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:

Oldie checking in.
Just checked my BMI and it's 23.7 down from 30 in 18 weeks! Total weight loss 35lb.
I stupidly forgot to order a last pen so will have to lose the last few pounds alone....a whole 4lb 🤣
I never went above 5mg and have gone down to 3.75 these last 2 weeks and will do 2 weeks at 2.5mg.
I'm still eating fairly similarly but absolutely cannot face a protein shake for breakfast anymore. I now have half a protein bagel and peanut butter. Lunch is usually soup and a protein yoghurt and dinner is a kids portion of whatever but trying to limit carbs. Snacking is still minimal. I might have a biscuit and last night I ate crisps for the first time in months.
Still feel normal-ish, not major cravings. I think I feel a normal level of hunger rather than the side achingly, crawling feeling I used to get which sent me jittery and panicky and I ate junk. Now it's like 'huh, I'm getting hungry...oh lunch is in half an hour...ok'.
It will be interesting to see how these next 2 weeks go and then the 2 weeks after that when I'm off completely.

Welcome to what seems like so many newbies! 🤗
Congrats all you losers. 🎉

I'm having a double celebration tonight.
Out of hospital earlier than expected, and naturally weighed myself when I got home, as you do.

I've lost another half a pound, which now puts my loss at just over 2 stone, and my weight at just under 12 stone. I started at just over 14, and haven't been this weight for getting on 10 years I think, so I'm incredibly happy with that. Pain, inflammation and mental health all continue to improve, so MJ really is the wonder drug for me. ☺

@ObsidianTree I really wish I'd known about that Retatrutide trial before I started, as I have severe OA in my left knee, but there's no saying I would've been accepted anyway.

Thanks for the new thread @ObsidianTree

Have just posted on last thread after everyone left it😂 this is not my week for effective communication! Sigh!

Evening all!! Just done injection number 15… still on 5mg with another 2 weeks of 5mg I think.

I’m in a major stall, some 2+ weeks now. Maybe 3, but I’m not gaining and I’m not feeling ‘sod it I’ll give up’ which is startling to me. Shows that this medication is a game changer.

I’ve had a big work event today (so glad it’s over). Anyway, LOADS of NSV today. So many have commented on my weight loss. I really must have got so chunky! Crumbs.

Anyway, if you’re feeling stuck like me, you’re not alone!!

I just replied on the other thread about your late delivery. The pen is fine for 30 days out of the fridge. Get injecting!

Brilliant! Thank you!!!

Would like to recommend these if things are not moving. Do not exceed the stated dose of 5 (1/3 of pack) unless you have no plans for the rest of the day.

I'm on a rolling subscription and ordered my last pen early as I was going on holiday so my order date this month was early (compared to when I actually need the pen)
I've had 2 doses of 5mg and haven't really felt much at all, although I am managing to eat sensibly so I guess any cravings must be suppressed to a point even if my appetite is still around, so have ordered a 7.5mg. Just panicking I might be going too fast.
Has anyone else increased monthly rather than sticking at doses for more than 4 weeks?

I'd like to share my NSV with you all please. My blood pressure is 'ideal'. Can't remember the last time I had this. HBP runs in my family so I've been on meds for several years (I'm in my early 50's). I'm delighted. Has anyone had the same results and if so have you considered reducing your meds? I took the reading three times as I couldn't believe it.

Newbie here too and I can’t thank you all enough for these threads and telling me everything about Mounjaro. Ironically, it was a MN poster moaning about all the weight loss injections that peaked my interest.

Apart from exhaustion on day 2 of injection 1 (Saturday) no side effects, although suppression had worn off by Wednesday.

Just had my second jab and have come in five pounds lighter this week. Will be happy with 1.5 a week moving forwards. Also doing at least 10,500 steps a day and finding 1200 calories easy.

Currently away on holiday.

On 5mg, due my next dose tomorrow. Hoping the pen I have bought (an old 2.5mg to do 2 doses with) works in the way I'm hoping!

When people say a "hard twist" or a "hard click" I'm guessing you actually mean you just have to twist it quite hard / push the plunger down quite hard?

Have just ordered my next dose of 5mg (going to stay on it another few weeks before stepping up to 7.5mg - planning to go from 5 to 6.25 for one week then on to 7.5) from Voy with a 44% discount code if anyone wants to try using it and see if it works? It was emailed to me and it said it was valid for a week.

44% off weight loss treatments for a limited time!

Code: VOYWLPDAQ

Welcome

Definitely wait until after the wedding weekend. Enjoy the wedding. In my view these challenges are never going to go away and we've all got to find a way to navigate them.

@MelissaLouRocks I suppose with the Retatrutide trial, there would be a chance that you might get the placebo which would suck! I also would have loved to try it if I had known about it before starting MJ. Although, I don't meet any of the other criterias.

Week 3 weigh in!

SW: 86.9kg
GW: 70kg

Wk1: 82.4kg (-4.5kg)
Wk2: 80.5kg (-1.9kg)
Wk3: 79.9kg (-0.6kg)

7kg lost total or 15lbs - delighted!

Ah yes, knowing my luck I think you may well be right! 😂

I'm getting a bit nervous, my BMI now 27.1, and I don't know what to do about maintenance. I really need to stay on this long term, and don't know whether to take a chance with Med Express but have them cut me off after 6 months maintenance, or jump now. Any thoughts?

Welcome to more new people ☺️

Well done for all the weight losses reported ☺️

@MelissaLouRocks I suppose keep medexpess in the back pocket but maybe also sign up to one that supports a longer maintenance? Some of the newer providers might not be as strict as med express!

This is interesting!

I'm on MJ, but my DH is on Wegovy, he takes 2 different meds for HBP.

We are hoping his readings will come down, but I'm worried about them going back up again.

Thanks @ObsidianTree good thinking.
I'm not too sure about some of the new ones, seen some concerning things re delivery delays and inadequate packaging. Tossing up in my head between Bolt, the Family Chemist and Simply Online Chemist. My bloody AuDHD means I'm over analysing everything and can't decide. Aaaaarrrggh. 😱

Weigh day for me today! 5lbs this week!

At the beginning of the week I lose 3lbs pretty quickly, then maintained that for the rest of the week until Friday morning when I dropped 1lb and today dropped another lb. I was not expecting anymore for this week so a pleasant surprise! I suppose the 5lbs could be because of the reactions I have had with the diarrhea and vomiting.

Currently sitting at 13st 7lbs!

Start weight Jan : 17st 6lbs
Start weight Mounjaro late Feb : 16st 3lbs
Current weight : 13st 7lbs
Total loss since Jan: 3st 13lbs
BMI: 28.7

Family chemist apparently will only support maintenance if you started with them. So also a good reason to keep MedExpress going, incase they have the same stance.

Some great losses being shared! I am in my first week and looking forward to shedding some of this weight. So far, so good. My appetite is suppressed and the 'food noises' are gone.

Thank you @ObsidianTree for this new thread and all your sage advice.

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 (£122 for a 2.5mg or 5mg pen)
https://www.zavamed.com/uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=refer_a_friend
Maximum discount value: £30

Oh blimey, seems I can't win. I may sign up with another so I have plenty to fall back on, and also keep going with ME. I can't exactly afford it, but no way can I go back to how I was 3 months ago.

Well done for the fantastic loss this week, you must be delighted. 🎉