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:

@pinktransit thanks for sharing I’m a similar SW and GW it’s lovely to see others progress. I’m only on Wk 1 but just feeling so much better in myself lost 4lbs but I’m very happy to lose anything in my 50s as I haven’t managed at all in last 3years so I’ve got Hope that I can do this, probably slow n steady but I don’t care if it can get to something with a 10st I’d be ecstatic!

@runningmom i started this week and just feel so much better on it as I can feel it’s working. I did feel bit headachey & very tired first two days but equally my DH was feeling the same so it could have been viral and not MJ. I’ve lost 4lbs so far I’m eating 1200-1400c a day, exercising daily and sticking to a min 14hr fast. I’m in my early 50s so I need all the help I can get to stop menopause belly taking over my life. I hope it goes ok for you.

15th MJ tomorrow and 42 pounds down since March 15th.
Sitting at 141pounds.
BMI 23.6.

I think I am going to aim for 9 1/2 stone ( never did I ever expect to see the 9s again in this life).

I am into size 10 jeans (albeit stretchy ones) and size 12 top half ( I am broad in the chest).
Sadly 10 stone me nowadays is a bit saggy compared to 10 stone me years ago and running marathons. I have literally no arse left for a start.
But I'll take it! Shapeware going forward and I suppose I should do some weights instead of my lovely cardio.

I may Google tummy tucks!
My friend got one after deciding that her stomach looked like her elderly mum who had had 12 children! She has never looked back

3 more weeks of a 10mg to go and 2 12.5mg pens in fridge which I will prob use to taper down. Then I have to stop😳
Dont want to stop. All my skin allergies have gone, inflammation is gone and my blood pressure is 108/65 , dropped from the 130s. ( That's not just the weight loss, MJ also lowers high BP).

@montysma1 I had a tummy tuck about 5 years ago and I really wouldn’t do it unless you’ve had extreme weight loss and have hanging skin.Ive had quite a bit of surgery and it’s a brutal op, worst and longest recovery I’ve ever had and I have a lot of problems with my back due to the muscle repair they did. If you put on weight again it goes on in a weird way as well.

Newbie here, ordered my first starter last night, BMI is 34.5. I'm 5.1ins , 58 yrs old, and haven't been under 75kg for 15 years. I was diagnosed with Mild Fatty Liver last week and GP agrees this might be a way forward in managing my weight. I've got severe asthma, osteoarthritis in my knees, neck and spine. If I don't do something now I'm looking at a miserable old age.

I’ve hit my lowest weight I’ve been since before I got pregnant with dd2. 5 weeks in and I’ve gone from 13st 8.4 to 12st 7.8 this morning. I’m absolutely made up. Going to a hotel spa with dh soon and I think I’m going to feel a lot better in my swimsuit

Hello. I'm the same height and age(ish) and my BMI was above 35 in Feb. It's now below 30 and I feel 1,000 times better. Just thought it might be good for you to hear 😊

@Upinthenightagain
I have lost around 5stone over 2 years so the skin situation is pretty minging. I haven't really investigated it, and I don't know if would need the muscles pulled together.
Even just the c section dangly apron going would help.
My friend who had it done, I can't remember ever having been hugely over weight. But for what ever reason, she got it done and was delighted with it. I have never spoken to her in depth about the recovery or how hard it was , but I will.
I can't actually afford it anyway, just pondering more than anything else.

This has cheered me no end, I'm so pleased it's working for you, I've tried and failed with every other way. I eat around 1500 - 1800,cals which doesn't leave me hungry but clearly too much for the energy I'm expending. Due to my health conditions any sort of meaningful exercise is limited to walking when I can. I've torn my rotator cuff too so swimming is out at as well ATM but hope to get back to it. Thank you for sharing x

@montysma1 they almost always do muscle repair especially on women who have had children. Otherwise it’s not a tummy tuck it’s an apronectomy. They create an internal corset by sewing your muscles together. When I came round from the op I kept telling them the binder they’d put on me was too tight but they wouldn’t let me take it off. As soon as I got home I took it off thinking I could loosen it. Turned out it wasn’t the binder, that had me so I couldn’t breathe properly, move up or stand up straight it was my new stomach. Cried my eyes out 😂

You're very welcome. There have been a lot of reports from people really benefiting from MJ helping them with inflammation in their bodies, so hopefully it will help you in ways other than just losing the weight.

I had pretty much given up on myself but now I know that I'll be a healthy weight before 2024 is done.

This thread is also great. Very supportive. Tag me in so I can see how you're getting on?

Well done @CiderJabs that's great news!

This sounds horrifying. Did you just have to get used to being in a corset or did it loosen?

@Buffypaws Tbh it was horrible. Dh and my mum were horrified at the state of me. I always cringe when people mention tummy tucks ( even speaking as someone who’s had plastics on my face and breast reconstruction). It didn’t loosen much for years. I had constant back pain and couldn’t walk for very long without really struggling. It only got a bit better after I had another baby and it stretched my muscles out. The pregnancy was so uncomfortable though because she was so squashed and I had terrible swelling in all my extremities ( tummy tucks also mess with your lymphatic drainage system). That’s another thing people don’t tell you about tummy tucks, you can be more prone to bloating afterwards. You wake up with a flat stomach but as soon as you eat, you look pregnant. I may have just been really unlucky but I think if you’ve just got a few rolls it’s not worth it

Hey, might be too late for you, but you saying you have osteoarthritis made me remember this. They are looking for people to take part in a trial in retatutide. Which is made my same makers as Mounjaro but is meant to better. So might be worth signing up if they cover the costs etc. You need the requirements with osteoarthritis and obesity.

https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/trial-details/trial-detail?trialId=39626&location=the%20UK&distance=

@montysma1 are you sure you want to stop when you finish your pens?

I think curate support maintenance? Maybe you can stay on a lower dose for a bit longer?

Those looking at plastic surgery should look up Lisa Sacks on YouTube - you need to be signed in to view but she’s posted some videos of procedures, including tummy tucks

@ObsidianTree I really don't want to stop but I can't keep paying indefinitely.
Also, if I am on it, I know I will psychologically be pushing to keep losing weight as it's costing a lot of money.
And I am nearing the point where I shouldn't keep losing. Much less than 9 1/2 stone, whilst it would be gratifying won't look good now I am not a young thing!

@ObsidianTree if I thought I could safely eek out say a 10mg over 8 weeks then I could maybe afford it. But I don't know if anybody is doing that due to the 30 days......

@montysma1 That makes sense. Hope maintenance goes well for you 😊

When you do come off it, let us know how it's going

@montysma1 I'm having the same dilemma re stopping. I have 4 doses of a 7.5 pen and if my current weight is true (incidentally the same as yours), I only have 4 more lbs to go as I think 9st 10 is the lowest I can aim for. So I don't know if I'll take 7.5 again or start to go back down.
I'm worried as I maintained / stalled for a whole 5mg pen which leads me to believe I would have put on without any medication 😫

I’m still constipated in my first week. I have tried taking Sennacot once , it has not helped . Has anyone tried Dulcolax with the Mounjaro? I usually take Dulcolax as I get constipated before my period, just not sure if it’s a good mix.

@Nicmox I've just ordered some Solgar psyllium husk tablets to hopefully sort my constipation out - they were recommended on either this or the June starters thread.

I’ve got Solgar psyllium husks arriving very shortly

Yes this i guess would be down to the individual if they do it or not.

I think I might end up going over 30 days when in maintenance. I have decided that Eli lilly wouldn't be interesting in finding out if the meds last longer than 30 days as they want people to buy a pen every month. So I will trail it myself. I will go with the assumption that if the medication isn't cloudy then it might be ok.