Should I move up a dose?

[furcoatwithnoknickers]

I started MJ 6 weeks ago and the weight has fallen off me so far - 28lbs down and about 2 stone more to go to get me to my goal weight. I haven't moved up from 2.5mg yet because I would prefer to lose weight more slowly but I have found that for the past two weeks the suppression has really worn off and the food noise is creeping back.

I was thinking of moving up to 3.75mg for my next shot because I really don't want any food noise but at the same time, I'm still losing weight on 2.5mg (2lbs down this week). I'm also thinking about maintenance in the future - if I stay on 2.5mg the whole time there's nothing to titrate down to so what will I do then?

Anyone have any advice?

28lbs in 6 weeks is a lot. Reputable pharmacies (and the GPs who prescribe) don't recommend you increase if you are steadily losing weight. 1 to 2lbs a week is the expected and sustainable level of weight loss.

That’s a huge loss in six weeks. If this is due to the level of suppression I’d not move up.

Thanks 9togoal. I was really unwell for 2 of those weeks with the flu and couldn't eat at all so I think that's what sped up the weight loss for me.

I am not in the UK and my GP here has given me a prescription for a 12 month supply.

I probably should just stay on 2.5mg for now but I loved having no food noise for the first time in my life so it's also very tempting to move up and see what happens.

Honestly if it's working and no side effects, stay on it at 2.5mg until you plateau. Keeping your calories on a 500kcal deficit every day (3500kcals for a week if you use IF) and ensuring you do strength building exercise for your muscle mass will ensure you do continue to lose.

Rotate your injection site to find the best one for suppression. Inner thigh seems to be better than stomach for a lot of people. Pinch the fat and inject there. 🙂

Not sure if you need to pay for each pen, but if there isn't a significant difference in price between 2.5mg and 5mg, I would buy the 5mg, but take 2.5mg (30 clicks) until your weight loss settles to a more sustainable/healthier 2lb a week.

This means if you find you need it during that 4-5 weeks you have the option available to increase.

I am 30 weeks into MJ and still on 3.75mg, suppression comes and goes for me so I don't move up until I have a good 2-3 weeks where I struggle with food choices and/or weight loss stalls as I prefer the stay as low as you can approach - which many providers recommend.

Thanks everyone!

That's a good tip about injecting into my thigh! I will try that this week and see what happens.

Thanks WeAllHaveWings. I am using a 5mg pen this month and counting the clicks. My prescription goes up by 2.5mg each month so I have to buy a bigger dose every month regardless unless I go back to my GP (and pay) for a new prescription 😣

I'm on Ozempic not MJ but I've lost 4 1/2 stone but still more to go. I could go on a higher dose but GP recommends I stick on the same dose as I'm still losing and if you lose weight too quickly you are more likely to get baggy skin. Do the stretching and tone exercises to try to avoid that. If no side effects and you are still losing weight I'd stick to the current dose until you plateau. Then go up.

I get much stronger suppression with stomach injections compared to thigh. Interesting to hear that it varies.

Thanks Carer. I will definitely give the stretching exercises / weights a go as I am already looking quite saggy unfortunately!