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:

On the renpho scales these are my stats and I guess this makes sense for someone who’s lost weight and whose idea of exercise was a trip to the fridge.

I am going to start researching but I guess this means weight training and cardio? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Maybe the checks went place in the afternoon? Weird though that you just missed the extra checks!

I have seen on Reddit people talking about the Asda letter and someone mentioned they were asked for more pics when ordering their 4th pen.

Oh yours doesn't have date on it. I assumed most did. Guess that idea is ruled out. Mine app info is attached

If anyone needs £5 off MedExpress I have a code: NJNRMQ

i’m absolutely over the moon to now just be overweight as of this morning instead of being obese .

i look so much better, I tend to hold a lot of weight in my bum so don’t look to bad with a bit of weight on me but once I start going into the obese category it seem to go onto my face and I look puffy and also around my belly.

i had a nice 2lb woosh overnight after finishing my period. I don't know if this just a one off but my periods had got really heavy since putting weight on but this month it was back to how it was before. The injections hadn’t previously affected my period so I’m wondering if it’s loosing the weight. Hopefully they will stay lighter as I’m having to take iron tablets which I think was caused by the heavier periods

@ObsidianTree I’m just getting used to it. This is what I have on the main page.

If people are trying to move then that could work for date and time. Anything submitted online could be manipulated easily.

@FlappyFish yes I agree this could be useful to prove weight and date. But suppose won't work for those that have normal scales.

I suppose written date on piece of paper could work

Has anyone got a letter from Zava like the Asda one?

Someone on Reddit said they got it from Zava. I haven't had it yet.

Hi all, can anyone give me any examples of chronic pain being helped with using Mounjaro. I want to pass on the info to a friend. I'm sure I've read on threads before it had helped.

Thank you

It's been interesting reading all of today's posts and thinking about why I went up when I did.
I had my first pen for two weeks before I started so, when I actually started my first pen, I was already getting reminders to order my next one and to increase the dose. I think that back on those earlier threads, we had less examples amongst us of people losing well on and others choosing to stay at 2.5mg and there was more talk about it being a therapeutic dose and that the real losses weren't going to kick in until 10mg which would be 3 months away. For the first two weeks on 2.5mg, I felt very little effect. It was actually only by the time I came to the end of it and as I took my bonus dose that it began to have an impact. At that point, I had no idea how quickly that would wear off. It was too late to make a decision really to stick on 2.5mg then as I already had a 5mg in the fridge and, as I was able to order again and there was all of the chat about MedExpress withdrawing discounts, I jumped in and ordered a 7.5mg.
I think I'm going to regret that 7.5mg pen! It's sitting in the fridge but, rather than start that next, I'm going to go with the 5mg which is due to arrive tomorrow as I'm still only on 3mg.

@summerlovingvibes ordered the 2.5mg and noted about wanting the 5mg. They have messaged to say that since it's been so long (a week) since I took it that I have to restart on 2.5mg again. Unless I can prove that I had previously been on 5mg. I started with voy on 2.5mg then changed to mediexpress for another 2.5mg. I haven't been on 5mg so I don't know what they will send.

Not my supplier but I saw a screenshot of the letter on FB this afternoon. Didn't pay much attention but was very similar to the Asda one I think

I've been away for the weekend and have spent most of today catching up on this thread in between housework and washing 😆
Didn't have the best in terms of food choices over the weekend but the MJ kept my portions small so was pleased to see another 2lb off at the end of my 7th week.

Well done for the losses and hang in there the stallers 🫶🏻

Anyone else seem to gain (I assume water) weight in the heat? I'm suddenly 3lbs up, so annoying!

Has anyone suffered with a lower back ache? I’ve messaged Med Express for their advice and have no other symptoms that point to anything more sinister. It’s just an ache right in the centre of my lower back that comes and goes. Too low to be kidneys based on my googling of the human anatomy!

Yes every time

I was actually impressed (if uncomfortable in myself) with Lloyds Pharmacy requirements before prescribing. It wasn't just photos, I had to take a front camera selfie video of myself with my ID next to my face, followed by, all in one video, my ID on a flat surface, a front and side profile of myself in a mirror, then step on the scales which had to be at zero first. 25 seconds to do all of that second bit! I struggled 😂

Hi @ObsidianTree - I’m* *thread-lurker and this is my first post, but I had to reply on the issue of prescribers encouraging moving up because I’ve been thinking about this!

My prescriber does the exact opposite. I’m with PhloClinic (think I might be the only one on here!) and have just ordered my second 5mg pen.

When you do the weigh-in before ordering the next pen, they:

a) advise that if you’re seeing results on your current strength pen that you’re happy with, you might want to stay on that one.

b) only show you your current pen strength and the next one up. I noticed this the other day and thought it meant they didn’t have 10mg and upwards, but that’s not the case.

So at least one provider is being responsible!

I've just cracked and ordered another pen. I went with 5mg again as I've had good results on 2.5 so hoping two pens of 5 will be good for a while. I'm scared we are going to face restrictions so wanted to stock up.

I noticed that there were more questions on the MedExpress consultation this time. It does seem as though the providers are trying to be more responsible.

@noraclavicle that's good that one prescriber is being responsible. I don't know why some encourage you to go up every pen.

@BellaCriesAndThatsAlright that's good that Medexpess is also moving towards more restrictions too.

That's impressive of them 👏

@noraclavicle that's interesting. My colleague is using Phlo, they're one of the ones that support maintenance.

I'm definitely ready to increase my dose. My weight has been bouncing around either side of the same kg for the last 10 days or so. I'm on week 13 and only up to 6.5mg last week (I'd be on 10mg if I was going up every 4 weeks) but the last few days my portions have got bigger, I'm not struggling to finish food and the food noise is back. I even bought crisps in the supermarket this afternoon and ate them in the car, which hasn't happened since before MJ!

The main thing stopping me going up faster was the fatigue, I really am struggling with that, but it doesn't seem to matter what dose I'm on as I've had it since week 3 (first 2 weeks I had loads of energy!) and it isn't too low calories as I am on around 1500 a day. I did have nausea a lot early on which is why I went slowly from 2.5mg to 5mg and did a month on 3.75. I only did 2 weeks on 5mg as the nausea was better and then went to 6mg, then 6.5mg. I'm going to stop messing with it now and do 7.5mg tomorrow and see if I can settle on that dose for a while.

I'm still vast 😟 (by my own standards). I've lost 18kg, and I'm teetering at just over 100kg. I'm desperate to get into double figures, but I'm still in the same size clothes somehow. They're much looser, but I still haven't gone to the next size down. Plus I have a very dodgy knee and it really hurts at the moment.

I'm trying hard to focus on the kitchen roll analogy...Im feeling sorry for myself, and need some motivation!

Just on the point re providers seemingly pushing us to jump up to the next dose up, I placed my order for pen number 3 today, and I once again purchased a 2.5 mg, as I feel quite happy with the results and side effects. And MedExpress put my order on hold and emailed me to confirm that I indeed want to stay on 2.5 and the reason why!

@PonyPatter44 I'm glad my kitchen roll analogy has caught on!
I'm down 13kg and possibly down a dress size if you consider that I was wearing very stretchy, stretched or large 18s and pretending I wasn't a size 20. Now all my 18s fit apart from a pair of shorts which I still can't sit down in.