Mum's Dramatic Weight Loss on Mounjaro Comes with a Chilling Side-Effect
A mother who shed an impressive 7 stone using the weight loss injection Mounjaro has disclosed an unexpected and persistent side-effect: she is now spending her life feeling freezing cold. Emilly Murray, a 35-year-old from Aintree, Liverpool, transformed from 16 stone and a size 22 to nine stone and a size 6-8 in under a year, but the victory has been accompanied by an incessant chill that impacts her daily life and finances.
The Cost of Staying Warm: Heating Bills Skyrocket
Emilly reports that her energy bills have surged by £70 each month, jumping from £85 to £155, as she requires the heating to be set at 22 degrees for over six hours daily to combat the cold. At home, she bundles up in multiple layers, dressing gowns, and uses heated blankets, gloves, and slippers, along with a hot water bottle, yet still struggles to stay warm. "It is absolutely horrendous," she shared. "I felt the coldness within the first jab, I was sat in bed shivering with a hoodie on."
Understanding 'MJ Freeze': A Common Complaint Among Users
This phenomenon, dubbed 'MJ Freeze' on social media platforms like TikTok, is reportedly common among hundreds of Mounjaro users, especially during winter. Emilly believes it stems from the drastic reduction in calorie intake. "I lost 7st on Mounjaro, that is a huge calorie deficit - of course I'm going to be cold, I have no inner heating any more," she explained. She notes that the cold feels different from normal chills, affecting her extremities and worsening with water intake, which is concerning given hydration's role in weight loss journeys.
Weighing the Benefits Against the Chill
Despite the discomfort, Emilly maintains that the weight loss is "worth every penny". She spends £200 monthly on private Mounjaro injections, bringing her total extra expenditure to £270 every four weeks when combined with heating costs. The transformation has enabled her to actively play with her three children and climb stairs without breathlessness, addressing issues she faced at her heaviest of over 22 stone. "I love being seven stone lighter - but it has come with an unwanted side effect," she admitted.
Expert Insight: Is It the Drug or the Weight Loss?
Dietitian Sioned Quirke, a specialist in weight management, suggests that the chills may not be a direct pharmacological side-effect of Mounjaro. Instead, she points to adaptive thermogenesis following significant weight loss. "Significant weight loss reduces subcutaneous fat, which normally acts as insulation," Quirke explained. "Lower caloric intake reduces heat production, because diet-induced thermogenesis and resting energy expenditure drop during weight loss."
Daily Struggles and Lifestyle Adjustments
Emilly's daily routine has been heavily impacted by the cold. For simple tasks like taking her son to school, she wears thermals under multiple layers, including two pairs of pants, two t-shirts, a jumper, a coat, and gloves, yet still feels "freezing to my core". Her diet has also undergone a complete overhaul, shifting from high-calorie, processed foods to protein-rich meals and sugar-free drinks, supporting her weight management but potentially contributing to the reduced heat generation.
A Resolute Decision to Continue Treatment
Emilly emphasizes that she would not stop using Mounjaro despite the cold, as it has silenced the "food noise" that previously dominated her life. "It's worth going through this cold – you just need to be prepared to get higher heating bills," she stated, highlighting the trade-off between physical comfort and the mental and physical benefits of her weight loss journey.
