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'm feeling a bit meh. So on the positive I'm now just under 15 stone which is a relief in itself. Looking at BMI I've still got nearly 5 stone to lose to fall into healthy BMI range and I just don't know how I'm going to bloody do it. I don't think I've been 10st something since I was in my early teens. It feels like so much to lose. I know BMI is not the be all and end all of things but it just feels like a big weight (!) on me.

Echo others comments that the NHS could save a fortune prescribing MJ etc. I am incredibly lucky to have my health but I'm only getting older and my luck will run out eventually if I don't sort out my nutrition and lifestyle. Also just tired of feeling fat miserable and depressed.

Always keep them on you in the cabin as they can freeze in luggage. You can get special bags for it but hubby takes his insulin fine.

They recommend taking a picture of your prescription though just in case.

I'm taking mine to Egypt in a few weeks and will just bundle it in with his pens b

That's really interesting as last night (I've done 6 jabs so far), I was so cold I had a onesie on plus a hot water bottle and a duvet!
I thought maybe I caught a chill but I felt ok, if that makes sense.

Another possible side effect.....my skin is really itchy...especially my face. The pharmacist gave me some cream plus an antihistamine...

Has anybody else had this, or maybe it's just totally unrelated!?

It seems like a lot but if you work towards it (within reason) you'll be getting healthier every day. All the small losses will build up and you'll be at your goal. If you lost 2lbs a week every week you'd reach your goal in under 9 months. That's not that far away.

I'm the same.
Very very slow loss now.
On Ozempic I lost three stone quite quickly...but on MJ it's very slow. I guess I shouldn't complain really as I've had no side effects to speak of other than being cold and possibly very dry itchy skin.

On Ozempic I had severe D&V for months. I had to stop when it became unavailable and I tried Wegovy but that didn't work.

I'm trying to remain positive in the fact that I'm losing weight (although last week I did put 1lb on)

The coldness is because it affects your hypothalmus in the brain which regulates body temperature, explains it here:

I'm at 7lbs in 8 weeks. But I'm remaining positive as at least it's the right direction.

@MendaciousMabel please don't be down, you're doing brilliantly. As a PP said you could reach your healthy weight by September time...we have lovely Septembers often, you'll feel a million dollars. Also just think at Christmas, if you have any work events or family occasions to attend, you'll be spending November being excited and possibly shopping (even if window shopping or Vinted if you're like me and the price of MJ is denting the old budget) for lovely clothes you're excited to wear. Slow and steady wins the race and you're on a downwards trajectory so even if 5 stone feels insurmountable with each pound lost it's closer to an uplifting comment, a NSV, a sense of achievement.

@MendaciousMabel

I understand, I have over 4 stone to lose to get back to my 2020 weight.

It may be 5 stone but you'll be feeling so much better long before then and that will spur you on. Plus, as has often been said, the time is going to pass anyway, at least you'll be moving in the right direction while it does.

Maybe set yourself some intermediate targets and just aim for the first one.

Weekly weigh in and only lost 0.3 kgs this week. My aim was to get to 70kg by next Friday. I’m not 71.4 kg so doesn’t look like I can achieve it with this lack of progress. Just ordered my 7.5 pen from Bolt this morning so hopefully that will help but need to get the bonus dose out first. Fitting into a trousers that hasn’t fit me for ages though!

Manual are bombarding me wit their 44% off. But staying everyone has to start on the lowest dose. So seems a bit pointless, unless they are hoping to target those previously on Oz/weg.

If anybody wants the code it's WLPDCH

Just read this really interesting article in The Times For those who don’t subscribe, the crux of the argument is that the author felt ‘flatter’ due to the effect on dopamine (but continued to take Ozempic because of the health benefits). I thought it was a nicely balanced article for a change. Just pre-ordered the book that the article promotes, Magic Pill (not the author, promise).

Just a quick update after my weigh in on the day I took the 3rd 5mg jab.

for context, I lost about 2 and a half stone last year on Saxenda but it's been a bit patchy between November and March due to supply issues.

I started on mounjaro and the first month I lost a bit but it was more down to willpower and i still found it too easy to eat the wrong things and drink wine...

It's better on 5mg and I'm now seeing steady weight loss again - 2.5lb between jab 2 of 5mg and jab 3. If I can keep it at this level I'll be happy as I'd rather lose at a slow and steady rate rather than a huge whoosh will might be harder to maintain. *

I'm eating but I'm being careful to be healthy so that although it's less it's all good stuff but I'm also finding that easier as desire for wine has now gone and also my sweet tooth. Fancied a hot chocolate yesterday evening but it was too much and I only drank half.

5.5 pounds to go to my next stone marker at which point I will have lost a total of 3st 8lbs.

*Should point out that 'piling the weight back on' isn't always the case as some sceptics claim. In the time I wasn't taking the Saxenda I only put on a couple of pounds or so and that included Christmas so if you combine the meds with just getting into healthier habits it can work and I suspect it might have reset my 'set point'.

Just catching up with posts, fantastic to see the losses of some who have been taking Mounjaro for a while now.
On week 3 of 5mg (week 8 in total) and questioning how much longer I can take Mounjaro for. Still regularly feeling so nauseous that I can only eat crackers and often too tired to exercise. Obviously this isn’t helping me to maintain healthier habits. I think I’ll try one more 5mg pen. I’m 1lb off losing 2 stone, so it’s been a fantastic kick start. But I want to be able to eat salad for lunch and go swimming.

@Namechange602 really helpful to hear that the weight didn’t ’pile back on’. I assume it’s all about the habits you’ve developed rather than simply not having the medication in your system. It’s a fantastic loss overall, well done.

I agree that I don’t mind losing the weight steadily as it feels more real that way, if you know what I mean? Normally if I’ve lost a lot of weight very quickly it’s been through illness and the weight immediately returns once I’m back to normal, so I have that in my mind. A few years ago I lost about three stones very gradually and had kept it off without any real problems until menopause hit when two stones went back on. I’m hoping if I can get to lower than I was before then, then even if my hormones kick in again when I stop, I’ll have space to put a bit on but not get back to obesity.

The article is interesting. I think MJ stops you needing that dopamine hit. Whether that is from food, alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping etc. I have certainly found myself much more 'level' with fewer ups and down. I guess for some people who crave the dopamine highs they might end up feeling flat but for me I actually feel more serene and in control.

I did my last jab (3rd 5mg) in my stomach instead of my though and it wore off much faster but that's ideal for me. Just arrived in Spain for a long weekend so will be nice to eat a bit more normally. Feeling a bit hungry but still feel full much sooner. Suppression has been pretty intense at times on 5mg so it's nice to have a bit of respite!

The jump from 2.5mg to 5mg is the biggest jump in the titration schedule as it’s an increase of 100%, from there to 7.5mg is only 50% and from 7.5mg to 10mg is only 33%.

I actually think this was not well thought out by the manufacturers as it is the point where many have a lot of side effects.

I peek in on US threads on Reddit where it has been available a lot longer and going from 5 to 7.5 is never as bad and a lot of role say they had side effects of nausea etc in the first few months but no longer do so I would give it a bit longer to get used to the 5mg before you write off the whole thing, you may find it eases a lot in the next 2-3 weeks and you’re able to continue even if you then just stay on 5mg.

Thanks @lurkylurk thats a great point regarding the jump from 2.5 to 5. I’ll get one more 5mg pen, so will give it 7 more weeks (I use the extra dose to make each pen stretch to 5 weeks). Hopefully my body will have got used to it by then.

5mg is wearing off for me so I plan to get 7.5mg for my next pen and stay there. This aligns with what the trial found - that 7.5mg is the first really effective dose for most people. I have had good losses so far but want to keep going and think aiming for 7.5 and staying there as long as possible is right for me.

Interesting article- Johann Hari has documented his long struggle with depression from a young age, so would make sense that has been his experience.

I haven’t noticed it dulling my enjoyment/mood but then the only thing I really get a buzz from is food. I don’t really have any other addictions/ indulgences

This research is fascinating. It explains why weight loss will always plateau after a while, but then also supports why maintenance doses should be allowed for those who've already reached a healthy weight.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/22/health/weight-loss-plateau-study-wellness/index.html

Jab day and weekly weigh in

Week 9
SW: 98kg (15st 6 - BMI 35.1)
CW: 91.8kg 💃 (14st 7 - BMI 32.9)

Total loss so far: 6.2kg = 6.3% of starting body weight

1st goal (pre babies weight) reached!
Next goal: 88kg (weight when I got married)

Can't wait to see a figure that starts with an 8 - and thanks to MJ I can see it's finally going to happen!

Sorry to ask this as it’s probably asked all the time but what MedEx codes are working just now? I’m hoping to switch from Asda and use a code! I did have a look through the thread but there’s so many posts!

I used CONSULT-BUNNY on Wed and it got me £25 off a 7.5mg