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Mountjaro help please

S

Suzanne1

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi I wonder if anyone can please help me as I'm feeling confused.

I suddenly got diagnosed with diabetes after COVID and they were unable to make any difference to bloods with diet so I was put on meds.

I've worked my way through four different meds combos and nothing was working . My bloods were higher then they were before I was put on meds.

After my latest bloods I was asked to make an appointment with the clinical pharmacist which I did. She was lovely, said they needed to try something different as it just wasn't working.

She really pushed for mountjaro. She was really clear and said I wouldn't qualify on the obesity side as my BMI wasn't high enough but I would qualify becAuse of the diabetes and the meds not working.

She talked a lot about it, said I may lose some weight but again told me I couldn't go on it for weight as my BMI wasn't high enough.

She sent me some links and a booklet to read and made an appointment for a week later to show me how to use the pen etc.

The appointment ran as she said where she talked through how to use the pen etc. I felt a little confused when she weighed me and said she was putting a goal of how much weight to loose in three months but thought that was just strange.

I left the appointment and she was going to prescribe that day.

That evening I got a confusing call from her that said as much BMI wasn't high enough I couldn't have it. I said I was confused as my understanding was it was for my diabetes and not for my weight.

She said I had to have a BMI over 35 or I couldn't be prescribed it.

Anyway she said to talk to the Dr.

I'm a carer to three disabled children so getting to an appointment is really tricky. So I left an e consult for the drs and said I was confused. That we had tried meds and they weren't working, we had tried diet and it wasn't working and that it was the drs who had suggested it.

Long story short they have prescribed. The message I got was that with diabetes and a BMI of 30 I could be prescribed.

Now I still don't get where the BMI thing has come in?

I've tried reading up and to me it appears there are two pathways? One for people with diabetes who have tried multiple meds and one for obesity where your BMI has to be over 35 and you have to have a weight related issue.

Now I'm pleased they have prescribed but I'm confused as the message said I could have it because of my diabetes and because my BMI was 30 and I have arthritis.

So is it now just one pathway? So diabetes and obesity with the same guidelines? As that doesn't seem to make sense as it would rule out all diabetics with a lower BMI?

I just can't understand what I'm reading clearly and can't understand why they are mentioning my BMI and my arthritis and setting a goal of how much to lose?

I'm wondering if they got completely confused but they seemed so clear in the original call that it was nothing to do with BMI and I wouldn't qualify for it for weight loss.

I know it may be silly to be worrying but I'm worried in case it works and a side effect is that I lose weight and my weight falls below BMI 30 will they stop prescribing?

Sorry it's so long, I wanted to try and give details. Thank you for anyone who takes the time to read and respond to my waffle!
 
Suzanne1 said:
Hi I wonder if anyone can please help me as I'm feeling confused.

I suddenly got diagnosed with diabetes after COVID and they were unable to make any difference to bloods with diet so I was put on meds.

I've worked my way through four different meds combos and nothing was working . My bloods were higher then they were before I was put on meds.

After my latest bloods I was asked to make an appointment with the clinical pharmacist which I did. She was lovely, said they needed to try something different as it just wasn't working.

She really pushed for mountjaro. She was really clear and said I wouldn't qualify on the obesity side as my BMI wasn't high enough but I would qualify becAuse of the diabetes and the meds not working.

She talked a lot about it, said I may lose some weight but again told me I couldn't go on it for weight as my BMI wasn't high enough.

She sent me some links and a booklet to read and made an appointment for a week later to show me how to use the pen etc.

The appointment ran as she said where she talked through how to use the pen etc. I felt a little confused when she weighed me and said she was putting a goal of how much weight to loose in three months but thought that was just strange.

I left the appointment and she was going to prescribe that day.

That evening I got a confusing call from her that said as much BMI wasn't high enough I couldn't have it. I said I was confused as my understanding was it was for my diabetes and not for my weight.

She said I had to have a BMI over 35 or I couldn't be prescribed it.

Anyway she said to talk to the Dr.

I'm a carer to three disabled children so getting to an appointment is really tricky. So I left an e consult for the drs and said I was confused. That we had tried meds and they weren't working, we had tried diet and it wasn't working and that it was the drs who had suggested it.

Long story short they have prescribed. The message I got was that with diabetes and a BMI of 30 I could be prescribed.

Now I still don't get where the BMI thing has come in?

I've tried reading up and to me it appears there are two pathways? One for people with diabetes who have tried multiple meds and one for obesity where your BMI has to be over 35 and you have to have a weight related issue.

Now I'm pleased they have prescribed but I'm confused as the message said I could have it because of my diabetes and because my BMI was 30 and I have arthritis.

So is it now just one pathway? So diabetes and obesity with the same guidelines? As that doesn't seem to make sense as it would rule out all diabetics with a lower BMI?

I just can't understand what I'm reading clearly and can't understand why they are mentioning my BMI and my arthritis and setting a goal of how much to lose?

I'm wondering if they got completely confused but they seemed so clear in the original call that it was nothing to do with BMI and I wouldn't qualify for it for weight loss.

I know it may be silly to be worrying but I'm worried in case it works and a side effect is that I lose weight and my weight falls below BMI 30 will they stop prescribing?

Sorry it's so long, I wanted to try and give details. Thank you for anyone who takes the time to read and respond to my waffle!
Click to expand...
I see you have been posting since 2021 and have been juggling with various medications over that time. I expect it must be very frustrating for you that nothing seems to be working, has your HbA1C reduced at all since then.
I wonder if you are one of the people who need the help of insulin, has that been considered as an option. Covid has been a trigger for developing problems which oral medication and diet does not fix in some people.
The medication you have been prescribed is licenced for treatment of Type 2 and also for weight loss, the link to the DUK page about the medication will perhaps explain the confusion about BMI etc.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-d...atments/tablets-and-medication/glp-1/mounjaro
 
Hi @Suzanne1 please don’t get worried, although think you need to speak to your GP as I’m sure what you’ve been told is incorrect
you will qualify for Mounjaro under the current guidelines (although possibly not if you weren’t Diabetic)
like you said you have previously been prescribed other meds that hasn’t helped you get a good control of your blood sugars and your BMI puts you in the category

I think what the clinician who gave you the wrong advice 🙄 or maybe it wasn’t well communicated to you ?

I’m thinking that if you WERNT Diabetic THEN your BMI might not be high enough for automatic qualification to be prescribed Mounjaro (under current guidelines) as then your just looking for MJ as a weight loss aid not part of a Diabetic’s on prescription Diabetic medication

Also please don’t worry
once your prescribed Mounjaro (as a Diabetic med)
it will remain as part of your ongoing meds ( obviously as long as it turns out it’s ok for you & works for you) I’ve recently had that conversation with my GP. having got my BMI down to 28 now from 33.6 when I started on MJ (6 months ago)

I understand how you are feeling :care: because back at Easter, I was told as my BMI @ that time wasn’t over I think it was 35 therefore I couldn’t get referred for something else (some healthy eating & excercise help via a hospital referral .. sounds crazy doesn’t it)
 
Leadinglights said:
I see you have been posting since 2021 and have been juggling with various medications over that time. I expect it must be very frustrating for you that nothing seems to be working, has your HbA1C reduced at all since then.
I wonder if you are one of the people who need the help of insulin, has that been considered as an option. Covid has been a trigger for developing problems which oral medication and diet does not fix in some people.
The medication you have been prescribed is licenced for treatment of Type 2 and also for weight loss, the link to the DUK page about the medication will perhaps explain the confusion about BMI etc.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-d...atments/tablets-and-medication/glp-1/mounjaro
Click to expand...
Great to see that @Leadinglights pop up and post that link, just as I was replying to you @Suzanne1
I was thinking somebody with better knowledge of where various advice can be found would help, I’m just someone who uses Mounjaro but not a expert on where DiabetesUK has posted all the good advice and access to great resources on here
 
Leadinglights said:
I see you have been posting since 2021 and have been juggling with various medications over that time. I expect it must be very frustrating for you that nothing seems to be working, has your HbA1C reduced at all since then.
I wonder if you are one of the people who need the help of insulin, has that been considered as an option. Covid has been a trigger for developing problems which oral medication and diet does not fix in some people.
The medication you have been prescribed is licenced for treatment of Type 2 and also for weight loss, the link to the DUK page about the medication will perhaps explain the confusion about BMI etc.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-d...atments/tablets-and-medication/glp-1/mounjaro
Click to expand...
Leadinglights said:
I see you have been posting since 2021 and have been juggling with various medications over that time. I expect it must be very frustrating for you that nothing seems to be working, has your HbA1C reduced at all since then.
I wonder if you are one of the people who need the help of insulin, has that been considered as an option. Covid has been a trigger for developing problems which oral medication and diet does not fix in some people.
The medication you have been prescribed is licenced for treatment of Type 2 and also for weight loss, the link to the DUK page about the medication will perhaps explain the confusion about BMI etc.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-d...atments/tablets-and-medication/glp-1/mounjaro
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your reply. It Def hit quickly and hit hard. My first eye screening showed damage and I had neuropathy in my hands and feet very quickly. Have also gone on to be diagnosed with arthritis and osteoporosis so something definitely went on!
I haven't been offered insulin at all, it hasn't been talked about. These jabs were mentioned when I had my previous lot of results, that we may have to go to these if it didn't improve. They then tried a combo of two meds and that didn't work so here was are.
Thanks for the link. That makes it look how I feel it is, that the prescribing for diabetes and the prescribing for weight loss are two different things which is why I was so confused
 
goodybags said:
Hi @Suzanne1 please don’t get worried, although think you need to speak to your GP as I’m sure what you’ve been told is incorrect
you will qualify for Mounjaro under the current guidelines (although possibly not if you weren’t Diabetic)
like you said you have previously been prescribed other meds that hasn’t helped you get a good control of your blood sugars and your BMI puts you in the category

I think what the clinician who gave you the wrong advice 🙄 or maybe it wasn’t well communicated to you ?

I’m thinking that if you WERNT Diabetic THEN your BMI might not be high enough for automatic qualification to be prescribed Mounjaro (under current guidelines) as then your just looking for MJ as a weight loss aid not part of a Diabetic’s on prescription Diabetic medication

Also please don’t worry
once your prescribed Mounjaro (as a Diabetic med)
it will remain as part of your ongoing meds ( obviously as long as it turns out it’s ok for you & works for you) I’ve recently had that conversation with my GP. having got my BMI down to 28 now from 33.6 when I started on MJ (6 months ago)

I understand how you are feeling :care: because back at Easter, I was told as my BMI @ that time wasn’t over I think it was 35 therefore I couldn’t get referred for something else (some healthy eating & excercise help via a hospital referral .. sounds crazy doesn’t it)
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for your response. They were initially so clear, that I wouldn't qualify for it on a weight basis which was fine I understood that and the conversation was never about weight loss, it was always about diabetes.
But then In the appointment they were talking about a goal for weight loss and I found that strange and then when she rang she kept saying my BMI wasn't high enough to be prescribed. I tried saying to her but I'm not being prescribed it for weight loss? It was quite bizarre. Everything I've read makes them seem very separate paths and that the BMI is for the weight loss side and that the diabetes and multiple meds tried should qualify me on the other side, regardless of my weight.
It's good to hear they won't kick me off if I do lose weight! Can I ask how you found it? I'm carer for three kids with disabilities and a husband with disabilities and I'm conscious of changing anything that makes me feel worse. Thank you
 
Suzanne1 said:
Thank you so much for your response. They were initially so clear, that I wouldn't qualify for it on a weight basis which was fine I understood that and the conversation was never about weight loss, it was always about diabetes.
But then In the appointment they were talking about a goal for weight loss and I found that strange and then when she rang she kept saying my BMI wasn't high enough to be prescribed. I tried saying to her but I'm not being prescribed it for weight loss? It was quite bizarre. Everything I've read makes them seem very separate paths and that the BMI is for the weight loss side and that the diabetes and multiple meds tried should qualify me on the other side, regardless of my weight.
It's good to hear they won't kick me off if I do lose weight! Can I ask how you found it? I'm carer for three kids with disabilities and a husband with disabilities and I'm conscious of changing anything that makes me feel worse. Thank you
Click to expand...
To be honest personally, I’ve had no undesirable side effects of Mounjaro myself
there’s a few people on here that take it that I know of

some on prescription and I know people (off the forum) who self fund
I’ve even helped a good friend of mine access it (on a private prescription) following him being aware he is Pre-Diabetic (although for that person’s own reasons not going through a GP)

for your information, not only have I lost 17 KG since starting on MJ but my HbA1c is now back down (from I think it was heading for 70 back when I started on MJ to 48 now

I’ve totally changed what I eat, and also did a 12 week healthy eating & gentle exercise program

Mounjaro if you go on it is done on a very gentle introduction
then the dose increases as time progresses
If other meds are taken sometimes adjustments are made (especially if taking insulin and as weight is lost that’s taken into account also)

we are all different, but how was your most recent Hba1c ?

I was about to ask if you are on Insulin … but see you’ve already confirmed your not (although previously it was spoken about by your HCT)

I’m sure at the moment GP’s are trying to reduce peoples dependence on insulin myself, I’ve even had both a GP & DSN suggest this would be the case for me, but just a reduction of dose was needed (as I lost weight & the MJ dose increased)

hopefully some others will see your post @Suzanne1 and will also be along to share their experiences with you
 
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