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

Thanks @RagzRebooted and I know what you mean about height. You’re three inches taller than me. I didn’t think I’d ever get below 13, let alone 12. It is a very weird process but I’m so glad I saw the first thread and researched and jumped in. You’ve got this too!

@Soukmyfalafel oooooo I like that!!!

Morning everyone, is anyone who has been through this stage able to help me?

I took the 4th and 5th 2.5 mg doses together to go up to 5mg a week early. I didn’t have much in the way of side effects nor weight loss on 2.5mg so felt it was a reasonable thing to do. It was fine and that was the week I lost the most weight.

@RunningAndSinging thank you. I’m just worried about the side effects. Had to leave work early this week which I put down to MJ and still not 100% confident leaving the house!
Being as I didn’t take them together, it’s whether I take it today and risk work tomorrow. Assuming I can get the hard twist to work.

If I had been worried about side effects I think I would have done 5 weeks on 2.5 to give more time to get used to it. Obviously it’s your call but there is no rush really to go up through the doses. It’s hard not to be impatient.

if you have a shorter gap between the extra and the 5 mg that will be a higher dose in the system when you take the 5mg which could be harder for side effects.

Well done @FlappyFish . I am happy you finally got at woosh. I think that's great to stop focusing on the numbers and just trust the process. You must feel relieved. And so close to a healthy BMI! Fantastic.

@RagzRebooted I am also tall. 5'8. I also started at 17st 6lbs in Jan but stared on keto.

I did the hard twist and took the "bonus" dose as going up to 5mg a week early. Mainly out of curiosity and not wanting to "waste" what was leftover! The hard twist is easier than you think, just a bit of brute force I did it by hand.

I haven't had any side effects at all really with 2.5 but I found since Thursday when I doubled up I've been feeling mildly queasy and far less inclined to eat - having to focus hard to get decent calories and nutrition in. In hindsight I'd have used the extra dose as an extra week and gone up to 5mg a week late.

I am so confused. I just did my BMI calculation on NHS and I feel like it's changed. I thought I would have to get to like 9 and half st to get a BMI ot 23. Now it's like 11st. Also noticed it doesn't ask for gender. Maybe it's broken.

I seem to have had two mini whooshes back to back and have lost my first stone (in just over one month).

I've been stuck a 1lb to 0lb losses each week so it's reassuring that perseverance pays off eventually. I'm also very aware the next stone is not going to be as quick or easy.

About to take my second 5mg jab (have my 7.5mg ready and waiting in the fridge, I'm not trying to stockpile but definitely taking advantage of discount codes when it makes sense).

@FlappyFish you're absolutely right that the focus needs to be on eating for health.

Congratulations to everyone on their losses...and to everyone here for keeping going.

@RunningAndSinging @missionchub thanks for those insights. I haven’t had much apart from the odd headache and some nausea but put those down to drinking nowhere near enough and choosing an unwise meal. I’m trying to fix the water intake but it’s hard with the weather so cold and dreary! Same for food, emotionally I’m still wrapping myself up with comfort foods. I know they don’t have to be unhealthy but I’m trying to change my palate.

This week I guess something didn’t sit right at all and the digestive issues meant I’ve had to stay closer to home. Maybe the increased residual dose in my system means I can no longer get away with unwise choices!

Ok I must have calculated it wrong before. Apparently I need to be 11st to get to BMI 23. Didn't realise it was that high!

My weight in lbs now starts with a 1!

Reached highest ever weight on 1st March 210lbs (15st) I’m 5’3.

Through intermittent fasting lost approx half a stone, then bounced between 202 and 206 for 3 weeks. It was hard won. Ate in a 4 hour window, Fasted 20 hours. Found it hard to stick to consistently. One bad day easily undid 3 good days.

On April 18th was 204, first Mounjaro shot (2.5)
10 days later 198.6! And it’s been easy. I’m making healthy choices without fighting myself!

My weigh hasn’t stated with a 1 for a long time.

Hey, I was going to take a bonus dose but couldn't get that much out, so I did my 2.5 on week 4 as normal, and the next week went up to 5mg with the new pen.
Two days later, no awful side effects, though I do feel a bit nauseous, but nothing too bad. The appetite suppression is something else though! Have to force myself to eat.

@MrsBurtMacklin that’s good to hear. I think I’m going to see how this week goes with the 4th 2.5 in my system and then if my body settles down go straight to the 5. If my guts don’t calm down I might have to have a rethink about giving it an extra week.

This group is so supportive. Thank you!

@ObsidianTree I've just tried the BMI calculator, it seems the same as the NHS chart I checked at the very start. Although you're right, it didn't ask about gender.

My Dr was quite vehement that the top end of the healthy BMI was the max I should be aiming for (which is 11 stone for me). I've not been that weight since my 20s...feels like a very long way to go.

If you have just had bad side effects last week, then adding a larger dose now might not be worth it. Maybe wait for the bank hol weekend to go up to 5mg

@RagzRebooted well done, sounds like you're doing well :)
I'm also looking forward to just being overweight 😄

Not sure how much height affects it. I'm short and it's the same for me to drop a bmi point (half a stone). It took 2 and half stone loss to drop a full dress size. I've gone from size 20 to 18 and am now 13st 7.
I'd have to lose another 4st to get to a bmi of 23.5 and that's never going to happen 😂

Yeah I must have put the wrong height in.

Congrats to those getting over plateaus, well done sticking with it and not losing faith 🎉

I finally hit the half stone marker today and that feels good after what feels like forever being up and down and tiny occasional losses. Still a long long way to go though. I'll likely miss my goal of another stone off by my 40th in a month.

Hi @Loubri i didn’t want to waste the dose so I took it in week 5. I think with the build up it made the transition to 5 earlier. I have only ever really had constipation and dry mouth as side effects though. I’ve also never done the hard twist as I bought needles.

Good luck and I know that’s probably not too helpful.

@PissedOffNeighbour22 I have really revised goals now and moved away from a number. I don’t think I realised how much it would slow. My greatest goal is just to keep eating for health and listening to my body in a good way. Not a “food will fix my emotional pain,” way.

@FlappyFish oh it’s definitely helpful to hear all experiences, thank you.
My losses have been 6lb first week, then 1lb each week for the last fortnight. Can’t say I’ve been brilliant at calorie counting though but definitely eating less than I used to. Just need to change what I eat.
I could do with a bit less food noise so I am keen to try 5 as soon as possible.

@Loubri I took the extra 5th dose from the 2.5mg pen. I think I extracted around 0.8ml, which would have made it somewhere around 3.3mg. I used it as a transition between the 2.5mg and 5mg, as I do experience quite a few side effects (nausea, diarrhea, tiredness, feeling cold and achey). I’ve found the transition to 5mg quite hard and now experience side effects for 5 days rather than 3 or 4. One thing I’d warn about is that it’s quite hard to make better food choices if you’re feeling like that, and I sometimes eat crackers (sourdough, 13 calories, but still, hardly nutritious) because it’s all I can stomach. So a higher dose may not help with that. Just my thoughts.

Another day, another email from MedExpress asking for the same info I've previously sent. Arrgh. I'll call them tomorrow as I've sent everything they're asking for twice already.

Thankfully I have 3 does plus bonus still to go.

What annoys me most is they've charged me, but it's been a week and they've still not approved me.

@FlappyFish well done on your progress. Your 'clamped' comment certainly resonated!