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Weight loss injections/treatments

Discuss weight-loss injections and treatments, including personal experiences. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any treatments.

Original poster

Allergic reaction/ anxiety

26 replies

dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 15:49

I have the MJ in my fridge to start at 2.5 mg but I’m so scared to take it. I am really anxious and have health anxiety but I am 5 foot 6 and weigh 13 stone 5 and my BMI is 30.2 which is obese acceptable to the NHS. I think I’m just scared as I have had reactions to medication in the past, allergic reaction to erythromycin and when I had my Covid job I felt funny & faint but I have looked into it and apparently it’s a vasovagal nerve reaction. Not sure I spelt that right but it happens sometimes on having injections although I don’t feel your needles, I just overthink the side-effects. I feel funny. My heart rate goes up, I don’t know if it’s anxiety. It happened when I had some lemon bottle injections in my arms and also when go to the dentist and I have the injection to numb, it happens then I’m just so nervous to start any tips. I have IBS & I have been diagnosed with chronic urticaria, so I have hives sometimes which has made me anxious that if I am having an allergic reaction that I don’t know if it is or not. and also I’m scared in case I have an Anaphylactic shock. I’m allergic to PPD also. (Hair dye) I just want to be slimmer again. Wish I didn’t have anxiety. Anyone else the same?

OP posts:
HatesHorsesLovesShein · 13/06/2025 15:58

Presumably you told the online pharmacist what you were allergic to and your medical history though. They won’t have prescribed it to you if it wasn’t suitable.

Eight8eight · 13/06/2025 16:00

Hi OP
I was a little worried too and spent a few weeks with it in the fridge whilst I ummed and ahhed. One day I took the plunge and though I've had some side effects it has been life changing for me already. 2.5 stone down in three months, and I've still not gone up to 5mg yet. I've stayed at a low dose as I've been losing.

Would it put your mind at ease to give yourself a lower dose of 1.25mg for the first time, to see if you react to it?

Original poster
dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 16:06

Eight8eight · 13/06/2025 16:00

Hi OP
I was a little worried too and spent a few weeks with it in the fridge whilst I ummed and ahhed. One day I took the plunge and though I've had some side effects it has been life changing for me already. 2.5 stone down in three months, and I've still not gone up to 5mg yet. I've stayed at a low dose as I've been losing.

Would it put your mind at ease to give yourself a lower dose of 1.25mg for the first time, to see if you react to it?

Yeah, it would but how do I do that? I’m so confused of how to do it? When would I take the remainder? I’m planning on doing it outside a hospital in my car in case. I’m just so anxious. Like I will die or something.

OP posts:
Original poster
dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 16:07

HatesHorsesLovesShein · 13/06/2025 15:58

Presumably you told the online pharmacist what you were allergic to and your medical history though. They won’t have prescribed it to you if it wasn’t suitable.

Yes. I used MedExpress. I gave all the relevant information.

OP posts:
wobblybrain · 13/06/2025 16:11

You are being ridiculous and you know that as you have health anxiety. Don’t start on a lower dose just take it as prescribed because the safest way to take medication is the way it’s intended to be taken. The idea that you would go and sit outside a hospital is batshit. Have you had help for the anxiety?

SilenceInside · 13/06/2025 16:11

@dimplesanddonuts do you live alone, or does no one else know that you're planning to start Mounjaro? The simplest thing to do is just to let someone else at home know that you're about to do it, then do it when they're around. Doing it in a car outside a hospital is really not necessary.

I wouldn't try to do a different dose for the first injection. What do you normally do to address your anxiety in other situations?

Notreallyme27 · 13/06/2025 16:16

In a similar vein, my (adult) DS has oral allergy syndrome and is allergic to tonnes of foods. He carries epipens and was recently told at allergy clinic that he could start eating foods that may contain nut traces (after a lifetime of being told to avoid them).

He was so nervous that he actually drove to A&E, parked outside and ate some of the foods in question. He didn’t have any reaction but he says that he feels less anxious doing it there, just in case.

Could you do that for your first couple of injections?

Original poster
dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 16:24

wobblybrain · 13/06/2025 16:11

You are being ridiculous and you know that as you have health anxiety. Don’t start on a lower dose just take it as prescribed because the safest way to take medication is the way it’s intended to be taken. The idea that you would go and sit outside a hospital is batshit. Have you had help for the anxiety?

After a horrible reaction to magnesium sulphate when I was pregnant. Heart went to 185 bpm and an allergic reaction to a medication in the past with severe stomach ache and vomiting. I’m just so anxious. Sorry that it offends you. Just feel so alone. And don’t need anyone making me feel worse. Yeah batshit. Thanks.
😖

OP posts:
Original poster
dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 16:26

SilenceInside · 13/06/2025 16:11

@dimplesanddonuts do you live alone, or does no one else know that you're planning to start Mounjaro? The simplest thing to do is just to let someone else at home know that you're about to do it, then do it when they're around. Doing it in a car outside a hospital is really not necessary.

I wouldn't try to do a different dose for the first injection. What do you normally do to address your anxiety in other situations?

Over react. Panic. Lay on floor. Be dramatic. Impending
doom. Needles don’t bother me. Just worried in case I’m unlucky have bad side effects and can’t look after my three kids.
I have a partner. He’s going to help me inject. I feel I will do it wrong.

OP posts:
Original poster
dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 16:28

Notreallyme27 · 13/06/2025 16:16

In a similar vein, my (adult) DS has oral allergy syndrome and is allergic to tonnes of foods. He carries epipens and was recently told at allergy clinic that he could start eating foods that may contain nut traces (after a lifetime of being told to avoid them).

He was so nervous that he actually drove to A&E, parked outside and ate some of the foods in question. He didn’t have any reaction but he says that he feels less anxious doing it there, just in case.

Could you do that for your first couple of injections?

Yeah I was going to do just that. Tomorrow. Just in case. I reacted to medication in the past so I think I’m just anxious. I almost past out with Covid jab. I wasn’t even anxious for that though. Then afterwards felt
funny. Probably all in my head.

OP posts:
SilenceInside · 13/06/2025 16:37

I meant what strategies have you been given/told to work on managing your anxiety, but if you haven't had any help with it then I guess that's a separate issue.

All you need to do is get your partner to do it, problem solved. No need to try to do it in a car outside a hospital.

It's really very very common for people to feel wobbly and/or faint after injections. My partner does, he just tells the HCP and they get him sat/laid down in advance, and let him chill out for a bit afterwards until the feeling subsides.

Original poster
dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 16:44

SilenceInside · 13/06/2025 16:37

I meant what strategies have you been given/told to work on managing your anxiety, but if you haven't had any help with it then I guess that's a separate issue.

All you need to do is get your partner to do it, problem solved. No need to try to do it in a car outside a hospital.

It's really very very common for people to feel wobbly and/or faint after injections. My partner does, he just tells the HCP and they get him sat/laid down in advance, and let him chill out for a bit afterwards until the feeling subsides.

I just feel it will kill me. Like what if my throat closes up? I am so depressed and just want to lose the weight. I used to be 9 stone 6 and I’m 37 now and weigh 13 stone 5.

OP posts:
wobblybrain · 13/06/2025 16:45

dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 16:24

After a horrible reaction to magnesium sulphate when I was pregnant. Heart went to 185 bpm and an allergic reaction to a medication in the past with severe stomach ache and vomiting. I’m just so anxious. Sorry that it offends you. Just feel so alone. And don’t need anyone making me feel worse. Yeah batshit. Thanks.
😖

Show quote history

I’m not offended?

also you might think I’m not being nice but the thing with health anxiety is that we shouldnt give reassurance as that just makes it worse. You need to rationalise.

SilenceInside · 13/06/2025 16:48

Concentrate on the reasons why you want to lose weight. They are what helped you make the decision to order, and will be what help you to start to take the medication.

If you aren't getting help with managing your anxiety, then maybe now is the time to start.

sandybeaches74 · 13/06/2025 16:52

I had a fear of allergic reactions to drugs for years. Then I got cancer, had chemo and actually had anaphylactic shock. So I completely hear you! If it was me, I would write off the first dose and just do a little bit, maybe half (I sound like I’m talking about ecstasy pills 😂)… then if you know you’re not allergic you can up the dose. Ignore that PP, this is a very real fear, and it’s hard to know what’s actually a reaction when you’re so anxious anyway. Hugs

Original poster
dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 16:55

wobblybrain · 13/06/2025 16:45

I’m not offended?

also you might think I’m not being nice but the thing with health anxiety is that we shouldnt give reassurance as that just makes it worse. You need to rationalise.

Show quote history

You’re right. Reassurance seeking.
its a viscous cycle. I’m going to do it in mornings I have IBS and my bowels are playing up.

OP posts:
Original poster
dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 16:57

sandybeaches74 · 13/06/2025 16:52

I had a fear of allergic reactions to drugs for years. Then I got cancer, had chemo and actually had anaphylactic shock. So I completely hear you! If it was me, I would write off the first dose and just do a little bit, maybe half (I sound like I’m talking about ecstasy pills 😂)… then if you know you’re not allergic you can up the dose. Ignore that PP, this is a very real fear, and it’s hard to know what’s actually a reaction when you’re so anxious anyway. Hugs

Yeah. I will do. What was the anaphylactic reaction like? Sorry I’m just really worried.

OP posts:
MummytoE · 13/06/2025 17:10

Are you planning on going too the hospital car park every week? That's ridiculous. Tbh I would forego the jags and just do a calorie deficit on your own.

wobblybrain · 13/06/2025 17:18

sandybeaches74 · 13/06/2025 16:52

I had a fear of allergic reactions to drugs for years. Then I got cancer, had chemo and actually had anaphylactic shock. So I completely hear you! If it was me, I would write off the first dose and just do a little bit, maybe half (I sound like I’m talking about ecstasy pills 😂)… then if you know you’re not allergic you can up the dose. Ignore that PP, this is a very real fear, and it’s hard to know what’s actually a reaction when you’re so anxious anyway. Hugs

Presuming I’m ‘that PP’ - OP has acknowledged that she is reassurance seeking and she knows this is the wrong course of action with health anxiety.

Original poster
dimplesanddonuts · 13/06/2025 17:26

MummytoE · 13/06/2025 17:10

Are you planning on going too the hospital car park every week? That's ridiculous. Tbh I would forego the jags and just do a calorie deficit on your own.

No just the first dose. Have anxiety around allergies.

OP posts:
HatesHorsesLovesShein · 13/06/2025 17:51

Surely fucking about with the dosage is the last thing people with health anxieties should be doing. It’s already a small dose to get the body used to the medication. The people who have trialled the drug have decided that’s the dose to start on.

A pharmacist, who has her medical history, has prescribed it.

RebelliousHoping · 13/06/2025 17:59

I’ve grown to have anxiety massively in last two months. Had an infection which no one can explain so even a simply cut appearing my finger last Sunday I’m like plaster time as I can’t afford to allow any exposed entry wounds.

I’ve found myself querying bandages being put on and when you are repeatedly asked are you a diabetic that’s enough to send anyone wild, the same old question. zzz.
I’m 43 and now when asked if I have any allergies, I just think to myself none that I know of yet.

Couple of customers I have served have helped me understand what it means to have a fall on my type of injury and actually what tissue viability mean far more then these medics have bothered I remain indebted to customers. Irony, a customer sorting someone out whom they’ve called for help or signposting. Life’s rich tapestry quite how we’ve been destined to speak.

Never questioning anyone’s anxieties please know you are not alone. I’m sure peri has a lot to answer for. In fact was quite scared to go back on these injections after hospital so had to get back on them quick without thinking to much about it.

sandybeaches74 · 13/06/2025 19:19

Honestly @wobblybrain… she’s said she has a fear, she’s also said she has multiple allergies. So just let her be for gods sake. If she does a little bit and is fine, then she’s reassured herself and then it will be fine. Then the next time she can be more confident. I’m pretty chill in most other areas of my life but having a reaction is actually no joke, so yes, you are the ‘PP’, I was talking about. The PP with seemingly no empathy and a belligerent self important belief that you’re right all the time. Yawn.

OP… just do what you need to do to feel confident. Keep challenging yourself to face the fear head on and you will get there.

In regards to my reaction, I was given a full does of docetaxol chemo for breast cancer, which is pretty heavy. My body went bright red, my chest closed up, my tongue started swelling, I got hives all over my face in the space of 30 secs. The staff were on top of it straight away and it all got reversed but it was scary. Weirdly I had always had a fear but I had worked so hard to get rid of it and I had, then it actually happened. It wasn’t pleasant but it was fine and I actually went on to have more of the drug, which saved my life. I’d have it again if I needed it. My situation is not yours, you have choices and you will be ok Flowers

wobblybrain · 13/06/2025 19:52

sandybeaches74 · 13/06/2025 19:19

Honestly @wobblybrain… she’s said she has a fear, she’s also said she has multiple allergies. So just let her be for gods sake. If she does a little bit and is fine, then she’s reassured herself and then it will be fine. Then the next time she can be more confident. I’m pretty chill in most other areas of my life but having a reaction is actually no joke, so yes, you are the ‘PP’, I was talking about. The PP with seemingly no empathy and a belligerent self important belief that you’re right all the time. Yawn.

OP… just do what you need to do to feel confident. Keep challenging yourself to face the fear head on and you will get there.

In regards to my reaction, I was given a full does of docetaxol chemo for breast cancer, which is pretty heavy. My body went bright red, my chest closed up, my tongue started swelling, I got hives all over my face in the space of 30 secs. The staff were on top of it straight away and it all got reversed but it was scary. Weirdly I had always had a fear but I had worked so hard to get rid of it and I had, then it actually happened. It wasn’t pleasant but it was fine and I actually went on to have more of the drug, which saved my life. I’d have it again if I needed it. My situation is not yours, you have choices and you will be ok Flowers

Let it go?

I literally responded to OP replying then you jumped in and had a pop so I replied to that.

I do have experience in this hence telling OP she needs to rationalise and not seek reassurance. I genuinely wasn’t having a go, also I had let it go! It’s not bad advice to someone with HA - seeking reassurance does indeed, as OP acknowledges, create a cycle of unhealthy behaviour.

I shall step away now though as I’m not altogether interested in what you have to say to me, I should never have responded but I hate the misunderstanding. It hasn’t helped any as you still seem to think I did something wrong here so for OP I shall leave the thread and wish her all the best.

sandybeaches74 · 13/06/2025 20:40

@wobblybrain you responded directly to me….