Off Script Mounjaro (start Aug 26)

[CatMonj]

A thread for all of us with a BMI below 30, with no health conditions and therefore not meeting the NHS threshold for free medication, yet still have a bit to lose to get us to a healthy BMI.

Where are we getting our scripts?

Who have the best deals at present?

Which suppliers make it easy/complicated?

What are your experiences?

Let's catch up and continue to pass on current/updated info!

@WLIcurious Initially I wasn’t sure if any private provider would take me at that BMI so once I found Voy I just took the plunge. Should have read/joined Mumsnet first, that will teach me. I suspect it is quite competitive & they will chase potential customers, so you being badgered via email makes sense although is nonetheless annoying.

Like you I exercise loads & also played a great deal of sport when young, but now I’m in peri & 50+ I’ve discovered I just can’t exercise enough to keep the weight off—I simply have to eat less. So far the 2.5 Mounjaro is helping with that, everything crossed it continues.

I’ve been on for 3 years (wegovy then MJ) and annoyingly now can’t get it prescribed as I left it a couple of months between orders (bought lots of pens before the golden dose change and was taking clock doses). Anyone know who might help? I was with Superdrug. Then Oushk, and just tried medicinemarketplace but they just keep asking for evidence of my current dose no matter how many times I send it and explain!

where could I try?

@Lifejigsaw I had success with Voy at BMI 25.1 as long as I sent photographs. Worth a try, you've loads of evidence you've been on it before.

@Lifejigsaw
I got a first prescription from MedExpress with a BMI of 25.8. I think they accept 25+.
I sent full length photos and the printout from one of those scales that measures BMI that had to be verified. This meant going to Boots, getting the printout and then one of the pharmacists stamped it with the branch address. They didn’t supervise me so I could have been bending at the knees to reduce my height or carrying a bag with weights in it. 🤷‍♀️

My bmi is under 25 still. So frustrating

@Lifejigsaw I'd give Voy a try, they really did seem pretty reasonable with me (classic edge case).

@Lifejigsaw oh right.
Is it easy to switch providers without a break? I’m probably under 25 BMI after one week.

I was with Happen for my first pen of 2.5, cancelled the subscription and moved to Medicine Marketplace and my new pen for 2.5 is on the way, £99. No problems.

I took my first dose last Saturday and my second dose yesterday a day early (I want to work it back to be on a Thursday), but it felt like all my lack of control around food had returned during yesterday daytime.

I am eating the same sized meals as normal and I’ve only had one that I really didn’t want to finish and even then I quite happily ate my normal portion of fruit and yogurt for dessert.

Has anyone else had this?

I am now thinking that mj isn’t going to work for me and suppress food noise and reduce my appetite. Do I just need to chill out and give it a bit longer to settle down?

If you are currently only on 2.5 mg it nay not give you appetite suppression. The 2.5 mg dose is meant to acclimatise your body to the medication.

Some people do get a bit of appetite suppression on 2.5 mg but most people have to go up to at least 5 mg of Mounjaro for a better effect.

One of the annoying things is (obviously) the costs are much higher for 5 mg, 7.5 mg or 10 mg of Mounjaro.

I think I need some time to work out what effects I am getting and whether they are what I want from mj. I think I would like a more steady effect as there is perhaps too much suppression at the start of the weekly cycle, and not enough at the end.

I found with my first month of 2.5 I did get good suppression, but like you say it was a lot on days 1-3 and then not much towards the end of the week.

I decided to go for a second month of 2.5 and it has kind of all evened out to general all round suppression, although I do find I still don't want to eat anything on injection day afternoon, not it isn't so severe.

Thanks! I’m going to go for another month on 2.5 and see how it goes.

That's not correct. I've got a "free" NHS prescription and my BMI was 27 when I got it. I did have medical conditions which meant I qualified, but obesity wasn't one of them

ETA. in fact, I only had 2 of the conditions on your list plus a BMI that put me into the overweight category. However, my body wasn't responding to the meds I was on for DMT2 so that made me eligible

The list I quoted is the official criteria for NHS funding.

I have been refused Mounjaro on the NHS with a BMI of 42 and 3 out of the 5 conditions. I was told point blank I would have to have 4 out of 5 conditions to qualify.

If you Google "NHS criteria for Mounjaro on the NHS" those 5 criteria and BMI above 40 is what is currently listed.

Your GP seems to have broken the rules for you for other medical reasons - but GPs willing to do do are extremely rare.

Got my now second 2.5mg pen from Medicines Marketplace. Very straightforward although I did have to give them a nudge to see if I was approved or not, then it was sent out swiftly, packaged well and left on my doorstep. I'd recommend.

I’m in the process of ordering a second pen from Farmeci (£96.43 with discount) and have had to send in a video of myself and answer some questions about the previous dosage and the dates I took them. I also had to send in my waist measurement.

I assume I’ll get it approved even though I’m just below a BMI of 25. Seems crazy that I could lose 15kg and still be in the healthy range.

My first order from MedExpress was the pen, 4 needles and 4 swabs. There wasn’t an option to buy a sharps bin or extra needles and swabs and I was going to buy the extras. However my 2nd pen from Farmeci, has arrived and it came with a sharps bin, 8 needles and a box of about 100 swabs, so am quite pleased about that.

Are you on MJ 2.5 mg? If so, this dose may not ‘work’ for you, as it is really intended to get your body accustomed to the medication. Some people are lucky and do have satiety and suppression on this dose, but it’s by no means guaranteed, and it doesn’t mean that the higher, therapeutic doses won’t work for you. Good luck.

Try Swift doctor

Yes, 2.5mg MJ. I’m 2 weeks on and the appetite suppression has definitely lasted longer. I actually delayed my 4th jab for a day as I felt I didn’t want even more suppression!
I am just seeing how it is going to go for a few more weeks. I’ve lost about 4kg already, but that is probably mostly water weight, and I really don’t want to lose any more. I just want to see if I can find a dose that is enough to switch the food noise off.