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’ve had such a good experience with Voy (Join Voy) so far. The WhatsApp coaching is really helpful and the app is good too to track your weight loss on a chart etc so you can see it going down. I’ve lost 10lbs so far and the disordered eating food noise is totally gone. It’s so weird to have space in my head for things that aren’t food and obsessing about my body image!!!

My friend referred me initially so we both got £85 off, but I’m hoping I can now refer someone else for 50% off 😂 I’d love it if someone used it!!! ♥️

joinvoy.com/r/U-GOhspJ7BKZ

How strange. Do you get them on the same day? My DH used to get migraines every Saturday. We tracked it down to an alcohol and chocolate reaction from Friday snacking.

Evening all, had a super busy weekend and busy day at work today so only just trying to catch up.

Well done for all the NSV reported. Also for all the losses big and small. Welcome to all the newbies ☺️

@MelissaLouRocks that's is amazing news. I also think it's a great idea to report to Eli lilly your success also ☺️

I will, I think many more people need to know the benefits. 😊

Sorry ... Mumsnet newbie. What does NSV stand for? Am I being really dim? 😂 congrats on all the wins!

It's Non Scale Victory! We picked up the term from the Americans ☺️

Hello, someone gave me a discount code but it no longer works! So sorry. Could I please have another code for a returning customer for ZAVA

I think the referral code only works for new customers. To get 15% off your next pen, someone needs to use your referral code.

Hi everyone just checking in on this thread though I've not managed to read it all. It just moves so quickly now there are so many of us!

After pretty much no side effects all the way through, I took my first 10mg on Friday and have had loose urgent poops today and the dreaded sulphur burps. Seems to have settled by itself now so I still think I've got off lightly in terms of my body handling the medication.

NSV on Saturday...I work 1 Saturday a month and my uniform is a shift dress. When I started my size 16 was very very snug, showed every roll and I had to wear my jacket and scarf to hide how tight it was. This weekend a colleague commented on my skinny arms and legs (they're not, but it's relative!) and my dress is actually loose, almost too big! And the best NSV is my smoothing no-VPL boob to knee shorts I wear underneath are actually loose on my thighs and bum! A lycra garment is too loose! I'm very happy indeed.
Still in same size 16s in jeans etc though, which is frustrating, but I'm well over 2st loss and I think the loo roll/kitchen paper analogy is going to come into effect soon and it'll suddenly be evident that I've lost quite a bit of weight.
After losing only about 5lb on 7.5mg, I've lost 2lb in my first weekend on 10mg so I'm happy it's started to come off again.

@ObsidianTree I see. Thank you! I did post my referral code last month but I guess no one needed it. Hurts to pay £200 for a 10mg pen

I have a 15% off code for a Zava new customer...sharing on behalf of my friend who isn't on here but who has been inspired by the successes. When you make an order you'll then get a code to share to get 15% off your 2nd order.
REFSNXV4

Post it again though because new people are joining the thread all the time!

Woohoo!!! Huge congratulations 😁

@BellaCriesAndThatsAlright with weight change they normally only have cause for concern if it is unexplained weight loss. If they ask about / pick up on any weight loss then just advise them it is intentional and you've been trying to lose weight. It's only if patients say they are un -sure of the cause of significant weight loss. X

Quick question about Bolt. I’ve just signed up. Do they send you an email requesting photos? Which ones do they need I’m in work tomorrow so I was wondering what photos I should have ready on my phone so I can deal with the request in the office.

Hi everyone!

supposed to be doing my first dose of a new pen tonight but I noticed this line down the pen. I primed it to see if it would go away but it didn’t. Is this safe to use?

I signed up with them last week, and they asked for a full length photo in close fitting clothing, facing forwards, including your face. They will also ask for a copy of photo ID.

@MelissaLouRocks brilliant thank you and very well done on your progress.

I love reading this thread every night and hearing everyone’s successes. It really is a relief to have discovered mounjaro and finally find something that helps and actually works!!! I am on week 6, 2nd injection of 5mg tomorrow and am 1 stone 4lbs down.

I made the switch to Zava this month after Med express stopped discounts. I used someone’s 15% off code but can’t see who’s it was now but thank you 😊

If anyone needs a Zava code mine is

REF5TR3S

Quite possibly the best NSV ever there @MelissaLouRocks 🎉

I measured myself earlier. I usually do it on the last day of each month but I didn’t get round to it yesterday. Since the end of January I’ve lost 4 inches each off my hips, chest and waist, 3.5 inches off my belly, 5 inches off my spare tyre and 2 inches from each of my thighs. I started going to the gym mid-February. My spare tyre is usually where all the sugar sits when I’m on the sweets and chocolate so I’m very pleased to have lost inches from round there 😀

Bumping for you. Is it on the inside of the tube or the outside surface? Can you feel it?

Thank you! It’s on the outside, my partner checked it and he said that it’s just a mark/scratch on the plastic on the outside of the pen so I used it 😬

They can shove it at you all you like but doesn't mean you have to drink it! Remember you will be mingling so no one will actually know what you are or aren't drinking 😉

Hi all,

After advice please.

I have completed 4 weeks of 2.5mg and have lost over a stone BUT I have been so so sick - 2 bouts of V and D and was off work with second lot.

I bought the 5mg pen (during a calm period) and it is sat in my fridge and I just don't know what to do... it's a lot of money to throw away but I should have taken my first dose on Saturday. I couldn't face it.

It's the thought of being so so ill again that puts me off plus not being able to function/work.

People have mentioned 'counting the clicks' to stay on a lower dose. Does anyone know how this works?

A full dose for any pen is 60clicks. If you want to continue taking a 2.5dose from the new pen then only take 30 clicks.