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

I've hit my first goal of 10kg lost. I'm so pleased! On to the next 10kg.

My 7.5 arrived yesterday! woohoo. Will start it next week

My face is looking sooo much better- I have cheek bones emerging, my features look much nicer.

I know lots of plus sized women look great - a bit of weight can make you look fuller and younger in the face- reducing wrinkles when you’re older. But looking back at photos I just looked puffy, bloated and round. It didn’t suit me as my features were disappearing!

I’m definitely looking better after 24lb loss… no Ozempic face here! Which is something I was worried about.

I agree about the face thing. It’s the first place I put weight on (but not the first place I lose) - my eyes especially just disappear. I don’t have dramatic cheekbones or adorable dimples to carry it off sadly.

No one IRL has noticed my weight loss but I’ve noticed so that’s okay. I would be a liar if I didn’t say I was really looking forward to someone (anyone) noticing.

Morning! I’ve got a cold. Oh joy. But even worse, I’ve gained a pound and a half 😞 I am due to take dose 4 of 2.5 later today. I do have a 5 in the fridge but I was planning on splitting those doses because of side effects but now I don’t know 🤷‍♀️

It will go again, if you look at my graph I posted yesterday I'm up and down all over the place. Got a new low yesterday and yet today I'm 0.5kg (1.1lbs) heavier. This is why I weigh daily!
Having a cold won't help either.
I've been really snotty the past few days but can't tell if it's a cold or hayfever, I do suffer with sinuses but never to the point of an infection, luckily.

Sorry to hear that @MelissaLouRocks that's terrible.

@Pigriver yessss, excellent work!

For info, if anyone else last ordered from MedExpress after 31/03 (in my case, the 2nd!) so the code DOSE20 doesn't work, CONSULT-BUNNY did get me 15% off this morning when I ordered, I bit the bullet and went for 7.5mg in the end. So including postage and the higher price for 7.5mg it came to £148 something.

I weigh daily and what often happens to me is a drop to my lowest weight so far and then a pound or so goes back on for a couple of days. And then it drops again.

So sorry to hear what you’ve been through, @MelissaLouRocks . I almost had a mesh and have counted my blessings since that I didn’t go ahead. I hope the government sorts out the compensation soon.

Congrats to all the losers on here. DH reckons I feel a lot thinner but no one else has said anything. I don’t see many people though.

Yes! The disappearing eyes is a thing for me too! Whereas other plus size women on social media look great at higher weights (thinking Emily Jane Johnston, gorgeous woman who is a size 18 fashion influencer and looks absolutely stunning).

I also can’t wait for the compliments… I know that sounds pathetic but in all honesty I do want people to notice. Randomly my pharmacist and eyebrow lady both complimented me recently - saying I looked great and eyebrow lady asked if I’d lost weight.

But my friends rarely discuss weight or appearance - whenever it’s raised they change the subject (they are all healthy weight). There was a post on Mumsnet recently with lots of people saying why they don’t discuss weight - they think it is rude as it suggests you thought they looked crap before. People can take offence. It also undermines the body positivity message.

I’m about to start a new job where no one knows me so I’ll have to rely on extended family who I won’t be seeing for ages.

Morning! I took my 4th dose 2.5mg yesterday and this time tried injecting in my thigh rather than stomach to see if it makes any difference side effect wise as some have said it has for them. Also weigh-in day and I am down 7.5lbs since starting so happy with that. Haven't be calorie counting as such just eating smaller portions and no bad snacking\comfort eating. Going to order the needles to extract extra dose from pen for next week and have the 5mg in fridge waiting.

Congrats all on the losses and don't give up to the ones not seeing a drop yet I am sure it will come.

A bit of hope for those of us who felt rubbish after the bonus 2.5 (so a marginally bigger dose)

I went ahead and started my 5mg on Monday and was bracing myself for even worse side effects but can honestly say I haven't had any at all. I'm sleeping well too so no insomnia. I am constipated but no more so than usual, I've had IBS-C for years.

I've had some great appetite suppression so far and I'm not struggling with food noise. Feeling really positive and motivated, much like in my first week on 2.5 (which I lost over a stone on, in a month) and getting in lots of exercise.

It feels a bit like the honeymoon period again, long may it continue.

Well done on all of your losses it's great to see 😊

Weight in time.

SW: 14.1
CW: 12.2

end of week 10.

weight loss has slowed and I just bounce around. I looked back over MFP and I’ve lost 4lb in the last month. Currently feel pissed off with the stalling and slowness. It feels like I’m spending a lot to not eat loads and not lose. 😂

But hey. I had to buy size 12 jeans as the 14 was too big. Onwards and downwards. If it slows to only a lb a week then it is what it is. I can’t drop calories lower without getting into obsessional territory.

I injected the extra dose(2.5) this morning using an insulin needle. Easy peasy! And I am not a medic!
I injected a day+ early as I woke up hungry. I would like to stay on 2.5 as long as possible & being able to get the extra out will help.
Anyone anxious about this, don’t be. I got the needles from a medical supplier on line, 10 for £3 something. All good

Just wanted to say that if you’re experiencing constipation like I was, downing loads of water can help get things moving.

I’m sure everyone knows this already , but I thought I was drinking plenty of water and I wasn’t. Drinking a few water bottles (plain water) more mindfully has made a difference for me. Whereas when I was drinking glasses I wasn’t getting enough. Took a few hours to work its way through. Now I’m keeping a water bottle with me and sipping throughout the day.

I took my first 5mg dose today.
Immediately have a dry mouth so that's new.
I've noticed my jumpers are starting to fit better they sort of hang over my belly now rather than clinging which makes a big difference as I'm 5ft8 any amount of cling makes my tops look really short on me.

Your weight loss is amazing and there is something to be said for maintaining this for a while - that’s an achievement in itself. It also helps your body accept the adjustment.

I know it’s really disappointing to not keep losing but it can take months to lose 2 stone… so to achieve that in 2 1/2 months is incredible- try to hold onto that while you’re sitting out your plateau.

A size 12 is my dream. If someone had told me a few months ago I would get into size 12 clothes in 2024 I wouldn’t have believed them. But I actually think it’s a possibility now and that’s exciting. Every pound off, I feel so much lighter and better (so not just about how I look).

@FlappyFish new jeans in a smaller size is a great feeling. I get it must feel frustrating at the moment, but the weight is coming off. Plateaus and jumping about are inevitable I think. The body must be doing a lot when losing weight so sometimes it needs a moment.

Well done for the losses today big and small

@FlappyFish you have done well so far but don't get disheartened.

How's the constipation? Is it still a problem?

Aloe vera is working for people. I use psylum husks which are fibre tablets and they work well for me. Also fibre is good to include in the diet.

What about water intake? Are you drinking enough?

It sounds really frustrating and I'm sure I would feel the same when I get to a stall. But as you said, smaller clothes are fitting, so maybe with time the scales will start moving too

Morning all, just caught up. Thank you for those who sent well wishes for my FIL. He passed yesterday morning so we’ve got a lot going on and lots to do.

I’m grateful to be on MJ at this time as I definitely stress eat and already have done - just to a lesser extent than I would have done pre MJ. It’s not something I can worry about too much at the moment though.

Weighed in this morning and have lost 2.5lb this week making a total of one stone and half a pound.

Will try to keep up with threads as much as I can. Hope everyone is well.

So sorry to hear about your FiL @Rainbowl.

Sorry to hear about your fil @Rainbowl

You know when everyone mentions getting the last dose out with a needle ? So am I right in thinking there's some left and you somehow remove it? Where do you get the needle and syringe to draw it out from? I've googled and YouTubed it and can't find any info on this anywhere about how to do this
Thanks in advance if anyone can shed any light on the matter !

Sorry for your loss @Rainbowl and best wishes to your OH too.

Yes.

There are two ways of getting the 'bonus' dose, the easiest is to twist the pen really hard which will allow you to administer it the way you have all of the other injections.

You can also buy some needles from amazon or an online chemist and extract the dose by drawing it out into the syringe and then injecting it with that.