Continuing Mounjaro...part 9

[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.
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. 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.
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:
www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-sources-protein
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: 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:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5007744-mourjano-starting-soon?page=1

2nd thread:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5028495-continuing-murnjaropart-2?page=1

3rd thread:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5037623-continuing-mounjaropart-3?page=1

4th thread:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5044316-continuing-mounjaropart-4?page=1

5th thread:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5048290-continuing-mounjaropart-5?page=1

6th thread:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5057916-continuing-mounjaropart-6?page=1

7th thread:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5062935-continuing-mounjaropart-7?page=1

8th thread:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5068850-continuing-mounjaropart-8?page=1

Thread for newbies just starting out:

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

I look at those type of posts and think to myself that they’ll hit menopause one day and learn their lesson from being judgemental twats

Their opinions aren’t even worth bothering about. They’re just pig ignorant.

Personally I find a lot of MN threads judgemental, not just the weight loss ones. Hence why I only post on this one where everyone is so supportive.

My gosh todays dose has hit me hard.

I've felt sick all day I've managed to eat 1000calories(I work 4-10 so front load calories int he day as I don't eat at or after work)

But every time I eat/exert myself I feel crap.

Also today's dose hasn't bruised like the previous 3. The only thing different I did was sit down whilst doing it instead of standing. I still used the med express needles.

I did Cambridge a few years back. Lost 6 stones but regained. There's no way I'd combine it with Mounjaro. You could do it for a couple of months then switch?
Cambridge is brutal. It does take real food out of the equation but for some that isn't a good thing.

There are so many different factors that contribute to weight loss. Some people have other comorbidities too, or have to take medication which makes them more hungry or makes it difficult to manage your weight. I've known people who take medication for Crohns, or antipsychotics and mood stabilisers that really struggled with weight management.

I do think some people also don't like to move much and have a crap diet, but many of us have been thin much of our lives and found it all piled on with hormones, stress or simply not having much time for ourselves. I got used to being able to eat good sized portions without gaining weight, but couldn't do it once in my late thirties. I didn't start eating more than before, I just didn't adjust to ageing. Exercise made me hungry.

These are the same people that moan about financial strain on the NHS with obesity, but when people pay out of their own pocket in order to reduce the financial burden on the NHS they start moaning at that too. Just goes to prove their opinions come from a place of bitterness and wanting to feel superior, rather than common sense.

I was reading a few article earlier and was a bit frightened by the theory that most weight is gained back. I know someone who used Ozempic, but then have only gained a few lbs of 2st back and she said other people she knew had kept it off. Is it really that bad? I know I can't eat like I used to and need to change, and fully intend to, but I'm concerned about what I read.

Today I'm celebrating because I think my body is finally properly ok with the 5ml dose. Took it on Monday and often Wednesday is the worst day. But today I feel fine and I went for a run and everything. God it's nice to be exercising again!

A lot of MN is very judgey about a lot of things, including weight. Fuck 'em. I'm not letting strangers on the internet get to me. Half of them are probably the same person anyway.

Oh and a NSV - I noticed that I don't have as much fat bulging out of the back of my bra. Still have belly fat that isn't shifting though. I've just lost from the sides instead.

Yes it doesn't make sense to me @Soukmyfalafel

If the research was only talking about the benefits of the drug for people with diabetes, people wouldn't be so negative and coming up with their crack pot conspiracy theories! But when it's to do with obesity, people like to give all the opinions and the scare stories. Must be about wanting to keep feeling superiors and don't like the idea they obese people have now got something that can help them lose weight.

Glad you are feeling good with it. The sunshine certainly helps too.

I always wonder if we have a few incel or Katie Hopkins (thrive off any kind of attention) types on here. Some of the posters don't come across as particularly stable.

There was research recently that says it you wean off it slowly, you're more likely to keep the weight off.

So I will definitely make sure I have enough extra stock to be able to titrate down slowly when med express cut me off!

Excellent progress!

We need to keep some fat for a while! Otherwise we will be injecting into muscle!

@ObsidianTree yes that is my plan too. It's more than I wanted to spend, but better than wasting what I have spent so far by gaining it back.

Very true about need belly fat to inject into 😂that's my excuse anyway.....

Does anyone have any discount codes for MED Ex existing customers? CONSULT-BUNNY doesn't work and don't think there are any others listed recently.

Yes! On one of my thighs only though - could that be the same thing!?

@Soukmyfalafel try CONSULT-BLOOM

@Soukmyfalafel

There's a couple of threads on here with a good number of people that stopped Wegovy or Ozempic some months ago and have kept it off, some put some back on. On the American threads it's a little trickier to tell as most are on a maintenance dose!

There was a study recently that showed tapering it off at the end helps a lot so we need to stockpile! 😂

I think there's going to be a difference between those that haven't really changed anything, and only relied on the appetite suppression and those that are making long-lasting changes and figuring out what nutritionally will keep them satisfied and not feel the need to overeat. Resistance exercise will really help too (says she who has failed to get going on that).

For myself I feel like I had already reined things in before starting this as had stopped gaining by changing some things and realising that at my age I just can't eat and drink like I used to! It was enough change to stop gain but not to lose much.

However, I am very aware that my calorie needs will be a good bit less when I'm at goal weight. I think for me making sure I get enough protein and fibre to not get too hungry will be key and then just portion size (thinking of getting smaller dinner plates!). Also going to bed earlier and cutting out late-night snacks. I have done this on Mounjaro so hopefully the good habit will bed in.

I was thinking about what I used to eat, say in my twenties, and while at that time I never consciously dieted or needed to and ate until satisfied I think my portion sizes were MUCH smaller. I mostly homecook food and mostly cook from scratch so I don't think it's so much what I've been eating, just the amount! I think I had got used to being overly full after meals. That and wine. I don't eat much sugar at all, and totally gone off it in the last year (seems to be the only benefit of menopause for me)

Does make me nervous about how it's going to be but I think the drug companies are being deliberately pessimistic as they want people to stay on it, and certainly in the U.S. they are.

@Soukmyfalafel

It's changed to CONSULT-BLOOM for this month, should give you 15% off.

@lurkylurk thanks so much for posting that. I was losing the will to live punching loads of codes in that didnt work. 😁

Thanks @Choux, @ObsidianTree and @GrimDamnFanjo.
I have lost a lot on a VLCD before and it was amazing. I actually maintained the weight loss for a really long time after that- 15 years or so. I took up the gym and running. I weighed my food and counted calories, and to improve body composition I actually counted macronutrients. So I think in terms of nutrition, I’m happy with what I need to do long term.
I put the weight on due to a complicated pregnancy and birth, and overeating of course whilst pregnant and afterwards. I couldn’t exercise like I used to and my eating habits went to pot as I used the pregnancy as an excuse to eat what I wanted.
Cambridge is great, but it’s hard to stay on track, and I want the weight off asap so I can get back to my normal. I want to get back to running again and I can’t at this weight, my joints hurt. Cambridge means I get 100% of the minerals and vitamins I need, so I guess my thinking was I will still get plenty of nutrients if my appetite is suppressed by mounjaro. I’m also doing step 1b or 2, so my calories are probably more like 800 - 1200 a day.
But all your comments are appreciated thank you, they are all food for thought!

Can I suggest that folk email Medexpress, say you have found it cheaper elsewhere and as for a code.
I have done it twice now and they have sent me 20% codes.

Joining this thread after starting this week. Interesting reads everyone!

I have previously tried ozempic and it didn't work for me so I'm hoping this one does!

I read something yesterday which said that people have been keeping it off for at least 4 years