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

Have you tried the bars? I bought a few different flavours this week, only tried the salted caramel one so far though. It's very sickly, which I would have loved pre MJ being the chocolate addict I was, but not so much now 😬

Hey all, just thought I’d update you - 14lb down today 😁 Wednesday was my first dose of the 5mg pen. Although I used my bonus dose last week to ‘upgrade’ to 5mg a week early.

i notice a massive difference in the 5mg dose, in terms of reduction of appetite and food noise. This is truly life changing for me, I actually know I’ll make it this time. Although I have a long way to go 🙈 I’m 19stone 2lb today.

im vegetarian and struggling with protein, I always do. Anybody got any suggestions for protein idea ?

@Oakcupboard

Thats great progress! Not a vegetarian myself but have been trying to cut down on meat and agree protein is difficult. I've been eating more eggs, egg mayo, omelette, mini crustless quiece/frittata. Do you use quorn? Some on here have recommended using protein shakes or yoghurts which may be a option too.

So, I'm going on hol on Tuesday. Before starting MJ my period was going to be during my holiday. I was going to buy some tablets to stop my period until after my holiday. Since starting MJ my period has been coming 2 days early. I worked out that if my period came early this month then I wouldn't need to buy meds to take and I might get my period mostly done by the time I get to Sri lanka. Well today is 2 days before my period is due... And no sign of it! Sods law!

So hoping it comes by tomorrow so ill be mostly over the worst of it by Wed when I arrive. Knowing my luck it will be late and start when I'm in Sri Lanka and wanting to swim 😂😫

@BlackFriYay i haven’t and maybe won’t try them now! I have such a sweet tooth but keto calms that right down. The shakes have been really useful. Not for everyday though. Bit pricey.

My husband has used protein powder in his morning smoothie for about a year and we get Alpha Foods Vegan protein powder. He likes the peanut butter or chocolate but I like the vanilla. I think it tastes good. We usually use it in a smoothie blender but you can just mix it. I like it with fruit and ice and water, my husband prefers it with greens, a banana and almond milk. We both sometimes adid oats. There are sometimes deals if you buy two tubs of it.

lurkylurk MJ targets visceral fat, apparently.
Re protein bars: Lidl’s are good, pleasant, not overly sweet & not trying to be a Mars bar!

Well I finally got into the stone bracket this morning, so pleased with that 😊

I started at 125KG and today, despite having been unwell for over a week and not exercising at all, I saw 110.7KG on the scales!!!!

I have really struggled with getting from 115 to 110. Am so pleased. Can't wait to feel better and get back to exercising.

I am not sure on whether to move to 7.5mg or not. The side effects were grim. How have others found the move from 5 to 7.5?

Sending good vibes to everyone for the weekend ahead.

I intend to get the next pen up each month but just dose down (count clicks each time). In not on 7.5yet but plan to do one or two interim doses between each dose change. This will also lengthen the use of my pens to 5/6 uses rather then 4 and I can build up a stock pile. I can only afford 4/5 months of this so need to maximise.

Today has not been easy. I’ve been out on a trip and slipped right back into not drinking enough so that I don’t have to use the loo while I’m out 😳 I’ve only eaten half a ham sandwich and a packet of pombears. I’m trying to make up for my lack of fluid today by drinking loads this evening.

On a side note, I’ve just tried on one of my tankinis before I start packing for next weeks holiday and OH said “oh you’ve still got your food belly”. Thanks then!

I checked out the high protein range in Tesco’s. A bit limited. I am trying to eat a gym kitchen salted caramel yogurt & I can taste the artificial sweetener, which is off-putting.
I am sticking with Lidl - best high protein range IMO

Just catching up on the last 2 days. Looking great @FlappyFish ! 👏👏

Woah is your beloved still alive?!

@RagzRebooted that's very reassuring about Phlo. I'm currently obsessed with maintenance and how I'm going to navigate it. All the advice about protein and weightlifting in order to maintain, doesn't reassure me as I have been lifting for years and already have muscle, but it has made no difference in the fight against menopausal weight gain! I'm hoping I can take a maintenance dose for as long as possible. Even if I need one to take me to the other side of menopause.

I'm down from BMI 31 to BMI 27. I look so much less like a cottage loaf! I was expecting to look flaccid and saggy at this point but I actually can see the muscles that were previously hidden in fat. My weight loss has been pretty slow and I'm sure that's why I've avoided loose flesh. I really think slow and steady wins the race in this case.

@KW1987

If there was a post-mortem as a close relative you can request a copy of the post-mortem report which will have these details I believe.

I shall bide my time 😈

Really? I got plenty of visceral fat so that’s good news!

Thanks @lurkylurk

My dad had been clear of the previous cancer for quite a few years before he got cancer a second time (skin cancer) and passed. There wasn't a post mortem as he was in hospital for a few weeks before so there was no need to investigate.

I've done some quite extensive googling today and put my mind at ease somewhat - there is a very good chance it's not thyroid cancer that he had (my siblings didn't seem to think it was) and even if it was the one they are concerned about is the rarest kind. I've also found a recent article about more recent studies showing it is unlikely to cause cancer (link incase anyone else is having a spell of health anxiety: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-thyroid-cancer-risk#Takeaway)

I tried the arla yogurt but find the flavour and texture horrible, I just can’t! But they have a 20 grams of protein chocolate pudding that is so good and if I crave something sweet (very rarely) I have one with blueberries or raspberries yum! And is so filling the maximum I can eat is half pot.

Thanks that's really good to have confirmed. I had already started mj when i read (well watched youtubers) being concerned about thyroid cancer and was worried because I was getting sore throats in the first few days after the jab, I also had a tonsillectomy this time last year and have a lot of throat scarring so was thinking there could be vulnerability there for me.

No problem - I guess with it being a fairly new treatment, in the scheme of things, that
some of the more long term studies are only now coming out. This definitely looks like a positive one!

Wonder if this is because 7.5mg isn’t a licensed maintenance dose, it’s only meant to be a titration dose so they presumably wouldn’t want you on that dose long term although I would suppose plenty of people do? I don’t know why it isn’t a licensed dose, maybe someone knows more on that.

I'm vegetarian and i think my protein levels are decent. Here is some good meals
Quinoa, chickpea salad (with tomatoes, chopped onions, peppers,olives etc etc and nice dressing)

Airfried tofu

Tvp (use as mince and is v high in protein) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08GDFQ1CG/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Seitan - I made some from scratch and its a whopping 72mgs protein per 100mgs. I coated it in nando's spicy seasoning and air fried it. Here's the recipe I used https://chejorge.com/2020/11/23/homemade-seitan-vegan/