Shemed January support - Thread 2

[FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden]

Fantastic we made it to thread 2!

This is a thread for all those who have started or are about to start the Shemed programme in January.

Those waiting for blood tests /first pens hope you hear soon!
Those on their first/second jab hope it's going well - do come and tell us how it's going.

This is designed as a supportive space to share with each other how it's going, worries, side effects as well celebrating wins and results :)

I think mine was 2 days before they responded to my questionnaire and prescribed it.

<edit - just checked the app, it was questionnaire on 21 Jan, review very late 22 Jan, sent 23 Jan, in my hand 24 Jan>

They will move you up to 5 by default after the first month, unless you are suffering severe side effects or have a good reason not to. I did stay on 2.5mg but I did get a strong email back saying that 5mg is the licensed clinical dose, and that I would have to move up for month 3. I think the progression to higher doses (7.5,10,12.5) is going to be much less pushed by them though, if only for cost reasons (the pens cost more!)

Just done my 1st injection! No guidance whatsoever on the phone call - they just told me to take it after the call, so I watched a YouTube video a few times and went for it. Couldn't even feel the needle (did it in my stomach). Now trying not to think about side effects and get on with my day!

Filled my questionnaire out on Thursday. Signature have approved and dispensed it today, estimated to be delivered tomorrow. I will do 4th jab of 2.5 on Thursday, then 5mg next Thursday and on Friday have a 9 hour flight to do so I really bloody hope my side effects remain minimal.

@Reginaphalangeeeee thank you. Just done my 3rd check in and jab. Check in went fine but disappointing that they don't show you the graphics on screen anymore on how to prime and take the jab. It is my 3rd time so I should know how to do it by now but I liked the confidence of following the instructions on screen. Has this happened to others too?

I only got the guidance on my first jab, I haven't requested it since. I have seen on the facebook group that they seem to have stopped giving the guidance even if asked, so I wonder if they are falling foul of some rules about the level of medical advice can be given by a call center person. The numan video is pretty good if you want a refresher

@kittykarate that's really useful. Thank you! I realised watching that video I forgot to wipe the pen with the alcohol wipe. Hopefully won't be a problem but at least I know for next time.

For those increasing their dose this week, how are you feeling about it?

I'm really wary of going up to 5mg. I still have intermittent diarrhoea which is rather unpleasant. Though I've eaten very little this week as I've had a horrible cold with no sense of smell or taste.

I'm not looking forward to increasing side effects and I'm wondering about trying a slightly lower than 5mg dose.

If you've already gone up to 5mg, what's worked for you and how did you find the side effects?

I'm really looking forward to going up to 5mg. Jab day is Wednesday and I'm feeling hungry. My only side effects have been perhaps slightly constipated and a bit of acid indigestion. I'm not eating a lot, by choice! I presume I will be able to eat similar to what I can today but with less willpower needed as I won't be hungry.
The jab has sorted out my sugar rollercoaster and enabled me to follow a diet that would usually have me binge eating sharer bags of chocolate within the week and I'm now just coming up to the end of week 4. Currently my weight loss for this week looks to be 3lbs which I would have previously only ever achieved in the first week and that would likely have been followed by a low loss or even gain!
I wish I'd done this earlier!! So my only fear is making sure I don't go completely off food and that I don't end up feeling nauseous, I did feel a bit like that one week but it was when I was skiing so I was eating rich food and in altitude I've not struggled with that normally.
Keen to hear how everyone else that has moved up to 5mg is feeling. I will report back post jab!

Well, day one and I've felt ok all day, apart from a persistent headache. Suppression has definitely kicked in though, which is fab! Had a bowl of porridge for breakfast, with a banana, blueberries and raspberries, a protein yoghurt at lunch, and just made dinner of steak, new potatoes, broccoli, roasted carrots and peas. Ate about half the steak, one potato and about half of the veg and I was full. I'd normally eat the lot and be wanting pudding! The dog was very happy about the leftover steak though!

Other than that, I've had a couple of cups of tea and about 2l of water, some of it in squash.

A friend has been sending me videos of food all day (she does this a lot and doesn't know I'm doing MJ) and I've not seen one thing that I've wanted to eat.

Fingers crossed it continues like this. I have half my body weight to lose to be a healthy BMI.

How did you get on today?
For possibly the first time in my life I was grateful that my pre-period migraine kicked in and made all food completely unappealing. If I didn’t have such a busy few days I’d be keeping everything crossed it hung around till Wednesday night ready for Thursday’s jab 😂

Much better today! I realised I wasn’t having enough protein (vegetarian) and after a light lunch, I had a protein shake and was absolutely fine until dinner, when I had a small portion again.

shame about your migraine - I hope it passes soon! Look forward to Thursday!

Pen number 2 🙈

Gosh time is zooming by
5mg check in complete before the kids wake up, il do the jab a little later.

constipation is pretty bad at the moment so hoping it doesn’t ramp up with the doubling on the dose.
I’m a stone down, 3-4 more to go !

second pen ladies .. we’ve got this 💪

well done all 🌸

Yay second pen @Mumof5cubs
!!
Hope it goes okay. Are you taking anything for the constipation. I have been a bit that way this weekend but was a bit worried to take anything in case it went the other way! It sorted itself out for me thankfully!

@meatyryvita glad you're sorted to.

@JBJ well done in the first day! It's such a strange feeling not being fussed by food isn't it!

I didn't realise the injection help had gone. How bizarre. It really is just tk record our weight isn't it. Pre signing up I thought it was like a little "how are you going" chat or a feedback but actually a pretty anonymous/scriptes weight check is quicker and fair enough for the study.

Yay for those of us moving up to the next dose! Amazing to think back to when we were starting and here we are already. I'm not til friday so good luck and do check back in with us all 😊. I'm nervous about side effects too but it might just one of those things were glad we're passed in a few weeks!

Yes in fact the last woman I connected to was actually quite abrupt with me. I didn't realise they'd want to scan the medication box every week and didn't have it to hand, so I apologised and politely asked her to wait a moment while I got it out of the fridge.

"Ma'am remember to have the medication next to you next time." ...okie dokie.

Got the box out and put it in view of the camera and she snapped at me, "Don't worry about it now we need to move on"

Sir yes sir 👀

Gosh that's rude isn't it. It's very much a call centre job isn't it...

Had a very similar experience, very quicky, slightly brusque - I didn't know they needed the box either and had to go looking for it. Wanted to ask a question but they didn't give me the chance!

Prunes have eased it and massaging the tummy (left side)

il keep you posted re: 5mg

🌸

Yeah I get the impression they're timed per call, and I was bringing bringing down her target 😬

I also had the headache after my first jab - just make sure you're drinking lots of water, little and often. I made the mistake of not drinking enough on W1D3 last week and ended up vomiting because of the gas build up from slower digestion 😓

Hi everyone 👋W2D1 and just taken my second jab! Felt a lot more confident this week doing the injection and so managed to do it off-camera following my check-in.

I could really feel the effects wearing off yesterday I actually felt hungry!

Managed to navigate a shopping trip and meal okay over the weekend, even went for the healthy menu option which isn't like me - and enjoyed it!! 😮

Little bit nervous about this week and if I have any side effects again (vomiting last week) just as I have to travel for work tomorrow.

I had to replace my old scales as they were showing me at 92kg when I first checked (not starting on 0), but new scales are showing me at 85kg today. Yay!

How's everyone doing?

@themumformerlyknownas I had about 2l of water yesterday, but might up it a bit today, as I've woken up with a headache. Been awake 3 hours and not fancied anything to eat yet though! Going to make myself have something soon. It's a very weird feeling, not being hungry!

OMG the wind! I got up this morning as it's an office day and so I have a commute, it was quite early. Stepped into the shower and my stomach was so bloated and sore. No relief whilst at home despite having some Windeze (in my care pack) and peppermints. I could not even properly do up my trousers!

Much better after my walk to the office and some fennel tea but boy oh boy, it was so bad it made my back ache. Glad that's over and I hope it was a one off!

Anyone else not realise you were meant to keep the box? 🙈
I threw mine straight out without even thinking (kept the inserts). The person who did my first call said it was fine but I’d have to have it next week - it was already at the tip by then 😂
Problem is no one I’ve spoken to seems to have very good English (and English isn’t my first language either so my accent probably isn’t the clearest) and I can’t get anyone to understand.

@TaliaTalia exactly the same as me! I threw it. I've had 3 check ins, no one has told me it will be a major problem... hopefully should be okay.

That’s such a relief to hear, thank you 💜