A MOTHER has opened up on transforming from “obese” to “health-conscious” since using Mounjaro.
But while this mum is now “a completely different person” and is “so proud” of how much she’s “grown” as a person, things haven’t always been smooth-sailing.
A busy mother has opened up on the subtle but awful side effect she has experienced since starting Mounjaro[/caption]
And it appears that Jade isn’t the only one, as numerous other fat jab users rushed to share their own very similar experiences[/caption]
Jade, the UK-based woman, claimed that she went from an “obese council estate yob” to a “happy, health-conscious mum.”
Not only is Jade now focusing on eating healthy foods and exercising, but she’s also taking supplements and listening to educational podcasts too.
However, since starting Mounjaro in February, Jade has recognised a “subtle” but “horrible” side effect that “nobody talks about.”
Since becoming available on the NHS earlier this year, weight loss jab Mounjaro has helped thousands of Brits shed unwanted weight.
But now, more and more people are opening up on major side effects, including burning skin and kidney problems.
And this busy mum, who has been documenting her fat jab journey on her TikTok account @the.honest.journey, recently got candid on the “overlooked side effect” that is affecting her day-to-day life.
In a recent clip, Jade shared all on the dramatic shift in her productivity since being on the fat jabs.
The mother, who previously described the jabs as “amazing,” said: “The most negative side effect of Mounjaro that I think nobody speaks about and I think some people not even aware that they are getting it and that it is an actual side effect – the one thing I have noticed since the very beginning is that I felt like I’ve had lack of motivation since taking Mounjaro.”
Not only has Jade previously complained about feeling “awful” after drinking when on Mounjaro, but now, she’s eager to raise awareness on the “horrible” side effect that is making her feel a “bit flat.”
Jade recognised that she has been finding things “hard” as a result of the “subtle” side effect, as she explained: “I am a go go go person, I’ve always been like it, I get stuff done and I’m quite proactive, but since taking Mounjaro I lack motivation so much.”
The mother confirmed that her motivation isn’t lacking in terms of exercise, as she is still able to wake up and go to the gym.
Instead, she recognised that her motivation in “day to day life” has been a struggle.
The self-proclaimed “lister” recognised that normally, she will make a list every day, with 10 to 12 things on it.
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients’ sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients’ mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
Prior to starting the fat jabs, Jade was able to complete all of them, if not more, in just 24 hours.
But now, Jade claimed that one list will take her “a week or two.”
It’s horrible and it’s getting me down
Jade
Startled by the dip in her motivation and ability to tick things off her to-do-list, the content creator continued: “It has been something that has really affected me, to the point that I can’t wait to get to my goal weight and get off from Monjaro, because I need to get my mojo back, I need to get back to me because I’m too busy to not have this motivation.
“I feel like like my house, my life is falling to s**t around me.”
Unsure on what to do, she concluded: “There’s no oomph – it can’t just be me, it’s horrible and it’s getting me down.”
Experts reveal all
Following Jade’s claims, Fabulous spoke to the experts to get more information on why this mother may be experiencing such an adverse reaction to Mounjaro.
Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott, from the Marion Gluck Clinic, told us: “Mounjaro can affect both motivation and mood. It activates receptors in the brain that are involved in appetite regulation, memory and mood so in some patients has a negative effect on motivation.
“It also influences the levels of neurotransmitters which are the feel good chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and motivational chemicals such as dopamine hence a change in your mojo.”
As well as this, Dr Tom Curtis, Clinical Head of Obesity at Voy, added: “Not everyone experiences this, but it’s a plausible effect based on how these powerful weight-loss drugs interact with the brain.
The feeling of reduced motivation isn’t imaginary. It’s an understandable consequence of a drug that changes how the brain experiences reward
Dr Tom Curtis, Clinical Head of Obesity at Voy
“At the heart of our motivation is the mesolimbic pathway, often called the brain’s “reward system”. When we do something pleasurable or achieve a goal – be it eating a delicious meal, finishing a task at work, or socialising with friends – our brain releases a chemical called dopamine.
“This dopamine hit feels good, reinforcing the behaviour and motivating us to do it again. It’s the “go go go” signal the TikTok user described.
“For many people living with obesity, this system can become hypersensitive to food cues, creating persistent and intrusive thoughts about food, often referred to as “food noise.”
“Medications like tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are revolutionary because they target this system. They are GLP-1 receptor agonists, mimicking a gut hormone that, among other things, signals to our brain that we are full. These GLP-1 receptors are found not only in our gut but also in the reward centres of our brain, including the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) and Nucleus Accumbens (NAc).
What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There’s a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
“By acting on these receptors, the medication helps to quiet the food noise and reduce cravings. It achieves this by modulating or recalibrating the dopamine system, effectively turning down the volume on the rewarding feeling we get from food. The result is that food becomes less compelling, making it easier to manage calorie intake.”
As well as this, Dr Tom Curtis added: “The feeling of reduced motivation isn’t imaginary. It’s an understandable consequence of a drug that changes how the brain experiences reward.
“For many, it brings welcome relief from constant food cravings. For a few, it may also take the edge off other daily pleasures.
“Individual responses vary, so anyone noticing worrying changes in mood or motivation should talk to their doctor.
“These drugs are transformative, but we’re still learning exactly how they affect the complex relationship between our gut, brain, and wellbeing.”
Mounjaro users react
Jade’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @the.honest.journey, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 55,100 views, 802 likes and 433 comments.
And it appears it isn’t just Jade dealing with a lack of motivation since using Mounjaro, as many other fat jab users eagerly raced to the comments to open up on their own similar experiences.
This is me. I just want to lie down the whole time
TikTok user
One person said: “Oh wow! I’ve literally just been to the doctors about this! I can’t accomplish anything!!”
Another added: “Omg same, it’s made me lazy.”
A third commented: “Oh my god glad I’m not the only one I feel so lethargic and unmotivated somedays.”
Not only this, but someone else admitted: “Yes definitely, I have felt flat for a long while. I have stopped after 11 months, plus my hair has been falling out.”
Meanwhile, another Mounjaro user explained: “This is me. I just want to lie down the whole time.”
The dark side of Mounjaro
Not only have many battled unfortunate side effects since using Mounjaro, but last year it was revealed that Scots nurse Susan McGowan, 58, died after taking low-dose injections of the fat jabs over a fortnight.
A probe also found that nearly 400 people have gone to hospital after taking weight loss drugs.
If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.
Lilly UK
While common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, doctors say they have also seen “life-threatening complications”, including seizures, bowel obstruction and inflammation of the pancreas.
The makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK, said patient safety is its “top priority”.
Lilly UK stressed: “Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data.
“If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.”
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