Where to start? Please help me out with your experiences.

[WeCouldHaveBeenAnythingThatWeWantedToBe]

I think I would like to try WLI but I don’t know where to start in terms of research and advice.

I am menopausal and dieting just is not working, the weight is creeping up. I’m 165cm (5ft5) and weigh 84kg (13st4lb) so my BMI is 30. I think this makes me eligible for a private prescription.

I would love to hear your experiences on private pharmacies (good, bad and ugly) and the different options; wegovy, mounjaro. Also any other tips you wish you had known when you began, such as how to reduce side affects etc.

I plan to go back to the 5:2 type of diet: high protein, low carbs, low ultra processed food etc and do some weight training. How long might it take me to get to 10st (3st4 loss)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I’m 51 and 163cm and I used mounjaro it to drop from 73kg to 60kg. I lost about 1kg a week (slowed down at the end). Never went above 2.5mg but it was enough for me to stick to high protein low carb calorie deficit. I also did a lot of heavy weight lifting so I only lost fat. I didn’t have any side effects. Using Swift doctor and I think they are v good but others might give more support.

I’m 67 and 5’3. I lost four stones on Mounjaro but I’ve put almost two back on. I feel my problem was the lack of support. Generally once you get them you’re on your own. I’ve been off since last September but hoping to start a clinical trial soon, which will give the support I think I need.

i had no side effects at all, and found it easy but I should have done what you’ve put into your post. Regarding who to go with - the Monj website lists all approved suppliers with available discounts.

Since coming off MJ (purely for financial reasons). I’ve discovered a pharmacy in my home town where I could have gone to get the meds. If I don’t get on the trial that’s what I’ll do - I’d prefer to have that local support available for when it’s needed.

Finally, I’d stay on the lowest dose possible. Better for your bank balance too. Good luck!

Things I wish I’d done from the start: take more photos, measure instead of just weigh, take collagen, start weight training instead of cardio.

@WeCouldHaveBeenAnythingThatWeWantedToBe , sorry this is going to be long. But i hope it's helpful. I will make in in two posts.
There are a lot of online providers/pharmacies. You fill an online assessment form and then pay. They then ask you for pictures or videos of your physique in close fitting clothes (front view & some ask for a side view too). They also require proof of ID. Some will still do a video consultation, some don't. Some request access to your GP records some don't. They will review your online form, pictures/videos/ID/Medical history and then approve (or not approve) the WLI for you.
You start at the lowest dose 0.25mg for Wegovy / 2.5mg for Mounjaro. This is to get the body used to the drug.
Some people get good results on these doses, so if you have good appetite suppression, minimal side effects and you are losing weight on a particular dose, there is no need to hurry on to the next higher dose.

Mounjaro.co.uk has a list of regulated providers/pharmacies. And in that list, they usually have good discounts for 1st time customers. Some of these providers want you to subscribe, so you pay a monthly amount and they send you a pen every month. Other providers, do not require a subscription. It's more affordable not to subscribe so you xan change providers when a new pen is due and get 1st customer discount.

https://monj.co.uk/discount-mounjaro-price-list/

This is the list of providers for mounjaro.

https://igovy.co.uk/wegovy-price-comparison-uk/

And this is for Wegovy.

Both are very good. Mounjaro is more expensive- it a ts on two receptors, Wegovy acts on one. Some people respond better to Mounjaro, others respond better to Wegovy. Everyone has different experiences with but most experiences have a common theme and that's why it's very helpful to read the posts of Mj & Wgvy users on forums.
There is also a lot of information and learning you can get from reading other threads/forums.

In terms of rate of loss, you should be aiming for the same kind of loss that you’d have on any consistent calorie reduced diet. So around 1 to 2 lbs a week, on average. Significantly more than that, long term, is probably too fast and might mean you’re not getting adequate nutrition and calories in. So to lose about 3½ stone would take around 25 to 50 weeks.

I would consider before you start what your plan is to come off when you’re at target, or if you’ll stay on the medication. Regain is a real risk, many people find they want to continue to take a lower dose to maintain their weight loss. Others reduce slowly, and might restart if needed. There are several pharmacies who will support long term maintenance in this way.

Side effects are sometimes just something that happen. Your digestion is slowed which means that things that you find hard to digest will hang around longer, and can cause the kinds of digestive upset that you might read about on these threads. Also due to the slowed digestion some people can find constipation an issue, drink plenty and eat lots of fibre to address that. Side effects are most common at the start and when you move up a dose. Once you’re accustomed to the medication side effects tend to reduce/stop.

So second post,
This is my post on another thread. It was said to be helpful, so I have copied and pasted it on here with some editions (i have learnt more things since then).

It does feel scary on taking that first injection and seems like there is so much to know and you will make a mistake etc. Come on here to ask and get advice, we are all learning as we go along. There is no hurry. Thinking about WLIs, asking questions and arming yourself with information is the best initial steps you need to do.

One thing i clearly remember after I started was wondering, why did i worry so much. It is really not as humongous as issue as it seemed. And peole are really friendly and supportive of each other in the WLI world.

Tips/Experiences....

• People often worry about pain from the injection etc...The needle is barely felt

• Be sure to drink lots of water, lots (MJ makes you dehydrated). It is also important to be well hydrated to be able to lose weight else your body will hold on to water. Drink a lot of water at least 2/2.5 litres a day. Very important - for your kidneys, your digestion, your metabolism, your skin.

• Side effects are minimal for most people on 2.5mg. And even on higher doses. Everyone tolerates different doses differently. Some people have strong side effects on 5mg Mounjaro for instance but will be absolutely fine on 7.5mg!

• You have to make effort to eat and get your protein & calories in (that appetite suppression is a real thing). Appetite suppression can start pretty soon after your first dose, for others it may take going up the doses to 5mg, 7.5 mg etc. It is different for everyone.

• If you have good appetite suppression, no food noise, minimal side effects and you are losing weight on 2.5mg or 0.25mg (depending on which WLI you go for), there is no need to hurry up to the next dose. Stay on whatever dose that is working for you for as long as it continues to work for you. Once the effect wears off consistently for 2 weeks, think of going up to the next dose. I say two weeks (you can choose your own time) because some users have had poor effect for a week and then the next week, everything is back to how it should be.

• Shop around for your next pen to get discounts and keep costs down (not a must but just so you are aware. I have saved quite a bit this way).

• Increase your movement/activity and use the time on wegovy/mounjaro to retrain yourself on your daily habits, eating habits etc.

• If you have side effects, monitor them closely. Most providers (i think all), provide very good information on side effects. Read it up.

• Be aware of possible negative comments from people if you tell them but you may also get very positive/supportive comments and even a couple of confessions.

• Read up all you can about people's lived experiences on Mounjaro. I cannot overemphasise how helpful this is. At the moment, users of Mj and Wegovy are the most knowledgeable about them.

• Quite a few users have started Wgvy/Mj with the aim of using it for a few months and then coming off it, only to realise they may actually need to be on it ALWAYS. Obesity is a disease. Research shows a lot of users regain the weight they lost while on the WLIs. So.some users gradually reduce their doses once they reach their target weight until they reach the minimum effective dose to keep their weight stable - this is called maintenance. You will hear more of that if you start WLIs. Not everyone does it but for you to know when you read it/hear it.

• You will hear about the 'golden dose', this is on it way out as the Pen are being modified not to.have so much extra medicine left after the 4 official doses. If you do get an old style pen, lots of information on how to get the extra doe/golden dose. If you get the new style pen, then I believe there will hardly be any liquid left after the 4 official doses. If tou do not know which of the pens you have got, post a pic. We would.tell you. The new pens are out but nit many people have reported receiving it.

Mounjaro has mostly been a very positive experience so far for me.

The absence of food noise alone for me is so worth it. It is like finding space, peace and quiet in my brain. I didn't realise my entire brain (okay not my entire brain) was focused on food, constantly fretting and thinking about food that I want to eat, that i saw in the shops, that i saw on a tv advert (M&S i am looking at you!), food that i have in the fridge etc.

I hope this helps. Others will be along soon with more tips/personal experiences/useful information. Happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability if it is something I know about.
Wish you the best.

Thank you all! Very useful info.

@Rosetime - you mentioned forums, do you mean here or elsewhere?

How did you all decide on Mounjaro v wegovy. I understand wegovy can be cheaper, mounjaro has slightly better results but are there any other considerations? The price difference is a lot so wondering why everyone isn’t taking wegovy?

@WeCouldHaveBeenAnythingThatWeWantedToBe well I started in 2024 when Mounjaro was cheaper and more effective. It only became more expensive in September 2025 when Eli Lilly the manufacturers of Mounjaro were forced by the Trump administration to raise prices in the UK to make the US prices less expensive (that’s a brief simplified summary!).

Wegovy also showed slightly more side effects on average in the clinical trials than Mounjaro. A lot of people starting now will choose Wegovy due to cost.

@WeCouldHaveBeenAnythingThatWeWantedToBe , I read it where people say Mounjaro is better than Wegovy etc etc. I don't agree with such statements.

Wegovy is the same as Ozempic and when 'weight loss by injection took off/became a thing', it was Ozempic that was being used and there were great results.

Mounjaro acts on two receptors and Wegovy on one. In research, there was a difference of about just 2% in the total amount of original body weight that people were able to lose between Wegovy (18-20%) and Mounjaro (20-22%). It's not a huge difference.

Wegovy has cardio protective factors, Mounjaro does not.

Recently, there is a trend for people who lost weight on Mounjaro to maintain on Wegovy (with varying outcomes). Financial reasons.

Due to price increase and considering both have good effects, it makes sense to go with Wegovy, especially if it turns out you will need it long-term (if financial reasons play a role). There is also the chance to move to Mounjaro if Wegovy does not agree with you.

Some users that start with Mounjaro first and later switch to wegovy (for whatever reason), report less efficacy. This seems to occur less with users who have reported starting with Wegovy and then switching to Mounjaro later (for whatever reason).

There is no right or wrong one.

Forums: if you google mounjaro forums. You will get loads..of which Mumsnet is one, the Mounjaro website has it's own, Reddit etc

Thank you so much for your time in replying. You have all given me lots of ideas for research.

A year ago today I weighed 13 stone 12 with a BMI of 33. I am 61 years old and 5ft 4.

Today I am 9 stone 6 with a BMI of 22.

I took my last jab on Easter Saturday. The food noise is back BUT not horrendously so.

I joined a Gym last September too.
I do not buy UPF foods and eat far less than I used to.

It has honestly changed my life. Yes I’ve spent 2K but it has been worth every single penny.

I totally get this😅 Hormones can make it feel like nothing’s working no matter how hard you try. I’m using online weight medication with MJ and it’s just helped me stay a bit more consistent with food and workouts without feeling so overwhelmed.

I'm an absolute newbie OP and literally had my 1st injection today! I have been researching and umming for months! I'm late 40's with a BMI of 39. I've learnt even more just reading the helpful posts above.

I read multiple reviews and checked each supplier and their licence to supply meds. I used swift doctor and bought mounjaro. I had to fill in a questionnaire- any other meds, height, weight, medical history etc. Scan a pic of my ID (passport and licence) then take a short video of me saying the date, then showing myself standing in close fitting clothing then me standing on scales and showing the reading. I had cargo trousers and a T-shirt on, so not lycra or beach wear etc. They had the option that if I couldn't take a video, they'd do an online consult. I submitted the video/info yesterday morning and my pen was delivered at 08:30 this am! Certainly swift.

I'm only telling you in detail what I had to do because for some reason, the qualifying pics/video were something that panicked me. I wasn't asked for GP details, but would have provided them if asked. I've previously had IVF and those injections stung, whereas the one today was tiny and didn't. Wishing you all the best.