Continuing Mounjaro Thread 11

[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

10th thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5080755-continuing-mounjaro-thread-10

Thread for newbies just starting out:

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

Courtesy of Flappy, deputising for the wonderful Obsidian.

@BlackFriYay Ahh sounds good yeah. Seems to be a silly move on MExps part to not honour voucher codes any longer, I saw an article the other day about how the price of mounjaro coming down would encourage users to shop around for the best price. So they're shooting themselves in the foot massively unless there's a plan to reduce their prices across the MExp board.

It won’t, I had it in there from when Melissa said it but didn’t order as I was away. When I went to order yesterday it had changed to say new customers only

Checking in from somewhere on a ferry in the Shetland isles. 6 days into my holiday, no weighing, no calorie counting but trying to make good choices where I can. Will be interesting to see how it's all gone at my next weigh in on Thursday. Hoping for a maintain, won't be too upset with a lb or 2 on.
Well done to all the target hitters and NSVs. I'm wearing a ring this week that I've not been able to wear for over a year. 😀

@Bas16 I have these too-and love being able to find other semi-NSV when things don’t look right on wise!

Thank you for the new thread @FlappyFish!
I completely missed the last one and it’s taken me ages to catch up 🙈

Accidentally took this weeks a day late, but end of week 3 I was 2lb down again so a total of 10.5 :)

Strange thing I’ve noticed the past two weeks I thought I’d share:
I know the saying is 3500 calories is roughly 1lb. So I’ve been using nutracheck to ensure I’m accountable. Added up my calories for each week and compared to my Apple Watch/health active energy + resting energy - so far it’s been bang on at calculating the deficit and predicting my weight loss!

Still finding is so easy to say no to all my trigger foods or even if I have a bit of chocolate I can easily stop after a square or two, I am now craving water instead of cola and things like fruit tastes so much better and is really satisfying. Anyone else finding this? It is like a literal miracle!

If MedExpress don't do any more codes and other providers don't let you swap with a BMI below 30, then whoever came up with the marketing plan at MedExpress is due a significant bonus as loads of us will be trapped and forced to continue with them! Doing a loss leader is a fairly standard business plan but doing it in a situation where your customers can't then switch is inspired (or aggressive depending on your perspective)

@Sassenach85@FlappyFish
So interested your feelings of shame when MJ has you very full up. I am the opposite.
That sensation is me reached Nirvanah!
The idea of feeling full , can't eat any more, having actually not eaten very much is my idea of heaven and I suspect "normal" for thin people.
Not being hungry, indeed being full is my idea of heaven. Before MJ I was literally never not hungry. I could eat a meal then 5 bags of crisps and be peckish after half an hour.
I literally have no " you are full, stop eating" signals.

Full to the brim after a modest meal? I bloody love it😁

I think providers will take you on with a BMI under 30 if you can prove you have had a previous prescription in the last month and started at a BMI over 30. However I have (or possibly had as it might have improved now) high cholesterol which means you can get Mounjaro with a BMI of 27.

I self declared my cholesterol although at the time of starting my BMI was over 30 anyway. But as far as I know no one checked this with my GP. So I am expecting I could still change prescriber with my current BMI of 28.

Totally get what you mean. I love the concept and the fact I want to stop after a few mouthfuls. I’ve just been surprised at myself reacting to that overly full feeling. Like when you’ve stuffed your face. It will take time to unlearn these emotions and create new patterns for myself.

I am doing my second weigh in on Sunday and a bit nervous. Spending all this money… if I don’t lose a few pounds each week…

First day done. It was a strange one! I defo felt less hungry or focused on food and barely ate much but this evening I felt peckish but I really can't work out if that's habit or what I actuallly want. I don't feel full and I don't feel hungry- more neutral I guess. Is this normal? Can the appetite suppression go up and down during the week or am I unlikely to feel much suppression tomorrow if I'm starting to feel peckish this evening. I've had about 1000 cals but all whole foods aside from a yoghurt. A little nausea today but totally manageable

Evening, definitely not feeling it today, or this week in fact. Not due on, nothing going on at home causing any upset, have been off work so no stress there. Kids have been great, weather not helping but it's honestly not been a bad half term.
Went through a load of old photos with my eldest, lovely to see my kids small and cute but at the same time a reminder of how long I've struggled with being heavy and (pointless I know) wishing MJ was around back then (not that I could have afforded it back then). I remember how I used to eat back then, always shattered, always seeking energy or dopamine from ice cream and biscuits.and far too big portions. I also remember feeling so hungry all the time, constant food noise.
It makes me sad.
All the old feelings around food and shame and failure at losing weight came back. I am absolutely determined MJ is going to work, I can't spend another 20 years like this, hating photographs and mirrors. Sorry if I sound a bit self pitying, I know many of you will understand, just wanted to be honest with myself as I need to work through these feelings if I'm going to make life long changes.

My suppression varies throughout the week. I still feel a bit hungry at points during most days, but nothing like the gnawing hunger I used to feel and I feel full after much smaller portions than previously. The day I had the least hunger this week was the day before I was due to take my second dose.

I've just done my second day and I feel exactly the same. Not able to eat much during the day but after my evening meal had a while where I could easily have reached for unhealthy snacks.
But like you, I feel this may just be habit.
I'm trying to understand how my stomach feels. Sounds stupid but now I sort of feel a bit hungry but full at the same time. My disordered eating has made me not know how to read my stomach, as I would just always snack so rarely got really hungry.
I've not had a packet of crisps or chocolate biscuit for 3 days now and that hasn't been too much of a battle. Long may that continue.

@RagzRebooted

The guidelines for multi-use vials for MOST medication refrigerated or not, (not specifically Mounjaro) are generally to discard 28 days after first use, because of the risk of contamination, not to do with effectiveness.

Obviously anyone can decide to take a risk on that but those guidelines are not specific to Mounjaro you can Google it, multi-use vials (which is what a Kwikpen is.)

@thehousewiththesagegreensofa

Other providers do let you switch with a BMI below 30. So long as you can show previous prescriptions there is generally no problem. If you try to apply and their form that you fill in says you don't qualify just email them directly. The Family Chemist and Bolt both confirmed to me directly that they will accept patients with previous prescription that are now below BMI 30 but I understand that it is standard practice.

@ciderjabs @Choux @RagzRebooted

Added the other two people that were interested in this. Please see my earlier reply to @RagzRebooted on the subject of how safe multi-use vials (or pens, same thing) are.

I'm really not trying to throw a dampener on this and I myself would absolutely stretch the rules a bit as an educated risk, but those guidelines have been in place a long time for multi-use devices of whatever sort and are likely not just due to Eli Lilly not testing past 30 days, just want you to have the info so it's an educated risk!

Ah that's rubbish! Can't believe they cancelled it so quickly!

Looks like I'll be moving to family chemist then!

Yes looks like I will be moving too!

I went and tried anyway and it's definitely not working!

Shame as that price would have been perfect!

Bye bye MedExpress!

I think someone has said family chemist will take people with BMI under 30 if moving. So they might be the way to go.

Did someone say they have some Asda Dr codes?

If I can get them cheaper I could stay with them. Same price as med express for 10mg now

@MsClittirati

The ones linked to previously are a little thicker than the ones usually sent out by providers so may be slightly less comfortable to use. These are the thinnest ones for this use:

https://www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/shop/products/glucorx-carepoint-pen-needles-32g-4mm-0150489

Found a code for Asda BDAYGIFT24 gives 10% off. So £173.60 for 10mg. If family chemist charge £7 ish for postage, then that makes Asda cheaper I think.

Decided to try Zava.
Been doing some searching and found @BigBessie discount code she posted a few threads back for 15% off which worked!

I have also been given a discount code for signing up. So if anyone wants to use Zava, this code gives us both 15% off!

REFUCH2Z

Making my order £164.64 for 10mg including postage. So cheaper than Asda with 10% discount and family chemist with postage.