Continuing Mounjaro...part 14

[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.
https://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:

Zava medical:
2.5mg £139, 5mg £139, 7.5mg £169, 10mg £189. 12.5mg £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 £149, 5mg £149. 7.5mg £169, 10mg £179, 12.5mg £199

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, 12.5mg £194

Asda:
2.5mg and 5mg £179. 7.5mg £189, 10mg £189

There are others not listed.

18 - Worried about your supply being cut off when you get to a healthy BMI? Below is some info on some places maintenance plans.

MedExpress: Once at healthy BMI continue on maintenance dose for 6 months and then step down medication and monitor loss
The Family chemist :Would consult you as approached healthy BMI to discuss maintenance under close supervision
Curate: up to 2 years
Cloud: up to 2 years
Boots: Cut off at BMI 23
Asda: Cut off at a healthy BMI
Pharmacy2u: Will supply for maintenance
Bolt:Individual assessment once BMI 22
Zava:Once healthy BMI will stop prescribing this treatment

19 - 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

13th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5096704-continuing-mounjaropart-13?page=1

Thread for newbies just starting out in June:

https://www.mumsnet.co
m/talk/weightlosschat/5082791-mounjaro-june-24-starters

Video on how to inject:

@3wDavid you are so right, this is self care. I’m not an extravagant spender but I’m pleased I’m able to do this for myself.

Yes can definitely relate. I have spent years spending every spare penny on my kids. Not going for hair cuts, no new clothes, makeup, birthday /Christmas presents(for myself). Now in my 40s, finances are a bit better, so finally feel it's my turn to spend on me! Especially as one of my sons clubs costs the same as a pen! Seems only fair!

My appetite is definitely reduced even on day 2 of my first jab: Had a protein shake for breakfast at 10am, a 2 egg omelette with mushrooms and peppers about 1.30pm, a banana late afternoon and nothing since and I don't feel like I want anything. I hope this sustains going forward.

I am a bit more constipated but that's usual for me so I'm upping my laxido sachets to deal with it.

@Ploughdough I assume you have kids and that is why you feel guilty on spending this money on yourself? I would say that you - and anyone else on here with kids or other people who rely on you - should feel guilty if you DIDN'T spend this money on yourself.

Your kids need you to be around for as long as possible and to be as healthy as possible. You aren't using this for vanity - although looking better is a very welcome by product of getting healthier. You need to not be at a lower risk of 14 types of cancer, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and the myriad other conditions that being obese exacerbates so that your kids can have you around for an extra 10, 20, 30 years. That's definitely worth £1-3k of Mounjaro. That time is priceless.

Try not to feel guilty. Injecting yourself benefits your entire family.

I have a question - I’ve been thinking about doing this. But I don’t eat because I’m hungry - I eat for all sorts of other reasons. Greed, sadness, addiction to sugar etc. Will the injections help with that kind of overeating?

In my experience, yes, definitely. It seems to quiet that part of your brain that wants to reach for food for comfort. I still get hungry (though not as often), but I'm not craving sugar when stressed for example. As for greed, you physically can't eat THAT much, which helps too.

I always over-ate, not because I was hungry but due to enjoying my food. I ate quite healthily (meal-wise, always cooked from scratch) but always too big a portion. Then I would snack... a mini ice cream, a few crisps, a bit of cake, a small kit kat etc.

Since taking the first 2.5mg dose, I haven't really fancied eating. The food noises have gone, and I have no desire to snack. When I eat a meal I enjoy it, but I don't need lots to feel satisfied. I can take it or leave it. I have always finished a plate. Now I am happy to leave food and say, I have had enough.

The 'greedy me' has disappeared without any willpower!

Yes it helps with all of that. Generally people don't feel like eating for any of those reasons. The craving can go away so you don't think about food. When you eat you get hungry quickly.

Lol get full quickly! Not hungry quickly!

Get full quicker! Not hungry!

I ordered last night also and uploaded pics. Hoping they Tuesday and delivery Wednesday as I’m home then. No one knows I’ve been taking it. The last pen I had to divert to the local post office and go pick it up lol

Hello lovely people on this mounjaro journey.
I have lost 2st 1 so far and took my 6th injection on Friday, I decided to stay on 2.5mg as it’s working well, my dilemma, I am going on holiday in July (i inject on a Friday) flight on a Tuesday the Friday will be my first 5mg, do I use the extra the week before and build up see if I get any effects or go straight to 5mg, I know some people the week before go to 3.75? I don’t want to feel like rubbish or I may get none as I only have had chills, or do I use my 5mg to get 2.5mg until I get back? I don’t want to order another 2.5mg again, thanks in advance

@TheOverweightFortySomething let me know once you get approved!

Do they not accept if you’re under 30 bmi? Think I’m just under but when I sent the pics last night I was 6lb heavier then this morning (lots of water, clothes and 3 slices of dominos) lol

They don't seem to accept with a BMI under 30. Are you BMI 30 with those extra 6lbs? Maybe try again if you are! With that weight!

Luckily I was just 30 BMI when I switched to them. I didn't even consider it before I put my order in!

I’m 29 bmi so should be ok with the extra 6lb from yesterday. I only need 1 more pen as have around 10 more lb to lose.

They have already taken the money out so they best send my pen lol

Will do. Hoping tomorrow

.

@Ploughdough think of it another way… if you don’t do anything now to bring your weight down, you’re at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke, which would leave you more out of pocket if you need to go on long term sick leave (I’m assuming you work). Also you can’t put a price on your health…. Your health really is your wealth.

I can afford MJ without having to tighten my belt massively and I’m still able to pay modest amounts into my pension and ISA. But honestly I would cut saving for the future to afford MJ if I had to. As a cost/benefit analysis it would be a no brainier to me …. the risk to my health and longevity is worth the investment. Personally I’m saving so much not nipping to the coop for snacks and wine!

It’s the people who have no chance of affording it that I feel bad for. They could have a very long wait for access to treatment. I think the situation will only serve to worsen health inequalities in this country, which really saddens me.

I don’t do Facebook

This thread is all I need for my MJ journey!

I think I left FB in 2012. People kept posting old pictures of me drunk from years back and tagging me when I was applying for jobs.! Really helpful. Given the direction of SM I'm so glad I left. When I first started an account, a random guy I met on a night out asked me unashamedly to friend him so he looked 'popular' to his other friends. 😂I kind of clocked what it was all about then.

I think I may have been guilty of asking some questions that may have been answered before on one of these threads. I'm crap at making decisions and may have been brain farting my decision making process onto this thread, so apologies for that. 🙂This thread has been brilliant for guiding me through this and moral support.

I also don’t do facebook and I’m quite pleased as I wouldn’t be able to stop reading or eye rolling!

I’ve appreciated hugely this weekend how MJ is helping me be significantly kinder to myself.

I have spent years of my life being horrible to my inner self and feeling guilty for how I can emotionally eat at times or if I feel like I’ve ‘failed’ at a diet. MJ is helping ease that inner critic and the pressure it’s taken off myself is immense. The space i now have for other thoughts is massive.

Now to use this space I have to attempt to re-wire for the long term…

I'm no longer BMI 30 so had to get 'creative' when I filled out my application and sent pictures (to the now popular pharmacy that does money off codes! 🙊)

I looked like a right twat, I can tell you that much.

I won't say much more, I'm scared of being dobbed in 🤣

Let's see whether they accept me..