Mounjaro Making Me RAVENOUS!

F

Food_Sis

Member
Hey everyone.

I've been off Mounjaro for about a month because of an insurance problem, and it looks like it'll be at least two more weeks before I can get back on it. I'm trying to eat around 2000 cals, but ever since I stopped the injections, my hunger has been insane! I feel weak and shaky, but I'm determined to stick with it since I was starting to put pounds back on. My doctor's office is being difficult, so I can't get in to see her any sooner. Any suggestions for dealing with this extreme hunger?
 
Demand they reschedule your appointment. They can’t stop you from seeking medical attention. If the doctor doesn’t care, consider it a red flag.

Instead of filing an appeal, request a corrected version. Since it was their mistake, they should be accommodating. If they aren’t, find a new doctor.

Best of luck!
 
I'd try calling and asking for the office manager, or even better, go to the office in person. It's harder for them to ignore you when you're standing right there. I've had issues getting my prescription filled this month, too. Multiple calls and a couple of visits finally got it sorted out.
 
Registered Dietitian here, and I work with lots of GLP-1 users.

What you're going through is a medical issue, not a lack of willpower. A 2,000 calorie deficit with that level of hyperphagia, and feeling faint? That's a sign that something isn't right or sustainable.

Stopping a GLP-1 abruptly can cause the hunger that the medication was controlling to come back stronger. If you fight it with a huge calorie restriction, you're setting yourself up for a rebound. It'll likely be worse than if you'd allowed yourself a bit more food during this break.

That weight gain you're seeing right now isn't necessarily new body fat. It's glycogen, water, and food volume. It'll even out when you restart the medication.

Focus on protein at each meal, at least 30 grams, with enough fiber. That can help reduce the hunger signals in a way that just restricting calories can't, because it has a better effect on satiety hormones. It's not a perfect solution, but it'll help your body cope until you can get back on your meds.

Don't let the scale dictate choices that your body is strongly protesting.
 
I understand what you're experiencing. Something that helps me a lot is planning meals frequently and spacing them out during the day, like every 2-3 hours. I do this on MJ and plan to do it forever, meds or not. That way, my body gets consistent nourishment, and I don't get to the point of extreme hunger. Also, try focusing on foods that are filling but not high in calories. Prioritize protein, plenty of fruits and veggies, and drink water. It makes sense you're so hungry. I saw a video from a doctor explaining that the hunger hormone that MJ suppresses doesn't just go back to normal when you stop; it actually spikes. That's why tapering down gradually is preferable to going cold turkey. Since you didn't have that option, you're now experiencing intense hunger. Hang in there...
 
When I had problems with my insurance and couldn't get my prescription refilled, I checked out compounded versions. They were much cheaper than buying retail and kept me going until my coverage was sorted out. The hunger coming back is seriously intense, I totally get what you mean. For the appetite stuff in the meantime, try to get some protein every few hours, even if it's just a protein shake. That will help stabilize your blood sugar.
 
Mounjaro has a big impact on appetite, and a lot of folks don't realize how important electrolytes are when you're hardly eating. When your food intake drops so much, you get fewer minerals, which can lead to fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps making the whole experience worse. Prioritize protein when you do eat, even if it's just a bite or two, because muscle loss is a real concern when your calorie intake is low. Small, frequent eating windows work better than forcing a big meal, so greek yogurt, eggs, or a protein shake can be easier to manage than a full plate.

Electrolytes are super crucial and worth paying attention to. I've been using unflavored drops lately that I add to any drink. They don't mess with nausea or taste weird, which is huge when your stomach is sensitive. Also, sip fluids throughout the day instead of chugging, since that can trigger nausea, too. Bone broth can be really helpful because it's warm, easy to drink, and gives you sodium and some protein. Don't worry if you're not hitting your usual calorie goals right now; your body is adjusting, and it gets easier as you learn what works for you.
 
It's hard, but if you're sure you're meeting your calorie and nutrient needs, you might need to learn to ignore hunger as a false alarm.

I'm almost two years in, maintaining a BMI of 21 after losing nearly 100 pounds. I see it this way: my rational, planning brain thinks this weight loss is great. I feel amazing and am healthy for the first time in decades.

But my reptile brain? The ancient part that keeps me alive? It thinks losing almost half of me is a life-threatening EMERGENCY that needs fixing fast, because I won't survive the next famine. It doesn't know about fridges or grocery stores.

Because my food environment is so different from what my brain evolved for, I'll be uncomfortable somehow. I can give in to hunger and cravings and be obese and always physically uncomfortable, or I can learn to ignore them and be briefly mentally uncomfortable. It's an easy choice after living as a slender person and loving it.

I eat intellectually now. When I feel hungry, I ask: do I need calories or nutrients right now? Or is this a panic signal from a brain that wants to prepare for a famine? You'll need to work with a good dietician to feel confident knowing the difference, and a therapist to trust yourself.
 
I'm tapering off my meds now, and I'm really nervous about gaining the weight back. Seeing everyone's success stories about maintaining after stopping gives me hope! I'm down around 65 lbs and would love to keep it that way!
 
ScaleGal685 said:
I'm tapering off my meds now, and I'm really nervous about gaining the weight back.
Click to expand...

It's definitely a process, but it's possible! Focus on what you've learned about your body and hunger cues while on the medication. That knowledge is the most valuable thing you'll take away from the experience.
 
That's huge! Congrats on getting started. I'm in month 2 on 2.5mg and the appetite control is working so well. The food noise thing is actually real - first time I feel normal around eating. Just trying to nail the nutrition and movement stuff while I got this window.
 
Slowly hitting my target weight. Looking ahead to loose skin surgery — apron, wings, inner thighs, maybe a lift. In AU or overseas, recovery time, scarring? I'm on it for life (health thing), so wondering if I need to pause during recovery. Eyeing Christmas holidays.
 
on 5mg for 2 months now, nausea kicking in the past couple weeks especially around meals but also throughout the day. anyone else hit this at the 3-month mark? did it pass or did you change something?
 
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