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:

@AgathaMystery Without MJ I would have eaten or at least had one of the snacks there, absolutely. It is absolutely my own daft fault, but it did make me think and reevaluate more. I wasn’t even going to post about it. I just really wanted everyone to be careful and not as numpty as me. 🤦🏻‍♀️

@Sassenach85 I plateaued when I went onto 5mg after large losses on 2.5mg. It picked up in wk 3 of 5mg if I remember correctly and I continued with good losses as normal from then.

@ObsidianTree I think I'll make sure that I don't have to go into the office for a couple of days next week or book some leave, then try the bonus dose and keep my fingers crossed.

Struggled to eat at lunchtime despite not having eating anything since the previous evening. I'm not used to the lack of appetite after 15wks of MJ not really changing my appetite for meals much (it did stop the snacking though). A customer joined us (uninvited) for lunch and remarked how little I was ate. I'd already eaten more than I actually wanted in the hope no comments would be made.

Hello all, I've taken my bonus dose of 5mg pen and had no side effects up until now. I have developed a swollen neck left side only, probably lymph node, has anyone else experienced this on Mounjaro?

I had swollen glands in my neck for a couple of days after taking my very first 2.5mg.

@pepsilemon swollen lymph nodes too for the first few weeks and neck ache first two weeks.

after my awful nausea after taking my first 5mg for geo days I actually feel so much better and have more energy than I did on previous doses. I’m glad as I need to start exercising but have felt too exhausted. I’ve gone from 3-4 times a week to nothing on MJ as I literally felt drained 24/7. I’ve been in awe of those of you who have continued to exercise

Awful work wind last night. Too much broccoli and cabbage again I think. Tummy was all distended from trapped gas. Massage and lots of burps later and it's better this morning. I don't learn!

Nsv. I bought jeans in a size 14 a few weeks ago to replace my ragged old ones ( I live in jeans) and bought a 12 as well in optimism. Well my 14s were snug when I tried them on the first time and this morning kept falling down my waist and giving me baggy bum. So hesitantly tried on the 12s. They fit perfectly!

They are simply be jeans so suspect the sizing is rather generous but still. They look pretty fab too. Don't know why bootcut went out of fashion, they are so flattering!

Good morning
Weigh day today (6th dose/2nd of 5mg pen) and I've lost 4.5lb this week! I was drifting into smaller losses which I wasn't wholly concerned with but as I'd decided to basically do a keto diet alongside MJ I thought I'd trial upping my water to boot as I know I'm terrible for getting fluids in but it's really helped!

19.5lb lost in 6 weeks which I'm happy with! I hope you have all have a fantastic day x

@FastGoose you are giving me hope. I lost 8lbs in the first week and now it has completely stopped.

These are all common side effects of Mounjaro, it’s how it works. But they should settle down give it time and become less intense. It does have an appetite suppressant effect but some people don’t feel it until a higher dose so the fact you’re feeling it now suggests you are sensitive to the drug and it’s working.

I would suggest planning to eat little and often. Prioritise protein and healthy nutrients- but add some carbs too. Use a food tracker so you can monitor the protein and calories- try to eat up to the targets. Drink plenty of water- this can help with the side effects.

You might need to stay on the starter dose longer if it doesn’t settle but too early to tell. I’m going to reduce my dose as 7.5 has far too much of a suppressant effect for me.

Ps. Everyone on here is friendly and encouraging- there’s no patronising here only support and advice you can take or leave. If we think someone hasn’t done the reading/ research you need to, we will politely point it out as the PP did. We have expressed concern over the threads that some people will take this medicine without knowing sufficient information and we’ll continue to help guide people through it.

@BellaCriesAndThatsAlright I had exactly this. A great first week and then just minimalist to nothing for a couple weeks but it did come back! I really am a huge advocate of calorie counting (to a degree) and clearly now keeping your fluids up! Finding the right balance of diet has been important to me because there are some foods, namely carbs, and that makes me hold onto water and therefore weigh and tbh I don't really miss them anyway! So rather than risk having certain triggers in my diet and getting pizzed off with not seeing the losses I want i cut them right out/back. Once I've reached my mini target I'll be less strict on things because I know that being carb free is not 100% sustainable for the lifestyle I enjoy living but in the meantime I'm happy as it's the right balance for me.
TLDR Its about finding the balance!
Fingers crossed your losses come back x

@FlappyFish sorry you've had a bad experience. That is very scary 😞 Hope you are feeling better soon x

An unexpected side effect for me is that my IBS symptoms have vastly improved! I used to suffer a lot with diarrhoea/urgency, which since being on MJ has almost disappeared. I’m not constipated, but the delayed digestive transit time has taken my bowel movements to the right side of normal!

Thanks @FastGoose. That makes total sense as I’ve added carbs back in a little in the last few days. I don’t miss them so I’ll take them back out!

Sorry to hear you fainted and thanks for the reminder @FlappyFish so important we continue to monitor food intake- so easy not to eat enough and blood sugar to drop too low

I took my first 10mg last Thursday and Friday and Saturday I had an increased appetite with a lot of food noise which I have never had right after taking the injection. However, as of Monday my appetite has reduced drastically and can only manage a few bites of food.

Hope you're OK Flappy, that's scary stuff! Hooray for the percy pigs though 🐷

I'm laid up in bed with another round of sodding covid. We have to test as OH's dad is in a care home and isn't well. The body pain is shit.

I'm going to look into Zava I think, it sounds really good from what I'm seeing here.

Good morning everyone. I'm joining as I had my first injection on Sunday. I've loved reading everything through and hearing all the experiences and advice.

SW 14st
GW about 11st but will depend on how I'm looking / feeling

Oh gosh @FlappyFish that must've been so scary. Keep well

Hi Everyone. I haven’t posted often, and not for some time. I am looking for help though please.
I started 7.5mg last Thursday. After very little symptoms, I have been awful since taking the 7.5. I wished I had stayed with 5. I moved up as felt ok too.
The nausea has been dreadful since, and struggling to eat. I am hungry but when I have something the nausea is awful. My diet has been poor from the result of this too which isn’t healthy.
I am dreading taking next dose.
I have looked through but I can’t find how many clicks to do to make my 7.5 just be 5 injection.
My next order I am going back down to 5.
I haven’t had super losses so far like some. A stone over my first 2 pens. But with this pen I will be loosing more but through feeling ill which I am not wanting!!
Sorry if I have rambled too much.

Poor FlappyFish, that's horrible. I hope you're feeling better.

its got me thinking about my relationship with food from another angle. It's a salutary reminder that the end goal for health is not, in fact, to eat as close to nothing as possible, but to eat what sustains us. I do think that those of us who have struggled with weight for years end up with a subconscious view of food as the enemy. I dont think this on a conscious level - I embrace and plan for paleo / protein, fruit, veg - based meals, talk to my kids about job food and treat food rather than good and bad food, and notice how different ways of eating feel in my body. But underlying it all there's an underpinning sense of triumph if I eat little/nothing, and a sense of failure if I eat lots.

I'd love to reset so that I feel that fundamental sense of winning from eating small, healthy meals. MJ is the only thing stopping me from experiencing this as deprivation, and to be honest when the suppression peaks and I don't want to eat anything that still feels like the best win of all.

Same here so far I'm only 1/2 into my first week ...not sure if it is the MJ or the fact if consistently started to add psyllium husk powder daily ...

There’s a bit in Bridget Jones Diary (the book) which always struck home to me - she realises that she sees 0 calories as the ideal and that the idea that you do actually need them to live is difficult to get her head round. Not helped of course by stories of thin people surviving on fags, coffee and Diet Coke.

@FlappyFish I’m sorry you had that fright. I’m surprised they didn’t ask you about eating - I got turned away to give blood recently because I hadn’t had breakfast even though I explained I never ate it. It was frustrating but they said they are really careful with blood sugar.

There seem to be quite a few posters looking for consistent bigger losses on these threads and it does worry me. 1-2lbs/1kg is a perfectly good weekly loss. I totally get that stalls feel really frustrating, although again normal and we’ll probably all have a few, but slow weight loss is fine, and if you are managing to eat a sensible amount and sustain a small loss then that feels like the ideal to me.

@FlappyFish hope you are feeling better. I've passed out giving blood too, put me off needles for a while.

Well I've just done jab 8. Feeling a bit weird. I'm thinking it's psychological at the moment as it's my second 5mg and not expecting any side effects.

My official weigh in isn't until Friday but I've lost 1.5lb over night! That's 4lb since last Friday and only 1lb was gained during my week off. So that's 19.5lb in less then 7 weeks. Madness!! I'm nearly halfway!

Look at my (scrappy) graph! It went flat the week before my trip then gained on holiday now dropping like a stone again. This NEVER happens.

Gah it's sideways! Sorry