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:

Anyone noticed a lowered resting heart rate? I use a garmin watch and it’s been noticeable lower average HR since starting MJ. Interestingly I had the same impact when I had covid twice it’s definitely hormonal influenced. I do cardio exercise most days so although I’m obese at 32 bmi I’m reasonably fit but it’s gone from 59 to 50.

How will I know when to increase my dose? I'm doing my second 2.5 tomorrow but then towards the end of the week I would be thinking about ordering the next pen. Not sure what to do. No side effects on 2.5 so far. Part thinking I should not rush but part thinking what if I find it's then not working and I've still got a 2.5 on the go.

I was wondering this @Lastchancefatty. I've done three doses of 2.5 so far but ended up ordering 5. I'm hoping I don't get crappy side effects. I think I'm going to use the bonus dose to go to 3.75 to ease me in. It's also tempting to do 5mg with the bonus done.

I would order a 5 so you have a choice. You can see how you feel when you take the 4th dose and the bonus one and then decide if you want to take 5 or go up slowly. If you buy 2.5 pen you don't have a choice and are stuck with it for another month

These threads are full of side effects from the big jump from 2.5 to 5mg. I would strongly recommend titrating up.

I think I will do the 3.75. I'm going on holiday in a month and I don't want it ruined by side effects.

I did 4 doses of 2.5mg and then over straight up to 5mg. So o followed the medication instructions exactly. I had no side effects whatsoever.

The jump from 2.5mg to 5 is the only time the dose you take doubles week on week. I would not advise anyone to do that after only 3 doses of 2.5mg. My advice would be to follow the instructions for the first few weeks (and I write that as someone who has since split doses, injected a day early, used a pen for more than 30 days etc) or, if you really can't wait to move up, do 3.75 as your fourth dose.

I had a problem with my delivery. It was meant to be here last Thursday but didn't show up till Monday. They sorted me a replacement which is due for delivery within the next hour. Apparently they are refunding my delivery charge too. As long as I get it I'm not caring. I'm going back to the family chemist for the rest of the time I'm on this medication. It might be a bit more expensive but it will work out cheaper if I end up having to go back to 2.5mg and work up due to lost or delayed deliveries.

I don't think all the blame lies with Royal Mail as it took 2 days from them saying they posted it to Royal Mail receiving it. I think they package them up late in the day and assign tracking numbers but don't actually ship them till the next day. It was just under 24 hours this time from my approval to tracking updating.

Ordered my next pen from medex yesterday and stuck with 5 because I’m still struggling to titrate up. So 3rd 5mg pen (but have one unopened in the fridge already) and today they have emailed me a list of questions around side effects and how much protein I’m eating before they will prescribe. Has anyone else had this from them?

Wait until you have done your 3rd jab and then decide. You still have plenty of time after that to decide order and receive a new pen.

Oh that's interesting I just took delivery of my third 5mg pen from medexpress and they haven't asked me that. I did one 2.5 pen then moved up to 5mg and haven't increased as still getting good suppression.

How much weight have you lost? Maybe it's because of that.

Ordered from Zava and just opened the delivery and the expiration date on the box is 5/24. Which means the medicine is expired. I called and they aren't taking any calls so will write an email.

@imnottoofussed that could actually be it. When I updated my questionnaire to order my weight had only gone down by 2lbs but that’s because I ordered my last pen after a week of being really sick while trying to move up to 5 and I’d lost 6lbs in that one week. But obv that wasn’t real weight loss and I put most of that back on when I was able to eat again. I should probably have thought of that when filling the last one in!

I got one of those pens with a letter explaining that they have changed the shelf life and it was good until October.

Just read message they say expiry date is extended.

Eli Lilly (the manufacturer of this product) and the MHRA have released authorisation stating that there has been an extension to the shelf life of some units of this dose.
You can continue to use it up until the dates below, depending on your batch number (which will be shown on your Mounjaro box).
Product Batch Number D712074 - new expiry date 30-10-2024
Product Batch Number D720751 - new expiry date 28-02-2025
Product Batch Number D720957 - new expiry date 28-02-2025
We want to reassure you that your medication can be taken and will continue to work safely and as intended until the end of the new expiry date. There are no quality, safety or efficacy concerns related to any of these affected Mounjaro 2.5mg KwikPen batches.

HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS?

There was a batch where the expiry date was extended. Did you get a letter in with it about the date? I’m sure some people had that before

edit - ah I see you did get the letter. Sorry crossed post!

Don't worry, this was announced a couple of months ago.

Okay I don’t want to sound dumb here. I just started and am in my first week. All good so far apart from bloating and constipation. Am I right in thinking if I want to stay on 2.5mg doses each week, I can order 5mg dose pen count clicks and gets 8 weeks of 2.5mg from it.

I did get more side effects going up to 5mg but have always had some, even on 2.5mg. If I don't get side effects it doesn't work so well, so I've just had to get on with it. I have gone up from 7.5mg to 8.5mg after the 7.5mg wasn't working anymore and have really noticed it, but then I'm probably under the weather too. I'm so glad I didn't go straight up to 10mg. I felt very rough this morning and vomited. I did force a meal down last night due to exercising, but wasn't hungry and should havd listened to my body really.

That said, my loss has really, really slowed as I'm approaching GW, but I guess being 2st lighter means maintenance calories are much lower too, so my losses will slow as deficit narrows. I really want to get the last few lbs off, but my body isn't having any of it. I'm going to try to lower my carbs again as they bloat me out.

Technically, although a pen should be disposed of 30 days from first use. And I doubt you'd find a supplier who would let you start on 5mg.

123 and......

I'm back in hospital!

Oh no @MelissaLouRocks hope you are ok!

Aww. And you were doing so well. Hope it's a quick stay @MelissaLouRocks

It's just an underlying infection I can never get rid of unfortunately. So when it gets bad I have to go in for IV treatment, as I'm now resistant to the oral antibiotics they used to treat it with. Just a necessary evil, though always seems to happen when we have nice weather. Sod's law!