Continuing Mounjaro...part 7

[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. Also below you can plot the effect of your doses.
https://glp1plotter.com/

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.

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
further 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 2.5mg and 5mg. £149.99. 7.5mg £169. Use code STARTNOW. Ask for other codes if that doesn't work.
• The Family Chemist 2.5mg and 5mg -£149. 7.5mg £169.
• Simple online pharmacy - £159 2.5mg £179 5mg
• Bolt pharmacy 2.5mg £125, 5mg £179. 7.5mg £189
• Asda 2.5mg and 5mg £184. 7.5mg £189
• Boots £219 +
• Chemist4U £179 +
• Superdrugs

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

6th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5057916-continuing-mounjaropart-6?page=1

Thread for newbies just starting out:

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/5057475-mounjaro-and-wegovy-newbies-april-2024

Just had my 5mg pen delivered from medexpress and it also has a June expiry

Bit worried about the needles they’ve sent after reading this thread. I will have 2 left over from the box Asda sent me with my first pen so will use them and then maybe think about ordering a box to avoid the MedEx ones

The ones I quoted are actually the "Ultra" which are finer than the Fine Point

Thanks @MelissaLouRocks. I know nothing about needles so didn't realize the ones you mentioned were finer.

These are the ones I got with my Asda pen

https://www.chemist-4-u.com/novofine-needles-32g-4mm-7-pack?gclid=Cj0KCQjwir2xBhC_ARIsAMTXk84PsmIPi1RDA68nQdTBx14SkZzwzEDgu4Fx2DkjsksjVb6OjwHg2-waAh8hEALw_wcB

they are great but do seem expensive compared to some of the others as you only get 7

Did anyone stay on 2.5 mg for their second month?

I’m another that’s sticking. Was pretty fed up this morning but then put on a work dress that definitely looks so much better than it did and my spring coat zips it’s a size 12.
I definitely need to up my water.

I injected the 5mg today. 2 days early.
it’s been in the fridge. It was so hard to push down I thought it has frozen but did the test squirt and came out fine.
The needle hurt this time which it’s not done before. This order is from Med Express so wonder if there is an issue?

I am about to do my second month on 2.5mg as I don't feel ready to move up. I'm still loosing on 2.5mg although I can feel it wearing off on about day 5 but I'm in this for the long haul as I have 9 stone to loose.

@Ghilliedu the novofjne you linked to were the ones I had originally. They were great. I may order some more.

@Investinmyself all the work you've put in will make a difference even if you're not seeing the scales move at the moment. Great that your work dress is fitting better, all these small things count.

Thank you Flappy, Obsidian and others for your kind words and morale boost. This is a great community.

I've had my 2nd 5mg but done it in my arm this time. I recall seeing on reddit that it worked for some people to break a stall.

I usually have a dry mouth and slight headache by now but I have neither. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out and whether there's any noticeable difference in how I feel (and the number on the scales!)

Yes, June (Boots)

@choux yes same needles for Bolt and MedExpress that I had. I'm going to use the 4mm GlucoRX ones I bought for my next jab as definitely better than the MedExpress ones!

This is what I’m thinking I’ve got 10 stone or more to lose so don’t want to rush up them too quickly and then I’m on the max dose for a much longer time.

Hi everyone,

I'm 5 doses (2.5) in and it's working well. I have very little appetite and have to force myself to eat. I am shattered though, more so this week and last. I usually inject on a Friday (not ideal as I'd rather a Monday but wanted to get started).

I'm due to go out this weekend for DH's big birthday. Can I not inject on Friday and leave it to the Sunday as I'd like to have more of an appetite.

@RagzRebooted glad to hear it’s much improved! Yeah feels like anything could happen in those last two weeks of the cycle!

@Soukmyfalafel it does sound like PMDD to me too. It is a strange disorder! Tried a lot of things, most things work for some time then my body adjusts to them and they stop, thinking about trying hrt next as I’m pretty sure I’m peri too. But so far MJ is really helping, hope it continues 🤞🏻

Weirdly family chemist approved my order for 5mg without requesting evidence of my 2.5mg prescription. Which has made me a bit sceptical now.

My 5mg has just been approved and shipped.. so you've had the wrong information

Hi everyone. I have been reading the threads over the last few days and decided to take the plunge and order MJ. Ordered from Med Express on Sunday but my account still says awaiting prescription.
Is this normal?

*ordered on Saturday

Weigh in 7 has bought a 5lb loss and a total loss of 2stone.

I'm weighing most days and expect that to go up a bit now I'm eating again. The longer I'm taking this the more I'm realising that I have a really disordered eating pattern. An example to explain last week my little girl had an accident which triggered my anxiety and it's been a rough weekend. Normal me would have not eaten properly i.e. lots of mini binges on comfort food but not proper meals. Seems Mounjaro me didn't eat well either. There were no binges but because I didn't feel hungry I essentially starved my feelings instead of eating them.

I need to work through this but at the moment face to face therapy isn't an option because I don't have the childcare. Has anyone come across a good book or online programme I could work through. I need to get to grips with this as my eldest is getting to an age where he will start to notice these things soon and I want to break the generational cycle.

I found the "whoosh" diagram fascinating. I had no idea that that is how it worked.
It's so interesting following everyone's experiences on MJ. It's making me pick up on things I might not have noticed otherwise. I was surprised by people talking about having vivid dreams as I was only thinking when I woke up this morning that I don't seem to have had a dream all week. I've probably tempted fate now and will have nightmares all week! Also, my cycle is variable even on HRT but the latest I would expect to get my period usually is today and no sign of it yet. I think a few people have said that they came on early.
Can I ask are those people with ADHD are finding it? If you used food for dopamine hits, are you having to do something else instead or are you managing without? I don't have a diagnosis but am on the waiting list to be assessed. This week has felt strangely calm.
I'm a daily weigher. It didn't stop me putting on weight! It does help me in situations last night where I was really hungry but more desperate to see a loss on the scales again tonight

So I've ordered my 5 pen but I'm not sure I want to go up to 5 just yet. Can I just have 2.5 out of a 5 pen and how ? Thank you ...and I've lost 7lbs since Friday... completely shocked

The fat cell water whoosh theory is more of a theory than fact. I remember looking into it before and couldn't see any evidence for it. I'm not entirely sure fat cells work like that, I think they just shrink. It makes a nice graphic though!

Headache of yesterday has gone, but I've had really sore thighs today (dosed yesterday). Like my muscles are really sore and my skin is sensitive. Very uncomfortable. Due another walk tonight and not sure I can face it. We only stroll leisurely down the lane and back (uphill) but I just want to nap!

@bert3400 officially no, so this is just a theoretical suggestion and not advising you to do so as that would be off licence use.
The full dose of 5mg is 60 clicks so 30 clicks would be 2.5mg. You would need extra pen needles as you won't have enough.

Evening all,

I ended up taking 7.5mg on weekend. Today it's hit. Not feeling hungry at all and getting full quickly. Made a green juice to get some more vitamins in.Tastes disgusting 🤢😂

Also freezing and been freezing all day! Now in bed with my heated bed warmer on watching walking dead 😊

Have a good evening all

I'm another one like @FlappyFish who has had what seem like stalls for weeks on end and daily fluctuations. However the overall trend is downwards and that's what I'm clinging to.

SW Jan 2023 249lbs
SW MJ 24 Feb 2024 212lbs
CW after 9 weeks on MJ 193.6lbs.

So I've lost 18.4lbs on MJ ie 2lbs a week on average and that's fine (even if i lose nothing at all some weeks!

I've lost 55.4 lbs in total so I am 0.6lbs off a 4 stone loss. As I'm tall I don't really feel it much in terms of going into smaller sizes but I feel my clothes fit a lot better and I'm swerving my size 20 jeans now.

Going on holiday shortly and I know I can't keep this up for that fortnight. But will make the best choices I can such as no empty calories (beside cocktails!) and trying to be as active as possible. And when I get back it'll nearly be time for my 7.5mg pen and I hope that kicks in more than the doses have to date

This is quite interesting on the whoosh effect, sorry it argued against the water theory. I find the idea that fat cells would fill with water kind of weird, that's surely not how any cells work?www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/the-woosh-effect