Continuing Mounjaro... Part 24

[Jimmyneutronsforehead]

Pointers for newbies:
Please note: Mounjaro will only be be prescribed initially if your BMI is above 30. If you have additional health conditions you can get the medication with a BMI 27. (Prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart problems)
Mumsnet does not allow promo codes. Please do not post any. If you want one, ask and someone will PM you a code or there are now threads on the promo page that have codes for Mounjaro link below:
Promo codes :
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/promo-codes-bargains
For all threads so far, pointers for newbies, weightloss tracker, links to discount codes, tips and tricks and high protein recipes.
Site with all the info :
https://wattnext.notion.site/e880d9342b7a4bab94c244b34e0e5841?v=cc1edc3f1c2b41dab3011c8d9063df0a
Miss Mounjaro UK has the most up to date price comparison charts: https://www.missmounjarouk.com/

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THEIR GOALS WHETHER THEY WERE SMALL GOALS OR BIG GOALS!

Health and safety information regarding the medication:

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), outlines several potential side effects associated with its use. Common side effects include:
- Nausea
Diarrhea
Decreased appetite
Vomiting
Constipation
Indigestion (dyspepsia)
Stomach (abdominal) pain
These gastrointestinal symptoms are typically mild to moderate and often diminish over time as the body adjusts to the medication.
However, Mounjaro may also cause serious side effects, such as:
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis): Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain that may radiate to the back, with or without vomiting. - I want to personally add that not all pancreatic pain radiates to the back and can present a-typically in that it can just be present on the front or be hard to locate the source of pain.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): The risk increases when Mounjaro is used in combination with other medications that can cause hypoglycemia, such as sulfonylureas or insulin. Symptoms may include dizziness, sweating, confusion, headache, blurred vision, shakiness, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, hunger, weakness, and feeling jittery.
- Serious allergic reactions: Discontinue use and seek immediate medical help if you experience symptoms like swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting; or rapid heartbeat.
- Kidney problems (kidney failure): Dehydration resulting from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea can worsen kidney issues. It's important to maintain adequate fluid intake to reduce this risk.
- Severe stomach problems: Inform your healthcare provider if you experience severe or persistent stomach issues.
- Changes in vision: Report any vision changes during treatment to your healthcare provider.
- Gallbladder problems: Symptoms may include pain in the upper stomach, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), and clay-colored stools.
Eli Lilly emphasizes the importance of discussing any side effects with your healthcare provider, especially if they are bothersome or persistent. They also advise reporting side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or via the FDA MedWatch website.
For comprehensive information, refer to the Mounjaro prescribing information provided by Eli Lilly.

Please all remember that we aren't medical professionals and so if you do have questions about side effects it is important that you contact your supplier, as well as 111 or your GP as soon as possible.

Another side effect is hair loss, this is normal for anybody new to this discussion. I hope I can put your mind at ease. Our hair goes through 2 phases, the anagen stage, where it is active growth, and the telogen stage where the growth stops. Whenever your body is in a deficit, and is finding it's new equillibrium, your hair is likely to go into a telogen stage, and so an increased amount of hair shedding is to be expected.

Things that can help are making sure that your hair is nourished, and that you're using the right type of hairbrush for your hair so you aren't causing more breakage which then gives the appearance of more significant hair loss, as well as really making sure you're hitting your protein goals for the day.

Protein isn't the only important thing you need to focus on. You need fibre. Natural sources of fibre are going to be best as in vegetables and fruits, but if you have to supplement that's also fine. Fibre intake is important for bowel movement regulation, as Mounjaro does slow down the digestive system.

Lastly, make sure you're getting in enough liquid. It's very easy to dismiss thirst if your appetite is suppressed. It will stave off a lot of the headaches that are common with Mounjaro, keep you feeling your best, and will also help with any constipation you may be having.

Happy thread 24 everybody, and the first thread of 2025 in this series. It's wonderful having you all, and I can't wait to see what this month brings us all.

To be honest, I don't usually buy them. I was looking online for GlueNoGlue and I saw it and thought this one looked nice, and DS has been told my the hospital dieticians he needs to be supplemented with protein shakes so thought if they were nice he'd enjoy them so worth the try.

Every time I try them I come to the same conclusion that they're thick, sickly, and I can't understand how some people will drink these every day, I think I'd have to be under significant pain of death.

They always make my stomach hurt too regardless of whether they're dairy or vegan.

I think bone broth could be the way forward instead.

Just coming on to say to those worrying about hair loss- don’t worry! It eventually does start growing back. Unfortunately mine seems to be growing sideways like Krusty the clown! But I’m assuming it’ll drop when it gets heavy enough 😂

You and me both!

DP had some minoxidil leftover from when he tried to salvage his balding head and I've been using it on a Q-tip around my hair line.

My hair has drastically changed texture and is very coarse, and seems to snag really easily, despite what product I use, but I've accepted that age is probably also a factor in this.

Hair is slowly regrowing, I just look like I've been struck by lightning.

Looked back at some photos from my childhood where all I used was herbal essences cheap shampoo and conditioner, and I had beautiful, knot-free, pin straight thick lucious hair, and now I've spending a small fortune on hair treatment.

I am starting to believe wigs could be the future.

Hi all, I've been holding off posting until this moment. Couldn't quite believe it this morning. Apologies for the big post.

Oct 2024: SW 105kg. BMI 34.2
Mar 25: CW: 91.9 kg. BMI 29.9

I'M NOT OBESE ANY MORE

People are noticing, but I'm noticing most :) Started at an uncomfortably large size 20, down through an uncomfortably large 18, am now a reliable 18 (in that I can wear almost anything in that size and it will fit and be comfortable). My hips and knees don't ache. My feet don't swell at the end of the day. I can exercise more easily. On the downside, my breasts are definitely suffering but it's a small price to pay.

I'm on 12.5 and am just going to go straight up to 15 next week and see how I go. I have to count calories constantly so nothing has changed there, and have worked out that I am probably going to have to stick forever to one main meal a day with two very small other meals of max 300 calories each.

GW: 77kg. Still seems a way off but I'm halfway there.

Congratulations @PermanentTemporary ! Lovely that you're really noticing the differences yourself

I’ve had an appointment with my doctor today who said that I need to stop the mounjaro. I’m devastated. Over winter I’ve developed reynauds syndrome (not sure if it was anything to do with the MJ making me cold?) but the medication for that lowers my BP. As mine is so low now (definitely caused by the MJ), I have to stop mounjaro to take the new meds. I’m terrified I’m going to gain all the weight back. I’ve been on it 355 days, I was looking forward to my one year anniversary. I was secretly planning to reach my goal weight and then move to a maintenance dose and live on it forever. No point to the post, I’m just feeling sorry for myself and feel like people on here are the only ones who’ll understand

@GlueNoGlue oh no, I am so sorry. That is not what anyone would want to hear. You will find a way through this, find a way to adapt to your new circumstances. Maybe once you've stabilised on the new medication it could be reviewed depending on how your BP is.

@GlueNoGlue

Oh no, I'm really sorry. I'm sure this is the nightmare of many of us, especially us long-termers who've spent so long getting to a better place and have plans in place for maintenance for years ahead. Can only echo @SilenceInside , and hope things will settle on your new meds in time and maybe a low maintenance dose will eventually be an option for you.

@GlueNoGlue so sorry to hear this, it must feel like a real blow.
As @SilenceInside said, this may not be the end of it and maybe you just need to eat this particular elephant one bite at a time, if you'll pardon the analogy. Fingers crossed things settle for you soon

Hi lovely people! How is everyone doing?

@GlueNoGlue really sorry to hear you have to give it up, but it sounds like you’ve made absolutely heaps of progress the time you were on it, and I believe you will be fine without it! I’m cheering you on!

I just wanted to do a quick check-in, it’s been a while since I was last on here!

As of today I am 6 STONE down! S I X! Unbelievable! I have 4 kg to go to my goal weight of 65 kg and then will hopefully start going down the doses, and then come off!

In other more annoying and unrelated to MJ use (TMI warning)!
I’ve been suffering with piles for years (since I was pregnant) and I am having a real flare up for some reason ; really struggling the past few days. Please send me positive vibes. It is bringing me down. Also if anyone has any advice/ something that worked for someone - please send it my way.

@GlueNoGlue I'm really sorry to hear that. I've been imagining all sorts of circumstances in which I'd be told I can't safely take it any more - I'm sure that will happen for many people tbh. Very best wishes - are you able to taper or are you going to have to stop dead?

@GlueNoGlue - so sorry to hear that. I can appreciate how you must be feeling about that news. You’ve done so well and fingers crossed for your maintenance journey.

@3wDavid amazing!!! Congratulations!

@PermanentTemporary no, they’ve said cold turkey stop this week and then blood pressure check next week to start the meds the week after :(

GlueNoGlue
Aw, that's rubbish - are you close to your goal or still quite far? I guess if you really do need to come off at least you know now what you can eat in order to lose weight and can try and go it alone? I've always had low blood pressure too and you've just reminded me I should keep an eye on it as I've been feeling pretty tired and weak on MJ.

3wDavid
Me too with piles and pregnancy - not sure if it's helpful but if they're exacerbated by constipation all I can say is I've been eating at
least one pear and orange a day since I've started and haven't had any problems in that department so far 🤞 raspberries too are high in fibre.

I was going to say oh no, what a shame but your health is so important, and you must not forget all of the helpful things you've learned along your journey like the importance of eating protein, the 30/30/30 rule and everything in moderation. Also, hopefully you'll lose the lactose intolerance which will be a game changer.

I think you're very capable and I'm very proud of how far you've come so far.

I hope you stay in touch even if it's just to let us know how you're getting on.

I had to have a hemmorhoidectomy after I had DS and sadly I think I'm looking at another.

I don't get constipation as much on mounjaro anymore but I did in the early days and have had some recent painful rectal bleeding which prompted being seen at the doctors, and got confirmation the bastards are back.

If you've not tried the suppositories they're worth trying, as they can shrink them and are self administered though not bery dignifying, but if you've tried those and they've not helped, they can be removed by rubber band ligation which is minimally invasive, but only if they're internal. If they're external I was told I'd have to go private as the NHS won't remove them.

@JoanCollinsDiva ive half a stone away, just over 7.5 lost so I’m disappointed but nearly there at least!

@Jimmyneutronsforehead thank you! I honestly couldn’t have done this without these threads with the encouragement, advice and support. Good luck for the future!

@GlueNoGlue sorry to hear this

hopefully once bp is more stable you may be able to start again on a low dose

I have to say @Jimmyneutronsforehead I had a haemorrhoidectomy with the rubber band aged 24 and they just came back again periodically and i live with them. They definitely got worse early on with MJ constipation but I guess I'm lucky it's eased off.

I'm really sorry to hear that @GlueNoGlue. Wishing you all of the luck when you come off it.

Interesting that you say Mounjaro has lowered your blood pressure. I had to go to hospital this week (not MJ related) and my blood pressure was incredibly low (unsure if it was related, the doctor didn't say anything about the MJ).

Congratulations @3wDavid, six stone is amazing! 🙌🏼

I've been on maintenance for a while now (moved from 7.5 to 5) and it's going fine. I'm maintaining around 2lbs either side from my GW (currently 145lbs). I think I'll do another month of 5 and then see what the drop down to 2.5 is like. I'm definitely craving more 'bad' food options but can easily avoid the temptation.

It was actually the hemmorhoids that got the doctors take my suspicions of hypermobility seriously.

I had a male proctologist so was chaperoned by a nurse, and while he had his fingers up my bum he said "wow, how LONG were you in labour for?!" and I said "er... I wasn't. I had an elective C section". You could have cut the tension in the room with a knife, I glanced at the nurse who decided it was more comfortable to look at my bum than make eye contact with me, the doctor sat there stunned for a moment, still with a finger in my bum, I just laid there in what felt like a period where time stood still. I wanted the ground to swallow me up whole.

But after it was over he did write to my GP to say he had noticed other signs of hypermobility and it made asking for a reconsideration much easier and simpler the second time around.

@GlueNoGlue I'm so sorry to read about the end of the medicated section of your journey. I hope that the next leg isn't as difficult as you fear. I'm sure that you're stronger than you realise after essentially a year of working on yourself. ❤

I have a family function at the end of this month and I'm pulling what's left of my hair out over what to wear. I'm 65lb/2.5 dress sizes down with plenty left to lose so I don't want to buy something new and I can't find anything I love on Vinted. I think I have a lot of body image issues which mean that shopping and trying things on just feels awful.

This will be the first time I see many relatives since losing the weight and I'm not looking forward to the inevitable looks and conversations this might spark, no matter how well intentioned the comments might be. My sister knows that I'm on mj now but she knows I don't want other people to know. I think even though I know this was the best choice for me, I can't feel proud of my weight loss because I shouldn't have gained it in the first place/I shouldn't need help to lose it.

This is my mini moan, so I am sorry to offload here. I don't think I have any questions today, just frustrations.

I bought a lovely dress off tiktok shop. It was £18 at the time but wore it to a recent christening and after party.

Definitely recommend looking there if you've got tiktok.

@Jimmyneutronsforehead

Thank you, that's a pretty dress!

Thank you. It's elasticated at the waist and I'm not lucky enough to ever lose anything off the bust area so although it is a new purchase, not second hand, I will use it again at another event. We've got a wedding coming up in October, I have ok'd it with the bride who has also been using mounjaro and explained I don't really have the spare money to buy another dress but if it still fits it's OK to wear.

There are a lot of nice, cheap clothes, that can go on to be sold second hand as good condition on there, so not a total waste.