April 2025 Mounjaro Starters - Thread 6!

[Uninvitedleaf]

New thread for when number 5 is full and so I can link to it in good time!

That sounds tough. I really don’t have any helpful suggestions (sorry) but I didn’t want to not respond as there are definitely some of us still around and reading the thread.

I think I get what you mean about the dopamine - I’m still plodding on with slow losses on 7.5mg but I know I could happily eat a big bag of crisps or a load of chocolate given half the chance. The minute I sit down to relax I’m basically thinking what could I eat to reward myself.

The only thing that keeps me on track is logging everything which I’ve managed to get back to doing properly over the last couple of weeks and it’s really helping. I don’t really like the thought that this might be me for life - literally writing down everything I eat, every day, to stop me overdoing it - but I can’t see me keeping any weight off when I get to goal otherwise. As I said, probably not that helpful as I am sure you have thought the same but at least you’ll know it’s not just you!

Just popping in to offer sympathy@wherearetheturrets I'm exactly the same as uninvitedleaf - logging and weighing everything (yawn) but it's helping me to keep on the right track, to a point. Maybe start with that for a bit of a reset? I'm sure I'd be completely off the rails otherwise as I've always had a bit of food noise due to the low dose I've been taking, and it's getting louder now so I understand the struggle. Good luck.

My latest update: I've hit my original goal of BMI 27, 10st 7lb at last (over 6 stone lost!) but I'm carrying on a bit till I get to normal BMI at least. I feel really good but then I would do, I've not been this light for over 30 years! Difficult to know what to aim for now as top half is a bit scrawny, bottom half definitely isn't, and my body fat is still really high. I'm hoping Pharmulous will accept me ahead of maintenance, and to keep on a low dose until something cheaper is available, and then I'll be on it for life providing it's affordable.

Sorry to hear im.nlt the only one that's totally plateaued. I've got one more 5mg dose then im a actually going to stop for a couple of months. Im just below 12st so thats my red line not to cross but im.goimg to try and stay steady at least over the summer then restart in Autumn and see if that helps me. My BMI is still about 29/30 so I wont have issues goimg back on. I really havent moved the needle at all since Christmas and I cant afford the higher doses so this is the plan.

Hope everyone's doing OK.

I just had to pop on today because I've had a really significant NSV. I got the results of my most recent blood tests and they are perfect. In particular, I no longer have high cholesterol and best of all I'm no longer pre-diabetic!

My GP is delighted with me, and I'm just so happy. I've still a good bit to go with the weight loss and I don't care how long it takes, it'll be worth it. I'm down four stone, with one and a half or two to go, depending on how I look and feel.

Sorry to read some of you are finding it tough.
I echo what other posters said and to log everything you eat, my TDEE is 1350 (for loss)
Today I had a relatively good day (cottage cheese bagel for breakfast, tuna pitta, fruit and small crisps for lunch, jacket potato for dinner, but had a few biscuits and snacks - I’ve managed to rack up an extra 600 cals from those little extras!
the difference is tomorrow I will be more mindful because I know today I’ve gone over, so the tracking does keep you accountable.

also goes without saying, up your water intake!

Hello everyone,

Im still here too, I’ve just been away on holiday for a couple of weeks. I didn’t take the MJ with me, so missed a dose last week, but still felt it was very much in my system. I’ve managed to drink a bit more than at home and had a couple of ice creams but still got full very quickly. I also felt quite queasy some days which was probably the heat.

I’m currently nursing a running injury - hip tendonitis which is really annoying so early into marathon training. But I knew I’d get an injury at some point, so I’ve had to have enforced rest (no running at all while I’ve been away)

Just got on the scales and I’ve gained 2lb, some of which might be left over from the travelling, but is equally going be due to the eating out plus ice creams and beers! 🤪 So I’m back on it today, I need to jab and watch my food intake is sensible and hopefully get back to running. It has reminded me that I need the MJ though, I think without it the weight would pile back on.

Sorry to hear some of you are stalling- me too actually, I’ve been trying to get back to my goal weight of 9st 7lb. Kind of stuck around 9st 9 which is ok with running and trying to build some muscle, but now I’m at 9st 11 I can see it creeping back up. All the old trepidation comes flooding back.

I think many of us found the dose at which we lost initially and then are needing a higher dose to lose again, but added into the mix is our own bodies resistance to the weight loss we’ve already achieved and having to adjust to a new weight set point. Very frustrating and takes a lot longer than we would like. I don’t have any answers either, just wanted to echo the frustration, and I think I’ve had it pretty easy compared to many people here.

Anyway, I just wanted to check in with everyone. Please keep posting - it helps me to stay focused. 😊

hi all - so I'm about 18 days out from my last jab and according to Shotsy have very little left in my system. So far I'm not noticing a difference in hunger pangs or anything and weight has stayed hovering around the same 2lb range it has been since Christmas. I'm going to try and maintain here without MJ for a couple of months and then restart at 2.5 and see what happens. I'm about halfway to where I'd like to be and I can't afford anything above 2.5 or 5 at a push so we'll see. Hope we can keep the thread going - it does help.

I agree, I've loved having this thread so I'm hoping you all come back to update how things are going, good and bad. Good luck @RhaenysRocks with your new plan, sounds like it's already working out quite well 🤞

I've just switched to Pharmulous ready for when I get to maintenance (10lbs to go now 😳, IF I'm happy when I get there) but of course they're making me start at 2.5mg as I've been stretching out the 5mg to take 3.5mg doses, so I haven't had any orders to show for a while. Wish to goodness they were able to let us dose at what we feel is best. It's already hard on 3.5mg as I'm hungry and starting to crave the sweet stuff again but any higher and I feel so low. So, I have no clue what I'll be doing, part of me wants to have a complete break due to cost but terrified of it all going tits up.

@QS90 how did you get on with the switch to Wegovy? And everyone else - please come and report back!

Hi everyone I know we probably all don’t have huge amounts to report now things are more routine but it’s lovely to hear from you all.

I’ve finally got below 10st this week (9st 13.4lb to be exact so only just) and I’m probably not as excited by that as I expected to be. I bobbed around 10st 2lb - 10st 4lb for quite a few weeks before I started properly losing again and at that point it felt like it would be a major win but now it’s actually here it just feels normal! Anyway that means under a stone to go (target is 9st) which defintely still feels achievable. I can’t believe how far I’ve/we’ve come - when I started I honestly thought 11st was the lowest weight I could possibly achieve ever (that would have made me overweight instead of obese).

Is anyone considering the pills when they become available? I’m not, mostly because I quite like only having to take the jab once a week - I’m not sure I fancy having to take something every day just from a convenience perspective.

I thought I’d be excited about the pills, but they are wegovy and I’m convinced after not losing weight easily through fasting (up to 73 hr fasts) that lack of appetite and calorie restriction is not the magic ingredient for me. So I’ll be on MJ jabs until they bring it out in pill form. Having said that the pills are still going to be expensive until there are rival products.

I took 2.5mg before my holidays and took 3.3mg when I was back 12 days later, and I had big appetite suppression yesterday. Mind you I’ve probably got so much in my system I could have a couple of months of! 😂

I had a polite argument with Bolt while I was away. We did a check in and they asked me to reorder - they know I’m maintaining. They said because it’s been several months since I ordered from them I would have to reorder a 2.5mg pen. I told them that I still have a 12 in the fridge and when I do reorder it will be more cost effective to order a high dose pen and count the clicks. The bot I was talking to told me that counting clicks was dangerous as they are not measured accurately!!

“Mounjaro pens are fixed-dose auto-injectors, not adjustable devices. When you press the button, the full dose delivers in one go — there's no mechanism to control the amount by counting clicks. Using a 12.5mg pen to try to get a lower dose wouldn't work the way you're hoping, and could be unsafe.” 😳🤪

It then passed me onto a human who said

“Fair point, there was a contradiction in what you were told, and a colleague is already picking this up to give you a clear answer on how the pen actually works and what your maintenance options look like. They'll come back to you shortly.”

Then…”Hi really glad to hear things have been going so well, but we do need to flag something important before you try this.
Mounjaro pens are fixed-dose auto-injectors, which means each pen is designed to deliver one specific pre-set dose. It might not safe to count clicks or control how much medication is released, the full 12.5mg would be injected regardless. Using a 12.5mg pen when your body has adjusted to a much lower dose carries a real risk of serious side effects.
The cost concern is a real one, and it's something your prescriber can help with. If you complete your open check-in here - app.boltpharmacy.co.uk/check-and let them know you'd like to continue at a lower dose, they can review and prescribe the right strength pen for you. Just let me know if you have any questions!” 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Make that make sense! And let’s not even go there with the golden dose which must be pure poison! 😂

Anyway I declined to take them up on their offer. When in a few months time I’ve worked my way through the 10 and 12.5 in the fridge I will have to reorder somewhere though and no way will I get a new provider if I have to do a video consultation. I did suggest to my ex husband that he could become my drug dealer and order them for me! 😂 mind you he’s going to have the same problem soon, he’s only got half a stone to go!

Ho hum … have a lovely Sunday everyone- the sun is shining here for once! 😎

Ha, this is why I daren't mention the words micro-dosing or click counting to them! It's a minefield. And no, the pills aren't the answer (yet) in terms of cost or effectiveness 😔

I appreciate they need to follow the manufacturer line on counting clicks etc but an awful lot of that Bolt stuff is just nonsense isn’t it 😂. I ordered 2x7.5mg last time (with Swift) to try to make sure I got 5 dose rather than 4 dose pens and then still got a reminder to order again after a month - no questions about how I had managed to use 8 doses in four weeks, presumably double dosing would have been OK 🙄.

I fully intend to stay on a low dose for a while once I reach target so I probably better start stockpiling!

Hello all, still stuck on a plateau at BMI of 26 so I’ve tried upping my dose to 12.5mg. I miscounted the clicks and gave myself near 15 mg and I can report my appetite has completely gone and I had to force myself to eat tea yesterday. Whether this will give me a boost to kickstart the loss again who knows but I’m a bit annoyed with myself. I’m still aiming for a BMI below 25.

I’ve kept to the 4 week ordering schedule but thanks to the golden dose I have a couple of unopened pens still in the fridge. I’m with Lloyds online and they offer me 2 pens at a time for a (tiny) discount.

Hi all

exciting to read some posts again.

I got told off by Medino last month when I ordered for using the golden dose. They asked for a photo of my last pen with name and date on a piece of paper which I’ve never had before so sent it to them and they said I must not use it.
I literally replied okay and they confirmed the order. Didn’t ask again for my latest order 😆

I’m plodding along okay still too scared to try and go off it.

really want some new summer clothes but my husband has been unemployed for a month so can’t even afford to at the moment, keeping an eye on Vinted to see if anything super cheap pops up otherwise it’s just make do.

I'm currently on 5mg wondering if I should go down to 2.5 but every time I seriously think about it I seem to have quite a few hungry days and then think I really shouldn’t of if I can eat so much on 5 surely I would be gaining on 2.5mg.

The nonsense these pharmacies come out with! I’m surprised they are allowed to do that, it must be breaking some guidelines surely! 🤪

SaddlebagSal, hope you don’t feel too sicky on the higher dose and that you start to lose again. I’m still stubbornly sticking at 9.11, I usually lose a bit after a flight, but 4 days home, and back to normal eating and still the same! 🥺 I can even exercise because I’ve an injured hip at the moment so forced to rest.

@SaddlebagSal I decided to go up to 12.5mg on Friday as the hunger pangs have been getting worse recently towards the end of the week. Hope you're OK on your accidental 15mg and not feeling too horrible.

I have to say, the increase to 12.5mg has absolutely flattened me! I've had morning stomach pains all weekend and have no interest in food at all. Also, for the first time ever, I have no interest at all in wine. This is a Very Good Thing, I feel. Luckily, the stomach pains ease off and I make myself eat something, but I hope it settles down soon and it's just the adjustment to a new dose.

This morning I had to call in sick to work because I was so uncomfortable. I did manage to struggle in around lunchtime (I don't think anyone apart from my manager had even noticed I was missing, phew! )

I'm still a bit of a way from maintenance as my BMI is 27 and I have at least a stone and a half or so to go. I am already concerned about trying to maintain; the hunger pangs I was getting a day or two before jab day were horrible. DH is suggesting I short dose and inject twice a week, which might be the way to go, but I'm not there yet so guess I'll worry about that when I get there.

Meanwhile, onwards and downwards and keep posting, everyone

This is still such a supportive group!

My misadventures in dosing have resulted in mild gastric symptoms that are entirely manageable and predictable. The one aspect that is bothering me is an increase in anxiety. I’m usually well controlled with sertraline but since my last jab I keep waking up in the night with what I call my “pit of doom” feeling. No specific issue that I’m worried about, just my brain shouting “danger, danger” with no way of calming it down. Hopefully it will wear off soon. I get similar if I have caffeine, but it usually only lasts a day.

I also get anxiety- not sure how old you are Sal, but could it be hormonal? I did wonder if MJ was making my anxiety worse.. but I’m going to tough it out as I think of if I pile weight back on that will affect my mental health far more negatively. I’ve also just had testosterone to my HRT and apparently that can affect anxiety too. Interestingly I find that if I’m in need of a meal (but not always hungry due to the MJ) I can feel nausea and anxiety in my stomach. Often a light meal or just a ginger biscuit can help settle it

It could well be hormonal as I’ve also just added testosterone to my HRT but I hoped it would improve my anxiety! The oestrogen certainly helps anyway.

To be honest my anxiety worsened when I started MJ, and I upped my sertraline dose in response. So I’m not entirely surprised that a big jump in MJ dose has this impact on me.

It’s an added incentive to me to get to goal and ramp down my MJ, because I’m hoping I’ll be able to ramp down my sertraline too. I’ve always been a “worrier” since childhood, and menopause and caring responsibilities tipped me over the edge a few years ago. I’m much better now and at least I can narrow down the trigger this time, which makes it much easier to cope.

I am very similar to you, also with caring responsibilities. Anxiety definitely seems to ebb and flow and there’s not really any logic to it. I find running helps hugely - I get a big dose of endorphins afterwards and when I’m physically tired I can actually sit and rest. I also do loads of crafts and knitting and crochet. I had a lot of therapy a few years ago and we made a “Happiness Toolkit” where I had to make a list of all the things that help to move my head into a better space. That really helped me. Simple things like going for a walk, playing with the dog. Being guilt free about looking after myself (the most difficult I think!) really help. I made an A4 poster of it and framed it! 😊

I forgot to say testosterone has helped my confidence and I’m a lot more quick to call people out including hubby for any nonsense!! 😂 it’s also done wonders for my running - I feel fitter and stronger than I’ve done in years!

Hi everyone. Sorry I’ve not been on in ages. It’s such a busy time of year here with four kids, exams, end of term etc.

Not much to report from me. I’m still maintaining on 1.25mg. At the bottom of my zone of tolerance and not finding it too hard to stay here. I had to scale back my running due to an injury but I joined a gym and have replaced two runs a week with the stair master (brutal) and some rehab exercises my physio gave me. I’m also doing Les Mills strength development and I genuinely think I’m seeing results in the appearance of my leg muscles already.

I also ran a 10k PB a few weeks ago - breaking my previous PB which I set in my 20’s before kids!! I’ve got a half marathon this weekend and I’m hoping to PB on that too.

Not sure how much 1.25mg is doing for me but it is definitely keeping the urge to binge at bay - I’m trying to eat to hunger as I increase my running again but mainly eating whole foods and avoiding UPF as much as possible.

@Pepperwaggytail sorry you’ve been injured - it’s so frustrating isn’t it. Are you managing to run at all now?

Feeling nervous about people struggling with pharmacies. I’ve still got a 5mg and a 7.5mg in my fridge and pay for a maintenance plan with Oushk but haven’t actually ordered this year. I’m wondering about ordering a 2.5 just to be safe and have it. My plan was to try coming off in September and I’m terrified of stopping. I briefly felt excited when I saw the email able the pills yesterday but they wouldn’t work for my routine as I get up at 5 am to go to the gym and I need to eat before I exercise.

lovely to see so many people still here. Good luck everyone xx

@Pepperwaggytail also a crocheter and crafter! Very handy for keeping occupied and mind off evening snacking.

Cardio exercise is the final piece of the jigsaw that I have been putting off. I know that it will be hugely beneficial all round and maybe help my stall but I’ve always hated how it makes me feel. I’ve recently worked out that this is because my blood pressure has always been on the low side, and the drop that happens post exercise puts it too low. Sometimes in the past I’ve felt quite unwell after only moderate exertion (dizzy, sick). GP says I’m perfectly healthy and my heart is fine so I think I need to ramp it up very very gradually. I have an extended version of couch-2-5k for people starting from a totally sedentary lifestyle, I just need to F do it.

SaddlebagSal
Go for it! Sometimes we just need to have a word with ourselves 😂. I have low blood pressure and yes often get a bit dizzy. Make sure you are getting electrolytes- take a drink with you and sip it, and don’t expect too much of yourself at first, especially in the heat you need to stay hydrated and your heart and lungs need to build up strength and stamina.
Just doing faster paced walking and including a few hills will get your heart rate up.

I promise you will start to feel better for it 😎
Let us know how you get on. X

I've just had a bit of an epiphany around blood sugar and anxiety. I've had a stressful couple of days, honestly nothing too serious but my anxiety levels have been through the roof and right out of proportion to what is going on.

I've just thought through that when I am worried about something it makes me feel sick and stops me eating - the combination of that with the blood sugar control from MJ is making my blood sugar really drop and then I'm getting an adrenaline 'fight or flight' reponse from that which makes me feel more sick, and so it goes on until I'm a wreck beating myself up for panicking about next to nothing. So I'm going to try to eat religiously every few hours and really think about keeping my blood sugar stable to see if that helps. I think I might drop my dose slightly for my next couple of jabs as well as I've lost too much this week as a result of barely eating for a couple of days! I've had a bit of anxiety for years but I've always just thought 'menopause' rather than linking it to my tendency to skip meals when I'm stressed.