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

I posted on the prev thread by accident, went out last night and had a few glasses of wine and it was not worth it! Woke up at about 3 with agonising tummy pain was eventually sick and then the pain seemed to travel to my back/shoulders. Never known a pain like it. I wasn't sick again but it was awful and I feel rotten today. I am never drinking again while on MJ!!!!

I posted on the prev thread by accident, went out last night and had a few glasses of wine and it was not worth it! Woke up at about 3 with agonising tummy pain was eventually sick and then the pain seemed to travel to my back/shoulders. Never known a pain like it. I wasn't sick again but it was awful and I feel rotten today. I am never drinking again while on MJ!!!!

On the plus side I've lost 5kg since February, 3.5 of which has been with MJ in the last 2 weeks. Aside from the sickness from alcohol I have pretty much no side effects and feel really great most of the time! Definitely well worth the money to me, I've never been able to be this focused on healthy eating before.

Has anyone found a way to deal with constipation? I'm trying not to resort to meds, but daily prune juice (grim) and aloe vera don't seem to do anything for me. Have upped my water intake but have a long work commute, so get a bit worried about getting caught short.

I’m not a big drinker anyway, but you’ve put me off every trying to while on Mounjaro!
Hope you feel better soon!

I'm not really comfortable messing around with doses too much. I think this week was slightly better than the previous week so I'm hoping my body is getting used to it.

I totally missed that there was a new thread and wondered why the other one was quiet. Eejit!!

3lbs off for me this week and third injection done. That’s over 7lbs in 2 weeks which I could never have managed without MJ

for those waiting to switch to MedEx. I ordered yesterday and emailed over a bunch of photos. They came back to me at 5pm yesterday asking more questions which I replied to straight away and I’ve just had an email saying it’s been despatched and will arrive on Monday!

Well done on your weight loss @ObsidianTree you’re an inspiration and great support to all on this thread

After a stall (and a lot of bloating) I seem to have had a whoosh! 💃

Week 9 and I’ve lost 25.5lb overall. I can’t believe I’m seeing a 14 on the scales again- it’s been years! I’m also no longer obese! BMI = 29.8

SW 16.7
CW 14.11 (and a half!)
GW 12

I have never gone below 1,400 calories per day, I’m trying to eat 80- 100g protein per day.

I’m now in size 14 clothing 🙌

I’d recommend Vinted if you’re looking for new clothes- some absolute bargains on there!

Everyone should go and do a post on the old thread so we can close it off and stop the confusion.

The other thread is closed now @KeepingUndercover

For me veg has helped, loads and loads of veg.

Well done @ObsidianTree and @WannabeHealthier, @MendaciousMabel and also all other losers. So nice to see the continuing level of support on here.

After a mini stall, I seem to be moving down again, with another 2 lbs weight loss this week. That puts me down 23.8 lbs since January and just 4lbs off moving to into overweight instead of obese. I am on my second 7.5 month (I am in the US) and plan on staying on the 7.5 for a couple of months more as it seems to be working. I still get hungry, but not ravenous, but I can make good choices and stay on track much more easily and consistently.

Excellent!

An example for me of how the food noise is gone is that it’s DH’s birthday. We’re going out for a really nice tasting menu type meal tonight which I prepared for by jabbing early last week so I’d have a little appetite but last night I’d normally have suggested a takeaway as an extra treat but instead I got a nice beef stroganoff from the local deli that we ate with vegetables and freekeh. And a cake each which I managed half of. So we saved money and had a really lovely meal too.

Today we’ve got the day to ourselves and instead of going to the pub we are going on a 10k hill walk.

I find syrup of figs very effective whilst being natural and gentle. Califig is the brand name - can get it in Boots etc

I take gummies about once a week if I am feeling uncomfortable. But the biggest effect comes from veg - my favorites are asparagus, roasted brussel sprouts and broccoli, and roasted peppers with onions. I am struggling with water - I am trying to increase the amount I drink, but I have cut back significantly since I started MJ, mainly because my diabetes symptoms have abated. I used to need to drink tons - but I don't need that anymore. Urgh.

So did my first jab last night. Today I feel sort of full and a tiny nauseous. I am still thinking about food but kind of can't be bothered to eat. Would you advise just eating normally but eating less? Keeping in a deficit and upping protein? Removing any foods that might cause stomach upsets?

Thanks 🙂

Yes focus on good quality protein but otherwise eat normally. You’ll probably find you are satisfied with less.

Avoid anything greasy. I’ve been ok with avocado and small amounts of olive oil and mayo.

I've reluctantly given up on moving to Medexpress as they simply will not prescribe to me without the 5mg boxes from Zava (which I recycled). I have asked for a refund and ordered from Zava again, which is costing me over £40 more. I have sent Medexpress soooooo much info, which has been time consuming, but it's good that they are not allowing people to jump straight to 7.5mg without 100% proof.

Obviously, I will be holding on to the boxes (as recommended by @ObsidianTree) from this new order...

Thank you 🙂

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!

@Sabblue i have found there was 0.7 ml leftover twice for my bonus dose. One dose is 0.6ml for all the pens I think (they get more concentrated). It is written on the side of the pen. I used it in one go. I don’t know what would happen but would be a little nervous using it in two parts as there isn’t any air in the pen for the rest of the time and it would be pushing the time the pen is in use for even longer. Yes I used a needle and syringe and extracted what was left through the end of the pen. Alternatively you can use another needle like the ones you normally do and twist hard to extract another dose.

I have also discovered bookmarking since reading this thread - very useful 😀

Do you have your order emails that show what you were prescribed? When I asked them about moving they said that would do it.

@ObsidianTree wow, you've done really well. I started at 17 stone 6lbs as well. 14 something seems so far away!
@livingwithpmdd mine is much improved too, but I also started a new combined pill a month before and increased my thyroid meds, so hard to tell which is helping most. But whatever it is, I don't miss spending half the month thinking I want to leave my husband and quit my job! Don't miss the awful anxiety either.

Yes, I sent them my GP letters, despatch notices, an email with every detail they could possibly need.

I asked them to cancel earlier as I'd had an email saying that what I supplied wasn't enough. but I have just received another email saying that the info has now gone to the prescriber! In the meantime, Zava have accepted my order, so I may end up with 2 x 7.5mg at this rate. Some of our US counterparts would kill to be in my situation!

I'll try to cancel Zava...

I’ve just taken my 4th 2.5mg dose last night and my 5mg pen is in the fridge.
I don’t think I want to have another week on 2.5, it’s just not doing enough and although I’m eating way less than I used to, I’m still struggling to eat well.
It’s a process I know and I’m learning as I go but could do with less hunger!

I’m wondering whether I should “top up” the dose I took last night with an extra 30 clicks (if the hard twist works for me) at some point this weekend?
I can’t afford any time off so it would be to smooth the transfer to 5.

Or do I just not use the bonus dose at all and start the 5 next Friday. It is a Bank Holiday so a longer weekend to get used to it.

Does anyone have any advice?

@Thebaldprimadonna I've managed to go to Mex Express from Zava, but I did supply the picture of the box thanks to being forewarned on this thread. Do you have a screen shot of the order on your account with Zava? They did want more info than Zava - full body shot with face, ID and prescription as well as weight. Was a bit much, but i do understand. My order was stuck at the preprescription stage until I called someone asking them to add my evidence to the account yesterday afternoon. They dispatched yesterday and I got it this morning, so was quick once prescribed.

@MendaciousMabel yes I made that mistake. Had half a bottle of very nice wine out with a meal (had small portion) then a couple of JD Honeys and I proper projectile vomited at 3am. My heart rate was racing. Really unpleasant and I won't do that again!

I'm starting to feel good in terms of weightloss now. I'm starting to get some shape back instead of looking like a plank of lard. Only OH has noticed though. It was nice to go in shops and think I might look OK in some clothes again. I don't want to lose too much in finances as well as weight though as I'm trying to save money, but I will get myself something when I reach my goal.