Continuing Mounjaro...part 5

[ObsidianTree]

Please note: Mounjaro can only be taken if your BMI is above 30.

Pointers for newbies:

1 - For taking your first dose you need to twist the pen a lot to get to 1! The instructions say prime each time you take a dose, but actually Eli Lilly have confirmed you only need to prime for the first ever use of a pen. (The video posted says every use, but this isn't true!)

2 - When injecting, hold down the button until the number goes back to 0. Once at 0, keep holding down the button and count to 5 with the needle still in so no medication is lost!

3 - Your first dose may not have an immediate effect. For some people the effects build slowly. It could take 3 or 4 days to notice anything, it could take a few weeks. Some people don't feel the meds working until they get to 5mg. See titration chart which shows how the medication builds up in your system.

4 - 2.5mg isn't a therapeutic dose, meaning you aren’t meant to lose on 2.5mg. You need to start on 2.5mg to get your body used to the drug and gradually introduce it into your system and get used to any side effects.

5 - Not everyone loses a lot in the first few weeks. Don't feel discouraged if you don't lose a lot initially. Again, you might need a higher dose to start losing. Also, inches can be lost without anything showing on the scales. Start your journey by taking measurements and check them as you go along.

6 - If you do lose a lot in the first few weeks, please don't assume you will continue losing at this rate. The first few weeks it is usually water weight that is lost, after than a good weight loss is about 2lbs a week. Some weeks you might not lose anything, but this is ok too…again, taking measurements might show inches lost instead.

7 - Constipation, coldness, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, aches, are side effects. There may be be other side effects also. Read info here :
www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.14201.pdf

8 - Once you take your first dose you can choose to keep your pen in the fridge or somewhere else. It's up to you.

9 - Don't reuse any needles as this could risk infection. If you damage a needle or one isn't working, you can buy a pack of about 100 spares. Ask for suggestions of sites /types to buy.

10 - Protein is important as eating less protein can cause muscle wastage and hair loss. Try to have at least 100g a day. There are protein supplements you can take. Myprotein have a good range. Ask for a referral code if you want to buy some.

11 - Some natural sources of protein:
www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-sources-protein
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321522#high-protein-foods

12 - You can use supplements, some that people use are magnesium(for sleep and constipation), protein(to reduce muscle wastage), collagen (skin elasticity), aloe vera(for constipation), electrolytes.

13 - Drink lota of water. Water helps with the weight loss. Drink at least 2ltrs a day. Preferably 3ltrs.

14 - Don't be afraid to feel hungry. It is entirely normal and healthy to feel hungry. Just eat something. Treat it as an opportunity to start good habits around hunger. Eat a nice balanced snack or a meal if it's a meal time. It's ok.

15 - Does it makes any difference where you inject? yes it does! Drugs get absorbed at different rates depending on injection site

In order of fastest absorption, it goes:
• Tummy
• Arms
• Thighs
further reading about injection sites and the effects: www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316618

16 - Abdominal side-effects are much easier to control with smaller meals. For example, having 4 small meals in the day vs 2 big meals can have an improvement in nausea and burps.

17 - You can track your calories / protein on apps such as My fitnessPal, Carb Manager or Nutracheck. Nutracheck is quite useful and easy to find foods /build recipes.

18 - Some of the places you can order from are:

• MedExpress - £149.99 - Sometimes there are codes that can be used for a discount. Ask for a code on here or do a Google search to try and find one.
• Voy - £114.99 for first month then £229 after. Need a referral code (ask on here for one if needed)
• The Family Chemist -£149
• Simple online pharmacy - £159 2.5mg £179 for 5mg
• Bolt pharmacy 2.5mg £125, 5mg £179. Or starter pack with 2.5mg and 5mg pen £319
• Asda £184
• Boots £219
• Chemist4U £179
• Pharmacy2u
• Superdrug

There other other sellers, we don't have them all listed

19 - If you want to switch suppliers, make sure you have pics of your Mounjaro box with your name and dose. This will come in useful when other suppliers ask for evidence.

1st thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5007744-mourjano-starting-soon?page=1

2nd thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5028495-continuing-murnjaropart-2?page=1

3rd thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5037623-continuing-mounjaropart-3?page=1

4th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5044316-continu
ing-mounjaropart-4?page=1

Good luck everyone!

I’m thinking about staying on 2.5 for another month after this as I don’t think I’m doing too badly on it so far and don’t think I’d manage more side effects to from going up to 5. Week 2/day 3 shows another 1.5 off since Friday and the second pen will take me up to my holiday. I don’t know yet about taking it on holiday or not. I guess it depends on where my weight is at the time

I've just ordered my second month on 2.5mg. I want my body to get used to MJ without moving up the doses too quickly. I have watched a few 'experts' on TikTok hat have been on it for a long time including the lady who was on the Oprah show and they all seem to say don't rush up the doses if you don't have to. But they also say that in trials some people didn't loose weight on the 2.5 dose as it's just an introductory dose, not a weight loosing dose, so I'm just doing what I feel is right for me. Obviously everyone is on their own journey so may disagree.

I'm fine with spice and I've happily had pizzas (although Pizza Express style ones rather than Dominos) and burgers. I had gnocchi with a lot of butter and cheese once and that was not a good idea so I've not tried it again.

@gillyweed as someone else said I think you need to consider how much food / fuel you may need for a 40-60 mile walk over several days. On average, a 150-lb person will burn about 100 calories per mile at a mild pace (2.5 miles per hour). Am guessing if you are on Mounjaro you weigh more than that so you will burn more than that. Plus if there's hills or you are carrying equipment that will increase the calories burnt as well. A 10 mile walk could require 1,500 to 2,000 calories on top of your usual daily requirement. And you will be doing it for several consecutive days.

How many calories are you eating per day now? Have you had any 10 mile walks since starting MJ to see how your body copes? Could you try one in the next week or two?

If you already have side effects it might not be best to double the dose by taking 5mg as double the dose could be double the side effects. I would be tempted to take only 2.5mg out of the 5 mg pen by counting the clicks until I got back and would probably also adjust my injection days so that I was on day 3 or 4 or even later when I started walking so I wasn't too appetite suppressed and could carb up.

I love walking so think your trip will be brilliant. Good luck.

Hey. It's lovely to read the thread and see everyone's progress/losses and experiences on MJ.
Day 3 of week 3 here. I've definitely been more hungry this week, however when eating, I very quickly hit my limit and have to stop or I'll feel ill and uncomfortably full. DH made lasagne for dinner - not ideal! I ate about half of a portion. I hope it doesn't give me awful side effects as I'm back to work tomorrow for the first time since starting MJ!

I was going to wait until I had been on MJ for a month before reporting progress. However in just over 2 weeks (3rd jab last Fri), I have lost 5.1kg. That is just over 1/3rd of my way to goal!
My side effects have been minimal - some constipation, slight heartburn, a bit cold. But tolerable.
I stick to 1200 cal per day, 100g protein per day. I have the odd glass of wine or g&t, not daily.
MJ blunts my appetite. I can eat, but I can stop. I tolerate being hungry & wait for next meal or have a v small, healthy snack. This is amazing.
I am waiting for a plateau, but so far, steady losses.

Congratulations @Moanranger that's brilliant!

I've had a big fail on the Skyr with protein powder - totally overestimated the amount of powder and was left with dough! I reworked it all for ages and it's a bit less solid but that will teach me

@gillyweed I’d stay on 2.5mg I think. It’s designed to build up in your system so not stopping and starting. I wouldn’t want to chance 5mg without easy access to loo just in case.
The advice is bland and low fat. Obviously we are all different but those with reactions seem to have reacted to greasy or takeaway food.
I’ve eaten slightly too much tonight after barely eating today and am slightly uncomfortable, it’s a learning curve.

@ObsidianTree one of my new 'skills' is the ability to stop eating imeadatly my stomach tells me. Before, I'd carry on eating as I was enjoying the food. But now, like you experienced, my stomach says 'no' and thats it!

Love this!

Thanks everyone. I do think 2.5 has been quite successful for me, I'm a daily weigher and have seen huge fluctuations in the last 3 weeks but I think overall I've lost 7lbs, which is not huge but great for me. And the side effects have been fairly significant. I think I'm going to do my 4th jab tomorrow and make a call by weds, whether to move up or stay the same.

You must be really pleased @Moanranger. Good to hear you've avoided bad side effects too.

Yes, delayed by 2.5 weeks and very long but lighter than normal. A lot of pain for a couple of hours on first day then just disappeared! Very odd

Well done @Moanranger ☺️

Yes this feeling is very useful for sure! 😊

Yes! I normally shovel it in anyway but now I can recognise when I’m full and stop straightaway

I'm currently making dinner and it's made me think that I used to just eat while I was making dinner if I was hungry. Just mindlessly graze on stuff. I am really hungry right now but I'm not grazing because I'm pretty sure I'll fill up quickly and won't be able to eat my dinner. It's really made me think how much I ate without thinking.

I get away with it because when I'm slimmer I have long slim legs and gain around my middle (even more so as got older), I managed to hide my weight gain for quite some time with skinny jeans and loose tops!

I'd moan about having put on lots of weight and my friends would be like "you don't look like it", and were genuinely confused. They hadn't seen me in a swimsuit.

There was no hiding it in the last year or so though.

im only on day two I blown away by not constantly (or large amount of my time) wanting to eat

I’m not craving tea like I usually do (usually drink at least 6 cups a day) and was happy with just a tiny amount of sweetener and no desire for a biscuit

having salmon and spinch for dinner and shall not eat after that

weird metallic taste in my mouth reminds me of mineral tonics aftertaste

I'm much more mindful of my eating and am the same - previously would have carried on eating regardless. I've picked at things a little bit today and now have no real appetite for my unappealing Skyr/protein powder combo!

Evening everyone. This is day 4 for me. Symptoms not been too bad. Bit of nausea feeling day 3. Then today for an hour before dinner I was light headed. Don’t think I had drank enough or ate quite enough.
I can’t believe how little I have ate at meals to then feel full. My portions were really out of control.
I have ALOT to lose.

Yes same here.

So pleased for your great weightloss @ObsidianTree .
Just thinking about non scale victories and mine are to hang my knickers on the washing line with 1 peg instead of 2😁. Also to be able to sit down comfortably without having to undo the top button of my jeans!

Thanks for the recommendation.I struggle to get enough protein so have just ordered this.

@Cantonet I'm two weeks into 2.5 and it feels like it's having no effect on me either. I maybe eat a bit less for some meals but that's about it and still major sugar cravings. It's good to hear 5mg has had an effect for you, fingers crossed that will happen with me too.

Non scale victories…

I managed to get into a pair of trousers today that I haven’t worn for a couple of years🙌

I went shopping for a dress for a special event in a couple of months and actually found something that looked nice. I will hold off for a few more weeks to see if I need the smaller size.

I am starting to feel my hip bones… they’re still covered in lots of fat, but they are slowly emerging!

It really does feel like the pounds are dropping off and I feel so good… still a long way to go but I couldn’t be happier about the prospect of a lighter me. It’s tiring carrying around so much extra weight. Life will be easier

lol at the knickers needing 2 pegs - sounds familiar!