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:

@Choux
I've had two faulty pens! And I know a couple of friends who've had a faulty one each!

Basically the plunger refused to plunge on all of them!
Voy were amazing and refunded me the equivalent of what I'd lost....ie three doses first time round, and one dose the last time

I can still read the graph so all good.

Thanks all and whilst it was horrible I’m glad it gave me that scare really. I have liked that validation of chasing numbers. It’s tangible. But dear lord it’s not good for me.

Do I feel better mentally for being down three stone? No. I have all my neuroses and insecurity. I just fit in smaller clothes.

Physically, yes, I do. I’m not snoring. I’m not having the night sweats.

I appreciate all of your stories back. I really do.

A full dose is 60 clicks. You want 2/3s of a dose (2/3 of 7.5=5) so thats 40 clicks (2/3 of 60=40).

@MelissaLouRocks

Nice to have you back! I'd got really behind on this thread, just caught up.

@FlappyFish

Sorry you had that scary experience. Other than blood sugars, giving plasma can lower your blood pressure, the advice (link below) is to drink water beforehand to make up for the loss of fluid, as Mounjaro dehydrates you too, this may have been a factor?
https://www.hhs.gov/givingequalsliving/giveplasma/giving-process

I had an episode where I almost fainted (was at home) and while it may have been low blood sugar it felt to me more like low blood pressure (I used to have low blood pressure to the degree where I always got asked if I was an athlete, when I was slim at least,😂) and Mounjaro can lower blood pressure and is a known side effect, covered in this article under common side effects:

@FlappyFish

Sorry, wrong link for second and won't let me change!

Side effects here:

@Cerialkiller i hope that’s my experience when I get home from holiday on Sunday. I’m due my 8th dose Friday but will take the moment I get home. I’ve still got good appetite suppression but I know the next few days might feel a bit harder. I really didn’t want to gain but I need to relax about that.

I am about to order and I'm a bit scared. Also what is the talk of it not being in the fridge? I thought it had to be stored there and if it doesn't can you still leave in fridge if you want to? Sorry for silly question

My thought about holidays and increased intake due to indulging and perhaps missing an injection day is that they can actually help. We've all heard the advice that if you stall to eat a bit more for a bit then reduce again and loss may start again.

The reason this works is that your body adapts to reduced calories by lowering metabolism. Genetics determines to what degree! For some people their calorie needs drop by 50-100 calories a day but for some women it can be as much as 700 calories a day! Having a 2 week break somewhat returns the calorie needs to normal and so you can lose again on a normal deficit, interesting article about it here:
https://www.uab.edu/news/research/item/12593-weight-loss-may-take-longer-than-expected-due-to-metabolic-adaptation

Only a small study but it is a known phenomenon, There was also another study done some years ago where they had one group diet at a very carefully measured 500 calorie deficit for 16 weeks. They had another group diet at the same deficit for 2 weeks, then eat a very carefully measured maintenance diet for 2 weeks, then back to deficit for 2 weeks, and so on for a total of 32 weeks.

So, in the end both groups had dieted for 16 weeks altogether. The second group lost more weight, more body fat and after a year had kept off a lot more of the weight. The theory was that returning to maintenance calories every 2 weeks stopped the body from adapting to the lower intake by lowering metabolism, and also then meant there was less rebound weight loss afterwards. REALLY hard to do at home, but I'm sure, for us, the odd break from dieting definitely won't hurt! Link below:

I should elaborate. I start a new job in under two weeks. Will I be OK or is it likely to be a nightmare I don't need?

@ThirdStorm

Every time I put 2 links in a post it won't show second one! Here's the other study:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170918222235.htm

I actually gained more but most of it was gone by weigh in day. It usually takes over a week or sometimes two to get back into losing mode but its happened so quickly this time. Its like all the negative effects of my normal patterns has been blunted. Its making me wonder if 'refeeding' is actually a viable method on MJ. Something to keep in mine if there are future stalls.

I've been pretty consistently hungry on and off for weeks now. Getting very little appetite suppression since week 3 (currently week 7) I still have a lot of physical hunger, stomach pangs etc. I've just had a load of chicken and ham mayo to fill me up and i'm still really hungry. The main difference on MJ has been a reduction in food noise which seems to be making the difference plus when I fall into 'fuck it' mode I just don't seem to have the desire or capacity to eat my usual binge foods so the damage I do on those days is limited. TBH i think i've done it three times now and each time I've been really disappointed, the high of eating is gone and so now the temptation to bother has faded.

I have always been an 'almost' successful dieter in the past, i can lose 10lb easily, have decent willpower, I enjoy the process and have lost large amounts of weight several times (before it goes back on) MJ is just giving me that final edge to be properly successful. I haven't lost this much in one go for years and its the consistency of the loss which is really helping with motivation.

I have a lunch date planned with a friend next week and we traditionally always go and get cake. I do plan to indulge but previously I would buy 2 cake and a hot chocolate and still want to snack when i get home but this time I can't see me getting anywhere close to that.

Cross posted a bit. Yes I wondered similar re refeeding. I was away for 6 days. I only ate 'badly' on two of those days, chocolate, cake, pastry etc and big portions and the rest it was healthier but rather higher carbs for me who usually ketos. My loss was definitely flattening before I went away.

I quoted to repost your link as I think it could be a really good option for stallers. I certainly plan to do it again if loss falls to nothing for a significant time. I'm just going to read the full study.

@Cerialkiller

The other one I posted in the second post is VERY interesting as well

Yes, my holiday weight has so far mostly come straight off. I know that a lot of i5 was plane weight and heat weight but normally it takes months to come off, not days! As of this morning I was a smidgeon under 3lb away from where I was the day I went. Official WI isn’t until Friday though but even if it takes me until next week to get there, I’m fine with that.

I weighed in at 14.6 on Friday last week. This morning I was 13.11.3/4 and I want to get to 13.9 initially. I like the idea of mini targets so I need to sit down and work out what my they are going to be

Thank you so much @WaistBeGone for the reply. I will do that, super helpful.

How many calories is everyone eating daily / weekly on mounjaro? Are you tracking or doing anything special with your diet at the same time? How are you working out how many calories to have?

Good morning to you all, I'm seriously considering this option and hope you don't mind me reading back through the thread to gain a little knowledge. One question: did you go via the doctor or online to source this injectable?

Yes very interesting. Though in the refeeding study the group that lost more weight, lost it over 30weeks compared to 16weeks for the control group. Yes the weeks of dieting was the same but that's quite a confounder. I would be interested in knowing how both groups compared at 16weeks.

I've just gone and looked at the graphs and it looks like the experimental group lost the same weight as the control group with half the number of dieting weeks, so 8 weeks of dieting with 4 breaks of two weeks was the same as 16 full weeks of dieting in the control group. That IS interesting.

I would love to see the same experiment with women, hormones may effect us differently.

Also we know that people behave better during trials so its difficult to know if there was better adherence or calorie restriction because of that. Wouldn't it be great (or not) to have a BBC film crew following you around documenting your weight loss. That would be a big motivator!

Some calorie count and some don't. I keto instead which doesn't usually involve counting anything which is part of the charm.

I think you should do what ever helps you.

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I'm aiming for an average of 1450/day net across the week.150g protein per day. The calories are set by NutraCheck based on current weight and loss goals (900g/week).

Truthfully, I never meet this, but not because I am depriving myself. Trying to listen to hunger cues and stopping eating when I'm full. I often think that I'll have something else later and just don't want/need to.

I always have at least two meals and healthy snacks per day with a milky coffee for breakfast. I didn't eat breakfast before, either.

Mounjaro has made it so much easier to cut out rubbish from my diet. I'm just not interested in junk food and have reduced my alcohol consumption by loads.

I haven't been calorie counting as I can get very obsessed with it and worry about calories in parsley / garlic!

I'm focusing on eating the right things and incorporating good habits. I now have a home made smoothie with collagen for breakfast, a small high protein lunch (shakes/ yoghurt / meat) and a normal dinner but smaller portion.

I'm also trying to leave food on my plate every evening. I was brought up having to finish up whatever was served and struggle to stop eating when I'm full.

Roughly 1500, I'm tall and still over 15 stone. I'm not tracking every day and sometimes it's just a rough adding up in my head, but I'm mostly around that.

Thanks for your reply, little more reassuring! Just thought odd as been on MJ for a while now.

@lurkylurk thank you and that makes total sense.