Shemed January Starters - Thread 3

[FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden]

Wow thread 3! I just went to post on the other thread and realised we'd got to the end. I hope everyone finds us - I wasn't able to post a link!

This thread is a support thread aimed at those who started with the Shemed 1 year plan in January (or there abouts).

How is everyone?

I am not nauseous today and seeing light at the end of the tunnel- but so glad I have stuck on 5mg for the next one. I am definitely eating less too - I'm hoping that lasts!
@OneAzureMaker - ah we can be second 5mg pens together! I really want to do some exercise but similarly will have to wait until I have some energy. @tinyemmy Yay hope you are still going okay too - will be a few of us on our second 5 pens!

@Reginaphalangeeeee

Wow - fantastic results! And great the side effects have remained calm. I've had side effects each weekend of the 3 5mg jabs I've taken but they've decreased. This weekend was much more manageable for me. I think the suppression is more constant now too. I will stay on this dose if it carries on like this for a while.

@JBJ Yay for more loss - and good luck with 5mg

@BruhWhy Is the nausea easing?

@Needtomust96 I think some people in the facebook group have - you can use the section at the end of the form to request it and do say why. From reading randomly online it does seem some people need the higher doses to respond although a 1kg a week is what I'm aiming for. You might find that 5mg does it for you in a way 2.5 doesn't.

@Monmonss I did my questionnaire early Friday morning and the pen is supposed to be arriving Tuesday (tomorrow) . I think they issued it Sunday. Hope it settles for you - have you tried taking anything and all that?

@YouWillFindMeUnderCats I was the same - 13lbs and not quite the stone! I am now though - slow and steady does keep adding up. Hope the 5mg goes okay for you.

@Mazd323 How has today been? I think I'm eating less on 5mg but it still wears off towards the end of the week

@Lostatsea10 and @MrsMidgeMaisel and @Follydear I am sorry you are both still struggling. :( It's a hard thing to weigh up isn't it. It does seem Shemed do let people out of the contract if they're struggling or give them the option of Wegovy, and definitely seem to let them stay at 2.5 for longer if needed. Good luck whatever you both decide.

@Humptyandhambel Yay for a steady weight loss and hope 5mg is treating you okay.

Tagging people as I couldn't put a link onto the other page - hope that's okay and please do tag anyone I've missed out (probably quite a few!)
@afromom @kittykarate @floweryjones @Earthgirl3971 @Bananaramram @ForPeachSake @SnowieBear @bluesmartie83 @bertieallsort @Brighton2019 @TLMoo @Newshoesnewname @Bigknickers56

1.6lbs off this week, first weight loss on the reduced 2.5mg. it probably would have been 2lbs but I enjoyed the bank holiday! I have stuck to a similar eating regime as before as before so I was expecting a good loss, although I am getting very close to goal now, just 3.4lbs to go and two and a bit weeks before holiday. I think it will happen 🤞(normally at this point I'd be going up and down the same half a pound for weeks)
I would say I feel a bit more hungry than before but the cupboards aren't calling me. I didn't finish my meal last night, I still don't enjoy a lot of food. This doesn't surprise me as I found 2.5 immediately effective on starting mj and I only went up to 5 because that was what you were supposed to do. I am also incredibly lucky that side effects are few and far between and pretty much non-existent now I've gone back down to 2.5 so I feel like this is a dose I can stay on.
It will be fun seeing if I can eat enough to maintain whilst on holiday or maybe even gain!! I can't see me wanting to come off this magic jab!!

Hello everyone. Well done everyone for keep on keeping on!

@Reginaphalangeeeee I hope they get back to you soon and that hopefully the next pen will be 7.5 so you can get back on the band wagon. You have had an amazing loss maybe your body is just catching up a bit. It's frustrating they didn't give you the 7.5. Eeek to the needle. I know lots of people do it but that doesn't sound fun 😬.,

@DearRaven wahoo! Fingers crossed for an easy transition to 7.5!

@Earthgirl3971 and @BruhWhy Hope 7.5 is good for you both.

@Bananaramram great to see you! 3stonenin 3 months is an incredibly huge weight loss! That must feel great. I'm genuinely amazed theyre putting you up - they are inconsistent in their approach. Hope 7.5 goes well for you. I've got jiggly tummy too (and underarms and legs). It's weird and a bit lumpy underneath. I hadn't realised that about the types of fat.

@tinyemmy Wow fab weigh in! Sounds like you've done amazingly 😍. How great to be at the finishing line.

@JBJ wahoo for under 19stone. I'm there with you this week. It's great isn't it!

@RedHillLady yay for bmi under 40!! That's my current goal and I'm not there yet but it's getting closer.

I had my ultrasound today. Thankfully nothing sinister but did confirm the fatty liver disease. Feels very real now it's on my NHS app and go notes. I've felt quite low about it even though MJ is literally the thing that's going to help. Ive lost 3 stone so I think I'd hoped it wasn't so bad. However at nearly 19stone I'm realistically very very large.

Our new plan is to go for a 30min walk after dinner each night to get everything moving. Owa quite sedentary pre MJ (struggled walking) so hoping it helps.

Thanks @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden I’ll let you know what they reply. Not sure how speedy they are these days.

Sorry to hear the diagnosis hit hard. I know what you mean though. I had skin cancer a few years back & the C word haunted me. Stupid things like health questionnaires, questions I brushed past before now applied to me. I didn’t like it at all. Still don’t but shock worn off.

Did you see the consultant or have another review? Is it a case of monitor with bloods now or do you have symptoms of it?
remember, it’s not just the 3 stone you’ve lost, you are still loosing & each but will help. Well done getting more active too, it’s hard in the evening but hope daylight will help. Xx

A friend started MJ on 2nd pen with SheMed (she is not on here). Her pen is a dud/wont work. Anyone had this happen? If so what did they do to rectify? She has called them today & worried how long will take to sort. She has tried several needles too. Won’t prime.
Any advice gratefully received & will be passed on. X

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden sorry to hear about the fatty liver. I think it's more common than we think. At least you are doing something about it ❤️

@Reginaphalangeeeee it's unlikely to be a faulty pen, they should try another needle...

Sorry to hear about the fatty liver. My SheMed blood test showed that I likely have it and it really hit me like a punch to the face. It was a really sobering moment, as I feel like it drove home just how poorly I have treated my body the last few years.

BUT, as @tinyemmy said, we are doing the right thing for ourselves now! I bet if they’d done the test in January, it would have looked much worse - and imagine how much better it will be in another four months!

Oops I meant to quote @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden ! Sorry!

I had a pen that didn't work. It actually wasn't the pen but the needle that was the problem, I swapped the needle to a new one and it was fine.

Oh gosh @Reginaphalangeeeee this isn't as frightening as the C (good for me to put this in perspective). They were checking for that too and they didn't see that and logically this is fixable and I'm fixing it. Its enlarged as well as quite fatty so not in a great place but could be worse. I think its just the reality of it all sometimes.

I've got more bloods in a month or two (have had 2 sets for the GP now spaced a few months apart) and the next set she's including some other tests so I guess its good she's being thoroguh. My last set still had high numbers for liver test, a high reactive protein (inflammation i think) and my blood platelets have been wrong for a while - just a few squiffy results. I initially went to her with fatigue just before I started MJ so I'm glad she's investigating really and I so hope the weight loss will sort most of it.

Its reaffirmed to my husband and myself that we do need to keep sacrificing to fund this (we are quite low income) as its clearly affecting my health. (Did anyone watch the first new black mirror - I had to turn it off as I got squeamish but the premise of subscription based health did make me hope the prices go down rather than up!). I do tell him I am eating less so must be saving - but we are also spending more on "real" ingredients than some of the crap we used to buy.

@Bananaramram Yes it is just like that isn't it - and I expect for many of us SheMed will have hightlighted this with the results - but we're on the right pathway.

Oh yes, that black mirror was so awful and so true when using the netflix like concept. I'm also hoping it will come down rather than go up!
Yes, I'm also planning to keep finding the money for mj for my health!

I still haven't had my blood test so no idea the state but I've lost 3 stone so whatever it was it will be a lot better now.

I had some GP tests a while back that showed kidney issues, which have been improving. I'm due another test soon I'm sure, but I think that was caused by naproxen overuse from a rotator cuff injury. I wouldn't have known if I hadn't been tested, but also just time should have solved it so likely if I hadn't been tested until now I wouldn't know. Pros and cons to testing.

I need to get my thyroid retested, I've heard that mj will have improved it so I'm probably over medicated. I feel fine, but years of a suppressed TSH have given me osteopenia (or I might have had it anyway!?) so they like to reduce my thyroxine which is not ideal because of the under active symptoms I get. At least now weight gain isn't one of them!

Hello all,
I am new to Mumsnet. I think I posted once maybe ages ago. Just wanted to share my story.

i started Mounjaro on 07.02.2025 with SheMed after doing tons of research. It was actually my husband who mentioned Mounjaro to me and did most of the research. I started at 107.7 kg, I am 5ft 1. Lost tiny bit of weight before starting injections. Altogether I’ve lost around 12.5kg since 27.01 and 11kg since starting Mounjaro. I never had suppressed appetite. I do get appetite reduction, but it’s not major. I’ve had 1 pen of 2.5, 1 pen of 5, 2 pens of 7.5. I’m currently due to take my second dose of second 7.5 pen tomorrow. 5mg was the worst for me. I was sooo tired on it. I felt exhausted. 2.5 was the best if it comes to energy levels and sleep. I went from sleeping 3 hrs a night to sleeping 7 hrs. I went from doing 1000-2000 steps a day to doing 8000-10000 a day. I work full time in an office with minimal movement. I do go for a half hour walk at lunch. Since starting 7.5 I’ve had more energy, but I’ve also been hungrier and my cravings started to come back with a vengeance. I am managing to do okay on it, but I think I’ll be one of those who don’t lose better until they’re on 10mg dose.

so far I’ve had very mild side effects. Heartburn, mild constipation and tiredness. Other than that I feel great. Only just now started noticing physical changes like a blouse I bought 6 months ago didn’t fit me well then, but it’s fairly loose now.

i have PCOS and most of my weight is focused on my mid section. I have horrible apron belly due to pregnancy many years ago. I’ve not been able to reduce it. Even now losing weight my stomach isn’t shrinking much, not noticeably.

Hi everyone, I signed up to SheMed yesterday and I'm after some help/advice please on timings if possible. I received my blood test today but I haven't done it yet. We're going away for a long weekend 13th to 16th June and I want to try to make sure that a new pen isn't delivered while we're not home.

How long does it normally take from sending the blood test to receive the first pen? And at what point do you order a 2nd pen and how long does that take to arrive? Also does the clock start for the payment every 4 weeks as of yesterday or is it when the first pen is sent?

Apologies if these questions have been asked before. Thanks very much.

Time between blood test and first pen - completely random! Mine was 5 days, but others had much more significant waits due to a lot of people signing on at the same time, tests getting lost in the post, test results being lost.

In the app, the questionnaire that starts the order for the 2nd pen becomes 'open' to you after your 3rd check in&jab. Once you complete the questionnaire and submit it, they will take the payment for the pen pretty much the same day. Then shortly after (again random number generator) your prescription will be issued and pen dispatched. I have usually had my 'next' pen in my fridge before I've taken my 4th jab from the previous one.

From bloods to receiving your first pen shouldn’t be longer than 1 week. You’ll get a refill questionnaire on the day of your 3rd jab. For your second pen you’ll be charged after 3 weeks, but for any future pens you’ll get charged every 4 weeks on the day you fill out your questionnaire which will be prompted on the day of your 3rd jab.

I think I'm gaining and losing the same lb now. Very glad I have 7.5mg in the fridge ready to start next week. It's been a mad week, I've lost my rhythm my mojo and I've snacked a loads !

I'm a bit worried about my shape, seem to have got a flat bum where I've always been curvy. I have built 6% more muscle mass than when I started so it's not all bad just don't want to look skinny and odd shaped at the same time.

Has anyone read how many pens of 7.5mg you get and what the maximum dose they allow on the study.

Have about 30 weeks left until Jan 2026 don't we? Still 2/ 3 stone to lose so feel like I need to get 2 stone in the bag by June.

X

First week on 7.5mg, side effects really not too bad, a few bouts of diarrhoea, but nothing unmanageable. However, I have been craving EVERYTHING!!

for the first time I've put on weight, only 0.2kg, but still! I had better suppression the last week on 5mg! Maybe just a bad week, we shall see.

How has everyone else got on with 7.5mg?

Glad side effects not to bad. Maybe hormones responsible for weight gain & craving week.

i am still sad I wasn’t prescribe 7.5 & struggling on 5mg with slower losses this month. Still awaiting a reply from SheMed, anyone know how long they are taking.
Notice they have sent out a blood test repeat?? I thought this would be at 6 months. Anyone else getting one?

Just to say the quickest reply I have ever had from Shemed was when I messaged them on Facebook, I had previously sent emails and nothing, but I messaged and very quickly had a call back on 2 occasions.

Never thought to message them on facebook. Worried my name would show or some people on facebook would see me comment. So frightened of people knowing I am on it.

I direct messaged them, I didn't post on their page, so no-one would have known.

@tinyemmy I didn't watch til the end - not entirely sure how far I got - he was just strting to do horrid things for money and I saw where it was going and turned it off! It was SO very good and SO very well done, but I didn't want to see it descend! And yes brilliant use of the Netflix model there. I hope the weight loss helps all the other things - I keep thinking if I can become a normal Bmi its one less risk factor/ trigger in all these things. My mums got osteoperosis and I keep thinking I ought to do some strength stuff once I get on top of walking/weight.

Hi @APeardrop and great to have you on the thread! And well done with your weight loss both before and after MJ - that's an amazing loss!ALmost a 1/4 of your starting weight. I will also have an apron belly (and loose skin in my case as so much to lose)

@Threestonetolose Yay welcome to the clan. I think the others have answered your questions - let us know how you get on!

@Earthgirl3971 Grrr for the same pound going on and off but an increase in 6% muscle mass is AMAZING! Did you start a new exercise routine? I know people say we overstate building muscle slows weight loss/ weighs proportionately more but in you case that could be part of it maybe?

My understanding is they 7.5 as a transition dose to 10 so are likely to move people from 7.5 to 10 in the way they did from 2.5 to 5. So unless drastic weight loss/ big side effects/ the person asks to stay at 7.5 then they tend to move up. I'm going to try and stay on 7.5 if its working for me - the key thing either way if you have a preference is to clearly say this in that "anything to tell us" box at the end. Then it looks like most will stay at 10 as in trials that had similar results to 15. But they can move up if no loss. As I have so much to lose I will definitely be on MJ past Jan just don't know if it will be with Shemed or not but a lot can change in 6 months (hopefully the prices in general come down as a higher does pen elsewhere is expensive!)

@OneAzureMaker I'm glad the side effects haven't hit you as badly as they have in the past! I hope its just a rouge week for you and it kicks in more as it goes on. Had you lost a lot the week before (so its evening out) or period or anything?

@Reginaphalangeeeee Grrr for slow reply.

I jabbed Friday - Now officially 3 stone down - yay!! Very aware of how long a road this will be though, another stone just to get out of "morbid" and even then ANOTHER 4 stone and a bit to stop being obese. I am hopefully I will be closer to not being obese by the end of the study but it has really hit me that it is such a long road. I know the main thing is I'm doing it - but noway could I have done this and sustained this without MJ - there's just SO MUCH OF ME.

The walking is still happening though. My average daily steps in January was around 2500 and that's increased already through the sporadic walks. With a daily walk I will leap out of sedentary I think! We were going to do a Proper Walk today but I am so tired - I'm glad I've got my husband to get me out as my inclination is to just miss today... (even on the adhd meds my follow through still isn't great!)

I am normally so rule driven but have not taken the full 7.5 last week or this week. This week I had full on fatigue friday evening and saturday like when I first started MJ. Today I'm low energy but it's not as bad. A bit of diahrea and sulphur burps but managable and not the full on watery stuff every couple of hours I had before. I think I'll do this again next week and hopefully do 7.5 properly for the next pen.

Good luck this week everyone!

@Reginaphalangeeeee haven’t been sent new blood testing kit or email about one, but think you’re about 3wks ahead of me so will keep an eye out.

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden congrats on reaching 3st! And well done for walking even when you don’t feel like it, little changes definitely add up 👏👏

I think the blood tests they're sending out now are for those who didn't have all the results the first time (I was one of these). It's supposed be 6 months... (gosh actually I'm 4 and a bit months in so that won't be that far away!)

Breakfast it down into smaller chunks don't look at it all in one go. The chunks you take off are all working towards a healthier you. I'm excited to see where we all are at the end of the study!
I hope that I can stay on, so far 2.5 seems to be working well for me, but I'm not sure how long I'm allowed to stay on it. I'd be tempted to move up to 5 and just take less of it if it causes an issue... (Not ideal, but it sounds like people are starting to make it work individually).
The benefit of being on 2.5 will be it being cheaper when the study has finished!

I've not received the first replacement yet, but it's so close to the 6 months and I've lost so much weight I'm not sure it's worth it. It's sad though as I'd have liked to have seen things improve

Hey ladies x I’ve just finished my first 7.5mg pen. I’ve been prescribed another 7.5mg - I did request this. I lost 3lb this week which is huge for me as it slowed to the same 1lb for a couple of weeks. So I’ve officially lost 2 stone now! (I’ve still 2 stone to go, bmi 32).
I tried on a dress I couldn’t fit into a small 16 & fastened it 🤗 - this was last week when I was getting down about slow loses. Definitely think it’s worth looking at losing inches if you’re not seeing the scales move - gave me the boost I needed xxxx