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!

Have you thought about joining the NHS or similar body in a strategic role? Even private sector. I’m sure that knowledge is transferable!

Yes but keep all your prescription packets - or take photos. You may need to submit as evdience

some providers say they will prescribe until you get to a healthy BMI but unclear if that’s say, 25 or 22

Gahhhhhhhhhhhh noooooooo!!

I was seconded from the NHS. I am an NHS veteran. I think it is a broken, toxic organisation. I would do the odd bank shift back in my old discipline, but please god that I never need to go back full time. I think i'd rather sell a kidney.

Anyway, enough about moi.

That response made me chuckle. I work in the NHS and agree with much of what you say, although chronic underfunding is to blame for a lot of it. I am planning to leave eventually, but I'm a few years off yet I think.

Does anyone know if 7.5mg is available anywhere yet? I need to reorder soon, but would like to hold out for 7.5mg.

It's due out week commencing 22 April, so next Monday.

Thanks, I think I will hold out for then. My last prescription was dated 26th March, so think I will have to order another 5mg if it is delayed again

Ex-NHS here too and I couldn’t agree more! I’d never go back either.

I had to skip out of work early today because I hit the exhausted wall 😴 and I’ve still got to go to the gym!

In other news though I did buy some clothes today in the next size down and ok, I had to shoehorn a couple of bits on but I can get it all on 😀

You can but if it’s already out for delivery will be available at Post Office the next day

The usage leaflet (the one with instructions on how to use the pen rather than about the medicine) does say that they only last 30 days once opened and should be disposed of then, it's not in the medicine leaflet (for some reason?) but is in the usage leaflet which can be found here, the bit where it says is near the bottom after the instructions bit in the storage section.

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/usermanual.15481.pdf

Yes @lurkylurk @Choux I had a read last night after I saw this post and agree we should not use the pen after 30 days of it being opened. At the end of the day this is a new drug and we all know it is a fairly strong one so I don't think it's worth the risk.

That still allows the extra dose to be used though, as the fifth dose is given after 4 weeks use of the pen, i.e. 28 days!

@lurkylurk Yep!! I worked that out as well. I don't see a risk with taking the extra dose as long as it's done correctly with the appropriate needles and stuff. But other than that I'm not willing to risk messing with it. It's a powerful drug at the end of the day and it has been approved to be used in a certain way. Each to their own I guess eh?

So I had some good advice on the last thread, about my first dose.

Unfortunately I felt so ill, I injected Monday and I didn't feel okay until Friday. I had to take time off work.

I felt so bad I haven't injected this week.

I had:
Nausea
Wind
Diarrhoea
Constpation
Acid reflux

I already suffer from IBS, Fibromyalgia, Endometriosis and PCOS
My work place has one toilet for women right next door to the mens one. For 10 women. So I cannot afford to have the shits at work. Nor can I afford time off every week.

So I haven't injected. I might inject next week but I'm.pretty fearful

So sorry to hear you've had a bad time of it! If you leave it until Friday you would have the weekend for side effects to dissipate? How soon after injecting did you start to have side effects? If it was a while maybe you could even do it Friday morning and then by Monday morning 3 whole days have gone by.

If you do decide to try again, hopefully they will lessen over time, they do for most.

Possibly a stupid question but is it ok to have a bath soon after injecting?

Apparently you should avoid it because the heat can make the medicine get into your system quicker from where it was injected

It depends upon the injection site. Mounjaro is designed to be slowly absorbed through the subcutaneous fat layer. Excess heat can speed up this absorption, so may increase side effects, or the effect of the drug may not last as long in your system.

Ah really @JanetSnakeholeMacklin Any idea how long is best to wait?

Yes I could try this to be fair! Symptoms started within 24 hours.
Perhaps I will try injecting into my thigh on Friday. Then if I'm ill with it I can just claim I have a bug.

Thank you

I've just ordered my second month's worth of 2.5mg. My appetite is suppressed and I'm still adjusting to the side effects so I'm not rushing up the dosages. The day before my jab is due I'm hungry and could easily over eat but the first 4/5 days of having the 2.5mg dose I can barely eat 1200/1400 calories which leaves me feeling weary. I'm tracking calories and making sure I hit my protein and 5 a day targets and I'm drinking plenty but my body is still adjusting to having a lot less calories in. But for other people the 2.5mg hardly reduces their appetite at all so obviously they are keen to move up to a higher dose.

As the drug is released slowly into your system over a week, waiting will not really make a difference. Personally I would probably have a tepid bath, or shower.

Hi @Zobalina77, I am the same. My second 5mg pen arrived today and I do have a 7.5mg on order, and hope that will do the trick.
I've lost 12lbs since 24th Feb but it really is from my own willpower and switching to a no carb/high protein diet. I could eat as much as I normally do but the thought of the wasted money stops me most of the time.
Fingers crossed for you that the 7.5mg does the trick!

@Femeia as frustrating as it is, I actually think you are making the most of it by training yourself to eat less / better even when you feel hungry. That will give you the best chance of not gaining it back! So keep your chin up. 12lbs is still decent loss 😘

I thought it was absorbed over 24 hours like most subcutaneous injections, but the body removes it from your system gradually, hence the half life 5 days.