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:

Morning all. Nice to see a fresh new thread! I find these threads so motivating, they are making this process so much easier.

Middle of week 3 here, had minimal side effects so far, but got my first period since starting this week and I’ve had awful cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting the last 24 hours. Haven’t really changed my eating habits, in fact struggling to manage 1000 calories per day, so am wondering if this is a side effect, period/peri menopause related, or maybe just a bug? Anyone had anything similar? I was planning to go up to 5mls with my next pen but if I’m now suffering side effects I’m thinking maybe I should stick to 2.5ml for a while?

Exactly. And if people who aren't overweight can't get the real thing, will they then resort to the black market which may cause even more problems?! I'm glad I started sooner rather than later.

I’ve also just read that cabbage is something that can cause severe gastric problems and I had that Thursday night so maybe that’s my issue…

Morning all.

I got on the scales this morning hoping to see that I've lost the final 1lb to my 3 stone loss milestone, but I'm up 1.8lbs today 🙄

According to my menstrual calander I ovulate tomorrow so that probably explains it, alongside some water retention and not having 'gone' for about a week. Time for a laxative I think.

I definitely haven't gone over 1200 cals, at all, so it's not food gain.

I would've been gutted this time two months ago and felt really down but the longer I'm on this journey the more I'm learning about the natural fluctuations that occur and why it's normal, so I'm at peace with it.

I'm moving up to my first 7.5 on Monday 🙂

I'm glad I started sooner too. I'm considering stockpiling but I don't know which dose to stockpile. I'll be absolutely gutted if we get cut off.

Yes definitely! I'm sure something will be done eventually to monitor people more.
Maybe they should crack down on the black market stuff first though!

I'm starting to get itchy and want to order another pen! Trying to hold back! Lol. I'm sure it will be fine for a while longer!

I wonder what they mean by cracking down on it. I feel like it’s a minority who are lying to get it. If it was easier to get through your GP who can see you in person then that would help but I can’t see that changing overnight!

anyway, just did a quick weigh in before I start getting organised for the wedding we’re off to and have lost 2lbs this week! Delighted after a wee stall last week…and my goal for this wedding was to get to 200lbs and today I’m 200.8. I’ll take that!

23lbs gone, never to be seen again!

Weigh in day for me, week 16 finished

Ive finally broken through my stall and lost 2.6 lbs which brings my total loss to 36.6lbs. Absolutely delighted 💃

Im also dead on 14 stone now, so I’m close to seeing 13 stone on the scales which I haven’t seen in over 11 years!

Well done @ObsidianTree on an amazing loss and welcome home @MelissaLouRocks

I’m really worried about this. Like I said before I worry our voice is lost in all this… we are the silent majority who are being sensible and will be saving the NHS £££

Can mumsnet do anything to help us get our voices heard? It’s so skewed currently. We must be the busiest series of threads on Mumsnet now.

@ObsidianTree ahh I didn't realise you'd dropped down a dose. Even better then that you managed such a good loss.

@BellaCriesAndThatsAlright I can't decide what to do either with stockpiling. I don't want to be left with hundreds of pounds worth of medication in my fridge if I manage to maintain reasonably well though. I currently have 2 10mg and a 7.5mg in the fridge.
Last week I ordered the 7.5mg from med express and was surprised they never asked why I wanted to drop the dose, just sent it out next day as usual.

I saw one doctor say “the genie is out of bottle” about weight loss drugs. Everyone knows they exist, I am sure companies are going to be racing to produce them because NN and EL are raking in the cash. I suspect the focus is going to be on regulating initial access. It could something as simple as a practice nurse or pharmacist verifying your BMI at the beginning and that being added to the NHS app as a code that you give prescribers.
The NHS can’t simultaneously worry about an obesity timebomb and then make it too difficult for people to access these drugs.

I think the regulators / NICE are playing catch up right now.

I seem to have fallen into stockpiling as well! I have a few doses left of my 7.5, a 10 and a 12.5 in the fridge and another 10 on the way as I ordered one from Voy yesterday as I had a discount again. I'll order a 15 when they get released. I've still got over 3 stone to go though.

@Pigriver thats amazing! Well done! Hopefully MJ will stay in your body for a little longer to keep helping you with the final pounds. I thought one provider allowed you down to 23, maybe you could get another final pen?

@MelissaLouRocks MedExpress allow you to order every 2 weeks, could you speed up ordering to anticipate maintenance, that’s what I’m doing.

I am @ThirdStorm but being disabled I'm on a limited income, so it isn't easy. This has made such an enormous difference to my health, if I were to come off it now, it would be like becoming crippled overnight. I have 3 pens in the fridge, but if I get cut off at a healthy weight, or those suppliers that are promising maintenance renege on that, I don't even want to think about how I'll be then. I've had 20+ years of it, I don't want to go backwards.

@MelissaLouRocks i hope you can find a way to access MJ, I think it’s got so many other health benefits. I wish I could stay on it forever!

Finished my 1st week yesterday, 3 3/4 lbs lost, didn’t really feel hungry but ate meals just smaller than normal and didn’t do nearly as much snacking as normal.

Only slight worry was after my second dose yesterday I had a bit of sleepless night last night, was very aware of my heart beat. Seems to have settled this morning though.

Thank you @ThirdStorm I will do everything I can! By this time next week I will be off morphine completely for the first time in 15 years.

Mounjaro is my very own miracle.

Oh la la! New thread already! Just catching up and marking my place. 🫶🏼

@MelissaLouRocks I'm amazed at everything it has done for you. I really hope it continues long term.

I'm off to see the Foo Fighters now. I've just eaten lunch and feel a bit sick! Hopefully it will pass.

Thanks @BellaCriesAndThatsAlright hope you have a fantastic time!

Thank you so much for all of the information. Just ordered my first pen

That's amazing @MelissaLouRocks. I really hope there will be a way to access this drug at maintenance levels in the future for those who need it.

Yes. If they add a step in that means you have to go to your Dr and get your height and weight taken before a provider authorises your initial order, then that would stop some even trying to get it illegally. Would solve a lot of problems really.

I just hope they accept people will want to stay on a dose to maintain and let that happen