Stopping for a month to lower my tolerance

[alwaysscared]

I have been on MJ since September 2024 and have lost 4.5 stone. I am prescribed it by my doctor for diabetes and it has helped me get my sugars into a normal range. I’ve been on 5mg for 5 months and it is not effective anymore. The doctor will not raise my dose as it’s managed my diabetes so well, they have tried to convince a consultant but they are reluctant to raise it.
So I am stuck at 5mg, and my god I’m hungry all the time, I’m surviving on willpower which is getting harder and harder to do. I still have at least 2 stone to lose, and think I will probably stay on a maintenance dose forever.
My question is, has anyone taken a break for a few weeks and then gone back on 2.5mg? Will it lower my tolerance to the medication again, or is it just a crazy idea?
I’m also considering buying a 2.5mg pen to up it myself, but I don’t know if this would work if the pharmacy told my GP, they then might stop prescribing me the 5mg.
I’m really struggling and it’s making me miserable. To be 500 below my TDEE I have to eat 1400 or less a day and I’m finding it so hard.

Presumably you are taking this medication to control your blood sugar/diabetes rather than to lose weight? Wouldn't coming off the medication impact your diabetes management? Personally I wouldn't want to risk the diabetes management (but that is me).

Yes, I am using it to control my diabetes. But also to lose weight. Weigh less equals better diabetes management

I read of someone else here who had agreed with her GP that she would buy an extra pen to take more than the 5mg which is authorized by the NHS for diabetes control. NHS not allowed to pay for more than 5 yet. You could discuss this with your doctor?

Aye, but it sounds like they have prescribed it to control your diabetes rather than for weight loss, and as such have to abide by the guidelines and regulations for diabetes even though it's the same medication. Speak to your doctor, it might be that you have to buy it privately for a higher dose.

Could you increase your calories to be 250 below your TDEE instead? You’d still lose weight, just more slowly (But arguably more sustainably).

Would you be stopping the medication under your doctor's supervision to ensure your diabetes remains well-managed while off it?

Could you share a typical day's meals? We might be able to suggest some changes to help you feel fuller for longer.

Are you reaching your daily protein target? Protein helps with satiety, so increasing it while reducing any carbs, sugar, ultra-processed foods, and artificial sweeteners can make a huge difference and will work with the Mounjaro dose you are taking instead of against it.

ChatGPT is great for ideas. Try sharing your daily meals and your goal of staying full longer while losing weight, it can suggest useful adjustments.

Are you drinking at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day? Hydration plays a big role in appetite control.

@NoTouchI would talk to my doctor before doing it yes.
I eat the same things on rotation, I am emetophobic and have OCD and the thought of side effects terrifies me so eat the things I know I am ok with.
For breakfast I have an apple and then a kiwi (had problems with constipation)
For lunch I either have a boiled egg with lettuce, carrots, cucumber and celery. The other lunch I have is 1 crushed up weetabix, half a pot of alpro soy sugar free yog (about
250g) berries, grapes, cinnamon and tiny sprinkling of chopped hazelnuts.
For tea I have 2 slices of toast with half an avocado and a boiled egg.
For snacks I have frozen berries and grapes ( I have 2 bowls of this, 250g each), rice cakes with a small weighed out portion of spread (hazelnut or biscoff), apple, carrot sticks, cucumber sticks.
I don’t eat meat really due to mental health problems but I’m not vegetarian.
I am constantly hungry and just waiting for my next meal. I am a carer for my son and have a very sedentary life (I have a peloton so go on that at least 3 times a week, but other than that I am not active)
My weight loss has stalled massively which is extremely frustrating!

I know it’s a crap diet but I can’t bring myself to change it.
I tried to have omelettes every other night but they made me feel rough

It doesn’t sound like a crap diet at all, but if you can up your protein intake, you’ll be less hungry.

Perhaps especially at breakfast - at the moment you’re just having fruit so if you can add some nuts or other protein, you’ll be more sustainably full.

For example, you could get some protein powder to mix into yoghurt. Or you could just buy some readymade protein yoghurts.

There’s a lot of room to shift your diet slightly to feel less hungry. But I do reckon talking to your Dr about buying an extra 2.5 pen to top up your 5 pen to a 7.5 dose is probably worth trying. Dr can’t give 7.5 for diabetes, but if s/he agrees 7.5 is a good idea and you are able to pay for the extra, then that’s a simple solution.

Also, congratulations on the amazing weight loss so far!!

If you eat using ketogenic principles it enhances the GLP-1 of the medication.

I’d try this first then, if it doesn’t work take this information and discuss with your GP about purchasing privately further amounts to inject alongside. Do not compromise your existing prescription and do anything without GP knowledge. 5mg is obviously not enough now for weight loss but well done for your diabetic control.

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gkjn

You have some great elements in there, but it is very low on protein which is probably why you don't feel full for long.

Can you introduce lentils (soups), chickpeas, beans? Or Tofu if you cannot eat much meat? Peanut butter?

Can you with good health get an online pharmacy prescription for mounjaro aged 80