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

Hi all ✋
Interesting reading about prices of maintanance doses and actual cost etc. Great many of you now on 10 and coping.

I had some serious reflection this week. As you know, weight static last 4 weeks. Finally period arrived and I have slept more so hopeful scales will move. BUT! Interesting… maybe helpful for others?

I do rotate injection site and use shotsy to help track but noticed I have gotten bruised or minor skin irritation more than a few time recently. I am on my second 7.5mg pen and worried it hasn't been working well for me & definitely less suppression/control but I blamed hormones.

This week I injected into my upper B belly. I always stick to the lower one but do rotate.
Well I kid you not. It has hit me like a ton of bricks this week. So tired, cold, nausea, suppression and new to me sulphur burps!!!
I can only assume this virgin injection site gave much better absorption and maybe my lower belly bruising and not absorbing as well.
If you haven't tried, give it a go.
If you do this anyway, ignore me and my lack of wisdom.

Another thought…..
Do you think SheMed will do another deal like this in December? If BMI still high, I wonder if they would let people sign up again for another year. 🤷‍♀️
I can't remember the ID checks and if you could apply in your maiden name.
I know this is naughty to think like this, but I think I need this for life and I think companies shouldnreward people to sign up and stay with them. It would make overall oversight of patient and safety better rather than people sapping supplier every month, splitting pens between two people and golden dose users.

@Bananaramram ... I don't think it's possible to gain 1.5kg in week without some insane effort. It won't all be fat it will be water/whatever. Hoping for a nice woosh for you 🤞. It's so hard not to let "the numbers" get to us isn't it. I'm trying to reframe it as "just data" but I'd be lying if I wasn't hoping for a loss each Friday!

When I asked they said we could go onto their standard 159 rate...

I'm not sure if I think they'd do a deal - I strongly suspect it was marketing related to get the ball rolling and to get them seen as credible if they want an NHS contract. Also we'd have to drop back down to 2.5 which I wouldn't be ready for at that stage if likely to be on 10 by then.

I think for anyone still on low doses though it might be worth shopping around - I think I will if I titrate down but I'm likely to be on it to lose for at least 6months after it finishes and probably longer..... In which case 159looks a good deal if iat a high dose.

I still need to find a money tree though...

New to this as just seen it but I started in Jan with she med . I’ve not lost much … about to switch to 12.5 and hoping for the best (I have used it before last year and didn’t have success till higher doses so maybe it’s that I need ).
I felt a bit put out with SheMed’s attitude to my lesser weight loss than expected to be honest but probably I’m sensitive around it. I’ve not lost much but can see a difference . I wish I’d measured as I’m sure I’d have a difference

Hey! Very long time no type! Hope everyone is doing well? I have browsed some amazing losses and all round health gains on the thread so well done all!

I have just had my 6 month bloods back, and big improvements! Still a couple slightly in the red but they've dropped a lot I'm pretty sure those will be down again by the end. So I'm really pleased.

I've lost about 18kg and am probably on a par with my lowest adult weight right now, but my bmi is still something like 28.5 so plenty to lose until I hit my goal. I have had only the most occasional side effects, am now on 7.5mg. Weight loss has not been linear, very up and down and plateauing - BUT my lack of side effects meant I got lazy and haven't been really very careful with what I eat, even if I don't eat very much of it. I'm also drinking more because my absolutely awful skin condition is the best it has been in years and I am no longer reacting to alcohol in the same way. So MJ has, I am totally sure, massively helped the systemic autoimmune/inflammation thing I had going on. It seems to still flare in line with my cycle but each time it flares it heals better than before so, again, by the end I think it might be gone.

So basically, no complaints here. It's been fairly slow loss but that's fine, I was always going to be on it for at least a year. I've only dropped a dress size but I was probably kidding myself before and squeezing into things that were too small haha Oh wait, one complaint, basically no-one has noticed or if they have, they're too polite to mention it!!

Ooh are we meant to do 6 month blood tests? I haven’t had any

Check in.. it may have been a month since my last!

I'm currently 11st 2lb. Start weight was 13st 13st officially but I take it as 14st 3lb which means I've lost over 3 stone now.

I'm about half a stone away from my goal weight which is 10st 6.4 (renpho says this is the beginning of average/ healthy weight) this is why it is my goal.

I'm on 7.5mg and I am feeling it. There is no way I want to go up to 10mg I feel sick just thinking about it. For the first time my stomach is upset a lot of the time (poops) and I'm barely eating. For my frame I'm starting to look slim now and a bit wobbly. I feel horrendous the day after my injection and just mooch around the house, cannot barely work there's no way I can increase dose of this makes the symptoms worse.

Once this goal weight is reached all markers will be in a healthy range. Visceral fat should be 6 but it's 9 today. I've lost 3 years off my health age though and my muscle builds each week I expect because I'm taking daily collagen as I'm barely working out I cannot find time other than daily school walk/dog walk x 2 at times.

My 6 month blood test does arrive today, I suppose this will be a really good marker and perhaps would lead the decision on what to do next. I'm hoping it will, otherwise I'm a bit lost. What I don't want to do is jump the gun too quickly and start titrating down when I still have months left on the contract in case I regret it. I think in my next questionnaire I'll write all of this out and ask for a clinician to discuss this with.

Lovely seeing everyone's updates. Everyone is absolutely smashing the benefits of MJ !

X

Morning! How is everyone doing? My kids are now both off school but I have a few days if teaching left so feel I'm at that last hurdle while my famiky is in party mode!

Wow @Earthgirl3971 fantastic to have your update and amazing loss and to be so close to your goal. Must feel amazing ❤️.
There's no need to go up a dose if you're losing and so close to the end but your side effects do not sound great. Is that just recently or the whole 6months? I hope the blood test gives you some fab results and asking to speak it over with a clinician sounds a plan - let us know what they advise!

Welcome @Mortigua . It sounds like it's not been an easy 6 months at all for you? I have read annecdotally it doesn't always have the same respinse second time round and it makes sense if you already know you need the higher doses. Have you lost at all? Fingers crossed for you it kicks in. I found the clinicians to be really helpful when I've had concerns. I have been taking photos which I hate but I can see a difference in them even when I can't in my body. I think I got the 6 month blood test email after I started using my 7th pen. It then took a week to be sent and I had 2 weeks to do it in. So it might be soon for you?

@Shmallow Fab to see you ❤️. And fantastic news wirh the blood tests and the weight loss. I have wondered simikarly about dress sizes. I think they must accommodate more variation the larger they go too.

As for comments it's funny isn't it - you must look so different. I have two completely different ideas in my head. One is that I shouldn't comment on weightloss (does it imply person had failed before/looked awful fat/ weight loss is personal/ shouldn't be focusing on being thin as a goal/shouldn't mention it unless they do) BUT at the same time I absolutely love it when people have said it to me!!! (usually people I work with but don't see for months). My actual closer friends haven't talked about it with me at all. But I imagine having a morbidly obese friend for 10 years in my case maybe makes the conversation difficult. I don't know. I'm so conflicted!!

I weighed in Friday at 17stone 1. I've lost a round 30k now but I'm both feeling better for carrying less weight AND aware I'm heavier than where most people start and I'm not even half way through!

I've joined an online PT group too as I know I won't go to a gym and I just want to get started with something for strength work. It's been really good this week so I'm hopeful I will get stronger too.

My other thoughts this week is with my amount of weight loss I will definitely have lose/hanging skin. I'm not liking this but very aware it's better than being morbidly obese.

I was out last night with my work mates for a friend's party well the compliments didn't stop...

I'm looking good, I'm looking well, I'm looking really nice (dependant if male or female compliment) you can tell I've made a lot of effort. ☺️ It's nice isn't it to start being noticed again.

I said thankyou humbly and smiled aswell saying I've lost 3stone.

...it was mostly when hugging hi and goodbye I think they noticed more as my body to touch is much slimmer. I've tried to bank these compliments to keep me going if things get tough. Also wore a pair of heels now I'm not carrying so much weight I wasn't uncomfortable. Amazing.

People I see day to day haven't noticed a change but why would they?.. The fact that they no longer ask me about how I'm getting on with MJ means that they can see the difference and don't need to talk about it. I think that's a bit mean and it's not something I would do to others, I'd make a point of giving ongoing compliments and interest but each to their own.

X

Wahooooo @Earthgirl3971 . What a lovely evening ❤️.

I've historically avoided commenting on weight at all unless I'm a good friend or in a position to ask. It's a weird one.

Well, I have finally hit the all elusive below 25 BMI - just!

28 weeks and 5 stone 11lbs lost

Today I went into Go Outdoors as I needed some walking trousers and shorts. I picked up the 14s and the 12s, and the 12s fitted perfectly! I think I was more excited by that than anything else that has happened. My top half is a 10 now, and bottom officially a 12. I don’t think that will change really as my hips are already boney 😁🤣

For those of you on the journey, keep going - it is most definitely worth it!

@Kaggi9 that is truly fantastic! Well done 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Has anyone had to miss a check in at all?

I’ve realised I’m going to be away camping in August and won’t be able to weigh in as I’ll be in the middle of a field with no flat surface for the scales! I normally check in on a Monday, but I’m away Sunday to Sunday, so can either check in a day early or not at all.

Also not really wanting to take my pen with me if at all possible just in case of cool box malfunctions etc - will it hurt to take it a day early?

Thanks in advance :)

I've done one where I wasn't prepared properly with my medication or scales but still phoned up so they'd have a log of me calling and checking in. It's up to them then how they process you. You've still kept to the rules by checking in. I got someone who was fair when I explained I had no internet or scales and can they just take my weight from last week. I have taken my injection at different times to suit me, days early or few days later as I forgot to take mine on a trip but I did find it wasn't as effective across the weeks when I wasn't in line with my schedule of course and I had smaller losses for about 3 weeks when moving from Tues to Thurs and back again to accommodate holidays.

Happy camping! X

Thanks @Earthgirl3971 Hopefully there’ll be enough signal to be able to call them!

Check in day and first 10mg jab. I’ve had a gain this week - 1.3lb. Not hugely surprised to be fair, as I’ve had 2 festivals, my birthday, a BBQ for a gender reveal and just eaten too much high calorie food in general, plus 7.5mg definitely hasn’t been working as well this last week. Only annoying thing is I’ve slipped below the 4st total loss again. Fingers crossed 10mg works well for me and I pull it back this week!

Check in today and I decided to jab 3.75 (up from 2.5). I've not had much control over the sugar eating and have been eating more and more. I'm hoping 3.75 halts it and allows me to drop back down to the bottom of my target bubble (I'm currently at the top). One week to lose a couple of pounds before I head off on holiday. I think I will weigh daily. I will see how this week goes but I suspect I will jab 3.75 next week to cover the extra days, for the first time I'm not taking my jab on holiday (staying with SIL and it would out me), so will need to delay jab to Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, but will then revert back to Mondays. I will probably keep to the higher dose of I've gained, or lower dose if I need to move closer to the middle of my target. I've found I've hover in the upper range of my target and I'd like to hover in the lower range.

@JBJ whenever I go on holiday I just log an injection the day after my usual day (it doesn't work until then). That's what I intend to when I go away the next couple of times. No issues with jabbing a day early. I wouldn't bother telling them given you'll log yourself. Only worth moving the date if you want to move it going forward

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden how are you doing? I am still waiting for ADHD assessment but don't know if when I finally get medication (🤞) if that will help and I will need less mj. Although I've read that I should stay on this or something similar for my autoimmune thyroid disorder.

This is an immense loss @Kaggi9 congratulations. I can hardly get my head around your loss!
I started mid January so jab 28 will be the end of this week for me.
I am definitely much bigger than you so bigger losses normally come for bigger people. I am proud of my 4.5stone and now size 18 but wow! Nearly 6 stone in the same time is amazing. You are a super looser! Any tips for the rest of us?

Good luck on the 10mg. I have requested this next but have 1 more jab on 7.5mg to go.

@tinyemmyto log it a day late, so I just do that on the app and not have to video call?

Hey @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGardenyou are doing great!!!!!
I have lost 28.9kg- thats 21% of my body weight. It does feel a really achievement!
Hooray as I am 27kg to target now which means I have got beyond half way 🎉
Mini targets- not got under BMI 35 yet but tantalizingly close (35.8).
Lost exactly 4.5 stone 🎉
And now officially into a new stone bracket (16’s).
My weight is lowest in 13 year but like you… feel I have so far to go still. Looking at my physique, it is nothing like it was 13 years ago. My tummy is still large and apron like so I too know I will have loose skin (a lot). I know there will be things I will never be able to wear even if I loose more due to my permenantky damage body. It's hard to take that as know I am the one who let this happen.

But, trying to build my sense of self and accept my battle scars as this has been so positive.
I have endured a 3-4 week static weight much better than I expected I would. Yes I’ve eaten things I shouldn't but not deviated or given in and thank goodness this week the scales moved again. 1kg loss was very welcome!
Asked to go up to 10mg next.
I think my body has just been in a plateux which apparentkybis normal at 15-20% loss. Hoping to plod on now.

None of my friends have commented. You a re right, having a morbidly obease friend who they have witness gaining weight steadily over 13 years maybe makes it hard for them to comment and like me… maybe prefer not to acknowledge the massive weight I had gained by acknowledging the loss. 🤷‍♀️

Exactly! Just done on the app, but can't be done until the day after

Fab, I’ll give that a go then, thanks!

@Reginaphalangeeeee a 4.5 stone loss is amazing, well done!

If I’m honest, I think I’m just lucky! However, I do know several people on mj who don’t actually fully understand how it works and think that it’s a magic wonder drug that mean’s you can still eat what you want in the same quantities and the injection makes them lose weight, not actually that it reduces your appetite to make it easier to reduce your calorie intake.

I am an emotional eater and love carbs. However, after having reactive hypoglycaemia previously, I know that carbs massively impact my weight and blood sugar. Being on mj has made is easier for me to reduce my carbs and therefore stabilise my blood sugar which has made the weight drop off. It’s also stabilised my menopause symptoms which has also made weight loss easier. Those things combined are, I think, why I’ve lost weight quickly. This obviously isn’t the same for everyone!

it’s just a case of going with it. Stay in a calorie deficit, have the odd treat (we still eat out, I just make different choices) and enjoy the health benefits - it will be worth it!

Ahhhhh I’m so cross!!!!
I emailed put on my refilled questionnaire I wish to be put up to 10mg (I have done 2 pens of 7.5mg).
My weight loss has been much much slower but due to timing of weigh in’s it appears I have lost 2kg this month.
The clinician has reviewed my case and said I am continuing on 7.5mg as good progress of 2kg this month.

For Flipping sake!!! Starting to wonder if there is a cost narrative going on here. I have screenshot their own guidance which states 1-2 months on 7.5mg and that it is a dose purely to transition to 10mg.

Has anyone else had this? I had the same issue with them delaying my increase from 5mg.

Feeling 🤬😩