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:

I just put in a order for Myprotein. Currently if you spend over a certain amount you get free samples of the clear whey protein. So a good time to order if you want to try more of them.

That offer must have literally just appeared! I don't know how they can come up with them so often!!!

I enjoyed the sample pack and it's made it easier for me to buy the next ones!

I've just jumped ship from medexpress and ordered my 10mg from e-surgery. Really easy to order £147.41 with tracked delivery. Can confirm only one discount code can be used so opted for the RETURN15 one!

@summerlovingvibes they mean if for example you are on the 5mg pen and you take the bonus dose alongside the regular dose then you'd be taking 10mg when your next one would usually be 7.5mg as that's the next dose up so you've gone higher than your next one by double dosing

Thanks all RE the flavours.

Quick maths check - if I do a full normal dose of my 7.5mg pen with a 10 click chaser (new needle obvs), will that equal 8.75mg as a stepping stone between 7.5 and 10mg?

Yes they must swap the offers often. The other day it was milky protein sample. The yesterday was was something else in the free offer.

Yes that would be 8.75mg. That's what I'm taking at the moment form my 7.5mg pen

Fab, thanks @ObsidianTree

I’m finding it interesting how the side effects are evolving as I titrate up. Currently 2 days post my 3rd 5mg and I’m so tired I want to sleep now! Also noticing the appetite suppression really building. In the first weeks it was almost an aversion to food but now it’s just total disinterest. I’ve turned into someone who can forgot to eat - bonkers!!

Exactly this @summerlovingvibes.

Just got approved for the 5mg pen. Would like to take this in stages of 2.5mg, would this be best achieved by counting the clicks of pen or retrieving with a insulin needle?

@Lexiepooch counting clicks for sure. That would be 30 clicks for 2.5mg

Exciting times!
https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jun/25/skinny-jabs-weight-loss-drugs-generic-ozempic-wegovy-saxenda?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Gosh. In the not to distant future these drugs are going to be so much more readily available and cheaper. Probably will start being prescribed on the NHS soon enough. The generic versions anyway.

I like that Retatrutide is for weight loss alone and not diabetes ( i think!) so diabetes can no longer blame us for stealing their drugs! Well if we are ever in a position to need it that is!

Thanks so much @ObsidianTree

So from the first click I count them to 30 and that's it ready to use?

@ObsidianTree
There's a lot of interesting stuff in this, isn't there? Cheaper generics may be a route for maintenance, even if we still have to go private to get them as we'll be at healthy BMI. Nice to see the point made re 2 year max is about cost to NHS rather than clinical issues.

I'm beginning this journey after a recent blood test showed inflammation as well as my high cholesterol not having reduced much (familial). The anecdotal evidence seems to show much improvement in blood markers for people who have taken Mounjaro (although that would probably happen anyway if i lost weight, exercised more and ate healthily). I'm post-menopausal, in poorer health, feel sluggish and negative ND symptoms are more to the fore. I'm really hopeful that as well as losing weight, my mood will improve and inflammation will reduce (through better diet). I'm hoping my GP will note any health benefits too

ZAVA code if anyone needs one x
15% off REFPSTBB

Yes. Turn it 30 clicks and it will be 2.5mg

Yes let's hope one day there will be something for maintenance. I'm sure one day for sure. Especially if people start regaining the weight etc. they will have to except it's for life then

Having had a message from MedExpress saying they noticed I'd ordered a 5mg pen after having ordered a 7.5mg pen and to contact them if I'd struggled and had any questions, they have now sent me another email reminding me that I should reply to them. The way the first email was phrased definitely didn't suggest I had to reply but I am actually pleased that they are following up.
@Hellijoy I had a really painful ache in my lower back a couple of weeks ago which lasted for a few days. I wasn't sure if I'd jarred my back (I had fallen and landed awkwardly a day or so before), if it was a result of spending most of one night bent over the toilet vomiting into it or if it was something to do with my kidneys/pancreas and linked to the fact that my appetite suppression had been so extreme that I had hardly eaten or drunk anything. I really focussed on getting some fluids in including Dioralyte which I'd never had before. I was fine again a couple of days later but still don't know the cause.

Day 4 from my first dose, appetite still very suppressed and having to force myself to eat.

Had a Protein shake at 11am, 6 cocktail biscuit sized crackers with a few teaspoons of cottage cheese and a slice of wafer thin ham for lunch and a low cal ginger ale to sloosh it down.
Less than 300 cals and I really can't face anything else ATM.

Tummy is still very bloated but I'm still quite constipated so resorted to bisacodyl tablets to shift the build up. Sorry for TMI !

Thank you for letting me know and I’m so sorry that happened - sounds like a rough couple of days. Med Express have asked more questions and if it stays about I’ll see my GP - it’s hard when there’s not too much information out there but equally the more we share information on any side effects, the better informed we will all be 😀

@MelissaLouRocks thanks for the Vilgain recommendation, I've just ordered a couple of tubs, two shakers and the selection of cooking sprays!

Clearly MJ isn't preventing my shopping addiction!

Can anyone give advice on using a syringe to get the 5th dose out of my 2.5 pen, please?
I want to use a syringe instead of hard twist to know exactly how much I'm getting. I have my syringes at the ready for tomorrow.
I've never injected myself before apart from the Mounjaro pen so not sure how it'll go.
Is there anything in particular I need to know? How far in should I push the needle?
I'm hoping to get a bit more than the usual 2.5 dose and then do a couple of weeks on 3.75 before a full 5mg dose, to go up gradually and hopefully avoid bad side effects.