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

Great loss OP! Thanks for the new thread.

Due my 4th dose Monday, debating adding half the bonus shot as don't really want a 5th week on 2.5 and might help bridge the gap to 5.

Assume you do it last 2 separate injections so different sites?

Need to order my next pen think might go for a cheaper provider while I'm still over 30 bmi

Im on my 4th dose on Tuesday of 2.5mg the first 2 weeks were ok, after injection the first days wherever I ate I felt so full almost sick but now I’m almost always hungry so I think the dose is too small form me 😕 also lost almost nothing

for those taking the bonus dose, did you just used a new needle and syringe and took all whats left and used in one go? Would that be also 2.5mg or less or more? (What ml is the 2.5mg dose anyway?) thank you!

I'm finding the non scale hormonal victories fascinating!! My PMDD, which I take citalopram for, has also disappeared. It really feels like something has been corrected like HRT. Weight loss is great but it's the calm, measured person I am on this that's the real win for me at the moment.

I'm on my 9th dose. I did two months on 2.5. I've lost 8kg and am down from 81kg to 72kg. I plan to stay in 0.5 until I feel it's not working.

I haven't and I was looking out for it. I am very fit ( fat but fit!) with resting heart rate in the 40s so I was expecting a rise. But it hasn't happemed.
My blood pressure which was in the 130s, so not terrible but not ideal, has dropped to the low 120s.

Still not approved to swap to MedExpress. Hanging on as it's such a big saving compared to Zava. Fingers crossed it happens today!

I also haven't noticed it. I discussed the injections with my cardiologist who as adamant I couldn't have ozempic or wegovy because they do raise the heart rate but was happy with mounjaro as it's a different class of drug and shouldn't have this effect.

I missed this.

Yes my heart rate has gone up a lot. It's a known side effect. I went from high 70s/low 80s to high 90s on MJ! It's actually increased with my dose! See my chart I attached.

I have noticed when I take my jab I felt it more for that day ish.

I wonder if that's why we also lose weight on MJ. As higher heart rate means burning more fat etc.

I had to pick up a prescription the other day and the pharmacist asked to do my blood pressure. I was worried it would be bad because of the MJ, but he said it was fine. So phew! Lol

Good luck! How long have you been waiting?

If they don't approve, I think the family chemist is similar prices. Not sure about discount codes tho

Wow! My resting heart is so much higher! But im not fit in anyway! I need to work on this!

@ObsidianTree well done in your loss this week and than you for this fantastic, supportive thread.

I’ve got stubborn HBP, I’m on 3 different meds but the last 2 days it’s been the lowest for a very long time- 112/76. My heart rate unfortunately was 107/108! I’ll keep an eye on it- I feel fine but that’s too fast.

Another benefit I’ve found is Ive lost my water retention. I can see my ankles, my wedding ring is loose and even my face looks different. I’ve been struggling with this for ages & had put it down. To my BP issues.

Thanks for the new thread. I find these so hard to keep up with as they move so fast so mostly posting in the MN Facebook group.
I took my third dose of 2.5 last night. Two weeks in and I have lost 11 pounds so far - 7 in the first week and 4 in the second. I am very pleased with this but I know it won't necessarily continue at this rate. I'm hoping for an average of 2 to 3 pounds a week.
I agree with what others have said, MJ puts us on a level playing field with everyone else. My losses are due to eating well and exercising which MJ makes possible. My brain hasn't been entirely consumed with thoughts of food so I've had the space to be able to make good choices and move my body more. I am also feeling strangely calm and balanced as others have reported 🥰

Well done @ObsidianTree - that's a fab loss!

I just looked at the Mounjaro FB groups and oooooffff! There really are so many absolutely clueless people signing up for this not knowing the most basic information about it. Baffling.

The appetite suppressing from my first 5mg dose has hit and it's powerful. Normally on a weekend I have two coffees in the morning, but I could only manage one. Had a small amount of protein oats and a small smoothie (one of the kids innocent cartons) and I feel like I never want to eat again!

In other news, I weighed this morning and lost another pound, so I'm officially into the next stone bracket! I haven't seen this weight in a few years.

I was always a distance runner before dodgy joints made me stop and comfort eat and get fat, so I seem to have a very well conditioned heart which responds very quickly to training.
With the weight loss journey I started training again ( whispers, as I'm not really meant to run for the sake of my joints but can't help myself!).
Essentially I have the cardiovascular system of a 20 year old athlete and the body of a 90 year old😂

I took my 4th dose of 2.5mg yesterday. Together with some pretty hefty work stress my appetite has completely gone. I dont seem to be having any calming effects atm! Otherwise I'm eating a really healthy UPF high protein diet and hitting the gym x3 per week.

SW 13st 5lbs
CW 12st 7lbs
GW 9st 6lbs

My resting heart rate initially jumped up when I started MJ (end March, beginning of April) but I've just looked and it's went down a bit since then. I really need to get fitter. It says my fitness is poor to fair 😬

For anyone wanting to try The Family Chemist I found a couple of discount codes that are supposed to give 15% off but no idea if they work. They are:
MAIL15
STOP15

Morning all!
Those are great losses @ObsidianTree, I bet you are really noticing the benefits.

As for me, I am in the doldrums of weight loss after 9 weeks. I eventually had a whoosh last week after 2 weeks where I only lost 1lb, but now nearly all of that is showing as being back on. So in 3 weeks I'm about 1.5lbs down grrr. And I have absolutely not been cheating on calories and have got quite a few steps in,
So I'm not recording today's weight as I think it's probably water (and the rest....) and will drink loads today to try and flush it all out!

Happy Saturday to everyone

Yuck. The acid/egg burps are back. Not sure if it’s the fact I had a mild curry last night or just a side effect but they’re awful!

@livingwithpmdd I found that initially on the 2.5 but did have a rough period on it last month when I started 5mg. I haven't been diagnosed, but very sure I have it as I have dark despairing moods in the week before my period and get overwhelmed with anxiety and get panic attacks if my work/lifelong is high at the time. I would have a hysterectomy if i could.

I am on a low dose of HRT which has helped significantly, but I get the odd shit month (last month I wasn't great at remembering to change my patch). You've just reminded me I need my next dose.

I hope you have found a way of managing your symptoms. It's quite hard to live with as people don't understand how bad it can get. I have felt genuinely like I want to die sometimes, and then in a week I'm at the other end of it and feel really positive. It's a very strange disorder.

Thankfully I don't get the rage very often and just feel really down and anxious. If I did I'd have no friends or family 😊

I can't say I've noticed any effect on my mood, if anything I might be a bit grumpier!

I'm intrigued by my reaction to the 5mg pen. I have half the week feeling awful and then over the weekend I start feeling like it's worn off. Although I still get fuller faster. It's not an ideal situation! I've got another 5mg pen anyway though and I'll just use the weekends as a test of keeping to better eating habits without the complete squashing of food noise.

I'm so glad I have read this thread. I couldn't keep up with the previous threads as they were getting full so quickly. The last couple of days, 2 people at work have said that I seem so chilled and calm. Maybe it's the mounjaro. I've been on anti depressants for years. Also am able to pull my belt one more hole (ie tighter) . This is amazing!

@KeepingUndercover have you thought about doing 2.5mg shots from your pen every 3-4 days? So you still get the same dose per week but it's smoothed out more. It might help with the side effects.

I did my second dose of 2.5 on Thursday. For me there’s been a reduction in food noise, but actual appetite suppression is very mild.

I’m ok with that. I want to be active in making healthier choices. I saw a video where it said if you let the medication do all the work, you’ll learn nothing and gain it back again as soon as you stop. You have to put effort in to create better habits while on the med.

No negative side effects so far. I think I’ve noticed a reduction in inflammation already. I seem less puffy. (I’m atopic so naturally have high inflammation year round).

Does anyone do any type of Face Yoga that has any good recommendations? Thought it might be a good idea to strengthen face muscles to avoid looking drawn.