Continuing Mounjaro...part 6

[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/product/15481/pil#about-medicine

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

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:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-sources-protein
https://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
furthet reading about injection sites and the effects: https://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

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-continuing-mounjaropart-4?page=1

5th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5048290-continuing-mounjaropart-5?page=1

Thread for newbies just starting out:

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/5057475-mounjaro-and-wegovy-newbies-april-2024

Marking my place in the new thread

I am on day 3 of my first 5mg and I feel a bit under the weather. A bit sickly , but nothing too severe. I don't fancy anything to eat so am going to have a protein shake and extra vitamins

On my third week. Think next week I’ll try doing the usually dose and then the extra dose If I can. I feel the effects wearing off earlier.
Not a big loser but it all counts and my sugar craving has gone.
Looking to order the 5 next Friday and looking for a Voy code if anyone has one. I used Mediexpress last time.

4th dose taken yesterday, 5mg pen in fridge ready for the week after next. I'm going to try the bonus dose next Thursday (if my syringe and needles ordered arrive in time).
I have a friend coming to stay for the weekend, not sure quite how I'm going to manage food. Think I'm going to do things like fajitas, so we can just help ourselves.

I find it really hard, as I don't want her to feel like I do when I'm at my parents, where if I eat more than they do (not difficult!) I feel really greedy. I'm also unsure as to whether I'm going to tell her. Half of me thinks I will, she's my best friend, we've known each other for over 40 years. Half of me thinks not. We don't see each other much these days due to distance and busy lives, so it's not something that has to be managed frequently.

Anyway, I'll eat as much as I need to, drink probably a lot more than I have over the past 3 weeks, and enjoy having some company.

@Kyogo67 no, you shouldn’t. I ordered my first 2.5mg pen with MedExpress and needed to send a photo, but ordered my first 5mg this week and no photo required.

I assume they’ll want more photos at some stage but it’s definitely not for every order.

Starting to get nervous about moving up to 5mg! I’m debating whether to do 6 weeks of 40 clicks a dose? Or maybe 3 weeks of 40 clicks and two weeks of 60.

I am a total rule follower so any deviation from the rules makes me feel a little nervous but this sounds like an ok way of titrating up a little more slowly?

@Kyogo67 I think med express ask for another photo after between 20 and 24 weeks if you continue using it.

Which recipe are you using for the miso chicken soup @LifeisHard73 . Sounds just the dirty of thing I'd enjoy.

I tried a blueberry one the other day, it was so rank I choked and spat it across the kitchen! 😂

Still on holiday. Just ate one chip. Progress!

@MelissaLouRocks oh no!! I have salted caramel in the fridge and am now scared to try it! The strawberry was lovely though - just extremely filling.

@Rainbowl why don't you just do 5? Your symptoms haven't been too bad have they? I took 4 weeks of 2.5 and everything I could manage from the 5th one (which I now reckon equated to about 3.5ish) and then moved onto 5 this week. I have felt a bit run down but it could just be post holiday blues and going back to work / gym.

I also prefer to stick to the rules and am nervous about counting clicks. But I'm a wimp!

@CiderJabs It just tasted nasty and artificial and was like eating wallpaper paste. Sickly sweet too, and I don't do sweet at the best of times. The Biotiful Kefir ones are delicious though!

@wonderingwhatsnext I just use the itsu sachets. Most Sundays I roast a chicken and take all the meat off and we eat for sandwiches, salads and I add to soup during week. I’ll also add what ever veg I have.

Hiya does anyone have a referral code for voy please ? I've just done my first week moving to mounjaro from wegovy . I was on saxenda originally from last March until about June/July time, then it was out of stock everywhere, but somehow, I managed to keep on my eating plan until around January time - I've lost track a bit of the exact timings but you get the idea .

Did a month on wegovy but chose to move to mounjaro after reading it was more effective . I have done very well and have now lost 8 stone nearly - well 2lbs short so I feel like a very different person to this time last year .

I've gone from a size 28-30 down to now a size 14 ! I'm hoping the mounjaro will start working its magic soon, but I am doing well at keeping on my eating plan anyway . I've asked to joined the Facebook group too . Thank you ☺️

@fatgirlthin88 I don't have a code but well done on your amazing loss. I have 8 stone to lose so your post is so inspiring.

Arla do protein puddings as well. I have had several of the hazelnut latte ones. There is also chocolate and salted caramel flavours but the coffee one is my favorite.

I probably will just move to 5. Just really nervous about diarrhoea tbh 😂 sounds ridiculous but I just don’t ever get D and/or V, plus I have an 8 month old and currently still on mat leave so no option to phone in sick if I needed to!

Think I just need to put my big girl pants on 🩲

My big girl pants on to be brave that is - not in case I 💩 myself 🤣

Wow @fatgirlthin88 that's a very impressive loss especially as you have had to switch medications and go it alone for a while too. Hope Mounjaro helps you get to where you finally want to be.

@Rainbowl 😂

I believe after 6 months they have to check to see that you've lost at least 5% of your body weight as they're not supposed to continue prescribing it if you haven't, so they might want new photos then.

So, if you want to continue on Mounjaro, after 6 months you have to have lost more than 5% of your body weight but not lost so much that your BMI is normal.

I wonder if at that point they start checking every month if your BMI is almost normal?

What I am thinking there is that I might decide my goal weight is a BMI of 23 so I don't want to be refused more Mounjaro because by BMI is 24.9 when i might still feel I have few pounds to lose.

@Choux didn't Asda say they would prescribe until bmi 23? I don't order from them so I'm not sure but I thought someone had mentioned this. Wonder if other suppliers will be the same ?!

Thanks for the new thread. I am one week in and have lost half a stone already. I know that most of this is most likely water but it's definitely a psychological boost! The thing is that I know how to lose weight and how my body needs to eat to lose but i always find it impossible to keep my willpower in check. It's always an exhausting battle to stay on track and not self-sabotage. With MJ this week it has been easy to eat healthily. This has been an absolute game changer for me so far. I feel so much more motivated and it's a relief not to be fighting myself all the time.

Any advice as I’ve started with Voy and want to change supplier, to 5mg but I threw my box out.