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:

I've hit 205lb today!

32lb lost altogether

25 since being on mj 😁

I've lost 2 stones although admittedly I still have 7 to go but my father asked me if I had new glasses the other day 😂

Ha! I can see that being the case if you're a slim person. I think it's an all purpose comment, neutral enough to mean anything.

Hello, feeling a bit lost for the first time on this journey and really not wanting to lose hope so wondering if anyone can advise or encourage me a bit.
I seem to have hit a bit of a stall/hurdle at 1 stone 4lb and this is where I have always failed at losing weight before and given up. I really want this to be different! I finished my course of 5mg and wanted to move up as side effects were ok and I felt the suppression wasn’t where I needed to be. I was losing but slowly and small amounts. I tried 6.25mg for my next injection and was horribly sick for two days. I lost about 2lb in the first five days of that week then put on 3lb in the last two days. I felt that 6.25mg had been too much but feeling a bit shocked that the last two days of not feeling sick could cause me to gain back the weight I’d lost that week. Technically it would be a fain of 1lb if I was weighing weekly, but why when it made me so ill and I hardly ate? This week I did 5mg and felt almost no suppression so took an extra 1mg 3 days in to top me up thinking this would be ok. Again not much suppression but there was some. I’ve lost about 2lb of the 3lb I put on this week and tomorrow is injection day. I feel like 5mg is not enough but if I go up I get horribly sick and still gain? What do I do 😩😩

Maybe we have done a good job in hiding out bigger sizes- I always did every trick I could to look slimmer and so as we now start dressing for warmer weather, what we are revealing is what people think was under there all winter anyway! 🤷🏻‍♀️ Face has definitely slimmed, hence the neck so maybe my contour was on point before too 😅

For neck creases, I have had this in my basket since the start of my MJ journey and the other day decided I didn't need it but today I have ordered it. It has great reviews. I do think the crepey effect is probably more pronounced when the skin is dry and I am guilty of not moisturising this area. Well no more! I'm also going to buy a body cream on pay day too as this is a clear sign I need to bring my anti-aging regime below my chin!!!!

Will slather on the hyaluronic acid tonight- my Prai order is coming tomorrow!

I'm on a one stone 4lb loss too and I just can't get any lower!!
I'm 12 weeks in (just finishing 7.5) and I do have no food noise and am practically starving myself....however this week I managed to put on 2lbs!
I've been away at work and have literally had one meal a day and about 3L of water each day and that's it...
But I've put on weight!!!

How??????

Thanks everyone for the answers about Voy.

I took my first 5mg last week and to be honest have felt hungry all week unlike on the 2.5mg. No side effects apart from the usual constipation (aloe Vera tablets seem to working on that though).
From all the comments it looks like everyone experiences this differently and there is no way to predict how you will react. Good luck though x

I'm lucky in that I haven't a great deal to lose, started off with bmi of 30 (with health concern) and I think I'm now sitting about 26.8. Does this limit me on changing suppliers? Currently using juniper which is one of most expensive suppliers and would like to swap to cheaper on for my third pen (either another 5mg or a 7.5). Any advice please?

Evening All

It's taken ages to catch up after being absent for a few days (well earned spa break with a good friend, was wonderful).
Well done on losses and commiserations those who are with me in Stallville.
I've had 3 days of great food, some red wine and even chocolates and desserts at lunch and dinner. I was dreading stepping on the scales - have lost 0.3kg and am now back to 0.1kg above my weight on 23rd May when this stall started. I finally have hope that I will break the 89kg mark, am on 7.5mg and to be honest I've felt pretty hungry and didn't make great choices yesterday (toast with pistachio spread at 9pm? I thought I'd stopped the late night snacking). Can't believe I've not gained this week.

Have discovered I quite like Myprotein clear whey protein in Mojito flavour to add to my protein goals.

I have the early beginnings of turkey neck and spent a rude amount of money on Clarins at the spa (MJ has not curbed my impulse spending - that'll be the ADHD talking) - my credit card does not look healthy!

I use this and I love it. Can definitely see a visible difference. 27% off on Amazon at the moment!

Neck Firming Cream with Peptides, Neck Cream, Anti Wrinkle Cream, Double Chin Reducer Cream, Skin Tightening and Crepe Skin Repair Cream - 1.7 Oz https://amzn.eu/d/0hnEnmVe

Two people have complimented me on my weight loss! One was a tutor from a charity who I last saw at the end of March, before I started Mounjaro. I saw her last week and she was very complimentary. Then today I was in a meeting with a colleague that I used to work very closely with but who I haven't seen for a few weeks, and she sounded so pleased for me as well.

I had to get a new belt for work as well - my old one was a large but I have replaced it with a medium. Is that what we call a Non Scale Victory?

Yep I’m another one who has not received a single comment on my weight loss 🙋, I’ve written about this before as it has upset me. Despite losing 2.5 stone and dropping from a 18 to a 14.

Even my MIL who I’m close to hasn’t mentioned it. These are close f&f who know I’ve been unhappy with my weight. It’s really quite odd!

I am so glad I took a few selfies of my face last year when at my heaviest. I’m in a month long stall and I’m finding it motivating to compare to selfies now as I look so much more attractive and younger- which I was not expecting in my 40s. I thought I’d look older. It is difficult for the brain to catch up with the weight loss and having evidence helps.

I’ve just accepted that no one will say anything even if I lose my target of 5 stone. I just need to get over it, but it’s hard to accept because it’s such a difficult journey (even with MJ) and will be such a big achievement when I get there.

Week 11 for me, lost 32lb and my weight now begins with a '10' for the first time since my 20's.... (nearly 30 years ago) but still I feel that I look the same.

Decided to try on some lovely summer clothes which haven't ever fit me, and they all fit... mostly still with the labels on!
So I need to have a word with myself & go shopping from my own wardrobes - for free!!

Why are we so negative about ourselves 😞

That is funny!!! Maybe your glasses are popping more now on a smaller face!

I remember two times when I lost weight in the past and I surprised myself in mirrors realising it was MY reflection! One time in Ikea looking up unexpectedly at a mirrored wardrobe and one in a Motorway toilet where I didn't realise the reflection wasn't another person! It's bizarre isn't it!?! Sometimes when I've been bigger I've done the opposite too and surprised at my largeness!

There will be other people even if it's not your nearest and dearest. When the dramatic losses come, people you haven't seen in a while will be too shocked to not say anything. Hang in there!

That is indeed a Non Scale Victory!!

@Ghilliedu thanks for sharing that. Interesting that there is no reference to diarrhoea, just vomiting. I'm also intrigued what is meant by vomiting three times. Is that three separate times throughout the day? Or three times in succession?

Funny I'm having the opposite problem re people noticing. I keep getting people at the gym going "omg you've lost so much weight! What have you done? How have you done it?" And I just won't tell people there I'm taking MJ so I keep telling everyone I've been doing noom and calorie counting.

It's funny but it makes me feel uncomfortable- maybe because I'm lying - but I also don't like being centre of attention!

@thehousewiththesagegreensofa I took it to mean 3 times in a day. Which is crazy as when I tried to increase my dose I was vomiting 4/5 times back to back, every hour on the hour from 11pm to 6am. Just a bit more than 3 times!

I think people don't scrutinise our size as much as we think they do so it takes them a while to notice that we are slimmer when we are still bigger than, for instance, them.

I may have lost 22lb now but if I am still the largest in the group of 4 friends it won't be so obvious. If I become the same size or slimmer than the next largest friend then suddenly the order of our size has changed and people are more likely to notice and comment.

After a couple of days of crushing fatigue last weekend on 10mg I have decided to split the 10mg dose this week. I took 5mg tonight and will take another 5mg on Sunday.

I'm visiting a friend this weekend and it will be just her and I for two days of dog walks and tea rooms. I need some energy and appetite. Hopefully splitting the dose will keep everything steady in terms of appetite suppression and I won't need to tell her about the Mounjaro. And hopefully she will notice the weight loss although I haven't bought any new smaller clothes yet so perhaps she won't!

I think people are damned if they do and damned if they don’t comment on weight loss. Most of us have likely spent years not wanting anyone to comment on our weight or do the gentle “I’m concerned about your health chat.”

I can tie myself in knots about it. I think the reason I want people to comment is because I crave that external validation that my body and I are now acceptable. To a large extent wanting to be praised and noticed. I also think that’s not great! I doubt anyone has ever judged my weight and my personality, by extension, on how much I have judged myself.

Very true words @FlappyFish I would love to get to the point where I love myself enough not to need external validation. I’m working on it!