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

@MendaciousMabel just want to echo what everyone else has said. I'm heavier than you so I really know what it feels like. Part of the reason I put off losing weight for so long is it just felt like an impossible undertaking.

I'm splitting my loss into 10kg packages. I hit my first 10kg this week which was fantastic. Now I'm just moving on to me next one. That one will see me hit under 100kg, a very exciting point! And then I'll still have some more blocks to go before I'm done. If I try and think about it all in one go it feels unachievable. But 10kg at a time is doable.

I used STARTNOW 15% off with Med Ex

BUT

I have tried to change from Asda for 7.5mg. They are quite picky and have asked for two sets of photos, ID current weight etc and have taken their time (ordered Wednesday) and still don't know if they'll prescribe. I wanted to change as they are 40 quid cheaper with codes and generally are without, but I've had to chase them today asking them to make a decision or refund me as I would just like to know it is on its way. I wish I just continued with Asda.

I've just reordered from MedExpress, I'm sticking on 5mg.

Yesterday I think someone said you couldn't easily order a higher dose on MedExpress and had to start a new consult. You can do it easily. Just click the reorder button on your last one, after the form the box where it says what you're ordering is a drop down and you can change it in there to order the next dose up. No need to start from scratch.

Congrats everyone on their losses today! 🎉

I just want to say please be careful receiving advice over on the Facebook group Mounjaro UK. I tried to advise not to buy measuring tools from Amazon rather than medical grade syringes, and also that the new expiry dates on the 2.5mg pens were applicable to 3 batches only. Factual and polite. It was the admin posting incorrect information, and I've now been blocked. I would just prefer people to stay safe. Please take care everyone. 😊

I suppose having submitted ID and two sets of pictures (including one with my face, which I wasn't happy about) and the actual prescription box of the 5mg dose it would be less faffy. I found Asda a bit slow, but much less faff and not asking for so much info. They'll want my blood group at this rate

Do you know if you can cancel an order easily with Med Ex? If I don't hear from them by 4pm I will call them.

Thanks for the codes! I just ordered and then straight away sent photos of the scales, full body and my previous 2.5 prescription from Asda. I still have my 4th dose plus bonus to go so not in too much of a rush but would like to know sooner rather than later if they are going to reject me again!

That's crazy. I do worry about the behaviour of some people when it comes to this drug. It seems they don't want to be responsible. Some of the posts about taking the dosage every 3 days rather than weekly were worrying me so I commented and was scolded by 2 posters. So now I just stick to the Mumsnet MJ FB group. Less hassle.

I think a day early is OK if you are no longer feeling effects, but agree every 3 days is extreme (and expensive).

Agreed. Don't know if it's still up but it was on a post where a woman was complaining about only losing 6lbs in her first week. There's also a lot of disordered eating encouraged there that I find quite eek.

I've taken my 2.5mg a day early this week as I've been starving for 3 days. I can definitely feel it wearing off. But I agree some people are taking no responsibility for their own health with this drug and just want the weight off asap. Apparently the nhs have seen a lot of people come through the door with stomach issues who have been taking this medication but not following the guidelines properly. I just hope they don't ruin it for the rest of us who are trying to do it properly. And it ends up with much tighter regulations and restrictions.

I took my 3rd dose of 2.5 early too - but not 3 days! I’m not sure how comfortable I’d feel doing it with higher doses but with 2.5 I felt like it was ok going a day early as I was struggling

You can lose alot initially in once the meds work properly, but once it is settled I don't know how you can eat in such a calorie deficit that you lose 6lbs in a week. You would have to spend the entire day running on a treadmill surely? I'm only eating 1200 cals and only lose 1lb a week, sometimes 2lb. Even I feel I've lost the 14lbs I lost fairly quickly.

I've noticed this too. Also seen people talk about going up to 10mg as 7.5mg isn't enough. And they've been on 7.5mg for a few weeks by taking doses from the 5mg pens. Seems like some just don't want to wait and just are going up really quickly

Exactly.

I do think expectations are slightly too high for some. (Myself included.) I had a whinge that I've only lost 7lbs in 8 weeks but then realised. I'm half a stone lighter than I was at the beginning of March. That made me come back down to Earth a little bit lol.

Thanks to everyone for your wishes about my lovely FIL - it means a lot.

As a daily weigher I’ve avoided the scales this morning as I’m not eating well at the moment. I don’t know if it’s a case of old habits die hard (emotional eating) or perhaps the fact that I’ve come to the end of my 2.5mg pan and need to step up.

I used the extra dose last night doing the twist hard method. No idea how much was in there but I feel really hungry today. Especially when I woke up, I had that low blood sugar craving for sugar and carbs feeling.

Trying not to beat myself up given everything going on. I think it’d be even worse without MJ.

For those looking for MedExpress codes, my friend used DOSE20 as a new customer yesterday and that worked for 20% off 👍🏻

I think it's always the case with any weight loss method that people try and find a way to take shortcuts and push the limits. On SW it's making cakes out of stuff that is not meant to be cake and arguing about whether that's a tweak. WW does gaming with points and making up complicated formula to give you high and low days. Plus the good old not eating on weigh day and what not. People with surgery trying to blend up fatty food so they can still eat their usual foods.

Unfortunately with these medications, rather than just mucking about with chickpeas to make 0 point brownies, they're mucking about with quite powerful drugs. It is very worrying but almost feels inevitable to me. It's like as soon as humans see a plan we want to find a way to circumvent it.

Sending you love.

This is lifetime change for you, you will have times where you eat differently, and that's okay, because that's a usual eating pattern.

Thank you @Flapearedknave very wise words indeed

Looks like I may have to come clean to hubby.
Ordered the 5mg from Medexpress this morning. It’s being delivered tomorrow. 😱
Was hoping it would come Monday when he’s at work.
Tried the tracking to day delivery but the tracking isn’t working.

Just had an email from VOY- £100 off your first order! No good for me but if anyone is looking
VOYWLPDAQ

Having received a MedExpress order today I can tell you that there is a return address saying MedExpress on the label (in quite small print but still there) so I am not sure you can pass it off as shoes. Unless you have bad bunions and need specialist medical shoes?

MedExpress have sent me an email to say they’ve noticed I haven’t titrated up and to let them know if I need help with side effects or similar. Thought it was quite interesting that they do that.

Thank you @Scalessayeek will take my prescription and have in my hand luggage.

Just went to try and do an intermediate bonus dose with the last of the 2.5, but there was only 0.5ml left! So I just did my first 5mg dose instead. Fingers crossed for mild side effects! Off to go and eat the most protein-y thing I can find in the kitchen and to get a litre of water to drink and catch up on the thread!

I’m the same @Pigriver felt very stable and just better in myself on it. I’m on hrt and husband used to gingerly ask if I’d had my tablet whereas I haven’t had that. No hangryness either.
I’m 7 injections in and a stone off. Absolutely delighted with steady. Hoping 1-2lb a week off will be healthy and sustainable.
I was dieting before so no big loss week 1. Pleased to be actually losing. Eat in calorie deficit, drink water and exercise and I actually lose on mj!