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 have the same issue, can't tolerate artificial sweeteners at all. Took me some searching, but only managed to find one clear whey without them and that's Vilgain.

https://vilgain.co.uk/vilgain-clear-whey-isolate/strawberry-lemonade-500-g-43863

Thanks for the ZAVA maintenance update @MelissaLouRocks. That plus the fact they only use one ice pack so my order from them arrived at or close to room temp is enough to think I should switch away from them. I need to think carefully as my current BMI is 27.6 so my next switch will probably be the last I can do without a lot of fibbing.

Ugh! So going to have to say goodbye to Zava then! How useless!

It's my birthday today and Zava have sent me a £5 off code. Not sure if it will work as well as the 15% off. I will test it when I next order!

I am starting ZAVA this week.

Here is a 15% off code for anyone who wants one:

There’s no better gift than the gift of good health. Use my code and you’ll get 15% off your first order at ZAVA: REFN6SPJ

Maximum discount value: £30

Wonderful update @oaode and happy birthday @ObsidianTree 🥳

GOOD NEWS! It isn't my weekly weigh in until Wed, but I had a little whoosh and am now below a obese BMI. I genuinely never thought that I could stop being obese again in my life (unless I got horribly ill 😕 ). I actually whooped out loud when I finally got to 29.6 this morning 🥳

So happy that I took the plunge in late Feb. I feel so much healthier and happier.

Thanks for all the support. This thread has made it so much more fun and given me confidence. Happy birthday and thank you, @ObsidianTree! x

I’ve tried the Vieve protein water drinks from Amazon and think they are really nice. Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians and contain sucralose but for a quick non dairy protein fix I find them helpful.

Morning guys.
Dunno if any of you have seen this (link below) but I see that superdrug are going to become face to face consultations for WLDs which I can't help but feel that although it is a step in the right direction to stop MJ/Wegovy etc getting into the wrong hands, could lead to people who are already established on WLDs having a harder time obtaining their monthly prescription. It'll certainly make it harder to change pharmacies for better prices etc as I guess the pressure will be put on alot of online pharmacies to confirm to f2f or will be stopped from selling WLDs if those style of appointments can't be offered. Anyone else worried how this could affect the majority?

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/health/superdrug-now-selling-mounjaro-wegovy-29356799?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

Well done for all the losses, wooshes etc from yesterday and today 😊

This does make me wonder how patients will be 'encouraged' to take their weight loss blood tests before signing up. And if I remember rightly, they were already one of the more expensive suppliers.

I have no problem doing face to face per se, although disability makes it difficult. But if it's forced upon us I'll just have to jump ship to the Family Chemist, luckily only about half hour drive away. Though I can see it would make things very difficult for lots of others.

@FastGoose interesting, thanks for sharing. It sounds like the sort of service that, ideally, should be available on the NHS. I like the idea of f2f support, demonstrating administration and regular checks on biomarkers. The downside seems to be the added costs when paying for the medication is already a stretch for many of us.

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Haaaaappy Birthday our dear @ObsidianTree,
Happy Birthday to you!!! 🎂 🎁 🎉 🥂 🥳 💐 🌟

Curate are on the list for maintenance plan for 2 years. So you should be ok to continue with them once you get to a healthy BMI! If you decide to message them and find out the plan, let us know 😊

Congratulations everyone on your losses - great to see so many of them.
I take my 4th 2.5 today. Total loss since starting 2.5 lbs.
Dispiriting as I have stuck to 1400 calories, been eating in an 8 hour window, eliminated UPFs and simple carbs etc despite having little in the way of appetite suppression. Hoping moving up to 5 will make it easier to continue eating this way which I know is good for my health even if my weight doesn't shift much.

Happy Birthday @ObsidianTree. I bet it's hard to compare how you looked and felt last year compared to this year.

Hope you have a lovely day!

@ObsidianTree I'm not sure if those suppliers saying maintenance for 2 years are excluding the time it gets to goal, or whether they're going by the NICE guidance for Wegovy which limits treatment to 2 years in total. It's a big question worth asking.

Please don't be discouraged. A few weeks back I was very down, part of it being slow loss, but it could well be you aren't on an effective dose for you yet.

I came back from a weeks holiday last weekend, only put on 0.2 of a pound. Weighed a couple of days ago to find I'd lost 4.5, and again this morning have lost another pound. The only difference I can think of is last weekend I went up to 7.5mg.

It's easy to get dejected and compare ourselves to everyone else, but it's very much an individual journey. But we'll be here to help you through it. 😊

Woooop well done @Thebaldprimadonna

@ObsidianTree Happy birthday, lovely!

@MelissaLouRocks I’m glad you had a good holiday and the benefits you have had with the morphine reduction are brilliant.

It’s so hard to keep on top of this thread now and reply. I am reading though.

Thanks @FlappyFish, feel so much better in myself and the break really did me the world of good!

You look incredible in your new photo, it's difficult to believe it's the same person. Do you mind me asking what you're doing re maintenance? I've got a couple of stone to go yet, but my BMI now 27.8, so getting a bit twitchy.

And don't worry, I can't keep up either. 😂

Just thought I would see if the coupon works for Zava but going through to basket, and it doesn't work for weight loss drugs! Useless!

Thanks for the birthday wishes 😊 My husband said we can go out for breakfast but I really don't feel like it! Joys of MJ!

@MelissaLouRocks yes it's not clear on the guidance, but I suppose when people get there with those suppliers they can share experiences etc.

Well done @oaode and @thet@Thebaldprimadonna for th wooshes 😊🥳

@MelissaLouRocks what a great whoosh! And how amazing that consultants are also impressed with your progress and that you soon could be morphine free.

@oaode well done for keep going despite the stall and for keeping a positive attitude. Hopefully from now on you keep losing steadily.

Great news @Thebaldprimadonna congrats on the new bmi

Happy Birthday @ObsidianTree ! Have a fantastic day 🥳

Congratulations to all the people losing big or small, it is always nice to read about your stories.

@ObsidianTree Happy Birthday! Have a super day celebrating. I wanted to say a huge thankyou for keeping these threads going, they are very informative and are helping lots of us on our journeys. You are officially a Mumsnet Icon in my eyes.