Compulsive/binge eaters on Mounjaro

[DabOfPistachio]

I had a look and couldn't find a thread specifically for this. I thought it'd be great to have a thread for those of us on Mounjaro who have problems with compulsive eating or binging.
I've had problems with this for years, to the point where it feels it's completely automated and even when aware that I'm doing it, as if I have no power to stop.
I've spent a lot of time trying to work out why I do it and how to stop it. I've felt for sometime that it is a hormonal/chemical imbalance likely due to (ironically) too much willpower: cycles of trying to lose weight, doing it and my body reacting to that and pushing more eating.
I'm on 2.5g, Wk4 and have been absolutely startled by how it's already changed my actual thoughts on food. The level of compulsion goes up and down but its still hugely different compared to a month ago. It feels like a reset. It is such a relief to not constantly be fighting the urge to overeat all the time.
I'm still early days on this. Ideally I'd like to slow down the MJ at the end and come off it, having used the respite to reset my habits and levels. That said, I am aware I may need to stay on it.
It'd be great to get the perspectives of others on the same journey, what's working and what isn't and any insights found.

That said, could we please keep the thread for those who struggle with compulsive overeating. It's a difficult thing to understand unless you've experienced the weird powerlessness of it.

I'm on week 5 and still on 2.5. It's given me so much calm! I couldn't have "bad" food in the house because I'd eat it all: biscuits, bread, crisps, ready meals.... I even batch cooked sensible portioned meals and put them in the freezer, and then it 3 of them in one go. Food shouted to me for years; maybe for my whole life.. The local co-op with all it's doughnuts, crisps, chocolate, ice-cream: I'd argue with myself that I shouldn't have it, but then lose the argument. It's so quiet in my head. I eat like a "normal" person now and it's wonderful. I don't crave those things any more, I don't feel wobbly because I haven't given in like I used to. I'm losing weight nicely (aiming for quite slow) and I'm already dreading coming off it: hoping I can use willpower better once I've got into good habits for long enough. Good luck with it :-) :-)

I think a lot of us on WLI are on them because we are compulsive eaters. WLI turned that off in my brain, it makes a bit of a comeback around my period each month but nowhere near as bad.

I've seen a couple of people mention that disclosing binge eating can disqualify you for the WLI which seems a shame. I definitely understand that they need to be careful around eating disorders but in this particular instance, it feels like disqualification because it may solve the underlying issue.

I was on MJ after years of binging and compulsive eating. Could never have one biscuit, 8 pieces of toast at midnight because I couldn’t sleep etc. it completely stopped all of it eventually and I’ve lost 4 stone but now I’m off it (weaned down) it’s agony. I’m so hungry all of the time and have to physically stop myself from overeating and binging again. The hunger comes back ten-fold. I had to stop taking it as we are trying for a baby but honestly it’s a nightmare having returned off it and I’d wish I’d could’ve stayed on it forever. The issue is MJ does a lot of the work for you “no food noise” and it comes back

What I’ve found is that I can now have trigger foods in the house and just have a few/ not finish a portion/ not eat the whole pack in one go / have the packet in the cupboard for a week etc - in other words, a normal, healthy attitude to food, rather than a disordered one. Also, because I can’t eat large meals, I’m much more inclined to not eat any rubbish because I’m conscious of wanting to eat enough protein and vegetables before I start feeling full.
I’ve been losing weight for a year and on MJ for nine months and haven’t binged in that time. I’m not stashing trigger foods, as I have done in the past. I would say I have hardly ever overeaten either, as I now dislike the feeling of being full so much. I think WLIs should be used to treat BED, in conjunction with therapeutic techniques.

Yes I used to suffer with this and also believe it was from years of all or nothing disordered eating. I’ve been on Mounjaro a year and lost over 30% of my starting weight. Have another stone to lose. I’ve stayed on 10mg and feel like sometimes I crave again now although nothing as bad as before. The feeling frightens me as I really don’t want to put back on. My plan is to stay on Mounjaro long term for maintenance.

Oh thats a worry. I've been wondering what would happen once I'm off. Could I ask what dose you were on and how slowly you came off? I was hoping to go down little by little but it's such unknown territory.

I’m not on MJ yet (planning to start soon) but I am a compulsive eater so very much relate to this. In fact I’m worried it won’t work with me BECAUSE of the compulsive tendencies! I’m not doing it all day, every day but it’s a rare day when I don’t lose control around food at least once and usually more like several times.

Like you say it’s a feeling of utter powerlessness - I can almost observe myself doing it and just feel numb. It’s quite stress induced for me.

So I almost can’t believe I’ll be able to ‘obey’ MJ if the urge to eat overtakes! But I’m very keen to try, it has been the bane of my life for 3 decades and I’d love to know what it was like not to have this going on.