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

So started yesterday with 1st injection. It may be psychosomatic but practically forced breakfast down (half the portion I'd normally crave) and not felt hungry all day.

More importantly I've not had the total food focus I'd normally have - like that was a nice lunch now what can I snack on/what's for tea/is it food time again

I believe they were still taking Wegovy for the 4 years in that study though!

Hi @colleysmill, welcome!

I'm going to take 3rd jab on Friday. How I feel at this point is that MJ gives me sort of low-effort willpower...?

I always knew that low carb wholefoods made me feel good and lose weight, but I ate crap anyway. I always knew that moving made my body feel good, but I was so shattered and overwhelmed that I couldn't get my act together to actually do it.

But now, on MJ, it feel EFFORTLESS to stick to the diet, EFFORTLESS to go to bed at 10pm instead of snacking and binge-watching, EFFORTLESS to bung on a Youtube workout for 20 mins at lunchtime...

I have no idea why it's making such a difference to me but I pray that it continues!

@WoolyMammoth55 it's an amazing feeling isn't it? Not being controlled by food!

I use My Protein Meal Replacement. I have the vanilla flavour. I’ve tried so many shakes and this is lovely.
I struggle to eat most days on MJ. Have to force myself and the days when I can’t face eating anything I’d rather drink

I have 2 weeks left on 5mg. I lose around 3lb a week which is good for me.
Has anyone stayed on 5mg and not gone up.
I’ve read a bit about people on 7.5mg not feeling the benefits

I’ve never been thin, in contrast to many of you. But I had got to a weight that I was OK with, and my GP was happy with, before menopause. I have spent years eating determinedly healthily, I’ve never ever been able to eat without thinking about it and not put on weight. But I’m not lazy, stupid, morally bankrupt or a bad person because my metabolism hates me. I have factors that make weight loss harder/weight gain more likely but they’re the sort of thing that get dismissed as people fooling themselves so there we go.

Ah ok. Hopefully we will be able to buy it for maintenance soon enough

Hey. I've been off thread here. It's great to see so many new people - make the most of those early weeks of losses, if they come. And persevere if they don't come at first. It's different for everyone...

I'm still plodding on. Need to keep weighing food and eating a portion rather than a bowl full. I've had a heavy cold so my eating has been all over the shop.

I want to do more protein food, to focus on food positively. And to get back to exercising. I was doing well until I got sick. Grrrr. I suppose it shows how this is part of life and this is just another part of adapting to this long term.

How's everyone else doing?

Hi All so Injection and Weigh-in day this morning for me (2nd 5mg dose). Last week I had 2 days of not being able to eat very much after 1st 5mg dose, more a really full can't face food than serious nausea so hoping similar or better this time. According to the scales I stalled this week, although have since been to the loo a couple of times! so thinking I may have lost a small amount. Either way I am OK with it as it is not a race.

During first few weeks on the 2.5mg I had extreme exhaustion which seems to have eased considerably last couple of weeks thankfully so was all set to start increasing the exercise routine and now appear to have bursitis in right hip :( so need to wait a while longer.

I have switched from Voy to Cloud Pharmacy as they are significantly cheaper (£158 for 5mg) and do not contact your GP if you don't want them to. Their form allowed me to upload photo of myself and my current 5mg box from Voy and it was approved the following morning and arrived today so quick efficient service, plus an extra couple of needles included. Decided to stay on 5mg for a further month see how things go.

Well done to everyone on all the losses.

Took my extra dose plus 4th 2.5mg yesterday and I have felt hungry today. Noticing the usual side effects I feel at the start of the week like explosive poops burps and tiredness although don’t feel it’s worse than usual but I’ve been starving today. I think it might be due to my eating though as I’ve not eaten much all day and I’ve just gorged on the kids leftover pizza from dinner 😫😫😫 I feel awful about it because that literally hasn’t happened in the last few weeks since I started. I think a good thing about it has been that it makes me more aware of these things and that if I don’t eat little and often through the day I will end up gorging before dinner. I def feel I need the increased dose.

side note I had my daughters first school sports day today and I couldn’t do the mums race. Lots of people didn’t, but my daughter did shout me over and ask if I was doing it. Promised myself I’ll be in a position to do it next year. No more of this.

Thanks - unfortunately it’s sold out! I’ve decided to give Free Soul a try as it’s specifically designed for women and seems to have great reviews. They gave me a referral link for 20% off if anyone else is looking for some protein supplements; https://herfreesoul.mention-me.com/m/ol/it7mq-sarah-barnett

Possibly, it’s very odd, wearing off the further away from my last injection. Due tomorrow, will see if it returns…..

I took 3.75mg again this week as had quite bad side effects this week, they were better this week, although still really bad heartburn but despite that it's worn off a day early and I had quite a big dinner without thinking about it after having 3 meals yesterday (have been having 2 small ones). So, definitely going to do next dose this evening rather than tomorrow and up it a little to 4.25, if I can figure out the maths.

Just did! 51 clicks

So much for what I said about portion control earlier 😂.

It was still less than what I would have had before though as it seemed weird to have a bigger portion after the last few weeks and I’m really full now.

Think I’ve figured out why Mounjaro causes fatigue. The reason it causes coldness is because of how it affects the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature.

The hypothalamus also regulates the bodies circadian rhythms, which of course includes getting tired at nighttime, so seems we’re just confusing our hypothalamus’s in several ways!

The hypothalamus also regulates food intake so that all makes sense now.

@Eyesofmistyblue we are not saints and without MJ it’s likely you’d have done that too. I find it one of the hardest parts of MJ. Having to eat when I have zero appetite.

Here is to you doing that race next year!

After 3 and a half weeks on 5mg, I was finally able to eat a normal sized meal! I actually felt hungry this evening. Chicken and veg with a little bit of cheese sauce and gravy - it was really nice and I could actually finish it instead of having to stop after a couple of bites because I felt sick.

I've still had less than 1200 calories today, but it's progress. Am hoping that my fourth week will be even better side effects wise. Definitely seems to be going that way.

🎉🎊🎉 I'VE HAD A WHOOSH!!!!🎉🎊🎉

Cant quite believe this as I'd been so down. 3lbs off overnight (you watch it all go back on tomorrow lol). So I'm now only overweight, under 180, and in the 12's for the first time I can remember in years. 😁 I know I get so much more from MJ, but it's nice to know it's working for my weight as well. Congrats to everyone else with losses today.

SW 196.6lbs (BMI 32)
CW 179.6lbs
GW1 160lbs

Great news @MelissaLouRocks 😊 glad it finally happened

NSV here. Sorry not boasting but want to share. My face!!!!! I cannot believe it!!! She’s back! Look so much slimmer and younger and happier. Have annoying sagging on neck but cannot believe the difference…. I love this

You can boast here!!! Congrats!!!

My injection day is Thursday & my highest appetite suppression day is Sat-Sun. By Tues, Weds there is some return of appetite, but as the weeks go by (finishing 6th) there is less of this. I ate less than 1000 cals today, mostly I eat because I know if I don’t I will feel shattered.
I tried on a swimsuit today, in spite of having lost a stone, this was not a great experience. It will take another stone for any swim costume to look flattering.
Start weight 13st 6lbs
current 12st 6
goal 11st 1