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:

Hi, I’ve had two doses and feel nothing. No side effects and no suppression. Feel a bit down!

@Choux

I'm doing quite a lot of cardio - gym with treadmill (C25K), a little bit of weights and then lap swimming usually twice per week and my usual team sport twice per week. Need to increase weight training and do some more stretching sessions. My lower body flexibility is completely non-existent and has been most of my life.

I agree I am likely still going down - the numbers on the scale are just such an easy measure to rely on as motivation. I haven't said fuck it yet though, so that's a win in itself!

I'm starting my first 7.5mg pen tomorrow and the timing is great as I've started snacking again. I stayed on 5 for an extra month so it figures I would develop a tolerance.

The snacking is all within my daily calories, just, but it's pushing it a bit. That's how it it starts isn't it? You loosen the reigns slightly and next thing you know you're balls deep in mcdonalds wrappers and 4 stone heavier for your troubles.

I had a cheeseburger today, only a little single one mind but 6 weeks ago I couldn't have fathomed wanting mcdonalds, the suppression was so strong the thought of mcdonalds made me HEAVE!

Time to get back on the ball and re - eliminate the shit food.

Well done for your losses and NSV's!

Having done a split dose and injected 3ml last Sunday, I was expecting to do another dose on Thursday or Friday but suppression was still good so I left it. Then we were out yesterday and I wanted to let that alcohol & food leave my body before I injected again. I think that that was a mistake as I have eaten ALL the food today. Well, I say that, it was nothing like a pre-MJ binge but, when I was tired & hungry earlier, I reached for the biscuits and mindlessly ate a few and then had some chocolate before stopping myself. I'm annoyed with myself as I was due to weigh in tomorrow and really wanted to see a loss. I may wait a few days!

@Lastchancefatty mmmm, thank you! I shall be making some tomorrow and looking forward to it 😋

So sorry to hear that you suffer with it. Are you getting any help for it?

@Sassenach85 - the 5mg was not a big success for me. I did get suppression and felt fuller when eating, but the effect wore off quickly in the week. I lost 6.2lbs, I think, that month, but it was mainly using willpower. I far preferred the 7.5 when I got there. The novelty of MJ did help me stay on track though.

I did get my eating "organized" on the 5.0, because I had to focus. That is really where I started concentrating on protein and healthy carbs, making sure I was drinking enough and calorie counting, which really helped me learn how to do more food, but not more calories. I think previous attempts at keto, etc had really skewed my understanding of calories.

That's exactly how I was on my 2nd 5mg pen. Now that I'm on 7.5 - the suppression is back and I have zero desire to snack at all. Thankfully, other than a day of nausea and feeling tired, I haven't had any bad side effects on 7.5 - I had worse side effects with 5mg!

Thats really encouraging! I'm looking forward to having that back 🙂

I also had a stall on my second 5mg - I've lost 1lbs in 5 weeks ( after losing 2 stone in 8 weeks). I am on my second week of 7.5 and have lost a pound and my DP says my waist looks slimmer, hoping for a least a couple of pounds a week now. Am desperate to get back into the 10 stone bracket (will be first time in 10 years !)

I do pilates x 2 , spin x 2 , netball and weights

I'm really struggling to keep my protein up and calories under 1200. My weights going down but used the fancy scales at the gym today and my body fat percentage is increasing. I have a protein shake in the morning, usually fish or chicken for lunch but struggle in the evenings. I know there's a through threads on this so more of a vent than anything (I also really struggle searching on the app) so will have a search on the laptop later, but any tips welcome 😊

End of week 8 here and another 2lb off and into the 12 stone bracket (only just but I'll take it!).
Moving up to 7.5 this week. I've found 5mg quite odd. Felt like barely any effect to start with, last few days have had quite strong restriction but still getting some good noise. Might do 6.25 before 7.5 to see how that feels.
Good luck to everyone this week!

Week 18 for me and I’ve lost a total of 47lb on Mounjaro (5st 1 overall since November).

I’ve got 11lb until I’m a healthy weight and 13lb until my goal. I’m currently on 10mg, no side effects. I’ve stockpiled a couple and my plan is to stay on 10mg until target then drop to 5mg to maintain for a while and see how I get on.

I’d like to stay on it longer term but not sure who allows that

Food noise - definitely not good noise 🤣🤣

Point 22 on the first post on this thread covers maintenance. No one is sure yet what suppliers will do but, from people who have contacted them, Bolt seem to be most willing to continue to supply to customers who have reached a healthy BMI.

@Choux thanks. It’s all a bit hearsay until someone’s doing it isn’t it.

Good morning all I have been lurking for some time now .. I have kept a diary from day one of my journey I am currently on my second week of 5mg of MJ
starting weight 14st2
current weight 12st11 can’t actually believe it !
I have followed the stages and gone from 4 weeks on 2.5mg and progressed up , I did find 2.5mg suppressed my appetite more than the 5mg is though .i have added my code for ZAVA. Would also like to say thank you to everyone for sharing your personal journeys on MJ makes me feel less alone.

REFMUKDB

Hello. Long time lurker on this lovely and supportive thread.
I have a big birthday in early autumn and having a party. I'm totally off alcohol and haven't drink much over the last few months but I just wondered what other people have done about big parties and booze? I'd like to have a few drinks but I'm not bothered about being really drunk. I just don't want to feel rubbish while I'm supposed to be the host.
Has anyone got any tips to get around this? Wine and beer aren't agreeing with me at all but I can manage gin. I'm just worried people will be shoving fizz into me which will make me feel awful.

I am in a bit of a panic this morning, injected Saturday evening and it bled a tiny bit and a small bruise appeared quite quickly but l now have a red mark about the size of a 2p coin at the injection site 😬has anyone else experienced bruising after injecting into the stomach? I am a bit freaked out as the mark has got bigger since yesterday. I am wondering if l should draw around the mark to see if it gets bigger? Seriously panicking that l will end up with sepsis or something (yes l am prone to health anxiety)

Those scales are really inaccurate and easily affected by hydration levels so I wouldn't stress too much!

Just keep going with the weights, that will help. It's really hard to build new muscle when in a calorie deficit but you can try and hopefully at least prevent losing any lean mass.

@BlackFriYay shows how easy it happens (I know I've yo-yo'd for 15+ years now) and that's what I'm scared of. I went out for dinner Saturday night but the MJ helped me make reasonably sensible choices, without it I just don't know how capable I'll be!!

Thanks for the sound advice @NewLifter there always seems to be something to bring us down when things seem to be going well. I think I'll stay away from those scales for a bit and focus on getting to a healthy weight and sorting my eating habits out first. I'm doing a mixture of weight training, hiit, cycling and swimming ( I get bored easily) so hopefully the rest will come into place eventually 😊

What is it about 5mg? I'm on day 2 and appetite definitely doesn't feel as surpressed as it did on 2.5 when I started. I was hungry yesterday too. Regretting ordering another 5 now.

Had my first jab yesterday, all very simple after all my worrying about clicks and bonus doses, woke up in the early hours with an horrendous headache and feeling sick which have happily now passed. Feel extremely lethargic this morning though

I just messaged cloud pharmacy (who I’m currently with) and they’re happy to subscribe for 2 years as it says in the OP.

They recommended dropping down to 5mg once I get to my target and see how I get on. That works for me as I only started in February so I can wean myself off in my
own time.