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

The comment about a healthy BMI being a pipe dream for some was thought provoking. I never thought I could get back into a healthy BMI until MJ and it’s amazing to think that I can do it within a year. My starting BMI was 33.4 and I have about 5 stone to lose (I’m tall).

Weight loss is a big spectrum and I’m probably middling here in terms of how much I need to lose … and it is definitely easier for me as I’m pre menopause. Others will have it much harder and I wanted to acknowledge that.

Some thread contributors will be starting at higher BMIs and will be facing a longer journey ahead and more challenges than those of us who are in the obese BMI category. A BMI of 25 must feel like a distant dream … and probably a bit annoying to read about people getting to maintenance within a few short months. Not that anyone should feel bad about posting about this (it’s definitely a big achievement and we’re all here because we started as obese) but I’m just imagining how that could feel when you have a longer journey ahead.

Anyway hopefully we can be inclusive to all on this thread as everyone is at a different starting point and will have their own unique journey. Personally I would love to hear more from those who have more to lose and would like to offer my solidarity and support! As a veteran of WW and SW I was always in awe of the ladies who had the longest journeys, with the most to lose - always found them really inspiring and loved hearing their stories.

I hope I haven’t offended anyone- I know it’s an emotional subject x

Had my bonus dose tonight from 5mg using a syringe. Tried on some clothes and they are fitting a lot better which is nice. I’m away a few days this week, just going to be mindful with what I eat and lots of water.

I have been away for a few days as my dad was in hospital for an operation. It was an interesting exercise in managing food outside my usual environment, or even without having access to healthy choices. I learnt that I can go for longer than I expected without eating and I did not suffer - which is interesting, because in the past I would have got hangry and emotional - probably because of my blood sugar issues.

I am on my second month of 7.5 and it seems to be suiting me. I have now lost 25 pounds and am 1.5 pounds off no longer being obese. I find that I don't believe it - it feels fake, like I am going to wake up one day, and it was all a dream. But my clothes are all too big and some look ridiculous. I have started a donation pile, and I will need to go shopping very soon. But I don't know what size I am.

I still have days when I am hungry, but I don't just stuff my face. I can still make good choices and stop as soon as I feel satiated. It's so weird, as I don't ever remember feeling like that.

My biggest disappointment right now is that I still cannot get my wedding ring off. Hopefully one day soon.

@Concernedforthekids /Wannabehealhier that's a really interesting thought.

I have 6 stone to lose, am possibly on the cusp of peri-menopause (based on age, creeping anxiety, inability to lose weight and the odd irregular period).

I haven't been a healthy BMI since my twenties and it really does feel like a pipe dream even with MJ as there's a small inner voice saying 'this will be just like all the other times and you're going to fail'.

I'm breaking my journey down into much smaller goals. Like a few others have said, this feels like my last chance to get it right.

I definitely don't feel any annoyance toward anyone that's getting into a healthy BMI quickly. I feel nothing but admiration. Especially anyone on this thread as they're here and contributing to supporting all of us.

If anything makes me feel slightly (VERY) resentful it's the external pressure to be slim but the added judgement about how you achieve that. You just can't win.

@spamm that's fantastic progress both on the scales and with your mindset.

Do you think fluid retention might be at play with your wedding ring? I know mine can go from loose to tight on any given day.

@Investinmyself great news on the looser fitting clothes. That must feel great.

I have a particular pair of work trousers that I wear a lot, I can't wait for the day I don't struggle to do them up! So far it's elusive despite shedding a stone.

I noticed there was a thread for people starting at a high weight.

We all started because our BMI was in the obese category. Some people might weigh 14st but be 5 foot tall. So their BMI might be the same as someone 5 foot 8 weighing 17st. (No idea if that's correct, CBA to check!) So I don't think we can look at numbers and think people have less to lose than others etc.

Also, I started in Jan at 17st 6lbs. I am now 14st 6lbs, so might not seem much to some, but I have lost 3st since starting dieting in Jan and I am on a different stage in my journey.

I think for most, seeing people lose weight is encouraging. This group is open to all, no matter where they started. Well as long as they start at the BMI over 30 which the drug is only meant to be used from!

There is a thread for people with a lot to lose, but it’s just nice to have a space to share the longer journey that’s a bit slower moving than here. It’s not a splittest us and them sort of thread. I’m posting on both.

WK 1 -5.6
WK 2 -3.4
WK 3 +0.6

Ive still been in a calorie deficit in week 3 so quite annoying. I have however ate a little bit more than the first 2 weeks as I had less side effects. The choices haven’t been as good either but again still within my cals. I’ve also done less steps this week.

That's great @spamm . Glad 7.5mg is suiting you so well.

How's the shortage in the US? It seems so strange that the US is still having supply issues when we seem on for now. (Hope I haven't jinxed us!) If it's the pens, then should try and move the US to the 4 dose pens. Weird that they haven't tried to solve the problem already!

I see weight as a very personal thing, I've worked with size 10's who are used to being size 6/8 who have had kids and really struggling.

I've never taken it personally as a much larger person but I've always been heavier than most. I think I was about 12 stone at 12 years old, albeit I was about 5'8" then (size 12).

I started out hoping to lose 5 stone, hoping for 7. Now I'm truly seeing the potential and just going with it. In an ideal world I'll lose 10 stone but maintaining that seems like a pipe dream. I'll also have a tonne of excess skin

I'm thinking instead I'll focus on a length of time- 12 months to begin with and then see how I'm feeling and where I'm at.

Had my weigh in today, end of week 11 and 4th 5mg injection. I'm so pleased with the results so far!

It happens @GingerLemonTea. It is annoying but it's just one or those weird body things that cant be controlled. Try not to question it, it will come down again eventually.

@Scalessayeek well done! What scales are you using for that breakdown?

I’m glad this thread can be inclusive. I only(!) have about 20lbs to lose to get to healthy BMI but I have never got there as an adult and the weight is coming off far more slowly than many of you. I am also far from convinced I’ll get there. And even less convinced I’ll stay there but have always figured that if I lose a good amount then the rebound will still leave me lighter than I was before.

Weighed this morning and remain just under 12 stone. I think I need to stay on 5mg for another month as the appetite suppression is still a bit much I think. I don’t want to starve the weight off. The weight is coming off very slowly regardless so the temptation to go up is there. I need to decide quickly as my window to reorder will close soon.

I'm also following the maintenance discussion with interest as you are all my guinea pigs for that!

Great progress @Scalessayeek. This diet does seem so much more sustainable. It's the easiest diet I've done 😊

Well done on everyone's progress. Also interested in @Scalessayeek's scales. I like the data.

Good to hear there’s a thread for MJ for a lot to lose - which I would fit into based on the 5 stone criteria!

Yes i agree @ObsidianTree with you. We all deserve to be here. Despite having a lot of weight to lose myself, I don’t feel like I do because I’m so tall! It’s the equivalent of someone short losing a couple of stone. We’re all going to get there at different rates- but the exciting thing is, we should all get there (or close) eventually!

I think it’s great that bariatric surgery is not the only option now for those at higher BMIs and MJ / WeGovy are options now. I just hope they sort out the maintenance issue.

Does anyone who's on the 7.5 dose know how many clicks for a full dose? I have a 7.5 pen, but don't think I'm really ready to go up yet.

I'd appreciate any advice.

SW: 14st
CW: 12st 8
GW: 10st 10

@spamm
How did you manage to get on to 7 5mg so early? It wasn't released till 22nd April.

They're in the U.S.

@spamm Ah. . ....just seen you are in the US .

Each pen 60 clicks is a full dose. So 5mg would be 40 clicks

The scales are from Amazon, if you search digital scales a tonne come up all similar. I don't think the fats etc are exact but based on formula but it's interesting to see for sure!

I'm definitely in the lots to lose club, but also tall so other people don't see it. I started this with 6 stone to lose from a BMI of 35.
Bad weekend of hormones, migraine, takeaways and period pain and still don't feel right today so I'm feeling sorry for myself. I am very glad that I ordered HelloFresh (half price) for this week so at least I'll have sensible healthy dinners to look forward to and don't have to meal plan. Might even get the teens to cook some.

Just done my last 2.5mg, I have the bonus dose but not really sure if I want to use it or how to use it, as I've seen people use it to top up their 2.5mg at the same time or to get an extra week of 2.5. I already have my 5mg but a bit nervous about the jump up and side effects as I've been pretty lucky so far in getting all the benefit and none of the side effects.

A bit of advice needed I had my first dose Saturday night , Sunday was ok , appetite was very low nausea then Monday I woke up with diarrhoea and so much trapped wind , ate what a could that wasn’t much cereal bar , a bit of rye toast , tea . Today woke up to the same again , so bloated and spend an a hour in the bathroom . Can’t stomach much so had a bit of toast and some electrolytes. Will it get bette ? Thanks