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:

@Cerialkiller I've found it relatively easy. Food noise has completely gone- definitely an addiction for me 😔 I've put the effort in with exercise, bought a walking treadmill, joined a gym etc. But I've also had a birthday, three weekends away and a 10 night all inclusive 🫣 So I'd have probably been heavier had I not been on the meds.

@Lastchancefattiy I decided to do 2x 2.5mg pens but after one injection on the second pen realised it wasn't the best idea. So I ended up doing a jab every 5 or so days so the pen lasted the four weeks.

Just checking in :)

A new thread! Back from hols. Went ok. Ate more the last couple of days. Mostly had 2 meals a day. Little booze as it was pricey, but necking water like nobody’s business it was hot! Very active also.
Re being noticed -a personal trainer I hadn’t seen for 8 months said I looked a lot slimmer. (She last saw me at 83kg& I am now 77kg)
Official WI tomorrow🤞🏻

God me too. Is this it?! Am I done?! God I don’t know. I have no clue.

You asked about BMI & maintaining on the last thread - I have no idea, I’m a long way off that!! I think I would try to get to my goal weight and then titrate down to comfortable level. What that looks like for you, I don’t know.

Good luck though. You’re sooooo close.

@Letsgoogogo I love the phrase 'weak crutch'! I'm just past week 12 of 5mg and needed more will power in the last week or so. I moved down to 3.75 this week. I'm 5lb from target (32lb in 18 weeks) and want to slowly start use more willpower and applying healthy strategies.

Is there anywhere apart from Boots that I can collect in person? I’m concerned about nobody being here to sign for it and it going to waste as it will get too warm?

I just saw an ad for asda pharmacy that says collect in store but not sure that applies to the weight loss injection. You could ask them?

Weight day for my today. Down 2lbs this week at 13st 12lbs. So 1lb lower than my pre holiday weight. I hoped for more, but as well as the bad side effects this week I also got my ttm, so probably more water retention.

Sticking to 7.5mg for the next pen. Was going back and forward on if I should try to continue 10mg, but decided I'm happy to take things slow so will stick for another month at least.

Well done @ObsidianTree, at least you've managed to stay under your holiday goal!

Week 2 weigh in!

SW: 86.9kg
GW: 70kg

Wk1: 82.5kg (-4.4kg)
Wk2: 80.4kg (-1.9kg)

flab jab 3 tomorrow. Appetite still feeling suppressed for now…

Happy Weekend all!

Thanks @MelissaLouRocks

Well done for your woosh by the way 😊 also great that you've been able to reduce your morphine so much.

Didn't have chance to post my weigh in for yesterday.

Starting weight 15st 11lb 8oz
Last week's weight 12st 4lb 2oz
Current weight 12st 2lb 4oz

Not a great loss this week but I was working away for a couple of days and I've done no exercise all week. Was also TOTM but for the first time I had no bloating at all.

Went out for lunch yesterday with my mum and really struggled to find something to eat (mainly because I draw the line at paying 11 quid for a bloody sandwich). Ended up having fish and chips. Luckily the chips were shit so I only had a few and my toddler tucked into them to save me the calories. My mum always has a huge cream bun on days out and was a bit put out that I refused. Not only could I not have fitted one in, I really really didn't want one at all. I realised that I only usually have one because she pushes me to.

I have lots of issues with food stemming from childhood. My mum used withholding food as a punishment and enjoyed the power trip of leaving us hungry for long periods of time. I'm pretty sure she had an eating disorder too back then.

Well done on all the losses this weekend 🎉

I saw mention on the last thread of buying multiple pens. Simple Online Pharmacy will prescribe up to 3 pens at a time.

Well done on all the losses.

Hello everyone.
Last night I read the very first thread about Mounjaro. So many names there who have done so well. Quite inspiring to read. I started 23 rd May at 13 stone 6 lb. I’m on holiday and the scales in the villa measure 4 lb more than at home but bearing that in mind when I weighed on Thursday the calculation I made says that at home I would now be 12 stone 8 lb . I’ll take that thank you.! Next flab jab will be next Thursday and it’s the bonus dose, but if I can’t get it out I have my 5 mg pen with me. I felt that bringing a syringe as well was a step too far for me. No chance of getting one here.

I travelled here by air, so if anyone is wondering if there is a problem taking the pens away through security at the airport it would appear not. I used a travel cooling pouch for the pens from Amazon and I had a letter from Bolt Pharmacy which I requested just in case. Didn’t want to see my precious pens confiscated. Didn’t even have to get them out of my bag..

No one else knows in real life that I’m on this medication. Too many failed attempts at diets !! I have got very crafty now making g and t for others here and sparkling water for me. It’s very hot so I have never drunk so much water. I’m using the heat as an excuse not to be eating in my usual style which is grab all you want. The medication is such an amazing thing. No constant natter in the background about FOOD.

I have been fortunate in that I have had no ill effects so far. I purchased the 2.5 and the 5 from Bolt as a starter pack, but I may dial down on Thursday if I can’t get the bonus dose out of my 2.5 pen. I have pliers at the ready. This villa is well equipped !

I have a good way to go yet but for the first time in years I think I just might get there.

Your sore throat is likely reflux which can also be cause by mounjaro. Try some remedies or ask GP to prescribe some omezrapol (sp)

I got one yesterday from ZAVA that is feb 2025. Been really impressed with them too. Moved to them from
MedExpress on weds eve, sent pics (scales and full body pics) and was approved thurs, pen arrived the next day. I have a 15% off code if you want it?

ZAVA code if anyone is thinking of moving...

Use my code and you’ll get 15% off your first order at ZAVA: REFMY2AH
Maximum discount value: £30

Two month weigh in today, took my bonus dose of 5mg this week. Have one more 5mg pen but it’s been doing its job so debating staying on for a third month. Stats below, happy weekend everyone!

SW- 288lbs (20st 8lbs)
CW- 252lbs (18st)
GW- 182lbs (13st)

Well my body did not like the jump from 2.5mg to 5mg at all. Five days of vomiting, ended up with a trip to my Gp and then A&E, all my tests came back ok and it's the side effects of the increase on dose as far as they can tell. The staff were brilliant, very understanding and were honest about how it's a learning curve for the nhs as well as these medications are still so new. Basically the increased dose has shut my stomach down almost completely for want of a better medical phrase so everything I eat comes back up undigested. I have been advised to drink sips of water, have sweet tea if I can and very small bland foods. It's been a horrible experience. But no permanent damage done according to the hospital. They advised me to speak to my MJ provider as far as continuing my medication is concerned as they aren't allowed to give advice yet as the nhs doesn't prescribe it at the moment. The plus side is that I spent 10 weeks on the 2.5mg side with very little side effects and lost 26lbs so it was all going great for me until I tried to up the dose.

So I think on reflection I'm going to skip any doses for a week or two and then go back to 2.5mg and titrate very very slowly up from there. I don't want to scaremonger with my experience but just wanted to share it with all of you. I think it's important for us to be honest and open about our journeys. I'm sure in a few weeks I'll be able to laugh about it just not today. 🤦‍♀️

@susiedaisy1912 sounds awful. It’s weird how it affects people differently. I went up to 5mg and was fine. Although in the second week on 5 I had diarrhoea and nausea but I think it’s because I stupidly ate half a large toblerone. It’s put me off eating any other crap which is a good thing

It was the second week of the 5mg jab that triggered this. The first week of the 5mg I was absolutely fine. A few waves of nausea but nothing else. Took my second 5mg jab and it all went downhill from there. Strange isn't it.

Sounds bad @susiedaisy1912 hope you feel better soon.