BMI under 27 - Off Label/less to lose

[ritala]

I am mid 40’s and just can’t lose the weight like I used to. I’m fed up of losing and gaming the same two pounds. I’m about a stone and a half more than my happy weight (where I would be approx bmi 23).

I have tried to find a thread for people who have been approved ‘off label’ Wegovy or Mounjaro with less to lose but couldn’t find one, so thought I’d start here. I have a BMI higher than 25 but less than 27 with a couple extra health conditions. Hoping to start after Easter. I’d like to stay with a very low dose if possible. Half a pound a week loss would be good for me. I really want to avoided side effects.

Anyone who is in a similar boat and wants to share experiences or ask questions, please join! X

*normal, not moral(!!)

To give some hope, about 10-11 weeks in now I think, I popped to the shops today and managed to a) buy a pair of size 8 trousers (a bit tight…but won’t be long 😂) b) NOT hate my body in the mirror.

I’m fed up today, after a really good loss I’ve had a gain and beating myself up about it. I think it’s water as I’ve been working out a lot. I am going to inject my last 0.25 a day early this week, and move up to 0.375 wegovy next week from my new 0.5mg pen.

@Klaap I’ve started weighing every fortnight instead of weekly, I was getting really down if the scales hadn’t moved but find if I give it 2 weeks I’ve usually lost at least 1.5lb. Anything less than a lb was depressing me even though it’s all nudging down.

I felt the same and nearly talked myself out of it! I watched a few videos online of people doing it too but it’s so straightforward, you’ll be absolutely fine.

Can I ask, on both the Voy and MedExpress websites they refer to the off labelling use in relation to those who are switching their WL medications. However what i'm not clear on - is it possible to be prescribed with a overweight BMI but no other health conditions if you've never used them before? I.e. for the first time ever using them? Thanks

They prescribe at bmi 25.

I got mine through Voy, I’ve never had WLIs before and my BMI is 26. The only condition I had on their list is depression but I got the impression that wasn’t relevant when being accepted.

I got it at BMI 27 with acid reflux from med express with no interview

Good luck @KittyQuestions34with your jab today! @andrinaballerina- I think yours is next week, hope you aren’t too nervous.

I’ve woken up today and feel ok, same as normal. Not noticeable change yet. I’m very tired though as didn’t sleep well at all. I think it was the adrenaline though.

I've just taken my first shot of Wegovy this morning - feel like I'm waiting for something but I don't know what!

For a PP asking about ME/Voy prescribing, I believe you don't need to have used previously for the off label prescribing if you are BMI 25+ and have at least one of their (fairly long list of) conditions, mine being depression. I had a quick video call (Voy) but they didn't ask me about it, just got me to hop on the scales and asked if had any questions.

When you say no interview, did you have to provide any evidence at all, i.e. photos, videos, etc.? And do Medexpress inform your GP? I’d like to switch from Voy because they’re expensive but I like Voy because they don’t inform your GP!

Well done @aquitodavia!! Hopefully you’re not as stressed as I was last night. Still no effects for me so far - good or bad. I’m happy with that!

@RockChik- Yes, MedExpress do inform your GP

Photos, I just didn’t have to speak to anyone. I think they do inform my GP but I’m ok about this because if I do get pancreatitis then at least they will know what I’ve been taking. I’ve got nothing to hide from my GP because I don’t have any ED history on my record so I don’t think they would object to me taking this

Nice to see this thread growing. Good luck to everybody just starting. I started on MJ 2.5 at the end of Jan and have just taken my 11th jab. I started at just over 27BMI but qualified due to ethnicity. Even then it was tricky to find a supplier. Have used Cloud and Bolt and have just ordered my 3rd jab from Farmeci. Hopefully it gets approved. Loss was steady at about 1 lb/0.4kg a week. I have as of today lost 4.2kg (and about 5 kg a couple weeks ago when I reached my lowest). Side effects built up for me mostly reflux/heartburn so I reduced my doses by click counting and spacing out jabs at 8 days over the last few weeks. It’s got the side effects under control but my weight loss plateaued/gained a bit. Back to 2.17mg today and 7 day jabbing. Hope to get the weight loss going. Feel annoyed that I broke the momentum of weight loss and hoping that it picks up again. On the whole it’s been quite miraculous for me as somebody who eats healthy and works out I just couldn’t get the weight increase under control before.

@cautiouslyoptimistic3- how does your diet compare to what you were eating pre-jabs? Are you in a noticeable calorie deficit and/or have your food choices an snacking habits changed much? I’ve always been a grazer and wonder if that might change now.

@ritaladefinitely less grazing on the jabs. I am eating the same food but smaller portions and feeling satisfied with this and not feeling like snacking in between. I am also convinced that it’s not just appetite suppression that has worked for me - I think the jabs have actively reduced inflammation or insulin resistance meaning that it is easier to lose. For example, pre MJ I would have to significantly remove carbs(so no potatoes, rice, bread, pasta) to lose and maintain weight. Only for me to put it all back with one carb meal. I’ve actually found that I’m losing weight even with eating some carbs.

I did have some of the side effects - so headache and tiredness in the first 2 weeks after jabs, also some apathy (feeling of being not quite motivated about anything first few weeks) and then heartburn. But all have been manageable. I also tell myself that I will do this for a few months and then look to come off and maintain without jabs.

Thanks for this - really interesting. I’m taking the jabs to reduce inflammation in my body so really hoping they have an affect on that. I’m consderin Microdosing for long term if I see an improvement in my condition. Weight wise, I have around 20 pounds to lose, but would be happy with a stone really. The main thing for me is being able to maintain. I didn’t want to thrive on 600 calories whilst on the jabs only for the weight to immediately go back on when I come off. I think I’m the same as you regarding carby meals. There is definitely an insulin imbalance in my body. Thanks again for this insight. Good luck with your journey.

good luck to you @ritalaand everybody on the thread

Sounds like we're all in a very similar boat! Good luck everyone and keep the updates coming.

Did you need to submit a photo or anything like that? I’m a similar BMI so interested to hear.
I’m just waiting to hear if my Mounjaro order is approved by Chequp…I’ve had to submit a photo so we’ll see.
if Chequp refuse me then I’ll try Voy.

Thank you! Took my first jab this morning, wasn't as bad as I thought and I'm glad to have got it over with! I'm expecting a dodgy tummy any minute! Weirdly, I have just not been able to finish my dinner (unheard of) but I think that's probably a placebo effect as I don't think it kicks in for 48 hrs! Hope everyone else doing well.

I m glad I have found this thread, I am waiting for my first order from Voy to arrive, I decided to go for it on Friday when my jeans split at my tummy so I got changed and the next pair were digging into my tummy. I feel since starting peri, my weight is just slowly creeping up and I am sick of all my clothes starting to look a bit rubbish. My BMI is 27, I hope to drop a stone.

I'm also really happy to have found this thread. I'm 46, and I just started Mounjaro with Voy and did my first injection on Friday. My official starting BMI was 27.2 but I weighed in with them on a video call, fully dressed and late in the day, so was definitely at my heaviest. After being my healthiest and slimmest during my 30s, it's like a switch flipped when I turned 40 and I have been trying and failing to stop the gain ever since. Feeling a bit queasy today and a little bit warm in the face weirdly. I honestly can't believe how physically full I feel after a small amount of food already though!

I’m just waiting for Voy to approve Pasta after being turned down by Asda. Undressed first thing in the morning my BMI is 27.5 so glad to hear others have been approved for Weygovy on similar.

Any idea how long roughly I’ll be waiting as I’m keen to get going ASAP this week before I travel for work next Monday.