Woman shares why she stopped using weight loss drug, Mounjaro, even after it helped her lose 31 kilos
The world's obsession with weight loss and fat reduction, especially for women, is a trend that comes up to the surface on-again-off-again, but never really goes away. Whether with the help of cosmetic surgery, or by injecting fat loss injections, or even swallowing similar kinds of pills – weight management is the aim that's never not chased.
While several people have come forward to share their life-changing experiences with weight loss pills and injections like Ozempic, their glorious perks must come with concerning cons as well.
One woman has come forward and cautioned against the medication after experiencing numerous severe side effects during her weight loss journey.
What happened?
Ellie Marie, hailing from the UK, took to social media to recount her experience after using Mounjaro for six months and losing nearly five stone.
She stated: "Reasons why I had to stop Mounjaro after losing 31kg."
Ellie then shared an image listing all the health issues she encountered from the drug. She disclosed that she was experiencing rapid hair loss, along with severe heartburn, which required her to take daily medication for relief. Additionally, she faced potential gallstones, stomach ulcers, and persistent abdominal pain.
Ellie also noted that her appetite suppression ceased, leaving her feeling dizzy, nauseated, and dehydrated. After enduring the side effects for six months, she chose to discontinue the injections. As for those who claim weight loss injections are 'easy,' Ellie emphasized it was one of the toughest decisions she had made. "People think it's easy, hardest thing I've chosen to do," she wrote in her post.
Internet's take:
The video shared on her TikTok account @ellie.mariex quickly gained traction, amassing over 64k views, The Sun reported. Viewers swiftly took to the comments, with many reporting similar problems after beginning the injections. One commenter shared: "I stopped three months in. The nausea and dizziness were debilitating. Hope you're feeling better now."
Another remarked: 'I'm experiencing a significant amount of hair loss; I usually lose so little daily, but now I'm losing so much that I'm checking for bald spots." "Me too, lost over half of my hair, now need my gallbladder removed," wrote a third individual. Meanwhile, a fourth person stated: "I tried it for 9 weeks and felt terrible the entire time." "Exactly, same here,' agreed another. Someone else added: 'Just stopped today, threw the pen away, life's too short."
What is Mounjaro?
Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for type 2 diabetes and packaged as an injection, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has already sparked discussions over its effectiveness in managing weight, with some claiming it is superior to Ozempic, the popular weight loss drug. Tirzepatide is an antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and for weight management and is administered via subcutaneous injections (under the skin).
In the United States, it is sold under the brand name
Mounjaro for diabetes
treatment and Zepbound for weight loss and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
What is Mounjaro used for?
Mounjaro is an injectable medicine for adults with type 2 diabetes used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose). It is not known if Mounjaro can be used in people who have had inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Mounjaro is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes.
The Hollywood approval:
Last month, Amy Schumer, the well-known American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director, took to social media platform to share her feedback after using Mounjaro. She posted a video on Instagram, saying, 'Mounjaro's been great!'
Schumer opened up about undergoing hormone replacement therapy for perimenopause as well as using weight-loss medication. The 43-year-old artist also shared that she had previously tried to lose weight with Wegovy three years ago, but experienced unpleasant symptoms, recalling, 'I was like puking, I couldn't handle it. I don't know if they've changed the formula, whatever." She also noted that she was having "a really good experience" taking a new weight-loss drug.
The increasing popularity:
Approximately half a million people in the UK use weight loss medications, and this number is anticipated to double in the coming year. Mounjaro functions by suppressing appetite, helping individuals feel full for a longer duration. The injections are approved for individuals with type 2 diabetes and for those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or higher). A single injection is given each week, but the treatment length varies based on an individual's weight.
The medications can be legally prescribed by licensed practitioners, including doctors, nurses, or independent prescribers from pharmacies.
Side effects of Mounjaro:
While Mounjaro improves blood sugar levels, which helps lower the risk of diabetes-related complications, such as nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision loss over time, and also promotes substantial weight loss, one must keep in mind the side effects of the drug.
The most common side effects of Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and stomach (abdominal) pain.
One must talk to their healthcare provider about any side effects that seem to bother them and do not go away.
It's a superficial world and people can be hurtful: Sameera Reddy on her weight loss journey
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Dusting Challenge: Dangerous TikTok trend of inhaling aerosol chemicals raises health alarms
TikTok has a new obsession- and it may just prove to be its most dangerous one yet. The 'Dusting Challenge' is an ongoing online trend that asks people to inhale gas from aerosol cans lying at home. Experts, however, warn that doing so could have disastrous long-term consequences, particularly for younger sections who are more prone to indulging in activities of this sort. Dangerous new TikTok trend of inhaling aerosol chemicals has raised health alarms.(UnSplash) Aerosols are sprays, typically used for cleaning, that contain dangerous propellants and solvents in them. Examples include spray cans, deodorants, hair sprays, and vegetable oil among others. As Dr. Rolando Larice, MD, Medical Director at Sana Lake Recovery told VICE, inhaling chemicals like difluoroethane present in these cans can lead to an initial psychoactive high but can cause substantial permanent damage to the brain, life, and kidneys as well. The initial high received by inhaling these substances can be a motivating factor for kids to grow a habit out of it. 'Sniffing highly concentrated amounts of the chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can cause heart irregularities and death. High concentrations of inhalants also can cause death from suffocation. This happens because inhaling concentrated chemicals prevents you from breathing in any oxygen,' says the official website of Nationwide Children's Hospital based in Columbus, Ohio. Prolonged use of these materials could also lead to substance abuse issues. Long-term or even risky one-time use of these substances can result in death as well. Symptoms of being affected According to the Nationwide Children's Hospital, these are the early warning signs of inhalant abuse: • Red or runny eyes or nose • Slurred speech • Stains on the body or clothing • Sores or spots around the mouth or nose • Chemical odor or some other abnormal odor on skin or clothes • Drunk, dazed, or dizzy appearance • Nausea and loss of appetite • Anxiety, excitability, grouchiness, or depression • Empty spray paint or solvent containers, especially if they have been hidden How to seek help? If parents ever find their kids in a compromising situation due to inhaling aerosols, the first step is to immediately remove their method of taking the substance from near vicinity to cut the effect. When the subject is unconscious, try doing emergency CPR and shift them to an open space. Contact 911 at the earliest to seek professional medical assistance. 'Make sure they know the harms of dusting and drugs. Help them learn how to say no, especially when the pressure is coming from social media,' adds Dr Larice. Once immediate relief is provided, consult a therapist for long-term effects. By Stuti Gupta
India Today
15 hours ago
- India Today
Endocrinologist Dr. Ambrish Mithal on the happy side-effects of weight-loss drugs
New-age weight-loss drugs are exploding the pharmaceutical market, offering better results than traditional medicines. Top endocrinologist Dr. Ambrish Mithal deconstructs the many facets, including side-effects, of these GLP-1 drugs in his recently published book The Weight Loss Revolution, in an episode of India Today's said that while the GLP-1 field -- drugs that belong to the class of GLP-1 targeting the same hormone in the body -- is just beginning to explode, there'll be many newer drugs with less and less side effects and easier to most cases have shown muscle loss as a prominent result of using GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide or semaglutide, Dr. Mithal explains that losing muscle is an accompanying factor to weight loss. "In the long run, if you're not following a healthy diet, you will end up with significant muscle loss. And this is not because of the weight-loss drugs. Whenever we lose weight, we also lose muscle. If you lose 10 kg, you've lost 2-3 kg of muscle. Now, if you want to preserve that, you have to ensure adequate protein and fibre in your diet. Along with that, you have to make sure that you're exercising regularly and that exercise should include strength training," Dr. Mithal also shared what many people experience loose skin after taking these medicines. "When you lose weight rapidly, you lose subcutaneous fat. Particularly in older people where skin tends to sag anyway. If you suddenly lose weight, don't hydrate yourself well, not eating the right kind of balanced diet, then you get that little sagging on the face which people have started calling Ozempic face. Before these drugs came into the market, anyone we put on a very strict diet or someone who had bariatric surgery would see similar results," he gastrointestinal side-effects, nausea, and vomiting, Dr. Mithal addressed concerns about thyroid cancer, highlighting that there's no evidence to link the also explained the "happy side-effects" of GLP-1 medications. Besides growing body of evidence suggesting how semaglutide is linked to Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Mithal said that the benefits of the drugs are moving beyond weight loss."The evidence that they might be helping Alzheimer's by helping obesity in the brain may actually be very exciting, and even for cardiac health, Parkinson's disease. Cardiac events are reduced. Fatty liver is reduced. Kidney disease progression is reduced. But the brain effects are particularly fascinating. Sleep apnea has also gone down," he said, adding that the drugs have also helped improve fertility outcomes in women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).Currently, most GLP-1 drugs are injectable and expensive, limiting their access in India. However, new formulations and more research are on the way. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, two blockbuster fat-busting medicines, are set to gain ground in India to tackle the diabetes and obesity crisis."Remember, the GLP-1 field is just beginning to explode. There'll be many newer drugs with less and less side effects and easier to use," Dr. Mithal sayssaid.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
New weight-loss drug Wegovy is here, but is it a magical solution? Experts weigh in
The obsession with weight loss injections is still going strong. After the social media frenzy around Ozempic last year and celebrities such as Meghan Trainor, Lizzo, and Amy Schumer admitting to using it, and the buzz when Mounjaro (Elon Musk revealed he used it too!) arrived in India this March, there's a new contender on the block: Wegovy. Earlier this week (June 24), Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk launched this much-anticipated drug in India. But what makes it different from its predecessors, and why is everyone talking about it? Wegovy is designed for long-term weight management and to help reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in people living with obesity. It comes in a sleek, once-weekly pen device with five dosing options: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg. New weight-loss drug Wegovy is here, but is it a magical solution? Experts weigh in(Photo: Adobe Stock) Similar to Ozempic and Mounjaro, this new weight loss drug is also a prescription-only medication intended for adults who are obese or overweight and also have at least one weight-related health condition, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. 'The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, which is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This hormone is released in the gut in response to food intake and helps regulate appetite and food intake,' informs Dr Kashish Gupta, Consultant Endocrinology at PSRI Hospital. In essence, semaglutide helps you feel full sooner, slows digestion and reduces hunger. These effects can lead to reduced calorie intake over time and, eventually, weight loss. It may also improve blood sugar levels and help lower the risk of heart issues in certain individuals, particularly those with type 2 diabetes. Who can use it? According to Dr Anjana Kalia, a dietitian at Diet Clinix, it's intended for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, or 27 and above if there's a related health issue. 'But these are not miracle solutions. The decision to use it should always be taken with a qualified doctor after assessing medical history and risks,' she cautions. Who should avoid it? People who have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome, have had pancreatitis or severe digestive disorders, are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to conceive, have eating disorders, or are allergic to semaglutide or its components. These drugs should be taken in full consultation with your medical practitioner. Wegovy vs Mounjaro vs Ozempic 1. Wegovy Active ingredient: Semaglutide Approved for: Weight loss Dosage: Once weekly Benefits: Helps regulate blood sugar levels, lowers the risk of cardiovascular events Side effects: Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting Price: ₹ 17,345 a month for 0.25mg, 0.5mg, and 1mg doses and ₹ 24,280 and ₹ 26,050 a month for 1.7mg and 2.4mg doses, respectively. 2. Mounjaro Active ingredient: Tirzepatide Approved for: Type 2 diabetes Dosage: Once weekly Benefits: Helps regulate blood sugar levels, improves insulin sensitivity Side effects: Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and pancreatitis or thyroid issues in rare cases Price: ₹ 4,375 ($50.67) for a 5 mg vial, ₹ 3,500 ($40.54) for a 2.5mg vial. 3. Ozempic Active ingredient: Semaglutide Approved for: Type 2 diabetes Dosage: Once weekly Benefits: Helps regulate blood sugar levels, decreases appetite Side effects: Nausea, diarrhoea, upset stomach Price: The injectable Ozempic can cost between ₹ 8,000 and ₹ 20,000 a shot.
