Coming off MJ...any success stories?

R

RealBeer364

Active member
Hey everyone,

I've been on Mounjaro since last fall (Sept '24) and started at 280 lbs. Here's my dosage journey so far:

* Sept-Oct '24: 2.5mg
* Oct-Nov '24: 5mg
* Nov '24-Now: 7.5mg

I'm currently hovering around 175 lbs, which I'm really happy with. The weight loss is incredible, but even more amazing are the changes to my measurements:

Chest: -10 inches
Waist: -11.5 inches
Hips: -13 inches!

I'm thinking of spacing out my doses more to gradually come off the medication. I know some people believe MJ is a lifelong commitment, but it's quite expensive where I live (Australia). Also, while the physical side effects haven't been too bad, I've noticed a significant mental flatness over the past year.

I know MJ will always be an option if I need it again, but I'm hoping I can maintain this weight with my healthier eating habits and overall lifestyle changes.

Has anyone managed to successfully wean themselves off Mounjaro? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
As a prescriber in the US, and someone who also uses similar meds, my experience with patients over the last few years is that almost nobody maintains the loss after stopping completely. Some tried extreme diets and exercise. Everyone I know of who stopped eventually restarted to lose regain.
 
MJ is crazy expensive here too, which is why I stocked up a bit.

Instead of spacing injections, maybe try lowering the dose? Since the half-life is around 6 days, large gaps between doses at higher doses might cause bigger swings than smaller, regular doses.
 
Congrats on your progress! Sounds like my journey too. Lost about 75 lbs in 8 months, going from about 240 to 165. Still need to lose some belly fat though. My perfect weight is around 160, but I wanna see if I can get to 155, for around 11-12% body fat. I don't need the meds as much, and I'm tapering down during fat loss. My waist was 44 inches, now it's 34. Want to get to 32!
 
I totally understand. I don't need to be super skinny, just not in pain from obesity. I'm aiming for a BMI under 25. Mentally, I'd be happy in the mid-160s. I think I could reach 150 if I really tried, but I'm not sure I want to lol.
 
I don't think MJ is a forever drug if you don't have health issues. I started at 250 and stopped around 170 lbs like 6 months ago. I messed up for a few weeks and got to 180, but now I'm working out and eating better (controlling portions). It's doable if you just have bad eating habits. You just have to really try. Don't give up!
 
Unfortunately, MJ might have to be a long term thing. You could take a break for half a year and restart if you gain a few pounds. Your weight will probably go back up. Pick a restart weight, and use MJ again for a few months to get back down. Maybe it will be more affordable in the future. The mental flatness sucks though.
 
I hope you reach your goals! Unfortunately, stopping the meds led to pretty quick weight regain for me after about 3 weeks. I'm hoping I can eventually go off, but I think I need to stay at my current weight for a while before trying again.
 
I pay out of pocket too, and taking it forever would be great, but the cost is insane! I've also hit my goal and am tapering down. I'm almost out of doses!

I'm hoping to keep up my new habits and maintain the weight loss!

Good luck with your journey!
 
Yes! I went from 185 to 135 and then stopped the medication. It's been 9 months now. I kept working out and eating healthy and I've maintained. I'm at 125 now and it's just my normal life. I still track my calories though.
 
Great job! Success is because of you, not just medicine. I know some people on 15mg who haven't lost as much as I have (I lost over 200lbs). The biggest changes were switching to a diet higher in protein and less pasta and rice.

If you track your calories and eat right, you'll be able to keep the weight off!
 
Good luck stopping. If it was just overeating, you'll be fine. But many of us have dieted forever and it’s not just eating. It's insulin, metabolism, and blood sugar that this actually fixes. When you go off, all that returns. I started in 2023 and will hit 3 years in March. I've tried lower doses (I’m on 10mg) and spacing it out. I can tell when I go too long or dose too low. The bloating, night sweats, and quick weight gain (without eating more) is intense.

So, don't be hard on yourself if it doesn't work out. Find another way.
 
I don't think I'll ever stop this drug. It's like people who stop antidepressants because they feel better, and then they get depressed again. If it's working, you probably need it.
 
RealBeer364 said:
I'm hoping I can maintain this weight with my healthier eating habits and overall lifestyle changes.
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That's the key! If you've built good habits, you've got a better chance. Maybe keep tracking your food for a while even after you stop to make sure you don't slip back into old patterns.
 
Danielle_Path said:
I also hope I can maintain this weight after many many months of healthy eat and a complete lifestyle change - Hoping that I can maintain my new habits, therefore maintain my weight!
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I'm trying to be optimistic like you! I'm really hoping that this time is different because I've completely changed how I eat. Thanks for the encouragement!
 
I think it's great that you're focusing on lifestyle changes, RealBeer364. I've seen so many people on these meds who still eat junk food and don't exercise, and then they're surprised when they don't get results! It's not a magic bullet, it's a tool to help you make those changes.
 
I've been on semaglutide for a while now and I'm almost at my goal. Don't give up! Incorporating exercise helps a LOT. I am hoping to maintain without it eventually... but we will see. It's been a long journey to get here.
 
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