What is your plan when you stop mounjaro?

[TheDogsKnees]

I'm 45 and perimenopause has hit me HARD. Weight loss is almost impossible through my previous tried and trusted methods, and I know now that this is due to hormonal changes. My sugar cravings are unreal at times.

I know that I need to make significant forever changes to my eating and exercise and I've been thinking about using mounjaro whilst I formulate new habits. I feel like the lack of food noise will be really helpful here. But what happens when the time comes to stop mounjaro and the food noise returns with a bang? I've thought about using natural appetite suppressants but if they worked, wouldn't we all be doing that instead?

It's not something I'd like to be on forever, but I'm also so sick of being overweight with no confidence or self-esteem. I don't recognise myself. I have approx 3.5 stone to lose so anticipate the journey being quite long. Do I just live for now and worry later?!

I’m not planning to stop, so probably not helpful. I was nearly 20 stone when I started though and it’s changed my life in more ways than just weight loss. It’s done wonders for my focus and really helps my inflammation. I do think I could battle the food noise without it, as I never want to wear a size 24 again and I have much stronger will power then I did when I was huge, depressed and had given up on myself, but for the other reasons I want to remain on this long term

Have a read of the many maintenance threads to get an idea of life after MJ.

Personally, I’m staying on it (or on whatever comes next!!!) for ever!!

I’ve lost 4 stones over 7 months and am coming up to reaching my goal weight.

having been overweight for most of my entire adult life, I’m planning on remaining on MJ for as long as I can, potentially forever, in some form of maintenance form,

It’s worked for me in ways nothing else ever has, so I’m reluctant to stop taking a treatment that is fixing something in me thag doesn’t work properly.

I can't wait to come off. I lost nearly 5 stone without Mj so I know I can do it again.

Daily weighing, using a food diary. a good amount of calories with the right carb/protein/fat split for me - carbs are not the enemy!, and exercise (weights and cardio). Also don't let the scales increase by more than 4lb before I bring my weight back into check.

I won't use a nutritional diary for ever but some of the above need to be daily actions.

Also before some important or social weeks I may try and get my weight down a little so have a bit more wiggle room. I can't kid myself how little the difference is between maintaining a certain weight and increasing.

I'm hoping to stay on Mounjaro for at least two years, and possibly indefinitely if needed.

If I have to stop the medication then I would still aim to continue the habits I've developed over the past few months: drinking more water, doing regular exercise including strength training, and eating smaller portions of food containing more protein and fibre and less sugar and fat.

Ideally I'd like to be able to maintain the dietary changes instinctively, but if my weight starts to creep up then I wouldn't hesitate to start food logging again.

@Wildswimmer79

Daily weighing, using a food diary. a good amount of calories with the right carb/protein/fat split for me - carbs are not the enemy!, and exercise (weights and cardio).

Im already doing all of this whilst on MJ - it’s the tool that holds it together for me

I plan on staying on it for the long term, hopefully on a reduced dose (I'm on 10mg at the moment). I've still got a few stone to lose first though.
I didn't plan on this when I started it but having taken it, and seeing the effect it has on my 'food noise' and appetite, I don't really see how I can manage without it.
I have gone from someone obsesed with the next meal or snack, constantly thinking about food, to someone who is mostly not particularly interested. I can still eat but I find it easier to make healthy choices (most of the time) and I rarely eat between meals anymore.
I live with 3 not overweight people for whom, this lack of preoccupation with food is normal. I finally get it, why they are fit and healthy and I wasn't.

I’m not planning to stop either.

It isn’t a diet. It’s a medication to treat obesity. You wouldn’t stop taking antidepressants because your mood had stabilised, and I plan to continue to take a maintenance dose of Mounjaro when my weight issue stabilises.

Hi guys, just seeking a bit of clarification perhaps regarding Mounjaro. I’ve been on and off it since August… I went up the doses too quickly and had side-effects so I’ve taken a break here and there but is anybody had any effects with their teeth. Since I’ve been on the 5mg, I have had some issues with my mouth teeth and gums, I have spoken to the pharmacy where I get the medication and they said it was most likely down to dehydration but I have of course called the side-effects and it does say that it can cause issues. tirzepatide Could be a cause. I don’t know anyone that seems to have had any issue, but I am a bit concerned… I don’t have a dentist, but I have spoken to one and they wasn’t really sure of the effects

Absolutely this for me. Started with the intention of being on it for as short a time as possible, but am now entirely relaxed about how it goes. Am more than 4.5 stone down since August, and have never felt so relaxed about food.

I have a maintenance consultation booked, and will aim to come down the doses very slowly. If necessary, I’ll have no issue with going back up. Am not looking beyond that at the moment.

Only just taken my 4th dose of 2.5mg - but as I have lost and gained the same 3st each decade for the last 30 years - at 58 I am staying on it for life in order to reverse my pre-diabetes, high BP, high cholesterol, depression - I also want to avoid the side effects of obesity that have not yet kicked in cancer, dementia, CVD, osteoarthritis etc. I also want to look and feel good physically and mentally - my poor (addictive) relationship with food has cost me so much in life already.

I am seven months in and have lost three and a half stone.

i plan on staying on this, or a version of this, until i am too old to care😊.

BUT maintenance is hard and providers aren’t great at setting out plans. If I can’t get it I know I will regain the weight. I have lost and gained this three stone about 7 times over the last thirty years.

I am at target weight.
I weigh once a week. If I stay at target weight I don't take Mounjaro. If I have gained 1lb I take 2.5 Mounjaro. If I had gained more, I would probably take more.
But in actuality, I take 2.5 probably every other week.

I plan to take as slow a titration down as possible - eventually finding the lowest dose I need to maintain my weight. If that lowest dose is zero, that’s great but I am also accepting of the lowest dose being anywhere between 2.5mg upwards, so long as it helps me keep the weight off and be healthier. I have yo-yo-ed far too many times to risk it again. I also think that we do t know the future - there may come along something better, easier, cheaper that can replace MJ in time to help support maintenance.

@Keeks888 sorry to hear that, that sounds tough.

I haven’t had any mouth or teeth problems. Perhaps ask on the Weight Loss Injection topic to see if anyone has advice.

i hope you get it sorted.

I'm expecting not to stop. I'm hoping I will be fine with the 2.5 long-term. I've lost nearly a stone so far in one month with that dose without side effects and I hope it will help me lose another stone or 2 and keep it off.

Can I ask if you throw your pen away after 30 days?

I am 56, current plan is to take it for as long as it works / I can afford it / they will prescribe to me!

Will maybe will try to stop in 3-4 years and see if my body has reset itself, but I have my doubts.

Why not play it by ear, OP?

Choose a supplier that does do maintenance, if you choose that ; see what happens further down the line?

Some people need to stay on MJ, and some manage to come off it and maintain their new weight with their new eating and exercise habits.

At my age (65) I would probably expect to stay on it at some low dose, at least for a few years (?). But if I was younger and healthier and my metabolism worked better I might try and get it right down or even come off it at some point.

With a good supplier you should have some flexibility to find what works for you ….

I originally thought I'd just lose the weight and come off it.

Now I imagine staying on a lower dose for a couple of years and hopefully creating a new 'set point'. MJ or whatever newer version comes out.

I am aiming for 11-12 stone (BMI25-27ish). 13 stone would be a BMI of 30 so in theory if I came off it and went up to 13 I would qualify to start again with any provider.

I know my target seems high to some people but my starting BMI was 43 so the thought of being 11/12 stone is life changing for me.

13 stone would be a BMI of 30 so in theory if I came off it and went up to 13 I would qualify to start again with any provider.

If you have already been on MJ - they will allow you back on at BMI 27 (overweight) rather than waiting for you to get obese again (30).

I’m 3 and a bit stone off and want to lose another stone. Then I plan to stay on a low dose for at least a couple of years and hopefully forever, whatever forever means.

I think most of us who have had this weight loss battle for years realise that we will have to stay on this long term once reaching goal. Myself included.
I can't gain 5+ stone again. It ain't happening.
With previous attempts I have been close but never gotten to goal even after losing 7 stone.
I am hoping that MJ gives me that opportunity and that after being at goal for a year I can start to wean off but who knows.
If I do eventually taper off the first sign of a regain I am going back on.
There might be another drug on the market by then.

Funny you should say that as my teeth have become more sensitive the last few months and I think there may be some gum recession starting which is worrying. Not sure if this is linked to MJ - getting a dry mouth / not drinking enough.
I used to drink loads before MJ & have had to make an effort to drink.
My saliva production wasn't great before MJ anyway and I think it has gotten worse.
I do drink too much diet coke. Always have done and should now really make the decision to cut out all fizzy drinks apart from when out as I think my enamel is eroding over time. I don't want to be left with stumps!
My dental checkup is next month I will mention it to them then.

I've hit my target weight. I now use the MJ 2.5mg dose for 2 weeks on and then have 2 weeks off. I gain and lose the same 3- 4 lbs. I'm happy. If I use MJ too much, I start losing again. However, I have only ever used 2.5mg. I tried 5mg but found I was unable to eat, had low blood pressure and was dizzy on standing. I guess it's down to each person to find their happy place