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:

Are you me?

It's obscene how many pairs of trousers I have bought in the past month. I think I'm single handedly keeping Lucy & Yak in business. We'll have allllllll the trousers darlings 💅

I haven't lost enough weight yet to buy clothes. I'm slightly scared what will happen when I do 😂

I have hit 200lbs today! So 37lb lost altogether. I still don't fit in the smaller clothes in my wardrobe!

Arghhh 🤣 I don't want to buy any, because I have a LOT that have tags that I bought when in denial of my size increasing!

@WannabeHealthier it's a shitty situation. I had a psychologist for the duration of my cancer treatment and a good 12 months after. My trust also offered the same service for relatives and carers. Might be worth checking if you can self refer.
It's a rollercoaster and nobody knows what will happen. I also had 10% chance of 5 year survival and here I am. So these numbers are scary but they don't really mean that much.
I had to take anxiety medication and my gp was very supportive. Depending how long you think this will last, might be worth asking for help from your gp as well. Whatever you do, don't suffer in silence. Cancerland is very lonely for patients and carers 😢

Really sorry to hear what you’re going through. I’ve had a bit of insomnia over recent years - mainly in run up to menopause and during. The best thing for me was the headspace app and in particular the nighttime mental chatter one which could get me back to sleep if I woke worrying in the early hours. They normally have free 2 week trials so might be worth a look

checkout.headspace.com/checkout?voucherCode=B2C14DANNUAL2022&origin=homepage-nav-cta

I love buying new, smaller clothes 😀 I bought a lovely Ted Baker dress in Vinted about 2 years ago and I keep trying it on but can never get the zip done up. I might try it on again tomorrow 🤞All I need now is the occasion to wear it 😆

I think quite a few maintenance threads have got started, there just never seem to be any updates from anyone who has a few weeks under their belt. I’m a bit surprised as I’d have thought a few people would have reached this point by now!
But maybe it’s still early days. I’ll watch yours with interest

@Summerheels & @Flapearedknave ahhh you may have hit the nail on the head!! The past few weeks I haven’t made it to the gym when previously I was going 2-3x a week to an exercise class with a friend which was definitely giving me good exercise endorphins! Said friend has been away and I haven’t been motivated to go alone.. will have to suck it up and force myself to go alone to see if I can get out of this rut

It's up to you. If you are still on 2.5 then stopping and starting will be less of an issue. If you have already gone up to 5 you may want to drop your dose when you come back down to 2.5 again and build back up to 5 again over 2/3 weeks.

I have heard that in done places they start off on 5 though so it's certainly possible but side effects might be a lot to cope with.

Before I got fat I had so many nice clothes sitting in my wardrobe just waiting for special occasions to wear them, by the time something special came around I couldn't fit into the sodding things 😂

My take away is this - you don't always need a special occasion to get dressed up, wear the clothes and enjoy them.

I hope it fits and you look fabulous 🙂

I'm on week 3. Going well so far with few side effects.

But I went out for dinner tonight. I had a lamb biryani which usually enjoy. But I couldn't enjoy it because it tasted unbelievably spicy! My DH said it tasted fine to him, so I wondered whether it's the MJ that's altered my tastebuds.

Anyone else experienced this?

Hi everyone, newbie here 👋 These threads have been so helpful and inspiring - love that so many people are having to buy new clothes! After lots of faffing I took the plunge and ordered two weeks ago. 12lbs down so far and feeling positive I can sustain weight loss for the first time in my life (thankfully as I have a lot to lose!)

I’m just thinking about where to go for the best deal for month 2 so if anyone is looking for a Voy discount code please use my link - https://joinvoy.com/r/U-x29a0pnkmO. Really hope the prices everywhere come down soon so it’s not so unaffordable long term!

The Vinted chat has reminded me it’s time to sell more clothes tomorrow. Hardly anything fits. It’s so weird.

@WannabeHealthier I have been on sertraline pretty much since I got sober. You’re dealing with a lot!

Some great suggestions have been made and I would add Melatonin for sleep relief. It’s prescription only in the U.K. but you can get it shipped from the USA easily. (Makes me laugh, it’s in the vitamin aisle in the USA. It’s not a drug).

If MJ is causing a mental health spike in conjunction with what’s going on then look after yourself and take a break. There’s no point exacerbating either set of symptoms.

So I may have lost my temper and bit at a few posts on the face book this evening. I am so frustrated at how much misinformation and downright dangerous opinions are being not only expressed but celebrated! Needless to say I've now been blocked from two of the groups due to posting a single post speaking my mind.
Do these people not think that by peddling this dangerous crap that it's gonna end up backfiring on the rest of us that are following prescription directions and guidelines properly? Given that there's so much in the news already about the drug being abused!
Sorry, rant over 😂

I have a question please, does suppression start to last longer as you go onto higher doses?
I am finding myself starving on day 5 at the moment, I'm on 2nd dose of 7.5mg.
It's really annoying and frustrating, I'm tempted to inject my next dose early each week but can't really afford to be buying more pens than necessary.

Please tell me 10mg will last all week 🙏

Oh wow I'm disappointed to see this.

I don't think any of us are being or have been irresponsible with our use of MJ and don't deserve to be lumped in like that.

Some people need to lower the dose in order to be able to deal with the side effects, not everybody can handle the jump between doses. Why should that mean they just shouldn't use the medication?

Ditto the people splitting the dose over the course of a week to better cope with side effects.

The BMI part - it is unfortunate and counter productive that in the UK some pharmacies whom are not up to date with evolving guidelines will simply boot you off the medicine the minute you reach a BMI of 25.

For people who have struggled with obesity and associated health problems, all that will achieve is rapid rebound weight gain. The longer MJ is rolled out here the more pharmacies are understanding the need for a maintenance dose post reaching BMI 25.

Let's take bolt for example who are prepared to continue to perscribe a maintenance dose after reaching a healthy BMI - are they in the wrong and the more cautious pharmacies in the right? I don't believe so, simply more up to speed with how MJ works and understand that it is a drug which more often than not needs to be taken long term, which is what the vast majority of doctors who have spoken on the subject have said.

In the UK there is so much unnecessary red tape, we only have to look at tier 3 weight management services for a good example of that.

Anyway, you do you. I'm sorry you have been put off by our lovely and supportive thread. Hopefully you can find a community better suited for you.

I personally disagree with you about this group however you're entitled to your opinion. Facebook on the other hand is a dangerous place and the intelligence levels seem to be quite low which makes it worse.

As for people adjusting their dose gradually, I see no one here jumping to higher doses before they should and I really don't think it matters if they want to titrate up more gradually. Also paracetamol has a line down the middle for someone to take half but the box doesn't suggest half.... I feel like if you're taking less there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. The bonus dose is still the same medicine that would otherwise be wasted.

Do what you've got to do but if others want to be safely flexible, don't worry about them.

Does anyone know of so where that does samples of the clear protein drink? I'm loathed to buy a big tub when I may not like it

Bovine collagen helps your digestive system, for skin you need marine collagen.

Did anyone else find losses slowed a lot on 5mg? Weirdly I lost 21lb over 5 weeks of 2.5mg but have only lost 4lb in the last 4 weeks on 5mg!

I have my 7.5mg pen already in the fridge but I’m going to do my bonus dose before I start that. I’m not overly worried as I understand big losses can’t happen indefinitely but 1lb a week just feels a little slow. I still have 2st to lose so I’m not halfway to goal yet.

I'd like to start Mounjaro but live in France where it's not available yet. When I'm in the Uk in the summer is it possible to buy multiple pens from different places? And if I buy higher dose pens can I calculate a lower dose via clicks?

Not unless you have both a UK GP and residential address.

Yes that was my experience too, but I did stay on 5mg for an additional month.

By jab three of pen 2 I had very little suppression and got by on will power alone for the most part.