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:

Has anyone declared the mounjaro to their insurance? I called today to check my policy and they asked if I’d started any new medication. I declared the MJ and then they put me on hold, asked if it was prescribed, asked if it was prescribed due to personal choice or a medical condition (mine is choice) and then charged me £27 to add it to my policy!

Weigh in day for me I’ve hit my two stone lost mile stone. Today is jab 8 and think I’m going to go up to 5mg this week.

SW:13 stone 10
CW: 11 stone 9

@Slimstar13 thanks for the detailed response.

So, my philosophy is that precisely because I have a lot to lose, I am only going to move up doses if a. i have a week without any loss at all, and / or b. I feel like the suppression isn’t suppressing.

I am annoyed at the minute that this week’s loss is less, but I still have a 1.5 lbs loss. It’s not a stall; and I still feel like the jab is working - I’m not feeling hungry, and I haven’t been naughty with food.

I log all my food, so I know I am well within my calorie deficit; I eat very clean - protein and veg mainly; I drink plenty of water. I average 5-7K walks every day, and I’m going to start frequenting the gym and using some weights.
So I know, it’s not a true gain. It can’t be. It’s not extra calories.

The only way I can explain it to myself is it must be cycle related. I am ovulating, maybe it’s extra water retention. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Anyways, will see how I get on, I think for me personally there’s more losses to be had at 2.5. So I’m in no rush to move up. Just felt emotionally frustrated this morning and needed to vent.

Morning - just had my next pen delivered. It was less than 24 hours from order to delivery with Zava but in the heat the ice packs had nearly melted - fortunately pen is still cold. Anyway the post lady was telling me the refrigerated meds are just in with the normal post so may be worth checking the weather forecast before ordering

Thank you I ll try that 😘

Also popping my Voy code on. I find them great and helpful.

joinvoy.com/r/U-rJzLHt9b4I

@GlueNoGlue I started MJ while my renewal was going through so when I initially answered the question I wasn't lying. They messed me around for ages about my weight and how much extra they wanted to charge me but when they checked with my GP they weren't told anything so I assume it isn't on my records.

Good to know in advance that they charge extra though as unless there's a timeframe for medication use I won't be declaring it next year when I renew. Am looking forward to them removing the 'fat charge' next year. Mine is quite a bit more expensive than my DP's (he's bmi 25 but has a 'dangerous' job so they bump his price too).

@Choux and everyone else interested. Reply from Bolt:

"Apologies for the misunderstanding, Yes we allow you to continue until BMI reaches 22.5 and then we then this would trigger a consultation with the clinical team to discuss the best course of action to ensure you do not drop lower but also support you to maintain a healthy weight."

This is promising. I think I will have to move to Bolt at some point! Although I still have coupons with Zava to use!

Well done for all the losses today. Big and small and stay the sames! 😊

@ObsidianTree thats good from Bolt. Do you know if there is any discount codes floating around for them? I’ve just moved to Zava from Lloyds as Lloyds have increased their prices. I do want to stay with just one supplier throughout and my BMI is still high at 34 so I want to find a good supplier that’s competitive in price and not going to increase them halfway through your journey

Does anybody have a discount code for Zava? Currently with voy who are really expensive after the initial discount for new joiners!

Unfortunately none that I know of!

Zava is still cheaper with the referral codes. But I suppose if they run out then Bolt are cheaper.

Hi lovely, REFHWYH8 should work for Zava

@rainbowsandinfinitesparkles I am expecting a delivery from ZAVA today. Fully expecting the single ice pack they use to be melted so the pen will be the next i use. They are cheap with the 15% off but not good for stockpiling as they don't arrive cold enough to keep for months in the fridge.

Bolt is £199 for the highest doses which is about £20 higher than ZAVA after the discount but my order from Bolt back in March was with two ice packs so still cold. Bolt are based in the North west and my ZAVA delivery has passed through the North West superhub so I think both are sent from the north west so will take similar time from dispatch to receipt.

And Bolt do a good maintenance plan per the reply given to @ObsidianTree. I am switching to Bolt for my next pen.

Thank you so much for this thread. I have been following from the start and my own journey began on 10th April. Currently on dose 2 from 7.5 pen.

SW 17st
CW 14st 5

Due to reorder and have been with med express but their prices mean I need to change.

about to checkout with curate will be £156.74 for delivery for 10mg pen .

anyone know if it’s a good pharmacy to use or is there better for similar price?

im so grateful to all the regular contributors reading these messages everyday provides so much support and encouragement.

@ObsidianTree thank you. So with Zava can the 15% but used multiple times. I don’t know why I just assumed it would be 15% first order and then 15% off 2nd order if someone uses your code

my code if anyone needs one

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: REFM9PTZ
www.zavamed.com/uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=refer_a_friend
Maximum discount value: £30

Another new starter here, just been approved with Zava this morning. It was quite a traumatic experience last night, uploading those photos!

I've been following these threads for a couple of months now, just want to say thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences (and their discount codes!) which has finally given me the kick up the bum to sort myself out.

CW 12st 5lb
BMI 35.6

I don't know about my goal weight. I'm only 4'10" so I know that my "ideal" weight would be around the 7st mark, but the thought of that makes me feel a bit ill. Getting 3 - 3.5st off would suit me, I think.

If anyone needs a Zava code, mine is REFC5MDQ.

I'm envious! I sent my photos to them yesterday morning and they asked for one more which I sent in the afternoon, heard nothing since. Hoping it gets sorted soon ☺️

Good luck, will be nice to start together!

Thanks @NewLifter - I have to admit, I was surprised to be approved so quickly, I only filled the consultation in and submitted photos at gone 10pm last night. I don't know if you've seen, but there is a thread specifically for new July starters? I do like these threads though, the range of experiences shared is so useful.

Each time someone uses your code, you get 15% off your next order. They stack too, so stay ready to use for each pen you order, until you run out of codes.

Good luck to all the newbies ☺️

Hi, i have a 15% code for zava REFGE8EX 😁

Hello! I'm about to use my 4th jab from my first pen and can reorder.

It might be a placebo as I've heard a lot about the first dose is only to start getting used to the meds but my appetite is suppressed and I feel absolutely fine, I've lost 12lb so far in just short of 3 weeks and don't have any urge to overeat.

I'm half and half considering whether to ask for the next dose or just stay where I am as I'm happy with my weight loss and quietening cravings.

What would you say I should do?

I'm 168cm
SW 14 stone 12lb (7th June)
CW 14 stone

Just got the approval email! So so excited. Have read through the very first thread and all of this one - will work my way through the others too as I want to learn as much as I possibly can to get this right! These threads are invaluable and the time spent collating all that info in the first post is so much appreciated ❤️ thank you!

I want to lose about 2.5 stone. I'm also working hard to improve my fitness again after a period of stress that led to me stopping exercise and overeating hence the weight gain. Has anyone managed to improve their fitness while taking this? I'm a bit worried about lethargy.

Sorry to be annoying but also going to drop my code here as it's great for us all to get usexof one, I was grateful to use one myself - Zava.

REF3PCF5

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: REF3PCF5
www.zavamed.com/uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=refer_a_friend
Maximum discount value: £30

@Slimstar13 @3wDavid I started at a similar time to 3w as I have done 7 jabs so far but am in the higher weight range (started at about 17.5) and have only lost 11lb despite eating within calories, increasing fluids, etc.
I'm finding it really frustrating especially as, yesterday and today, I AM F*ING STARVING 😫I have 2 doses (1 + bonus) in my 5 pen and am even debating if I could get slightly more than 5 for those next two I'm so pissed off!
I saw a lady on TikTok explain it can take some of us longer to get going than others and she likened it to popcorn When you tip the corn in the hot pan some pop instantly (super responders), some don't pop at all (non-responders) but the others in the middle may pop faster or slower despite there being no obvious difference and we just have to wait for the drug to do its thing.
I'm hanging on and crossing everything in hopes that will be soon!