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

Hello, all. Apologies for dropping in mid-thread, but it's been really inspiring and helpful to read about your experiences. I've just received my blood test kit and was planning to do the test tomorrow, but I'm a bit nervous about the process. Would anyone be willing to briefly explain how the weight and height verification works? I have a very cheap scale that mostly seems to work okay (but the numbers disappear pretty quickly once you step off the scale) and a tape measure that is only five feet long. Will this be adequate for what they require, or should I wait and invest in a better scale/longer tape measure first? I get a lot of anxiety around phone calls with people I don't know, so it would be helpful to know what the expectations are in advance.

Hi Ruby,

They didn't actually verify my height on my blood test call - I must have looked like a short arse! I honestly think they thought about it and went "naaaah how can someone at home do that?" I think they accept your self reported height unless you look 'borderline' for minimum BMI. I'd have to be over 6ft tall to be a healthy BMI for my weight, so it was obvious I was ok on that front.

Scales - as long as they get time to see the number on your phone camera they won't mind. Mine switch off in seconds too! If you do plan on upgrading your scales, do it before your first jab, then you won't have a weird week where you seem to gain or lose a bunch of weight for no reason! The blood test weigh in is more about seeing if you fit the minimum BMI requirements, so it doesn't have to be a perfect reading. Remember to do your scales on a flat, hard surface or you can get weird readings.

On the call - sometimes the volume is WEIRD. When it does the pre-check on your phone (camera enabled/microphone enabled) , it will make a test binking noise, make sure that you can turn this up really loud. It's a 'media volume' setting not 'call volume'. My first call was insanely quiet and it was a bit of a stress. Or use headphones!

Thank you so much, kittykarate! That's all very helpful. I feel much better now!

Well, I had a dentist checkup just now, and he was alarmed at how dry my mouth was. He actually asked me if I'd taken up smoking because my "mucosa is very dehydrated 😳

I told him I'm on mounjaro and a side effect is dry mouth. He said I need to make sure I'm hydrated because otherwise in six months I'll have gum problems.

Currently chugging a pint of ice water.

@Shmallow If the dose is not having any effect, then I completely disagree. We should be able to have a say. It definitely wasn't made clear to me that I'd have no input. It's not heavily discounted when you can buy jabs from other providers with discount codes and not be tied in. Also why would you tie yourself into a contract for a medication that is having no effect? If it works for you, great but it isn't for me.

Plus it's not choosing your dose. In all other cases you are given the option to titrate up every 4 weeks.

@Needtomust96

What is your weight loss?
How minimal is minimal?

Hi nice to meet you! It's my 5th or 6th week now ...

There's no height verification they just go by what height you say you are.

There is a weight verification. They are very patient and they will wait until you tell them the number on the scale. Then they will ask you to double check it before it is recorded.

Put on some light top and bottoms for the weigh and wear the same ones each week.

The call could be a video call with someone or a live chat. They are happy to go at your pace
You're not rushed in any way.

Does that help..

X

Thanks, that's very reassuring! It sounds like it's a friendly process.

Evening! My lovely news today is that I've just been for a walk for AN HOUR with my husband. For many years now this was impossible and I'd manage max 10mins. I've only lost 1 stone and a few pounds so this isn't due to weight loss and I asked my new friend ChatGPT and I got a long explanation about Chronic Inflammation (I so wish I had my blood test!) and increased oxygen to muscles. I am so so pleased this drug really is magic. I thought I'd need to lose a LOT of weight to regain my mobility and it looks like MJ is working magic alongside it.

Yay for those ordering new pens and glad shemed were helpful Needto. I am still going round andround in circles about a replacement blood test and I see from the facebook group so are others! I am starting to feel they're just not doing it and will wait to 6 months and are basically lying :( Its leaving a bad taste in my mouth (!) re shemed as I love it when its going well but too many people are having difficulties like me where you dont get a straight answer or someone who can deal with the query.
Still pleased I have it for 99£ ovrer all though!

Wahoooo @tinyemmy , I think this is the first time I've really believed it could work. I love a graph. I'm still aiming to get DOWN to just obsese!!

@JBJ hope you feel better soon .
@BruhWhy Well that's a new one for us to worry about!

Hope everyone is going okay. My weigh day is Friday and as its a new pen I will take pictures. I hate them but I am hoping that by the end of the year I will be greatful!

Amazing!! Go you @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden !!

Totally agree that taking photos is hard, but I am glad I’m doing it - especially as I’m in the gym regularly so I’m more likely to see a big difference in shape than in the scales

I’ve just done my first dose of 5mg in my thigh. Feeling very (very) nervous about potential side effects. Injecting into my thigh last week definitely lessened side effects, lesser suppression as well but that may have been due to it being week 4 of 2.5mg. I’d rather less suppression than the side effects I’d experienced.

In my 4 weeks on 2.5mg I’ve lost 7kg which I’m really pleased about, particularly as we’re moving next week and I have noticeably not been stress eating. I didn’t realise how much I’d thought about food until I was no longer thinking about it!

Well done everyone, you’re all doing so well.

That walk is the best non scale victory! Imagine how you'll feel if you can do that a few nights a week. Well done ✅ 👍

I've lost my inflammation also, my tummy has been swollen for years so much I couldn't wear anything that buttoned up but no more. It's almost level now to my body now and I can tie my shoes without gut punching myself. 😁

3rd injection of 5mg today and I think I'm happy to stay on 5mg for another month as I'm used to it now. I take pictures each week aswell so I can see my shape changing and my total loss so far has been 12.8lbs.

X

That's absolutely incredible, here's to many more walks 🥳

Thanks @BruhWhy and @Earthgirl3971. I think I'm still in shock. I could cry. One of my biggest motivations with weight loss over the last few years has been mobility as I was getting a leg ache. I had a chest infection for 6months that left me breathless and unable to walk v far at all that went undiagnosed too as they thought it was The Fat. (Eventually had hospital scanning when they thought I had a PE). It's been probably 3 or 4 years I've struggled to walk and I've missed being out with the family and the ease of just being able to walk say at a national trust. Everything was planned around benches etc. This is truly life changing! I'm now fearful it was some one off but it's like I've got my body back. I'm fascinated if it's reduced inflammation or increased circulation or whatever it is but it's incredible.

Earth - yay for your stomach! I know they say we often "have inflammation" if we're larger but I wasn't too sure what that meant in practice. My rings are looser too. I'm glad I've stuck on 5mg even if weight loss is up and down as I need at least another month before I face the side effects again. I'm still nauseaus in the mornings.

@Lostatsea10 good luck with 5. I do suspect that those of us with side effects on 5 post about it more than people just content will do so it may well be you don't get them. One of the studies I think only had 1 in 5 with nausea for example. So fingers crossed!

Congrats on the loss!! That's amazing!! And yes compeltely relate to the noticing. What we must have been doing now we're not. Hope the stress subsides.

I think my loss is slower than a lot of people's but maybe walking will help or it might be just how it is. It's working though and I'm pleased!

Also no sign of the blood test here. I'm glad they let me start the programme without it but I'd have loved to see some figures. I got some blood tests done in May 2024 but I'd managed to lose some weight by then, before putting it all back on again so it's not a true comparison but I have the HbA1c from then it was normal at 33 which I just didn't understand, I really do think I struggle with blood sugars. I suspect it went high as my weight went up but I'm now lower than any weight I got down to in 2023, not long before I'm down to 2022s lowest weight!
I have an under active thyroid so TSh gets tested regularly and I've had renal function tests recently and I think liver a while back, everything is normal but I still expect them all to improve and it would have been lovely to see that direct comparison.

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden I love walking, I've also found it much easier since mj
Sadly I still have pains in my knee and some fingers

You’ve done so well @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden and fantastic walking non scale victory! What an achievement!

I only think I’ve lost so much as jab 3 made me so ill that between being sick and the side effects I didn’t eat at all for 3 days so lost about 3.5kg that week. It’s been much steadier this week at 1kg loss which I much prefer. Slow and steady wins the race…!

I'm loving how this journey is actively changing people's lives for the better! I'm wondering if anyone requested to have their package sent out by DPD? I can divert the package to collect later in the day with DPD at a local shop but Royal Mail left my last one on the doorstep in front of the whole world to see and potentially not safe! I work all week in the office and cannot be there to accept the parcel but also home after the post office is closed so can't divert there. Just wondering if it could be an option?

Weekly weigh in day, marking 6 weeks on Mounjaro.

-3lbs loss this week.

Which makes 19lbs, or 1st 5lbs, total loss 🥳

Time to refill through the app and I've requested to stay on 5mg in the little text box at the end. After the first week jabbing in my thigh on this pen and not really getting much benefit, the second week jabbing in my abdomen did amazing things and I'm happy to stay on this dose as long as I'm doing well on it. I am wary of moving up the doses too quickly.

I've spoken to the pharmacy and they were really helpful and made a note to use DPD no issues! My new pen has just been ordered so hopefully all good!

Some wonderful triumphs here 😊

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden, chuffed with your story about the walk, so so pleased for you X

What's happening with blood tests? Got the feeling I missed the memo...

I was away for the weekend when mine arrived - no prior warning either! Luckily my neighbour read that it was a fridge item and took it in. I find that since covid there is an expectation that no warning deliveries can be made and they just leave things on your doorstep and expect you to be there!

Yay for all the weight loss and easier walks.

@SnowieBear some of us when we submitted our first blood test (mysteriously seems the rush around 2nd jan) got sent an email saying blood results were in... But no results.

They said they'd send a second blood test as per their t and C... And 8 weeks later it's still not here! So we can't do a "before" blood test results. Yet they can send blood test kits to new starters...,

Ive been promised kits and told its in hand several times now.... 🙄.

Oh dear... Thanks for taking the time to explain x