Stopping Mounjaro abruptly (gallstones)

[Lemoncurtain]

I have been on Mounjaro for a year now and lost 7 stone (45kg) going from a BMI of 39.2 to 22.8.

I have struggled with my weight since childhood and although have lost weight several times have always rapidly regained. Like for so many others Mounjaro has been an absolute game changer for me and I feel 'normal' for the first time in my life.

Unfortunately I have developed gallstones and been having some complications with these so likely to have my gallbladder removed.

As I believe gallstones are contraindicated for Mounjaro use I will not be able to order any more. Possibly can go back on in the future after my gallbladder is removed (?) although not sure if there would be issues with returning after a long break and now having a healthy BMI.

I hadn't necessarily decided whether I wanted to stay on Mounjaro forever for maintenance but had certainly planned to for the foreseeable future. I am now facing going cold turkey and pretty terrified of regaining all the weight or managing to keep the weight off but it being a battle everyday making me miserable.

I am now pretty much at my goal weight so at least not worried about trying to lose anymore.

I wondered if anyone had any experience of coming off Mounjaro when it wasn't entirely by choice and how you got on?

Thanks

My friend was on Mounjaro, they got to goal weight, came off as couldnt afford to carry on with maintenance injections. They gained 10 pounds but have stayed there, and still within a normal BMI, I think a little gain is likely but if you can try and eat as before and ignore food noises you will be OK (and have a lot more money :) ) I am on Mounjaro as still not at my BMI and also I am diabetic and have high cholesterol, I hope to remain on it for my blood sugar alone as its never been so stable, so even without weight loss I would want to stay on it.

Gall stones are really painful, I had my gall bladder out in my 30s by keyhole and the relief from the pain was so good, I was also advised to follow a low fat diet after the operation which really kept the weight off for a while, sadly I have a bad relationship with food and during lockdown put on so much weight I developed type 2 diabetes, but with these injections I am getting back in control.

Good luck with your operation x

I can't give any help from experience @Lemoncurtain as I am not near a normal BMI yet (gone from BMI 45 to 31 but still a way to go!) - but I wanted to say well done on your amazing achievement.

I think your feelings are reflective of how most of us would feel in the same circumstances - especially when the control of the decision has been taken away from you along with any worries about your gallstones.

Hopefully someone who has been in your shoes will come along and offer some tips on how it worked for them.

One mental note I have for if/when I stop Mounjaro comes from my experience at Christmas when I was eating much more sweets/treats, is that the more I ate (even while on Mounjaro) the more I wanted and the food noise was returning. I likened it on another thread to my many attempts at stopping smoking, all it took was one cigarette, and if that lead to two or three before long the cravings returned and I was a smoker again. A smoker can avoid cigarettes, but we can't avoid all food which makes it much harder, but we can possibly attempt to avoid the kind of food and portions that lead to restarting those obsessive cravings.

There might be a post mounjaro thread on here where you can ask others who have stopped mounjaro. I also think there are a couple of Post weight loss injections facebook groups that you might find hints and tips on.

Good luck on the next phase of your journey

Have you explicitly been told that you need to stop the MJ by the consultant who is doing your gallbladder surgery?

@Jenasaurusthat's reassuring to hear about your friend! And great point about the extra money, maybe I will be finally be able to buy some new clothes 😅

Thanks so much @WeAllHaveWingsfor your comments, very interesting points! I think I might be wired differently though. I'm an ex-smoker and tried a million times to quit, the only thing that finally worked for me was saying to myself I'm going to quit but if I fancy a cigarette I can just have one and it doesn't have to mean I've completely failed at quitting. Taking away the all or nothing approach really worked for me and it's been 8 years since my last cigarette now. I probably need a similar approach with food where I allow myself to have some of what I want but not let it turn into a binge where I say screw it I've failed now so might as well eat everything in sight and then start again on Monday!

@VelociraptorsVelociRappingNo, my consultant was actually very supportive of using Mounjaro. I was almost expecting a bit of a telling off for using it and the old why not just diet and exercise but they said the MJ doesn't cause the gallstones and it would be the same if it was weight loss from slimming world, weight watchers etc. They also said they'd much rather see people get healthy and then have to deal with gallbladder issues than not! I am more thinking that my pharmacy will not support continued use while I have active gallstone issues although I have not yet asked them. My personal thoughts (although not a medical professional) are that the gallstones have been caused by the weight loss (as well as being obese for many years) and as I am not planning to lose more weight if I were to continue on MJ for maintenance this would not exacerbate my gallbladder issues.

I wonder if it might help to focus really hard on the positive changes you have made (presumably not just eating less, but eating better, and moving more). I know I feel so much better in myself with the kind of diet Mounjaro enables, that it has fixed the equation of junk food and treating myself in my head. So now I ask ‘why would I do myself harm’, instead of ‘why can’t I have a little treat after a hard day’. Sometimes the old habits kick in, but my internal monologue is much healthier now.

@Lemoncurtain Sorry to drag up an old thread, but what happened in the end - did you stop using Mounjaro and have your gallbladder out?

I think I might have to stop due to what I suspect will be diagnosed as gallbladder problems.

I’m also interested in this. I’ve got gallstones too now and waiting to see how long the wait is for removal.
my dr just said not to increase my dose (7.5) and if possible go down one. I’ve just stayed on the same one and been very careful what I eat. Just keep hoping I can keep losing on this dose!

I came off mounjaro for gallbladder removal and then I started again on 2.5 again after I’d recovered.

I’m in exactly the same position after a hospital admission with pancreatitis. I’m not at goal weight and still have a couple of stones to lose and I’m terrified of stopping completely and regaining the weight I’ve lost (almost 8st). I’m eating very low fat at the minute and on the list for gallbladder removal. Just hoping the good habits I’ve formed over the last year will stick with me and I’ll be able to keep it off, but it’s so daunting suddenly having to go it alone.