Continuing Mounjaro...part 15

[ObsidianTree]

Please note: Mounjaro will only be be prescribed initially if your BMI is above 30. If you have additional health conditions you can get the medication with a BMI 27. (Prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart problems)

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 - Some people find that they don't need to go up a pen dose each month if the current pen dosage is working well for them. If you are unsure when to go up, speak to your prescriber.

8 - The move up from 2.5mg to 5mg can be quite a shock to the system. Some people chose to take 3.75mg dosage for a few weeks to ease the transition.

9 - If you are having bad side effects after titrating up or you are struggling to eat your calories each day, your dose may be too high so should consider lowering your dose. Speak to your prescriber if unsure.

10 - 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

11 - Once you take your first dose you can choose to keep your pen in the fridge or somewhere else. It's up to you.

12 - 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

13 - Protein is important as eating less protein can cause muscle wastage and hair loss.
Some natural sources of protein:
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-sources-protein
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321522#high-protein-foods

14 - 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.

15 - Drink lots of water. Water helps with the weight loss. Drink at least 2ltrs a day. Preferably 3ltrs.

16 - 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.

17 - 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
further reading about injection sites and the effects: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316618

18 - 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.

19 - 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.

20 - Some of the places you can order from are:
MedExpress:
2.5mg and 5mg. £149.99. 7.5mg £169.99, 10mg £189.99. 12.5mg £209.99. 15mg £209.99 Coupon codes no longer working!
The Family Chemist:
2.5mg and 5mg £149. 7.5mg £169, 10mg £169, 12.5mg £194, 15mg £199
Zava medical:
2.5mg £139, 5mg £139, 7.5mg £169, 10mg £189. 12.5mg £204. 15mg £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, 15mg £199
Asda:
2.5mg and 5mg £179. 7.5mg £189, 10mg £189, 12.5mg £204 15mg £204
There are others not listed.

21- You will still be prescribed Mounjaro when your BMI falls below 30. However, it may be harder to move suppliers once you BMI is below 30 if you wanted to move.

22 - Worried about your supply being cut off when you get to a healthy BMI? Below is some info on some places maintenance plans.
The Family chemist :Would consult you as approached healthy BMI to discuss maintenance under close supervision(if you started with family chemist)
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 and does offer maintenance
Zava:Once healthy BMI will stop prescribing this treatment
Med Express: BMI 25 and cut off.

23 - 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
14th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5102149-continuing-mounjaropart-14?page=1

Thread for newbies just starting out in July:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5101435-mounjaro-july-2024

Video on how to inject:

I’m struggling here - I’ve had a bug 3 weeks ago but am still exhausted, bloated , nauseated. I don’t know for sure it’s the MJ but i don’t want to feel this way any more. Had already done 7 weeks and lost 1.5 stone before I started feeling terrible.
Is anyone else struggling with this sort of thing ?

That's fricking excellent news! I knew it was probably the case and Eli Lily only say 30 days so we don't all buy higher dose pens and economise. They want to make the most money from us they can! I've seen posts on Facebook from people using them up to 8 weeks with same wanted effects and no problems. Someone even mentioned it was a con and the wife of a pharmacist said her DH says it's fine well beyond the 30 days.

I’ve just ordered my first 10mg pen from Zava (I’m an existing customer) and paid £164.64 after a 15% discount.

Here’s my new discount code if anyone would like to use it and you’ll get 15% off your first order at ZAVA: REFV9DCW

I read somewhere that they are looking at tirzepatide (MJ) to help with alcoholism. So I guess there will be trials going on in the future for it.

Not a moron!

you can calculate it yourself, or, if you read back through the earlier threads there are titration schedules and doses etc.

@Muddleofpud the extra dose is usually a bit more than a full dose. I use insulin syringes to get it out. If you use a regular pen needle it might not all come out I don't know. I am not sure when you are planning to use it but bear in mind that going from 2.5mg to 5mg isthe only time the dose you take doubles. I was fine on 5mg after 4 x 2.5mg doses but some people find they have a bit of nausea or worse. It's probably best not to do the 4th dose and the bonus dose to get from your first pen.

@olympicsrock if you think it's side effects from the MJ then reducing your dose to hopefully get rid of the side effects is probably best. If you spoke to your prescriber that would likely be their advice. So people need to titrate up slower than the official dosing schedule.

@3wDavid yes you can give yourself 7.5mg doses from a 5mg pen etc if you now think you should have moved up.You just get through the pen quicker.

If this gets my migraines to lessen as well as helps me lose weight I will be so so happy. It's worth it for the weight loss alone but I've been happier, I've been less tired and no migraine in almost three weeks . I'm often triggered by pressure changes in the weather and this evening it's all grey and stormy feeling but no migraine!! I'm astounded but do not want to count my chickens just yet. I'm praying it's like you've said for me too!

NSV alert... while half watching the football I decided to get my old trousers and jeans out to see what was now wearable. I've lost 25lbs now so was expecting a few to fit and I need them to as the jeans and trousers I bought last summer are now hanging off me.

ALL THE 14s FIT!!!

So I now have about 8 'new' pairs of jeans and jeggings plus some walking trousers and two dresses to wear. One pair of pants I remember wearing in 2015!

I have about 4 pairs of 12s waiting for when I can get into those. And I have two new pairs of pjs which are now comfortable to sleep in. All those now wearable clothes will offset the cost of the pens and keep me going till I get to my goal weight. I might go through my tops later!

Fantastic NSV @Choux

@Pinkbendyman
Sorry this took so long! They're yummy. Let us know what you think 😋

@Choux 👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌

Well done you must feel amazing

Thanks @Choux, I’ve already taken my 4th dose of 1st pen, and am continuing on with the 2.5 for another month, I was just thinking maybe to make the third and fourth doses of pen number two into 3.5mg or thereabouts by topping them up with what’s left in the first pen on both occasions iyswim.

Also,@Choux what insulin syringes do you use and where do you buy them? Are they as easy to use as the pen ones?

I have these @Muddleofpud. The MOST important thing is that they are sterile. Mine are individually wrapped with some EU standard number printed on the packet. Some people prefer to buy from a medical supplier - I think there is a link to one in the first post on each continuing Mounjaro thread.

You need 1ml syringes as the dose is 0.6ml in size. My needles are 8mm so a bit longer than the pen needles and I think slightly wider but they don't hurt although you have to push them in a bit more than the pen needles. You should try to put them in at a bit of an angle to make sure you inject into fat rather than a muscle. To be honest I haven't been doing that yet but as I have less fat now I will probably start soon.

That’s fab Thankyou @Choux, ordered some now.

I can see how this might work. I went for a meal last night, had a cocktail (wasn't trying to get drunk, just fancied one). I came over all weird and had to take my dinner home in a bag. Have struggled since, especially with appetite. I'm pretty exhausted though, and think I'm hormonal and wiped out.

Mixing drinks is not good on MJ and I had a small glass on wine before we went out. Don't mix your choices of tipples of you do have a drink.

I am about a lb or two off my goal now and if I still feel crap tomorrow I'm going to be taking a lower dose. I'm reducing over the next month to come off and hope the last lb comes off over that time.

Is there a maintenance thread about yet? I'm looking for tips to keep the weight off, especially if kids are still young and not much time.

@choux congratulations on the NSV. So much of my wardrobe fits again. I had such a limited wardrobe before MJ and it was depressing. My 'fat' clothes from a few years back wouldn't zip up, but there is stuff I hung onto and I'm glad I did now, as I was so close to throwing it out.

I did manage a size 8 dress the other day but I couldn't breathe in the bloody thing and think I will be passing that on. I still fit pretty nicely in my bigger clothes weirdly enough too and think it's wise to hand onto them just incase the weight piles on again.

I still have some belly left. I don't think any amount of dieting will get rid of it. I just think it's baby chub, and I probably won't be wearing a bikini anytime soon.

@ledfacesystem
I have found the same re tacking things I've put off, feel more motivated and definitely using this time to develop the life/habits I want. I booked tickets for something in October that I would've found every excuse not to do and am looking forward to it instead of dreading it.

Starting weights tomorrow and hope to huod in some yoga too over rhe next month or so.

I've taken my last 2.5mg jab of my first pen and still have great suppression and no food noise. Only side effect is extreme tiredness. Going to use bonus does to hopefully 3.75mg and do a few weeks at that. Not had a great loss this 3rd week of only 1lb.

I was also thinking of the clothes sizes, it does vary so much from shop to shop but also worth remembering a 16 now is bigger than a 16 was 20 years ago. I was a size 8 pre kids, most shops didn't do a size 6 and they're in all now. The slimmest people haven't got smaller. Hope that makes sense

Sw 14st 10.4lb
CW 14st 2.4lb
GW 10st 7lb
Wk 1 -3.2lb
Wk 2 -3.8lb
Wk 3 -1lb

Has anybody found 5mg to be useless? Food noise is well and truly back 😩

At the end of the third week !
Injected in the stomach last time and I felt I had stronger suppression at the peak but it wore off quicker (than the thigh).

Will do my fourth injection of 2.5mg in a few mins.

Losses so far

SW 14st 11lb
CW 14st 3lb

Week 1: -4lb
Week 2: 0lb
Week 3: -4lb

Total lost 8lb

I think last week was as a result of the hot weather and have caught up this week so happy with an average of 2lb per week (after the initial larger water retention loss!)

@Sassenach85 how many doses into the 5mg are you? I remember posting the same sort of comment - I think it took me about 3 doses to see any effect and I had to have two 5mg pens due to the delay in the release of 7.5mg.

Great stuff @Choux. I tried some trousers on yesterday and although I've managed to get into some 12 tops and coats I was very surprised that I can still wear some of my 18 trousers. They look a thousand times better on me now, but bloody hell, they must have been seriously stretched around me 😓🫣

@Sassenach85 it worked for me for 6 weeks then I used the rest of the pen to make 2 X 7.5mg (0.9ml) doses to move up.

I'm struggling a bit on the 7.5mg now. Have had 5 doses and am considering doing the same again and moving up to 10 from next week by calculating the increased amount.

I feel a bit like I've reached my "set" weight of around 100kg and need to keep at it to break through. I've been hovering at the same for a couple of weeks. It's a bit frustrating as I know I'm way under calories. I track everything, have been exercising regularly etc, but scales not moving. I had something similar at 110kg, so just have to keep pushing to get past it.

On the plus side, my fitness has improved a lot. I can really feel the difference which is awesome.

And despite the scales not moving much, I can fit into clothes that even a couple of weeks ago were a touch tight or couldn't do up at all. So my body shape must be changing.

Onwards and downwards for everyone for a great week ahead. I'm really pleased for those who are almost at target. Our first graduates!

I still have another 20-25kg to go. Hoping to be almost there by mid-October as I have a family event and would love to surprise everyone there. Enough of always being the fat one!

It's good to hear that some of you are getting into clothes you haven't worn for a while. I had a slightly depressing trying on session the other day when I tried on some old clothes and they looked terrible. I think it was only then that I really realised how much I'd sausage'd myself into my existing clothes and how much better they are looking now than they did two months ago.
The other thing which is dawning on me now that I'm at about the half way point is that having a BMI of 25 isn't going to mean that I'm lean and toned with bronzed limbs. I'm still going to have a stomach, an arse and chubby legs. I think I'd forgotten that I've always had those even at my lightest weight as an adult and had been thinking that they'd magically disappear.

@MJqueen if your are losing cm despite not losing kilos it sounds like your exercise might be burning fat and replacing it with muscle especially if you are eating a lot of protein. The muscle will increase your metabolic rate and eventually the scales will start moving again.

What exercise are you doing?

Good evening everyone happy Sunday!

Well done on the losses. I'm eating all the shit so not doing well this week!

Have just ordered from Zava (used someone's code thank you I can't scroll back to name u!) think it was Pink bendy?

But it's obvs not approved etc but my billing with boy is during week. Should I just ahead and cancel it anyway? Just don't want it going thru for £229 😲😲😲