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:

@guestusername

Flab Jab! 😂😂😂
Definitely using that.

I’m definitely thinking about staying on 2.5. I don’t have loads to lose. Started at 13 stone 9lb and on day 8 I’m 13 stone 3! Had my second dose last night and all I’ve really managed to eat today is a small banana, an iced latte, a tiny salad and a piece of pizza. Sooooooo unlike me and I already feel so amazing physically for having lost 6lb- everything just fitting much more nicely and feel less bloated all the time.

Flab jab number 3 last night, I knew I was needing it as the hunger was really kicking in yesterday, and now it is nil.

Am getting ready to order my next pen and unsure if I should stick with 2.5 or go to 5 as the 2.5 is working well for me. I have read about people ordering the next pen up and using it for two months to save money, but this worries me as it is only supposed to be used for 28 days but I can see that people wouldn't want to chuck away half a pen!

I've just placed my first order - BMI 40. Strangely, since I ordered it I'm full of indecision and anxiety - sort of like I feel guilty, and that I'm doing something that I need to hide. Or that I should just keep trying harder to lose naturally. It's difficult to explain. Did anyone else have jitters at first, please?

I did! But once I started I wish I had done it ages ago.

@Bodgerandblagger I totally did. In fact I nearly tried wegovy in January, chickened out, then heard of MJ in February but dithered for a month, finally bought it and waited 5 days to take my first dose. That was 13 weeks ago and 27 pounds lost since then. You're not alone i promise. Now I worry about maintenance, but I figure the time would've passed anyway, I'd have spent my money on wine and curry and other crap, and I'd still be a size that I was deeply unhappy at. I would still also be facing my yearly check to see if I've developed type 2 diabetes since having GD which I'd like to think is now far less likely.

Fourth injection this evening. Lost 3kg in 3 weeks which is better than I expected when I’m a few days away from my period and I usually gain 7lb.

I used some of the ‘bonus’ dose to go up from my 2.5mg so probably had about 4mg in total. My week 1 was half total suppression and half hunger. Week 2 was mostly hungry. Week 3 has been total suppression the whole week. So I think moving up will be fine. Not had any side effects apart from mild constipation so I’m interested to see what the next few days will bring.

@MJ333 how much do you have to lose? If it's working then there is no reason to go up

I've just been out walking in the rain and it feels very autumnal. My leggings got wet and started to fall down in the rain and tried to take my knickers with them! I must get some new ones, but just can't be bothered with this crappy weather. I was going to buy a few cheap bits of clothing for the summer, but I don't think I'd get to use them at this rate. I need a decent rain jacket more than anything. I think that might be a side effect with clothes shopping - it seems like an effort even though I've lost weight and should be excited about it.

Haven't got the money anyway with buying another pen this month, so it's a good thing.

I'm on my bonus 7.5mg and not so much effect anymore, although still getting very sensitive teeth. Not sure whether to try 10mg or not.

I’m halfway through week 2, so far so good in terms of weight loss (9.5 lbs down) but today I’ve had such a weird “off” taste in my mouth. Is this something to do with ketosis do you think? I don’t know much about it but remember reading about people on other weight loss threads before saying a weird taste as part of keto. Or maybe it’s just the MJ 🤷‍♀️ Either way it’s not v pleasant!

I was scared but I've done it this evening and feel hopeful

Ive had a strange day and some revelations about Mounjaro

For context, I suffered quite badly with post natal anxiety following the birth of my last child, have been on medication for it previously.

So I’m day 8 after my last injection- which I think was nearer to 10mg than 7.5 because the effects were soooo strong. I have decided to delay my next injection because I had way too much appetite suppressant and a horrible lump in my throat.

Today I’ve felt amazing… not overly hungry but I can eat. But I feel more relaxed, I’ve got through my to do list (after weeks of procrastination), my jaw has relaxed (I didn’t realise it was so clenched) and my neck pain has gone. I felt quite lively today with a spring in my step… like I can breathe easily again. And this one’s a bit embarrassing… I have passed a lot of wind and it felt great! Like a balloon being popped- I’m so bloated on MJ! I don’t pass wind on MJ!

So I have been reflecting that MJ has bought my anxiety back with all it’s physical symptoms (inc Bruxism) and now it’s wearing off, it’s like a cloud has lifted. Wow I’m shocked just how much this drug is having a major effect on me. I don’t know what I will do in the next few months, but it’s been affecting the quality of my life and sleep. At least the effects are temporary and I am aware now, so can put things in place to mitigate. At the very least I’m going to drop my dose down and I don’t think this is something I will be taking long term- which I previously thought I would.

Ps I have lost 2.5 stone so far in just over 3 months so MJ has been very effective for me…I’m just over half way in terms of my target

You are so right about the self sabotage all ir nothing approach ! What is wrong in wanting a square of chocolate! That is normal. What MJ does is not make us want to eat the whole bar.
Also one thing I have noticed is how effed up I really am. Try this
1.When you feel.hungry drink glass of water instead and just wait 5 minutes and hey presto .....not hungry.

1. When you make you next meal , as you dish it divide the portion into two. Now just dish the half portion. You can tell yourself that it is there if you get hungry. And hey presto you will find you actually don't eat that half portion. It is amazng. My brain is playing silly buggers and I am just gonna fight back. That skinny bitch within me is trying to get out. She will not be suppressed any longer!

Just on another note why are people stockpiling or thinking they should be combining doses. These pharma spend millions and have specialist scientist doing the research So goodness sake use these drugs as prescribed.
Also what we deem as side effects is the medicine working properly. For instance you are not feeling hungry because it is slowing down your digestion , so food stays in you longer making you constipaty and burn. So don't go using any hard laxatives to get rid of this. USE ALOE VERA every other day..it's good on the skin and gentle on the tummy.
My therapy for the day ! Well done ladies so far. Remember we didn't put the bulk on in a day. So let's congratulate our self for any losses mo matter how small. We are going in the right direction. My God , that rant felt 👍

Interesting. I also do not take anything for gut motility - I’m literally paying a fortune for slow motility. Why would I want to reverse that?

That said, I’m not in pain or discomfort.

I am not convinced I've managed to comment on this thread at all and here we are nearly at the end!
I've finally read it all, but it's taken a few days.

With regards the impact MJ has on feelings/dopamine effects etc it seems neurotypical types are feeling flat/zen and neurodiverse types are feeling like they have headspace from busy thoughts.
I definitely don't feel flat but I do feel chilled and after having a really tricky time at work (new job started 1/3, MJ started 15/3) I feel like this past month I found my feet and am feeling happy rather than wanting to hand in my notice.
Coincidentally my sister let slip to me that when she was telling a mutual friend she thought she had ADHD (I agree!) he said, "and NCfor24 too, right?" So totally unprofessional diagnosis but I definitely relate to the positive effects ADHD people have experienced and not the flat-ness.
Whilst I don't want to share too much I am happy to report a massive positive impact on negative addictive type behaviours too, so although I feel my weight loss has stalled this week, I feel calm and in control and definitely am benefitting from the side effects.
Weight loss or not, I'd rather feel like I do now than pre MJ!

Evening All

Welcome newbies, wishing you all the best on your journey.

Another small gain for me this morning! Dangerously close to slipping back into a weight beginning with 9 again. Annoying.

Have some spa days / massages / facials booked as treats to look forward to (not that I can really afford them on top of MJ), just need to keep shifting the weight so I feel more comfortable in swim wear.

Felt very bloated this morning, that'll be the sluggish digestion so MJ is definitely still working. Weigh and jab day tomorrow, surely I'm due a whoosh?!

I will be joining those stockpiling if I'm ever fortunate enough to get my BMI under 25 - the research supports people having a maintenance dose, with MJ intended as a long term medication same as BP meds or insulin. The 2 year max in the UK is not based on research but supply management and cost - I'm not going to let that get in the way of accessing support I may need to avoid obesity in the future, I rather manage my weight with the help of MJ and perhaps no longer require meds to control my BP.

Exactly this. When starting Mounjaro I was determined I would tackle my issues with overeating once and for all.

I have been seeing a therapist who specialises in eating issues and it's been mind blowing. I realise that my deeprooted shame made me feel I wasn't worthy of looking after myself, and that I self-sabotaged due to not thinking I deserved to feel nice and confident about myself.

I can honestly say the thought of depriving myself for weeks on end and then binging on a pile of food like chocolate and doughnuts makes me feel physically sick.

Mounjaro has taken away the food chatter from my brain and allowed me to focus on resetting my destructive thought patterns. I am actually excited about coming off it l, knowing the therapy sessions are enabling me to be set for a lifetime of not using food to harm or self sooth.

I'm also experiencing relief from many other additive habits.

I've been on Mounjaro for six weeks and during that time I have only bought a scratch card once, I used to buy a lot. I have deleted vinted off my phone and not interested in any other online shopping. No longer are parcels arriving daily to my house.

The effects from the above are amazing. We're at the 12th of the month and I still have most of my monthly spending money in my bank. It's nuts!!

Edit. Forgot to add. I also suspect I have Adhd and waiting for an appointment. I said to my husband the other week.." Guess what I am thinking about. Nothing!!!" I couldn't believe I was just sitting on the couch and not having a million thoughts and plans going on. It was a very strange but amazing sensation.

I'm ADHD, and have the flat feeling. However, I think it's removal of easy dopamine through food/alcohol and shopping

My meds also aren't working, have an appointment next week to discuss them and taking MJ. So that could be contributing too.

Wow! This is amazing

I think there will be a lot of research around all these effects. It appears that the interaction with our hormones is having all sorts of positive and negative consequences- the ADHD angle is so fascinating (I’m not ND).

For me the realisation today that the physical symptoms of anxiety are back, which I had not clocked until the drug wore off and I felt normal again it’s just so weird for me to comprehend. It just goes to show how powerful our hormones are in controlling our behaviour and our physiological responses.

Alongside your report of successfully overcoming addictions (and others) has blown my mind! This medicine is significantly impacting human health and behaviour - I think we’ve only just scratched the surface and will learn so much more in the future.

Woo hoo! Not MJ related but I've just spotted we can book theatre ticket for Kids Week in the West End - I have a teen with a keen interest in theatre so really hoping I can get some good shows in on a few day trips to London.

Why oh why do I do this? Lying here at 1:30am feeling sick as anything, having been to the toilet 5,000 times in the last hour with the most awful sh**s. Just want to sleep but can't because I feel so sick.

All thanks to a delicious and yummy Italian meal tonight packed with butter, carbs & chocolate. I only ate about half what I would have usually (left half the pizza) but I should have clearly made much better food choices.

I need to remember this feeling, I mustn't do this again. This is exactly what the side effects are for ... to remind me to eat better. Holiday is looming and I do not want to feel like this whilst away.

Areeeggggghhhhhh!!!!!

It's called muscle. You are eating more protein, your body is growing muscle which is denser than fat. The muscle you build then enables you to increase your metabolism which means you are burning more fat. This is why on the weeks you seem to be plateau ing you nay be aactually just gaiing heavier muscle This is why you find that measurements around the body are reduced After a while you then get the more noticeable weigtloss when the fat loss gets demolished. That also why we get fatigued This where the fatty bitch start fighting with the muscle pitch and fatty bitch tries to play the fatigue / tired card.
That was a bit long winded wasn't it.. it must be the lack of food lol 😆

Hi the MJ pen works differently to the Saxenda pen There is a video at the start of this thread you should watch. It is one of the 16 intro points / tips @ObsidianTree kindly put together