, be it nurfoen or paracetamol.

Did you not read the link?
Pancreatitis, hypoglycemia and even dehydration can all be deadly. These are the kind of things causing hospitalisation. I don't know why it makes people so angry to hear about this.
I know my medication I take could make me seriously ill or kill me. It doesn't make me angry when people mention it's risks.

@SweetSakura you can't be prescribed this medication without being told about the possible side effects, and the medication obviously comes with a patient information leaflet that describes all the possible side effects. Just as with any other prescription or even OTC medication. Very many of these also have "potentially nasty" side effects.

Why don't you stop then?

It's not about mentioning the risks, it's about giving huge weight to a personal anecdote from a friend that is unverifiable and unlikely to be accurate. And indeed may be complete fiction. Given the large numbers of people who are taking this medication from reputable prescribers, there are not huge swathes of people being hospitalised with dangerous side effects.