Mounjaro/Wegovy with > 5 stone/30kg to lose - thread 9!

[MooBaggage]

New thread for anyone with more than 5 stone/30kg to lose. All welcome, whichever part of the journey you're on.

We have kiwis, hammocks, weight loss charts, an unhealthy obsession with Vinted and enough water to sink several ships 😊

No discount codes please - there's a separate thread for those.

How on earth are they going to manage that! 5 doses a pen that is a years worth of stock, in a month or two the board is going be full of posts saying I have 3 x 5mg, 2 x 7.5mg, 5 x 10mg pens and want to take 6.383453mg which pen is best to do it from 🙈

@Darlinghag It will be the increase in orders doing it - Oushk posted this yesterday which gives an idea of the complexities, which doesn't cover everything such as Eli Lilly limitation/allocation of higher doses availability. I believe things like the frozen ice packs they get them delivered frozen. The whole supply chain will be creaking with this.

Behind the scenes, fulfilling GLP-1 medication orders is far more complex than simply placing an order and waiting for delivery:

• Warehouses are low on stock due to national demand
• Refrigerated vans are limited, and suppliers are struggling to distribute overnight
• Most pharmacies don’t have the fridge space or capacity to safely store bulk stock
• Many pharmacies can’t afford to place large upfront orders, especially during uncertainty
• You need trained prescribers, dispensing staff, and operations teams to safely process a spike in demand
• Even packing requires coordination — wool liners, needles, swabs, frozen ice packs, and delivery bookings all need to be prepped, stored, and handled with care

It’s not just about medication. It’s about doing it safely, legally, and ethically — at a time when people are vulnerable, anxious, and just trying to stay on track.

That is absolutely potty, no matter what they paid that is at least £1500 worth of pens!

What if they have a power cut and they all get warm?

Gosh that feels like a huge risk to me (although having zero has ended up as the risk for me so I'm probably not best placed to judge 😂).

what about new/bad side effects, need to take contraindicated meds, fridge failure/power cut, won't have a recent prescription when they do need to order, price fluctuates the other way, contraindicated diagnosis for starters 😬

ETA I promise I quoted Gimme's post from last page about stockpiling!

It is absolutely mad imo. I think they think they won’t ever need any more pens but that is also a risky guess that might turn out to be wrong. Or maybe they are planning to sell them on or something 😬
I will try and find the post!

I had a panic recently. We got up one morning and I thought my yoghurt didn't taste as cold as normal so put the thermometer in the fridge and it showed 15degrees. I had one full and one part pen in there but was panicked even by that!

Rushed to a local store and bought a cheap freestanding fridge to tide us over until we could replace the big kitchen one but just imagine the panic if you had about 10 in there.

There's an irritating post on the calm and supportive thread:
I’ve ordered a pen from my regular supplier, 3 pens from a new supplier, I’ve already got a pen that I haven’t used yet and I’ve got a pen that’s been used, and got 3 doses left in it!
Hopefully I’ll hit my target in the next 15 weeks and then I’ll start spacing the doses out longer than 7 days apart!
I’ve also ordered some for my daughter too, to keep her going for a while!
😡😡😡
There's someone who deserves a full-scale fridge breakdown but I haven't expressed a view in an effort to keep the thread calm and supportive!

With the talk about power cuts and the like its worth pointing out that if you are eligible for your utility supplier's priority register then its worth registering with them. Its for older/disabled/people with medical needs/people with young children but criteria varies.

Because I'm classed as medically dependent on power (I.e. I have a powerchair, hoists, other stuff) if the power goes off we get a generator parked on the drive. This has only hapoened once and I'm not sure what my neighbours thought but no power= I cant even get out of bed or out the front door so kinda had to happen.

This is what Eon class as being on the priority register.

Also worth saying that not everyone would get a generator parked on their drive- thats only for people who cant live without power. You usually have to be able to evidence 'medically dependent on power' before they will grant it though.

We have my elderly mother registered @alltablenochairs but I think there are quite strict criteria so, hopefully, the generators will always go to people like you and those who really need them rather than to people who want to protect their ill-gotten MJ although I wouldn't put anything past some folk, having seen their greed in all it's glory on that other thread.
Actually power cuts are something I hadn't thought of...

A slightly less low tech option for people worried about fridges and the like might be instant ice first aid packs. Thr ones where you squeeze them and they turn into an ice pack. I'm not entirely sure how long they'd keep something cold but MJ wrapped with an ice pack inside some sheep's wool would probably do the job.

DH is Mr Disaster Preparation in this house. Not entirely sure he's ever thought about needing to keep medication cold though. He has A Spreadsheet so if it wasn't me running the risk of being bored alive I would ask him.

I definitely dont have multiple MJ pens in my fridge though!

Haha @alltablenochairs Love the comment about the risk of being bored alive, my DH is the same on his pet subjects. I keep a couple of the ice packs the medication arrives with in the freezer and when my fridge died I put one of those in a cool box with it. I presume it worked ok as I didn't notice any difference and am still here to tell the tale

I've had this from my provider, SwiftDoctor earlier today:

We hope this message finds you well. You may have heard about the upcoming changes to Mounjaro pricing announced this week by the manufacturer, Eli Lilly. We wanted you to know we're here to support you through these concerning times.
What's happening with the prices
Eli Lilly has announced a significant price increase across all doses of Mounjaro, effective 1st September 2025. Unfortunately, this is out of our control, and we want to be clear that it will impact our prices due to the significant rise. This will affect all pharmacies.
We understand this must be very concerning and wanted to share some information about how we can support you through this.
We will not be making any changes to our prices until 1st September and will communicate the new prices as soon as possible.
Alternative options
We are aware that due to the incoming price increases many patients may feel they cannot afford to continue their weight loss journey. We are actively looking at several alternative options which are more affordable. One alternative we currently offer is Wegovy.
Consider switching to Wegovy

1. More cost-effective: Wegovy is typically more cost effective across the doses compared to Mounjaro at the new prices.
2. GLP-1: Wegovy is in the same group of medications as Mounjaro with clinical studies showing it is an effective option for weight loss and has cardiovascular benefits. How to switch to Wegovy We recommend taking a two-week break after your last Mounjaro dose and then starting on the 0.25mg starting Wegovy dose. There is no equivalent doses between Mounjaro and Wegovy so all patients must start on 0.25mg. Next steps We will continue to support our patients through these difficult times and keep you updated with any news regarding prices and general updates. Please do not panic and order beyond your current needs. Our suppliers are struggling to match the high demand for stock and ordering beyond your needs will put more pressure on the service making it difficult for all patients to obtain their medication. We are expecting to receive more stock in this coming week and will be shipping orders as soon as possible. Please expect delays as we manage the unprecedented demand. Ordering policy In order to aid our existing patients in receiving their medication as soon as possible, we will be putting some restrictions in place when stock does arrive:

• Ordering will be restricted to existing patients initially
• One pen per patient
• Only patients who have not ordered in the last 2 weeks will be able order
• Any orders placed outside of these restrictions will be rejected with a refund issued.

Refunds can take 5-10 business days to arrive so please do not order unless the above applies to you. Thank you for your patience and understanding in these difficult times. The SwiftDoctor Team

Finally a sensible approach to stock control, much better than encouraging panic buying imo. I am hoping to switch to Swift for maintenance but I’m not due to order yet thankfully, I hope everything has settled down in a couple of weeks and I can make the move.

I’m wondering what if any effect this may have on NHS supplies. I can’t re-order till my repeat prescription date comes up which will be about a week from now and they won’t provide multiple pens so I’m just going to have to go with whatever happens.

I’ve ordered a couple of Freestyle libres because if I can’t get MJ then I’ll need to go back to multiple sugar checks a day and if results start going high again I’d need to ask for alternative medication so thought this was the only way I can really do anything to get ahead of the situation. Hopefully nothing will come of it and I was planning to wear a CGM in Oct when I go to the US for a week anyway because long haul flights and the American problem of putting a couple of spoons of sugar into everything means I want to keep a close eye on it. Last time I went by the time I got home my legs and feet had swollen to twice their normal size and I felt like death warmed up.

My 2 pens were safely delivered yesterday - I somehow slipped my order in just before everything went completely crazy.

very thankful 🙏🏼

Happy Sunday, folks!

Today is my one year MJ anniversary! 52 jabs over 52 weeks! What a year!

Today I weigh 13st 2, with a loss this week of 2.3lbs. When I signed up a year ago, I was 18st 9. Which is 5st7lb lost, and a total of 7st 12 from my highest weight in 2021.

I am now a few pounds from my lowest adult weight, when I was desperately ill, so I am so looking forward to getting there as a healthier person!!

The price panic has made me more determined I have to make MJ part of maintenance, whatever I need to do to keep it in my life. So many other ailments have been alliviated, most importantly, the majority of my symptoms since I had my gall bladder removed ten years ago.

My life had become so small - I was terrified of having a bad tummy out and about so used to avoid so much. I used to do work trips and eat nothing an entire day, avoid trips with friends. Its not 100% perfect now, but its enough that I can manage, with some decent food choices, MJ and the ocassional Immodium!

I’ve always been pretty loud and what I considered confident, but the reality is, I was not. And now I am smaller, feeling not like the elephant in the room, I’ve taken up new activities, like art classes and I am even considering putting my work into exhibitions!!

Work has changed for me, as I have, and I think it has to be related - I have excelled far more with this new confidence!!

I sometimes get a bit angry at how I am treated differently, by people who have known me at size 28 and size 16, but I also acknowledge that my own attitude has changed - less kicked dog, and I think that has been part of why folks have changed too.

I’ve got at least 3 stone to go, maybe 4, but it all feels possible, and I don’t feel like I am waiting for it anymore, if that makes sense? It will probably be another year, maybe longer, and thats fine! If I could get to ‘11st something’ by new year, that would be grand.

@RobinEllacotStrike what a relief! I’m hoping asda get stock in by the time my order gets processed (my guess is at least 3/4 days away) or I suspect I will be cancelled. Feeling very grateful for my little bit of overstock right now, otherwise I would be in meltdown!!

@Darlinghag Congratulations on your MJ Anniversary! 🎉

Thanks for sharing, I had similar personal reflections on my anniversary a couple of months ago, it has been so much more than the number of stones lost in that first year. It has truly been life changing and the next year can take us to even more NSVs as we grow in confidence and our lives (not our waistbands!) expand again.

I really hope this price panic settles down, that others are able to reach the one year milestone too, and everyone who wants to keep going can do so, whether on MJ or W

I so agree @Darlinghag people do treat you differently. An example I have is of a couple who we are very close to who are very keen balloonists. They have taken all of our common friends for multiple flights over the past 20 years but never myself and DH. I never commented but this summer it has been ‘what? You have never been on a flight with us!’ Followed by some head tilts. I am so cross it’s only now when I am no longer obese and, in fact I am smaller than her, that’s it’s okay to offer. But quite frankly I can’t be arsed now as especially as he has had some health issues. DH and I now suspect he should not be flying (and I suspect it is his last year as he may not get insurance next year and they want my DH’s muscle power)

Many congrats on your fantastic weight loss and for your one year MJ anniversary 🥳. Onwards and downwards!

Queen the pharmacies all seem to be coming up with different approaches to swapping from MJ to W 😵‍💫 I've read three distinct processes so far - no wash out, 2 week washout, 5? Week wash out (cynically I imagine the pharmacies who make it a simple swap with no washout may be thinking about the increased number of patients who will swap to them for the W - I imagine few will stay with the pharmacy that says MJ needs a long wash out!)

@Darlinghagcongratulations on a hugely successful year 🎉
what kind of art are you creating (& maybe exhibiting 😃)

@Arglefraster I suspect everybody is flying by the seat of their pants here. I have tried to find the professional guidance but none of the sites I used for medication switches have that one on them and think it's probably been a very rare beast until now so even the specialist diabetes or bariatric services will have done just the odd ones. In my experience we always stopped one drug, washed it out then started the other at the lowest dose and uptitrated but I think I heard that Hira, at Oushk, said there are now ways of moving straight across to "equivalent" doses

@Darlinghag Congratulations and happy anniversary! I'm always struck when I see posts like yours just how much we all have in common despite our differences as I resonate with so much said in this group

Yes I totally agree queen that's why I'm concerned about the pharmacy's motives. Tricky when there's no established protocol but I agree the usual approach would be to wash out then titrate up.

I'm very happy - my pharmacy's website has let me order my next pen, they are saying longer dispatch than usual but if it has all gone through ok then fingers crossed I can take my last jag as normal & continue without a gap!

Has anyone found going up a dose decreased effectiveness?

I went up to 7.5 last week, after a month on 5. The efficacy of 5 had started to wane. But on 7.5, though I’ve had some mega sulphur burps, I’ve felt absolutely no effect, the last two days I have been constantly ravenous! Due to take my next tomorrow, but I’d rather have Sunday injection day so considering taking it tonight, a day early.

Also this is really frustrating because I lost two and a half stone quite easily, and the next half stone is like pulling teeth. I just need 1 more pound to be at three stone down!

I’ve found I’ve had far fewer symptoms on the 7.5 than the preceding ones. My only problem has been a bout of constipation. Even the sulphur burps didn’t make an appearance this time and they were bad when I moved up to 5.

Strangely I've had the least side effects of all on 15mg!