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:

Monday weigh day
4lb loss (although official weigh day is Wednesday but I'll have probably put on a pound by then knowing my luck!)
12kg in 8 weeks I'm so happy!

Happy Monday everyone x

Just used your ZAVA code @Pinkbendyman thanks! If anyone needs a 15% discount code for zava here's mine
Use my code and you’ll get 15% off your first order at ZAVA: REFH4PNX
https://www.zavamed.com/uk/?utmmedium=referral&utmmsource=referaafriend
Maximum discount value: £30

I know the fancy scales are fancy, but I would still take their reading re body fat with a grain of salt!

RE protein; I think you’re doing great doing what you’re doing. What I’ve been prioritizing is opting for the high protein versions of the things I normally have. So, protein milk, protein yogurt, protein wraps, protein bagels. It’s a tiny tweak to the things I’m eating anyway but a big protein win. Also egg whites, cottage cheese, chickpeas, beans, tofu, are also jam-packed with protein!

I ordered my next pen from Asda (have used them from the start) and they've asked for more photos, including with the date written on a piece of paper. That's new!
Seems they're trying to weed out those not taking it properly.

I had the same with Zava this time. I was a bit grumpy at first, but I can see the reason for it

I don’t use whey powder at all but do eat protein bars so I may avoid them for a day or two. Thank you.

I have the most enormous NSV today.

After 15 years, I'm now morphine free! In 3 months I've successfully reduced from just under 200mg a day to nothing. If I'd tried to do this pre MJ I would've felt awful, but have had no physical withdrawal symptoms at all.

I can't begin to explain how much this means to me, probably more than the weight loss itself.

A big welcome to all the newbies, and congrats to the losers.

Today is a good day. 🎉

Yay that's fabulous news @MelissaLouRocks , so happy for you!

In my stockpile I currently have a 10mg pen and a 12.5mg pen. That's 112.5mg including the bonus doses. At 5mg a week for maintenance that's 22 weeks supply. I reckon I will be able to add 1-2 more pens to my stockpile before I hit a BMI of 25 so I could in theory be sitting on a year's supply of 5mg doses by the time I get to 25.

I keep wondering if I should switch suppliers but maybe I need to just stockpile a bit more and then I will be ok. Or will I want to have the option to keep ordering for 2 years (in which case how will I get through my current stockpile). Oh I'd don't know what's best.

So so chuffed that my post holiday weigh in this morning and I am 0.5lbs lighter than before I went. This I has never happened before staying somewhere with all the delicious food!!

Massive motivated to keep me going this week, hoping to start seeing a good few pounds off each week.

Huge congratulations @MelissaLouRocks you are a real Mounjaro success story.

Your experiences should be reported back to Eli Lilly and NICE and even the press as an example of how life changing this drug can be and why proper maintenance guidelines need to be created as a priority.

That's a good thought actually, I may well do that, thanks.

I don’t know if it’s a lull as our bodies adapt? I ordered the 7.5 for my next pen but I’m progressing through them all pretty quickly. I do tend to be someone who reacts unusually to medicines. I can take high dosages without feeling effects. Who knows. I’m fed up though. I can mentally justify the cost when I feel like I’m injecting magic 😂

I’ve just used your code but as a new customer to Zava is pending whilst they approve my photos.

I agree with this. What an achievement @MelissaLouRocks
I honestly think this medicine is the start of something pretty amazing.
Hearing your story, those reporting how they've cut back on their alcohol intake and also some anxiety sufferers noticing improvements, all goes to show MJ isn't just helping to reduce food intake.
I think it's really exciting to be part of this at an early stage.
I know it's changed my life and I've only been taking it for 5 weeks. I have a long way to go but losing 1 stone has made such a difference to my joints. I also sleep better as not getting up every night now for a wee.
Best decision I ever made.

I know this has been answered before but I can't find it! So can someone tell me how many clicks I need to get a 5mg dose out of a 7.5 pen? I don't want to go up yet as I'm at a conference next week and don't want any unexpected surprises going up a dose just before!

Huge congratulations @MelissaLouRocks ! What an incredible outcome!

Massively challenging weekend in terms of little control over my food supply timing so I couldn’t fast as well but I only snacked on apple banana & almonds and took some boiled eggs & a salad. So so pleased I felt much clearer in the head and coped with no migraine despite many hours of challenging driving to support as chief taxi for DDs sporting event. I’ve lost 10lbs this month on 2weeks of std dieting (-2lbs) and 2weeks of MJ.(8lbs) But it’s the complete control I now feel around food which is life changing for me, it’s not dominating my every thought. Hoping I can keep going as got 40lbs to lose.

40

@MelissaLouRocks thats simply brillant and life changing for you. I’ve had significant reduction in joint pain and stopped taking some gastro meds after just 2 weeks use it’s amazing it’s impact.

@Choux similar to me, I have 2x 10mg spare.

I’d like to not be on it for 2 years (expensive!). I’m going to stockpile 1 more 10mg and then hope to be off it by then.

are you worried about maintaining? I really don’t want to pile it all back on!

@MelissaLouRocks that's such amazing news. Mounjaro is magic.

I'm trying to build up a stockpile but I'm scared MedExpress are going to notice and cut me off!

@MelissaLouRocks what a lovely thing to read! You must be absolutely over the moon!!

Someone asked about a maintenance tread - I'm waiting for @FlappyFish to take the plunge!

Today I started reducing dose. Ironically my scales show 9st 13.6 so I'll stick to my goal of maintaining at around 10st. I have a brand new 7.5 dose and a 10mg on the way. I'm hoping two pens will last me a good few weeks. Current plan is 2 weeks on 5, 2 or 4 on 3.75 and the rest on 2.5.
I have made a list of the habits I want to continue with:

• whey drink first thing
• smoothie with collagen for breakfast mid morning
• small snacky lunch - crackers with cottage cheese, hummus or bagel
• normal dinner but smaller portions
• exercise 4-5 times a week - weights / strengthening 3 times and 1 or 2 cardio sessions.

Very nervous of weaning myself off but have to be brave and focus 💪

That's amazing @MelissaLouRocks You must be thrilled!