Thread 2 - BMI under 27 - Off Label/less to lose

[Beachforever]

New thread from:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5509897-bmi-under-27-off-labelless-to-lose

I know lots of people keep it in the fridge once opened because they use it for longer than the 30 days (spreading doses). I don't know whether they allow it to come up to room temp for administering the doses. My understanding is that you don't need to but it stings a bit if you don't.

If you are using the pen in the normal way and using all the medicine within 30 days then you don't need to keep it refrigerated. I don't refrigerate mine after the first dose.

Just to add about using the higher dose pens; we know the prescribers say 4 weeks from when the pen is first used because they want us to use it in the way they've planned [and at the cost they've planned] The advice I've seen online for diabetics who use NHS prescribed ozempic (same drug as wegovy) is that the pens can be used for up to eight weeks. So I'd be very cautious about going any longer.
Once they're open it's irrelevant if stored in the fridge or at room temperature. Storing it chilled is only relevant for unopened pens to last until their expiry date on the box.

And re goal weights, I think mine might be higher than I expect, I don't think I'd suit previous lower weights at this age. I'm more about having a goal waistline!

Does that mean they keep them out the fridge and use them for 8 weeks do you know?

Funny you should say this - I was thinking earlier today that I should dig out a tape measure!

I’m a bit upset because my provider cancelled my order. I was on 7.5 MJ and asked to go down to 5.0 because my blood sugars were good. I have about 10lbs left to lose. They said because I am T2 diabetic and stabilised they can’t provide MJ anymore.

I don’t think I’ll be able to get it from elsewhere now because my BMI isn’t really high. I feel a bit let down :(

@Retireornot what’s your BMI now? Do you have a box with your name printed on it?

I believe so, it's refrigerate before first use, and use by the (very long) expiry date on the box. Once the pen is used the expiry date is no longer relevant. Appreciate I'm no medic, just that I've read a lot online and I haven't seen it recommended anywhere to refrigerate once you've started to use the pen.

I’m sure I read somewhere that (for MJ at least) once it reached room temperature it needs to be used within a month.

This happened to me!

When I stopped my BMI was 24 now I think. I did take MJ initially because my Hb1AC was high and the weight loss was great and made a big difference to all of my other conditions. I've lost 2 1/2 stone in total. I know I don't have a lot more to lose but I feel like they have cut me off without a thought!

This is the site that the NHS link to for ozempic (wegovy) https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/14975/pil
Although I can see on there they say max six not eight

@kljdslhs877 I haven't looked specifically at MJ. But the directions for wegovy are to only use a pen for four weeks, and whether it's room temp or refrigerated isn't relevant, it's the date of first use. Anyone extending it is taking a risk, I think some people think that keeping it in it fridge once opened is making it safer, but I don't think it makes any difference (once opened) Given the differences in price I can understand why people decide to do it!

I also read that it's not dangerous to use if it's been out of the fridge for too long, just that the effectiveness can be affected. For those spreading doses to save money that might seem like a reasonable risk.

@jazzfluteI had to make the same decision (due 8th jab on Fri of 0.25) and I have decided to up my dose to 0.5 from next week. I haven’t been feeling as much suppression recently and while I haven’t weighed yet this week, I am feeling like losses have slowed.

I am also right on the cusp of being the lightest I’ve been in ages. I had been stuck in a cycle of losing and gaining the same three kilos, and really want to reach that 4 kilo loss. Mentally I think a plateau now at a nearly 3 kilo loss would be more than frustrating!

I’m a bit annoyed this week as when I injected last Friday I forgot to hold the pen and count to ten - I have definitely noticed not having a full dose this week! Usually I start feeling hungry by Thursday, but I have been ravenous since Monday this week.

Yeah I was thinking it would be the effectiveness. I read that repeatedly letting it come up to room temperature and then putting back in the fridge after can really affect the stability and therefore effectiveness. That's what I had been doing with my OH's pens and he didn't seem to notice them being less effective but I've now just been leaving them at room temp after first dose to be on the safe side.

Hey all, hopping on over from previous thread (have had a name change).

On how long the pens last, I saw up to 8 weeks on a US clinic guidance page.

Thanks for the new thread. Just had my 9th dose and doing ok. Totally unmotivated to exercise though and do need to get my mojo back and strength train 3 times a week. Haven’t been walking much either but that’s a combination of busy working days and crap weather!

Oh thanks that's helpful - just looking online now! I've decided to move up for the next pen as I've been at the same weight for two weeks now.

Would be great to know how you get on! I've also ordered a 0.5 pen for next week - going to see if I'm brave enough to click count and go up a middle stage before 0.5 (for some reason it does scare me to do this - like I'm going against instructions) but then I'm also anxious about going the full 0.5 and dealing with bad side effects that I haven't had so far!

I do find the designs of the pens weird. If they didn’t want people to have the ability to alter their dose, then why design pens that require 60 clicks for a single standard dose??

Why wouldn’t they just design the pen where 1 click is 1 dose?

Anyone rise getting a bit tired of this? 😆. I’m looking forward to just being able to eat full calories and focus on exercise. Four more weeks to go…

I also think I’m going to settle at a higher goal weight than I originally thought. I notice my face is much thinner now at my current weight than it was when I was last this weight. I don’t want to end up looking hollowed out, so I think I’m going to look to stop my weight loss at a BMI of 23, rather than lower numbers.

I’m already feeling much better about myself as it is, and I think it will be easier to maintain if I’ve not gone into the lower healthy range.

I think my body is adjusting to it now at almost 8 weeks in. I’m able to eat much more than a few weeks ago even though I’ve upped my dose. I even had a couple of glasses of wine last night and enjoyed them.

I’ve hit my GW and back in all my old clothes but am going to keep jabbing and lose another 2kg so if I put weight back on when I stop, it doesn’t matter.

I’m also considering staying on a tiny dose long term purely fir the inflammation and insulin benefits. I have zero peri symptoms now too.

@Beachforeverwhat amount are you thinking about in terms of a tiny dose?

I’m on MJ so I was thinking about 0.5-1.0mg

Hi everyone, haven't posted for a while as I've been busy! Had two jabs so far and lost 7lb which I'm really happy with. Can't say I've been disinterested in booze, but probably I have drunk less overall. Definitely gone of my after tea sweet treat. I'm now not sure what to do so would appreciate any input or experiences! I've got two more pens and roughly 2 weeks left on this starter dose of Wegovy 0.25. I filled this form out on Juniper and it seemed to be recommending that I could either stay same or go to 0.5. I would say that I am still hungry for meals but not much noise for anything else. I have experienced a small amount of nausea.

I was just thinking that we're going away in August and if I need to move up I don't want my first month of 0.5 to be when I'm away in case I feel nauseous and awful. My thought was move to 0.5 then see, if it feels bad drop down again. In any event I will be binning off Juniper as they're £££ even though I got free scales! What are people's top recommendations for other providers and also how easy is it to switch?

Also @Beachforever - same, peri symptoms reduced for sure.