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Weight loss injections/treatments

Discuss weight-loss injections and treatments, including personal experiences. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any treatments.

Continuing Mounjaro Thread 11

1000 replies

FlappyFish · 29/05/2024 20:44

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.

Continuing Mounjaro...part 9 | Mumsnet

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 l...

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
35
ObsidianTree · 04/06/2024 15:23

Will join the discussion on fears of going off the medication and the effects.

I guess I trialed this on holiday when I skipped my dose for 8 days(as in 8 days late taking it). In the week where I didn't have a dose, the appetite suppression went away and I was able to eat more and drink alcohol. When on MJ and fully suppressed I don't feel like drinking. So the week without a dose did effect my want for alcohol. After the holiday the scales are showing a gain and I will be working on getting get weight back off. I suppose trialing on holiday was a bad idea anyway as difficult to calorie count and I wasn't attempting to! It's also shown I'm not ready to go it alone!

I don't mind that I have gained as I don't want to reach goal too quickly anyway. I think I should be back to where I was in a few weeks. So not massive harm done, but still proves I need MJ for now as I couldn't resist temptation!

@FlappyFish we started around the same time and I can imagine how hard it is to think about having to stop, when it feels like we've barely started! I guess MJ is a bit of a curse too as the losses can be pretty fast! People on wegovy lose quite slowly so more time on the drug to get your head in gear.

I know I'm not ready to be off them and want at least a year on it. Then I hope by then my mind will be ready to take maintenance on without MJ!

ObsidianTree · 04/06/2024 15:29

@oaode there are a few Zava codes on here a few pages back. It gives you 15% off your order. Although, maybe med express is cheaper than Zava for 7.5mg actually. So you might have to stick with the paltry £5 off this month!

ObsidianTree · 04/06/2024 15:34

ObsidianTree · 01/06/2024 15:38

I've been doing some price checking to update the first post info. If there is any other good suppliers that are priced well, let me know and I will update the list. I have taken boots and superdrug out as as far as I am aware they are very pricey.

MedExpress:
2.5mg and 5mg. £149.99. 7.5mg £169, 10mg £189. Coupon codes no longer working!

The Family Chemist:
2.5mg and 5mg £149. 7.5mg £169, 10mg £169

Zava medical:
2.5mg £139, 5mg £139, 7.5mg £169, 10mg £189. Zava offer refer a friend discount of 15% off. Ask for a code on here.

Simple online pharmacy: (haven't checked current pricing)
£159 2.5mg £179 5mg

Bolt pharmacy:
2.5mg £125, 5mg £179. 7.5mg £189, 10mg £189

Asda:
2.5mg and 5mg £179. 7.5mg £189, 10mg
£189

@FlappyFish maybe update the starter info you have if you want to start next thread when it's time.

Actually @oaode Zava is £169 for 7.5mg too

RagzRebooted · 04/06/2024 15:46

Having my first real struggle with snackiness/food noise since starting. Dose due tomorrow, so partly that but I was fine until I started eating. My old nemesis, 'free food' appeared in the form of M&S lunch provided by a rep, so I ate some chocolate crispy bites as well as a sandwich, olives, a yogurt and a smoothie and have been sitting here all afternoon thinking about the leftovers in the work kitchen and have just been and picked again.
I'm terrible with free food, it's like my brain forgets I can actually buy whatever food I like these days and I'm not in food poverty any more.
Last time we had a work lunch I was well surpressed and able to enjoy a small amount and swerve the rest. Not today!

Like many others, I'm wondering how I'm ever going to come off this drug if I can't retrain my brain. Therapy, probably!

Oh well, onwards and upwards (or downwards).

Soukmyfalafel · 04/06/2024 15:54

Soukmyfalafel · 04/06/2024 06:44

If you go back to Asda after a break for a couple of months what is the process? Do you start over again? I think on an email there was a restart button, but I stopped using them at 5mg and don't want to faff about with photos,ID and pictures of meds and stuff just to save £15.

I'm such a pillock, I thought the discounts for Asda as they are so Zava. Looks like I will stick with Med Ex if I do need another one.

I'm on day 2 of my 4th 7.5 and haven't had much effect yet, which is surprising since I got 6 days of suppression out of my last one. My injection site leaked a bit of the medication out and it was my first time using med ex needles. Is this normal for those needles? I have been using the novofine ones previously. Are the carepoint ones as good?

I'm nearly at your stage too @FlappyFish . I am really worried. If I can get another pen now still it will be my emergency winter flab pen in case of gain, and I will titrate down on the next one. I was hoping to buy just three pens before I started, but I think I was a bit hopeful I could lose two stone and keep it off with just three pens 🤔

I do think these providers haven't thought through the maintenance and the psychological aspect of coming off.

R4ch402 · 04/06/2024 15:55

Chucklesisters · 04/06/2024 14:59

Update from the slow losers club:

Started 10mg yesterday and now I’m launched into orbit! Vomited spectacularly at work today. Had no such symptoms with the lower doses. The nausea is also a new guest!

oh wow, hope side effects calm down for you. Im in slow losers club too. I start 10mg on Thursday. Only 10lbs down since 3rd March so interested to see how things go on the next dose

Youdontevengohere · 04/06/2024 16:00

In terms of maintenance (I only started 12 days ago so a while to go yet) I’m planning to focus on strength/fitness over weight. There is a local woman who runs group and 1:1 nutrition and fitness coaching sessions and I’m going to redirect my money from MJ to that. I started at bang on 30 BMI and am 7lbs down in 12 days so I don’t anticipate being on it for a huge amount of time, so I will definitely need something to focus on when I stop the injections. For me, it’s not just about being thin, it’s about regaining the strength and fitness that I’ve lost over the past 10 years since having all the issues which led to my weight gain (birth injury and subsequent chronic health condition, stress of a disabled child etc).

Letsgoogogo · 04/06/2024 16:02

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Madferitchick · 04/06/2024 16:21

The fluctuations in how this drug varies in its affects is quite astounding. I took 3.75g dose on Friday night. Sat, sun, mon the suppression was huge, to the point I really had to force myself to eat and when I did I couldn't manage much at all.
Today, I am pretty much back to normal 🥴
Going to give it a few more days and then dose again making a gradual move up to 5.
I definitely think split dosing is going to be the way to go for me.

Well done to all those that have been on holiday and managed the situation - I know that's going to be a real test for me in the summer. Just hope to have dropped a bit more weight by then so I feel motivated to not undo the progress made!

Flapearedknave · 04/06/2024 16:39

NoMoreCoffeePlease · 04/06/2024 15:51

Not sure if this has been shared before, but the NHS can now prescribe Mounjaro: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-authorises-diabetes-drug-mounjaro-tirzepatide-for-weight-management-and-weight-loss

Drs are still refusing to give wegovy, so I don't think it will make much difference

My sister was just told and outright 'no'. Not even offered the weight loss journey thing and she is pre-diabetic and over 35 bmi

AgathaMystery · 04/06/2024 17:05

Flapearedknave · 04/06/2024 16:39

Drs are still refusing to give wegovy, so I don't think it will make much difference

My sister was just told and outright 'no'. Not even offered the weight loss journey thing and she is pre-diabetic and over 35 bmi

You won’t be offered tier three - you absolutely have to ask for it!

Flapearedknave · 04/06/2024 17:07

AgathaMystery · 04/06/2024 17:05

You won’t be offered tier three - you absolutely have to ask for it!

She has, several times

susiedaisy1912 · 04/06/2024 17:10

I had a bmi of 49 and was told no when I asked for help to get wegovy with the nhs.

spottydogsarethebest · 04/06/2024 17:15

I'm seriously considering ordering, but have a few questions regarding long-term use.

How does it work, is it just a case that if your BMI gets below 30 prescriptions will no longer be allowed?

Has anyone reached this milestone and, do you literally stop altogether or taper off?

Sorry if this has already been covered.

Also...the extra dose in the pen- do people use that so make each pen last 5 weeks?

Is anyone here on 15mg yet?

Buffypaws · 04/06/2024 17:19

@spottydogsarethebest take a look at @NoMoreCoffeePlease 's very helpful post above

I think there may be someone in the US who has made it to top dose.
I managed to get a full extra dose from my latest pen so having that for the week. But previously I don't think I've got that much so i've just had a bit extra in the fourth week.

Alicewondersalot · 04/06/2024 17:30

Hi, I post on the other weight loss thread for those that have 5st + to lose.

I used someone’s Zava code from this thread (thank you 😊). Here is my referral code for anyone else that would like it: REFHNHUR

RunningAndSinging · 04/06/2024 17:32

@spottydogsarethebest
Maintenance is uncertain at the moment. Pharmacies have different cut offs as in the spreadsheet linked above (thanks for that @NoMoreCoffeePlease it’s great).

Once they stop prescribing some people are stockpiling so that they can taper. Personally I doubt my BMI will reach 25 before I plateau and my plan is to stay on for the long term as I know how quickly I gained when I came off Wegovy.

Yes, each pen can last 5 weeks with the bonus dose - I have got a little over a full extra dose from each of the three pens I have used.

In the UK the highest available dose currently is 10mg but 12.5 is due out this week and 15mg by the end of June.

PomchiK · 04/06/2024 17:36

Going back to cut off points. I'm wondering if it's worth attempting to order from two different suppliers for a couple of months to stockpile? I wouldn't think they share data, the only issue I can think of is expiry dates and the cost of course 😕

NoMoreCoffeePlease · 04/06/2024 17:41

NoMoreCoffeePlease · 04/06/2024 15:57

Also for those looking to maintain, this is the spreadsheet that shows chemists' response:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-4a6E0k8tkKoYaNQcOajzVVuDIhAza61fRRbOPUR5Cw/edit#gid=0

I forgot to give credit to the person on Reddit who created it! Their thread is called mounjaromaintenanceuk.

Flapearedknave · 04/06/2024 17:42

PomchiK · 04/06/2024 17:36

Going back to cut off points. I'm wondering if it's worth attempting to order from two different suppliers for a couple of months to stockpile? I wouldn't think they share data, the only issue I can think of is expiry dates and the cost of course 😕

I've been wondering this too

The only issue I forsee is the contacting of gp

Family143 · 04/06/2024 17:44

@LatinaLondon Thank you for your reply. It makes complete sense. In line with what you said about the last couple of days before the next dose, I am hoping that if I manage to stay on a lower dose, I will have a better chance of maintaining long term.

AgathaMystery · 04/06/2024 17:47

susiedaisy1912 · 04/06/2024 17:10

I had a bmi of 49 and was told no when I asked for help to get wegovy with the nhs.

So, currently (& bear in mind this changes so what I was told 3 weeks ago may already be out of date)….

To get this drug on the NHS you need to be…
-At the end of a tier 3 weight loss program (1yr long)
-Prediabetic

  • and high cholesterol
  • or hypertension
  • and be obese

Then you need the luck of the Angels and a super informed GP.

There will always be exceptions to this and there will always be someone who gets it, and that’s fine.

To get onto the tier 3 weight loss program I basically went in and said I wasn’t leaving until I got referred. It was not easy.

Choux · 04/06/2024 17:51

How long are people finding it's taking this week to get a ZAVA order approved?

I ordered 10mg yesterday lunchtime and sent my photos (as switching from MedExpress) but it is still showing just as Pending. It says to contact them after 48 hours so will see if it gets approved tomorrow morning and contact them if not but wondered if everyone was waiting this long or if my order has been forgotten about.

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