Mounjaro October starters - Thread 8!

[HansHolbein]

Carry on losers!

Hi @Histoscientist, thanks for the reply and I’m glad you’ve had a better experience. More than two weeks in I’m still waiting for a clinical response from Oushk, despite chasing via several methods over this period and again yesterday! The clinical advisor promised a call back which still hasn’t happened. Quite frankly, they shouldn’t take on more patients than they are able to clinically, and safely, manage.

My point is, prescribing of a licensed medicinal product shouldn’t be dictated by whether or not the patient pays a retainer, it should be based on clinical need dictated by evidence. Especially if the patient has been with the pharmacy through their entire treatment journey and therefore the pharmacy has a complete record. They are by no means the cheapest pharmacy, so there is an expectation of at least some wraparound support. I feel their approach is putting monetary gain before ethics and the best interests of the patient. That coupled with three months supply without clinical assessment has made me question their ethical position. But that’s just my opinion. It will be interesting to understand the regulators position.

All the best with your weight loss journey.

Yes but the issue is that there is no guidelines on prescribing for maintenance specifically, there have been some clinical research studies with good results undertaken and currently being undertaken, but no specific prescribing guidelines. Prescribing guidelines are for obesity and overweight for high risk individuals, such as ethnic minority or with a qualifying health condition, which is why a lot of pharmacies take the guidelines strictly and won't prescribe after a certain bmi and will cut off the patient such as bmi 23 with med express. So for Oushk to offer a service for prescribing for maintenance shows actual long term care for their customers and empathy and understanding that weight gain could occur when off mounjaro, so they are providing a safety net for those who are anxious or fearful about this. For me this shows going above and beyond and understanding and care of the mental health of a patient. Yes they charge a fee, but that's their choice and no-one needs to stay with them as there are a few others who support maintenance, but at least they give this option.
If Eli Lilly introduce prescribing guidelines for maintenance then no doubt more pharmacies will offer this and then they may be pressured to remove the fee, but for now they are one of the front runners for maintenance, which is why myself and others moved over to them.
As for cost, pre price rises I paid £160 for 15mg and £143 for 10mg delivered which is a lot cheaper as a regular retail price than most pharmacies out there, MMP being the exception. Even now post price changes, their costs are on the lower end when you factor in their standard discount of £15 or £20 for maintenance.

@HappyNewt I checked out monj for the first time yesterday and the new prices are terrible (as expected!). I could afford it but it would be most of my fun money for the month so I'm not willing to buy anymore.

@OrlandointheWilderness what an amazing amount you have lost. I remember your username (probably because I love orlando/disney)😂

This last week iv just felt like crap, all week, I look like crap and I'm just soo soo tired! Im actually contacting the GP to check my iron and folate levels again. Im due my next B12 shot at the end of the month anyway. I haven't been making the best food choices this week, I weighed myself this morning and iv actually lost half a lb. god knows how.... probably because iv been up all night with the 💩

Also regarding hair loss.... I normally wear hair extensions, Not really long ones but ones that match my current length to give it thickness.... and this time when iv taken them out to give my hair a couple week break before putting them back in.... BOY HAVE I NOTICED THAT MY HAIR IS 100% THINNER!. I hate it! Every time I look at my hair I just feel so upset by it. I had a feeling I must of had hair loss from MJ as I noticed recently after I freshly washed my hair that I have what seems to be a lot of small sticky up hairs on the top. I presumed that was new hair regrowing from when it fell out and I appear to be right.

@Histoscientist

Interesting.

Pre-price rise / end of July I paid Oushk pharmacy £169 plus additional delivery fee of £6.99 for set day delivery (rarely arrives on day promised, but that’s for another post!). With a discount code it was £160’ish. So for me it was NOT anywhere near cheapest. Wonder how yours was soo much cheaper?

As a medical professional and researcher myself, I have years of experience advising on development and use of guidelines so am well versed. I don’t understand your justification of a retainer fee because of lack of guidance. As I say, it is, or it is not, clinically appropriate to prescribe. This should not be dictated by whether or not a retainer is paid. In my opinion, that is taking advantage of people in a vulnerable often desperate position to make a quick few pounds.

A trusted pharmacist colleague has signposted me to communication from the general pharmaceutical council where two of their four concerns (their words below) with providers are exactly the points I raised in my previous post, based on my experience with Oushk pharmacy:

• ”People are being incentivised to ‘bulk buy’/possibly being supplied with several months’ supply of medication, which does not align with the need for regular reviews and monitoring before further supplies are made.
• Timely responses to their customer service complaints linked to refund requests and other issues are not being provided.”

I’m glad they share my concerns as the regulator.

Re: customer service. Two weeks on, I’m still waiting on a clinical response from Oushk pharmacy. Prescribing is never just about the prescription. It is about responsibility, safety and continuity of care. If the provider loses sight of that, patients (us!) are the ones who suffer.

It cannot just be: "You want this medication, I'll prescribe it for you. There you go."

Anyway, I’m not here to promote or vehemently defend any provider or otherwise. I have no reason to. Just intended to share my (poor) experience with Oushk pharmacy and personal opinions on safe care.

Just because it’s privately paid for by us, it doesn’t mean we should settle for poor or no after care once the medication has been supplied. Or indeed be asked to pay unjustified additional fees without questioning ethical integrity - regardless of how “popular” the provider is.

Enough of my ramblings! Firstly, I don’t have time, and secondly, I must grab lunch before I miss my chance! Good day everyone.

@Histoscientist FYI - It is the 10mg dose I’m referring to above.

Week 26 of maintenance
SW 12st 2lb
GW 9st 7lb (happy with 9st 2lb - 9st 7lb)
CW 9st 6lb.
Been having quite a few meals out so have put on a few pounds but feel good.

I will go on the £15 Oushk flex monthly plan to keep my options open, I really could not bear to put the weight back on so want the option to go back on it if required.
Personally I have found Oushk by far the best pharmacy out of the several I have used for providing information and support re MJ.

Wow look at you with your long term maintenance and doing really well at sticking within your goal target weight 👏
Don't worry about a few lbs, you have to enjoy yourself too and also have some normality in this journey otherwise it will be miserable if we can't do what we want!

Are you still on a dose for maintenance? When are you planning to come off and go on to flex? I think I will too but depends how I get on with the lower doses first and hunger and cravings, so far all fine on 10.5mg (clicks from a 15mg pen) and it feels just as strong as the higher doses 5 days after injecting, very strange!
Agree Oushk is the best, well I've used 3 other pharmacies but a lot out there didn't contact users when the pricegate kicked off, my friend waited days later and some didn't get any communication about it at all and just noticed stock pulled from website leading to frustration as they only found out from forums and Oushk users. I was looking at Pharmulous for maintenance as they do 1 year maintenance, but you have to be above 24 bmi if a new customer. But they had lots of negative reviews over the handling of price gate, and were the latter of the pharmacies above which didn't communicate at all leaving users frustrated and without a pen forced to go cold turkey. They've also accepted orders without having stock so are asking for people to pay the difference at the higher price, even when ordered over 2 weeks ago, many other pharmacies have done this too!

I have been on a maintenance plan since middle of June so receive extra discounts 15% off and free delivery, hence the cheaper prices.
You are entitled to your opinion and especially your experience will influence how you feel about a prescriber. Hope you find one that fits well for you.

Has anyone found they have lost weight from different places then before? Iv only been bigger for a couple of years so cant remember the time I was slimmer ha ha

Sounds strange but I kept looking at myself and thinking my stomach still has more fat on then when I was this weight before a few years ago! I finally found an old bit of paper where I had written my measurements on and I was the exact same weight to one of the measurements I took.

And I'm right.... at this weight before my hip/stomach area is slightly bigger then when I was this weight a few years ago but my thighs are smaller... so iv lost more weight off my legs rather then my stomach.

Would prefer for it to come off the stomach to be honest. 😂

A rare quiet weekend for me, my husband is away watching F1 so I'm going to have a movie night with the kids and see my nan/parents I think.
Might take the dog for a nice long walk and find a new route. Trying to stay away from eating out as Iv done that loads recently.

What's everyone else's plans?

This is me too. I always had muscley chunky legs from years of sport, even at my lightest.

I’m now within a few pounds of my lightest weight and have really thin legs for the first time in my life but still have a bit of belly.

Weird how the body works.

Hi all, it's been a while!

I'm maintaining well, around 8st. Titrating down, starting 10mg soon. I might start experimenting with stretching out the jabs for 8 or 9 days and see how it goes. All is going ok. Some days I feel extra hungry and some days I'm not bothered. I was worried that as I went down, everything would come back but so far so good. Really enjoying all the clothes but I am so. fucking. COLD! This has been my only side effect really. Manageable but gets to me sometimes.

@Bluenose1966 You are such an inspiration! Good plan to use the Flexi option, you've got some security there.

@Fizzleawayyy1 I've lost from everywhere, especially the last stone. I think the lower down the BMI scale you go, it really does move. For me anyway.

I hope everyone is doing ok. It's been a weird few weeks.

Hi guys, I think the bigger tummys are down to middle age. I don't think we will ever be the body shape we used to because of middle aged spread..Well I'm 43, I don't know how old everyone else is! But women produce less oestrogen over 30 and it keeps declining over time, testosterone will increase which cause the middle age abdominal fat. Throw in stress and poor sleep then cortisol, which leads to weight gain.
The tummy fat will be last to go because with women it functions to protect organs and produces oestrogen, so takes over from the ovaries after menopause.
@HansHolbein yes I am so bloody cold too, its been constant since last week when the weather turned. I'm here with a blanket, heating on and thick fluffy socks 😭 well done on maintaining!
I'm also tapering down from 15 to 10.5mg currently (clicks from 15mg pen) but still full, managed 895 cals today so far and I'm jabbing tomorrow morning. Guess it's better than the opposite and the ravenous hunger returning!

Hi lovelies 16 weeks to lose a stone but my weight is going down at a snails pace. GReat to see a new big number on the scales this week though (12st 13lbs down from 17st 10lbs in October).
I can't afford Mounjaro anymore so have switched to Wegovy starting in 2 weeks after my last pen of MJ. Will I be kicked off this thread? Hope not but understand if so!
Onwards and downwards.

No!!! You’re on our path with us and defo not being kicked off - it will be interesting for everyone to know how you get on.

OMG, my first clothes shop in ages had a few hours in the Trafford Centre to myself. I cannot believe that I'm a size 12 in H&M. 2yrs ago I couldn't get a size 16 pair of jeans on from there.

Clothes shopping is really lovely when normal sized clothes fit and look nice. I'm a deep autumn so all my colours were in the shop which was delightful. I never used to even step into Zara or River Island but it was so nice knowing that I could fit into usual high street stores and not have to stick to plus sized ranges.

Morning all

Week 46
SW 17'10
CW 13'4

2 pounds off this week!

Still struggling with suppression believe it or not, but am only 4 pounds until my vague goal of under 13 stone!

1 jab left of 15, then I start the 10 before I'm done.

Great to here all your successes and stuff, it's a great motivator!

Good luck everyone and keep going!

@Claudette7934 so weird! I wouldn't say I have a belly as it is flat but its not as flat as it used to be ha ha

@HansHolbein Yeh I think this last stone is really making a difference, more and more people keep saying 'have you lost more weight' every time I see them.

@Histoscientist What are we classing as middle ages? I turned 35 this year. 😂ha ha
I will also join you and @HansHolbein in the freezing cold club. I haven't left it since October when I started this MJ!

@fourquenelles absolutely not, you wont be kicked off. In fact ....I'm really eager to hear how you get on with the switch!! please let us know if you think its as effective and how you feel on it, any extra side effects etc

@recklessgran I hope you are ok and everything is going well for you. Please pop in and give us an update if you get the chance.

@LumionaMoonsplash Iv never looked at my colour analysis before. would you recommend it? I have so many clothing from when I was slimming before iv been wear those. The only time iv bought something new is for work evening events I have to attend.

@DeltaAlphaDelta79 Well done on the 2lbs off this week!

I lost 1lb this week. Which I'm pleased with as I felt like I ate more then normal. A lb a week seems to be what I lose at the moment although I wish it was more.

I'm now 10st 10lbs, I started at 16st 11.5lbs so over 6 stone off. I still want to shift another stone and maybe even a stone and a half. Aiming to be done by xmas.

@Fizzleawayyy1 I did the proper HOC analysis around 12yrs ago when DD2 was a newborn and I was lost style wise. It was all over MN then so I thought I'd give it a try before going back to work after mat leave. I wore a lots of black, blue and purple, convinced I was a Winter.

During the consultation, I looked at the colour wheel and would have been happy with anything except Autumn, definitely did not want to be wearing the sludgy murky browns, mustards and greens. Yes of course I'm a dark and warm autumn with brown as my special colour.

It took a whole new wardrobe and replace all my black coats, shoes and bags and silver jewellery. I now embrace gold jewellery, tan bags and brown belts. It makes shopping a doddle, only looking at stuff in my colour range.

I've also self diagnosed my kibbe type as romantic, again knowing the trouser style, skirt type and neckline that suit me to eliminate so many clothes.

My Pinterest board is creaking with style inspo that I'm really excited to trial now. So yeah, I'd say it was very expensive but totally worth it.

Back on it tomorrow after a biiiig week away for a wedding, mostly out and about eating out....with limited options for good choices.
I can certainly say that Im not getting any suppression... at all😂
I'm on 5 on my way down through one pen...

Back on track tomorrow as I am home alone for a week and I've come back to an empty fridge so no excuses!

Also ill have the time to put in place a really good exercise routine and start back with some running too...

Here's to going it alone and getting it right!
Oh and somehow shifting that resistant belly and muffin top too....

I read some reports that EL are reducing the size of the pen to remove the option to draw a 5th dose...

@LumionaMoonsplash I love autumn colours! I will have to look into it as im probably buying the wrong colours.

@HappyNewt Iv read about them reducing the pen so it will no longer have the 'golden dose' in. Its true, they will be doing it. I probably wont be buying any extra pens then what I have here and it will take them a while to implement it too so wont happen just yet.
I had a week a couple weeks ago that I was eating more but I'm back on track now too.

I have a huge work event next week, it has a gala dinner included and I'm waiting for my dresses to turn up and try on! never would of thought id be going to this event over 6 stone less then when I last went.

Enjoy the event next week....what an amazing change in a year!!

Weighed in this morning...and surprised to see that I had stayed the same despite an unfocused and indulgent 10 days and reducing my mg's and having a gap in jabs due to being away.

Here's to keeping my eye on the long term...and losing a little more myself hopefully!...and being able to enjoy the odd blow out but getting quickly back on track...

My weight has stayed the same now for about 8 weeks - I was on 10 and now down to 5...suppression is definitely low... just 3 doses left to go so I am focusing on nutrition, hydration, exercise and, for me I think most importantly, accountability ie weighing myself!!! I think it is important to be able to be indulgent (on occasion!!) and not let it totally derail you...it is really about the long term...the short term goal is largely achieved.

I know what I need to do....here's to getting it right!!

Anyone else freezing 🥶. Just had to switch up my summer duvet for winter one. I've been shivering under layers of blankets for the last few nights.

Yes me too. I usually wear shorts throughout winter, and rarely put the heating on, but since starting MJ I've been as cold as fuck!

Its a known side effect unfortunately 😕

Yes definitely this week. Heating kicked in on a morning so it must have been below 20.C 🙈 I have gone up to 7.5 tog and blanket on top, also have a 12 and 15 in cupboard when needed but it's warmer later this week and I use a thick warm mattress topper, so don't want to change yet.
@Fizzleawayyy1 I don't know what middle aged officially us but on 43, soon to be 44 in December.. I feel so old lol

How is everyone doing? I've dropped 2 doses down to 10 tapering down and definitely feeling hungrier, sticking to 1200-1300 cals but it's not so easy now so I started taking liquid berberine which has stopped the evening carb and sugar cravings and given me more suppression. Though I was pnt last week so it could have been that as now I've started my period, I'm feeling strongly suppressed again. It's mainly an evening that it all kicks in.
Went clothes shopping yesterday as all my size 14s are hanging off me, I had some 12s I'm my wardrobes from over 5 years ago and sone with tags I'd never worn but needed lots more clothes. I spent £90 yesterday and most were size S and even a few XS and 10s! Can't believe it. I'm bmi 23.9 9st 9lbs but STS this week possibly with the increased cals and carbs. Would like to drop to 9st so considering wegovy as it may help with the side effects of hair loss and exhaustion.
Is anyone using it?