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!

Marine does work better @ObsidianTree, this is a brief, simplified explanation I copied.

Collagen contains two different types of collagen, Type 1 and Type 3. If you didn’t know, Type 1 is the most vital and plentiful collagen form we have in our bodies. Type 1 can be found in our skin, bones, hairs and nails, which of course, make up the most of our being. Whereas Type 3 is present in our intestines and guts.

Typically, most Bovine products contain more Type 3 than Type 1 collagen, meaning that if you are looking to take a supplement that will benefit your stomach and intestinal worries, then taking Bovine Collagen is a good option.

Marine collagen is slightly different from it’s Bovine counterpart. Marine collagen products typically come from fish, where it can be found in their scales, skins and bones, and is
more environmentally friendly than other products on the market. Fish processing products usually create a lot of waste, as not all of the fish is used. Typically, a lot of the unused parts of the fish can be made into Marine collagen supplements, which helps reduce the overall waste.

Like Bovine collagen, Marine contains Type 1 collagen. However, Marine collagen supplements usually contain much smaller particles which makes the process of taking, digesting and absorbing this type of collagen much quicker and easier. Typically, Marine collagen supplements can have faster results than the Bovine products and will work well if you are looking to get glowing skin and healthy hair.

If using bovine collagen, choose one from grass fed cows.

Great weight loss @ObsidianTree, and as always, great advice! I had a bottomless brunch with friends last Saturday, I've normally drunk my glass of prosecco before everyone else has sipped theirs but I was very strategic and every time they had a full glass top up I'd only drink a few sips. No one noticed at all! I have dieted for most of my adult life so everyone just gets in when I say I'm 'being good'! We have family over for dinner tonight and my husband is getting the pizza over going eeeek! I've told him I'm going to make a nice big salad to have alongside some pizza as no one (apart from you lovely lot) know I'm on this jab!xx

Congrats lovely @ObsidianTree!

@Alice2535 once you get the it’s dispatched email it is the next day.

Yesterday and today I have learned why spice is a no. Tried one of the very expensive Marks protein meals. Salmon in Thai sauce. One it was tiny. Two I have had it repeating on me ever since. 🤮 Lesson learned.

One week on from first dose - I’ve lost 6lb (possibly 7, but my scales are a bit rubbish!).
Side effects have been minimal. A bit light headed for the first 48 hours and heartburn which was remedied by taking a slug of Acidex before bed.
Took the second dose yesterday and have the head fuzz again, but nothing I can’t handle. It’s such a relief to actually manage to lose something after years of struggling!

Wow that’s amazing- well done 👏

Wowza that's incredible @ObsidianTree
I am similar start weight.

I am on second week of 2.5 and worried as I don't seem to have the same effect as the first Jab and worried I will overeat after feeling so positive last weekend. I prob just need to plough through to get to the 5mg.jab.

Are you sticking to a certain amount of calories?

Any tips gratefully received.

Thanks @MelissaLouRocks :) very helpful. I think I'll add some marine collagen into my suppliments 😊

Well done to all the weight losses today 😊

Well done @ObsidianTree, those losses are great!

Weigh in day for me too and the scales haven't moved. Disappointing as I hoped to move from 200lbs into the 100s. I have been really good this week, kept at 1000-1200 calories apart from yesterday where we were celebrating a birthday and I probably had 2500 but I had saved up calories from earlier in the week to offset that. Hmm.

Anyway, last official dose of 5mg today but will force the extra next week and in the meantime I did order another 5mg pen. Will try not to dwell on the lack of losses and hope for a big one next week. I don't have any events planned at all so should be able to stick rigidly to plan.

SW Jan 2023 249lbs
SW Feb 24 2024 212lbs
CW after 7 weeks 200lbs
GW 154lbs or so

I also struggled in the beginning with not feeling much effects. What I did notice when I was on 2.5mg is I was feeling full quickly even though I was still having cravings. When eating the feeling of feeling really full made me feel like I had cheated and binged! Even though I hadn't eaten much! I just made sure I sticked within the calorie limits.

I am sticking to between 1200-1400kcals a day. Sometimes a bit over, sometimes a bit under. From the start of MJ I have lost between 2-4lbs a week. I didn't get that first few weeks woosh that a lot experienced, but my losses with been consistent with no big stalls.

The things I have been doing recently that might have made a difference to losses is drinking 2-3ltrs of water a day and having as much protein as I can. Admittedly I'm not managing to get to 100 or over most days, but since adding protein and collagen powder I have been at least doubling the protein I have been having. Not sure if this has made a difference to the weight loss! I guess time will tell!

Also, I have noticed that I have lost more so far on 5mg than I did on 2.5mg. So maybe when you get to 5mg you will feel better effect.

Good luck ☺️

Thanks for the advice everyone about my takeaway tonight. I think i am being paranoid a bit as usual and will just say I'm having smaller portions as I'm trying to lose weight and getting heartburn when I eat large portions. To be honest I will just come clean if she guesses and she can say what she wants. It is my body in the end.

I'm paranoid as someone else in the family lost weight with weight loss injections, and another family member has been seeing GP about possible gastric band and I mentioned using jabs instead. I don't think they were aware of it and they can access via an online doctor. They are a takeaway every other night family, so it probably wouldn't cost them much at all.

Just say you are dieting. You don’t need to say you are using mj. I’m just viewing as a support tool. So people know I’m dieting but not on mj. I’m calorie counting, logging on nutracheck and walking lots.
In terms of a takeaway grilled chicken on pita with salad is a good choice. I’d avoid anything fried or too spicy.
In terms of your friend being heavier I’m also in that situation in a friend group. I don’t bang on about it just make my choices. If someone says you don’t need to just say you are wanting to be healthier your bmi was slipping into obese.

@fen@Femeia sorry you aren't doing well on 5mg. It is frustrating 😞 hopefully when you can get to 7.5mg things will start progressing better

And sorry whoever fen is! It doesn't let me delete a tag!

Good luck @FutureFeelsBleak and well done @ObsidianTree

I use the absolute collagen which is liquid.

@Femeia If you had a lot more food yesterday it will just be that in your system. Things like a bigger meal, needing a poo, eating more carbs than usual all cause weight to spike up. The loss will show in a day or two. It’s why lots of pts recommend daily weigh and see overall picture than weekly weigh like slimming clubs do.
Keep going it sounds like you are doing really well.

I think not being well this week has melted my brain. I did my jab this morning, but it's 2 days early. Wtf did I think it was Monday?! 🫣

@ObsidianTree Well done! Nice work, I need to get more organised with my intake, think will try Nutracheck. I find calorie counting a faff as when cooking from scratch have to put every item
im and in some apps there’s multiple entries for each ingredient and takes too long to check through them!

@Creamcheesedreams
Code BIRTHDAY-BUNNY gave me £30 off last week on MedExptess.

@lurkylurk Nutracheck has this function where you put in the name of what you're making and it will autogenerate the ingredients for you. It's obviously not always spot on, but it helps cut down the faff. And you can save your recipe at the end so at least next time you don't have to do the same thing again.

It's much nicer to use than My Fitness Pal.

I agree with @Investinmyself @Femeia it’ll just be your body responding to the larger intake from yesterday by holding on to water etc. keep going, you’ve got this 👍🏻

@MelissaLouRocks you should be ok taking early. I guess your new day is now Saturday 😜

Hi what app is this

https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/best-collagen-supplements

This is quite interesting with lots of recommendations. It contradicts my PT’s authoritative view! But also does say that capsules aren’t much good before going on to recommend some. 🤔But lots of possible options to consider.

I have found Nutracheck quite easy to use. It has loads of things on there which is great. Also it's pretty genius when it comes to making recipes. When you name your recipe it comes up with suggested items to go in your recipe. So quite handy.

I am not sure! The image was posted on an earlier thread. Can't remember by whom!