Weight loss injections

[breakfastdinnerandtea]

I'm toying with the idea of going on weight loss injections. It's going to be a huge stretch to finance it but I'm at my wits end with being so big.
I'm 119kg and 5ft 8in, BMI is about 39.9. Potentially pre diabetic, maybe even full diabetes, which runs in the family. I don't think I'm old enough to be diabetic, I'm so ashamed of myself.

Can anyone offer any advice please?
What sort of things should I be looking at researching in terms of which one to go for?
Has anyone tried more than one and had fewer side effects from one over another?
I've seen there's stock issues. If I struggle to get the next dose can I go down a strength just to keep some level of it?

Thanks all.

Please?

I've never heard of such injections and haven't got any advice regarding weight loss but bumping this for you OP

@breakfastdinnerandtea my advice would be to see your GP. They can do blood tests to see whether you are diabetic, have thyroid dysfunction, or have any other reason to be finding it hard to lose weight. They can prescribe any medication necessary.

If you have type 2 diabetes, they can discuss medication and that may include semaglutide injections. There is a mass shortage, though.

This is about the newest one called Mounjaro

Mourjano - Starting soon! http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weightlosss_chat/5007744-mourjano-starting-soon

If you think you might be diabetic you need to get to your GP and get tested. It’s serious, don’t mess about with it.

On the injections - have a read of the threads on here. Ozempic is the one licensed for diabetes, used off license for weight loss and with supply issues. Wegovy is the same drug (semaglutide) but licensed only for weight loss, supply doesn’t seem to be a big problem now, but you may occasionally have to switch provider. Mounjaro is a different drug, testing shows it to be slightly more effective but with worse side effects. Obviously different individuals will find their own experiences.

There’s a good Zoe podcast episode on Ozempic which explains how it/wegovy work.

I'm on Wegovy and it's worked wonderfully for me.
Definitely read as much about them as you can before you start. Wegovy does not make you lose weight. You will need to eat a healthy diet with a reasonable calorie deficit, same as any other diet. What the injection will do is make that healthy diet very easy to stick to.
The people who have little success with the injection are those who go into with no knowledge and expect it to make them thin without having to change anything.

If you are worried about diabetes and want to find out asap, you can go to a Lloyds pharmacy (others offer it too) and get your blood sugars tested via a finger prick test for £10.

Will be much faster than organising a drs appointment, could probably get it done tomorrow and then you will know.

I am in my second week of MJ. I was very nervous about it,but was struggling with hunger a lot on low calories diets, which got worse with exercising. I need exercise for my MH, so it was a bit of a vicious circle.

I'm finding minimal side effects, but i am on the first dose which is sort of a starting dose to get you used to it. I have lost half a stone in approx 10 days, but think it is water as my clothes aren't fitting a great deal better yet.

I am definitely less hungry and eating fewer carbs as I am not craving them. Some days I need to push myself to eat in the mornings. I tend to eat a smaller dinner in the evening, but am more hungrier then.

The best thing about it is not spending your entire day having a mental battle with food. It makes dieting more straightforward in that respect.

I want to lose 28lbs over 3 months, which I would happily pay £600 for. I was at the point where I would have had to spend money buying bigger clothes for summer anyway, so would have had to spend money on that. Hopefully I will manage it, but it is early days.

I have tried both. Ozempic/Wegovy over a much longer time but so far I think Mounjaro is better for me. Less side effects and somehow a suppression of temptation that I didn’t get on Wegovy - that made me feel full quickly and eat small meals but I still had to work hard on resisting snacks. It’s early days to know for sure.

Yes they will let you go down a dose if there are stock issues or if you want to for other reasons like side effects.

I put on a lot of weight in the two months between Wegovy and Mounjaro. Some people have had success maintaining but the research shows people do regain at least some of the weight. You may need to think about paying for it over a long time.

I’m on Mounjaro no side effects beyond a few days of muscle aches and headache. Now it’s settled.

However I don’t think it’s for you if it’s a financial stretch. I’ve had two pay 2x c.£200 over one pay packet as it needs renewing every 3-4 weeks. You can do it quickly by eating ultra low calorie but it’s likely your muscles will waste away, your hair may fall out and your face could age quickly if you restrict calories severely.

To take it slow you’re going to need to commit c.£3,000

I was on ozempic for about 6 months last year, I didn't lose much and didn't find it particularly useful because although I wanted to lose weight I wasn't in the right mindset to do it properly, so I was still eating crap just less of it. Very expensive lesson.

This year I am in the right mindset and am dieting through calorie counting and carb reduction without the injections and much more successful.

23lb down in 12 weeks, 1670 calories a day and a couple of 30 minute exercise sessions a week.

I'm similar in shape and size to you, 40yrs old, 5ft 8, started 1st Jan as 225 lb, currently 202lb.

Oh and also have insulin resistant PCOS which is why I'm going with the reduced carb model, as well as the fact that carbs are high calorie so I can eat more and feel more full if I have more protein.

Presumably that is relevant if OP isnt overeating or eating in excess to the degree that wouldnt explain her weight gain/maintenance?

If she is overeating, she wont lose weight regardles of what her bloods are

@Lougle GPs in the UK (NHS) are not prescribing medication for obesity (yet).

No, of course, but the OP is concerned she may have diabetes, so GP is the first port of call. Many patients with type 2 diabetes are also overweight, so although the target is a reduced HBA1C, the drugs also cause weight loss.

Ah I see - good point @Lougle

I am also on mornjaro. It helps you by reducing your hunger and makes you feel fuller more quickly. It also helps stop food craving. These things help you eat less, think about what you are eating and encourages you to make better food choices.

I think Bolt offered first two months supply for cheaper than getting one month supply then the second month supply. If you are interested have a look around for the best price. Mounjaro also helps with diabetes /pre diabetes. Maybe best speaking to a Dr first if you think you are diabetic. You might even get a drug on the nhs.

I'm currently on my 4th week of mounjaro. I have been tested twice for thyroid issues plus full bloods, liver and kidney function and any vitamin deficiency.
I was eating 1500 cals relatively low fat and exercising 3 times a week and have a fairly active job but still not losing any weight. It was a vicious cycle of going low calorie then feeling faint and tired so can't exercise or eating and not losing.
Mounjaro has been great as it does take away 90% of hunger and cravings. When I'm tired I crave sugar. Once I start I can't stop.
I've made a radical shift and removed all refined sugar and most of UPF in the hope I can detox and not fall back into bad habits. Last night DH was eating sweets, I had one and as soon as I bit I to it it held no interest and could have actually spat it out.
It has remove that constant nag to eat or snack and I feel great.

Thanks all for the advice. I do have a doctor's appointment booked for April (the earliest I could get) to discuss my weight and potential diabetes.

I have tried to completely shift my mindset into eating better. I gave up all sugar (because I can't just have a little bit. It's all or nothing), went on a good calorie deficit but enjoyed what I was eating. I didn't feel hungry as such but my mind was constantly swimming with my next meal. I did it for months and didn't lose anything at all, then wondered why I was restricting myself the things I wanted when I wasn't getting anywhere. I had one little treat and fell off the wagon. I've read that the injections often just turn off that food chatter which sounds exactly what I need.

Financially we could manage but it would be tight. However, we are expecting our financial position to improve shortly (which is why I haven't already ordered it) due to promotions and overtime (which is always available if I want it). But you know how it is with finances... once something goes right something expensive breaks!

Been on Wegovy for 3 month, made me feel very nauseous and therefore didn't want to drink alcohol or eat too much which I suppose made it work as I lost a stone in weight, slowly. I am thinking of trying Mounjaro now to see if it doesn't make me feel so sick. One great side affect of Wegovy was NO HOT FLUSHES.. which was fabulous.. but feeling sick all day was not. I suppose its ying and yang xx

@KMW1967 Mounjaro seems to have fewer, more mild side effects for many mumsnetters but only on the lower doses so far (as so new to the UK).

A lot of us are happily reporting being colder/ not being sweaty as a side effect (see Mounjaro threads for discussions)

I can imagine how frustrating it must feel to be dealing with weight issues and health concerns. I've been through a similar journey myself. Before considering weight loss injections, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider who can guide you based on your specific health needs. They can recommend the safest and most effective options, considering potential side effects and your financial situation.

I haven't tried weight loss injections personally, but a friend once shared their experience with Fit N Flexed supplements, which they found really helpful in complementing their weight loss efforts. It's important to research thoroughly and perhaps talk to others who have tried different treatments to get a sense of what might work best for you.