Anxiety about starting on Mounjaro

[fudgesmummy]

Hi everyone,
After a long battle with my surgery I am due to start Mounjaro next week.
My background is I have had severe osteoarthritis in both my hips for over a year now.
I have had to give up my very physical job and now rely on crutches around the house and a wheelchair when I’m out.
I’m in constant pain, several different painkillers later I am now on Morphine patches. I’m 4 weeks in and they are not making any difference, if anything the pain is worse, especially at night. (I also take Amitriptyline at bed time)
I was referred to a consultant at the end of last year and he will not operate until my BMI is lower than 41, it is currently 48.
I have read the information sent to me about Mounjaro and feel very anxious about what it says about thyroid cancer and pancreatic issues.
I had pancreatitis over 20 years ago and had my gallbladder removed as a result (the doctors obviously know about this)
The problem is I was adopted as a baby so don’t know any family history at all regarding illnesses etc.
I would be grateful for anyone’s comments
Thank you

The risk of thyroid cancer is theoretical, it was based on one study done on rodents where they were given a large overdose daily throughout their lives and that showed an increase in some specific types of thyroid cancer. There has not been a case in humans in any of the trials or reported as a result of anyone taking Mounjaro. I am pretty unconcerned about that as a risk.

The risk of pancreatitis doesn't depend on family history. It is worth remembering that being morbidly obese is itself a big risk factor for pancreatitis. It also contributes to worse outcomes if you develop pancreatitis. So by taking Mounjaro and losing weight you are overall decreasing your risk of pancreatitis in the long run. It is also a very rare side effect.

I don't know if any of that helps, but for me Mounjaro has been a total game changer. My BMI was 50 when I started in July last year, it's now down to 33 and continuing to reduce.

That sounds incredibly painful and difficult.

There are very serious risks associated with immobility as well as with obesity. Far higher than the problems they have to list as possibilities with MJ. I think if you wrote the risks of obesity and immobility down on one piece of paper with their probabilities, and put them next to the MJ advice leaflet, the choice would be very clear.

And you are already suffering right now - it’s not even a question of a theoretical future risk, but treating a condition you already have.

I hope the drug works well and quickly for you and you can have the operations and be in less pain as soon as possible.