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!

Weird night's sleep for me. Had some ridiculous dreams that were very vivid and kept waking up either scared or bemused and with a very dry mouth. Nausea worse this morning. This is at least the second time that my side effects have been worse on day 4/5. I definitely don't think I want to go to 5mg yet!
Total 6.1kg/13.5lbs down and 5.5% off my starting weight (took my 5th dose this week). Quite happy with that as my calories have been around 1500 when I've tracked (I'm 5'10) and I've had several more indulgent days. This is definitely my slowest loss week so far though, only lost about a pound.

Ah great ☺️ which one worked?

Weigh day for me. Lost another 4lb this week so that’s 24lb down so far! Long way to go still, but I’ve had some people notice it recently so it’s showing!

Week 3 weigh in for me and I have gained 2lbs.

Trying to tell myself it’s normal bodily fluctuations but in reality I feel like I could cry.

SW: 16st 11lb
CW: 16st 2lb
TW: 10st

Woke up feeling very thirsty and I’m more tired than normal but I couldn’t sleep for ages. Other than than feel ok. No nausea or anything. Not hungry but I don’t often wake up hungry any way. Forgot to weigh in 🙄

@Losingmymind85 I'm relieved to see this (but also very sorry that you feel so unwell) as I've been exactly the same. I was starting to think I might have caught covid again or something.

Ditto having a 5mg ready to start, and having already lost a stone.

2.5 was incredible for me, virtually no side effects. I'm definitely swaying in the direction of splitting doses.

@RagzRebooted Interestingly my side effects started at day 3 & 4 this week too. I read that the medicine peaks in our bodies around this point, that could explain it.

It really does. We've got this. All the best with your journey.

Can I ask how long the first stone has taken? I too have 2 stone to lose. I’m on day one so a long way to go!

I did my "extra" dose today with a insulin needle I think I injected it too shallow as a little bump/bubble visually pooled under the skin (it's in and according to Google and diabetics online it should still absorb fine)
I think I was too cautious about needle length which is still because I clearly have way more than 1cm of fat on my thigh.

But I managed to get 0.8ml out which I think is about 3.2mg

I bought aloe vera tablets, but they dudn't really work. Someone else later recommended prunes and they are the best option for me.

@LifeisHard73 it took around 4 weeks BUT I am eating very little, maybe two meals a day? I try to make them protein rich but this week was so awful, I don't think I've eaten more than 400-500 calories a day, often less (couldn't eat or drink at all on Monday).
2.5mg is clearly enough for me so I'm sticking with it.

Thank you. Sorry you’re struggling but positive that it’s working well for you at the lowest dose. my plan is to have 2 meals. My TDEE is only 1344 calls per day so I’ll be aiming for about 800 calls for loss. Also going for high protein, with fibre and veg/salads.

hope you feel better x

Well after getting my period out of the way I seem to have lost overnight. I'm down 2lb from last week after feeling like I was plateauing and not losing. Hang on in there, even if you gain. I went up a lb about a week and a half ago (it fluctuates daily) but find if I stick at that weight for a few days I call it more of a true weight loss. I'm mega bloated though, so can't say I feel much difference.

Anyone else REALLY tired and unmotivated/grumpy on this? Is this keto flu? I usually have some rice or potato in the evenings, so not fully keto. I'm getting sulphur burps/bloating and aches as well as just being a tired grumpy old hag bag in general. I thought I'd get a new lease of life after losing a stone, but clearly not.

@BlackFriYay I honestly thought it was food poisoning until the insomnia started. 4 nights of awake til 4am, even though I was bone tired.
It's meant that work this week has been a total write off. Fortunately, I could move things into next week but no way I can chance another week of this so I bought more of the needles they provide with the pens and am going to count the clicks (someone up thread has helpfully given the numbers) for the first dose, then Sharpie the stopping point on the pen so I can see when the 2.5 dose ends in the window. Meals that for future injections I'm just looking for the pen mark.
I need to start exercising but I have zero energy. Hoping going back to 2.5 will help with this as I can eat/drink more. The first jab of 2.5mg was awful but by week two it was totally fine (apart from very mild insomnia the night of the injection).
I guess that everyone feels a degree of shit when they initially move to the higher dose. It's just unfortunate that we're very much at the extreme end of it!

My honeymoon period with mj is definitely over! I was feeling great for the first 2 weeks but I've felt rubbish since taking my 3rd jab. I've just ovulated so as others have mentioned I think that isn't helping. I'm also constipated for the first time...I'll be getting some prunes later!!

The urge to binge is creepy back in though 😬 The good thing is I can't physically eat the amount of food I used to and I've only gone over my daily calorie allowance by around 300 calories. I need to work on better coping mechanisms because my life is quite stressful and binging/eating my emotions has always been my go to stress reliever. I'm starting a positive thoughts course with work next week so hoping that helps!

On the plus side I've lost 9lbs so far so going in the right direction! Just need to decide if I'll go up to 5mg or stay on 2.5mg for another month x

Today is day 3 of second week on 5mg and I still have the localised red rash at injection site (and remnants of last week's). The pound I put on and stubbornly clung to for a few days has finally shifted but side effects have kicked in with the runs today for the first time, plus in the middle of last night I put my dressing gown on plus a pair of socks as I was so cold! Appetite suppression still in full swing, only had half my whole meal tuna sandwich for lunch yesterday but did manage to eat a respectable portion of dinner.

Well done to all the losses big and small.

Sorry so many are feeling rubbish at the moment.

Dreaded totm period seem to be effecting a lot of people at the moment. I haven't lost much this week and my period is due imminently. So assuming it's that.

Hooray for everyone’s weight losses, large & small. It does work, mainly by helping us cut calories.
But it’s not magic or voodoo, basically, it math: to lose or gain 1lb of fat requires a calorie deficit/excess of 3500. (some say 4000, but I’ll use the lower figure for simplicity.) If we eat a 500 cal/da deficit, then it takes a week to lose one actual pound of fat.
If you are on keto or v low carb, then you may dump a lot of stored glycogen initially, ( especially if you have “ enjoyed yourself” before you started!) but after that, it is fat loss, which is slow.
I was really ratty & short-tempered my first week, but that has passed. I do sometimes get blood sugar crashes on this, which I now avoid by trying to eat regularly. When these happen, I get headachy & light-headed. Very different to how I feel -pre MJ - when I haven’t eaten for awhile.
If you really struggle to get in calories, maybe this is why your mood is affected.
I am starting week 4 with an 8lb loss so far, but this has stalled for the last 5 days or so. I am just going to keep doing what I am doing, and also stay on 2.5
If you have lost little or really stalled, food tracking might help.
The kitchen scales are my friend😊

Hey, I know this is none of my business, but 400-500 kcal may be a dangerously low calorie intake. I think you should probably have a chat with the chemist who prescribed your medication, or your GP. I found this link that has some limited information: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/500-calorie-diet

@Rainbowl I’m sorry it was a gain week and sending you much sympathy as I know how it bloody feels. Someone else posted the honeymoon period is over and it does feel like that. The quick losses are over for us further down the line and we have lost the yay it works feeling. Keep plodding on and if I a cry helps do it. I have!!!

@NoMoreCoffeePlease thanks for the info. It's just been this week as the additional dose is genuinely just too much for me. On 2.5mg I'm eating a regular lunch and dinner (have never eaten breakfast) with the odd snack thrown in, so I'd say I break 1100 most days.
I won't be on this for much longer, I don't think. Firstly because I won't need to as I'm edging towards my goal weight and healthy BMI and also because I think-fingers crossed-ive reset the intense sugar cravings /binging I got into the pattern of. I know I don't need that food anymore and the benefit of the medication has been to quiet that voice and I think I can carry on with it without the meds. The reset has been very welcome and I hope i don't go back to bad habits when this ends.

@Losingmymind85
I think that's a large part of the benefit of Mounjaro (apart from the weight loss of course!), it's that it allows us to stop bad habits for long enough to get out of them!
I'm definitely hoping that will be the case for me when I'm finished, that I won't have been doing the for so long that they're no longer a habit anymore.

Weigh in day today. It's not been a great week as TOTM and I'd not managed to lose anything. But overnight I've lost 2lb which I'm really happy about.

Starting weight 15st 11lb 8oz
Last week's weight 13st 9lb 4oz
Current weight 13st 7lb 4oz

I'd set a goal of 12st 8lb for spring bank holiday when I turn 40. Today's loss means that I'm now less than a stone away and it feels more achievable. Then I have a further 2.5 stones minimum to lose to be a healthy bmi.

@Soukmyfalafel I feel the same. No energy and it's really difficult to get in the very small amount of exercise I try to do. I'm a tired grumpy hag bag usually anyway so that's normal for me 😄

I agree, it made me realise I was in a sugar craving death loop. I didn't really eat sweets much either as much of mine came from starches, but it has bee an eye-opener about my carb portion sizes.