March 2025 Starters thread 4

[TheSpoonyNavyReader]

New thread for all of us.

Thank you for allowing me to rant, share our ups and downs. Our group blows my mind of how we are so supportive of each other.

I am on week ten of 2.5 and have been getting more nd more tired particularly since my three week on and off bout with extreme diarrhoea. A few weeks ago the Asda pharmacist took my blood pressure - which has always been normal - and it was low, which explained the exhaustion and the lightheartedness when I stand up. I've been holding food in for a week and eating sensibly, gulping back electrolytes and water but I'm still very very tired. I'm also worried that the diarrhea and exhaustion and low blood pressure - are symptoms 9f kidney and liver problems (I have a predisposition the these). I've just had it checked again today and it's still more,

I'm excercising, eating well, trying not to loose weight too fast (0.8 kilometre, 11 per cent body weight in 10 weeks) and there is much about Mounjaro I really like (including the lack of chaotic swing which chat gpt tells me is to do with Mounjaro effect on dopamine in the adhd brain). But I'm also very tired.

if theres a message here - it's check your blood pressure as this is a known side effect of Mounjaro (great if it was high to start with). If mine stays low for another two weeks I think I may have to go to the doctor. I'm only ten pounds away from my goal weight as well and in many ways feeling better (far fewer aches and pains).

@Flamethrowers oh interesting. I’ll keep an eye on it, since I’ve been very lightheaded too, especially when standing up suddenly (which is not unlike me, I’ve had it my whole life, but it’s definitely more pronounced now).

I’d be really surprised to be having kidney/liver problems from my current diet to be fair… I’m eating the healthiest I’ve ever been able to in my life, only whole foods, no sweets, and way more protein than carbs if you look at the ratio. I’m also consistently hitting 1600 kcal / day at least. Most water I’ve ever drank too. It can’t be that my body is craving ultra processed foods enough to be making me sick??? 😵‍💫

@LilyLondon thank you, yes I really hope so. I know some have had much worse SE, but it's really quite difficult to manage life feeling like this.

@Flamethrowers I actually have high BP and take 2 meds for it. I did have it checked 3 weeks ish ago and it was normal. I'll dig my monitor out and try it, it could be lowering with the MJ and then add in the meds.....

@LilyLondon electrolytes for sodium - if your salt intake low.

@Flamethrowersthanks for the suggestion! However, to be fair, I really overuse salt :/

I have a BP that sits on the low end of normal and can dip easily in hot/stuffy environments or if my blood sugar/hydration levels drop. This has meant I'm always prone to fainting (its a bit of a family trait). I had an episode of dizziness in the first week when I was struggling with a bit of nausea and hadn't really eaten much and since then I've been quite careful. Its one reason why I've stayed with a lower dose because it means I've got just enough hunger that I don't risk letting my blood sugar get too low.

This is what chat gpt suggests @LilyLondon - maybe take your blood pressure as well? I was so surprised that mine was low!

1. Reduced Food Intake / Weight Loss: Mounjaro often suppresses appetite significantly, which can lead to low caloric or electrolyte intake, even if the food being eaten is “healthy.” Weight loss can also lower blood pressure naturally.
2. Dehydration or Low Electrolytes: Mounjaro may cause nausea or subtle dehydration, especially if paired with increased water intake without replacing electrolytes. A lot of people forget that hydration is not just water—sodium, potassium, and magnesium matter too.
3. Low Blood Sugar: Although rare without diabetes, the lower carb + Mounjaro combo can sometimes lead to periods of reactive hypoglycemia or just slightly low blood sugar, especially if meals are delayed or too small.
4. Autonomic Effects: Mounjaro affects the GI system, but there’s also evidence it can indirectly influence the autonomic nervous system, which can worsen postural symptoms in sensitive individuals.

It might help to:

• Add a daily electrolyte drink with sodium, potassium, and magnesium (like LMNT or a homemade version).
• Keep meals consistent and include a modest amount of complex carbs.
• Monitor symptoms around meals, hydration, and activity.

I find that I feel lightheaded without electrolytes, especially on days when I've run. I also have low BP, which becomes an issue if blood sugars drop too low, so am really mindful of making sure I eat enough, even when suppression is really high.

I'm finding I'm having to graze a lot today to deal with the nausea. Which slightly defeats the weight loss aim 😂

That's what I'm finding, it's like being pregnant! The only thing that stopped me feeling sick was savoury food.

I'm going to start having electrolytes, I bought the SIS lemon tablet ones but don't like them at all. I'll force them down!

Also, despite currently having high BP I do suffer with random rapid BP snd heart rate drops, causing nausea, dizziness and fainting. Also blood sugar crashes after exercise. More carbs needed probably.

Just checked, BP 140/79 which is pretty standard for me.

Any March starters still on 2.5? I'm on week 8 and have ordered more of the same, possibly going to attempt golden dose also. I think my loss has slowed a bit but still feels ok. About 12 pounds, without making any real effort other than eating a lot of fish salads because I like that anyway!

yes check it out,
I was light headed yesterday so checked my blood sugar and BP (my husband is diabetic and has high bp so borrowed his machines ) both were at the very low end of normal especially my BP (119/69)

also make sure you are taking vitamins especially magnesium vitamin B and C and Iron which all affect the energy levels

Yes, I am still on 2.5 and happy, have ordered a third pen of it. I am coming to the end of week 9 and have lost 20lbs from a start weight of 11 stone.

I did the bonus dose on my first pen by doing the hard twist, and will do the same (if I can manage it) with pen two. It was not as difficult as I thought it might be, but I think it depends on when your pen was manufactured.

Good luck on your third pen, do you think you’ll stay on 2.5? I would like to as it’s the cheapest one so am hoping it doesn’t stop working before I get to my goal weight!

Yes I'm o! week 10 day 3 of 2.5 and I don't plan to go up. I have resigned myself to a slow weight loss for the last stone! I have lost 8.5kg (18 pounds) so far which is at the upper end of acceptable healthy weight loss. My goal is to go to 2.5 every two weeks or 1.25 a week for two months as maintenance and then wing it over the autumn - just as the cold comes in and nothing looks more appealing than a giant baked potato with cheese and (two) plate (s) of pasta. My start weight was 11 stone 10 bmi 28) and my goal weight is bmi 22.5 (9 stone 8). I'm currently 10.4 (bmi 24.8)

I'm started march 21 so just over 6 weeks in now and I'm on 3.75 so moving up slowly, and have lost 11 pounds which is at the slow end but I'm happy so far.

I may go up to 5mg this weekend or stick at 3.75.

I've done one golden dose so far, will hopefully get one out of every pen as it saves so much money!

Leaning towards it yeah. I have barely any side effects and BMI was only low 30s on beginning, so I didn't need to maximise loss quickly. Also I have in fact lost 12 pounds not 10, I forgot how many pounds in a stone! 20 pounds is great, it's obviously working well for you.

I would probably go for 5 and weather some side effects if that were the only way to see results, but it feels risky when I know 2.5 is still doing something with basically no downside.

@JosephsCoatI’ll start my third 2.5mg pen at the weekend. As long as scales are moving down I don’t really want to up the dose.
Lost 20lbs, BMI down from 31.5 to 28.2.

I'm on 3.75. I did 4 x 2.5, 1 x 3 (bonus dose) then 3 x 3.75. I'm nit moving up as currently feel rotten on it!

Total loss of 25lbs which I find astonishing.

@MJMabel 2.5 is the cheapest pen but if you count clicks it can be cheaper to buy a higher dose pen and use it for longer, depending on supplier.

That's really good loss, I can see why you're sticking to 2.5

I'm still on 2.5, end of week 7 weigh in for me tomorrow. I have a third 2.5 ready to use, I used the extra dose on my first pen and will use again. Total loss of 20lbs. Hopefully 22lbs by tomorrow!

Yes me, still on 2.5mg getting my 3rd pen tomorrow. Splitting my dose still and all going along nicely except today I've just felt really big and a bit meh and down.

Some days I feel the losses, some days I can see the difference and some days like today I just see how much further I have to go.

Weigh day Friday hoping the scales will give me a lift.

I did two pens of 2.5 but loss stalled in week 7 so I used the golden dose to double dose in week 8 and I’m back losing again. Just about to do my first jab from a 5 pen in the morning.
Glad the 2.5 is working for many of you but I needed to go up. If tomorrow’s weigh in is as I expect I’ll have lost 6kg in 8 weeks which is very steady compared to many others but hopefully sustainable.

Apparently week ten-12 can be particularly challenging on 2.5 as that's when your body really starts adapting so my good intentions might go out the window. Certainly I've had a wanting for pasta arsbiata and fried egg sandwiches this week and a few weeks ago the very idea would have repelled me.