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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

I can't keep the weight off without mounjaro and can't afford it

77 replies

MzMJ · 19/08/2025 16:21

I just feel so defeated.

I have a lot of mental health issues and feel my eating ties in with that very seriously.

This has been a lifelong issue with me, from my early teens and I have tried everything from slimming world, to personal trainers, to bootcamps, VLCDs, keto, therapy and hypnosis.

In 2020 I had a gastric sleeve and lost a good chunk of my weight but didnt progress like most people with a sleeve did.

Then I found mounjaro and i felt normal for the first time in my life.

Reached 9st and so many of my problems went away from mental health to physical issues that I had from sleeve.

Ive come off it 3 times now and gained everytime.

Go back on it and everything is great. No food noise. No food obsession. No reflux. No gastric issues. My head is a lot calmer etc.

But i just can't afford it, and now the price is going up.

Im just so sad :( It really is a miracle for me.

OP posts:
markyb123 · 20/08/2025 20:35

FullOfMomsense · 19/08/2025 17:04

You can't expect to be on these meds forever, the whole point of WLM is to help while you get rid of bad habits. Maybe it's an opportunity for you to work on yourself and make long-term life changes to keep your weight down. The money you spend on Mounjaro could be used for therapy for a few months, invest in yourself, not medication.

Please don't ever consider a career as a diplomat or samaritans worker.

markyb123 · 20/08/2025 20:39

TheRealGoose · 19/08/2025 17:29

Goodness this is the second thread in as many days where someone shoves their elbows out, muscles in and shouts you can’t take it for life, try therapy. Wonder if it’s the same poster.

Thank you.

I am a mental health nurse and group therapist. Body and mind are connected and we are a whole. BUT - suggesting therapy ain't the answer here. If cbt or talking worked for this we would not have a worldwide health epidemic.

I'm sure the OP has a deep seated set of struggles and issues, if they were worked through things would be easier - but it'd make sod all difference to their underlying dopamine response to food.

markyb123 · 20/08/2025 20:40

TheRealGoose · 19/08/2025 17:29

Goodness this is the second thread in as many days where someone shoves their elbows out, muscles in and shouts you can’t take it for life, try therapy. Wonder if it’s the same poster.

Thank you.

I am a mental health nurse and group therapist. Body and mind are connected and we are a whole. BUT - suggesting therapy ain't the answer here. If cbt or talking worked for this we would not have a worldwide health epidemic.

I'm sure the OP has a deep seated set of struggles and issues, if they were worked through things would be easier - but it'd make sod all difference to their underlying dopamine response to food.

MeridaBrave · 20/08/2025 20:52

I thought that you can’t switch to Wegovy if BMI under 27 but I could be wrong. I also have hashimoto’s but that’s not on the list of health conditions that let you qualify at at BMI of 27.

I’ve got a 5mg pen and am stretching it with 30 clicks.. so 2.5mg dose obvs keep it in the fridge but yes using beyond 30 days. I’m planning to use it on / off.

BrendaSmall · 20/08/2025 20:54

Helena2000 · 19/08/2025 22:56

That's so interesting. Thank you for explaining.
You say you're on 0.5mg
I'm on 15mg MJ
What would be the equivalent Wegovy dose be if transferring over from 15mg MJ?
It's interesting what you say about needing to go up high in MJ doses to get the effects. That's true of me too.
So if Wegovy is really effect and cheaper than MJ, why is everyone taking MJ instead of Wegovy?
Sorry OP, I'm not meaning to derail your thread, but this sounds like a good alternative for you too - do you agree?

Edited
Show quote history

I’ve had an email about changing to Wygovy, and it states that if I swap over I’ll have to start at the lowest dose

BrendaSmall · 20/08/2025 20:56

MzMJ · 19/08/2025 22:49

I never went above 5mg and mostly stated on 2.5 of mounjaro.

I am recently diagnosed ADHD but known for years so not discussed medication yet.

My daughter lost lots of weight when she used to take her ADHD medication, it suppressed her appetite

Ezzalouxoxo · 20/08/2025 22:20

Honestly, I feel you, it’s so frustrating finding something that works and not being able to access it anymore, I’m switching to wegovy, it’s apparently hand in hand with mounjaro, I’ve looked online at a comparison website called igovy and they have some good deals on there especially for first time buyers, or even monj is a good comparison site for mounjaro if you didn’t want to switch. I’d deffos say shop around as it’s such a competitive market

Nextdoormat · 20/08/2025 22:23

FullOfMomsense · 19/08/2025 17:04

You can't expect to be on these meds forever, the whole point of WLM is to help while you get rid of bad habits. Maybe it's an opportunity for you to work on yourself and make long-term life changes to keep your weight down. The money you spend on Mounjaro could be used for therapy for a few months, invest in yourself, not medication.

Are you medically trained? Your knowledge seems more opinion and judgement than fact.

markyb123 · 20/08/2025 22:41

MeridaBrave · 20/08/2025 20:52

I thought that you can’t switch to Wegovy if BMI under 27 but I could be wrong. I also have hashimoto’s but that’s not on the list of health conditions that let you qualify at at BMI of 27.

I’ve got a 5mg pen and am stretching it with 30 clicks.. so 2.5mg dose obvs keep it in the fridge but yes using beyond 30 days. I’m planning to use it on / off.

Find a good pharmacist and engage in a discussion about YOU and YOUR needs. They are able to prescribe within their opinion and they are able to prescribe according to need. Some pharmacies stick to one rule for all, others prescribe according to patient need - but that takes them giving time to listening and understanding. We are all different.

Nunenco · 20/08/2025 22:51

dontcomeatme · 20/08/2025 20:28

I haven't really had any. Both my wife and I have a headache the first few days after the jab, which is resolved with normal pain killers. After my sisters very first jab she was sick, but hasn't ever been since. To be honest I think she put that sickness episode down to nerves and her fear of needles!
We all have huge appetite suppression and the food noise is completely gone. Sometimes I get a dry mouth but I think this is because I'm the worst at remembering to increase my water intake.
My sister said never ever drink alcohol on the jabs she was absolutely ill after a night out. Again this could be due to lack of calories plus alcohol, or a side effect of the medication.
Both my wife and I have dealt with very minor dizzy spells, but we both believe this is due to the drastic reduction in calories. They lasted for the first few weeks and that's it.
I can't really think of any serious side effects any of us have dealt with? All been pretty plain sailing so far x

Show quote history

Thank you that’s encouraging. I’m currently on 7.5 MJ and another 3 weeks to go. I will probably go back to the lowest dose W and see how it goes. Thanks again.

markyb123 · 20/08/2025 23:04

markyb123 · 20/08/2025 20:40

Thank you.

I am a mental health nurse and group therapist. Body and mind are connected and we are a whole. BUT - suggesting therapy ain't the answer here. If cbt or talking worked for this we would not have a worldwide health epidemic.

I'm sure the OP has a deep seated set of struggles and issues, if they were worked through things would be easier - but it'd make sod all difference to their underlying dopamine response to food.

Show quote history

apols for the double post.

MeridaBrave · 21/08/2025 14:54

markyb123 · 20/08/2025 22:41

Find a good pharmacist and engage in a discussion about YOU and YOUR needs. They are able to prescribe within their opinion and they are able to prescribe according to need. Some pharmacies stick to one rule for all, others prescribe according to patient need - but that takes them giving time to listening and understanding. We are all different.

Show quote history

Yes I have found. They understand I’ll order it as hoc for maintenance.

Blondeshavemorefun · 22/08/2025 07:56

dontcomeatme · 19/08/2025 22:29

I pay £140 for 4 weeks of 0.5mg. I've found you don't have to up the dose as much on wegovy, the effects last so much longer than what mj seems. All my friends on mj have to take huge doses whereas wegovy you only need a small amount to suppress appetite. Well, that's what me, my wife, sister and vest friend have found. Some have stayed on 0.25 the whole time and feel no need to go up, me and my friend are on 0.5 and can barely eat 800cals a day. The main benefit though is obviously the price isn't going to rise any time soon so, win win x

Show quote history

What is .5 of wagovy compared to in mj - is it the top dose so like 15 of mj

dontcomeatme · 23/08/2025 01:51

Blondeshavemorefun · 22/08/2025 07:56

What is .5 of wagovy compared to in mj - is it the top dose so like 15 of mj

Show quote history

@Blondeshavemorefun

I can't keep the weight off without mounjaro and can't afford it
DarkForces · 23/08/2025 04:54

FullOfMomsense · 19/08/2025 17:26

If you read the OP then you will see this is a lifelong thing and stems partly from bad habits.

@soupyspoon if you read the/cared about OP, you would have seen they've stated that their eating habits stem from or are linked to mental health issues. Therefore, OP probably needs some therapy! I simply suggested it as an interim while OP is in a period of not being able to afford WLM. AND Mounjaro is not intended for life-long use as a WLM. So maybe chill out and read properly before you attack me.

Show quote history

Where did you get the idea that Mounjaro isn't intended for lifelong use? It absolutely is.

SatsumaDog · 23/08/2025 08:08

I’m really sorry you are facing this op. The price increases are a worrying development for so many people who have found MJ the solution for not just their weight but other issues too. I do hope we see a widening of availability for patients to receive tWLI on the NHS as I believe they will be a cost effective solution for many issues in the long run.

DarkForces · 23/08/2025 08:13

I'm going to give wegovy a go. Monj have set up igovy to compare prices and it's come down from when I first made the decision to go with mj in November 2024. I really dislike the way eli Lilly have behaved so am looking to swap even if they reverse the price rises.

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/08/2025 08:15

dontcomeatme · 23/08/2025 01:51

@Blondeshavemorefun

Show quote history

Interesting. Thank you

IsItSnowing · 23/08/2025 08:56

FullOfMomsense · 19/08/2025 17:04

You can't expect to be on these meds forever, the whole point of WLM is to help while you get rid of bad habits. Maybe it's an opportunity for you to work on yourself and make long-term life changes to keep your weight down. The money you spend on Mounjaro could be used for therapy for a few months, invest in yourself, not medication.

Yes you can expect to be on them forever. Even the NHS guidelines now acknowledge that it may be necessary for patients to stay on it long term.
Also, it's not the point at all to get rid of bad habits unless you consider the physiological hormonal deficiency in some people to be a bad habit.
WLI and the research surrounding them has produced clear evidence that obesity is cause by hormonal issues in the body which can be adjusted with medication.
You need to stop judging and catch up with the science.

GrumpyExpat · 23/08/2025 09:03

AsteriaBuffy · 19/08/2025 18:06

@MzMJ gosh that's a lot :( I'm amazed you don't qualify for NHS prescription, hopefully they will update the rules when it's clear how much it's helping people, including you. Good luck 💖

I’m on MJ and my GP told me they are finding it useful for a whole range of conditions, including alcoholism and mental
health issues, as OP suggests. The problem is there haven’t been any trials, so it won’t be reimbursed by the NHS for these anytime soon.

Rosieblue12 · 16/09/2025 15:10

MzMJ · 19/08/2025 16:21

I just feel so defeated.

I have a lot of mental health issues and feel my eating ties in with that very seriously.

This has been a lifelong issue with me, from my early teens and I have tried everything from slimming world, to personal trainers, to bootcamps, VLCDs, keto, therapy and hypnosis.

In 2020 I had a gastric sleeve and lost a good chunk of my weight but didnt progress like most people with a sleeve did.

Then I found mounjaro and i felt normal for the first time in my life.

Reached 9st and so many of my problems went away from mental health to physical issues that I had from sleeve.

Ive come off it 3 times now and gained everytime.

Go back on it and everything is great. No food noise. No food obsession. No reflux. No gastric issues. My head is a lot calmer etc.

But i just can't afford it, and now the price is going up.

Im just so sad :( It really is a miracle for me.

Hi Hun
im in the same Boat, been on Mj for 3 months and its been great, i have one pen left and won't be able to afford anymore to maintain my weightless.
im a bit of a binge eater, i plan to try and maintain my weight by intermittent fasting, Im going to do a water fast 2 day a week, i find it eater to abstain completely from food a couple of times a week rather than having to ration myself every day, so i will eat my maintenance calories over 5 days, so 5 days a week i can enjoy a bit more food and eat the things i like, but also will try and eat healthy.

LondonGalll · 16/09/2025 15:13

I’ve read that slowly tapering the dose gives more success keeping weight off

strongermummy · 17/09/2025 15:57

LondonGalll · 16/09/2025 15:13

I’ve read that slowly tapering the dose gives more success keeping weight off

Hey @LondonGallldo you have any links? I read something about slow tapering but cannot find it now and there appear to be different approaches - high dose spread out with longer between doses vs weekly jabs going down the doses…..

Bigoldmoneypit · 20/09/2025 15:56

It didn’t for me. Or rather it did for 6 months but then it returned, can’t cure ADHD after al!

CoastalCalm · 20/09/2025 15:59

When you say you’ve gained how long were you off and how much you gained ? I found my appetite picked up to an extreme level for about a month and settled again