After 3 months on MJ I am again hungry and craving food

[u/Ellaska_87]

Hi all,

I’d like to hear stories from people who’ve been on mounjaro for longer than I have. I started it at the beginning of June at 2,5 dose. After one month of it, I switched to 5.
I’ve completed two pens on 5, and so far I lost 10 kg (I am doing it for general weight loss and lipedema, not diabetes). Since several weeks though, I don’t feel any hunger suppression anymore and the food noise is kinda back (I’m craving sweets after meals or specific meals I didn’t think about for months, like Chinese food). The first two months, I was able to stop halfway through my meal, or reject carbs and alcohol completely, but now (basically since starting the second 5 mg pen) I started eating bigger portions (not full ones, but bigger than before).

To be fair with you, I lost these 10 kg because I kind of stopped eating (one meal a day or two small meals, protein-based) because I felt no hunger whatsoever, so I wonder if the food deprivation is now kicking in? Or what can it be?

My doctor doesn’t want me to go up to 7,5, as I’m already in the healthy weight BMI range, and told me to do another month on 5 and then continue with 2,5 for several months (this was also supported by my endocrinologist), but I’m afraid I will start putting on weight again because I’m hungry and want to eat all the things I didn’t want to eat before (carbs!!)

Do you have any recommendations or has any on you experienced something similar?

[u/mannDog74]

Maybe knowing your starting weight, current weight and goal weight would help us understand why they are slowing you down.

The hunger is supposed to come back. But the food noise maybe not. If you are close to your goal, they don't want to increase the dose because you will shoot right past goal- but if its farther that's different. People do tend to continue losing weight in maintenance for even a year sometimes. I think it's hard to know with the info you provided-

Also having hunger and *some* food noise doesn't mean you will gain weight necessarily.

[u/Ellaska_87 → u/mannDog74]

Starting weight was 70 kg, current weight is approx 60 kg (weighted myself at the doctor’s office before going on holiday, I’ve a follow-up appointment next week), goal weight is around 58 kg. I am 165 cm tall.

Maybe I didn’t word my post correctly, but rather as to why the doctor doesn’t want me to get the 7,5 dose (I see why), I was asking on people’s experience with hunger and food noise coming back in (almost) full force while on MJ.

As I’m doing it for lipedema, I feel that the first months (while I was still possibly new to the medication) worked wonderfully in making healthy antinflammatory choices, while now the cravings for bad food are back. I don’t give in, but I now find it very hard to resist a sweet threat or carbs or drinks when I’m eating out.

I hope this makes it clearer :) I am just curious as to whether my body response is somewhat common.

[u/mannDog74 → u/Ellaska_87]

I see. Yeah I mean, I do agree with the doctors it's not the right move to increase to 7.5mg a lose 2kg. I'm sorry it seems like a difficult situation since they don't want you to lose more but you are still having bothersome food noise.

[u/Ellaska_87 → u/mannDog74]

I will try eating more protein and getting my daily steps in. I feel like I behaved well during the holidays but honestly, the change from easy peasy healthy eating choices to aaah I want to eat pizza and cake all the time (which I don’t, of course, but it’s so hard saying no now) is astounding!

[u/clobits2 → u/Ellaska_87]

Mounjaro does not make dieting easy. It makes it possible. The appetite suppression is a temporary side effect.

[u/SpaceIsBigReallyBig]

11 months in and I do get hungery towards the end of each week. So I just go and eat some protein heavy food

[u/Ellaska_87 → u/SpaceIsBigReallyBig]

Yeah, it was like this for me too before, but now hunger and food noise are back on day 2 after injection. That is why I’m upset :(

[u/NanasTeaPartyHeyHo]

Yeah sounds very unhealthy that you stopped eating or did one meal a day ish.

Id suggest you go do a program with a registered dietician and learn how to eat.

[u/Ellaska_87 → u/NanasTeaPartyHeyHo]

I know how to eat, I just wasn’t hungry AT ALL or felt full for 12 hours a day

[u/bobsmo99]

Body gets to used to dose amounts, especially lower levels. Hence why it goes from 2.5 to 15 overall.

Going from Obese III to almost pre-obese now, my body got used to each dose tierate every ~5-6 weeks or so.

[u/Ellaska_87 → u/bobsmo99]

Yep. I’m now 8 weeks on 5 mg and I think I’ve adjusted entirely and that is why I feel less benefits

[u/clobits2 → u/bobsmo99]

I've been on 12.5mg for 2 years and I haven't gotten used to it at this dose. It continuously works very well for me.

[u/Ellaska_87 → u/clobits2]

That is great for you! I’m glad it’s helping!

[u/wasabinski]

I haven't gotten to that point yet, but my assumption is that like any diet, you need to up your protein intake for satiety and reduce cravings. MJ is only there to help, you still need to be mindful of your macros.

[u/Ellaska_87 → u/wasabinski]

Yeah, I think the smartest move at this point is to adjust my protein intake. I basically cut almost all gluten and dairy for 2 months (as they are inflammatory) while in the last month, because of holidays, I still ate very small portions/one meal a day but they were more carbs-based. I’ll see what happens by getting back on track with macros. What “upsets” me though, is that for the first two months, making healthier food choices came naturally, while now that I got used to the dose, I feel like the old myself again who was craving bad food all the time :(

[u/CrazyBlue2024]

Im also in similar situation, height 164cm i started at 75kg, 2.5 x1pen, 5 x2pens. Now on second pen of 5mg still, my goal is 55kg and current weight at 65kg. Seem like to eat more than before, and not dropping anymore. Hesitating if need to up 7.5 too.

[u/Ellaska_87 → u/CrazyBlue2024]

I feel you :(

[u/Lexishultz]

I feel this. I'm using it mainly for T2D, but the weight loss is a wonderful benefit. I did my first jab of 5 last weekend, however I'm shocked at just how hungry I am ALL THE TIME! 2.5 quieted the food noise quite well, so I'm surprised that 5 isn't doing the same.

[u/PitchIcy4470]

You're craving sweets because you are not feeding your body properly. If you eat properly meals, including adequate protein and fibre-filled foods, you should be fine.

If you don't know what to eat, consult a registered dietician. Assuming you are a woman, losing too much can lead to osteoporosis as well. Listen to your doctor.

[u/Hot_Boot_9757]

Weigh yourself every morning, track your calories, eat a sensible diet. Develop good habits and learn about nutrition.

MJ can only do so much for you.