Anyone been cut off for too low BMI?

[Bellyblueboy]

Hello

i I have ordered my latest pen from MedExpress and have sent photos as requested.

all has gone quiet - I am worried my BMI is now too low.

I have hit my goal weight - 9st. For my height this is a BMI of 23.

I have read online that MedExpress will stop prescribing below 23.5.

any experiences?

thanks

I think nobody has replied because you’re now at a very healthy bmi. Well done, i hope i can do it too x

If you have hit your goal weight, why do you need another pen?

You don't stop taking the medication just because you hit goal weight! Why would you think that?

Yes I have been cut off by Asda. My BMI is around 21. They were still prescribing at 22 though. It’s annoying because I specifically asked them if they have a cut off BMI when I was approaching target and they just gave a standard wishy washy response about “healthy weight”, which I am so didn’t think there would be a problem.

I’m currently trying to find a provider who will prescribe a maintenance dose for me. I have submitted a request with Numan, I thought they would knock me back straight away but they have requested photos which is promising. I’m waiting to hear back I’ll let you know what happens.

Of course there’s a cut off BMI !

Swift pharmacy is “maintenance friendly’

I think people are concerned because being cut off abruptly and unexpectedly can be problematic. Some people need the medication long-term in order to maintain a healthy weight. Some people have needed high doses and stopping suddenly might cause physical side effects. I've been trying to get a clear idea from my prescriber of whether there's a point where they'd stop prescribing or whether I can continue for maintenance. They've been really vague. I'm a stable target/healthy weight now but I do worry every month in case they might stop prescribing suddenly and what that could mean for my health as this medication has been so important for my health.

I moved to Oushk for maintenance (my BMI is 21.5) and had zero issues (you do need to book a consultation).

I’m slowly reducing the dose each month with a hope of coming off Mounjaro eventually but they were happy for this to be as slow as I wanted/ needed to ensure I don’t regain all the weight back.

I tried this but they didn’t have any appointments until July!

@Eminybobwow, July?! Yikes. I started maintaining in January so it was a few months ago and the wait time then was around 2/3 weeks. I’ll bear that in mind when recommending Oushk in the future.

Good luck with Numan!

Monj.co.uk have a maintenance list with providers maintenance policies. Worth checking out.monj.co.uk/mounjaro-maintenance-pharmacies/

That’s really helpful, thank you.

Thanks all. This has been really helpful.

@SummerDaysOnTheWay and @BellissimoGecko I’m not sure if you are taking Mounjaro, or understand the medicine, but you don’t have to stop taking it just because it’s working. I don’t want to lose any more weight; but I also know if my normal appetite and food noise returns I will put the weight back on so I want a maintenance plan.

Mounjaro and weight is a touchy subject for some and does lead to some extreme comments so apologies if this offended you.

to the others - thank you this has been really helpful.

I wish prescribers were open and honest about their prescribing guidelines. I don’t want to yo-yo like before and mounjaro can be taken for life - which I would be prepared ti do to stay at a healthy weight. I might even try and put some weight back on to get a BMI of 24 so they continue to prescribe!

If you are taking Mounjaro I am guessing you are very early in. Maintenance is a stressful time.

most of us have gained and lost this weight many many times. There are many, many people on these boards worried about keeping the weight off. Prescribers unfortuately aren’t very open about maintenance. I follow a fabulous woman who has reached target and who has decided to stay on the medication for life.

I am currently finishing my 7.5mg pen and have a 5mg pen on the fridge ready to go. I hope maintenance looks like either 5mg every other month or just 5mg for ever. But many prescribers haven’t developed their maintenance plans yet:

If there’s a long wait for the maintenance interview/assessment I would stretch my remaining pens out as long as possible, keeping them in the fridge.

Try cutting down to 2.5 as trial maintenance and adjust as necessary.

I think I will be on the medication long term. Same as other medications I take. You don’t stop taking antidepressants when your mood stabilises and for me, this is very similar.

@zempy that is a good idea. I have been taking the golden shot so already give five weeks out of a pen which pushes it as far as possible (I think?).

I would like to have a chat with MedExpress and explain I was to maintain at BMI 23. It’s in the upper end of a healthy.

Well I'm currently telling them I'm slightly over the minimum BMI to get a 2.5 maintenance dose. (With med express too and so disappointed with their lack of long term care).
Assuming the people commenting re. you meeting your target etc either aren't taking MJ or haven't reached that point, you'd never expect anyone to go cold turkey off any other powerful medication that you may have been taking for over a year, so why on earth would it be ok to just come straight off it because you've reached a certain BMI?

BMI is actually very outdated, I am 22 BMI but actually could probably do with shifting another stone as I still have quite a bit of abdominal and back fat.

I've been titrating back down through the doses and I think perhaps in a few months I'll be at the point where I can come off and hopefully lose the last of the pounds I need to.

Thanks @Mounjaroversary. What is the minimum BMi for your prescriber and how did you find out?

like you I could probably lose more weight - BMI isn’t precise and I am short, so it’s particularly flawed at my height. There are studies showing shorter women are actually overweight over 24 not 25!

But I am happy enough with my weigh, I didn’t do this to be skinny, I was worried about diabetes.

You can order a pen without an appointment, you just won't be able to get the discounted maintenance price.

There is however a first order discount which is probably a bigger discount.

Book the earliest appointment you can, complete the consultation form and order a pen, explain the situation in the other information box. They will contact you if they need more information.

@WorriedRelative you are a superstar - I didn’t know you could do this. I also have an online consultation for July but current medicine will run out at the end of May.

Although someone said they don’t have any appointments until July, I would still recommend contacting Oushk. They may prescribe in the meantime or be able to slot you in.

Another alternative is Pharmulous. De Mel is a great advocate for maintenance! You can explain your position on the consultation form and order. I am about to book a call to discuss my maintenance ideas with a clinician…

Thanks I’ll give that a try if things don’t work out with Numan.

I have also emailed Asda asking them to reconsider but I don’t see that going anywhere. I think it’s such poor practice to not offer any sort of advice or guidance regarding maintenance. I have been with them for a year, paying over the odds because it was quick and easy to order with them and I couldn’t be bothered to go through the rigmarole of changing providers so feel really let down by them.
I really wish I had inflated my weight on my last request. Only a few more lbs and I would have probably been fine.

Contact Pharmulous - no waiting period and no 'charge' for being on Maintenance.