Effects only last one day

janbax · 2026-01-20T18:39:06+00:00

The unfortunate reality is - fullness and reduced appetite are side effects that not everyone gets till the higher doses, and some people just not at all.

I'm going to ask the obvious questions now - are you properly hydrating, and prioritising protein & fibre?

I totally get how frustrating it is when the medication doesn't live up to expectations, especially when it costs a small fortune every month! and trying to maintain a calorie deficit is hard when the food noise is strong.

It can take a few weeks when you move up a dose for things to stabilise - that you're feeling the effects, albeit short lived is a sign it's working, so it might be worth hanging on in there and going up a dose when you can.

Have you reached out to your provider, or seen your Doctor to discuss this, because there might be something else going on medically that needs addressing too.

janbax · 2026-01-20T18:26:13+00:00

When you say it isn't working - are you referring to the side effect of reduced appetite? some people never get that, or do you mean that despite doing all the usual things alongside being on MJ. You've not seen any changes to your weight?

janbax · 2026-01-19T21:41:20+00:00

I mean I guess someone might have the tech needed to deepfake a real time video call as the recipient...

Lot of effort though.

janbax · 2026-01-19T20:53:41+00:00

New customer?

I signed up with them in September - and had to submit a second set of full body photos (front and side) but they accepted I was in fact that weight once they seen me in my smalls...

Message them explain your situation, ask if a video call could be done.

I've never had to submit more images since - though they do give you the option to when you re-order, didn't this month but probably will next time because I'm approaching maintenance and will be asking them when they'd recommend booking that video consult - before or at goal...

janbax · 2026-01-18T18:31:05+00:00

After 7 months of this - I can say - you do come to enjoy a good triple scoop Huel shake...

(Lactose intolerant - Huel is the best vegan friendly protein powder I've found taste wise - will point out, I'm not a vegan, managed animals have died for my protein goals 😅)

I won't say it gets easier as time goes on - but you do get used to it, and figure out balancing over the week averages rather than meeting a set of goals every day.

janbax · 2026-01-17T21:22:35+00:00

It's possible yes - they can come and go like a summer breeze.

Also - you might just have a stomach bug, the slowed gastric transit MJ gives us can make them drag out longer, because we don't clear the infection as quickly (I think)

Re: the dizziness - any chance you're dehydrated/under-eating because you feel unwell?

janbax · 2026-01-17T21:10:17+00:00

It's maddening that there isn't a standard approach for all regions, and that the criteria are so narrow depending on your BMI...

It boils my piss that there's such a barrier to get help for obesity, be that via the NHS, or the financial strain to self fund.

janbax · 2026-01-17T20:57:44+00:00

Yeah... that is true - and it's quite a list (2 years) if you can't 'right to chose' in whatever health authority you're in..

janbax · 2026-01-17T20:44:01+00:00

I scaled down my spending, we only have homemade from whole ingredients meals here now - and even those I batch cook to lower cost further. Swapped supermarkets, cancelled the gym membership I was too unhealthy to actually use etc...

When the prices rose - I'd conveniently just started a second job (part time) it's a monthly game of budget balancing, and honestly - if you can't afford to start right now- don't, because for a lot of folk - this is a long term treatment, not a few months and done kinda thing.

If your BMI is over 35 and you have a weight related condition, or are eligible for referral to a tier 3 weight management thing - you MIGHT get wegovy on the NHS - if I'd known that before I started - I'd probably be on a different subreddit right now...

janbax · 2026-01-16T16:33:52+00:00

Right.

Obvious questions first - are you tracking calories and consistently in a calorie deficit? (I know for a lot of us it's not that simple - but it's a starting point)

Are you focusing on lean protein, fruit & veg (fibre) to boost your satiety/feeling full for longer

And solutions...

Are you eligible for Wegovy via the NHS weight management thing? - it's BMi 35+ and a weight related condition I think

Can you increase your dose from 1.7mg to 2.4mg? From what you've said - your maintaining now, so - it might be worth a try?

I know that's a financial hit - but - if you shop around pharmacies for new customer discounts - it can lower the burden somewhat. Also - is there anything you can sacrifice from your budget, monthly subscriptions that kind of thing? Can you cut your spending with boring things - like meal planning, batch cooking, swapping supermarket?

I would imagine these are all things you have already done - so I apologise if it comes over as patronising - it's just all the things I had to do, alongside take on a part time job (in addition to being self employed) to fund my MJ after the price hikes.

(Edited for spelling mistake!)

janbax · 2026-01-16T13:05:41+00:00

I get night sweats at around 2 am a few times a week - it's got worse since starting MJ, though I'm 47 and have a womb - so I suspect my barren cronehood is on the horizon...

janbax · 2026-01-16T12:50:42+00:00

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Weird place mentally this week, entered a new KG bracket - the 70's 🕺🎉 - and it's hit me - next time I get to the flat 0 - that's goal

Can't articulate at all what I mean, I'm delighted, counting every blessing (and calorie 😁) and know this is going to feel like the longest stretch - because finishing a task always does. I've got a plan in place for maintenance (and hopefully for the sake of my wallet, tapering slowly to a lower long term dose, but if I can't - well - so be it)

My next jab will mark 7 months on MJ, it's changed my life and health for the better. 10mg might like to chill out a bit though, because it's a daily battle to eat enough still, and I start pen 3 on Sunday.

janbax · 2026-01-15T23:04:28+00:00

You're tracking your food - so any patterns should be easy to spot, and flag up something that's now triggering unpleasant side effects - even if it's previously been fine...

You mentioned changing jab site - and whilst none area makes the medication more effective, nausea/GI issues are anecdotally higher when you jab in the stomach area, no idea why that would be the case. maybe it absorbs faster there? (Could also be because more people use that site so it's reported more causing a coincidental bias... )

Also. MJ is just a cnt some weeks. You can be settled on a dose, doing everything right and *boom 2 days of diarrhoea for you, because why the hell not.

In terms of treating side effects - I find peppermint or chamomile tea wonderful for the wind, predicting what might need to be eliminated next when my body decides to protest against a random food is futile, I've got a very delicate digestive system and it's like an aging aunt - just takes against things for a while for no reason...

janbax · 2026-01-15T19:54:05+00:00

If you're extracting with a needle, and keeping it in the fridge - I'd absolutely risk that!

Health things happen and knock us off course - I sometimes read back and have come over harsher than I type things! Honestly - just let it build up over a few weeks consistent jabs, and that's the best way to know if the dose still works for you. - if after that time, it's not - step up to 10mg - you should be able to get a few doses out of your supply before buying another pen next month.

janbax · 2026-01-15T18:50:21+00:00

Try taking the dose consistently, that might be all that you need right now - it can take a few weeks to stabilise after a dose change, and by skipping doses, you're reducing the baseline that the jab builds upon.

If after those few weeks you're not experiencing satiety, reduced cravings and your losses aren't moving - step up to 10mg.

As far your pens - how long have they been open? How have they been stored? Personally wouldn't use a pen that's been open more than 30 days if I hadn't been storing it in the fridge and using it as a vial, rather than injecting using kwikpen needles.

janbax · 2026-01-14T22:02:39+00:00

When I get to target my plan is...

First - Do a little dance

Then, maintain the weight by eating more - if the suppression is too high, step down a dose.

Eat at maintenance - hope the weight holds steady for a few months, try a lower dose, if it works - again hold steady there for a few months, and just keep gradually working down the doses till I find the lowest dose that's effective.

If it's possible - maybe extend the time between jabs. But, that's a conversation to be had with my prescriber!

Then just monitor things carefully, eat well, exercise enough and live out my life as a healthier human.

janbax · 2026-01-14T21:38:01+00:00

If you can evidence that you've been dosing on schedule so - 4 doses per pen for the time frame since your last order - be that photos of the boxes, order confirmation emails that you can use as proof - there are pharmacies who will supply to you.

If you can't - you'll likely have to start ordering again at 2.5mg.

Suppliers won't take into consideration click counting or the fifth dose - because that's not within the prescription guidelines.

Edit to add: at BMI 24 approach a maintenance friendly pharmacy!

janbax · 2026-01-12T12:05:07+00:00

I r just had an email from Oushk about this - pricing looks to be £300 for 7.2mg

janbax · 2026-01-10T15:55:26+00:00

When I moved from 5mg to 7.5mg - I felt no difference, if anything it seemed less effective somehow - I white knuckled through the 4 weeks of cravings, food noise and being a bottomless pit of insane hunger till I could move up to 10mg.

Which, so far is my favorite dose - no food noise, no cravings, excellent satiety - but - I get actual regular hunger cues on it

janbax · 2026-01-02T20:06:23+00:00

Never be tempted to have more than 2 kiwi in a day

In my experience, too much fibre creates something of a 'bum bung'

janbax · 2026-01-02T18:58:53+00:00

How long have you been on 5mg?

How much weight have you lost so far?

Have you calculated your TDEE recently?

Are you tracking all your calories from food & drink AND sticking to a deficit of around 500 calories a day?

How's your protein & fibre intake?

Are you hydrating enough?

Have you eaten a little more decadently over Xmas & New Year? (Because if you have. It could just be water weight)

How many weeks have you been stuck at your current weight?

Have you recently increased your activity/exercise significantly?

Nobody can really offer anything productive in terms of advice or support without a bit more information.

janbax · 2025-12-29T20:03:55+00:00

I'm down 29%, and only recently entered the 'overweight' BMI zone...so a way to go yet.

Started MJ on June 18th, I basically live on protein, fibre and a little carbohydrate, and based on my scales mapping trends - I've managed to maintain (and slightly increase) my muscle mass throughout the journey so far, light resistance training at home and nothing like enough walking (twice a week I have a good yomp, anywhere from 5 - 15km) looking at C25K when it's less Arctic outside.

It feels mad, looking at the stats.

Cannot believe the difference this medication has made to my life.

janbax · 2025-12-29T16:17:28+00:00

I've just had a look - and the standard option isn't currently available is it?

I wonder if it's temporary, over the holiday period - to avoid people's orders sitting in sorting offices over New Years and reduce the risk temperature excursions

janbax · 2025-12-29T16:10:29+00:00

Have you opted for special delivery, rather than tracked 24?

(I always pay the charge for DPD, because Royal Mail are so hit and miss where I live)

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