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:

Well done 😊 what a great start.

For me, I use psylum husks tablets. It's fibre and they help keep me regular

Does Zava write to your GP ?

My worry about switching suppliers and stockpiling a bit whilst it is cheaper is the GP getting multiple letters.

Ahh no worries I had just woken up and didn't see someone else had shared one haha
It's a one time use sort of thing but If you share your code that zava will have put somewhere on your dashboard, if anyone uses it you'll get 15% off too which I think is good incentive. But like someone up the thread posted, a bit unsure if it'll continue to last as it seems codes etc are starting to die out.
If you share your code in various places (I did on here and on a Reddit thread) it's more likely to get seen and you'll get an email stating you've got 15% off up to £30 on your next order which they send in code format for you to use just like the referral code you used today.
Hope my half asleep essay makes sense haha x

@SylviaStrong yes this is my concern too! All 3 suppliers I've used have said they're notifying my GP but I checked my NHS app under documents and also my repeat meds list and I can't see it stated anywhere.
That said I've read alot of people have seen their GPs for an appt after starting MJ and their GPs have mentioned the MJ as they'd been made aware.

Yes, they did ask for my GP details.
I wouldn't worry about this though, personally.
I work in a GP surgery and they get hundreds of letters per month that get scanned in to patient notes by the admin team. All of the letters are received, opened and looked at by admin workers who are non clinical staff. They triage the letters, and only forward certain ones to the doctors that fit a specific criteria, because the doctors couldn't possibly read through the sheer volume of letters they receive every week. I can assure you that your GP does not sit and read through every patient letter they receive. It's not feasible.
It'll just get scanned and filed in to your notes.

@ObsidianTree Thank you, I’ll order some today

Thank you for your advice @FastGoose and @ObsidianTree !
For anyone that would like to order from Zava, please use my code to get 15% off.
The code is: REFX2FNU
These codes are the only thing making MJ affordable for me, and I will receive 15% off of my next order if someone uses this code.
I have to say, I found Zava really easy to order from. Easier than I found MedExpress to be.

Morning all.
The stall continues. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, I wasn't a strong responder to saxenda and wegovy did nothing so being a slow loser on MJ sounds about right. Am finding it difficult to accept that how I'm eating at the moment appears to be what I need for maintenance at this weight not loss, I may need to reduce to one meal a day to continue losing. Am really regretting staying longer on 5mg but the initial loss made me think I was responding well and didn't need to increase the dose. Hoping 10mg will be my magic number as 7.5mg certainly isn't so far.
On a more positive note, my 'weightloss inspiration skinny jeans' are the only pair of trousers I have that fit ok, the others are too big. I lost 9% of my bodyweight in the first 3 months of starting MJ, can't say that isnt a success, even if it has ground to a halt since.
I'm enjoying idling on websites adding clothes in my basket that I'm going to buy when I lose more of this weight (no idea what will actually suit me when I get there). I find myself drawn to styles I liked when I was younger (very boho/hippy), had become far more bland and anonymous in my style to fit in and avoid attention but if I can get slim again the old me is coming put and I don't care if that makes me look weird!

Wishing you all a good Sunday.

I’m working on the principle that with dose titration and bonus doses I’ll be able to build up a surplus whilst keeping to a normal looking ordering schedule. If I am getting 5-6 doses out of a pen but reordering after 3 doses I will naturally create a stash.

@FastGoose thanks for the code!

I've just ordered a 2nd 7.5mg pen from Zava (usually MedExpress) as I have a 10mg ready to go, so figured I'll do another month at 7.5mg or titrate up if needed.
Hope they approve and I can then order another 10mg in a month. Will they contact me for details of current prescription?

Code for next Zava customer - There’s no better gift than the gift of good health. Use my code and you’ll get 15% off your first order at ZAVA: REF5U4HG
https://www.zavamed.com/uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=refer_a_friend
Maximum discount value: £30

I'm still waiting out in hope for one. I don't want to change suppliers now as it will be my last pen (almost at goal, but want to ease down gently for a few weeks and not have drastic cut off). It was my birthday recently too, but I didn't get any code.

Hello! Just thought I'd share my experience.

I started on the May MJ starters thread and have lost 8lb in 3 weeks. I started at 18 stone, I'm 5ft 6, size 20-22.

I was scared at first and put off joining for weeks. Now it just feels normal. I did have nausea and an upset tummy, but by week 3 these have gone.

The biggest eye opener for me has been learning what being hungry feels like. In the first week I still associated stress, emotion, tiredness etc with hunger - therefore must eat and eat lots.

Now when I feel those things, especially stress at work, food isn't my go to. I'm starting to notice what feeling hungry feels like at the right times .... ie breakfast, lunch and sometimes tea. I'm not especially calorie counting, but definitely eating less.

It's hard to describe after being a complete binge eater for so long. I just hope I can keep going !

I'm with Voy, and my discount code is here
joinvoy.com/r/U-pfsD6HLsQ0

That should give you £85 off. Their website is nice and simple and they email every week, which I find helpful.

Hope this helps someone on their way!

I've switched 3 times now and not heard anything from my GP!

I did ask my GP for my medical records so I could check. They sent me my medical info and I saw a referral letter for med express but not Asda who I was with before med express. I noticed there is an option to download GP letter on Asda and on Zava, so maybe they assume you send the letter to you GP yourself.

@NCfor24 AHH I'm glad someone got use out of it and thankyou so much!
They didn't ask me for proof of prescription but then again my first prescription was from superdrug who outsource their online doctoring to zavamed (Asda use zava too I believe) so they would have perhaps seen on their system. all I got asked for was a full body pic and me on the scales x

@jamtastic ah that's excellent well done on the weight loss and also figuring out how to understand your bodies ques, that was a big thing for me as someone who would boredom eat, stress eat, sad eat etc lol
Onwards and Downwards!

Place marking and dipping my toe in while I read all the info.

You should go for it.
I deliberated for weeks before I ordered my 1st pen, and then when it arrived I still didn't use it for nearly 2 weeks! I had a complete mental block for some reason.
Anyway it's the best thing I've ever done for myself and my only regret is that I spent so long ruminating over whether to start or not!

@GloriaBunniford ironically I have been taking lots of other crap at various times throughout the years with no hesitation. No idea why I'm dithering now.

Will start the consultation with Zava now, otherwise it'll be months with nothing happening before I start considering it again.

Will look for a code in the thread if there's any left.

Here @ArseholeCatIsABlackAndWhiteCat

Welcome @ArseholeCatIsABlackAndWhiteCat 😊

I'm sure like many others you'll read a bit of the threads, get excited, and go for it 😉

I think it's the first diet I've started that I've felt positive that I would lose weight on!

How do deliveries work? No one is at home during the day until about 3:30/4 . Should I wait a few more days and try to get a delivery for Saturday?

They need to be signed for and stored in the fridge, so need to be a day you're in. If you can get it delivered to work and there is a fridge, then maybe put that as delivery address?

It's hard to predict when it will be delivered. Especially when first ordering etc. I suppose if you order Thursday ish then it might come Saturday or Sunday.

I have lost weight before , it's just something always happens and it goes back on. Last thing being lockdown, only managed to lose 11 kgs and it's been years now and I got diagnosed with diabetes since.

I have my mum coming over in August too, and it'll make my life so much easier if I'm at least at pre lockdown weight(which was still overweight).

@ArseholeCatIsABlackAndWhiteCat

My code hasn't been used yet, if you don't mind

REFYE2WQ

@ObsidianTree what happens if you're not home? Can you arrange redelivery? I'm sorry for all the questions and filling up your thread. Just worried that if I don't do it now, it'll be months again before I try again.