On it for life then.........😐

[Ihavesomeballs]

I've lost 11kg on Mounjaro. I wasn't obese to start with but I'm tiny, 5ft 1 inch. I'm now just in the healthy weight BMI. I stopped my 5mg dose for 3 weeks as I had to wait till payday to order my next pen. In that time I wasn't eating any more than usual but I put on 2kg. So I guess I'm on it for life......which sucks as it's bloody expensive. Anyone else??

I got off Wegovy last December after almost 2 years and 20 kg lost (yes, it took me that long - between comfort eating, ARFID, etc I was thrilled). I was back on it by May as I had gained 6kg already. My new plan is to maintain at a very low dosage, which sounds doable as I lost the 20 kg with a maximum dosage of 0.5 mg. I expect 0.25 weekly should tide me over.
I can't wait until the patent expires, though due to demand I don't think it will be much cheaper.

It doesn’t make sense that you are not eating more but have gained weight. Could this be natural fluctuations? Are you tracking your calories?

i have been on MJ for a year and lost just over 4 stone. I am hoping to taper off (lowering the dose/ stretching the days) when I get to goal and that by eating my maintenance calories (400-500 a day more than I eat now) I should be able to maintain.

@Ihavesomeballs can't you go back to keto and fasting?

My plan is to stay on it forever also.

I’m the same height as you and have 12lb left to lose before I’m a normal BMI. I do fret about the cost especially since I have hypothyroidism and PCOS; my theory is those with malfunctioning metabolisms will be more likely to regain and that would definitely include me! I do wonder if switching to Wegovy might be the answer; I wouldn’t dare risk doing it while I’m still losing (slowly, but still, for anyone who recognises me from the Slow Losers thread!) but I do have it in my head for when I’m maintaining. Good luck to you and thank you for posting such an interesting question 🌟

I had the same weight gain during a short break, so went back on, however it wasn't that I suddenly started eating loads so my calorie intake did not justify the weight gain.

there's so much more to it than just appetite suppression though.

I take it for the hormonal benefit as I have PCOS and struggle with insulin resistance, so despite considerable effort to lose weight before the jabs, there was no change. So I know that stopping them could mean I fall straight back in to that struggle, where my body conserves my calories and actually needs very little for day to day functioning.

try weaning down slowly, and seeing what changes you notice, rather than just stopping.

i struggled massively with nausea on it, which also had an impact on my mental health as i experience anxiety+++ when nauseous... but knowing that I had no real alternative option (eat less move more simply doesn't cut it for some!) I stuck with it on a micro dose (1mg per week). It's enough for me to still benefit from the hormonal aspect, and I've lost 2 stone.

maybe keep a food diary of what you eat when on/off jabs so you can really stay accountable.

I don't think there's enough education on the human bodies metabolism.

A rapid drop in fat (energy stores) will convince the body it is going through some form of starvation. Metabolism is slowed down as a natural defender mechanism to conserve energy and prevent death.

The body will, as soon as it's able to, aggressively try and store back as much fat (energy) as possible. So it can weather another period of starvation.

Healthy exercise, habits and diet, are the only sure way to ensure weight stays off. Otherwise your body's survival mechanisms will keep you fat. Especially if for several years it's natural equilibrium is to carry a significant amount of fat.

Well who else do you think should be funding this?! Definitely not the tax payers!

I am insulin resistant and slightly above BMI at 25.5 but I am taking the healthy route and working out daily. 30 mins of pilates, dumbells etc. and 12K steps a day. I am not obsessed about the scale. The weight will come off, I just have to eat sensibly. Also as one grows older it is important to build muscle otherwise your skin will sag. Better to work out that keep using injections.

I think that's too short a window to really have any insight. Nobody is going to stay bang on their target weight to the lb, everyone's weight fluctuates.

I dread to think of the longterm health consequences of taking this stuff for extended periods. I do not think you should be thinking in terms of taking this for life. Your organs won't be able to take it. Whilst on it try to work on changing your food for healthy food and upping your movement/exercise. At least if some weight creeps back on when you eventually stop taking it, you will know that you are healthier and looking after your body.

That's what I thought. 2kg is 4lb and well within the range of even daily fluctuations, never mind weekly.

Good for you if 30 minutes of pilates means you're losing weight.

What is the effect of it on organs?

The issue I’ve seen with all my friends who have used the jabs is that they lost the weight but it didn’t actually change their relationship with food or teach them healthy eating habits/exercise habits…so many of them that weaned themselves off after satisfactory weight loss just slowly put weight back on again unfortunately. Even a couple of people I know who had gastric bypass surgery, lost loads of weight due to not being able to eat much….but now almost 15 years on, they’ve gained and then some as their stomachs have stretched again..because they still eat the way they did before..

I have made my pens last much longer by ordering higher doses and microdosing. Probably costing about £20 per week. For example I have a 10mg pen and dose 5mg for 10 weeks.

@Hippobotyes, what is the effect on organs long term, and how do you know this information? Can you explain how this medication got through trials and approval in the UK if people’s organs “won’t be able to take it”?

Is it safe to take for life?

Yeah, as long as you don’t eat endless junk the weight does come off. I hired a nutritionist and it has been great. I know what I should be eating and healthy snack options. I also had a full blood test done and found out I am iron deficient. Even though the weightloss is slow the inch loss from 30 mins of dumbells and pilates is already evident and it has only been 3 weeks. Definitely worth a try.

Yes, Mounjaro is approved for long term maintenance.

Because I have a close relationship with one of the leading clinicians globally. There are no longterm trials or studies yet to show the evidence of how it impacts the body over the longer term. However, the consultant/researcher I mentioned is very worried about it and there are plenty of anecdotal examples if you care to search for them online.

£3 a day doesn't sound like much, compared to things like contact lenses or dental care. All self funded medical things that affect some more than others. And I guess you save a bit on food too!

Based on what?!?

How is everyone getting this drug if you’re not even that much overweight?? I thought you had to be obese to get it? I’m about 4lbs overweight, ie it tips me from healthy bmi to overweight on the nhs bmi checker, feels like I could have a go then?! Everywhere I look you need a bmi of at least 35 so how are people getting it if they are just a stone over their desired weight??

Yes

Anyone for bingo?