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:

DD switched to zava today, she sent previous prescription, full front body (with face obscured) & scales with feet. Which is what I had to send.
They then asked for photo ID. She sent this but then received another message asking for a side photo with face showing and another photo of scales with something showing the days date clearly in both photos. Looks like they may be clamping down

That is interesting! So already steps being taken to crack down then!

Wonder how you are meant to show the date in a pic! Lol! Did you give any examples of how you prove this?

I suppose if you have smart scales, the connected app would back your weight up with a date, if they accept that as well as the pic of you on the scales.

Ah Mumsnet I knew you’d be a font of knowledge! I’m just starting week three and now facing exactly that question about moving to 5.0. I’ve had minimal side effects so far and good appetite suppression but can definitely feel a wee bit coming back by the end of the week. Wondering if anyone similar has done a second month on 2.5 and did you feel that the hunger got worse over that month? I don’t want to move up quicker than I need to but also will be gutted to ‘waste’ a month if I stop getting the benefit - decisions, decisions!

It says “The photo must include the date (date needs to be within 14 days since order was placed) written on a piece of paper within the photo

it wasn’t a DR who asked for the extra evidence either so I wonder if they now have someone pre-screening the orders before it gets passed on to be prescribed.

@Time4changeagain was it a picture sent to them on the same day it was taken? When you take a photo the date it is taken is in the properties of the file so providers can check the date it was taken. (You can though take a new screen shot of a photo taken a month ago and then I think it will show the date of the photo as today. So it can be got around but it allows providers to cover themselves)

Lol that is pretty easy to fake!

Written on a piece of paper??? What does that prove? I could do photos with multiple dates in the future on them and different clothes tonight and that will be my orders sorted for the next few months!

They should at least change the word they want to see on the paper eg have the word 'shoe' on it so you couldn't prep at the start of your time taking Mounjaro.

What others have done, is got a 5mg pen and used a smaller dose to titrate up at their own pace. So if you are happy on 2.5mg, then take 30 clicks of the 5mg pen. If you feel after a week it's not good enough, then mabe do 45 clicks (3.75mg ish). So you can take you time to get to the 5mg dose.

I was approved today. They wanted a picture of my feet stood on the scales and a full length picture of my body.

It's the only time I've ever been thankful of having a C-section overhang as from the right angle (front on, hanging over the top of my shorts) I can make myself look very unflattering 😂

They won't accept anybody who's under BMI 30 so you might want to embellish your weight by a few lbs (or whatever is required) to make you BMI 30.

Ordinarily I wouldn't advocate lying to get the medication but as we're all already on it, and most other pharmacists will accept us under BMI 30 as we're already on the weight loss journey, it just seems like unnecessary red tape to me.

Yes this makes no sense! This is way too easy to fake! I like my suggestion of screenshot from smart scales app. Although not possible if you don't have smart scales.

@BlackFriYay I did that exact thing my c-section overhang! I also pressed my chin down to make it look double. I looked my most attractive 😂

I suppose writing the date on piece of paper next to scales could work if for example you tried to save pics of when you were heavier to use at a later date to keep getting the meds. So means you wouldn't be able to use those pics. Or you try and take pics off the Internet to use as your own.

I worry that at some point I may have ordered far enough in advance that I leave too long between pens to get another prescription. My BMI will be below 30 (or even below 25 if I am really lucky) but will be cut off essentially for getting the timing wrong with no chance of going back on it unless or until I gain most the weight back and my BMI is above 30 again. That could also happen if I decide to give maintenance a go on my own and fail miserably 😕. I guess it’s a case of being carful with timings.

It was actually taken today but then edited to cover face and then screenshot (because I have a msg clearly saying they don’t need to see your face 🤷‍♀️)
They asked for photo ID first then another message asking for a side view with face, another scales pic showing the date written on a piece of paper

@HaveTeaWillSurvive I did 2 months of 2.5. Well, 10 weeks with the bonus dose. By the end of that time I was ready to go up to 5. I have been one of the “lucky” ones I. That I respond really well to MJ.

The longer you take it the more you will tune into your body and you will know and feel it. You will have the food noise creep back in. Any PMS cravings creep back. I wanted to do the injection early as even with the build up the effects definitely lessened by week 8/9.

I did the chin thing too, complete with the most miserable face I could muster. I bet they feel a bit sorry for us when they get pictures like that 😂

Just realised I wasn't asked for ID either when I signed up a few weeks ago.

Exactly lol

Lol I had the chin without even trying! 😂

That has really surprised me as I didn't have half of that faff with them, I must look like a convincing fat mess 😳

Did you get approved today?

@ObsidianTree re point 8 - rather than saying ‘perhaps titrate up slowly’ (which could be interpreted as advice, which I don’t think I have seen in the manufacturer’s instructions) you could delete that sentence and add the point re minimising adverse reactions to the previous sentence which is couched in terms of people’s experiences (i.e. not advice). I’m conscious of the points made by @KeepingUndercover and @Buffypaws and potential for bad press. Thanks very much for all the useful information.

I did indeed.

I did the application and sent photos yesterday afternoon then it was approved by midday today.

I didn’t either 😳😳
Her bmi is over 50 too so it’s not that 🤷‍♀️