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 am so silly! This is going to be harder than I thought.
End of week 2 and I have binged. I was doing so well as well.
I don't feem surpressed or full at all. I need will power of which I have none. 😭

Hi all, so after my first week I had lost 4lb, second week 4lb, third week 0, 4th week 0. So today I took my bonus dose a day early. I'm eager to get started on 5mg but also didn't want to waste the free week 😄 I used the hard twist method but found it really tough to press the plunger, forced it and lots squirted out. I twisted it back to 1 again, injected the dose then managed to extract another 0.1ml with a syringe so hopefully that little extra will help. I'm still feeling hungry and craving gummy sweets constantly. On another note, Zava emailed me today to remind me to order my next pen. I still haven't started their 5mg pen yet, looking promising for stocking up

I could have written this myself… something has changed this week and it’s odd. I feel weirdly flat too. It might actually be the weather, feels like bloody February where I am!!

Weigh in day and I am very nearly over weight rather than obese! My pyjama bottoms fell off the other day (thankfully not in a crowd...) and I spotted my cheekbones earlier!

SW: 13st 10
CW: 11st 7

After 1 week: Feb 28th 13st 2 (- 8 pounds)
After 2 weeks: March 6th 12st 12 (- 4 pounds)
After 3 weeks: March 13th 12st 9 (-3 pounds)

Moved to 5mg
After 4 weeks: March 20th 12st 9 (-0 pounds)
After 5 weeks: March 28th 12st 8 (-1 pound)
After 6 weeks April 3rd 12st 4 (-4 pounds)
After 7 weeks April 10th 12st 3 (-1 pound)
After 8.5 weeks April 22nd 12st 2 (-1 pound)
After 9 weeks April 23rd 12st 0 (-2 pounds)

Moved to 7.5
After 10 weeks May 1st 11st 12 (-2 pounds)
After 11 weeks May 8th 12 St (+2)
After 12 weeks May 15th 11st 12(-2)

Moved to 10mg
After 13 weeks May 23nd 11st 10 (-2)
After 14 weeks May 29th 11st 9 (-1)
After 15 weeks June 5th 11st 8 (-1)
After 16 weeks June 12th 11st 7 (-1)

30 pounds total loss (2st 3Ib)
BMI down from 35.7 to 30
HbA1c down from top of prediabetic to normal
Waist down from 40 inches to 34

@NextPrimeMinister How is it going in BMI-Under-30-Land? The thread is so busy that I haven't spotted you!

I’m on 7.5 and definitely getting more suppression at the end of the week, the lag time to full effectiveness is longer - I inject on Thursdays and I’m not hungry now on Wednesday night and it’s already almost 9pm so I may terribly skip dinner. I have a colleagues hen do tomorrow so I will definitely make up the calories (but not the nutrition) there.

On the dopamine, I completely get the ‘flat’ feeling; however my main goal (apart from my health and making sure I’m here for a long time for my DC) is to haul myself back on the London dating apps so that is my slightly terrifying driver to keep plodding along with MJ.

Psyllium husk wise, as I’ve said before Solgar is my utter magic pill. No other brand/powder is as amazing and it’s so so worth the money. I’ve taken three a night for at least five years (I know the packet says take two) and my bowels are fantastic and not affected by MJ at all. TMI but I also only break wind maybe once a week/fortnight! Utter magic (for me at least)

Yes, that was my experience. No clue why! Back on track now I am on 10mg.

I've just ordered the Solgar psyllium husks. I look forward to their effects 😁

Why oh why do I do it!!
Busy day at work, ate well within calories. Avoided all chocolate. Came home and ordered fish and chips. Managed 1/2 a fish and 1/3 of chips- what a waste!
Now feel bloated and lips greasy and I know this isn’t gonna sit well 🤢
I wasn’t even that hungry.

lol - it’s great! I need to do my own trawl back through the treads to find the collagen liquid everyone was recommending weeks ago as I could do with that!

Hello everyone

Haven’t posted for ages but I’ve been trying to keep up with the threads. Hope you’re all ok!

My weightloss is soooo slow, half a pound a week if I’m lucky 0 if I’m not but we keep on!

I just logged on to my doctors record to check when I have an appointment AND they’ve updated
my record to say I’m taking MJ… I wonder if I’ll get asked about when I go in. It’s not really their business as far as I’m concerned. Unless they want to prescribe!

Your research was spot on. I kind of knew about the dopamine reward reduction and to not expect feelings of pleasure from food/alcohol/exercise, and in fact welcome the first two. It's the serotonin flattening and reduced wellbeing/sociability/motivation that was the surprise. And quite hard to tease out what the actual missing feeling is, but you've nailed it in those 3.

I'm not going to force it. This is a temporary regime which is necessary for my health and already paying off, so I'm going to allow myself to give many fewer fucks about the annoying colleague, the boring tasks, the draining exercise plan and the various dramas around me. I'm sure all my usual zing will be back when I adjust or get to target - or at least I hope so!

@Lastchancefatty

I had heartburn the last year or so and it worsened a lot when I started on Mounjaro. Gaviscon helps, I tried esomeprazole but had other side effects from that but I found it did subside over time. Comes back when up dose and then subsides again.

I believe pharmacy2u has started to offer PP

Hello @coffeandteav. Try not be be so hard on yourself. You are only on the titration dose. Some people find that they don't get much help at this stage from MJ. I realise that sucks, but we've then seen them go on to have great results on this thread.

I am on Week 16 and I was still (very occasionally) having a binge until perhaps week 12. I was doing that daily (and much bigger amounts) before MJ, so it seems pretty miraculous to me that the urge has finally gone.

Keep the faith. It will work 🙂

I think most people have switched over to zava now but if you wanted another supplier I just ordered at https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/ using code June10 for 10% off.

They have also given me a referral share link for 20% off (obviously I haven't used so not certain world on MJ but couldn't see any restrictions on it) https://www.ukmeds.co.uk/raf/60BCD495666A8BCCD69B9

My first order was from them before switching to medexpress and service was prompt, needles fine didn't get a sharps bin though.

Gosh you are all doing so well! I love reading these posts, it's great to feel like we are in it together and can talk openly about what's happening.

Just signed up for my 5mg pen from Zava.
It's been slow and steady for me with no side effects and I'm pretty happy with that. Only 6lbs off but it's been pretty easy so I'm not going to complain. In the past, I would have been so bored and frustrated through hunger by now, I would have given up!

Anyway, if anyone needs a Zava code, here is mine.

There’s no better gift than the gift of good health. Use my code and you’ll get 15% off your first order at ZAVA: REFJZZFF
https://www.zavamed.com/uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=refer_a_friend
Maximum discount value: £30

End of week 3 weigh in for me.

SW: 81.4kg
Wk 1: 79.2kg
Wk 2: 77.8kg
Wk 3: 76.6kg
GW: 60kg

Total loss in 3 weeks is 4.8kg.

12 weeks in and finally hit the 2 stone loss. I had an annoying week of going up and down (TOTM despite being on the pill) but finally a new low today. BMI down from 35 to 31 and I have about half a stone to go until I get to overweight, which is the next big goal.

@Youdontevengohere and @RagzRebooted great progress

Hello all

Week 2 here

So far so good

Can I ask if you managed 5 doses per pen?
Also if I switch to a different provider how do I up my dose?
Currently with voy

Thanks all

Morning, there are lots of previous posts on the 5th dose so may be worth a scroll back. From what I can see people either hard twist or use an insulin needle to extract the dose and then take as normal.

I’ve just switched from Med Express to Zava - it was straight forward to do so! Some providers ask for evidence of your previous prescription so keep hold of the box. Zava didn’t.

If you’re thinking about Zava my discount code is REFHWYH8 for 15% off 😀

Well done to all on your losses!

11 weeks in and I've lost 11 pounds. Very slow but hit a mini-milestone as I've never managed to lose more than 10 pounds before! Only 1.5 pounds to go before overweight, not obese, too.

I skipped a dose last week (actually left it 10 days over) as I'd had bad side effects even moving up to 3.75 ona split dose and had an airshow on last weekend and then my 25th Wedding Anniversary on Weds and was a bit fed up feeling nauseous, burpy and having the runs! So skipped a dose and then moved injection day to a Sunday rather than Thurs as that works better for me as get worse effects 2 days later and having them on a Sat wasn't fun. I worl for myself so no issue it being during the working week

I started back up on 2.5mg, but think may go a day early with next dose and up it to 3.25mg. So, as I missed 2 doses early on due to illness as well, I've really only been on it the equivalent of 8 weeks which makes me feel better about the rate of loss so think I'll revise it in my mind to 8 weeks in and report it on here as such!

Aim to get to a stone down by the end of the month and then would really like to try and lose another stone before I go away at the end of August, so adding in more exercise (going for a little hill walk this morning and will get the weights out) and reduce wine consumption which, unfortunately, I am still able and want to drink, it doesn't seem to cause extra symptoms once past day 2 or 3 after injecting! Although I have lost most of the snacking habit associated therewith!

Agggghhhhh day 10 of the stall continues!! Sweet baby Jesus. I’m so bored of it.

I’m hungry this morning but I know I haven’t been eating enough so I’m going to have a healthy breakfast and eat all of it before I hit my laptop for 4hrs of enforced hell (work) before I got to my other job. Would love to lie in bed today or tidy my garden but alas work beckons.

I was one pound away from a 2 stone loss on Monday but 2 pounds crept on overnight so still the same weight as I was 9 days ago. I was in touching distance of being in a stone bracket I've not been in since pre wedding and kids and nearly a decade ago. But nevertheless we persist 💪🏼 walked 15k steps yesterday mainly shoving the pram and I feel like the middle of my back is on fire!

Welcome back @MelissaLouRocks glad you had a great time in krakow and well done everyone for the losses. Hope you're okay @FlappyFish that sounds scary. Well done you though for donating plasma. I'm not allowed to give blood or anything as my veins are so useless, I was so disappointed.

I've had reduced sociability too! But you've just made it click why!

I am struggling with the lack of dopamine from food etc, and feeling flat too. But as you say, this is temporary while I sort my body out.