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

The reason I suggest research is that you need to work out how much you're taking as it could be over your usual dose.

@MountKilimounjaro Thank you. Had no idea about that. Though I have a spare needle too? I hadn’t paid much attention to what needles were in bag as I had bunged it all into bottom of fridge

@MelissaLouRocks thanks, I will give it a go. Welcome suggestions of collagen brands. I know this was covered in one of the earlier threads but will take forever to find.

I haven't got very far yet!
I ordered with Medexpress yesterday evening but they've asked for ID and my passport is expired and still in my maiden name, and I don't have a driving licence.
My work ID card had been declined as ID. My correct name and photo are on it, and my face photo on my work ID card matches my face in the photo they asked me to send them of myself, but they won't accept it as it doesn't show my DOB.
I'm not being funny but anyone can clearly see from the photo I've sent them that I'm over 18. I'm 50 and look it!
So it looks like I might not be able to get it😕.

Would they accept an expired passport with your maiden name and a marriage certificate?

@GloriaBunniford you could try another prescription provider if they reject you - I’m using Asda and I didn’t need to upload ID.

Oh my god I have major Coke Zero regret 😫

Treated myself to a can this afternoon- my first fizzy drink since starting MJ. About an hour afterwards I went bright red, my stomach bloated so much I look 8 months pregnant.

Then the stomach cramps and severe nausea started. It’s been going on for hours and it’s horrible. This is my first major reaction since starting 10 weeks ago (I took dose 10 - my 5mg bonus dose yesterday).

I feel sick as a dog lying on the sofa and feeling like a right idiot. I forgot we need to avoid fizzy drinks - I won’t do that again!! I’m hoping a small glass of champagne will be ok as have a celebration coming up.

So marine collagen (type 1) supports hair/skin/nails etc., is most effective if taken in conjunction with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. My consultant said avoid capsules, you may as well throw your money away! Bovine (type 3) supports gut and digestive system, and type 2 is very good for joints and cartilage, though I know of only one place I can get that in powder form.

The powders are generally unflavoured , and can be mixed in a shake, smoothie, coffee etc.

Ancient and Brave, Hunter and Gather and Nutrition Geeks all do excellent ones with no fillers or nasties. If you look elsewhere be careful, they need to be hydrolysed collagen with the correct molecular weight to ensure bioavailability, otherwise there's no point. If you have any more questions just shout.

Hope you feel better soon @WannabeHealthier 💐

I'm so glad MJ has cured my diet coke addiction!

Similar happened to me. I emailed them my marriage certificate as I have no ID in my married surname but my NHS record is in my married name.

I am feeling so proud of myself. Home alone tonight, zero appetite but I hadn’t eaten all day so was determined not to just go to bed. I didn’t fancy anything but made myself make a hot chicken, pesto and salad sandwich. I enjoyed it, it was good protein, and I won’t have totally starved myself into a loss tomorrow. I often only eat once a day normally but ideally I do want to be eating two meals a day if I can, to work out what portions those need to be.

@MounjaroNewbie some providers send extra needles and some only send four. Really important to research properly before going ahead with the extra dose as it may be higher than you're used to. There's loads of info and tips on these threads. Don't go in blindly though, this is prescription medication after all.

I decided to use my extra dose as a bridging dose before going up to 5mg as it was a slightly higher dose than my usual. I used my extra dose by twisting the pen really hard.

@Wonkypictureframe that sounds delicious & very sensible!

I've realised I must have some appetite suppression going on. Today, I did Pilates at 6am, walked for an hour at lunchtime and went for a run this evening. When I got home, rather than raiding the cupboards, I had a bath, then cooked dinner for myself, plated it up, got distracted by the children needing me to do various things and it was at least 15 mins before I walked past my untouched plate and thought that I'd better it.

I am finding all of this fascinating. I have a job which is usually stressful and all consuming but I happen to be in a lull. This lull coincided with me starting with MJ and I'm not sure how much is due to work lull and how much due to MJ but I am making better decisions about food which means I'm not constantly chasing a sugar high and have more energy which means I am more able to exercise which means I am getting all of the benefits of that and am outside more and getting the benefits of that which, in turn, is no doubt also helping me make better food choices. The fact that work is quieter means I have more time to exercise, more time to see friends even if all of my social plans are around exercise and more time to sleep. Interesting.

@GloriaBunniford
Try The Family Chemist, their prices are similar to MedExpress, but they don't seem to be as strict about photos etc.

@MelissaLouRocks

I skimmed that, didn't notice who'd posted it and thought it said coke addiction and thought for a second "Wow, they're really onto something if it can do that", before reading it properly 😂

@WannabeHealthier I had a really bad reaction to a can of fizzy pop too. Hope you feel better soon.

This made me smile! I’m sitting up because I can’t sleep due to stomach cramps caused by the can of coke. Take that as a warning people!

thanks @Investinmyself I know it will pass soon, thankfully I have a day off tomorrow!

Happy middle of the night. I’m awake as the thunder startled me awake.

@GloriaBunniford I didn’t have to provide ID to Asda. I had to send two photos. One of me in all my glory - my first photo was rejected as I had baggy PJ pants on and the second of me on the scales. I also had to give GP details.

There will be somewhere that will accept you. Don’t give up yet!

@ObsidianTree
CONSULT-BLOOM giving 15% off Med Express.

@GloriaBunniford I used https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/?utm_source=Optimail&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=UK+-+APRIL+20_PERCENT+1+2024 and didn't need to send id or photos although I was registered with them from sooner years ago for something else so possibly sent id then and can't recall. Delivery was very prompt and my only worry was the expiry date but they have since sent me the manufacturers leaflet about a typo on packaging and that expiry date is longer like another poster on here had reassured me.

First 5mg dose taken this morning.

SW: 12.6.6
CW: 11.9.4
GW: 10.0.0

11.2 lbs off in 5 weeks, so not a fast loss, but steady.
And 11 lbs more than I've managed in the last year 😅
I've had a bit of a drinky week, with a weekend away and a couple of unplanned nights out. Away again this weekend. I'm not drinking nearly a much as I was, although that's more a consequence of logging everything I'm eating and drinking; MJ has yet to have any effect with alcohol.

This mornings injection stung much more than previous ones have. 😪

It's interesting to me how different injection sites dictate how the meds work for me.

I have noticed that the stomach is the best place in my case for appetite suppression.

Thighs are the second best place for appetite suppression but also leads to the least side effects (it's the area I use when titrating up)

My least favourite area is the back of my arm. I've been bloody starving since I had the injection there for the first time on Monday and also felt rubbish. I'm having to use a lot of willpower not to stuff my face as I'm really hungry but at the same time really struggling to manage my 2-3L of water.

On the bright side it did break a slight stall and see me get into the 11 stone bracket, but I can't wait to go back to the stomach next week.

I'm interested in hearing how different injection sites work for other people?

Morning all! Weigh in 11 and injection 12 tomorrow.

SW:14.1
Cw: 11.11

and I’m on my period. 😂 (honestly I could track my cycle using this thread now).

I have only ever injected in my right thigh and that’s been fine for me.

Hi all, started on Tuesday night. Decided to redirect my funds that I've been using for personal training into this, was getting nowhere with the training because you really can't outrun a bad diet. Going well so far, definitely less hungry which has surprised me since 2.5 is a non therapeutic dose. Unfortunately having the exact opposite of constipation on a morning so having a couple of WFH days and hopefully that will settle over the weekend.

I'm a much higher starting weight than most on here I think, annoying since I've actually had weight loss surgery but regained about 50% of the weight I lost.

Anyway just checking in and hope everyone has a great day!