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:

They did but I have asked for them to clarify again as it wasn't clear. They said:

"We do not currently offer a subscription plan and require patients to order their treatment as they are ready. We do allow patients to taper their dose for maintenance of weight after it has dropped to a suitable level."

I have emailed again asked if they support maintenance doses once reached BMI 25. Will update again when I hear back.

Thanks for that update. Sounds like Bolt are sitting on the fence a bit now. I think I might just carry on stockpiling and then I am a bit more in control of tapering down. If I get to 25 or goal with a few pens in the fridge I can reduce my dose at my pace to move slowly to weight maintenance without Mounjaro.

If there are any unused pens when I am steadily maintaining I can use them for a brief reset or when I need extra help eg around Christmas.

It's all hypothetical obviously and hard to know when I can stop ordering as I have enough to reach goal weight and wean myself off it. I don't even know what goal weight is but I suspect it's about 20lbs away.

My house is nearly 28degrees and I'm in my bed under the duvet.
IYKYK.

For those using Zava - can anyone see that the GP letter that has been issued and can be viewed in the Zava account has actually been sent to the GP and has been uploaded in the NHS app health record?

Love this post ♥️

Nope. I have a few letters from Bolt and MedExpress but nothing from ZAVA on my NHS record. I ordered from them 3 weeks ago.

I think the letter on the ZAVA app is worded in such a way that I thought it was for you to give to the GP / take when travelling yourself so am not surprised it's not there. Or maybe it takes longer for the GP to receive it and scan it.

@Slimstar13 - what a great post.

I have a lot to lose too, but after a 2nd month on 5mg, my rate of loss has almost halved and I'm using willpower only most of the time. I worry about hitting the highest dose and having nowhere to go. But maybe we just stay on the highest dose for longer and our weight loss rate slows but we can still get to goal? I know there are lots of people online who have lost 100+ lbs. Hope I can be one of them.

Evening all.

I need some help and advice! Did 4wks on 2.5, then 1 wk on 5 but was a bit sick so took 3.75 for 1 wk. Was due it again last Thurs but was sick so took 2.5 on Monday. Buuutttt I don't feel anything on it, hungry and back to normal. Could I top up to be 3.75 now and if so then when should I take next one??

Thanks x

Yes I have a letter from both Zava and Medical Express on my GP record on the NHS app.

What great posts and points you make. I couldn't agree more.

I was adamant I wasn't going to go above 5mg for the duration but my thoughts and feelings on that have definitely shifted over the past couple of weeks.

I'm also with you on the subject of treats and sweet stuff. I had a little treat today, I bought myself a little slice of cake - my first in months and months - and do you know what, I really enjoyed it. I worked it into my daily allowance and have still finished the day with 20-30 cals left to spare.

As I move closer to my goal I've started to reintroduce things that I had otherwise completely eliminated from my diet whilst I had a lot to lose (like pasta!) and I think that's just fine as like you say, it's about finding a new way of living/eating, not a crash diet. I've learnt so much about healthy portions and making better choices, I really feel like it puts me in good standing for when I have to stop the meds.

You're doing great, well done to you and thank you for your fab insights and contributions to the thread - this community is what it is because we have a lovely bunch of posters like you 🙂

Awww group hug

Hi All

Just spent ages catching up with this thread, well done on all the losses.
Friday will be week 19, have been in a stall since 23rd May. Am away with work since Monday, have been fairly sensible with food and using the gym/swimming daily. Really hoping for a woosh when I get home.
I'm looking much better in my clothes, less great out of them! But smaller with saggy belly, boobs and thighs it better than firmer and fat, just need to learn to accept my new reality - good job my husband fancies for me and has poor eyesight!
Due to order again next week, think I will be switching from MedExpress as like most of us I need to minimise the expense as much as possible.a on 7.5, suppression has been mixed so far, so unsure whether to give it another month or move up to 10mg.

I came see two from both orders.

*can see

I did great on my first month (lost a stone and a half!) and then only lost about 6lb the entire second month and was miserable! Managed to lose a stone in third month though so I’m just sticking with it! I’m about half way to my goal weight now so staying positive! It’s annoying when you’re not losing and everyone is on here saying how much they’ve lost, but you can do it! Keep going and it’ll come off!

I AM IN DOUBLE FIGURES!!!! After my grumble the other day, I hopped on the scale this morning and I was under 100kg at last!

Some great milestones today! Well done. And I empathise with those who have stalled. Usually, I'm a daily weigher but I haven't got on the scales this week as I don't think it's going to have gone down and I really want to break the stone barrier. I should have got on them yesterday morning having had loose bowels overnight but was running late and then, ever since that incident stopped, I've been really bloated!

Just sharing my Voy £85 off code for anyone that is joining them.

joinvoy.com/r/U-MnVH8QHS6m

Any Voy customers - does this page tell you / change when someone has used your code? How do you know if you will get any discount applied to the next purchase? Does it just show at final check out or is there a way of knowing first?

@summerlovingvibes yes 5 people have used your code and your next pen will be free. Mine is on the subscription so when my next order is approved it takes the discount off automatically and you don’t need to do anything. It’ll reset at that point once your next order is approved

Thanks, how can you tell that 5 have used it?

The 3 boxes are ticked and it says your -2 away from 100% off which is 5 in total :)