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:

Happy birthday chief @ObsidianTree have a fabulous day, with or without cake🎂

Its great to see you back @MelissaLouRocks and in good spirits 😊

Thank you. This is very much appreciated! I have loved reading about your amazing journey.

Does anyone know what happens when your tick the box on med express that says you're in weeks 20-24? Will they ask for more photos? I'm getting closer to week 20 and close to BMI 25 but would like the next pen to hopefully get down to BMI 23.

Please be aware that some weeks suppression will wear off quicker than others, that you might not lose or stall BUT that happens to everybody on 2.5mg or 10mg.
The only thing that changes is the level of suppression and if you are already starting with a low bmi and not so much weight to lose (even though it probably seems like a lot right now) it would be a good idea “in my opinion” to start working right away through those hard days and not relying on suppression entirely.
Of course it is a very personal decision and each journey is different. Good luck!

I imagine they'll want more photos to prove you still need it and will then mark your account to be checked again in another 1,2,3,6 months depending on how low your BMI is. If your BMI is almost 25 they could say they want to check in with you next month.

@ObsidianTree Happy birthday

Told DH and the DC that I am taking MJ. DS1 just finished a degree in biomed discussed protein requirements, DS2 late teens was amazed I can stick a needle in myself and DH didn’t really respond (this is normal I’ll get random questions in about 3 days).
The MJ was in the fridge and I knew they would see it.

This is the period they'll need to check your weight. If you have not lost at least 5% of your original bodyweight within 6 months of starting, you'll be considered a non responder and discontinued.

I took my first 10mg on Thursday night. Friday I was fine and quite hungry. Yesterday I ate about 900 cals in small meals with no nausea or other problems. But the exhaustion!

I don't know if it was because I had nothing I HAD to do or if it was because the weather was so wet on and off but I couldn't get the energy or motivation to do anything. I didn't leave the house but didn't do much at home either. I just surfed the net and watched tv all day! No washing, cleaning, admin etc got done. I even had an afternoon nap!!! Hoping for a more productive day today.

I have however dropped below 12 stone without even realizing as my scales weigh in lbs.

SW 188lbs
CW 165.4lbs

I have a my fitness pal weight graph showing my weight for the last 12 years or so. I looked back and the first time my weight hit 166lbs during my weight gain journey was 1st Jan 2017. It never went back below 160lbs from my dieting attempts.

So Mounjaro has helped me reverse the last 7.5 years of weight gains. And I still have another 17.4lbs to get to goal. This stuff is amazing!

@ObsidianTree Happy Birthday! Thank you for putting so much effort into these forums, I ‘took the plunge’ because of the helpful info here x

Thanks @Choux and @MelissaLouRocks that's fine. Although I've lost a good bit it seems to have gone from everywhere except my middle. Before I looked fat but now I almost look pregnant (definitely not a possibility). I've been a regular gym goer for more than a year and I'm not sure it's helping. Hey ho, I'll keep plodding on

Happy birthday @ObsidianTree - I hope you have a lovely day!

@oaode I bought mine from Holland and Barrett when they had a 3 for 2 offer.
Also, I’m a strict vegetarian so had to get these Vegan ones.
I think there’s a lot more choice out there for people who eat meat as they’re bovine sourced.

As promised, if you want to start cooking from scratch, here’s a link to try a SimplyCook trial box for free.

Each kit contains 3 different recipes with all the necessary spices, herbs and sauces in 3 little pots. Each meal has a recipe card which contains a shopping list.

I’m definitely no cook but find them really easy to use!

https://www.simplycook.com/invite/5W511X?via=app

@ObsidianTree Happy Birthday! A huge thank you because I wouldn’t have even started my MJ journey without this magnificent thread!

Oh ffs Zava! I only bloody switched to them yesterday as well! So they have exactly the same maintenance policy as Asda - which is not a surprise?

Where are we all going next then?! I am a 🐏!

And happy birthday to @ObsidianTree thank you for all you do to support this community 😘

I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s more about positioning themselves for NHS contracts. They are not competitive in the direct to consumer market - I haven’t seen anyone on here using Superdrug for a long time.

I’m back from holiday. Thanks to MJ I didn’t gain but lost! 1.2lb but I’m really happy with that. I took my 8th dose today, 2 days late but I wasn’t overwhelmed with hunger. I made healthy choices and avoided snacks. Managed a glass or two of wine each night too! I swam every day so I think that helped. I feel so happy and feel like I’m on track - after most holidays I get back and binge harder. Thank you MJ.

I'm staying with Med Express at the moment, but if I were swapping would go for either Simple Online Pharmacy or Family Chemist. They are not only two of the cheapest, but also promise to price match.

Family Chemist is only half hour drive from me, so I'm considering going there this week to speak to the pharmacist in person. This has made such a difference for me I want to remain on it indefinitely. The bonus is if they start forcing restrictions on people, at least I can go there in person.

Would there be any questions in particular you would like me to ask of them? In fact that goes for everyone here, if there's something you want to know from Family Chemist re prescribing and maintenance, let me know and I'll put it to them. If you don't want your question public, please just PM me.

@Pinkbendyman Thank you for your simply cook code. I have just used it 😊

AHH second dose and I forgot to wait the 5 seconds this time round 😭 so no idea if it worked but obviously don't want to do another dose as don't want too much!

Plunging the pen plunger puts it all in your body so unless large amounts leaked out of your leg when you removed the needle you'll be fine.

Thanks there was some on my skin when I took the pen about but it looked similar to the amount last week when I waited 10 secs

Well I fucked up this week...

The pen was stuck so I took it out, and it bloody squirted everywhere!

So no idea how much I actually managed to inject!

Happy birthday @ObsidianTree hope you have a fab day!

Happy birthday @ObsidianTree
@Flapearedknave oh no! What dose should you have had? I'd be tempted to do another half.

BMI is down to 31 now and I should be ordering my 12.5mg pen soon. Haven't started the 10mg one yet, but I ordered that last month (I titrated slower). I was going to order with Zava, but now I'm not sure as they're sounding like they'll be difficult later on and by the time I need the 15mg I'm likely to be under BMI 30 and don't want to have issues switching. I'll have to look at the maintenance and pricing spreadsheets and decide.