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

There is evidence to suggest it curbs addictions and habitual behaviours. Shopping addictions, alcoholism.

On a slightly depressing note, the drugs cost about £10 to make. I know it’s Ozempic - but same difference really.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/27/novo-nordisk-ozempic-can-be-made-for-less-than-5-a-month-study.html

Please can someone advise- I’m taking my 3rd 2.5 dose tomorrow. Do I order my next pen after my 4th dose from med express? Or after my 3rd dose tomorrow?

So I am going into 6th Jag tomo.
20lb off in under 6 weeks and now just 13lb away from BMI 25.

A non scales success, albeit an annoying one........I bought new jeggings. My size 16s were a bit loose. Sent for 14s online ( live in a remote area so it's internet shopping).
Too bloody big!

Should have gone for Size 12...! Never even entered my head to order 12s!

So, it's good but annoying as I can't be arsed sending them back!. Also got holdy in fat pants which aren't holding anything in as they are too big as well!

Another observation, MJ is anti inflamitory and I have really noticed an improvement in my auto immune joints. On top of that, I am very allergic to nickel and latex........my fitness watch strap often had my wrist breaking out in itchy leaking welts. Since MJ, its not happened once and it was previously happening every week..

It's not cured my shopping though. My serious parcel habit is on going......makes it easier to smuggle my MJ deliveries ......it's just another parcel arriving amongst many😂

Just remember that if it's more than 6 weeks since your last prescription they may refuse, so make sure you order the next one within 6 weeks of the prescription for the 5mg one. It's because if they think you've been off it for more than 2 weeks you're supposed to start back at the lowest dose.

@montysma1

If troubled in future by the nickle allergy, try painting the bits of the fitness watch strap causing the issue with clear nail varnish. I have the same allergy.

I was really cold yesterday evening and even worse this evening, bundled up in dressing gowns and blankets and still almost shivering. I had this a bit from first injection but not since until now.

I decided, out of curiosity to take my temperature and it was 36.4, so I am actually cold, it's not just an illusion! I usually run hot in the evenings too.

Yep I do that sometines although it does crack or wear off. It's currently covered in manky micropore tape to keep it off my skin. Usually I would get a break through though where the strap gets through my defense system! Since MJ. ....nothing. Pretty sure I could get away with a naked strap now!

Yeah, it will crack and wear after a bit. What make is the watch? Have you tried googling for nickle-free strap replacements? I'm sure you've already tried that though!

It's a Garmin Venue.
In my head I have invented a fabric sleeve strap cover. If I was remitely crafty I would make one then go on Dragons Den😂

@montysma1
Would this one work?
https://www.smartwatch-straps.co.uk/garmin-venu-2s-40mm-nylon-strap-pink-sand.html

Or this?
https://www.garmstraps.com/products/for-garmin-vivoactive-3-venu-venu-sq-vivomove-hr-forerunner-245-245m-forerunner-645-silicone-link-strap-12-colours-available

Thank you. I pulled up my extremely large big girl pants and did it tonight

Well done! 💪
I hope you had a good sleep (I was so anxious my first night, I barely slept). Remember, keep your protein up, drink LOADS of water - 2L a day at least, and try and avoid fatty/spicy food until you know how it affects you and you get a feel for what your side effects may be.

Weekly weigh in.

Week 4
SW: 263.6 lbs
CW: 252

• 11.6 lbs total

Week 1: -6.8
Week 2: -1.6
Week 3: -0.4
Week 4: -2.8

Mine isn't coming off as fast as some others, despite having a lot to lose! However it's v satisfying seeing the graph trend downwards. The next time I lose weight I'll be in the next stone bracket, which psychologically, will be amazing! My wedding ring fits now and my clothes are getting so baggy.

I've finally had my whoosh. 10lbs gone in just over a month, had weeks of nothing shifting at all so it feels great to see progress. This equates to just under 2lbs a week, which seems a sensible amount.

My Dr called out of the blue earlier this week. They'd received the letter from MedEx and wanted to talk through everything: why I was using it, what was I eating and what lifestyle changes I'd made.

They were very clued up and talked me through the science and various studies on obesity. She gave me a good 15 minutes of her time and was incredibly thorough. At the end of the call she was more than happy to approve usage and had no concerns. We're checking in again in a few months.

I asked whether they'd seen a big uptake in people using weight loss injections and surprisingly it's 'just a couple'. I think being on here and seeing all the headlines gives the impression it's much more prevalent than it is.

Great progress @JanetSnakeholeMacklin

Going into the next stone bracket down is the best feeling. You'll be there in no time.

@MountKilimounjaro Thank you. And congratulations on your whoosh! 🎉
My doctor has contacted me and I have an appt on 4th May for a "medication review" which can only mean they've got the Mounjaro letters too.

Just ordered my 5mg. As some of you know no one knows I’m in it. Not even hubby. Hoping it arrives when he’s at work. It did last time. If not, I’ll come clean.

NSV the body warmer I bought 2 years ago actually did up yesterday. Never did before.

Haven’t had a call from my doctor as yet but I do have a telephone appointment next Wednesday with them for something else so wonder if they bring it up. Won’t be a surprise to them as I have asked them on numerous occasions about the weight loss jabs on the NHS and all they did was refer me to weight loss groups in the area.

@DownWithThisKindOfThing well done! I hope you feel good today both in terms of appetite suppression and feeling proud of yourself. Your username is apt!

@JanetSnakeholeMacklin slow and steady is just as worth it. We are all losing weight at different rates. I'm 2-3 weeks ahead of you but haven't lost more weight than you. I keep hoping for a whoosh but it hasn't happened in the last couple of weeks.

@Choux I'm sure it will come soon. It's all consistency and the trend isn't it. I was disappointed that week I lost half a lb, but added to the other weeks over time, it's all in the right direction.

The first 3 weeks I logged everything with mfp. As an experiment, I haven't logged at all this week and I've tried to follow my hunger cues and eat intuitively. Some days I'm sure I went a bit over what I would have allowed myself to do when tracking, but I'm sure I was under calories a few days too, so it must have balanced out. I'm still centering my meals around protein and green things, and I think I'm getting enough.

I don't want to be logging food for the rest of my life, I want to be able to eat intuitively in a way that's good for me. Obviously I'm relatively new to this so am happy to log food again when I need to, or if I stop losing.

I forgot to mention that I spoke to my surgery this week. It was a well woman phone call as I wanted my repeat prescription of HRT. I know my Mounjaro letter is in my record as I checked. Not sure if it was a doctor or prescribing nurse.

Normally they give me the talk asking when I might try coming off HRT but this week there was less of that chat this week - perhaps she was busy. She then said my blood pressure was 'fine and so is my weight' but she didn't mention the Mounjaro letter so either she didn't see it or she isn't concerned. i probably won't have any contact with my GP for 12 months now unless i get an infection or illness.

So some surgeries will just leave you to get on with Mounjaro even if they get a letter from the prescriber. It's nice that some seem interested in helping with your weight loss though.

Thank you @Letsgoogogo haven't told my husband so trying to ensure that he doesn’t find suspicious looking pens in the fridge 😃will order mine on Monday I think since you mentioned a June expiry

36.4 is my standard body temp (I am always cold 😩)

Hi all,
I took my 5th injection and 1st 5mg dose last night. First 4 were all on Friday mornings but I've shifted it a bit earlier to make sure I'm getting the full appetite suppressant effect going into the weekend!
Progress has been brilliant so far and it's stopped all the food noise in its tracks. Starting weight 13st 9lbs - now at 12st 11lbs. BMI from 31.7 to 29.7.
The only bad thing is that I'm cold most of the time. Other than that, it's exactly what I was hoping for.
I'm a bit worried as my GP has received the letter and as I'm recovering from binge eating disorder she wants to discuss it with me in a phone appt. It's really helping with this so I'll be doing my best to persuade her it's the best thing for me...willpower doesn't exist and this will help me get healthier, both physically and hopefully get me out of bad emotional eating habits too.