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.

@Jochef when I switched to MedExpress they asked for a photo of me, including my face, and a scales shot. Obviously I could have manipulated the weight on the scales but we haven’t on these threads advocated anything like that.

@imnottoofussed that is not a crap rate of weight loss at all! Losing a stone over 8 weeks means you are losing on average 1.75lbs a week. A healthy rate of weight loss is 1-2lbs per week, and you’re at the upper end of this already. I would stop comparing to others (although I know it’s inspiring) and keep going- it will pay off before you know it. Don’t be tempted to cut calories further.

@CoolRanch

I wouldn't worry too much, not a lot can go too wrong with subcutaneous injections, sounds like it was a bit too close to the surface but should all get absorbed anyhow. You can get a bruise just by accidentally hitting a small blood vessel or pulling the needle out at a slight angle, neither of which will do any harm, I've had several.

@montysma1 me too. I mean, internally without all the visceral fat I must be much better , but so desperately wanted to reduce our even come off my blood pressure meds. I've lost nearly 9 stone so it's not like a small difference either. Just doesn't make any sense that my BP is no lower at all 😕

Oh the nausea is back! I thought I'd got away with it this time.

I've lost 14lbs in 3 weeks and I'm probably averaging around 1200 calories a day. I just googled my TDEE (I’ve never worked it out before!) and that’s apparent 2500 so I’m in a 1300 calorie deficit. I'm eating a small lunch (250 calories), a normal dinner (5-700) and then usually some snacks (fruit, yoghurt, a small portion of chocolate or a biscuit).

I’m not sure I trust the TDEE though. Any time I’ve dieted, I’ve been below 1500 a day and not really lost much weight. Even when my weight has been steady, I’ve not been eating anywhere near 2500 on a daily basis.

Week 14 check in for me, 2lb off which takes me to 2 and a half stone / 35lbs overall loss.

SW 13.12
CW 11.05

BmI is now 29.1, from 34.2. Still a way to go though, but heading in the right direction.

@MounjaroNewbie same boat here. I worried that I wasted an opportunity to go to 5 for my second pen and I’d made a terrible error as I’ve been stalled for 72hrs so no weight lost this week, on the back of 4 weeks loosing significantly so it’s normal. Just got to be patient, I’m happy I stayed on 2.5 as I still have suppression.

@imnottoofussed I’ve had a few 500 calorie days, not by design. I’m really trying to eat the right amount and get enough protein but not always possible. I’m not going to kick myself. Just keep trying.

@lurkylurk I was questioned two different times by Med Express when my loss wasn't enough when I was re ordering.

@cloned @imnottoofussed I am pretty sure I read that the recommended food levels are very out of date.
People are much more sedentary than they think they are generally.
I would lose very little on 1500. I would gain on 2000.

@toomanyjobsforonewoman It is so odd. Lowering BP is one of the more common side effects.

It happened to me when I took Ozempic as well. I thought it was the weight loss! Then when I couldn't get Ozempic due to shortages , it went back up a bit despite having lost weight , so it was defo a drug effect. ( It went back up but not to the same level as before weight loss)

I’m not calorie counting as that’s not good for me but am making much much better choices when it comes to food and have cut dairy and bread down significantly (which has got rid of my my bloating and permanent stomach ache).

haven't had crisps, cakes or sweets or junk food since I started. Apart from the occasional square of dark chocolate. Which is the opposite of how I eat normally.

Hi, it took a couple of days for me to start to feel the effects, also my side effects were quiet bad, I was unfortunately on a flight coming back from Portugal, my only saving grace is that I was on a private aircraft, still not great for the crew.
It will hit you all at once so have some fibre gel or Imodium and you’ll cover all bases😊
Also, please do keep in mind, on various sites you will have keyboard worriers, always be mindful of what you read. We are different and it effects us all very differently, each and everyone of us are unique.
Good luck, keep everyone posted on your progress.

@montysma1

Ah, ok. I only know what the prescribing guidelines are. If you don’t mind me asking how much had you lost over what time period and what did they want to know?

Tomorrow is jab day, however, I am still not getting any hunger pangs, or cravings, and wonder if I should still take tomorrow or push it back by a couple of days? Any advice?

@lurkylurk First time I had mistakenly put that I was same weight after 4 weeks. I just miss keyed but they questioned me before the put the prescription through

2nd time was when I only lost 4lb over 3 weeks ( due to constipation!)

I HAVE DONE IT!
There should be church bells ringing and fireworks!
After my body taking the piss all week and refusing to give up the last 0.4lb, I am finally under 25bmi!

Going to re set my target for 1 more stone!

Never thought I would see weight in the 140s again in this lifetime!
March 15th 182lb
Today 148.8lb.

(Last year did 204lb to 175lb on Ozempic.
2 years ago I was 221lb! So I am 73lb lighter since 2022!)

Having not had any negative side effects at all in the past 6 weeks, I woke up at 5am and had to make a dash for the loo. I was in there for a while, came back to bed was asleep until 7.30 when I had to do the same thing. I'm also really burpy.
It seems so random that it happened now. I did eat a mound of veg coated in harissa paste last night but I wouldn't have thought it was spicy enough to trigger this. I did do a lot of gardening (in the rain!) yesterday afternoon so wonder if I accidentally ingested something but it seems unlikely as I'm not a toddler eating clumps of soil or something like that. Fingers crossed it stops soon! The upside is that my weight has plummeted 3lbs overnight but will no doubt bounce back up as soon as I have anything to eat & drink.
The reason I've referenced negative side effects specifically above is that, like some others, I feel more focussed on this, have more energy and my ankles deflated within days.

@ThirdStorm I stalled as soon as I went on 5mg so you may have stalled anyway.

@imnottoofussed try not to compare too much as your weight loss is the recommended healthy level. Mine has now slowed to around this level but was very fast in the beginning. I'm really noticing the sagging skin now. My stomach is horrendous. Can't remember how many doses I've had (15 maybe - started at the end of Feb) and I've lost 3st 4lb so far.

@montysma1 congratulations 🎉🎉🎉 that must feel amazing. I'm just trying to not be obese 😂 so it's great to hear when people actually reach their healthy bmi and keep us all positive.

@montysma1

Wow, fantastic! So well done, you must be thrilled

@montysma1 congratulations!!!

im down 9lbs after 4 injections. I have horrendous lethargy the day after injecting but otherwise symptoms aren’t too bad. Suppression is strong the first 2/3 days. I titrated to 3.5 for 4th injection and hope to do 4mg this weekend then remain at 5 unless I need to move up further.

@montysma1

I wonder why they haven’t questioned me then as I’ve only lost 9 pounds (was 10 last week) in 9 weeks and reordered on Monday!

@montysma1 wow what an achievement! congratulations 🎉🎉

@montysma1 that is unbelievable! Congratulations 🙏
I hope to be in your position some day.

Re TDEE, I did Keto a few years ago. I loved it, it suited me but then a huge life event happened and it all went to pot.
Anyway, my TDEE was something like 2400 kcals. I was definitely eating close to that most days and the weight fell off me!
I was strength training and walking too but no one could believe the amount of calories I was eating and losing the weight.
It was low carb, high fat and moderate protein.

It's just funny how weight loss is so different for everyone.