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've just ordered 7.5mg off Zava as a new customer. BMI bang on 30. Was asked for photo of scales and full body but not for previous prescription and it's been approved.
Hope I do get the 7.5mg and not 2.5mg as they've got no proof I've been doing the for 3 months!

I'm also in a stall at 12st 1lb. Hoping for a whoosh soon because it's so a big thing mentally to hit the next stone bracket, and I usually get the first 6 or 7lb off pretty quickly as I feel spurred on!

I jab on a Friday and suppression today is great. I'm not hungry but have eaten a bit, but I'm just full so quickly...I love it. I need to remember to eat the protein first though, my diet is far far healthier than before but still far too much UPF because I'm no cook and keep going for convenience.

Thanks all for your help re delivery! Fingers crossed Royal Mail do their job properly and I can collect it tomorrow! 🙏🏼 I find them the worst / most unreliable of the bunch. Wish they’d just use a courier service. Oh well.

In other news, what is everyone eating these days? I’m in a bit of a rut, and seem to be rotating between 3-4 meals: protein bagel with cottage cheese and turkey or chicken slices; protein milkshake; green salad with chicken; green salad with tuna; chicken soup. Each takes 5-10 min to make/heat up so super quick but God I’m getting bored. Anyone have any quick and easy meals up their sleeve?

Not sure if it got used yesterday so here’s a 15% discount ZAVA code REFV9DCW

I got the option to redirect to my local post office. If Royal Mail send you an update on delivery you should be able to redirect the same day.

Oops sorry, didn't realise other folk had replied 🤦🏻‍♀️

So I have NSV just got on and done up a pair of size 14 jeans. They don’t look great but give it a few more weeks.

Amazing results @Abigailandthefoxes 😊

I cannot wait to be able to cross my legs comfortably

So I took my last dose for the 7.5mg pen on Saturday. I extracted it with an insulin needle and there was 80ml making it about 10mg. I just decided to inject it all. I planned to go up to 10mg pen for my next anyway and keep my 7.5mg for maintenance.

Well... I now feel terrible! Had the runs since late afternoon and feel sick like I might throw up. I've not had this on MJ before. I had a bagel thin with cream cheese and salmon at lunch and started feeling ill after that. Was thinking could the salmon have been off, but probably the MJ. Maybe I am now reacting to certain foods which I've not had before.

I think I'll stick to 7.5mg for my next pen after all! Lol

And I think I've got sulfur burps for the first time also! Yuk!

I'm back!! 🥳 🤗

Thank you so much to everyone who was asking about me, that's more than my kids have done whilst I've been away! 🙄

I had 6 nights in Krakow, and a night before and after flights this end, so feel like I've been away forever. But I had a great time, that's the main thing, although this is the first time I've been out of bed since getting home Saturday lunchtime as I was shattered.

Ate more or less what I wanted while away and put on a grand total of 0.2 of a pound, so I really can't complain at that! So lovely to be back and in my own bed though.

I think I may have lost inches though, as new clothes I bought were a bit tight before going away, now very loose. Some I haven't worn and left the labels on, so they'll go back, all money towards the pen stash!

And I've been working out my meds. At this rate I'll be morphine free by the end of June, and that's worth everything to me. I started 15 years ago, and this will be the first time off it completely.

Welcome to all newbies, congrats to all losers, and it's lovely to be back. ☺

SW 196.6lbs (BMI 32)
CW 176.2lbs MJ 8wks 0 days
GW1 160lbs

Welcome back @MelissaLouRocks 😊 glad you had a great time on holiday are doing so well 😊

You might not find these quick, but first three can be frozen:

• Middle Eastern inspired beef mince dish, served with rice. Use a home made blend of ME spices (we google for the ratios), make with sweet veggies like sweet peppers, carrot and peas. 1 serve with steamed rice is about 550cal.
• Slimming world style bolognaise sauce - again, just use 5% mince, tons of veggies. Serve with a small amount of pasta or roasted Sainsbury’s a butternut squash waffles
• Chicken or Turkey meatballs made with lean mince, served in a tomato sauce
• use a pre-made Asian stir fry sauce (surprisingly low cal) to make a fish or chicken stir fry with mixed veggies. I usually have by itself, rather than with rice/noodles. I always add extra fresh garlic, ginger and chilli to liven it up.
• omelette with two eggs, cottage cheese, ham, mushrooms and herbs
• Pizza made with a wrap, topped with protein cheese, BBQ sauce, chicken, mushrooms, ham
• Greek protein yoghurt with blueberries and 30g of Lidl protein granola

Iceland now have MyProtein branded ready meals which aren't completely awful. Fine for a last minute can't be bothered night.

Hi MJ gang! I’ve been lurking here since literally thread 1 and keeping up with all the posts (I read the threads daily!), it’s been a huge help for me on this journey and I’ve learned so much from you all on yours and every question I’ve had has been answered here at some point! I am on month 3 of my journey, so halfway through 7.5mg, and am 10lbs away from 3st loss so far (ideally
i I want to lose 9/10st in total so I’m in it for the long haul) which genuinely blows my mind. Nothing has EVER worked before, this truly is a miracle drug for me and I feel like it’s given me a chance at a normal life not ruled by food. Anyway I finally decided to stop lurking today as I’ve used someone’s Zava code, and I wanted to share my code for anyone who is looking for one 😊

REFVF7UR

These threads have been amazing and I’ve been silently applauding all your successes as I’ve been lurking 😂

Hoping for a NSV of not having thigh rub this summer (when the weather actually arrives). Can’t imagine how good that will feel

What does everyone feel like Mounjaro is doing for them? I am still on 2.5 and I feel like pretty much it is curbing my sugar cravings and making it easier not to over eat / binge. I have also started eating more protein which is helping me feel more full.

I could probably still overeat and not lose weight but I finding it easier not to without the crazy sugar cravings. I am still needing to count calories and try to ensure I am in a deficit both in what I eat and through activity to lose weight.

I've started using cronmeter to log my food and that has been eye opening to see what nutrients I am getting and which I am falling short in.

I am still trying to get water intake up to 2 liters a day and to start regular strength training.

@MelissaLouRocks Welcome back, glad you had a great time. Brilliant news about the morphine and well done on the negligible holiday weight gain.
@MJqueen thanks for the recipe ideas, the middle eastern beef thing sounds like something my teens might eat.
@ObsidianTree oh no, I hope you feel better soon. I've been considering increasing my dose (currently on 5mg) but this has reminded me not to be so keen to rush ahead! My side effects have finally settled, even the fatigue is lightening and a few days of slightly more hunger at the end of my week is probably worth it for feeling ok.

I saw a video recently of an extremely gassy cow where the vet basically had to sedate it and put a metal tube through its side to release all the gas. It deflated nicely. I feel like I need this done to me. The day 3 bloat is unreal. If I tap my stomach it sounds like a bongo drum.

I'm heading into week 3 and although the suppression is mild it has stopped me craving and reduced a lot of food noise which is helping me stay in control and I'm actually wanting healthier options naturally. I went to my parents for dinner on Sunday at 2pm and hd the usual roast dinner and s bit of cake after and I couldn't eat the rest of the day at all. My mind also feels quite calm and I'm sleeping so well.

In terms of cravings before I would have drank Diet Coke multiple times per days. However I haven't even craved it once and I've a full case siting upopened from weeks ago, it feels bizarre. Good for my teeth however.

Good morning .

End of week 3 weigh in for me

SW 194
CW 183.4
GW 140

I am 11lb down in 3 weeks and delighted. Still have a long way to go but feel that this is just the beginning for me.

I have not been below 190lb for a few years and not below 160 since I was a teenager so this is going to be life changing for me.

I am planning to take my bonus dose next week and maybe titrate up to 5 depending on how the suppression goes in the next couple of weeks. It has been good for me on 2.5 so far just find socialising difficult as I forced myself to eat and have a few drinks just to fit in. Quiet couple of weekends for me coming up so want to break the 180lb barrier and be below 13 stones.

End of week 3 for me too. Huger came back with a vengeance yesterday, but I managed to keep it at bay and stuck to 1400 calories.

-2.6 loss this week, bringing my total loss to 12.2lbs and can really feel it in my clothes. NSV too in that I've had to take a link out of my watch strap and seem to have lost weight on my feet (?!).

SW: 194lbs
CW: 181.8lbs
GW: 140lbs

How much in the bonus dose of 2.5 anyone know please?

How much protein per day is everyone aiming for roughly?

The tdee calculator i used seems way off (169g!?)

I’m not craving sugar and sweets at all. I’m sleeping better I’m more focused it’s like all the noise in my head has stopped.

I’m not calorie counting but trying to eat low fat high protein. I’ve pretty much cut dairy out which I should have done ages ago because I’m suspected lactose intolerant and cut down on gluten and a lot of my stomach issues have vanished.

I wish I’d started this journey months ago.

@fitbiscuit I find that it stops my brain from thinking about food if it has any other distraction. I don't feel hunger much anymore so that doesn't put the idea in my head. I still enjoy sweets, but only want them if I have time to sit there and think about food (rather than before when I'd be really busy but still looking forward to eating when I stopped).

It also makes me fuller for longer. So if I do snack, it's a small portion of one thing rather than a share size bag or several things. And when I have my meals, I often leave a bit on the plate (especially in restaurants). If I eat mid afternoon, I either don't have much/any dinner or I do, but then won't want anything after that. So it really helps balance my calories. Yes, I might have had 200 calories in "bad" food, but I did still only eat 1200 for the day so it doesn't matter.