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Weight loss injections/treatments

Discuss weight-loss injections and treatments, including personal experiences. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any treatments.

Share your advice with newbies

39 replies

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 20/12/2024 19:12

I'm starting in a couple of weeks and just thought it might be nice for people to post advice to newbies!

It might be good foods to have in/avoid?
Prep for side effects?
Expectations? Feelings?

Thankyou 😊

OP posts:
SilenceInside · 20/12/2024 19:28

My top tips are:

Check how the sharps box lid works. I accidentally fully locked the first one and had to order another.

Don't push the used needle tip into the sharps bin in such a way that you jab yourself with the back end of the needle. I did that the first time as I didn't realise the back end of the needle was uncovered.

Read the paper instructions that come in the box with the pen a few times before doing the first injection. Some providers don't send out wipes (mine didn't) and I didn't realise I needed them. Luckily had something suitable in the first aid box. The wipe is for the end of the pen before you attach the needle, not for your skin.

People's experiences differ a lot. Some get appetite suppression and no food noise straight away, others it might take till higher doses.

Take pictures and body measurements if you can bear it, to compare with later on. Sometimes the weight loss is evident via lost inches rather than the scales.

morbidcuriosity · 20/12/2024 19:41

Yes to the take measurements.. ì didn't, and I know I've gone down a few sizes but no idea how many inches.. would of been nice to know. All I know is 5 belt holes. Haha.
Aim for protein and fibre.
Stear clear of fried food to start with.
Drink lots of water.

IReallyNeedThisToWork · 20/12/2024 20:09

My top tip is not to compare your weight loss to anybody else’s! There’s a continuous stream of posts everywhere about being ‘disappointed’ as people ‘expected’ to lose more. Your body will do what it does.

WeAllHaveWings · 20/12/2024 20:20

Watch a video on YouTube on how to inject before you read the instructions, they make more sense then. But do read them in full it doesn't take long and there is important information about storage, when to discard pen, contraception, changing injection day etc.

Be aware there are a few posters who treat their injections very casually and go up doses too quickly, inject more frequently, even use needles more than once or go weeks beyond discard dates without knowing the risks. You need to make your own risk assessments, just because it worked for one MNer up to now doesn't mean it is safe. You might think you would never do that, but you'll be surprised how easy it is to get drawn in.

There are a few things you can do that are low risk - get a fifth dose out the pen (you will need extra pen needles and/or a syringe), or adjust doses - if you want to move up to 5mg you could for example buy a 5mg pen and take 3.75mg for a couple of weeks or more by counting clicks to move up more slowly. You will start to understand these the more you read on the board.

If you have unpleasant side effects, speak to your provider or local pharmacist who can give you meds to help nausea, diarrhoea, constipation etc.

Don't chase full suppression, find the right balance between suppression and will power.

Work out your TDEE and cutting calories and log them in an app like MFP. In the first few weeks you might struggle to eat enough, but on days when suppression is lower it is good to get some calories in. Look to have a decent calorie deficit over the week without going too low.

WeAllHaveWings · 20/12/2024 20:29

morbidcuriosity · 20/12/2024 19:41

Yes to the take measurements.. ì didn't, and I know I've gone down a few sizes but no idea how many inches.. would of been nice to know. All I know is 5 belt holes. Haha.
Aim for protein and fibre.
Stear clear of fried food to start with.
Drink lots of water.

That's a good one. I started MJ in June but didn't start taking measurements until August, wish I had started sooner.

SurreyisSunny · 20/12/2024 21:18

For the first injection watch YouTube to see how to do it.

For me by far the worst side effects were when i increased my dose from 2.5 to 5mg. This was 48 hours after the injection. When I increased to 7.5mg the bad side effects (vomiting) happened after 24 hours.

What foods to avoid is a bit of trial and error.

Bibulous · 20/12/2024 21:49

The only advice I've got is to drink lots of water and keep your protein and fibre intake up. The only real side-effects I've had are the odd day of mild constipation.

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 20/12/2024 22:18

This is all so helpful. And so much I wouldn't have thought of! Thankyou all.

Does the day you inject make any difference?

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 20/12/2024 22:24

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 20/12/2024 22:18

This is all so helpful. And so much I wouldn't have thought of! Thankyou all.

Does the day you inject make any difference?

I inject Thursday as I don't go back to work till Monday, so I have four days if I have side effects ( I haven't had)

12purplepencils · 20/12/2024 22:26

Don’t worry if you don’t feel anything for the first few weeks - some people do some people don’t!

I quite like injecting on a Tuesday evening.
means that by the weekend there are no side effects, some suppression still there but I can enjoy a drink and nice food.

QueenOfHiraeth · 20/12/2024 22:33

My advice would be to use the drug as a tool/support rather than letting it do the work.
Some people rely on appetite suppression so they eat very little and lose weight fast but, at some point, we all have to learn to maintain and maybe come off it so we need to learn to eat and live healthily, deal with hunger, etc. The people I know who have lost weight and are keeping it off, used the time on the medication to establish better eating, exercise, routines, habits, etc

OvaHere · 21/12/2024 00:04

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 20/12/2024 22:18

This is all so helpful. And so much I wouldn't have thought of! Thankyou all.

Does the day you inject make any difference?

You need to try and work it around how you live and what responsibilities you have. I don't get very bad side effects compared to some people but I have weeks where it's worse than others. I try to avoid the gym in the first 2 days after injection because my energy dips and often I can't fuel myself enough to get the best out of weight training.

That's been one of the biggest downsides for me. Two years of weight training had built me up strength wise but I was still fat with a huge belly. Despite trying not to I've lost muscle and will have to build back up to weights I could manage before. However I think it's worth the sacrifice because I was showing signs of being pre diabetic due to the weight I was carrying.

PinkArt · 21/12/2024 00:15

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 20/12/2024 22:18

This is all so helpful. And so much I wouldn't have thought of! Thankyou all.

Does the day you inject make any difference?

I inject on a Friday as the weekend is when I used to graze and snack the most, plus Friday was my 'cheat' day so that worked well if suppression wears off during the week. I also jab in the evening as people suggested giving yourself the night to sleep off the worst of the potential side effects. Turns out my side effects tend to kick in around the Monday or Tuesday so that part didn't work out for me!
Work out when makes most sense for you based on your week. If you socialise loads at the weekend for eg then go for earlier in the week so you aren't struggling to eat in a restaurant.

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 21/12/2024 00:16

Hmm I was thinking Friday as I do an in person job and am worried about side effects but that plan may not work if it's several days later!!

OP posts:
piscofrisco · 21/12/2024 04:35

Start taking a digestive enzyme when you start jabbing. You can buy cheaply from Amazon. Helpful in combatting side effects.

ThatSchoolOfficeLady · 21/12/2024 05:25

Stick on the lowest dose that works. Happily for me that's still 2.5. It comes from a 5mg pen though, so I can up the dose if it suddenly stops working.

Queenofthejabs · 21/12/2024 06:28

My advice op.

follow the manufacturers instructions.
so move up the dosage schedule as they recommend for the best results.
you need to find your optimal dose, which is the one below the one you can’t tolerate.
however you will know as you move up, when you’re getting there.
the drugs don’t stop working, so you don’t need to mess around with low doses and clicks. What the poster means above when she says if it stops working is her body getting used to it, as she’s not even on the first dose level, 2,5 is just start treatment to get your body used to it.
Just do it correctly and move to your optimal dose, then hold on this.
ignore a lot of the nonsense on social media from people not taking it correctly.
First or second 5mg is often difficult for people, some nausea, etc, but it alleviates, it is just your body adjusting.

when I say follow the manufacturers instructions, this also includes eating.

small meals and often
avoid fats and refined sugars, you will feel unwell. The runs, nausea etc
ensure you eat enough protein, at least 1 gram for every kg of your weight, this is critical to ensure you lose fat and not muscle.
eat lean proteins, veg, salads, don’t add fat, and fruit. Basically healthy stuff. You won’t want the unhealthy, not unless you don’t follow the manufacturers guidelines and mess around with low doses and clicks, and your blood sugar isn’t thus managed.
drink plenty of water.
take a daily psyllium husk with a probiotic added, with a large glass of water, keeps you regular and avoids stomach upset.

on a personal note, I find injecting into my thigh, the best and could also help to ensure no negative side effects.

good luck.

Iamthemoom · 21/12/2024 07:02

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 21/12/2024 00:16

Hmm I was thinking Friday as I do an in person job and am worried about side effects but that plan may not work if it's several days later!!

The drug peaks in your body after three days so that's when side affects and suppression will be highest. Work out the best day of the week for you based on that. My only side affects are a bit of tiredness, the odd brief headache and looser bowel movements (I know opposite of everyone else!) but they're totally bearable and don't last long, just around the 2-3 day after injection mark.

Definitely go up slowly. I just went up a dose two weeks ago and do think it's too high for me so might go back down a bit. Learn about the clicks as the one size fits all dosing isn't great. Listen to Dr Tyna podcast for more on micro dosing, low dosing and other benefits beyond weight loss. It's fascinating!

12purplepencils · 21/12/2024 07:45

Queenofthejabs · 21/12/2024 06:28

My advice op.

follow the manufacturers instructions.
so move up the dosage schedule as they recommend for the best results.
you need to find your optimal dose, which is the one below the one you can’t tolerate.
however you will know as you move up, when you’re getting there.
the drugs don’t stop working, so you don’t need to mess around with low doses and clicks. What the poster means above when she says if it stops working is her body getting used to it, as she’s not even on the first dose level, 2,5 is just start treatment to get your body used to it.
Just do it correctly and move to your optimal dose, then hold on this.
ignore a lot of the nonsense on social media from people not taking it correctly.
First or second 5mg is often difficult for people, some nausea, etc, but it alleviates, it is just your body adjusting.

when I say follow the manufacturers instructions, this also includes eating.

small meals and often
avoid fats and refined sugars, you will feel unwell. The runs, nausea etc
ensure you eat enough protein, at least 1 gram for every kg of your weight, this is critical to ensure you lose fat and not muscle.
eat lean proteins, veg, salads, don’t add fat, and fruit. Basically healthy stuff. You won’t want the unhealthy, not unless you don’t follow the manufacturers guidelines and mess around with low doses and clicks, and your blood sugar isn’t thus managed.
drink plenty of water.
take a daily psyllium husk with a probiotic added, with a large glass of water, keeps you regular and avoids stomach upset.

on a personal note, I find injecting into my thigh, the best and could also help to ensure no negative side effects.

good luck.

It’s a personal thing but I prefer the approach of staying on the lowest dose that works and not moving up every month regardless (that part isn’t contrary to manufacturers instructions).

I did do the counting clicks thing to get in between doses when I found the side effects were too much after moving up from 2.5 to 5mg for example. You need to find a dose that’s effective without unmanageable side effects and some people are more sensitive than others. So I stuck at 3.75 for quite a number of weeks then slowly went up to 5.

Queenofthejabs · 21/12/2024 07:47

12purplepencils · 21/12/2024 07:45

It’s a personal thing but I prefer the approach of staying on the lowest dose that works and not moving up every month regardless (that part isn’t contrary to manufacturers instructions).

I did do the counting clicks thing to get in between doses when I found the side effects were too much after moving up from 2.5 to 5mg for example. You need to find a dose that’s effective without unmanageable side effects and some people are more sensitive than others. So I stuck at 3.75 for quite a number of weeks then slowly went up to 5.

Yes, it is a judgement call, you need to find the optimal dose. I was pushing back at the poster who commented on it stopping working. It doesn’t when taken correctly, simply if you’re not on the right dose then it will be having little to no effect.

but 2.5 or 3,75 isn’t a dose.

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 21/12/2024 07:52

What do you mean 2.5 isn't a dose? It's the first one? From what I've read it's designed to taper you up to higher ones but many people find it works been at a low dose.

OP posts:
12purplepencils · 21/12/2024 07:54

Yes officially they say below 5mg is not a therapeutic dose but in reality 2.5, 3.75 etc does have an effect on many people, but not everyone.

Ive been on it 6 months and only managed to get up to 5mg in the last few weeks and have been losing slowly but steadily because it’s helped me stop binge eating.

Queenofthejabs · 21/12/2024 07:55

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 21/12/2024 07:52

What do you mean 2.5 isn't a dose? It's the first one? From what I've read it's designed to taper you up to higher ones but many people find it works been at a low dose.

5mg is the starting dose, 2.5 is just the initiate treatment step so you can take your first dose.

FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden · 21/12/2024 08:04

Ah that's interesting. I didn't know that yet for people like pp it's definitely working at a lower dose!

OP posts:
WeAllHaveWings · 21/12/2024 08:20

It is absolutely fine, and most providers will recommend/support staying on 2.5mg if it gives you the desired effect. I have been using 3.75mg for 25 weeks now and lost over 4st with few side effects. There was no reason to increase to 5mg..

Theoretically 2.5mg is a starter dose to get your body ready for 5mg, but if 2.5mg works for you why not stay on it, until it doesn't?

Some, not the majority, providers follow the original Eli Lilly rigid advice that the only maintenance doses to stop on are 5mg, 10mg and 15mg with the other doses only being step ups to those maintenance doses. No provider I have been with has ever insisted I move up every 4 weeks until I find the highest doses I can tolerate. It may be an approach that works for others but not one most follow.

My provider actively says stay on the lowest dose possible so you don't run out of places to go when you hit 15mg and your body becomes accustomed to it. (It also saves you a fortune as higher doses are much more expensive). I would look for a provider that is more flexible and has an individual approach to prescribing than those that move you up doses when it is not required.

3.75mg is not an official dose and providers will not support adapting doses, not because it is risky to the patient, but because the clinical trials we're done on the full doses, and they cannot publicly discuss or condone off licence practices such as click counting or using 5th doses. But many do it and as long as you are sensible it is low risk.