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

Thanks for the new thread!

I’m still really struggling today. Haven’t been able to focus on work at all as I’m just feeling constantly nauseous- and I only took 3.75! I can’t imagine taking the full 5 at this point but I’m hoping it gets easier…someone please reassure me it gets easier!!

so far today I’ve had 100% suppression. I haven’t felt hungry in the slightest and have just been sipping water. I forced myself to eat a sandwich at lunch as I’m at a gym class later and I don’t want to pass out. I felt slightly better for about half an hour after I ate but I can’t bring myself to eat anything else.

Hello, Thread Nine!

Just managed to order my first 10mg from Medexpress, so I am a happy bunny. 7.5 has been a bit meh for me! It looks like there will be a grand total of zero pounds lost in the three weeks since I moved to it unless something drastic happens by my Wed weigh in...

The news on my new non-prediabetic Hba1c result is cheering me on - it's about that more than the weightloss for me - but I am still very much needing to lose the weight.

It's all so individual as I am 3 days into my first 7.5mg dose and am just having breakfast at 4pm. And I have not been a very big loser on lower doses - a stone in 8 weeks.

How exciting for those ordering 10mg!

I'm starting 7.5mg tomorrow. Does anyone else get excited when starting a new pen? It's the little things haha. I've had to go 9 days this past week as I moved my last 5mg forward by 2 days to last Sunday as it had worn off on bank hol weekend but I need to keep to Tuesdays as jab day really for timing of suppression over the weekend and potential side effect impacts at work.

Has anyone else thought about getting a (modest) stash going? As mentioned I start a new pen tomorrow but what with the 2 year and BMI cut offs of the meds with no maintenance plans in place I am tempted to order every 3 weeks or so instead of 4/5 so can taper down or spread out once goal weight is reached.

@Stickthatupyourdojo I don't actually need the 10mg pen now as I have 2 7.5mg pens on the fridge! But decided to order as I am away on hol next week so don't want to miss ordering with MedExpress before they decide to put me back to 2.5mg!

I guess I was panicking a bit early about being cut off. (Early as I am still 3st until goal! ) So deciding to order a 7.5mg pen from Asda as I'm still with them and if I left it too long they wouldn't sell me a 7.5mg pen! So now have at least a month stock for when I get to goal weight!

I figured while I'm still with Asda I might as well get my 7.5mg pen as back up as end date is April 25.

Uh-oh. Can’t help himself it seems.

Well im still deliberating on next dose. I just noticed 10mg is out. I just assumed it would be 169.99 at Med Ex but it's 20 quid dearer. I only have 10lbs left to lose, so need to order soon, and I just did my first 7.5mg shot yesterday. I don't think I will lose 10lbs in 5 weeks - I've lost about 8 in the last 5 weeks. It's certainly had an effect today, so I'm probably going to respond OK to it. I'm wondering if I just need a 7.5mg instead for my next pen, but I'm worried about hitting a stall at the end and needing to go up. Also want to reduce slowly for a few weeks too. I guess I could count clicks and adjust dose. Really not sure what to order.

What is the 2 year cut off? I've heard of the bmi one, but not 2 years?

Oh and thanks for the new thread! How rude of me! 😳

@ObsidianTree @Choux I'm fully suppressed too, so it means I'm really reliant on my meal plan now. I just cook what it says I planned to eat. If I relied on my hunger I just wouldn't eat at all!

@Stickthatupyourdojo I ordered my second pen 2 weeks after the first even though I won't need it for 3 more weeks if I get the bonus 5th dose. I did it because I'm going on holiday and didn't want the stress of figuring out when I'd be home for delivery. I'm ordering again on 22 May. So now I need to decide if I'm going up a level or staying on the same dose!

I’ve lost 12lbs in 5 weeks, on 5mg now. I’m quite sure it’s water, so I’m not getting that excited.

I don’t get as hungry, but when I do eat, I find that I can’t. Two bites of a sandwich, one biscuit etc…..and six weeks ago I could do serious damage to a packet of chocolate hobnobs before I got out of bed.

I don’t drink so I can’t comment on the side effects related to that but what I have found is my skin is tingly and a couple of times I’ve misjudged how quickly I need to find a toilet - not a good look 💩

I will see this through, I’m 55 and my menopause started during lockdown, I’m fed up of feeling fat and old and sad, and just losing this bit so far is very encouraging, I work hard, so hang the expense!

I just typed out a big response and clicked the wrong thing and lost it! Annoyingly when i have accidently atted someone before I couldn't lose that message at all!

I was saying... The 2 year thing is how long the UK have approved MJ for. So technically they won't see to us once we have been on it for 2 years. So if there was someone with loads to lose and they weren't at healthy BMi by 2 years, they may be cut off.

If we get to healthy BMi sooner than 2 years we get cut off also!

Yes same! Someone noticed last week at work that I barely eat. I didn't have breakfast so about 12.30 I had some lunch. I could have gone longer but thought I better eat something so people don't think I'm starving myself 🤣

I am with Asda (only because their pricing is pretty consistent through doses and when I started, med express stated over £200 on their website for 7.5mg- which it now isn’t 🙄). How easy is it to move between suppliers when ordering new pens? I assumed you had to stay with one the whole way so they knew your history and would prescribe the bigger doses. I have already ordered my 5mg but wouldn’t mind paying less for my next one.

Thanks @ObsidianTree and @ThirdStorm that's good to know. I may get a cheeky 7.5mg for the fridge as I can reorder now.

I'm hoping for improved suppression from going up from 5mg. I'm not frustrated with my losses so far at all, in fact I'm chuffed with them (18 pounds in 9 weeks), but the I WANT IT NOW side of me (greedy? ) wants an improved little boost to the numbers.

Thank you for the new thread OP 😊

I took my second jab a day early last night as hadn't felt any effects/side effects and wanted to move dose day forward too.

Slightly dry mouth today (but doesn't go away with drinking!) but otherwise ok. Don't eat anything until lunchtime as wasn't hungry but was able to then eat a normal size lunch (made some hummus and had with pitta and salad sticks).

Weighed in as I'd done my second jab and 4.5lbs off in 6 days so I'm happy with that 😍 it's definitely been due to conscious decisions and restriction but know that's what I'm going to need in the long term anyway. Hoping I'll start to feel some of the benefits of the MJ this week as a helping hand 🤞🏻

Have a good week everyone 😊

It's pretty much a competition between suppliers now to get your custom. So they are happy for you to move to them on higher doses. You just need to have proof of you previous pen. So a pic of the box with your name and clear dosage.

Med express tend to be cheapest as they often have coupon codes. I believe STARTNOW gives 15% off

@Eyesofmistyblue I moved from bolt to medexpress and it was really easy. I did the consultation form, made a note of my order number then immediately filled out their 'contact us' form and attached screenshots of my bolt email confirmation, the screenshot included the date I ordered, dose, plus my personal info. I clarified my start weight with bolt (as I'd started with a BMI over 30 with Bolt but lost enough pounds to take me to a 29 BMI when I completed the medexpress order so was under their 30 cut off for starting). I also included my order ref to match it up with the order. They dispatched the same day and also replied to my contact us form via email to say thanks. Others have taken photos of their previous pen box with their prescription label on it.

I was thinking how stupid the name mounjaro is earlier and wondered why it's called that. Then I thought it sounds like a portmanteau of mountain and Kilimanjaro. Since losing weight does feel like a continuous uphill battle I wonder if that's why?

I wondered that too. Then I read up on it and an etymologist reckons it’s a metaphor for success.

Now please explain Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound.... 😂

I have been wondering the same! I like Zepbound better as a name :D

Maybe the next one should be called Evapolard or something.

🤣 take my money 🤣

Zepbound could be like zap pound