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:

Ah hit send too early!

I wanted to ask if anyone has the click chart for the 7.5mg pen? I'm not quite ready to move up yet and would like to count the clicks. Thank you

There are 60 clicks in each dose. So 20 clicks would be 2.5mg, 40 clicks would be 5mg.

Just done my 4th dose, I did 3.75 using my bonus dose (DH hard twisted it for me).

It appears I've joined the lose 1lb - gain 1lb club 😤

Have been pretty much the same weight for 3 weeks and have fluctuated quite a lot. So frustrating!

Finished the 5mg pen. Now need to decide what to take on the 7.5mg pen. I have spare needles and wipes so I can break all the rules!

I only lost a pound this week. Total of 38lb on Mounjaro in 15 weeks.

22lb to go!

I’ve just ordered another 10mg from cloud pharmacy (took my first dose yesterday and been ok). It was £168.28 including delivery with code JUNEDOSE. I swapped with a BMI of 28 if that helps anyone.

I’ve still got some 7.5mg left but felt it wasn’t working as well so will use that to come back down the doses!

Just realised I'd actually reduced my dose, as I took 3 lots of 3.75mg over 2 weeks while titrating up to 5mg and actually that works out at 5.6mg a week. I've done 5mg weekly since.
This explains why I'd been feeling fewer side effects, but my weight loss has slowed too! So I may go up tomorrow, but not too much as I don't want to jump to 7.5. I've used two lots of 5mg out of my 7.5mg pen which means I have at least 27.5mg left, probably a bit more.

This is the downside of tweaking it, you can easily get confused, and I'm good at maths!

I've just ordered my second 5mg pen, I think I'll go up to 7.5 after that one.
I changes to Zava and used a code.. here's mine if anyone wants to switch, it was about £122 delivered for 5mg with the code

REF2RDDV

I have been reading through the many threads in regard to mounjaro and would like to try extracting a bonus dose but I am getting confused with measurements as my maths is awful. I have ordered syringes but they read as ml and the pens are mg. I am currently on 5mg. Is 60ml the same as 5mg? Sorry to be pain everyone x

@Tubs2024 60ml is a full dose of whichever pen you are using. So for a 5mg - 60ml will give you 5mg and 30ml will give you half a dose (2.5)

@Tubs2024 0.6ml will be 5mg from a 5mg pen.

@Tubs2024 sorry forgot to add - most people find that they extract a bit more than a full dose. You can either take everything (and end up taking prob around 6mg) or stop at 0.6 and just take 5!

Hi that's not quite right!
0.6ml is a full dose in any pen (not 60ml)

So in a 5mg pen, 0.6ml would be a full 5mg dose.

0.3ml would be a 2.5mg dose.

@montysma1 argh!!! You're right. Sorry multi tasking. Thank you :)

brilliant, thank you both so much x

Hi all
Been following the thread from before and after starting my mounjaro journey and it has been so helpful and have got very invested in everyone's journeys, but thought it was time to finally join in.
I am halfway through my third 2.5. No side effects to speak of, but also not much in the way of other effects so far either.
I have around 4 stone to lose to get into a healthy BMI but, as I'm an oldie, may stop before that as research tends to show better health outcomes from being slightly in the overweight category.
I don't binge eat and have a moderately healthy diet and have maintained my current weight for many years (putting a a bit on holidays but losing it without much effort afterwards). My body really likes this weight! My downfall is too big portions, finishing everything on my plate (drilled into me in childhood), meals out and entertaining - plus, now, baking with the grandchildren.
I have been on various diets (CC, 5:2, replacement meals) and can lose the weight, albeit very slowly, but have been miserable, going to bed hungry and six weeks of misery and 3lbs loss can be undone in a single lapse - and my body doesn't adjust afterwards. So I always end up deciding it isn't worth it, eating normally and getting back to 14st 7 in short order.
What I'm hoping from mounjaro is to reeducate my portion size, being able (forced to) say 'no' when eating out, and to give me the head space to make better food choices because I'm not tired and hungry so grabbing something quick and full of UPFs. I'm largely following Zoe eating principles and an 8 hour eating window. I have upped my exercise too. I have lost about 3.5 lbs in 4 weeks (first week on my own before starting) but still getting hungry. Hopefully the 5mg will have more effect.

I got my first dose from Family Chemist but couldn't see how to reorder without starting the whole process again, so have just ordered from Zava (waiting approval).

I have a discount code if anyone would like it for 15% off - REFQYKRA

I’m sorry but why are Royal Mail so useless? Did I update my delivery preference to collect from my local post office- yes. Did they still go to my home and try to deliver it there- also yes. By some absolute miracle my DH happened to be home and managed to receive it. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for me to collect it until we come back from holiday 10 days from now!!! I’m chuffed it all worked out but honestly it shouldn’t have to be THIS hard to get a simple parcel delivered.

@3wDavid i find it stressful to. With MedExpress I’ve been ordering after 4pm Wednesday for Friday delivery, which still gives me Saturday if they don’t come Friday. It takes quite a bit of coordination as I can’t always be home on a Friday. I want to pick my delivery date!

I’m on day 4 of 8 of my holiday and sensible food choices so far. Drinking loads. I think the hot weather is helping with appetite suppression. I’m due my jab Friday but won’t get to take it until I’m home so I’ll see how I start feeling the closer I get to when it’s due!

Delivery is the main reason I stay with Boots. I collect from store.

Well Zava have asked for scales and body photo so we shall see. I've put on a couple of pounds since I last weighed which is annoying. I've bounced around the same 2/3 pounds for the last 3 weeks so hoping the 10mg will break through that.

Re Michael Mosely, I can attest to just how cripplingly hot it was on the Greek islands last week. Tuesday we had 40°C and Wednesday was 38°C 🥵 it wasn’t even the dry heat that makes it so different from here either, it was sweat dripping out of every pore heat. I was getting through about 5L of water each day and it still wasn’t enough. We did a mountain walk earlier in the week when it was “cooler” but still 30°

Something I did notice this year was that the mozzies more or less left me alone! I usually end up with bites into double figures but this year, I had 3! It did make me wonder if that was an unnoticed side effect of MJ 😆

My Zava order was confirmed today I was surprised they didn’t ask for a picture of my current medication as I have ordered 7.5.

They just asked for a photo of me and me on the scales

@ObsidianTree 7.5mg to 10mg was rough -my first foray into adverse side effects! The second dose of 10mg was much better but note I had very insignificant weight loss until then (12 weeks, 5kg out of 95, 30kg more to go). I’ve at least lost one kg in the first week of 10mg.

TLDR - if 7.5mg is working well, stick to it, I’d think

I'm wondering if they check the properties of the digital photos for dates? I have plenty of "before" pics from previous failed attempts 🤣

@Chucklesisters your losses are like mine then. I've had side effects since day one though and currently feeling awful after last dose of 7.mg. Note to self, lasagne is not your friend on these meds. Hoping I can just ride it out with the 10mg, and see more significant losses.