I’m stuck in Abu Dhabi and cannot get home yet. Any advice re my injection?

[MissAdvantage]

Of course I know there are other more important and pressing issues at hand but would appreciate some advice or any pointers.

I flew out to the UAE on 23rd February for what was going to be 5 days. Obviously we all know what has happened and I’m now unable to get back home. Have a tentative flight booking for 10th March

I’ve been in maintenance now for a year and I take between 5mg - 7.5mg a week. Last jabbed on 21st February and that was 7.5, to see me through what I thought was a 5 day break . Didn’t bring a pen with me as didn’t need to

I’m lucky enough to be in a nice hotel with loads of healthy food options and a well equipped gym. Yet I can feel that food noise creeping back in and I’m working more on willpower right now to keep myself in check

o really want to try and keep a sense of control and not spiral into an eating frenzy so would appreciate any hints or tips.

like I said, I know there is a lot going on right now and it’s not very relaxing sitting here with explosions coming when you least expect them so I think I’m looking for something I can control if that makes sense

Go to the gym? Have a set menu plan and stick to it but include some small
treats. Don’t catastrophise.

@Isadora2007 I think the ‘don’t catastrophise is wise advice. I have visions of undoing my work

and yes to the gym. I mean, I’ve been saying all year I need to start strength training so I’ve made a programme and stepped into a gym for the first time in years yesterday!

im not overindulging on the whole - yet. Trying to up my water too - I tend not to bother at home but here I’ve been focussed on 2 litres

I'm in maintenance mode and really only inject every second week now because I don't like injecting! It's fine. The food noise does come back towards the end of the second week and yes, I do eat more but not enough to pile it all back on. I go to the gym 3x a week, every week. As there's a gym in the hotel and not much else you can do, just spend a lot of time there and make good food choices from what's available.

I've had to be off my WLI for two weeks because of being unwell with something unrelated. I haven't experienced huge food noise -some, but newly formed habits since being on them have helped me walk away and do something else- and literally told myself I need to be well again before I'll restart. I think its about perspective. I don't think there will be a big backslide before you can get home.

You can order mounjaro from the pharmacy in Abu Dhabi without prescriptions. Use someone like life pharmacy and they’ll deliver to you. Don’t forget to ask for the needle heads.

Don’t go to the buffet if you can. Stick to à la carte. Track what you’re eating ruthlessly on my fitness pal or similar.

you’re on quite a high dose for maintenance. You could reframe this as a reset to get to a more manageable and sustainable maintenance dose (eg I take 2.5mg once a month)

that’s great you’re drinking lots of water. Why don’t you download an app like calm and do some mindfulness or meditation?

good luck and safe travels

Thank you! I wonder if the food noise is me telling myself I surely must be experiencing it now ? It could well be.

im sticking to a defined 3 meals a day. A snack is a fruit plate or a piece of cheese / a rice cake / ice lolly - I’m trying to not overdo it

not eating the pastries at the buffet. This morning was bran flakes, toppings of seeds and nuts and fruit and Greek yogurt plus a fresh beetroot shot. So I’m trying to keep my focus on nutrition where I can . I don’t like to count calories

am having a dessert every day though but I’d do that at home

@GranolaBaker good idea re some calming exercises! And yes it is making me reconsider coming down a notch on my maintenance dose for sure

I am afraid you almost certainly will put on weight if you don’t jab. It’s not ‘lack of will power’ it’s a medication that controls blood sugar and the hunger hormone. So in just the same way that if you have high blood pressure and it’s made low by taking medication - it will become high again without meds.. if you don’t jab you will be hungry again. It’s insulin resistance. Not magic.

It sounds like you’re doing well managing it. I wonder if because of the circumstances are is also causing a little bit of anxiety & maybe triggering some food noise.
I think tracking calories is a great idea. I find that as long as I do that & keep exercising I can still lose a little each week even if I’ve overindulged slightly.
keep going!

@loverofpants I believe that Mounjaro is a prescription only medication wherever you go sadly! So I may struggle to get it over the counter or I’d give that a go for sure

I’m not a huge low carber but I will say whenever I have tried it, it’s great for damping down food noise. Maybe try that? Meat, eggs and veg/salad for the rest of the stay?

Honestly I just WhatsApp them and they drop it off. I’ve no prescription. Give them a msg or call.

yes everything in that region is done by Whatsapp - try some pharmacies.

@loverofpants @HeidiLite I don’t suppose you could give me a WhatsApp number could you? It’s worth a go. I’m googling but can’t see anything

You can also just go and buy a jab from the pharmacy or see a dr there and get a prescription

Enjoy developing your gym habit, which will address the ‘kicking your heels’ time, and the endorphins generated will keep your mood up.

The gym is great once you get into the rhythm of it and what suits you.

Good opportunity for this, whatever the outcome of your quest to get WLI.

Go, op, you have done really well.

@Fishingboatbobbingnightthat is so true and very nicely explained

When I came off them it took 4 weeks until I really felt the proper effects of having none in my system. That’s how long it hangs around for so hopefully you’ll be okay for a bit longer. Hungrier but not too bad if that makes sense?

Just a word of caution I'm not sure that'll be allowed on here? Might be wrong though

Oh I understand the meds keeping insulin etc in check. And reducing inflammation etc etc. I’ve been on it almost two years.

By the way. I’m 8 stone down and maintenance for 11 months on 5mg. That 5 over rides my desire to put everything I see in my mouth and instead make portion control healthy choices that make me feel full

@LilyBunch25 don’t see what not? I’m asking for a contact number for a licensed pharmacy not the local drug dealer

OP just google pharmacies closest to you and they usually have phone numbers on their websites.

Thanks all. Managed to get a WhatsApp number and purchased some with ease.