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

What Lurky said about med express needles makes sense - I used one of theirs (5mm) on Wednesday and have a bruise whereas I haven’t bruised at all with the 4mm ones I bought. Guess I’m sticking with the 4’s!

I've just had a great NSV which has set up my weekend nicely ... my next door neighbour knocked on with a parcel and he said "F**k me , Bessie , you ain't half lost some weight !"

Even though it's 2 stone he's the first one to notice/say anything

Well done @BigBessie! He sounds like a very direct neighbour with that wording. I bet others have noticed but they are just a bit nervous about mentioning it in case they accidentally imply something about your previous weight.

'Knocked on' is a phrase I understand but no ever use myself as it would be knocked where I come from. Am now trying to remember who I have heard use that phrase and where they are from to try and locate you and your neighbour.

Same. Jabbed yesterday and today I saw an advert for a chocolate pudding thing and actually wanted it. First time in two weeks I've been interested.

Well done all on the losses so far!

I took my first 5mg dose on Weds morning and have been struggling to eat anything last 2 days as I have that queasy feeling constantly and just don't feel hungry. Have been taking Huel protein shakes to make sure I am getting something and managed a slice of whole meal toast and banana for lunch today. Hopefully able to eat a bit more over weekend.

Weigh in day was also Wednesday and down another 0.5kg so 5kg down so far which I am more than happy with.

Can I ask how do you go about swapping providers if your BMI has now dropped just below the 30 mark? I have the boxes still to prove I have been taking MJ already.

I think someone mentioned previously that for MedExpress you put a weight in that is over 30 BMI and then email or fill out a form? to tell them actual weight? Also do MedExpress inform your GP as I would rather not have that happen?

I would just massage the truth. Put your hight a bit lower or weight a bit higher yes. I just moved over and all they asked for on top of BMI was photos of the box and photos of me. You could use your old photos.

I've just had a message from med express to say my gp said I'm not registered there 🤷‍♀️ so it looks like they tried to notify me gp.

Just waiting for them to respond with which gp as I can't see anything in my account about the details I provided.

God knows what went wrong as I've had the same gp for nearly 15 years.

I don't think it's the extra length, that shouldn't make such a difference, I think it's just the quality of their needles, others have found the same thing!

@OlympeMax

There was an issue with the form where you couldn't order unless your BMI was above 30, which they've now fixed as it was causing issues for those continuing with treatment! Just go ahead and fill in the form with your correct details (you don't have to be over BMI 30 if you've already been prescribed it previously) and then request the dosage you want.

Then, go to the contact page, fill in the box with your order number and give them your starting date, starting BMI and attach photos of last prescription label on box. I can't remember if they wanted pictures of you as well if you are continuing on from a previous prescription, maybe someone else here can remember? If so, you can attach those too.

@OlympeMax

Ah, just realised someone else had already said they do want photos of you too.

Gorgeous sunny day, escaped from work early, definitely that Friyay feeling which calls for a G&T (just the one, diet tonic, very satisfying). Will do an hour of weeding after dinner as my poor garden needs it. Feeling positive despite the lack of progress on my second 5mg jab, ordered my 7.5 this morning and got a dispatch email an hour ago (Medexpress, existing customer).
Wishing you all a happy weekend without any significant gains (and hopefully some losses).

How was everyone's move to 5 mg ? I took my third 2.5 dose yesterday and I haven't really had many side effects at all.

Next week will be my third dose at 2.5. I'm nervous to move up, as I don't want to get sick.

I tried Wegovy and had a hard time when I moved up dose.

@MJer

I didn't go from 2.5mg to 5mg, I've been doing 3.75mg for the last two doses as I think the doubling of doe is a bit too steep, and even they were a little rough! However, if you've had little to no side effects on 2.5mg that may not be the case for you at all.

For everyone that's concerned on this subject though, I do know from following American threads (where some people have been on it for up to two years), that almost all side effects do eventually go for most people, good to know!

I've been fine moving straight to 5. Although I did have two nights of horrendous acid indigestion but I'd had pasta both days so not sure if it was that. Just had my second jab of 5 so will see what I'm like this week.

Amazing appetite suppression that only wore off on day 7. On 2.5 it was wearing off after 3-4 days.

Hi looking for some support. I’ve been watching with interest.
I’m on my last week of 5mg but suffering with terrible side effects on the day after injection. The sulphur burbs are on another level and others can smell them! My stomach is painful, bloated and so noisy. Is anyone else experiencing this? Weight loss has slowed although I can barely eat for the first two days and it’s quite miserable.
I have purchased a second 5mg as didn’t think I should go up to 7.5mg if I’m feeling like this. Now wondering if I should have gone back down to 2.5mg. Is there anything I can take or do to make it more manageable?
Thank you!

I think someone mentioned peppermint oil capsules for the sulphur burps

Thanks for the info. I'm so worried about it. I know I probably shouldn't be. But I really had a rough time when I moved up to 5 mg of Wegovy. I couldn't keep water down. How did you get the 3.75 mg dose of MJ ?

Exactly this! I’m on the 2.5mg club and on my 9th dose. I delayed my third dose (9 days) because I lost 4 kilos in the first week and 2 in the second and I thought it was too much to fast and also to “test myself”.
What will happen is that the effect of the next injection will take longer to kick in as probably there’s very little or nothing left in your system and like @KeepingUndercover says it is meant to gradually built up in your body.
Also I didn’t have a dose/ had a bad dose for 2 weeks (I froze and then defrosted my pen by mistake while on holidays 🙈) and when I injected again I felt the normal side effects (thirsty, cold, etc) but it took me a while to feel the appetite suppression kick in and then it lasted only a few days, despite that I’ve kept pushing for 8 days 🙄
Only this week I’ve realised I’ve been doing it wrong 😣 because I’m desperate to prove myself I can lose weight and maintain it. I FIRST to have to reach my correct weight in order to start extending doses and maintain.
So it is possible to stay on 2.5mg but keep following the normal schedule until you reach your goal and then work from there. Also it goes without saying that many days I’ve relied a lot on self control and the effect is not that strong anymore, although that might have to do with how long I’ve been injecting this low dose.

By doing 45 clicks rather than the full 60 it takes to get to "1"

Oh and just to clarify on my previous post about staying on 2.5mg, this is obviously for those who are lucky to have suppression on this dose. This is not the common experience and some people don’t feel any suppression until they move up to 5mg so don’t worry if you don’t feel a big effect the first few weeks, it is normal too.

Omg that’s too funny but so relatable 😅 I did that last week!
I looked so miserable in my pic they probably saw it and prescribed immediately 😂

@LatinaLondon I don’t think the kidney infection is related to the Mounjaro. Just one of those things.

Amazing losses again on here!

Sex android 😂

I saw some dermaplaning stuff in Superdrug today coincidentally.

I would be extremely tempted to do some non-surgical stuff on my neck. I have an awful wattle.

Today has been a mixture of feeling actually hungry and wanting to eat a range of food, but then only being able to eat a tiny amount.

I’ve had no side effects at all so far on 2.5 so hope 5 will be ok

I was worried about moving up from 2.5 to 5mg but I’ve had no side effects on 5mg other than mild nausea if I have a big meal 🐷

Can I ask if anyone took their second dose of 2.5 earlier than 7 days? I'm having zero effect or side effects so thinking of doing second jab tomorrow which would be two days early? Any thoughts/experience? Thank you 😘