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:

No probs. I'm due to jab when I get back from gym tonight but still couldn't finish my lunch today.

So I am back from two weeks' business travel in France and the UK. I was really worried about how I would cope without my usual foods and without my scales for that long - especially since I am a daily weigher. But when I got on the scales this am after a 7+ hour flight yesterday (which apparently you should avoid doing) I had lost 2.2lbs. I was so nervous - because I felt fat, and as I have said before, I am still struggling to believe that this is working!.

I am so pleased. And yes, I was very careful and tried to stick to all I have learned, but it was hard - with room service with very little choice, tons of pastries in Paris, formal business dinners, trying to find healthy options at a trade show, more alcohol in the last 2 weeks than I have had in the last 6 months (still not a lot - I was very careful) and some desserts (although only eating half or less). I tracked my calories, because I know my issue is absolutely overeating and underestimating calories. And I walked an average of 10K steps each day, which is not always possible when I am working - so I am sure that helped. Tomorrow is official weigh-in day, so we shall see if I am holding water weight or inflammation from the travel, but so far down 34.8lbs since January, and now under 12 stone (11.13 or 167.8lbs).

The UK has some amazing food options for lunches, if you are travelling. I have been attending business meetings with sandwich lunches, which I just cannot do as a diabetic, so I popped into M&S Food each morning on my route to work and grabbed a "Naked" salad - those are delicious. But your protein yoghurts and puddings are awful! I was so happy to get back to my Oikos Pro yoghurts today. I cook from scratch, but I love my protein yoghurts.

Thank you all for this on-going thread and the support you all give each other and me. While I have struggled to keep up at times, it has helped. I do need to remind myself from time to time that I cannot compare myself to everyone else, especially when I see some fast weight losses. So I decided to do a side-by-side to remind myself of how far I have come - especially for days where I am feeling doubtful of the success.

Well 3.75mg in a 7 week old pen certainly works! Circumstances beyond my control meant that I had to rush out earlier and I hadn’t eaten. It was 6.45pm before I felt hungry even though I’d bought a sandwich which stayed in my bag because I was t hungry 😂

@spamm you look amazing

Day 6 of my first 2.5mg jab, I felt a little more hungry today and have eaten a very small plate of filled pasta for dinner but feeling quite full now. That is the first plate of complex carbs I've had since Sunday, no bread, cereals, rice or potatoes, just haven't wanted it.
Im still under 1000 calories for the day.

When I do my 2nd jab does it have to be at the same time? Ie 6pm or can I do it tomorrow morning ?

I'm quite desperate to get that appetite suppression back.
I've lost a kilo this week, not huge but I'm very resistant to weight loss so I know this is going to be a long haul.

Am posting in case anyone else is interested.
I think I'll just do the 7.5 in one go. If I split dose, there isn't as much of a peak, but still, the peaks will last longer and the medication won't truly deplete before the next dose, so I might end up feeling ill the whole week, instead of just the first 2-3 days. Also, if I decide to them go back to once a week, I'll have a much bigger spike the first time, and then it will reduce by quite a bit in the weeks after.

If I have truly awful side effects, I'll consider split dosing again, but screw it. Let's go for the full whack this time. If I have to call in sick tomorrow, so be it haha.

@spamm you look fantastic! Well done on the discipline throught the business travel as well - I don't travel for work much any more but I know how it felt to order the pasties or the elaborate meals as a "treat" when you're on the road.

Fingers crossed for me too then as I've done it now! 😁

You look fantastic @spamm

It's taken 20 years off you! 😁

Had a couple of people comment today that I've lost a huge amount of weight now. One of my colleagues didn't even recognise me at first! Our local courier shouted across the road to ask me what I'd done to lose the weight. No way I was going to yell back that I'm on the fat jabs, so just said I'd been cutting back 🫣.

Took delivery of a bargain Barbour jacket in a size 12 today. It actually fits which was a huge surprise. I thought I'd be putting it away until I hit healthy bmi.

@spamm you look fantastic. Congratulations on your weight loss 🎉

For those with zava do they take long to approve and what do they normally want from u? Currently with voy but price of 5mg is gonna be 229! Think from memory I seen 129/139 ish for zava big difference 🙈 would order with them n then cancel Voy but afraid to go ahead Incase something happens

@spamm You’re looking and no doubt feeling great.

@PissedOffNeighbour22 ha, I know that feeling now. I met up with friends I’ve not seen since January and whilst they know I’m on the jabs it was the in person “oh… my… God… where have you gone?”

My bum actually felt boney in the bath just now when I was twisting myself to shave my bits. My coccyx stick out.

WTAF?

The deliveries are disappointing. I hope people get them resolved. I was glad when Asda went to DPD as it was 18 hours tops. Though I do live in the Home Counties so not too far flung.

I can’t order anymore now from them.

Titration back down starts tm. If I took all the doses I have left I suspect I would end up down at about 8 stone 12 based on current pattern. Nope. Here comes the hard work to build healthy habits. Good job work book club is atomic habits this month. On the plus sides all my colleagues are American and 75% are on MJ now. 😅

Just done my first weigh in. 3.5lb down.
SW: 16st13lb
CW: 16st9.5lb
GW: 12st

I've not found it difficult. The food noise stopped almost immediately. I've struggled to find motivation to eat at times, but downloaded nutracheck which helps to keep me accountable.

Side effects have been minimal - a few headaches, feeling thirsty. So far...

I've just taken my measurements and a full length pic too.

I'm using Lloyds Pharmacy. It was difficult getting the evidence right - you have to do a couple of videos which are tricky without a full length mirror. It took 3 attempts. I hope it's not this tricky every time I want to re-order.

Feeling so despondent. Weekly weigh in and 1.5lbs up. In six weeks (5 on mj) I have lost 3.5 lbs.
I know weight loss isn't linear but that is six weeks of sticking to a calorie deficit, upping exercise, no alcohol, no UPFs, no simple carbs, 16:8 IF, plenty of water, checking protein.
Tonight have a special meal that is a tasting menu and tomorrow a birthday party to go to, so I fully expect those to add back the other 3 lbs.
I start on 5mg on Sunday but I can't see how that can help me much as it is not as if I haven't been sticking rigidly to a diet anyway.
This is the point when I would normally throw in the towel and accept that my body is determined to keep to the weight it has been at for the last 15 years. Except that I already have the next pen ready to go.

My debacle with the scales continues this morning as well.

I’ve been up and down the same 1 lbs since Monday. It’s beyond frustrating. But weirdly, I don’t have that throwing the towel mentality. I think maybe just for my mental health, I’ll step away from the scales for a few days/a week. But will continue with everything else. I think the daily weighing is not the healthiest for me for situations like this because I can start obsessing.

@Jpeg24 I ordered from Zava on a Sunday, was asked for ID on the Monday, asked for photos of the scales and a full body image on Tuesday, approved the same day, then received my first pen on the Wednesday by lunchtime.

I am 6.5lb down after 2 jabs. It is amazing! £229 seems very steep for a 5mg. Zava does it for £122 with a discount code.

Here is a code to get a 5mg pen for £122.
Use my code and you’ll get 15% off your first order at ZAVA: REFN6SPJ
https://www.zavamed.com/uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=refer_a_friend
Maximum discount value: £30

Great progress @spamm ☺️ you're doing so well.

Morning all,

I too am joining the non weight loss week. Was also up and down the same lb. Currently same weight as last week.

I put it down to the weather. Maybe extra water weight.

Well done for those that have lost 😊

So I asked Voy about maintenance and they said they are happy to support to maintain weight unless you drop below a certain BMI. I asked what that was and they gave me my minimum weight 62 kg which puts me at BMI 25.

so looks like they will prescribe maintenance dose unless you drop below 25. I am a few months off that but is reassuring although I am not sure how they would know your accurate weight ongoing. Their communication is very good and no issues with deliveries at all.

https://joinvoy.com/r/U-wjjjXONaOY

Lol. So they basically cut you off at BMI 25!

Weigh day and I’ve lost 3lb this week! Brings my total loss down to 3 stone 5 in four months. I’ve got less to lose than I’ve lost already so that feels good! I’m going to be brave and post a start weight for the first time today

SW- 20 stone 2lb
CW- 16 stone 11lb
GW- 14 stone

thank you everyone for all help and support, really couldn’t continue this without this group!

Wow @GlueNoGlue that's a fantastic loss and really encouraging to hear about.
My start weight was 18st 6 and I'm 1 stone down so far.
It's so good to hear of how great this is working over a longer period.
Makes me even more determined to stick with this.
I'm noticing such a difference already, my knees no longer hurt walking up my stairs!
Thank you for sharing your stats.