Coming to terms with the risks

[TinglyandCurious]

I’ve got to the point where I’m fairly certain I want to try weight loss injections after Christmas.

my BMI is 34 (I’m 6ft and nearly 19stone) and have repeatedly tried and failed low calorie diets over the last 15 years. I can’t do this anymore. It’s exhausting and depressing. I’m so unhappy with myself.

I have a lot of fear around the more serious potential side effects/adverse effects though. The news story about the nurse that died has worried me. But surely this is so rare?

How do you rationalise these risks?

Fucking hell. I know 'obesity can kill' but it's very sobering to see it written down like that. Thank you for sharing.

@Focalpoint wow those stats are frightening. My grandma was morbidly obese yet lived to 85 so I guess in my head I’ve always downplayed the risks. That is sobering stuff. Mind made up 😄

@TinglyandCurious When you dig into a lot of the recent media coverage about adverse effects, you find out that the people affected did not source their medication from a reputable source, or they were not honest when asked health questions during prescribing.

There are also a lot of people, including some on here, who go "off piste" and don't take it according to the instructions.

My advice would be to use a legitimate prescribing source, you can check their license here: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/registers/pharmacist. Be honest through the prescribing process, read the instruction and info leaflets and follow the advice therein.

If you are a worrier, choose a supplier which has a more personal level of support, but be aware you will pay more for it.

Thanks @unsync thats good advice. I am a worrier so would appreciate having a source of accessible support when I start. I don’t mind paying a bit more for that.

Hi @TinglyandCurious
I'm on my third week and so still at beginning of journey. I'm a similar age to you, high stress job, two young kids.

Everything written here is correct but that wasn't enough to convince me to try. In the end I realised that my weight - or inability to change it - was just making me so miserable. That was affecting my relationship, and inevitably the happiness of my kids because I was so lethargic and had stopped caring.

In these two short weeks I really feel different. As I've lost some weight (11lb in two weeks) I feel like I'm regaining myself. For me that's made any risks or worries worth it.

@NoOneAtTheInn how wonderful that you are regaining yourself. I’m so happy for you. Thank you for sharing.

I’ve been thinking a lot since starting this thread. I’ve lost myself too. A high demand NHS job, two small children and elderly parents has left me so stressed that my weight has got out of control. It’s making me so unhappy.

I feel trying the injections is less risky than staying this weight. And it’s not like I’m risking good health to be on them. I’m risking potential death from obesity. No brainer really.

I figured that the risk of Mounjaro was acceptable compared to the risks attached to long-term obesity.

I'm halfway there and I've never been this weight in years and years. I feel absolutely fizzing - I can't put it any other way. I still have 3.5/4 stone to lose but I feel happy, hopeful and energetic.

The nurse that died, died of sepsis, from pancreatitis, caused by existing gallstones.
Mounjaro was not listed as the cause of her death, but a possible contributory factor.
As far as I know, there was a link to pancreatitis in mouse tests, but no real link to humans. The only real evidence I can find refers from a case study of one person.
I won't lie, there are side effects. Mainly, nausea, constipation and or diarrhea. A few people find them very bad, personally they've been mild and manageable.
I'm 50lb down since mid July, and I feel pretty damned good about it.
It's not a magic pill, you'll probably lose water weight at the beginning, but on average, the weighloss is 1 to 2lbs a week. It's slow, and it can be unpleasant, but it works. And it's the first thing I've ever tried that did.
If you don't try, you'll never know. Xx

Every news article I've seen about people dying, have been related to people abusing the drug, and sourcing it illegally through non legal channels.

Since I started Mounjaro, my blood sugars are stable, cholesterol has gone down and is within healthy range, and liver markers are no longer indicating problems with liver! I had bloods done before starting Mounjaro (privately) and after less than 4 months of using it, this time through my GP. I have lost nearly 3 stone and I have plenty more to lose but already it had huge impact on my health. I had constant hip pain for 2-3 years now and I was worried I might need hip replacement surgery. Guess what, pain is gone!

Thanks @Windsweptandweird and @Lola3034, I’ve taken on board all the advice on this thread and my first pen arrived in the post today. So glad to hear you’re both doing well. Really excited to start my journey 🙂

Good luck 😊

I'm excited for you @TinglyandCurious . One weirdly good thing I've found is that there is so much publicity around people with bad side effects that I feel very aware of anything to be looking out for.
Can I recommend joining the thread for December starters. I'm on the November one and it's useful to have folks at the same stage as you to chat to if you want or need to.

It isn't the easiest decision, especially with all the negative press surrounding weight loss jabs. I was also very hesitant and worried about side effects but so far I was very lucky. Hopefully you'll be lucky too. I am still on 5mg and planning to stay on it for as long as I can. I am also careful with what I eat and watch the quantities. I do not count calories but got myself much smaller plate and probably eat half of what I used to eat. I barely ever fancy a snack and even if I fancy it, 1 or 2 bites are enough!

Can I ask people if they would in my situation? I guess I would have to make a GP appointment maybe

My mum had thyroid cancer
I have hashimotos, immunocompromised and on two hefty injections already (one is a bone marrow stimulant and one is for chronic hives)
Basically if it's a rare condition, I get it and everything I have is autoimmune

I've just seen this thread and enjoyed reading it. I'm also glad to see that OP @TinglyandCurious took the plunge to good health. Well done OP. I hope it works for you as it's doing for me and others.

I second joining the thread for December starters. Here is a link to it so you don't have to go searching. It's great to have people at the same stage as you to talk to about the benefits, any side effects and just general chat and support.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5220172-mounjaro-december-starters-support-thread-1

It is a tricky one. I would be a bit concerned about your family history and your current health problems. Can you speak to your doctor about it and see what he/she says?

Where's the 25 to 30 bmi?

Speak to the Dr, (although some know little about glp1s) and speak to the prescribing pharmacist. Before they prescribe, you will fill out an extensive questionnaire. You will have to state your medical history, and medication list. Only if you meet the criteria and what you have and are taking isn't contraindicated, will you be prescribed mounjaro, or any of the glp1s.
I recommend Oushk pharmacy. They have great support, are very knowledgeable, and have good pricing.

12 months ago my cholesterol was raised and I was pre-diabetic.
I started mounjaro in September. I had blood taken last week which show my cholesterol and blood sugars are both normal.

The drug is helping me lose weight and though still currently obese I’m healthier than I was before.

Thanks so much everyone. I appreciate the positivity! I’m going to start in January as have a week off work then (I work in a busy nhs department which tends to get particularly busy during Christmas so don’t want to worry about side effects at this time) so will find a January thread on here when one appears 🙂

Brilliant to hear the incredible impact this is having on so many of you x