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 put on weight when ovulating! I wonder is the weight you are now an old set point that you were at for a long time?

Doesn't do any harm to stay at an interim weight for some time anyway.

They did a study a few years back where they had one group diet at a 33% cal deficit (very closely measured) for 16 weeks continuously.

They then had another group diet at a 33% cal deficit for 2 weeks, then a strictly controlled exact maintenance diet for 2 weeks, then repeated this pattern for 32 weeks total (so they also had dieted at deficit for 16 weeks as the first group but had two week blocks of dieting followed by 2 weeks maintenance).

The purpose of the study was to see if dieting and then stopping for a bit, then dieting again could fool your bodies adaptations that lower metabolism if you diet continuously.

The group that had 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off lost more fat and when they followed up all the participants 6 months later they found that the group that alternated dieting with maintenance regained a LOT less weight than the other group, which proved that yes, this method does prevent the bodies adaptations to continuous dieting.

Very hard to reproduce at home though (due to being difficult to find exact maintenance calories, they were using those machines that you climb into and measure calories burned on breath etc. and supervised diets) and haven't figured out any way to use this data with Mounjaro as, because of the prescribing guidelines in the UK and the necessity of using lower doses first, you can't really stop and start.

If anyone is interested in reading it the study is here:

https://www.nature.com/articles/ijo2017206#Sec13

And an article about it here:

https://www.m2performancenutrition.com/blog/weight-modification-protocol-matador-review

Anyway, point was that it's not a bad thing to stall for a bit!

Sorry that was so long! 😂

@FlappyFish I don't mind the bigger needles as I spent so much of my pregnancies injecting fragmin which was bloody awful. These are much easier to use but today I struggled a bit as so much of my tummy is stretch marks and it was definitely harder to get the needle in today. At least it's only once per pen.

Fingers crossed you lose a few pounds in one go to see that 11. Last time I plateaued I lost about 3 pounds in one go the following week.

I haven't seen any difference in my measurements for a while now so am wondering why that isn't changing. I had DP use my new fancy scales this morning and he has a lot higher % of water than I do so I can't even blame it on water retention/bloating 😄

Hi all, I’ve just started with MJ on Sunday and have found it to be brilliant. Just wanted to pop on here and say what a lovely, supportive group this is!

so far I’ve lost 6lb

Starting weight 14 st 5 lb
weight now 13 st 13 lb
height 5 ft 2
age 44

I’m really pleased, I’ve struggled with my weight for years and it’s got to the point where I avoid looking in mirrors and feel self conscious at work. But now I’m doing something about it I feel empowered!

well done everyone on your weight loss, it’s really motivating

I hate to be “that” person 😆 but could someone please link me to the kwikpen replacement needles? Search isn’t terribly helpful for this!

you can buy them at pharmacies!

I felt nothing for the first 2 5mg doses then it seemed to kick in a bit although I've never felt 'full'. I'm on the extra dose now and I'm back to feeling like I have no effects again.

I should have been starting 7.5mg this week but have another 5mg pen to use due to the supply issues.

It won’t let me press thanks on your post, so thank you!

re Repeat Questions I think the low carb group have a pinned post which sets out all the rules and FAQs. That might work here.

Re Speed of Loss I read an interview of Sharon Osborne (I think she was/is on Ozempic) who took 18 months to lose 45lbs ( thats 2.4 lbs/mo)
Perspective, people :)

No worries - I once needed 1 for a clinical visit & had to buy a 100 - I have no use of them all so if anyone wants a handful posting to them, DM me and I will sort it.

Thought she said she lost 3 stone in 4 months???

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a46408636/sharon-osbourne-weight-loss/

As AgathaMystery said, you can get them from pharmacies, if you need to order them online for any reason, you can then here fairly cheap:

https://www.chemist-4-u.com/carepoint-pen-needles-31g-4mm-pack-of-100?gclid=Cj0KCQjwiYOxBhC5ARIsAIvdH51rLZBVFQxuvS7mDJooegtK8BMiyT0PwREMRHhH_1atfQIo8TEbsmkaAkA0EALw_wcB

Actually you could possibly use the info on dieting 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off with Mounjaro by alternating higher and lower doses but anyone that tries it, it's on you!

@Choux @PissedOffNeighbour22 @CiderJabs

All very true on all counts. It’s not that I expect MJ to do it all for me. I think it’s the psychological flip of knowing you are eating a lot less, but weight loss is slower. Absolutely right I am hauling less around.

I have measured a bit, but I am mainly taking photos.

Ooh that is interesting and a refreshing take on it all, thanks @lurkylurk

@AgathaMystery @lurkylurk thank you both - I just popped across to a pharmacy and they were less than useless! I’ve just ordered from the link above. I’m going on holiday next month and they will help with splitting doses if I need/want to as well as the bonus dose from my current pen. Dose 3 is today but I quite like to plan ahead 😀

I've been a bit quiet as I have been super busy. I now have the confidence of an Ox (are oxes confident?!) after 5 weeks on MJ so I have pushed myself right into a new confidence zone. I have applied for a new job (big promotion), joined a sports team, been going to the gym 4 x a week and started another new hobby.
My weightloss has slowed down but is still coming off and my appetite has come back somewhat but still reduced. Snacking is rare and no desire for junk.
Just started on 5mg

SW 13st7
CW 12st2
GW 10st

Averaging 3lbs a week off so I could potentially be goal weight by end of June (please oh Lord)

Love being on this journey with you all

@FlappyFish it's fine to feel a bit demotivated when the scales don't move much for a while.
I'm sure most of us know that the weight doesn't melt away with no effort without being told we're being unrealistic or need to re-evaluate our perspective.

At some point we all need to have a grumble, especially where hormones are involved!

Hey all, I've missed a lot so just catching up.

Well done to all the losses, big and small

And good luck to all the new starters 😁

Regarding repeated questions,

I can put a few frequently asked questions and answers in, if we can come up with the frequent qs and answers!

I will add the link for the extra needles to the post.

So let me know the FAQs :) thanks all :)

I’d also like a 5mg plus chat.

I am 1lb off of being the lightest I have been for 10 years on MFP. It is wild.

We have so many people starting so these threads are moving very fast at the moment. Which I think is testament to our experiences since starting that is enticing more and more people to try Mounjaro ☺️

I think when people start they want to talk about it and discuss and be part of the chat. So it will happen that newbies will join and want to ask questions etc.

It's good that we had the Facebook group now so maybe some reoccurring questions can be asked there so they are easier to search etc.

Or if someone wants to make a FAQ post on FB group, that would be good too ☺️

I see the same questions pop up and it's nice that everyone old and new starters chips in and answers the questions.

If someone wants to start a 5mg and up chat they can go ahead ☺️

I can add the link to the chat at the top of the next thread.

Any maybe if newbies want their own thread to chat amongst other newbies then that might be an idea too? And I can link the thread etc

First week down and have had a 4lb loss. Few symptoms I had didn’t last long other than constipation!
Last couple of days felt hungrier. Hoping for another good week with few symptoms.
I haven’t really calorie counted. So would like to make more of an effort on that and getting more protein.
Enjoying reading the posts and all the tips. Well done on everyone’s losses.
I can’t remember who put it in one post but they said something along the lines of I can’t wait to start living. Really struck a cord with me. Fed up of not doing things because of my size and hiding away. I want to be healthy to enjoy life.

@PissedOffNeighbour22 Oh it is absolutely a grumble. I started posting early on about the head screw side of this as I agree new folks can start reading the threads from the beginning and see all our comments about it being witchcraft and liquid will power.

You’ve been here since the start too :)

I think it’s probably helpful for new starters to see you don’t get to week 9/10 and the quick loss continues and weight melt aways. You have to evaluate. Take supplements. Ensure you are actually getting enough calories in.

MJ isn’t magic it is a tool.

If anyone is looking for protein options that are really delicious, I adore Longley Farm cottage cheese (the full fat one, has to be that). It's lovely and dense and cheesy, and 13g protein in half a tub. Feels more decadent than it is! I can only consistently find it at Morrisons of the main supermarkets.