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 you! I think you are the first person with a high bmi that has managed to stay on 2.5mg for that long. I know many Americans managed to reach their goal weight on the lowest dose. I love your determination and how you have already set up a plan.

Well done!
Don't worry, I felt exactly the same as you when I ordered.
I honestly don't think you'll regret it!

Here's my code for anyone else ordering from Zava:
REFX2FNU
It gives you a 15% discount, and then I receive one too on my next order.
I did post it earlier this morning but I think I got missed.

Good luck 😊 I'm sure you'll feel happy you started soon enough

@Blushh , quite a few of us have had diarrhoea and stomach cramp responses as our bodies adjust to the meds, before settling down. I did, in days 4-6 of the first week, not repeated since - although as I'm about to go up to 5mg tonight I'm braced for it to happen again on the higher dose. In your shoes I'd stay with it for a couple more weeks and see if you adjust away from it.

@ArseholeCatIsABlackAndWhiteCat I had exactly the same freak out! Dithered and researched for weeks, ordered, and brain got busy telling me I was wasting money, risking my health, cheating and losing weight the wrong way, it wouldn't work, I would be found out and vilified, etc etc etc. I don't feel like that when I spend a similar amount on getting my hair cut and coloured. Weight issues hold a special madness for those of us who've been in the grip of disordered eating for a very long time.

I also have a black and white arsehole cat, BTW. Woke up this morning with him wrapped round the top of my head attacking my hair.

Does hair loss slow down??
I've got long hair but it's very fine and thin so I don't have thick bountiful hair to start with.
I'm losing so much hair. I've constantly got random strands of hair dangling off my arms, clinging to my hands, shedding all over my clothes, it's blocking our plughole up in the shower because so much comes out when I'm washing my hair (DH keeps moaning about it and has gone through several bottles of drain unblocker!), there's masses of hair on my brush every time I've brushed my hair, my children are pulling my hairs out of their dinner but I haven't even noticed it's happened whilst I'm cooking. I mean, it's relentless!
Does it slow down? I'm not going to have any hair left at this rate!!!

How long have you been on MJ @Marigolds24 ?

I haven't experienced any hair loss yet.

What's your protein intake like?

Maybe up your protein? Do you take any protein drinks? If not, maybe try some protein shakes to up your protein.

Myprotein do a good range and it's drinkable. They have a referral program but looks like it only gets you £10 off now. https://www.myprotein.com/referrals.list?applyCode=ELIZABETH-RC5S

Has anyone taken their dose while feeling ill? Trying to decide whether to take my dose tonight or wait until I'm better. I have the worst cold, the kind where I have zero energy and a constant sore head and throat.

I don't usually get any side effects from Mounjaro on a normal week, but a little concerned I might get them if already run down.

I had Covid when I took my dose last week (didn’t know it was Covid at the time but it explained why I was still so bloody hungry!!)

I'm keen to use the 'bonus' dose of my 2.5 pen in a few weeks. If I can't do the hard twist(struggle to open jam jars...) I read earlier in one of the threads about using insulin needles. Hope this isn't a daft question but do I just stick it in the red bit and draw out 2.5ml?

@Marigolds24 thank you, I’ve just used your Zava code.

Here’s mine for the next person: REFV9DCW

First injection done today eek!

Not sure if all the dose went in though as there was a large drop of liquid on my skin when I removed the needle do others get this?

Good luck😊

Did you hold the button down for 5 seconds after it got to 0? Before removing the needle?

As long as you held the button until it got to zero that would be a dose anyway.

Since starting MJ I’ve stopped eating UPFs and have been cooking from scratch using Simply Cook’s recipe kits. So easy to follow the recipes. A bit like Gousto or Hello Fresh but you buy your own fresh food.

Here’s a link if anyone wants to try a SimplyCook trial box for free!
https://www.simplycook.com/invite/5W511X?via=app

I quite liked these. They did very good deals for NHS staff back in Covid times. I’ve now got enough boxes to repair the Great Wall of China 😂

Thanks! Yes waited 5 secs when at 0 perhaps even a little longer! 🤞🏻

Do they give you the ingredients too? Or just the recipes?

Thanks

That sounds fine then. I'm sure it's ok 😊

We call it oil and dust. You get 4 little tubs of seasonings and a recipe card. It def encouraged us to try new foods and I liked not having to buy very random ingredients to only use once or twice. Most meals were very nice. I also learned that almost everything improves fairly with a squeeze of lime.

Ok that sounds good.

I suppose I always have plenty of meat etc in my freezer but inspiration for what to cook sounds good!

I've ordered and will give it a go!

Oh my goodness. Injection 6, moved up to 5mg. Did 3 x 2.5, a 3.5, a 4 and yesterday 5mg. I feel awful, like I could vomit any second. I’ve felt bad the day after, have had exhaustion and aches but today is the first super 🤮 day. Ugh.

I can vouch for the Japanese seared steak recipe, its bloody lovely! Probably not very MJ friendly though 😬

This talk of losing hair has worried me slightly, I have really fine hair and can't afford to lose any.

Hi all. I’ve followed these threads religiously from about thread 9 - loving how supportive and informative you all are 😊

I’m now 2 weeks in (2x doses of 2.5 taken) and have lost 8 lbs! Totally thrilled.

Have just ordered some collagen supplements as I believe these will count towards my required protein intake?

Also just ordered my next pen from medexpress - 5mg - as I plan to order every couple of weeks so as to build a good supply! (I started with medexpress and tbh I just can’t be arsed with switching around even if I end up paying a bit more).

Really pleased so far - apart from a touch of diarrhoea on day 2 I haven’t had any noticeable side effects - just not hungry at all and having to force myself to eat.

Had a long 4hr drive on Friday and stopped at service station - usually would’ve gone straight for a Burger King or mcD’s but the only things I could bring myself to get were a protein shake and pack of carrot batons & houmous from Waitrose. I feel like a new person, never used to be able to resist a whopper or nuggets 😂

This is a real game changer and I am determined to reach my goal of losing 3 stone 💪