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:

@Soulstirring thanks for taking time to reply 😀. Glad your nausea has passed and you're feeling better.

Please can I share my success? I haven’t told a single soul irl and these threads have been so helpful and supportive (big thanks to everyone)

4 weeks in (1st 5mg dose today) and I’ve lost a total of 1st 4lbs. Un-bloody-believeable!

My BMI has dropped from 32.6 (obese) to 30 (overweight) I’m 5’9”

My 2 main symptoms have been constipation, usually 48 hours post injection day, then intermittent diarrhoea for the next couple of days.

I’m now taking Solgar psyllium husk tablets, 2 each night and have Imodium Instants to hand, just in case.

I’ve been a chronic overeater since childhood so this is the most amazing gift I can give myself.

@RagzRebooted @MJqueen @Cerialkiller & @CiderJabs Thanks for responding, it is interesting to see how everyone is doing it. I am tracking but mostly to see how much protein I am getting in and to gauge how much I am eating naturally. I am not looking to go too low in calories as I am fairly active and a larger frame and don't want to lose too quickly but obviously I will see how much I am losing each week / month and make adjustments as I go.

@BlackFriYay

Sorry I don't know what happened there I wasn't meant to tag you @BlackFriYay

@Pinkbendyman well done on your success that's brilliant and great to hear another success story on here! Do you think you will be on MJ long?

@Pinkbendyman I was going to get those solgar psyillium husks. How big are they? Are they easy to swallow? They sound like what I need.

Week 2 guys

No major nausea.

So bloody tired and not sleeping well at night :(

Same question!!

On the topic of psyllium husk - does anyone have the powder? How do you have it?
I bought some and tried it once with a shake. It was minging 🤢- I think I do need it as I'm getting constantly constipated but dear Lord it's horrible!!! Does anyone have any ideas? Help!!!!!

@FastGoose I’d like to continue until I reach a healthy weight. I’ve just received my first 7.5mg pen which should last until the middle of August including the 5mg I’ve just started and the bonus doses.

@AgathaMystery @BellaCriesAndThatsAlright they’re actually capsules so perhaps they could be mixed/sprinkled into food?

That’s my little finger in the photo:

I have it in tablet form! Couldn't deal with having to drink it!

I’ve just opened one up and tasted it - a bit like wholemeal flour - probably be okay mixed in with a protein yoghurt or shake.

They are easy to swallow

I was going to post today about my frustration with how slow my weight loss is right now, and that despite losing 31 lbs, I am feeling a bit down in the dumps, as everything is harder.

But now I just want to say that I got a call from my pharmacy 5 mins ago, and they have finally got my first 10mg in. I am in the US, and have had to stay on 7.5 for all of March. Apr and May (and had to go down to 5.0 for 2 weeks in March) because of stock issues. But they have a 10 for me and I am picking up today! I am so excited as I fly to the UK tomorrow for work for nearly 2 weeks and was getting worried about how I was going to cope!

I need to catch up on the thread, but just wanted to say hi!

Great news@spamm @spa

@spmm Was going to say, you could maybe try and get some 10mg while here to take back to the US? I read on the mounjaro Reddit months ago about someone that flew over and bought 3 months supply. Can't remember who she said she used, bolt maybe... But might be worth a try for you

@spamm sorry, keep getting it wrong!

Lord. That’s massive!!

NSV - ordered some size 14 jeans from Oliver Bonas - bit baggy. WTF is going on?!

I don't think they are too massive. I haven't had any issues swallowing them

I've been thinking about the affect MJ has on dopamine, mainly because of reduced food cravings and, in my case, the almost instant cessation of desire to touch alcohol (I was a very heavy drinker). Dopamine gives feelings of pleasure and short-lived boosts to mood and so is associated with activities which make you feel a burst of excitement and enjoyment like eating, drinking, drug use, sex, exercise - repeating these behaviours is therefore, very rewarding and hence, can become a dependency or addiction. MJ reduces the impact of dopamine which may explain the flat mood many of us experience as well as the reduction in cravings for food, booze, etc. Serotonin, on the other hand, is the 'happy hormone' and linked to feelings of more general well-being, sociability, motivation, etc and it also helps regulate body temp, sleep and hunger so again, less effective Serotonin might explain our feeling cold, disturbed sleep patterns and a general feeling of being a bit low in mood (which may be masked, to some degree, by the happy feelings generated by actually losing weight).

I don't know why I'm sharing this, I just think it's fascinating and also underlines that this is a heavy duty drug, with the potential to impact physical and mental health (and not always in a good way) so shouldn't be underestimated. I'd probably also add that it's pretty disgraceful that most of us are left to take it with no effective medical oversight and little or no access to expert, tailored support and advice but hey, we're doing what we can and thank goodness for sites like this.

Oh god. I've just ordered my first pack and I didn't realise this about it. As someone who's suffered depression in various degrees, I hope this is going to be OK. I'm un medicated and I don't like taking them. Does losing the weight not make you happy? I've ordered as my gp surgery refused.

@ObsidianTree I looked into the capsules but the husk / fibre amount is much lower than the recommended and of course lower than the powder. But I agree this may be a step too far. I was hoping someone would have some recipe to make it edible!

Tried shake and smoothie and did not go well 🤮

@Lastchancefatty each of us responds individually. I feel much calmer on MJ (possibly because I don’t feel hungry all the time) and what I am now able to start is unpicking my emotional relationship to food. So there is no reason to assume you will respond negatively. You know yourself better than anyone and you will know if it is right for you.

Hi All
Another gain, am up 0.5kg from my lowest weight on MJ. Taking 7.5, and will definitely be moving up to 10mg in due course.

NSV - ordered a tankini from Matalan with moulded cups. Amazingly it fits! I am generous of bust so usually have to fork out a tonne for Bravissimo (H cup now, largest have been JJ). It's a shape wear 18 so meant to pull everything in - I have a waist in it (hurrah) and whilst it is a little booby as not complete coverage it is definitely good enough (couldnt do the Baywatch run in it without falling out but not planning on running at the spa...). I am looking so much better in swimwear at 9kg down, even if the scales are refusing to go down any further at the moment.

Not had much suppression this week so it's taking a lot of willpower and the food noise is returning.