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 would love to shift a dress size, but it ain’t gonna happen for awhile!
When I started at 85.2kg (around 13st6lbs) I was a v snug 16, basically v tight jeans, substantial muffin top, loose tops. Now down 5kgs, I just fit into size 16 better. I reckon I need another 5kg off before I contemplate a smaller size.
Realistically, my WL is looking like 1.5 lb a week. So probably the end of June before contemplating a new wardrobe. And it will only be “new” in that it will be clothes already lurking.Slow, but something to look forward to.

Had this initially, but it went away after a couple of weeks on its own.

I’m also a long way off new clothes. My size 18 trousers are now more comfortable.

@spamm

yes, especially maternity wards are the worst place to be with a new baby, no peace and everyone else's baby crying wakes you too, I couldn't wait to get home.

https://www.myprotein.com/referrals.list?applyCode=SARAH-R1HB

There you go @wonderingwhatsnext . And anyone else who wants £10 off their protein order.

Next thread

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5068850-continuing-mounjaropart-8

It’s good to know not alone. I was bmi 26 then in about 9 months last year put on weight to bmi 31…I was on hrt.

I think the problem we have at the moment with long term maintenance is that the prescribing guidelines haven't accounted for it, as far as I'm aware? So I'm not sure how much ability the prescribers have here to think about maintenance.

Thank you for the needle links @MelissaLouRocks, and congratulations on the loss against the odds!

I'd say to keep your money. Made no more difference to mine than a normal moosturuser :-(

I had an allergic reaction to that Prai cream - it brought be out in a rash. Thankfully it was a sample in an advent calendar and I hadn't bought a full size.

1. It’s a brand new pen!

and it’s like a sauna so hence the concern. That said I’m going to go and inject jt. Apparently if it’s denatured it will go cloudy and it looks ok…

Sri Lanka is heavenly.

Oh no! Hope it's ok etc!

How you finding eating /drinking when there? I take it you're on holiday?

Are you able to eat the spicy food?!

I’ve also tried the Prai cream in a sampler and it didn’t change my world.

I think the expiry dates and storage instructions are set very tightly and are at the very top end of what they could be. We know expiry dates on pens have recently been extended by months after they were tested further. And even then it won't stop being effective or suddenly make you sick at midnight on expiry date.

I would say if the instructions say don't store it above 30 degrees it is probably thought to be fine if stored at 30-35 or even 35-40 but they say 30 as a precaution so anyone going somewhere hot tries to keep it refrigerated. If it isn't cloudy and doesn't have bits in it I would still use it. It might be a bit less effective but it's probably exactly the same as before you got to Sri Lanka.

(I write this as someone who used a bonus dose 42 days after the pen was first used - it was fine - and who is currently using milk with a use by date of 30th April)

@Buffypaws my pen went to Peru last month and survived both the desert (although to be fair, it wasn't that hot) and the freezing cold Andes!

I got my pen from Boots last week. Opened the box to inject today (first time) and there's a pen and two leaflets and nothing else - no needles or swabs. I've sent Boots a message but if anyone can advise in the meantime - was I supposed to get something extra myself? Is it hidden in the pen that I'm to scared to twist? I have taken the cap off.

I'm cheesed off as I was all geared up for it.

I didn’t get any needles from Boots either. It’s not great and I hope they give you some. You can buy a box of 100 online quite cheaply but you shouldn’t have to especially as a newbie to all this. I think there is a link in the op. Swabs should come with your medication too as it’s in the instructions. You should also get a sharps bin for the first order.

The Virtual slimming clinic sell these separately I notice and Bolt and I think MedExpress provide enough free of charge.

The needles are never in the pen box. Maybe boots sent them separately and you didn't spot them or maybe they didn't send any.

You could go to a pharmacy today and try to buy some. Should be a few pounds.

I didn’t get swabs from boots but I did get needles. Med express send swabs as well as needles

With MedExpress the needles are in a small box which you might miss amongst all the packaging as it's not in the insulated bit. Might be the same for Boots, if you've still got the box it came in have a rummage.

I think most of the suppliers have forgotten to include needles at some point though, definitely seen a few complaints from different pharmacies.

Only a couple of posts left before this thread locks so just reposting the link to the new one.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5068850-continuing-mounjaropart-8

The

End

Goodbye