How do I get mounjaro privately?

[Greenlilypad]

My bmi is 29 I’m quite sure if I continue the way I am I’m going to end up diabetic. Ac1 was 5.6 so I’m already showing signs of high blood sugar .
i have tried to lose weight but can’t seem to. What’s the best way to start getting on mounjaro?

Well you can look at Monj.co.uk for good price comparisons.

Would you qualify? I thought that your blood sugar level is just into the normal range?

Im not sure you qualify as you aren't obese. Unless you have a qualifying health condition.

However prediabetes is a real wanting sign - have you spoke to anyone at your surgery about this?

(My personal (ie non medical) huge lifechanging decision was to go almost completely UPF free. This was quite big when you look into all the things that have upf ingredients. (ultra processed people is a good book with Dr Chris v tulleken. But also he's done some TV programmes). This makes a huge difference to both stabilising weight and sugar levels (I did then start mounjaro but my bmi is sky high!)

Just also to mention people of certain ethinicities also qualify at a BMI of 27.

I am mixed race and I do believe I am more likely to have diabetes than others plus I believe this bmi makes me very unhealthy in myself. I’m quite sure I have insulin resistance since I had dc because I was always a healthy weight (more towards the lower end of bmi) but ever since having dc my weight ballooned and also I gained a belly and none on my legs, so classic IR symptoms. I never gained any weight around my stomach area before dc was a pear shape and now am an apple shape.

My dr isn’t overly interested, he noted I’ve very quickly put on weight in the last few years. I told him I’m trying to lose weight so he said cut out cake etc. he’s right though and I haven’t managed to cut down on my sugar much. I don’t eat processed foods at all but I crave sugar so much and do eat more since having dc.
GP says I will have to wait and see if my sugar levels spill into diabetic range as in the nhs 5.6 is still normal, it’s 5,7+

I think you'd actually have to be diagnosed with diabetes or another qualifying condition to get it at your BMI, though. Do you have any diagnoses? Even if you buy it privately, you still need to meet the criteria.

@GreenlilypadI think your ethnicity would qualify you for a private prescription, with a BMI over 27.

How’s your cholesterol? I think that’s relevant. My BMI is under 30 but with that and osteo arthritis i got a prescription.

Yes the more likely to get diabetes/ feeling unhealthy/ possible IR won't count at all. It has to be actual diagnosed conditions if using that criteria.

However yes I'd forgotten there was an ethnicity qualification too. I've attached the categories from my prescriber just as I assume it will be the same for all of them.

If you go down the non UPF direction it includes nearly all supermarket bread, rolls, croissants, most cereals, flavoured yoghurts, protein powders/bars, drinks, cereal bars, sauces, etc. (You may know all this! But it has been a thing in some prediabetic circles as a way that can work as I'm in a few UPF free groups and it reduced my sugar reading).

If you only have a few stone to lose the potential side effects of being on mounjaro and the likelihood of needing it long term for it to continue to work may outweigh the benefit if there's other thigns to try.

But I do think it's wonderful so if you can access it on ethnicity grounds and you think it would help go for it!

To answer your question - How you get it is you choose a provider (different costs involved) and fill out an online eligibility form and apply.

They will usually need to do either a video call/see photos/see you weigh/confirmed weight/ take medical history/send details to your GP etc. (All slightly different how they do this) And then you're set!

Its 2.5 for the first 4(or 5) weeks if using mounjaro, then you can go up to 5mg. Each dose you need to be on for a minimum of a month but each prescriber seems slightly different in how they do this. Some just let you pick, some advise lowest effective dose, some in effect encourage you to go up the doses each month.

Spamming codes on these threads isn't allowed... (and a bit dubious anyway)

If you’re “friend”’s code is found online by MedExpress (they are using AI to trawl for them) then your friend’s credit will be wiped and possibly the referral code removed altogether.

A local pharmacy [not a chain] near to me is offering it privately. I have to have a blood pressure test, a weigh in and answer various questions monthly. There's also nutrition and exercise advice and someone who can answer questions about side effects etc. They've alerted my NHS GP that they have prescribed in case of any issues. It's about £30 more expensive per month. I was at a BMI of 30 when I started. You may get more discretion in the decision through a route like this.

How much a month are you paying at a local pharmacy out of curiosity? I'm sorted for this year but need to budget for Dec - although I'm hoping it will be cheaper then and I'm sure the options will have compeltely changed!!

The OP won’t need discretion though as she qualifies based on ethnicity and a BMI of 29, so any of the online providers will accept her.

Thanks so much for these answers I think I will try for the ethnicity as a second qualifying reason.

Most online pharmacies have a questionnaire to fill in to see if you are eligible. Then they usually want photos or videos and proof of who you are. You may as well fill one in and see if they accept you..

Honestly OP I really don’t think you will have a problem. If you’re mixed race (especially Asian/SE Asian ) and BMI 29 then you should be fine. Check out your cholesterol as well as BP because they will also qualify you under 30 BMI. I can’t recommend it enough. I am at goal after a 6 month journey from 95kg to 62kg.

The post about cutting out UP foods is not wrong. It is by far the most sensible thing to avoid in your diet - the problem is - as with all diets , it is exceptionally rare for any ‘diet’ of moving more and eating healthily to be sustained over time.

Multiple long term studies show that
about 1 in 100 people with obesity achieve normal BMI through lifestyle changes alone (diet + exercise).
Of those who do, 80–95% regain some or all of the weight within 5 years, therefore the odds of going from BMI 35 to 24 and maintaining it for over 5 years with lifestyle changes alone are estimated to be between 0.5–1%.

The beauty of MJ is that it makes keeping making those good food choices so much easier. Although I think there will be a significant number of us who will need to remain on this for life. Such is our hithertoo undiagnosed insulin resistance.