There are stories in the news every day about fake skinny jabs being sold. I am sure we have all seen horror stories of the devastating impact these fakes can have. I get it, these jabs are expensive. Most of us are feeling the impact of the current cost of living.
It makes sense to try to shop around, to buy the cheapest option. But when it comes to injecting chemicals into your body, can you afford to cut costs?
Where did I buy
I have used Pharmacy2U for several years for my prescriptions. As a registered pharmacy, I trusted them to be a safe provider. I also trusted they would have a thorough process to check the medication would be safe for me to take. I decided to order Mounjaro through them.
Ordering the first prescription
The online consultation was easy enough. I was taken through some checks on my medical history, any diagnosed conditions, and my regular medications. Then they asked about my weight. This was the the moment I had feared most. This was the time was was going to have to face reality, and step onto the scales.
I felt sick as I looked at the readout. I knew I’d put on weight, but didn’t think it was this bad. I was Nineteen stone and 5 pounds. That is 271 pounds. It meant I had a BMI (body mass index) of 43.7.
That wasn’t the worst part of it. As the final step of the assessment, I had to take two full body pictures. One face on and one side on for them to check my stats matched the visuals.
I feel utterly ashamed to share this, but this is me. This is what I did to myself. This feels brutal.
So much worse than confronting the amount of weight I have gained, was seeing how deeply unhappy I looked.
The long wait
Once I had completed all of the stages of the consultation, I had to wait for the decision. I was scared that something in my medical history would make me ineligible. Or maybe they would say I was too big. This really felt like my only hope to turn my life around. Especially now I was no longer hiding from the truth.
I kept refreshing the screen in my account. I didn’t need to, as I received updates via email and text ahead of my account page updating. I was accepted. I was going to start my Mounjaro journey.
Researching more while I waited
Whilst waiting for the medication to be dispatched, I turned to YouTube. There is a wealth of people at different stages, sharing their experiences and advice.
Being Needle phobic, my thoughts kept turning to how I would cope with the injections. I noticed there is a difference between the UK and the USA pens. The UK pen looked more frightening to me as the needle was out on show. The American pen seems to have a plunger. This would prevent you seeing it pierce the skin (the bit I am phobic of).
I found a really useful video from another online pharmacy that showed the whole process. The video from Simple Online Pharmacy gave a step by step guide to the whole process.
I also found a lady called Stephanie Rhodes who is a few weeks ahead of me on her journey. In her videos she shows her weekly injection process which I found reassuring to watch, like this day 1 video.
I was excited to start my journey. I had a sense of renewed hope.
How long it took – from order to arrival
I completed the online consultation in the evening on Saturday 15th February. My order was packed and dispatched on Monday 17th February, and arrived the next day.
I was impressed with how well packaged it was. Inside the box, the medication was sealed in a plastic bag, then wrapped in an ice pack. This was to keep it cool during transportation.
Inside the box was the KwikPen and an information leaflet. But no needles. I kept checking. I even checked in the sharps box that came with the pen. Don’t ask me how I thought I would get the needles out of a one way box. I started to ring the pharmacy to ask. As I waited in a queue, I rechecked the delivery box and found the box of needles and wipes. I nearly threw these away, so make sure you check the box.
I was in an online meeting when it arrived. It was a good distraction, for about half an hour at least.
Having the box there made me shake. It was suddenly very real. All I could think about was that I was going to have to inject myself.
Side effects and risks
Part of me was scared about the risks and side effects of the medication. Part of me was excited at the possibilities. Part of me was scared of what will happen if I don’t. Once the medication is in your system you can’t just take it back out. I have an overactive imagination at the best of times. I fear pretty much everything.
The leaflet that comes with the pen has a concerningly large list of reported side effects. They are broken down into “Serious” and “Other”. There is also a helpful breakdown that shows the likelihood of someone experiencing these.
The most common side affects are:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- being sick (vomiting)
- constipation.
- diarrhoea.
- stomach discomfort.
- heartburn.
- burping.
- excess wind.
As someone with IBS (irritable Bowel Syndrome) and a poor diet, the only side effects that worried me where the first two.
The rare side effects are:
If you have been honest about your medical history, and the prescription process is thorough, the risk is reduced. It can be tempting to cut corners, but you really can’t afford to.
Coping with anxiety in the build up
One way I manage my anxiety about big things, is to reduce my focus down to the individual steps. I knew I needed to inject myself that day. I had decided to do it before bed so I would sleep though any side effects.
When I finished work I focused on trying to relax and unwind from the day. My next focus was on a eating a healthy dinner, and making sure I’d had plenty of water to drink.
And then it was time to face it.
I made an almost fatal mistake though. I decided to watch one last video. I accidentally watched an account of someone with an underlying condition, they died after taking the jab. This terrified me, and in that moment I almost threw the medication in the bin.
But then I remembered, I was already sleepwalking my way to an early grave. The risk of continuing on my current path was greater than the risk of the injection. I thought about the life I want to have. A happier, healthier life where I face my fears. I needed to be brave and not allow my overactive imagination to hold me back.
The first injection
I disinfected the kitchen worktop, then thoroughly washed my hands, and followed with alcohol gel. I took the box out of the fridge. My hand were shaking as I wiped the end of the pen and attached the needle. The needle is actually tiny. Without my glasses on I could barely see it.
My hands trembled as I prepared the pen. As I went to inject myself in my stomach, I realised that I couldn’t easily see where I was injecting.
I worried I might miss, and get myself in the hand. Though my stomach is a far bigger target, so that would be very unlucky, and unlikely. And anyway, I can’t look at the needle, so maybe that is helpful.
I found the first injection a little bit painful, it stung. Afterwards I felt really warm.
Whilst no one saw me do this, I am planning on being completely honest here. When I was putting the needle into the sharps box, I accidentally stabbed my finger. I didn’t realise the needle came out the other side. So, a top tip, take case pushing the used needles into the sharps bin. This was a much needed lighter moment though, it made me laugh at myself.
Now I just have to wait and see how it goes.
How did you find it
I know everyone’s experiences are different. I would love to hear how it was for you.
Were you worried or anxious about taking Mounjaro?
How was your first injection?
Did you have any side effects?
What tips would you share with someone taking a weight loss jab?
Add a comment, or send me a message.
healingindoses.co.uk 
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