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:

@MJqueen I don't like anything milky so find shakes hard to manage. I have recently discovered the clear ones, they are lovely.
I bought a MyProtein Vimto one first and now have Mojito flavour

@ mycatsslave I used your referral code on previous thread thanks.
Have made the jump from Asda to Zava, quite a big difference in price.
Here is my referral code for 15% off zava if anyone is interested -
REFXW6WX

Sorry misread what the poster asked see someone has given the correct link

Continuing my Curate Pharmacy saga!

Moved to them as defo cheapest at that point for 12.5mg.
Delivery took longer than it should have and I raised an issue saying I would reject pen when it arrived as I had no guarantee that it was kept cold .

They dispatched a replacement pen. Then the 1st pen arrived! Still distinctly cool as it turned out.
So essentially I had scored a free pen!

Except,
......the replacement pen has failed to appear!
Tracking shows it in a Cheshire depot, then its sat in Glasgow since Wednesday and hasn't moved.
They have now said that Royal Mail has issues delivering to my "remote location" and have refunded me and they hope I can find a supplier with a courier able to deliver here!

Now, admittedly I live on a Scottish island. But it's 10 miles off the coast, not mid Atlantic!

I get Royal Mail deliveries daily.
We also get full service from all the couriers, Evri etc. The only trouble we have is with large things like say , a fridge, where there is an additional delivery cost. For small parcels. We are just like everywhere else.
We have post offices and a Royal Mail depot!
5 pens from Med express have arrived within 24hours using Royal Mail Tracked. So there is something weird going on that Royal Mail Tracked via Curate can't get here!

Soooooooo, I have now swallowed my pride and ordered again from Med Express! I figure even with their dear price, I still have a free pen and a refund from the whole debacle so it works out quite cheap!

Anyway, if you don't live in a "remote location" I would still recommend Curate. Even though I had issues ( or Royal mail does) they have communicated very well and actioned a refund.

It's all very strange though. Maybe they didn't pay enough postage😁
Why on earth would it get as far as Glasgow and then vanish?

I find anything with a higher fat or sugar content makes me feel really sick for hours. I fancied a Bakewell slice the other day and within 20 minutes felt yukky. The week before I tried an iced doughnut...never again.

Managed the hard twist - just with hand. Found that it moved slightly, was then quite firm to twist really hard but once I got over that "hump" it then turned fine / easily x

Putting this here for accountability

SW: 171Ib
TW: 133Ib
CW: 159.8Ib
Loss: 11.2Ib

1. 31st May 0.25mg 171
2. 7th June 0.25mg 164.4 (-6.6)
3. 14th June 0.25mg 162.3 (-2.3)
4. 21st June 0.25mg 159.8 (-2.5)

For anyone who uses or just purchased the Renpho scales, I have been using these for years. Couple of tips..

I always step on them, let them register a weight, step off, wait until it goes to 0 again and then step on. I am ALWAYS two pounds lighter. I think the first weight calibrates or something.

You can also link them to your fitbit app, Samsung health, and my fitness pal so it logs your weights automatically into them.

Also for anyone looking to increase their daily portion. I throughly recommend the Davina Taylor Will Powers Collegen powder and the chocolate protein powder.

I have the collegen is some hot water with a slice of lemon to start the day, 9g of protein. Then mix the protein powder in with 150g grams of Greek yogurt and berries. Works out around 25g of protein and is so tasty.

The protein powder only has four ingredients and is keto friendly. You can also use it to make a tasty hot chocolate.

First dose Friday eve, felt fine save for a mild headache later in the evening. Yesterday had loads of energy, ate protein pancakes for breakfast with so e fruit and Greek yoghurt.
At a festival in the afternoon till early evening, didn't want to eat at all, absolutely no appetite but did have a couple of shandies which went down well.
Had a chicken burger from Maccy's (first I've had since before lockdown, I'm not a takeaway burger fan) as we were passing on the way home and DH and I were both peckish by then.
Felt insanely full afterwards and the most knockout fatigue hit me by 8pm, could barely move off the sofa. I went to bed at 8.30 waking up at 7.

I’m back. Did 3 weeks on my own. Need to lose another 10lb in 5 weeks to get to my goal before my holiday. Ordered last night from Zava using a code from here.

Managed to lose 5lb in the 3 weeks I’ve not used but the food noise definitely returned.

Jeez, I knew there were some (being polite) slightly less cerebral people on the Facebook groups, but I've heard it all now.

Someone came on complaining she was injecting in her thighs, but her legs were red and really hurt.

She had apparently been sent a box of pen needles by her supplier, but posted to ask "when you use the injection are you supposed to change the needle each time?". 😱

So what did she think the box of needles were for? And obviously not read the patient leaflet!

Obviously, I hope this lady hasn't contracted an infection or cellulitis, but sadly sounds quite probable. It sounds like if prescribing rules are tightened up, the first thing they need is to do is an IQ test. I couldn't believe someone would do that, it just baffles me. 🤔

@MelissaLouRocks geez! So worrying when people don't read the instructions!

Checking in on the new thread and it’s already on page two! Wow!

I made a mistake and had a McDonald’s last night. Take my kids every week after swimming as a treat and haven’t had one since starting MJ. Yesterday was a really long day so had a happy meal burger. It tasted amazing! Then up all night being ill, definitely not worth it!

Morning everyone. I had a dream last night that I was lapsing into a chocolate binge. It felt so real and in my dream as I was secretly stuffing the chocolate in, I felt the usual guilt and disappointment in myself that I do in real life. I then had the realisation and huge disappointment that I had proved mounjaro doesn't work for me. And then I woke up! The relief that I had not binged while on the jab was so nice and once again I didn't fancy anything like chocolate or sugary treats.

Has anyone else had similar to this or am I just wierd? 😂

Perhaps I'm just worried I'll mess it up like every other diet I've done. I feel like it's my last try.... hence the username.

On the back of this, when I ordered last night it said delivery Tuesday. Which was perfect as WFH this day, but this morning I have uploaded my pics and they say they are delayed by 1-3 days, which is annoying as going on holiday Saturday, any newbies to Zava, how did did your pen take to be dispatched recently?

@MelissaLouRocks !!!! Oh my goodness!

Last week I was at the doctor's and I noticed a mounjaro information poster on my GPs noticeboard in her office! I meant to mention it or at least ask if they were prescribing, but never got the chance. Might finally make the appointment for my 40 year old MOT check thing now just so I can.

@MelissaLouRocks

I was saying this to DH yesterday. There was one asking if you get to 12 stone 14 or whether it was just 13 stone..... And much more worryingly, not one but two people who were injecting the priming dose not the proper dose and then wondered why it didn't work!

Hi all, I’m new and only started last week Tuesday (meds arrived then) on 2.5 but have only lost 1lb the first week (weigh day is Sunday) - is this normal to start with?
Had loads of energy the night of the injection and then nausea for a couple of days & then full feeling.
I have eaten significantly less than usual through no snacking & normal meals & lots of water, plus have started intermittent fasting by not eating until 10am too, so I thought I might see more of a loss? Did anyone else have a slow start?

SW - 12 stone
GW - 8.5 stone
Current bmi - 29.6

I know. It sounds unfair and mean of me to say people are thick, but they don't even seem interested in being self informed! I did a lot of reading and research before going down this road, and it's insane to me people will just order and inject anything into themselves. Mindblowing.

Perhaps one requirement could be to ensure everyone has to watch an introductory video, and answer questions correctly before an order is approved.

I'm not sure tbh, but these people haven't got a clue what they're doing, and it could rebound badly on everyone.

I started on Wednesday. 3lb down so far. No side affects, thank goodness. I don't feel full, just don't have any interest in food. No 'food noises'.

SW 13st 4 BMI 30
CW 13st 1

I ordered through ZAVA and once approved got it delivered within 24 hrs. It cost £122 with the 15% off code.

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: REFN6SPJ
https://www.zavamed.com/uk/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=refer_a_friend
Maximum discount value: £30

Well done for all the weight losses today 😊

Welcome to new starters

I've just had a peek on the MJ Facebook groups. Dear god.

Someone asked if it would be okay to take the pen orally instead of injecting. 🤯

@MelissaLouRocks when our GPs at work prescribe injections they send the patient to me first to be shown how. Even things like Mounjaro and Ozempic where it's all (I thought) quite simple and preloaded. I thought this was unnecessary, given we're all ordering it and managing fine. Oh boy was I wrong!

I joined a facebook group and left pretty quickly.

I've just done what was supposed to be the final jab of 2.5 and the pen malfunctioned. It wouldn't do the entire dose and stopped at what looked like 90% of it. I ended up trying the hard twist and it worked really easily but no clicks at all. I think I may have used an extra half dose on top of the under dose so maybe about 3mg? Hopefully I'm not going to suffer.

Unfortunately it's easy to forget that for as many people who are above average intelligence, there are that many again below the average. I can see why there's concern about people accessing these drugs, we forget not everyone has done as much reading about it and preparation as most of us probably did before we made the leap.