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.

Thanks @Cerialkiller - that's really helpful advice.

I've had a Google and it seems, whilst not ideal, it should be fine. I'll keep and eye on the area for any swelling etc. it is a bit bruised as I panicked when I realised what I did and didn't take it out very carefully...

Now steady on, they’re all really good at googling too. Ignorant, ill informed twats.

Thank you for the my protein suggestion on the previous thread @imnottoofussed! I have just ordered, they have 57% off for the next 45 mins! Got some colagen capsules too.

I have lost the extra i put on in italy already, so assuming it was water weight!

Congrats everyone on your losses!

Have a great time on holiday @ObsidianTree

I am now 214lb! Lowest weight in over 3 years!

Checking in 👋🏻😁

I think some posters on the AIBU thread are lashing out because deep down they are jealous they can’t get access to it themselves.

This is why it’s best to keep it to yourself- Haterz gonna hate.

Well done @FlappyFish for getting to a healthy BMI - looks like you will be our first graduate!

Amazing @FlappyFish and such an inspiration.
I am similar starting weight and need to buy a wedding dress in a few months and you have made me realise it’s realistic that I won’t be ashamed of my weight in my wedding pictures. I was a 20stone very fat (and unhappy ) bride 1 st time round over 20 years ago and this time will be different. I am lighter than I was back than but I am still obese.

I am day 3 week 1 and feeling very good. Scales show a 3lb loss but I just can’t get over how I am not thinking of food . I am still eating and enjoying small meals.

I just regret not starting this before but am very optimistic and excited about the future and my future wardrobe !

does anyone know if you can buy extra needles to get the extra dose or do you have to use another type ?

this thread is so lovely and supportive thank you .

On that point, are people on here telling family and friends that they’re taking it? I’m a fairly private person and bar DH don’t really want to tell anyone IRL as the nosiness/questions etc will annoy me!

My DH knows and a couple of friends, but i haven't spoken to them much about it. I've not lost enough yet for anyone to comment on my weight loss so it's not come up with anyone else. I'm not going to tell everyone, but I think if someone also trying to lose weight asked me I'd be honest.

I'm not telling anyone apart from DP- a friend of mine did Ozempic last year and lost a ton of weight, and the comments she got from people (both to her face and behind her back) has convinced me I'll never tell!

I have told my immediate family and a couple of friends but won’t be telling any more people. As far as I’m concerned it’s private medical treatment and I won’t be disclosing it unless I feel I want to

I’ve only told DH. I might be more open to talking about it further down the line, if I feel like it might help someone else but for now I have you lovely lot!

I have told my best friend, mainly because my wine consumption is much lower and she isnt daft haha

Also my sister as we took oz together last year.

Peoples view that we should suffer to be able to live a healthy life is just bonkers. As is the race to the bottom from those who have lost without it.

Well done @FlappyFish.
I’m 10 weeks in and told no one.
Dh and adult DD know I’m dieting.
I’ve dipped into stone bracket below today I’m just over a stone off a healthy bmi.
One thing it’s really helped with is my overall mood stability and how well I feel. I’m on hrt too and peri menopausal. I don’t have the ups and downs of mood, no hangryness.
I feel well. No real side effects.
I’m eating 1000-1200 cals, mostly protein and veg. No alcohol. 10,000 steps. Lots of water.
I was doing cc/exercise for 6 months before mj but on around 1600 cals as set by several PTs. Lost virtually nothing.
There’s no reason to suspect as weight isn’t falling off me, I look well eg compliments in skin.
Think I’ve averaged 1.5lb a week off so healthy.
For all those saying you could do that without medication no I couldn’t. I also couldn’t have consistently dropped my cals to this low level without medication. I can now go hours without eating before I needed a healthy snack or I’d feel ill and hunger would make it impossible to concentrate at work.
My maintenance plan is to go back to 1600 cals I know I can live on.

I’m being fairly open now on the fact I’ve taken it. I won’t just announce it, but if asked by those close I will say. Anyone close to me knows my weight and other addictions were a lot to overcome.

@MsClittirati there are two options. Hard twist or extract. On the first post of each thread there is info on how to do it.

Are most of you calorie counting? I know the injection is meant to make you less hungry, I just wondered if you're logging calories strictly, or if you just know roughly how much your intake is.

Thanks all. I think I’ll just keep it to DH for the time being.

I’m 50. Been on this just over 2 months. I was bmi 31 now 27. I ate very healthy diet before mj as I was calorie counting.
We all have our own tolerances.
Ideally focus on protein & veg.
If I have breakfast I have protein yoghurt and berries. Or a protein shake.
Lunch I had a lot of homemade soup when I started chicken/veg/lentil. Or protein and salad.
Or I often have brunch instead eg omelette.
Dinner protein and veg eg salmon maybe a few small potatoes. I eat the Aldi protein ready meals sometimes with veg.
Lots of water. Virtually no snacking.
Personally I couldn’t face anything fatty/greasy/pastry. Had virtually no alcohol. Virtually no chocolate.

Yes everything logged on paid for version of nutracheck. It has uk products and a bar code scanner. I have it set to log cals and protein.

I haven’t told anyone, not sure if dh suspects as there’s a sharps bin in the bedroom! Taken my first 5mg today, feel a bit nauseous.

I'm not calorie counting, it becomes too much of an obsession for me (I know from previous MFP logging etc) and I didnt find it helped me to lose weight to be honest (wasnt lack of knowledge of the number of calories in my intake causing the weight, but an insatiable hunger and constant food noise). Far easier has been to reduce my portion sizes by half, I no longer snack, and thanks to MJ I can stick with it. Am using this to reframe my approach to food, CC is not something I want to be doing for the rest of my life so why would I want to do it now?

Welcome @BusyMummy001 and others that have found way here after the aibu thread.
I’ve in here from early threads and honestly its been such a lovely supportive group.
Lots of sharing of protein food ideas and supplements and general support.

I haven't even told dh! he would disapprove, of the cost as much as anything else and he would say i've done it by myself before so why not now. the answer, i don't know, its harder now for some reason.

I haven't been calorie counting but i do practice keto. Its worked for me in the past and has an added appetite suppression usually (although im currently hungry right now day after a jab and 4 weeks into keto). So usually only have two meals a day, protein, veg, a few berries dairy, eggs, Limited dark chocolate, no alcohol and lots of water.

I can't afford to do MJ long term so i'm trying to get the most out of it. I can MAYBE do 5 months if the discounts add up and i make enough money doing online surveys :)

Oh! I've just checked my savings account, I already have enough for 5 month if I take into account the discount making the pens sub-£150ish Might be able to get to 6 months!! That takes the pressure off! That will get me through October assuming 5 doses per pen.

Does anyone know how late I can order my next pen from Med express? I've just had my first reminder. I've only just started my 5g pen and I don't want a massive stock pile yet.

Yes!c- if you contact them, they should send you out some more in time for the final dose. Some providers give you spares in case you damage a needle.