Continuing Mounjaro... Thread 12

[ObsidianTree]

Please note: Mounjaro will only be be prescribed initially if your BMI is above 30 until you get to a healthy BMI of 23 to BMI 25

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 that 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, vomiting, headaches, aches, are side effects. There may 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. https://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.
https://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.

Some natural sources of protein:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-sources-protein

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321522#high-protein-foods

11 - 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), psylum husks(fibre for constipation), electrolytes.

12 - Drink lots of water. Water helps with the weight loss. Drink at least 2ltrs a day. Preferably 3ltrs.

13 - 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.

14 - 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
further reading about injection sites and the effects: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316618

15 - 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.

16 - 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.

17 - Some of the places you can order from are:

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:
£149 2.5mg, £149 5mg, £169 7.5mg £189 10mg

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

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

There are others not listed.

18 - 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:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5007744-mourjano-starting-soon?page=1

2nd thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5028495-continuing-murnjaropart-2?page=1

3rd thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5037623-continuing-mounjaropart-3?page=1

4th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5044316-continuing-mounjaropart-4?page=1

5th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5048290-continuing-mounjaropart-5?page=1

6th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5057916-continuing-mounjaropart-6?page=1

7th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5062935-continuing-mounjaropart-7?page=1

8th thread:
https://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?page=1

10th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5080755-continuing-mounjaro-thread-10?page=1

11th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5085436-continuing-mounjaro-thread-11?page=1

Thread for newbies just starting out in June:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/5082791-mounjaro-june-24-starters

Video on how to inject:

I'm struggling with the fatigue, especially now I'm on 5mg. Quite a few threads on Reddit about it, so I know it's not just me. Some people it got better after the first few months, but not everyone. I need to get better at remembering my vitamins I think and probably drink more water!

However, 11 weeks in and 26lbs down. So, it's worth it. Mostly.

Glad you enjoyed your holiday. Don't worry, I'm sure in a few days you will lose it all/most of it 😊

I got back from my holiday Sunday night, weight +8lbs Monday morning and current sitting at -7lbs of that gain 5 days later.

I took dose 7 this morning, 2.5. I’m experiencing some major suppression which has caught me off guard! Ha it’s great but suppression had felt weaker recently which had made me think I needed to go up to 5!

Strange one for me today, I took the bonus 2.5 dose and I have developed 2 small itchy rashes a bit further down from injection site, like a very mild allergic reaction, anyone had anything similar?!

I haven’t, is that likely to help? Would I need to use a new needle? Would it not count as reusing? Although saying that I think the instructions say if you haven’t got the full dose out you can just use the same needle and go back in but can’t recall

I messaged Zava asking when 12.5mg would be available and they replied saying mid June and it was out of stock nationwide!? But considering plenty of other suppliers have it, don't know why they said it. Maybe they mean just Zava don't have it.

Has anyone ordered 12.5mg and received it?

I don't plan to buy any, but mainly checking for others that are after it.

Asda seem to have it and was showing delivery for Tues if ordered today.
Med express too?

I tried ordering 7.5mg via Zava, my BMI was just below 30 (I think it was 29.8 or 29.9)? I sent proof of previous prescription and they declined me and said it would be irresponsible for them to prescribe it to me even though my BMI was over 30 when I started elsewhere.

@PugLover2024 I wonder whether suppliers are being more cautious as they are becoming aware people are trying to stockpile a bit as they approach being cut off. So we effectively get tied to our supplier and the dates they will allow us to reorder in order to avoid misuse.

My BMI is 30 now so I suspect I'm stuck with MedExpress but I am going to start trying to reorder sooner than I need and build up a supply. I probably still have another 4+ months to go so it wouldn't be unreasonable to shop around but maybe it won't be possible.

I have started my day with a BMI of 29.8 - I am no longer obese 🎉🎉🎉

Congratulations 🙂

It feels great to be overweight doesn't it?!

I never thought I'd be happy about such a thing but context is everything 😂

Yes - a significant milestone. Onwards and downwards for a healthier life.

Well done @RunningAndSinging!
It makes it all seem so much more achievable I think.

And….. it’s weigh day! I took my first jab on Sunday but have decided to weigh in weekly on a Saturday as that’d what I’m used to.

SW 86.9kg
GW 70kg

2.5mg
Wk 1 weight - 82.4kg (4.5kg)

A lot of that weight will be fluid etc but I’m pleased with such a kick start. In terms
of side effects, I’ve felt the suppression hard but otherwise it’s been ok!

Well if the lump is a reaction to having the larger amount i’d have thought splitting it across two sites would have helped, but i’ve never done it, so don’t take my word for it :)

I don’t think you’d be at any risk from reusing the needle a few seconds apart like that. Wipe both sites before starting?

@Eyesofmistyblue @Superstoria don't reuse the needle. The first time you use it, it blunts. It hurts if you reuse it.

Milestone hit for me today, I've broken into the 10 stone bracket (10st 13) woohoo 😀

Morning all,

Well done for all the weight losses.

Weigh day for me today

I'm 14st today. Still 1lb to go to get back to my pre holiday weight but happy it's gone off so fast.

I took the last dose from my 7.5mg pen. I tried to hard twist but I just get scared it's going to break. It did twist a bit but I was worried about breaking it so went with insulin needle. Got about 80ml out and took it. Think that's actually about 10mg.

I’m back to overweight. Shouldn’t have had biscuits , doughnut and wine yesterday.

Lol oh dear. Quick order a pen while your BMI is above 25 😂

Does anyone know when each supplier cuts you off? I saw a post mentioning a supplier that will prescribe until you reach bmi 23 but I can’t find it now. I want to make sure I’m not going to be cut off at 25 before I get to overweight with my supplier.

Med express I think. But don't think anyone has got under 25 with them to check. They let you order until BMI 23, but not sure if they cancel orders if you don't meet the ethnicity requirement.

I have heard boots prescribe to BMI 23 also.

Not sure about anywhere else.

Thanks @ObsidianTree. I’m currently with Pharmcy2u but want to be prepared. I’ll email them and ask them switch if they say 25.

Not sure if this helpful but ZAVA sent me a referral code this morning for 15% off REFYBM2D

Me too - 29.5. 15lb down. Yippee!