Shemed January Starters - Thread 4

[FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden]

Hello everyone! I completely missed the other thread was full (haven't been too well this week) so I've started this one and will tag as many people as I can think of from recent pages. Do tag anyone else you think of that might miss the new thread!

I hope everyone is okay. It's been unsettling times hasn't it with all the news about the price increases and very little from Shemed as to what they are planning. I am hopeful that of all people we will be shielded the most due to being on the Study (fingers crossed).

I weighed in this morning and took second dose of the 10mg. I seemed to put on this morning but if I take the weight I've been most of this week...

I am exactly half way to my target! And I've lost 25% of my bodyweight!

10mg - so far no burps or nausea but I am wondering if this extreme tiredness is in part due to the drug. Was eating just as I was before the last couple of days but today don't want to eat so who knows!

I'll read up and tag people if I can.

No I haven’t received mine yet, I think it’s related to when you fill in your questionnaire. A lot of people on the facebook group are saying they have yet to receive the email. I filled in my questionnaire just before the announcement and have been assured that as I ordered before 10am on 27th August I will get that pen at the current price. I won’t be able to afford it in a month though as I have another 3.5 stone to go which will take at least another 7 months at the rate I have been losing!

Sorry to barge in on an established group, I hope you don’t mind. I too started SheMed in January and consequently in the same boat with regards to the changes. Except I’ve got no medication at all left (on MJ 10) with my check in due tomorrow. No idea what to do.

Questionnaire was done a week ago and payment taken yesterday. I’m assuming I weight in as usual tomorrow and then..?
Im not in a financial position to keep on with MJ so will switch to Wegovy, but does anyone have any insight as to how it works going from one to the other? Are we starting on a small does and building up again?

I’m about 8 kg away from healthy weight so close enough to see the light at the end of the tunnel. (Lost 17kg so far)

Rather annoyingly have all my old pens with the spare liquid in sitting in my fridge.

Hope everyone is not too thrown by the situation.

Lovely to have you @UninitendedShark but its all stressful isn't it. I suspect if your pen/prescription is in process they didn't send the emails maybe? They did say if they'd already taken payment they're honouring it so I think you're probably in the best place in that you will have a few weeks to decide.

Did you only do the questionnaire on your 4th dose rather than the 3rd if you haven't got any medication for tomorrow? Have they sent a delivery note at al? You could ring them - I've had better response from phoning than emails recently. I hope it turns up soon fingers crossed.

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden Hi! I was a little late in responding to the questionnaire because I was waiting for the blood test results to come through first. I’m surprised they could analyse the tiny drip I managed to squeeze out tbh but that’s beside the point. Since then the MJ price situation seems to have ground everything to a halt at SheMed. And I can see why. It’s a shame it’s gone this way because MJ has been so liberating without a ton of awful side effects (for me personally) and I’m in the groove with it all.

@KoalaKoKo and @Mazd323 all communications from SheMed have suddenly started going to my junk mail and I didn’t realise for about a week (I don’t have alerts switch on from the app). That’s where I saw the message about the switch to Wegovy. Maybe you’ve had the same thing?

I have actually just emailed my GP to see if there is any possibility of being prescribed Mounjaro. No idea what the outcome will be, I suspect no. The irony being that when I started I would have met the criteria, but probably don't now!!

And they have just replied with a no - I'm not surprised to be honest, and it seems a bit of a cheek to even ask, but I felt it was worth a go!

Thank you. I have seen it now via screen shots on a FB page. 😊

@UninitendedShark I hope the blood test was improved and sounds like you've had good results so far on mounjaro. I hope your pen turns up soon! Well done with your weight loss :)

@OneAzureMaker Well worth a shot...! I think its very few people that meet criteria overall . They'd happily give me bariatric surgery but not less invasive drugs....

It would be good to hear what everyone decides and how everyone gets on - and if people leave SheMed please do stay here and update us! I've loved having this group. I will go wherever ends up cheaper but I've not yet decided about wegovy - but I'd love to all stay on here as we all started at the same time (ish!)

I have my check in tomorrow (dose 3 from this pen) and think I’m going to have to try Wegovy. I’m really disappointed, but I can’t justify the new cost of MJ. I’m lucky in that I’m pretty much where I wanted to get to weight wise, but am very conscious that I don’t want to put it back on! I’ve been reading up on the info they’ve put on the app and I guess I’ll get asked questions ready for the switch in my next questionnaire.

@Kaggi9 Good luck tomorrow. I think you'd be in a good place for the switch if its for maintenance and it sounds like they try to match the dose and change over within a week unlike what they used to do with a months break. Good luck.

Let us know how it goes!!

So I've brought a 10mg at £209. I wasn't sure if it would go through and first time I've done this not through SheMed. It's more than the origional prices but less than I imagine the prices will be in a few days and less than the SheMed current price. I kind of got myself into a worry and feel happier knowing I have a few weeks in hand.

Where did you get it? @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden

Gosh, don't we sound like drug dependent users trying to get our next fix!!

I know!! I feel that way even looking for it - and then in 2 minds about posting it here!!!

It's from Medino - although I've just checked the tracking details and RM don't actually have it so it might not be picked yet. They say they have it in stock. It is more than mounjaro was until recently but cheaper than it looks to be next week.

I've no idea if it was a good idea - I just think I've bought myself some more thinking space if I need to come out of SheMed.

I'm still so divided in my head -I don't really want to go to Wegovy but finances....

Thanks @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden

holiday is nice but an all inclusive resort is testing my resilience.

i am keeping active swimming and hitting about 18000 steps a day.
I just want to try everything (yummy food and cocktails), thankfully I am happy just trying and not consuming loads but there will surely be some gain ☹️ on my return along with the headache about what to do next.

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden please tell me he you went about getting a pens from Medino?

Will SheMed know you have done this?
so do tou use the same prescription they sent?
I don’t understand how it all works but think I will also buy another pen to give thinking time.

i have decided no to wegovy

i need to stay on MJ and find ways, even if golden dose and save on other aspects of life. At least a few more months on 10mg.

Have you seen news of discounted sign up scheme for pharmacies with Eli Lily?
Apparently saving £80 ish pounds to be passed on to patients.
This would place it nearer £250 a dose. Using golden dose that’s £50 a week. More than I would like but who know if SheMed signed up to this?

I also have looking at timeframe on new competitor/patent.
Seems nothing possible until the year 2036!

but oral studies more promising like 2026!

Can anyone explain how I can purchase a prescription from somewhere else today/tomorrow?
I’m not back in the country until Wednesday so not sure if delivery would be before then?

I still don't know what to do. I've emailed to ask to cancel and have been exploring other places for mj.
@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden I'm hoping I get prescribed Elvanse for ADHD are you on this? Part of me thinks this could be enough, but also I have autoimmune thyroid disease and I think mj helped with that...
Hubby has said it's all I talk about... Um yes ADHD hyperfocus...

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden thanks for the tip, gonna do the same. I’ve told SM I’m not continuing with them. Wegovy or MJ for £279/£319 are not for me. I have received my final 10mg pen from them and was planning to titrate down by counting clicks rather than stop cold turkey. An extra pen will allow me to titrate over a longer period and hopefully reduce chances of relapsing back to my starting weight 🤞

Had some movement from SheMed overnight. Another MJ 10 pen has been prescribed (not yet dispatched). It’s my check in/ injection day so it’s thrown that off but I’m really happy to have another 4 weeks of MJ coming.

update

Had a Royal Mail notification about the delivery so presumably will receive it tomorrow! It does sadly feel a bit ‘last chance saloon’

My final MJ one arrives today so I will have 4 doses left! There may be some settling over the next few weeks so I’m going to keep an eye out to see what’s happening! I’ve also researched natural GIP and going to start incorporating these into my diet. I have no intention of paying anything near the price for mj so I’ll give Wegovy a go. If it doesn’t work I will reevaluate but reading the stats it’s still effective just not the double hit like mj. Might be a good reset for me and help me to be less complacent as I have been. I’ve been incredibly lucky that I’ve had very few side effects so fingers crossed this will continue. I’ve increased my exercise now running 5k a few times a week! Really should include some resistance work but hate it and can’t get myself to be consistent! Maybe I’ll join a Pilates class to get myself into gear! I’m trying to remain positive and I really don’t want derail all progress I have made and work towards not needing to rely on an injection forever! I’m sure it is possible 😊

Gosh what a crazy time it all is. I checked in this morning aware it could be my last one. Or not. I'm 16st 4 - (so still higher than most people when they sart 😬) but 5.5 stone loss from when I started. It has been miraculous really. I keep thinking the Black Mirror episode I half watched has an element of truth here - how much am I willing to pay to keep this level of health....

@Reginaphalangeeeee Wow that's a lot of walking! I do hope you have a wonderful time ❤️. SheMed wouldn't know. Your GP would get informed. However long term with SheMed I can't see a way to regularly do golden doses/mess with doses due to the way they record everything and require you to order.

Medino - so I have a RM delivery coming today. It was SO much easier than Shemed. However when I went to order the first time round you do need a photo of recent prescription, photo of you against a a tape measure and photo of you on scales with ID and date. But all done, swift reply and pen today (they offer you the one you're on or the one above/below) and space to leave a comment for the pharmacist.

I'm aware their prices will go up on the 1st so I haven't definitely jumped ship. I think there's little point buying any addition if staying with SheMed long term - I'm just not sure what I'm doing. I certainly feel I've lost the loyalty I had to them personally. I think I want to do a few more 10 pens at least (and golden dose while they still have it - I think EL are removing it).

Oviva has wegovy at prescription prices through tier 3 (right to choose through GP) if BMI is high enough.

@tinyemmy Yes I'm on Elvanse - how was your assessment? On days I forget to take it I have so many more cravings. I honestly think it alone would sort my binge eating. It all feels such an unknown /risk working it all out doesn't it.

@DearRaven will you come off altogether or buy elsewhere do you think? Do stay here and keep us updated how it goes 😁.

@UninitendedShark Im so glad it's coming!!!

@bluesmartie83 Well done on the 5ks!!! What's this about natural GIPs.... That all sounds a plan and very promising!!

I'm hopeful for all of us there's a way forwards 😊.

Thank you @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden
i am glad you have a pen.

Shemed are ‘investigating my lost pen’ & I’m not there to receive another yet.
I don’t have scales or a tape measure to sort a pen like you sadly.
Do all pharmacists require this rather than verified weigh in?

Wondering is it any cheaper to buy 5mg pens and double dose?

How are EL removing golden dose? Isn’t it needed for priming?

I’m not sure how effective trying to boost the hormones naturally but https://kaizennutritionwellness.com/boosting-glp-1-and-gip-naturally-for-weight-loss-a-comprehensive-guide/ is quite informative. I might have a dig into some journals if I get the chance to see what research there is about? I know it’s important that we invest in our health but I really want to show myself that I can keep myself healthy without the mj/wegovy. I have lost all interest in food and only really eat because I know I need to not because I ever feel hungry! This is not a healthy way to live and to be honest I am missing out on a whole aspect of my social life that I now either go and pick at my food or meet friends for a few drinks after they’ve had a meal. I’m wanting to find that healthy middle ground and maybe wegovy will be a step towards that? I’m thinking now I have actually reviewed everything mj worked a little too well for me 😂

Wow that weight loss is incredible! Your goal must feel so much more achievable!

Assessment isn't until 2 October, I'd guess follow on appointment a couple of weeks after that and then another 8 - 10 weeks for medication, assuming I'm approved so I'm still probably 17+ weeks away from medication and I think I've probably got about 15 doses left of mj so I could use it and then see what the Elvanse does... But if it doesn't I might not find anyone to take me on. My issue is binge eating though so I'm hopeful, but also the reason why I think it needs to be mj not wegovy so I might try and get another pen from somewhere else more affordable so I'm in the system so to speak.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5397751-5th-dose-being-removed-from-kwikpens It was this thread - I don't think it's there yet but looks like they're planning on having a small amount for priming rather than a whole dose maybe?

Just a quick update, my payment was taken yesterday afternoon and I have just had an email confirming my prescription for 10mg MJ. I’m very relieved as it gives me a few more weeks to make a decision and to see what happens with prices and availability.

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden your weight loss is brilliant. I could be wrong (& I apologise in advance) but I think we possibly started at similar weights and have about the same amount to lose. I can see how life-changing this has been for you. It’s so hard to be feeling this uncertainty now.