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:

Just watched a YouTube video interview with Johann Hari talking about GLP wotsits - it was very good. Anyhow, as someone who was necking a bottle of wine a day and extra at weekends and who, at the end of the first month of using MJ has had (drumroll)...one glass of wine (and a bit meh about it) and zero craving, I was interested in what he said about the research on addictions. Basically, big impact on alcohol use seems to be limited to those who had a proper drink 'problem' prior to starting. Those who drank moderately before, carried on drinking little/infrequently quite happily on the jabs. How weird is that? What a fascinating, complex drug this is.

It has taken me ages to catch up with the new thread.

Just done second jab - in the hours running up to the time my jab was due I started to get really hungry, then jabbed and it seems to have eased back - so strange.

At first DP was a bit eye rolly about me doing yet another weight loss attempt but also combined with concern at me "ordering drugs off the internet" - I pointed out to him that if I didn't do this now, then the likelihood would be that I would end up having to inject insulin in the future as would end up diabetic.

Have been lurking for a bit. I am going to be cheeky and hijack with some questions, hope that's ok.

I am very tempted to try MJ but I am hesitant for two reasons:

1. What if I pay all that money and it doesn't work? Has anyone here been one of those who it didn't make much difference to in the first few weeks, what happened next? How high a dose did you need for it to work?

1. What happens afterwards? Assuming I lost all the weight I need to (which is a terrifying amount tbh) I'm scared about putting it all back on again - it there a long term plan people have for sustaining? Is it just calorie counting (or similar) and hoping the good habits continue? Can't afford to take the stuff forever!

@CaptainCarrotsBigSword

from what I gather:

1. Doses 2.5 and even 5 are starter doses so you kay not necessarily see much results on them (although many many do). But you need to start from the lowest and work your way up so your body can adjust. So it’s not wasted money, and the results will come. Trust the process. And the recommendations on how to safely take this drug.
2. It seems to be intended for long term use, people then do go on to take “maintenance “ doses, but the idea is in the time you take it, you put in the work to overhaul your eating habits, so if you decide to stop it, you Have that to fall back on to.

Thank you @3wDavid appreciate the answers.

I am dithering but I weighed myself for the first time in about a year yesterday and I am 17st, which is horrifying. I need to do something.

Welcome 😊

We can't say for 100% if you will lose. Some people are slow responders and are losing maybe a lb or less a week. Some are super responders and lose 2-4lbs a week.

The medication needs to build up to get the best effects for some. Some people are content on 2.5mg for a long time. Some people are still trying to get to their magic dose that works.

I would say tho, that a majority do lose well.

Re what happens next. Currently the UK seems to have a 2 year cap on the amount of time you can be on the medication. They also will cut you off when you get to a healthy BMI. Really though we should be allowed to be more like the US that allows you to stay on it to maintain your weight.

Some of us in preparation for getting cut off are trying to build a supply pens so that when we get to a healthy BMI we can come off the drugs gradually using the spare pens. This is in the hope that a gradual reduction in medication will help us maintain our weight. This however is a theory and no one is far along enough to have tested if this works yet. But feel it's better than having to come off completely within days!

Will have a look at that - his book is interesting too. I’ve found I don’t have that urge for a glass (or more) of wine at the end of a day of work say. The kind of ‘stress’ drinking. But when I was out for lunch in the sunshine on holiday I’d think ooh a glass of rosé would be nice (and it was). And again on holiday in the evenings I’d often have a few with dinner if a bottle was open. I think overall it dampened the urge, and I’ve not felt like a drink since I’ve been back, so I think I’ve felt an effect, it’s just not been as black and white as it has been for people who say I’ve not fancied a drop since!

Does anyone know what would happen if I ordered from med express every two weeks? It seems to let you order again after only two weeks but I'm unsure if they would get suspicious if I did that. Just thinking of stockpiling some 5mg pens for later down the line

@Mycuprunnethempty

All pens are 60 clicks (or notches) for a full dose, so yes it would be 40.

@secretslimmer I've not been calorie counting on Mounjaro as I haven't felt the need to, I'm definitely eating 1200 calories max. I've had a few days where I've looked up the calories in certain things on LoseIt, but it's rare. If I'm eating out, I just try to make the rest of the day a good one and I know my calorie deficit on another day will make up for it.

Before, I calorie counted and logged through the day because I was simply eating so much I couldn't possibly keep track of it myself. Now I could tell you literally every single thing I've eaten today, because it's so reduced.

Bear in mind his book is unfortunately full of his usual not very accurate anecdotes and ‘data’. The reviews have been scathing. He has lost two high profile journalism jobs for plagiarism and simply inventing anecdotes/facts/data.

Sorry I haven't read all the threads and someone may have answered this. I am at my wits end always been a healthy bmi and even lost 21 pounds in my late 40s to get even slimmer (then got pregnant but that's another story). Since meno I have put on 2 stone plus and just can't get off, cravings and willpower/mojo lost, at my wits end as worried age onset diabetes in family. I m now 28 bmi. Tried putting all my details in a online pharmacy recommended on here and was approved. Why is that if should have bmi > 30? Is it because I got gestational diabetes at last pregnancy in late 40s and have it in family (also have asthma) or age 56 (sorry can't remember exact questions I was asked).

I'm due to have my second dose tonight but days 2&3 were really rough with exhaustion and I don't want to feel like that on the weekend. Is it ok to delay my dose until maybe Friday or sat evening? Has anyone done this and been ok? Thanks!

@ObsidianTree

Also, it says on the (extremely indepth!) form for Click Pharmacy that they stop treatment when you reach BMI 27 which is daft.

That's a pointless supplier then!

Get a tandoori chicken and salad!

Wait and see if they cancel your order. This sometimes happens.

You can take mj with a BMI of 27 if you have pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre diabetic or heart problems.

Thanks for your message, it's so good to have others to be in it together with. I guess we can't be perfect every day and we will have slip ups but it's just about learning to live with them and keep going. Maybe relaxing a bit about it will help the frame of mind!

Yeah I know his background and the trouble he got into with at least one of the accounts in this one and misquoting Jay Rayner.
But nonetheless I found it a really interesting read!
Obviously his reputation makes it harder to know what to trust, but I still thought it covered some fascinating territory. When he was on the areas I know a bit about the data looked right but I couldn’t vouch for anything else. Just thought some interesting ideas explored

@lurkylurk I ended up getting a wrap from subway, only ate half and feel a gurgling starting in my stomach...think I'm about to say goodbye to the constipation problem lol

The guidelines are here:

Mounjaro KwikPen is approved to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and for weight management in adult patients with a BMI of 30kg/m² or more (obesity), as well as those with a BMI between 27-30kg/m² (overweight) who also have weight-related health problems such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems.

It could be because of the gestational diabetes but that isn't necessarily weight related, do you have any of the other conditions listed? Or any other weight-related health problems?

Dr Michael Mosley is missing 😢 I really like his weight loss shows. I hope he's found safe.

😂

Oh thanks @lurkylurk and @ObsidianTree . The gestational diabetes wasn't weight related, I had a surprise pregnancy at 48 bmi 22 had lost nearly 2 stone and got fit. Think it was just my age and family diabetes but kept under control and gave birth no probs at 49. Never got my weight down again but still healthy weight until meno 2 years ago. Last health check did say slightly high cholesterol which I input to questionnaire could it be that? Prob most people in mid 50s have highish cholesterol.

@Northernnature

Yes, a BMI above 27 and high cholesterol would qualify you, that'll be it.