Continuing Mounjaro...part 13

[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
furthet 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, 12mg £204. 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 £149. 7.5mg £169, 10mg £179, 12.5mg £199

Asda:
2.5mg and 5mg £179. 7.5mg £189, 10mg £189, 12.5mg £204

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

12th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5090788-continuing-mounjaro-thread-12?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:

It is frustrating when people were moaning about Ozempic shortages when it isn't given for weight loss anymore. I think a lot of these people are headline readers. They will literally believe anything the Murdoch empire tells them.

If people want to call it cheating then fine. I am happy to cheat then if it means I'm more healthier and less depressed. I don't get why they would want people to continue to gain weight and deteriorate further. How does that benefit anyone? It's self funded too, so it's not like we are draining the NHS either. I don't get it.

@BellaCriesAndThatsAlright sorry about your mum.

I too have thyroid issues and struggle to lose weight and have done for years. We have found something that actually helps and seems to have removed the blocks that we faced since getting thyroid issues. This drug is a revelation and I refuse to be made to feel bad by some half wit that literally has no idea.

@Soukmyfalafel it is frustrating when we continue to get blamed for something that has literally nothing to do with us! I suppose it's fat phobia at its worst! Always wanting to blame us regardless of the situation!

It's interesting how others on the thread were talking about other types of drugs they struggled to get, but we will get the stick for NHS shortages!

Thanks. I used your code. Mine is below:

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: REFVR94N
https://www.zavamed.com/uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=refer_a_friend
Maximum discount value: £30

Thanks @ObsidianTree. I won't feel guilty either. It's finally possible and I'm not stopping because of these idiot's opinions.

Thanks CiderJabs and BuffyPaws I will take a break between Wegovy and Mounjaro.

@ObsidianTree im not ready to get rid of clothes yet either. Have a decent selection of 14/16/18 and I’d like to get back to 14 and stay there! I accept 12 isn’t in my future and I’m okay with that!

I can't find it for the life of me, has it been deleted?

It's this one

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5098557-to-be-annoyed-at-the-lack-of-treatment-for-diabetes-as-everyone-is-snapping-it-up-for-weight-loss

Joining if I may?

Been accepted via Asda doctor for the injection. Should arrive end of week.
CW 89kg (biggest ever!) 5ft5 size 14 ish
Over the years I’ve been 9/10 stone and played a lot of sport. Then peri menopause started and I had to retire from my sport due to injury and the weight has exploded. I lost a good stone or so on Cambridge but put it back on and a year later I just can’t get any momentum on a diet. I lose a few pound then regain. I understand that I use food as a crutch and know I need to get a grip of that issue long term but hoping the injections will help me lose that first stone or so and kickstart me getting down to a size 10/12 again.
I haven’t told anyone this is what I’m doing but I’ve started to become a recluse who solely wears leggings outside work and I don’t know who I am. I’m aware this isn’t a long term solution but I am excited to try something new alongside more mindful eating.
Should I lower my expectations? A friend has lost 1st 7lb in a month but she weighs a few stone more.

week 4 weigh in and I am 16lb down. I have gone down a dress size already as I am a short apple and all my weight is on my middle.

SW 194
CW 178
next target 168 ( my lowest weight as an adult 5 years ago)
GW 139

I have just done my bonus from my 1st 2.5 pen and so happy with my progress.
The dopamine thing is so interesting as I have ADHD and am finding this drug life changing. I am now trying to include serotonin and oxytocin inducing things as I hadn’t realised how many of my habits were dopamine chasing . I walked past some shops today and realised I had forgotten about scratch cards as I used to buy 2-3 a week and I have not thought about them since taking this drug. I went for a heavenly massage at the weekend and am going to concentrate on nice things like that instead.

I am having good results so far and seem to be responding well to the low dose so will probably titrate up slowly as worried about side effects.

I am very happy with Voy so far but am worried about maintenance so may look elsewhere when I am nearer goal weight. With discount Voy are very cheap. I have got a 2.5 and a 5 for under £200 and I like the app / coaching and delivery communication etc are faultless.

with this link you can get £85 off but it can only be used once
https://joinvoy.com/r/U-wjjjXONaOY

Thank you!

That OP doesn't even know what they're talking about, citing brain fog for talking a load of bollocks.

I don't believe for one second they have a 'friend' on weight loss injections stuffing their face full of crap.

@BlackFriYay Yeah it's provided pretty quickly they're talking rubbish. They couldn't even name the drug that they can't get. It's the other posters that chime in with more bollocks that was more annoying. Glad a GP came on and defended it though.

Just used @SwitchtoZepbound Zava code - thanks. My code is REF6BQW7 if anyone needs one.

I'm constipated.
Tomorrow I have my weigh in and next injection.

I currently take 6.25mg and I'm super prone to headaches on Mounjaro. Is anyone else having difficulty with headaches and tiredness?.
I'm trying to keep my protein up my hunger is reasonably controlled allowing me to stick to my calories but as a slow loser I'm worried about moving up to 7.5mg that I will get even worse headaches and nausea but not the restriction others seem to feel making it not worth while.

I currently have in my fridge 7.5 10 and a12.5 (in the post).

I don't think you can base how quickly you will lose on other people. There are loads of us here now and everyone is losing at different rates and it doesn't seem to have much to do with starting weight, some people respond more quickly than others.
As a medium to slow loser, I will say whilst I'd have liked to have been further along by now, this is absolutely sustainable with no feelings of hunger or deprivation, so I'm perfectly content with taking the scenic route knowing I will get there!

Welcome!

@NCfor24 thank you! Think after all my years of restriction and dieting, my metabolism is all over the shop. Couple that with the onset of the menopause and think I’ll be slow! But I’m looking forward to hopefully a loss of appetite which will surely assist?!

haha @NCfor24 I’m definitely taking the scenic route 🤣 Although I’ve had a fab loss of 34lbs over 16 weeks… I’ve been hovering around 14 stone 2lbs for a month now and I don’t really care. I will keep going, I’m sure it’ll come off eventually. Got to believe in the process.

I’m 2 days into my very delayed dose and my jaw is tightening up again. I’m taking it easy, making sure I build some relaxation and mindful breathing into my day to relax me. Seems to be helping. At least I know it’s the MJ causing it now

Is anyone using ukmeds ?

I purchased my 12.5mg from them and have to say it was a little concerning with how few questions they asked and no requests of proof of previous prescription.

Half expecting something else to turn up.

I don’t even own 1 share! Just a fraction of 1 as it’s so expensive and I have a small trickle of cash going into my S&S ISA each month. But it’s quite fun following a company I have a personal interest in- good excuse to keep up to date with the trials and developments!

Will be a bonus if I get a return… might be able to cash in to pay for a few maintenance pens (or tablets?) later down the road!

Ive not heard of them but Zava was similar… they just wanted my scale and body photos, didn’t request any evidence of existing prescriptions before prescribing me a 7.5mg pen!

The first one I ordered from was Pharmacy2u. They didn't want any evidence at all, they just took my word for it. MedExpress were much more thorough.

In other news:

I'm constipated and nothing is working.

Does anyone need a ZAVA referral code for 15% off your first order at ZAVA: REFN6SPJ

@WannabeHealthier they didn't even ask for that from me!

It might be comforting to know that I got no side effects. But then again you might! It'll probably be in line with your experience of 2.5...