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:

Has she been tracking calories? I wonder why she hasn't moved up to the higher doses after 12 weeks?

ZAVA order now received. It came with only one ice pack and wool. MedExpress used two ice packs. The ice pack was melted and I would describe the pen as room temp so will use that as my next pen which is fine for me but might not be good if people want to stockpile them.

I also got 7 needles which is good as I was thinking of doing smaller doses every 5-6 days but no swabs. I have some swans which came with my insulin needles.

Overall the price is good but may need to be used promptly rather than stockpiled.

I don't think I have seen anyone mentioning this but have any of you had any allergic/redness/red patch reaction in the place where you inject yourself? I have a very red itchy patch every time (now on 5mg, had nothing on 2,5mg) that stays on my belly for weeks (this week was my 4th dose and I still can see the patch from 2nd one) I hope it won't get worse on 7.5mg!

I’m losing but slowly. I need to track cals and keep to about 1000-1200 max to lose.
I’m on 7.5 and need to reorder. I’m on hols soon so am thinking of staying on 7.5 and then moving up. I feel well on 7.5 and can eat sensibly.

Aloe Vera tablets take daily

@Sabblue yes I did. Nothing on 2.5, had it all of 5mg, now still get it but much improved on 7.5mg.

I noticed a red patch on last week's injection site. I injected in the other thigh yesterday and that now has a red patch on the other thigh and can still see last week's. I'm on. 7.5mg.

Hi I haven't started yet but my first pen arrived yesterday (going to take first dose on Sunday) so the leaflet is fresh on my mind!

Reaction (red itchy etc) at injection site is listed as a common side effect ...I think you only need to worry if the rare listed side effect of swollen lips tingling throat happens ..but that is a totally different type of reaction!

Update of prices from the person on Reddit

@ObsidianTree

5mg is the lowest therapeutic dose. Because they were the ones used in the trials 5mg, 10mg and 15mg (as ones that people stayed on) are considered the therapeutic doses.

Great thanks 🙂 I'll aim to stay on 10mg then I think.

Congrats to all great losers! And patience for everyone whose pace is a little slower than they originally hoped for. Slow or fast we're all moving down toward our goals.

I usually do my injection on Saturday, but decided to do my 3rd one today, and I'll also pull it a day forward next week, as we're going on holiday. So it will be 2 injections 6 days apart instead of 7. I don't think that's a big deal. Right?

I can now also order my next dose and I'm really stuggling with whether to go up for 5 or stay on 2.5. In the 2 weeks I've (almost) completed on 2.5 so far, I have had minimal side effects and steady losses- I'm nearly 6 kg (13 lbs) down . I keep going back and forth what next dose to order.

Also in the last 2 weeks, I've had this realization: my diet is good; I eat well - primarily protein and veg, limited carbs. Meals are well within calorie deficit.
My downfall seems to have always been the mentality - all or nothing. Where I either have to eat perfect and clean 100%, or if I stray or deviate in any way, then F*ck it, it's ruined, I might as well eat the whole chocolate, the entire bag of crisps, etc. I'm only now realizing how toxic and counterproductive this is for any type of success. How crazy is it, that I was unable to eat my clean food, AND enjoy a square of chocolate, savour it for what it is, and then just move on. It's such a ridiculous mentality and I don't have this in any other aspect of life, but only now being on MJ and having some distance from the behaviour I can see it for what it is - toxic and self-sabotaging. Does this make sense to anyone else?

Just to say that for the Curate one, I have on order in my basket ready to go at £170 with a code, so 15% I think. Haven't pressed buy yet as they are still showing 12.5mg as "available on back order". But if anybody wants to try the code on other doses, they seem quite cheap.
Also wondering if family chemists "price match" applies to " with code" prices or just the headline price.

@ThirdStorm

You'll be fine. If there's a Pret at your airport they have lovely salads and protein bowls you could take on the plane. Are you eating at hotel or out? If it's at hotel and it's buffet it's quite easy to do low carb if not keto, just choose meat and veg or salad for dinners, eggs and ham or bacon etc for breakfast, they often have some veg too at breakfast or a bit of fruit and natural yogurt, while not necessarily keto, won't be the end of the world. If it's eating out if it's somewhere Mediterranean there's usually lots of grilled meats, fish and veg and salads and usually omelettes etc. too.

I ate low carb for a couple of years and it can be easier on holiday than at home as, depending on where you're going, there's lots of options and you don't have to cook it or worry about different meals for the rest of the family if they're not low carb etc. It used to be pricier as not having the carb bit of a meal meant might need a starter etc. too, but on Mounjaro that's unlikely to be the case!

So I have now completed one week on my accidental 16mg dose.

The suppression has been amazing and HASNT WORN OFF! Still totally zero apetite and 3.6lb off which is unexpected 12 weeks into a diet and when I am below bmi25.

I am usually gagging for my friday injection but I forgot all about it this morning and prob won't take till later. I actually considered pushing it back a day but will prob just stick to schedule .
I am about to open my 10mg pen. I know I am going to be very underwhelmed after overdose week!

That's brilliant, thank you. Didn't suffer too badly with side effects so will probably do a 5mg then go back up to 7.5mg.

@montysma1 amazing result! Hope 10 doesn't disappoint. Can I just ask...how does one overdose?? Doesn't it just turn to 1 and that's it, 1 dose?

Yes I didn't get it for the first few weeks but the last 3 jabs I've had it.

Joining you all after my week 1 weigh in today with a loss of 6 pounds. I’ve also taken my next dose of 2.5 today, and I’m off on holiday for a week.
Fingers crossed I don’t turn into the greedy fat fuck at the buffet as I have done on all previous holidays 😂

@BlackFriYay I also had lightheadedness yesterday, came and went and then the room was spinning as I was lying down to sleep.

I seem ok today though - so fairly short-lived?

I've also been drinking lots and hitting protein goals so I don't think it's starvation or anything. Maybe low blood pressure... Sorry not to have anything very useful to say but you aren't alone!

@Sabblue

I had this on my first couple of injections but then went and haven't had since. It was like an immune response that my body then realised wasn't necessary and got used to.

Are you using MedExpress and using their needles? I've found their needles not great and cause me bruising so bought a different brand myself (look for 4mm insulin pen needles, preferably 32g but 31g fine (the 32 means slightly slimmer than 31). If you're using those it might be causing some irritation that your body is responding to with an immune response.

In terms of maintenance doses, there's someone on Reddit who is US based, reached their goal weight 7 months ago and has since been taking one 5mg jab monthly to maintain, with success.

They have the single use vials over there so no pen expiry issues...

But in my head it's great to know that that works for people.

I'm definitely 12-18 months off needing a maintenance dose so I have time for the guidelines to catch up with what users need...

@BlackFriYay I get dizzy on standing up relatively frequently. My blood pressure is on the low side anyway. I'm an endless disappointment to nurses who want to tell me I have high blood pressure and must lose weight but then discover that not to be the case.

It was being absent minded and being in a hurry to it before I had to be somewhere else!

I was finishing a standard clicker dose from my 7.5mg pen, plus intending to extract some of the "bonus dose" with an insulin pen to go up to 10mg a week early.
I had calculated how much I needed to extract from the bonus dose to do this.

But then absent mindedly extracted and used ALL of it, which is more than a whole extra dose, so I was at 15/16 mg altogether😳

So don't worry, you can't really over dose just using the pen the standard way! I was just being STOOPID!

I have this. It started once I went up to 5mg, and is still ongoing. This week it's not quite as bad as the last few weeks, so I'm hoping it's going to get better. I have tried taking an antihistamine pill before injecting (and daily for the past couple of weeks because of hay fever) and it's not made a difference. Anti histamine cream stops some of the itching, but not much of the redness.