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

@ObsidianTree it's not a "packing error", again, it's a prescription drug. Not a lipstick. It's supposed to be prescribed, checked and dispensed by 2 qualified individuals. There are strict rules and procedures for this. And for Boots of all people to mess this up. Just beggars belief.

"these things happen".
Dear
God
Almighty.

I've got 5mg in the fridge as was undecided about moving up. However while I might be able to buy 2.5 mg again (I have used 2 different suppliers) my 5mg says end June so it would be out of date before I got to use that. It is difficult to know what to do for the best as you need to order in good time. My 3rd jab of 2.5 is due tomorrow and I'm feeling more hungry this last day or so but I'm managing to stick to things like small bags of fridge raiders or babybel as snacks and not crisps and chocolate!

My initial thought in moving up to 5mg is that it's immediately before I have a long weekend for my birthday/the bank hol but now I am thinking hmm do I want to risk feeling crap for my birthday!

I've been jabbing in my thigh so far but may move to tum for last 2 x 2.5 and then back to thigh for 5mg to try and minimise side effects.

@FreakInTheSheets I agree, I'm a nurse and fully aware of the rigours of prescribing and issuing drugs, you're right to be furious and report it.

@BlackFriYay I'm on my day 3 of third 3.75mg and definitely still suffering the day 3 slump. Luckily it's my day off. I even had a bit of an upset stomach this time, but I think that's the overindulgence of the weekend (curry Saturday, Chinese Sunday!) finally paying me back.
I'm still finding 3.75mg working quite well and don't really want to try 5mg yet!

Thanks @RagzRebooted I think some on here think it's the same as receiving the wrong colour of lipstick!

Listen, I'm just trying to be nice. No need for the personal attacks! I get you're angry... But you don't need to coming on here and take it out on people and try to start arguments.

So I normally do my jab on a Thursday night, but this week I could really do with taking it Sunday morning instead. It's my second 5mg after five 2.5mg does.
Will waiting the 2 and a half days be OK? Has anyone done this. I know on saxenda that if you missed 2 days you had to start again at the bottom dose.

Just showing a bit of compassion for the real person who made a mistake and has been reported to their governing body today. I am sure he or she will be mortified and beat themselves up about it and be more careful in future. What outcome to your report would satisfy you?

I’m really bloody hungry today! I was due to inject tomorrow but I’ve done it this evening instead. 2.5 is working for me so I’m sticking with it knowing I’ve got the option to go up if I need it want to

I'm sure that's fine to do. If you're worried you could maybe move it a day back each week instead?

Two people who made a mistake and could have cost someone their life.

I look forward to hearing they have been disciplined by Boots and also censured by their professional body.

2 people because - someone dispenses it and someone checks it. Both of them have been slap dash and made a mistake.

Did you check your height was correct? I can't remember if it's on the form or not.

@ObsidianTree it's ok. I don't some people don't have professional or regulated jobs so might not appreciate that this is a serious matter. Not a "oopsy, never mind" sort of matter.

Thanks Obsidiantree for the advice. Much appreciated.
I'm a bit torn as it's due to a long awaiting meal at a very fancy restaurant on Saturday night. I'm torn between thinking I should do jab anyway and this is a commitment and being worried that I'll be ill afterwards it'll I drink.
To make it more complicated I am on holiday Saturday for a week and so was thinking next week to jab Friday last thing and then Saturday night the week after to save taking pen away with me.
I really don't want to mess with the does etc but had a couple of glasses of wine (first since starting) after first 5mg last weekend and was so poorly through night.

I took a bit over 4mg for my last dose from 2.5mg (used some of the bonus dose), was fine for the first day and the next, then spent the third in bed all day feeling horrendous! I was due to take the first 5mg dose yesterday and still haven't made myself do it, think I'll go for 3.5mg this evening and see how that goes for this week.

@FreakInTheSheets

The good news is that they can't take returns of medicine (regulation thing in case it's been opened or messed with), so at least you'll get to keep the 5mg one! You could always use it for 7.5mg doses by having 1 and a half for the first two and then using the last dose plus half the bonus one.

@lurkylurk thanks for the thought but they won't just give me a 7.5mg for free on top of the 5mg as they're only allowed to prescribe once a month. Presumably I will have to return the 5mg and they will replace it with a 7.5mg.

@FreakInTheSheets

I was prescribed the wrong cream by an online doctor (was supposed to be ne for nose, they prescribed one for skin), and they prescribed and sent out the correct one and just told me to dispose of the other, they will have to make it right. They literally are not allowed to take returns, although I suppose they might insist you bring it when you pick up the correct one so they can dispose of it.

The second dose from 5mg could give you more side effects so see why you would want to wait a bit. So maybe wait until Sunday? As long as there are 3 days between doses it should be fine to take the next dose Friday before you're holiday.

Evening everyone, well I've officially taken my first 2.5mg of mounjaro this evening, I was a bit anxious and have no idea why!

It's in, it was easy, bit of a sore thigh now and a metallic taste in my mouth.
I have the gaviscon, immodium and windeze in, also the aloe Vera tablets, covered for all eventualities 😂

I weighed on scales this evening as I guessed I was around 16 stone when applying for it, and I'm actually 15st10 which has come as a shock tbh, I ditched scales a while ago when I started Slimpod, and was always over 16st for the last 8 years, I suppose maybe a few weeks of me trying to be good to prep for this has shifted a bit. Still classed as obese and BMI rounds up to 32 so I am going to charge ahead.

SW 15st 10
GW 12st

So excited to join you all!

Good luck @Carelesswispalover! That must have been great seeing your start weight was less than you thought!

@lurkylurk there are rules about how often Mounjaro can be prescribed though, unlike a cream. So they will make me return the 5mg, they will dispose of it (what a bloody waste!!) and dispense the 7.5mg instead.

Whether they will recompense me for my time/petrol is a different matter.

Your loss is amazing!!! I hope mine is this good. I know what you mean though, I've tried dirty keto and although I enjoyed it, I just never felt all that meat and fat was sustainable, it got sickening. I want to be able to eat anything (sticking to non processed as much as possible) in moderation, and keep my portion sizes small which is the major issue for me. I'm not a big snacker so I justify huge lunch and dinner with that, but it's not working for me, well not fast enough and my whole days is spent thinking and daydreaming about dinnertime.

I do feel like this is a drastic measure, does anyone else feel this way? Trying to get over the weird guilty feeling about that, it's a lot of money to spend on myself I suppose but I want to be healthy, I'm nearing 40 so not that worried about looking amazing, I want the health and knowing that I'm setting a good example to my kids.

I am also worried about my teen daughter seeing it, so keeping mum about it all.

ObsidianTree it was, almost scared me that I might not qualify for this but I am, unfortunately, still rather large 😂