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:

Hey! I'm going to catch up on the threads shortly, but weigh in day for me today and this week I've lost 2.6lbs. I'm on week 11, on my 2nd 5mg pen.

SW: 263.6 lbs
CW: 236.8

Total lost: 26.8 lbs.

Happy with that!

What's the code for the Family Chemist please? Thank you. 😊

@ObsidianTree ha, that TikTok is so true. 😂

Definitely. I never thought too much about what food noise was, but now I know I had it!

@MelissaLouRocks it's thefamilychemist no spaces. Enjoying seeing you back on the threads

I actually got a 20% code for Curate.
CURATE20 if anybody wants to see if it still works

My pen is now in transit, hoping it appears tomo. I will update on what packaging is like when it arrives.
I am still all suspicious and discombobulated because I had to leave Med Express!

I'm putting this here for accountability.

SW - 22st 3lb

Took first injection yesterday tea time. No real effects yet but not hungry so that's a plus.

Thank you, that's very kind. ☺

I have £85 off Voy code if anyone wants it. I have had no problems with them at all and they have not written to my GP either so I can shop around when I need to.

https://joinvoy.com/r/U-wjjjXONaOY

Why can't you shop around when they write to your gp? I ordered from ZAVA and I don't know if they told them. There is a letter there for me to download to give them. No idea if they tell them also?

decided to stay on 5mg for the second month in a row as I’ve been still having really big appetite suppression and despite feeling major fatigue on day 1 post injection I’ve not had many other side effects!
However after two big weekends away in a row with lots of food I’ve maintained this week, I have noticed that I’ve started missing the more ‘unhealthy’ meals e.g. takeaways, pizza and chocolate since having them again on the weekends away.. need to retrain my brain into wanting fruit and vegetables again instead 😅 definitely reminds me that this is going to be a long journey in being able to train myself to not go all out and crash and burn the healthier eating patterns as soon as I have one treat!

I just don’t want letters from multiple suppliers as I plan to stockpile a bit when I can get offers. I am not sure if GPs even read the letters though !

Ah I see. I don't really mind. My GP surgery don't seem to do anything about even quite important letters so they will likely ignore after the first one!

@SylviaStrong GPs don't read the letters. The secretary or clinical coder will scan them on to your notes and possibly add codes to say you've been prescribed a medication, if there's a specific request on the letter for the GP to review/respond then it's forwarded to them but otherwise it's just filed.

Yes my Gp had no idea I was on this medication despite Medexpress having apparently told them.

Hiya! Similar start weight to me (21st 4). Week 16 finishes on Tuesday for me and I'm now 17st 7! Been an absolute life changer.

I've two more weeks on 5mg then I'll be going up to 7.5. I've not wanted to rush stepping up as I'm planning on being on it for 12-18 months.

Place marking 👋🏼

Wow that's incredible! An inspiration to us all! Have you found it a challenge or easier then you thought?

@MelissaLouRocks

Re. Clickpharmacy and the message about single dose Mounjaro, I checked the internet archive and that page has said that since at least April (first time it was captured by the archive, may have been there earlier)

I think it's actually an error and should be multidose and they've also got the wrong picture too, the directions (below, under the "directions" tab) are also for the single dose, rather than multi-dose pen.

This is what I'm considering too. I'm in no rush to titrate up. Just going to go with the flow and see what's working. I really want to minimise side effects which in itself will help me to eat better foods.
I'll also be on it for quite some time I'd imagine. Did you go straight up to 5 after the 4 weeks or stay on 2.5 for a while longer?

Also a massive well done!

@MelissaLouRocks

Actually, I just remembered I emailed one of the pharmacies ages ago to ask a question and pointed out that they had the instructions for the wrong pen on the page and they said they'd update it, it was probably them!

@lurkylurk

Thank you so much for that, they're just numpties then?! 😏 Shame really, would've been the ideal solution for some of us looking to maintain, but not wanting to waste money disposing of part-used pens after a month.

Oh dear, I’ve been gone one day and we already making a dent on thread number 13!!!

I weighed myself yesterday and was 100.3 kg (started as 107.2 kg almost 3 weeks ago). We’re currently on holiday, the weather is wonderful and there is a lot of swimming and running around our toddler, the food is fine…we’re on an all-inclusive trip because kids, but I really struggle finding what to eat. Nothing looks appropriate or appealing to me. Not interested in the desserts, or any saucy cooked meals, or things that are fried or seem overly greasy. It’s a struggle. My DH and DC are eating well and like the food, I think the problem is me. Breakfast so far is the one meal that I find easy. I grab some scrambled eggs and ham slices, or yogurt and fruit. But lunch and dinner and tough work. Also really not into any alcoholic beverages or soft drinks, so just on water. I tried a glass of wine and a cocktail but gave up after a sip. Nothing seems to be doing it for me at the minute. I got some protein shakes and bars from a nearby shop, so that’s at least some easy (although not ideal) protein and calories. But what a weird situation to be in!

Went away for 2 days and were on a new thread! So here I am place marking!

had a very bad week food-wise. We’ve had so many things on and even though I’ve tried to make better choices, the sheer volume of meals out means I am not expecting a loss at my weigh in tomorrow. And I have a similar week coming up. I keep trying not to beat myself up about it, as these weeks are going to happen and if I was ‘normal’ then I’d just have the bad weeks then go back to good habits. But with me it’s usually a downward spiral and that’s what I need to work on