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

You haven't - I know what you mean but it's okay!

Bolt have emailed to say they hope to dispatch the 7.5mg pen tomorrow 🤞

Yay, my metabolic age has gone down a year from 62 to 61.

I'm only 55, but at this point I'll take what I can get. 😂

Yes! I was just about to post the same 😁
I've asked for mine to be postponed as I'm going away for the weekend and worry I may miss it (flying first thing Friday)

Lol mine says like 47 when I'm 41! I'm hoping that goes down!

That happened to me, week 4/5 for about 10 days I went up and down after a new low. Going down again now.

Week 5 done and checking in again. My weight didn't change this week - I'm a bit suspicious as I'd done the extra titration dose from my 2.5. However onwards and upwards - I'll be taking my first 5mg tonight - hoping for no side effects again 🙏

That looks good, how big is the jar? I can't see anywhere on the website how many mls/grams it is.

There's a pic in one of the reviews, it looks like 30g.

It does look interesting. But I am trying skin and me products at the moment so think I should try this before moving on! I'll watch some tiktok reviews tho!

I have ordered twice via Boots, would you ladies recommend switching to another provider as they do not appear to have 7.5? Do you know if they have had it in the past?

btw, re Nutracheck, is there any way around it or do we have to pay the subscription to use it?

Because I'm nosy please can I ask those finishing up their first 5mg pen, are you moving up to 7.5 or getting a second 5mg pen? I can't decide what to get when I get paid Thursday.

Also in case anyone else was having the same MedExpress reorder issue I mentioned up thread, I found the solution. There's a glitch in the form so if you update your weight and it's now less than 30bmi it won't accept it. If you put in a higher weight/lower height you can progress then email then your order # and tell them your actual weight and they'll update the records their end. I found this by searching facebook and a couple of people called them and were told to do this. So a faff, but a workaround. I'm waiting to get paid to reorder but I tried the form with a higher weight and it seems to now work for me 🤞🏼

7.5 mg has just been released today in the UK. Boots will probably get it soon if you have some time before you need the 7.5 pen. I ordered my first pen from Boots and then swapped to Bolt. Boots Is quite expensive and you have to collect from them. I wasn’t that impressed as they didn’t give me any needles and the box was open. The big name gives you a bit of reassurance and some people like to collect their medication but it works better for me to have it delivered and I have found Bolt to be really good so far. There are lots of pharmacies out there and the prices are variable. Shop around and see what you think.

Can someone answer this question as I feel I have missed something. I am due my 4th dose on Thursday. I am really hungry at the moment. I think there is more liquid in the vial. Is there a reason I can't keep injecting the liquid and keep going down to one? Does it limit you after 4 times? Does it matter how much of the liquid you have or does it give a higher dose?

Cheers..

The pen won’t work as normal after four doses but lots of us have been able to get a fifth dose from the pen either by twisting very hard and then using the pen or by using 1 ml insulin needles to extract the last dose from the pen and inject it as a subcutaneous injection having read about how to do that.

@Stickthatupyourdojo I just took my third 5mg dose and am thinking I will order another one the same. I've been hit a bit by side effects again today (injected Monday). I'm going to see how I feel and order this weekend. I feel like I'm not used to this dose yet.

Currently this is also my plan. I have done
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
5
3.75

I plan to stick to 3.75 for now

Sorry if it’s been asked but has anyone bought insulin needles from Amazon ? I need them next day just realised I’m out and about to do my injection today . Chemist 4 u won’t deliver till Friday and I don’t want to delay that long really . It’s for the tips as in for the normal injection not for the bonus dose

Try going to your local chemist to see if they have ones that will fit

Thanks I am literally just back from the chemist too! So frustrating, I was all set to do it too!

Thanks both @AgathaMystery and @KeepingUndercover. I'm erring on the side of sticking with 5mg too. I could always use this current pen and the new pen's "5th" dose to add a little on each week if I find it's not working as well.

I bought these from Amazon - sorry I can't attach a photo of them. They are marked sterile and I have already used iPhone and it was as pain free as the screw on needles. £6.99 from tetra sole

20 Pack 1ml Dispensing Measuring Tool with 31G (8mm long) + FREE Tetra-Sole® Alcohol Wipes: laboratory accessories, individually sealed packaging: (20 pack)

Doh - now it lets me attach the photo.

Just taken my 4th dose of 2.5mg plus the extra dose. I’m ordering the 5mg Friday.
Im usually a Thursday injecter but last week did it Wednesday. Since Saturday I’ve notice the food noise and the hunger come back.

Hoping with the 5mg it settles back down again. I’m not a big loser and have lost about 6lb on the 2.5 which is a lot more then I would have been able to do without it.

TMI alert.

Week 8 day 4 and on my 3rd jab of 5mg (as did the bonus 2.5mg dose). Side effects have hit more today. Twice I've had to walk out of the office as loose tum did not give a lot of notice - not mega urgent but I wouldn't like to be travelling anywhere feeling like this!

Hoping this will settle down. I still have strong appetite suppression - it's been no effort to eat less than my usual. I had protein overnight pud with chia for breakfast on the go (ate it on the train), a waitrose poke bowl for lunch but couldn't finish it and am now at pizza express (am away for a few nights for work) and have eaten 3 doughballs and already feeling fairly full. Have gone for a pizza legere (large hole in the piddle with salad, pizza just a ring around the outside) and there's no way I'll finish it.

For me having a second 5mg jab is the right decision, I dont need to move up yet. I was thinking I wasnt very hungry over the weekend because I've been under the weather - but I'm better now and appetite has not returned so must be the MJ.
To be honest I could probably just not eat and not notice it (obvs would feel dehydrated if I didn't drink) - but that would be a bad decision as I still need the energy and nutrients. Haven't been to the gym in 3 weeks (Easter hols busy plus poorly) so will do a short pilates session in my hotel this evening.

SW: 98kg
CW: 92.1kg (week 8 day 4)

Goal 1 (pre children weight) likely to be reached tomorrow (can't check to weight till I get home). Loss of 1 stone likely to be achieved by week 10 at the latest.

Thanks for the graph OP, really useful.