Continuing Mounjaro Thread 10

[FlappyFish]

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

9th thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5074054-continuing-mounjaropart-9

Thread for newbies just starting out:

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

Courtesy of Flappy, deputising for the wonderful Obsidian.

So the general rules are that you have to be over 30 bmi to start it, but should you switch suppliers when you are under 30, it seems they will take the evidence of a ‘continuing’ prescription as sufficient as they are simply taking it over.

I think it depends on your prescriber after 25. Juniper Health, who I was originally with, will stop at 25 (or rather 24.9); Dr Franks who I am with now say that when you reach 24.9 they consult with Dr Franklyn Joseph directly to discuss the way forward in each individual case, and he prefers client/patients to reach a BMI of 23 before stopping medication as this leaves them with a little lee-way to gain a few pounds as they adjust to life without meds.

I started at a BMI of bang on 30 so am already slightly below it, a few days in.

Why do you have to switch supplier?

mines with Lloyds online pharmacy

How are people like Sharon Osbourne still on it when she’s clearly becoming underweight, how is she still getting it prescribed for her?

A NSV… just managed to sit while my whole family ate McDonald’s with just a water, without even feeling grumpy or resentful 😂. Don’t get me wrong it took a bit of will power, but personally for me, while I’m paying for the infections, I want to give it the best shot possible and to keep my eating as clean as I can. I came home and had a bowl of home made tomato soup.

I just ordered my first pen from Med Express. Will they need photos or anything I'm just waiting to hear back.

I feel scared or something like I'm doing something dodgy don't know why is this normal.

I’m considering starting this, but scared. I’ve got A LOT to lose. Like 7 or 8 stone. I lost 2 stone last year, used Saxenda for a while but didn’t like the side effects. But then I’ve nearly put that all back on again. I’m at a loss really. I can eat well for 2 or 3 weeks but then I’m back to eating crap. I eat my emotions. I think I’ve got ADHD and some of it is a sensory thing. I just want to be healthy and happy. I’m on a low income but I spend so much on crap food. I’m just scared.

I think it’s normal to feel nervous be fore taking a big plunge. Nervous re side effects, nervous if it doesn’t work.

@Infinity234 this has been 1000 times better than saxenda for me. I had terrible acid reflux and only lost half a stone in 2/3 months - then stopped.
MJ is generally better on both side effects and weight loss. It's normal to feel scared - I think we all did. But if you can afford it it's worth trying it. As you said, the £££ saved on food almost make up for the cost of the jab. And if you use the 5 injections you are talking £30 per week roughly. Good luck!

I don't think she is on it anymore. She says that since she stopped it, she struggles to keep weight on now. I suppose the suggestion there is that these drugs alter your body permanently...personally that sounds like a dream come true to me

Thanks @MrsFrisbyMouse and @GloriaBunniford. I'm surprised too as I really thought I'd see more suppression by now. I just wish I was closer than halfway to healthy bmi 😄

During shortages people have switched (I did: from Juniper for this reason, as I had 3m stuck on 5mg of Ozempic, when I should have moved up to 1/1.7 and then 2.4mg, so was paying £249pcm to maintain my weight) and at times there is significant price difference, so people do shop around now it is more freely available.

I am planning on my first dose of Mounjaro either tonight or tomorrow morning. Is there any general consensus of when is best to do the injection? I have heard some people that doing it at night lessons the tiredness and dizziness some people get. However I am hoping not to end up feeling queasy through the night?

Other questions I have about starting are is it a good idea to prep yourself in advance, i.e. eat less than usual to avoid feeling sick? I have to admit I did go out and buy some favourite treats on on Friday and had an Indian takeaway yesterday (last hurrah) but was thinking I would eat a bit lighter today.

Also what supplements are people taking? I was thinking of getting some sublingual B12 but not sure what else to take? I am taking an Iron supplement currently so am also a bit worried about getting backed up anyone else combined the two.

Also I hear that the pens have enough medication for 5 doses of 2.5 any advice on how to get the last dose out? I hate to think I'd be wasting money throwing that away!

@Infinity234 I have ADHD and had 6.5-7st to lose when I started (BMI of 36.4). I’ve found the meds to be liberating - less food noise, so my concentration elsewhere is more focussed. I know that isn’t the case for everyone, though, as ADHD is different for each person. It’s the first time in my life I have ‘stuck’ to something for so long - am a serial enthusiastic starter and quick giver upper (exercise, NY resolutions, intention to keep on top of the laundry etc). It has given me enough headspace that I started Duolingo last year and now have 180 day streak!!

I can only suggest trying it, but with a provider that doesn’t lock you in to a 6m plan, so that if you experience side effects or find it doesn't help, you can drop it. I found Ozempic/Wegovy had manageable but significant side-effects, but Mounjaro (MJ) has been plain sailing, so perhaps try MJ rather than the others, especially as the anecdotal reports on here seem to suggest much fewer side effects on it?

@Infinity234 I am in much the same boat as you with at least 5 or 6 stone to lose, probably more but I can't yet get my head round that. I also probably have undiagnosed ADHD and feel like I eat to kind of ground myself. I worked out that I probably spend about £100 at least a month on extra junk food like chocolate and fizzy drinks so if this drug works for me it will not be such a big difference in cost to that. Its worth a try!

Anyone ordered 5mg from MedExpress recently? What is the expiry date?
Thanks!

@BusyMummy001 and @GingerNugget I’ve bitten the bullet and submitted an order on Pharmacy2U. I haven’t told my husband yet 🙈 I am terrible I find myself just going to the supermarket daily and buying crap to eat. I need to sort myself out with regards to meal prep for the family and will hopefully be able to just eat small portions of that and should save some £££ there.

@Infinity234 keep an eye on these threads - didn’t have anything like this when I started (and only just found it this week). It’s full of support. I have found I save sooo much money from not eating and drinking so much (big wine drinker), that I am fairly sure I’ve saves money! Really enjoyed bagging up my size 20/18 clothes and taking them for recycling last week!

@BusyMummy001 that must be a great feeling! How much have you lost so far? And in how long? I’m going to Spain in just over 8 weeks. Dreading wearing a swimsuit, shorts etc 😣

I just took my first dose of 2.5mg on Thursday, I've awful lower back pain today, could be a coincidence? Anyone else experienced this?

@GingerNugget I’d take it tonight. Lots of water. Just take it easy foodwise and see how you feel.

just took my 1st dose of mounjaro yesterday i have been placed on it by my diabetic nurse in the hope i can loose weight and get my diabeties under control so i hope its ok to join you im starting at a weight of 16st 2 at 5ft 1in so a fair bit to lose

I am planning on my first dose of Mounjaro either tonight or tomorrow morning. Is there any general consensus of when is best to do the injection? I have heard some people that doing it at night lessons the tiredness and dizziness some people get. However I am hoping not to end up feeling queasy through the night?

I started injecting on a Friday night but I found I was really hungry all day Friday which was annoying me. I changed to Friday morning and sleep through that last hunger dip!

I received mine on Friday with a date of 09/24 x

Hi everyone! Long time no post from me. I’ve been trying to keep up with the thread but I’ve been a bit distracted… turns out I am pregnant with baby number 3! Very early days so not really told anyone yet…

Not an MJ contraception failure but bit of a surprise nonetheless.

I’ve obviously got to stop taking MJ (the timing of which is very annoying as I’d just bought a 7.5mg pen which is sitting in my fridge looking pretty useless). I’m a bit gutted tbh that I had finally found something working for me and that I’d found this lovely group. I have no doubt I’ll be back one day!

It’s definitely given me a really good reset from what were some terrible eating habits. As of last weigh in I have lost a total of 21lbs in 8 weeks so I’m really pleased with that. I’m really hoping I can minimise weight gain in this pregnancy as a result of what I’ve achieved so far.

So it’s goodbye from me (for now) and I really wish you all the very best with your journeys. Thank you all so much for your support 💐