Continuing Mounjaro...part 8

[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

Also there is a 5th dose in each pen. To extract it you can either try a hard twist or use an insulin needle.
https://medbasic.co.uk/bd-micro-fine-30g-1ml-syringes-needles

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
furthet 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

Thread for newbies just starting out:

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/5057475-mounjaro-and-wegovy-newbies-april-2024

Sounds good 😊 enjoy your holiday 😊

@spamm I was on mn back then too! Ds is 19.

I’ve taken my scales on holiday before. It was great to be able to stop myself worrying about how much I would weigh when I got home. It turned out to be the least weight I’ve ever put on on holiday too.

My husband will think I’m insane. I’m cool with it though.

I’ve tracked everything I’ve eaten and it’s under 1200 calories today…. And I’m not hungry but I definitely don’t feel stuffed like I would if I had eaten normally. I think this is more my own will power than any thing else.

Hello ladies I’ve been following from the first thread, since Obsidians’ very first post. This group has become my new obsession and never miss a post even when I was on holidays! I love to sit every night and read about your stories and progress. I feel like somehow I already know some of you. And after lurking in the dark for months I’m here to say hello and thank you for all the advice I’ve got in here. I’ve learned so much from all of you.
I’ve been keeping a little weekly diary on my phone that I will post but if you don’t wanna read through it all here’s the short version.

Height 1.56
Starting weight 73.50 kilos
Goal weight: Unsure
Started MJ 8th March
All doses 2.5mg

End of dose 1 (7 days): 69.50 (-4kg)
End of dose 2 (9 days): 67.50 (-2kg)
End of dose 3 (6 days): 66.40 (1.10kg)
End of dose 4 (7 days): 65.90 (-500gr)
‘Away on Holiday’
End of dose 5 (7 days): (-500gr)
‘Away on Holiday’ ruined dose/no dose
End of dose 6 (7 days): 66.25 (+350gr)
‘Away on Holiday’ ruined dose/no dose
End of dose 7 (8 days): 65.15 (-1.10kg)
End of dose 8 (8 days): 64.55 (-600gr)
End of dose 9 … to be seen

As you can see I started my journey just touching a bmi of 30.
I would say I eat in a healthy way, 98% of my meals are home made, I drink alcohol only 3 times a year, I maybe eat take aways 3 times a year, I just to have the equivalent of 10 cans of coke a year (I don’t have soft drinks anymore, last time I had one was last summer), I don’t eat rubbish food, the word McDonald’s almost makes me gag and I had it once in my life, never bought a bag of crisps in my adult life, I enjoy chocolate and sweets but not in a crazy way like my chocoholic hubby. Then comes the question of why I’m fat!? I wasn’t!

4 years ago I gave birth, can’t even blame pregnancy because as soon as I gave birth I lost the weight straight away, 2 weeks after I looked so good, like when you see people on tv and wonder how they did it, how is that even possible let me tell you, it’s good genes and your body remembering how it was before.
However the first 5 months after giving birth I spent them on my sofa holding my baby in a bubble crying of so much happiness. My mum and husband serving on me day and night. I ate and ate and ate and didn’t move much away from the sofa.
When I was ready to get back out to the world and start moving, lockdown started and that was when things spiral. Spent almost 2 years just at home, eating and eating, learned bad habits from husband like eating bread, butter, chocolate, soft drinks, cakes, etc things that before then I wouldn’t touch and that mixed with a very sedentary life made me fat.
Also the moment I became a mum my brain changed. Once a vain person who looked so much after my appearance and my body it’s like I completely forgot about myself. From there it was easy to put on even more weight and end up here.
Where I failed miserably was on portion control and also carbs, love love love rice! Also eating very late at night and going to bed with a full tummy.
Also, although I’m not crazy about sweets I always was having a sweet treat late at night in bed. Also not drinking enough water.

My story so far:
Dose 1 - 2.5mg (Friday 8th March)
Felt the effect the next day.
Had sore shoulders and neck but went away the next day.
Had some pain on the leg I injected, like sore muscle pain but went away in a day too.
All week felt a bit weird, like a little bit flat, not tired as such but like when you are sleepy and are unable to concentrate properly in doing simple things.
Felt so freezing cold all the time.
Extremely thirsty all the time, which I love because I wasn’t doing great with my water intake.
No change in diet but smaller portions and swap a couple of things for healthier options. No exercise at all.
Day 5 and 6 I fell the effect slowing down and that it was 80% MJ and 20% my own effort as started to crave my usual nighttime sweet. Bought some protein chocolate mousse and that was enough to kill the craving.
No constipation as the smaller portions and so much water have helped me to go without problems.
Weird but when I woke up on Friday (day 7 and day of my second injection) it was like the effect was starting again as I was not hungry at all. It was a huge effort to even put something in my mouth. Late afternoon the effect started wearing off again.
Lost exactly 4 kilos on the dot.
Tbh I was a bit shocked/happy/concerned/puzzled and couldn’t believe my eyes.
Didn’t feel or look any different.

Dose 2 - 2.5 mg (Friday 15th March)
Never again injecting late afternoon/night. Was hard to go to sleep and woke up very early.
Felt the effect straight away.
Still crazy thirsty and feeling cold but not absolutely freezing like first week.
Thanks to this thread I discovered MFP, so good to track what I’m eating, also a bit shocked how any little thing you put in your mouth adds up the calories.
Most days I managed around 950
calories and that was eating plenty and without feeling like I’m on a diet at all.
First mistake, hubby’s bday, went out to Wahaca and ordered a steak burrito and water. Should had stopped at half burrito as I was stuffed. However, I was waiting for ages for my husband and daughter to finish their food, drinks and dessert that I just started picking on the remaining half, bad bad mistake 🙈 got bad tummy pain and had to run to the toilet! 💩 After that I was completely fine.
Tried on clothes and still looked the same, not sure what I was expecting 🙈
No exercise except one cardio session at home from YouTube and walked everywhere I could.
Face noticeably slimmer and my skin looking better, all thanks to all the water I’d been drinking.
Friday arrived and still felt the effect, yes, was wearing off a bit but decided to test myself and not to inject and maybe push for another couple of days.
Lost 2 kilos.

Dose 3 - 2.5 mg (Sunday 24th March)
The effect took longer to kick in that in previous weeks but got there in the end.
First period on MJ, I’m regular like a clock but it was 2 days earlier.
No side effects except being very thirsty
For people not seeing results on the scale!! On day 4 I tried on clothes again this time because of an upcoming holiday and another shock at how much better a couple of summer trousers were fitting so I ran for the real test … “the jeans” and omg I could cry, all of them were not even fitting better, they were loose 🥲 So it is true that sometimes the scale doesn’t show much lost but your measurements definitely change.
Lost 1.10 kilos

Dose 4 - 2.5 mg (Saturday 30th April)
Injected one day before I was supposed to as I had a very long flight very early Monday morning and I didn’t want to risk any side effects.
Felt the effect straight away.
Monday morning put my pen in my big suitcase and off it went. Didn’t see it again for the next 23 hours.
Left the UK with a weight of 66.40.
Arrived in South America and put the pen straight in the fridge … only to realised 1 day later that being so tired I had put it in the freezer and not the fridge! 🙈 Moved it back to the fridge and wonder if I had ruined it.
Arriving at South America meant delicious food full of calories, fat and a million carbs. Had absolutely no control about the food that was being cooked so all I did was to enjoy everything but keep my portions small.
Water intake has been a disaster. I thought I would drink so much here as it is 27/28 degrees most days but I don’t know why I’m not thirsty as before and I don’t like the taste of water here.
As a consequence had constipation a couple of times but sorted with the aloe vera tablets.
No exercise but I’ve walked quite a bit here and there.
Lost half kilo.

Dose 5 - 2.5mg (Saturday 6th April)
Hardest week since starting on MJ.
Despite telling family I’m cutting down on food, absolutely everything is thrown my way, from huge breakfasts, amazing lunches, restaurants, super filling dinners with all kinds of desserts, ice creams and treats in between. I was still not interested in anything sweet at all but I tried teeny tiny bits a few times.
The food is all so incredibly full of carbs … a lot to do with saying no to family and is also a cultural thing, also so many thing I never eat in the UK and that I absolutely love.
A few days I ate a bit more than my usual small portion but still very much in control as I could have so easily eaten more.
Definitely not feeling as light as I felt when leaving the UK.
End of the week lost half kilo.
I’m relying purely on my self control.

Dose 6 - 2.5mg (Saturday 13th April)
Pretty much same story of last week except !!! I tried whey protein for the first time and end up with the worst diarrhoea ever for 24 hours.
Ate some bland soups for a couple of days and after that was fine and back to enjoying the delicious food.
Unlike the 2 previous weeks during this week I had 4 little biscuits, a quarter of chocolate cake slice, a slice of apple pie, 2 teaspoons of ice cream, so definitely had little cravings for something sweet, ate tiny bits but was something to notice since I had 0 desire for anything sweet before.
Food wise, I felt hungry, is it lunch time yet? where’s the food? How much longer until dinner time? I still controlled my portions.
Second period on MJ and again a couple of days early but this time I felt so bloated and small period pain like for 3 days before my period finally started. My period is usually painless and last 3 days but this time was much heavier and lasted almost 5/6 days.
Didn’t lose weight. Gained 350 grams.
I’m relying so much on self control.

Dose 7 - 2.5mg (Saturday 20th April)
Back home and on time for my next injection.
The BIG NEWS!
Found out the 2 last doses (the ones I had frozen!) didn’t work.
I noticed because not long after injecting I felt completely different, it was that aaahhh here it goes feeling like injecting for the first time, thirsty, so cold, noticeable appetite suppression and … tummy pain! Had 2 days of really uncomfortable indigestion/heartburn. I put this down to all the, high carb, high fat food I had been eating on holidays and that was still on my system since I hadn’t been to the toilet for 3 days.
It suddenly all made sense: my thirst had gone down to the point of struggling to drink water, I started to feel hungry at meal times asking at what time the food was gonna be ready, I was able to eat everything! without feeling sick or unwell, greasy food, lots of carbs, fats, chilli, etc.
Amazingly after all that I managed to keep my weight and loose a tiny bit so that’s a big win for me.
This holiday has definitely given me an inside into how things could be post MJ. I relied a lot on my own self control and I’m proud of that.
Now that I’m at home is so easy to keep control of what I eat. I’ve tried to increase water intake but still not as good as first couple of weeks but I keep pushing myself.
No exercise just some light walking as still a bit tired and jet lag.
Lost 1.10 kilos
Feeling the effect of this dose so will extend it for 1 more day

Dose 8 - 2.5mg (Sunday 28th April)
Hard week!
Felt the effect the next day although not that strong it was there BUT Wednesday and Thursday night were bad.
I felt so hungry for something salty late at night and it took all of my self control to fight that urge as I knew I had eaten enough for that day.
Definitely need to go back to MFP or get Nutracheck as I wasn’t sure I had completed my calories for the day but felt had eaten enough.
Friday night was the same story but this time I had a big bowl of chicken soup with tiny pasta despite having dinner earlier that day. Just a massive craving for something salty. End up with bad tummy pain.
Mistakes made: skip breakfast,not having a big enough serving of protein and not having on hand some healthy salty/sour snacks to kill cravings.
Interestingly I feel I’ve reached the point my body is trying “to remember” how things were before: I’m having cravings for salty at night.
Water intake still not good enough.
Can’t get away with little walks anymore. Need to cut the bs and start exercising.
I keep pushing through.
Next step: I won’t be extending the injecting day past 7 days.
Lost 600 grams

Dose 9 - 2.5mg (Monday 6th May)
To be seen …

I just did my bonus dose using the hard twist method and it stopped just before it got to 1. Does this mean I’ve had less than a normal dose?

I was all worked up thinking I’d be injecting more than usual and so injected into my thigh so it would be slower but now I’m thinking there was probably no need for that. Do you generally only get a slightly higher dose if you extract with a needle?

I had my last 2.5 on Friday. This week I have been bingeing and eating whatever, I feel like I am failing even before starting out properly 😪

You are a weight loss twin with me and @RagzRebooted (I used to be wannabehealthier but name changed)- we’re also tall at 5’10” with a BMI between 32-34 aiming for 12 stone ish I agree, I think I’d also look unwell much lighter than 12 stone.

My starting weight at the beginning of March was 16 stone 9lbs I’m currently 14 stone 10lbs , so 1lb off 2 stone! I’m just about to go up to 7.5mg.

It’s amazing to finally see my weight dropping down after years of being overweight and obese. I’ve not had many side effects- and I’m usually susceptible to diarrhoea but it’s been fleeting on MJ.

Just drinks lots of water to avoid constipation. Other side effects have been mild and fleeting. The worst was cramps and nausea after a can of Coke Zero - never again!

Haven’t had any comments from friends yet- thinking they’re either being polite or haven’t noticed yet (being tall does have its advantages helping you to hide excess weight somewhat… especially as mine is evenly spread… but I can feel how much smaller I am and it feels great!)

Welcome @LatinaLondon 😊 thanks for sharing your experience. That's a really cool idea writing a diary etc.

What you say about having a baby and just not being interested in yourself anymore, really resonates with me. I also felt that way after my children and just didn't care anymore. I was always overweight as an adult anyway, bit since having kids I really let myself go and didn't care anymore.

Glad the medication is working well for you.

Your experience with the frozen pen is interesting. Sounds like it just lost its affect. Glad it didn't do any damage!

Possibly it could mean it's empty.

Does it look like there is anymore in there? Or is the plunger at the end?

@ObsidianTree there looked to be a tiny wee bit left in there but the plunger was absolutely not moving any further.

Might have to get over my fear of using another syringe for future pens!

just hoping it doesn’t take too much longer to kick in being in my thigh

Hi all, I’m back!

I took a bit of a break from the thread after we lost my FIL two weeks ago. I guess I just haven’t been in the zone.

I moved up to 5mg last week and the next dose is tonight. I haven’t had much appetite suppression and food noise is very much still a thing at the moment. It has shown me that my emotions are still very much responsible for how I eat and I need to work on that, asap.

I have managed to maintain my weight loss which I’m pleased with, although I’m ready to apply myself a bit more now and get the weight shifting again.

Much love to you all and thank you for your support over the last few weeks.

It's good to have you back Rainbowl 🙂

A few of us have had blips so you're not alone. It's great you managed to maintain your previous losses.

Welcome back @Rainbowl

sorry can't delete this at! @pinktransit

So, have been noticing people on wegovy have been able to stay on wegovy as long as they want. BMI 21 etc.. so had a thought, maybe Wegovy is approved for long term use .. and found this!

I really hope this means that the 2 year guidance gets removed for MJ in the near future. Or at least there is a chance it will be approved for long term use.

I'm reading the Johann Hari book Magic Pill that someone recommended on here and in it he says there are currently more than 70 types of these drugs being developed and tested. And that they are developing a one a day pill that will do the same thing. With this much investment and development I feel positive they'll change the 2 year limit or introduce a maintenance pill/injection.

Welcome back @Rainbowl 💐

Hi Concernedforthekids and RagzRebooted fellow tall people!!
I know what you mean about it being an advantage, I've never felt hugely fat, even at my heaviest 17stone, but I think I'm kidding myself as the fat is definitely more spread and I'm a big girl, in more ways than one!
I'd love to lose my belly and back fat, and I want my neck, chin and cheekbones to not all meld into one, but like reverse cankles!
Glad to hear diarrhoea isn't hugely common, I've ordered the aloe Vera tablets for the dreaded constipation.

Your loss so far is amazing Concernedforthekids I'd be over the moon to have a stone off for my holidays. I've been so worried I'd made a mistake getting mounjaro but the more I read, I definitely think I've done the right thing.

Welcome @LatinaLondon and welcome back @Rainbowl

and re: Asda cutting off. The 6lbs to hit a flat 25 BMI aren’t shifting and I have a nice stockpile now. I’m not averse to losing a lb a week. Cutting off seems ridiculous. I get why people would lie. I’m not ready to even consider getting the noise back.

Hi all,
Sorry if this is not the best place for this question but you all sound like you are further along the journey.
I'm toying with starting. But the thing that's really keeping me on the fence is the thyroid cancer risk. How have you made peace with that?

@Concernedforthekids Thank you, I loved your post.

I probably have about 10 stone to lose to get to a 'recommended' weight. I've not been that since I was about 12! I don't realistically actually anticipate getting there, if I lost 6 stone then I think I should be in a lot less joint pain and that would be great for me. I'd be happy with that.

I have to confess I'm quite jealous of the large weight losses I see on other people's posts but this is the first time, after years and years of every diet you can imagine, that I've felt positive about something for more than a couple of weeks. I've lost one stone in 9 weeks since starting MJ. A paltry amount in comparison to so many of you but I've also discovered two of the meds I take cause weight gain, one for fibromyalgia pain, and one for blood pressure, and I'm post menopausal, so I do feel I'm battling against a lot at the moment.

At least I don't have to worry about having to stop it anytime soon! 😂

@HollieHollieHollie I have made peace with the risk because it’s so small. It’s a rare type of cancer anyway which has a hereditary risk attached to it. Versus the 16 common types of cancer associated with being obese. So for me, the benefits of reducing my cancer risk overall far outweigh the risk of getting thyroid cancer.

Cancer was a big motivation in me taking MJ. Sadly 3 people close to me have been diagnosed with cancer recently and all are a healthy weight. I feel a sense of survival guilt and vowed to myself that I would improve my lifestyle- it’s the least I can do to look after myself. I know that sounds illogical but even if I got cancer, I would feel better going into treatment healthier.

Thank you I really appreciate your reply.