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!

Yes you keep twisting until the 1 appears. It will only ever be the 1 each week. It doesn't go up in numbers. So after you do the shot the pen goes back to nothing. Then the following week you do the twisting and it stops at the digit 1 again ready to inject for the second dose and so on. I initially thought it would show on the pen as week 1 week 2 etc but it doesn't.

I was talking to DH about this as I practiced with the last dose in my 2.5mg (I didn't use it as went straight to 5) and he said that when the pen twists round to one, that's one dose and it won't go any further, (he does all my actual injections for me cos I'm squeamish 😂) so if you force the pen and get it to one (which is what it did when I forced it) it will only administer one dose won't it? You can't force the pen to inject more than the usual dose in one go (I hope this makes sense, rhis is just based on our observations not actual investigation!)

After spending the weekend thinking about it and reading all the messages on here I've ordered my first dose from Bolt this morning.

I also gained weight over lockdown and have been losing and gaining the same 10 kgs since. Really hoping this will work!

CW 113 KG
GW 75 KG

@ObsidianTree Another trying to sell on tho Wegovy/Mounjaro UK Support Facebook page. Called Philips Dimitri, I have reported him.

Hello. Newbie to the thread here :)

So, last year I tried Ozempic. It did nothing for me. I lost zero lbs, had zero appetite suppression and felt sick and suicidal the whole time I was on it.
After 12 weeks of struggling along, I felt it was better for my MH to come off it.

I've been following all your stories with interest and really want to get on the MJ train but I'm afraid of the health implications.

I'm small in height and 14 stone in weight. I've been tested for diabetes (dont have it and not pre) and my bloods are extremely good. I'm afraid if I start MJ I could muck that up.
On the otherhand, I'm very unhappy with my weight. My knees are killing me and I know it's because I'm putting too much strain on them.

I weight train, attend classes and walk regularly. I eat good meals.
Then evening comes and I stuff my face with crap.

Not sure what I'm asking here......I suppose reassurance that I'm not going to die if I start taking it.

I do not want to tell anyone if I do. I cant bare the judgement.

There was a convo in my work the other week and if you had heard the comments..........honestly, just the ususal.....it's cheating, it'll cause problems long term, just eat less and move more. We've heard these all before from people who just dont get it. Also, my Dr.......just eat less! O really, I'd never have thought of that!! 🙄
Do all the providers insist on telling your Dr?

TIA

Hi, I have no diabetes/blood sugar irregularities & I am doing fine. (3rd week) Minimal side effects & losing weight well. I had similar problems to you on Ozempic - just awful - & only stuck it out for two weeks. For me MJ is completely different, it blunts my appetite, I can stick to an eating plan & don’t get derailed by cravings. It has been thoroughly tested. Side effects, if they happen, often reduce.
Hope that helps!

@Btrsun10 I have not taken Ozempic, but in the five threads we have not had on MJ now I’ve yet to see anyone have that kind of response.

You sound similar to me. Eat healthy all day. Scoff rubbish in the evening. Mainly because you’ve restricted all day and you’re hungry!

MJ has stopped all that for me. (Plus if I do eat at night it repeats horribly on me).

I would love to give you the reassurance of it not making you unwell/die, but I’m not a medic ;) I think all of us on this thread demonstrate that MJ is working well for 99% of us and the 1% needed a higher dose.

I am so glad I started this journey.

Would agree with @FlappyFish that there is plenty of anecdotal feedback from the MJ threads that this is working really well for many obese women- who are on the whole experiencing relatively minor and fleeting side effects - many of us experience emotional eating/ binge eating behaviour.

I don’t think we have any men in our group so far just women - I’d be interested how it’s working for men too (just out of curiosity!). We don’t have many who have an overweight rather than obese BMI either (who qualify in U.K. due to certain medical conditions).

We have had people who tried OZ and WeGovy try MJ and report back positively. The side effects of MJ seem far more gentle due to the dual hormones in this medicine.

I guess what we don’t know is the longer term effects and challenges- although the evidence suggests it is difficult to keep weight off long term- much like any other diet/ lifestyle change. We do have a member from the US who is much further along than the UK cohort - which is great!

They do inform your gp and ask for the surgery details.

@Btrsun10 health express send you a letter for you to notify the gp yourself rather than send it to them directly. I've used them for both my pens and have been very happy. Not the cheapest but excellent service.

My dp is also taking mj. I don't talk about it much because I get pissed off 😂
He started in feb and is on his third pen. He's lost 2 stone so far with minimal side effects. Sometimes I feel proud, other times I feel annoyed 😂😂😂

I think MJ is better than Wegovy for mental health based on my experience so far.

I have stopped trying to keep up with this thread as it is so fast moving but thought I would say that I have decided to stick with Bolt and have preordered the 7.5mg pen to come next week. Not yet confirmed and I haven’t updated them on my weight so I wonder if I will need to answer some questions before it is approved. £189, the only place I see for less and quoting prices already is The Virtual Slimming Clinic at £179. Having seen some slightly unhappy clients from Med Express here I decided it wasn’t worth the hassle of changing especially as I was pleased with the service from Bolt last time and also good to have the order done - hope it works out ok.

Afternoon all

Just had Mounjaro prescribed by GP as I'm type 2 diabetic and very high BMI.

I will read with interest on this thread. Collect it towards end of the week.

Welcome and congratulations - you are the first person here to have had Mounjaro prescribed by your GP. Hope you get great results!

Welcome @naughty40me and good luck!

Thank you both.

He discussed about the sharps bin and council collection. Never even thought about any of that!

I really hope I tolerate it. Diabetic meds haven't worked that well and second line of meds caused recurrant thrush.

I've been badgering for the injections for we over a year and working with a health and well being coach.

I'm 5ft 4 and weigh nearly 17stone.

Wish I could get back to a size 12!

I just want to get to a healthy size.

Long term health issues both mental and physical have brought it all on. I take several medications for different things.

Will read through as I get time.

Thanks all and good luck everyone!

Lol this thread is moving so fast! Half way through already!

Well done to all the losses reported today and maybe yesterday that I missed!

And good luck to all the new starters 😁

Hi all
Does anyone know the science behind the coldness side effect? It's really noticeable for
Me

@naughty40me I’m so pleased to read someone has been prescribed this by their GP - I’m assuming the NHS? It sounds like you have had a long and tough journey- I hope this works for you.

This could bring huge savings and benefits for the NHS- I’d love to see a long term cost-benefit analysis.

Obesity related conditions are bankrupting the NHS. Our biggest spending for a single condition is type 2 diabetes and related complications. Even conditions like dementia and cancer, a leading cause is type 2 diabetes.

Just think what impact we could have on the wellbeing of the population and our economy if we could use this to help combat obesity. Exciting times ahead I think- this is a game changer.

No but I’d love to know too. I’m freezing today- can’t get warm and have just turned the heating on. For me it’s not a problem though- I prefer to sweating on other meds in the past!

Found this on tiktok. Nice explanation

vm.tiktok.com/ZGeuwkmV8/

Thank you. Yes I agree. I think this would be a massive benefit to the economy overall. I guess it will take the powers that be a long time to assess it all.

I really hope it works. Yes, its an NHS GP based in the West Yorkshire area.

He didn't even argue with me which was a surprise. The receptionist was very much "HE will decide..." when I called 2 weeks ago.

So it was me that kept my eye on the supply chains and requested the medication. They didn't proactively offer me it, which as you say may well be what actually needs to happen in the future!

Great news for you. I hope it gives you what you need.

3rd day and feeling really good

no acid reflex
had early lunch of scrambled egg and salmon
a packet of crisps around 4 as I caved salty food
1 tea 1 coffee lots of ribena and water
have no idea what to have for dinner