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:

That’s so impressive! Just calculated mine and just under 14 per cent lost in 3 and a bit months. Really motivating, the losses have actually felt a bit slow lately but when you see that! Really good to see

I've lost 15%, my goal is to lose 32-34% of my starting weight.
Got a new low on the scales today that makes me just overweight and not obese, but I didn't manage to eat much yesterday and woke with an upset stomach at 3am, so I fully expect to bounce back up a pound or two over the next few days!

15 weeks in and 16.5kg/2 stone 8lbs down. Been looking at old photos of myself for inspiration and trying to correlate them with weights I have recorded over time. 7 years ago I was 11 stone 10lbs after losing about 45lbs doing keto. It came back on pretty fast once I started eating carbs again!

My goal is between 11.5 and 12 stone, depending on whether I manage to gain some muscle when I start exercising as I will look different depending on body composition. I'm tall and hourglass shaped so below BMI of 23 I'd look too thin. 24 would be fine.

I remember joining WW in my twenties at 12 stone 3lbs, thinking I was fat...

@PomchiK don't be disheartened. That's an average weekly loss of 1.5lbs. And if you're only on week 7 you'll still be on a low dose, the effective dose tends to be around 7.5 upwards. Keep going!

I'm the queen of disheartening stalls. It all eventually adds up and before you know it you'll have lost lots.

My advice is to weigh daily, switch up sites, keep plodding onwards and focus on any NSV that you can.

For some people weight loss comes in fits and starts. As long as you're eating in a calorie deficit it will eventually have an impact.

You've got this.

I've lost 11% in 4 and a half months. 7.5mg is working well for me where 5mg didn't (stayed on 2.5mg for 8 weeks due to side effects and 5mg for 8 weeks due to supply issues, hence the 5 week stall).
Despite the saggier skin and generally increased wobbliness I do look better naked and I feel less heavy. I love having a waist again, and my non-stretchy size 18 clothes are now a loose fit. This is fine for dresses and tops as I still have a large (if deflated) bust, probably down to a H cup now from a JJ, but trousers and skirts are an issue and the swimsuit I bought 3 months ago is baggy on me.
I have replaced food dopamine with shopping for toiletries (too busy for my garden at the moment which is otherwise a great outlet for me) - am genuinely excited ability getting home as have a delivery from Elemis, one from Cultbeauty and one from Lookfantastic. This is not a healthy substitute for sugar I realise, but it will do whilst I am in a period of adjustment (and lots of overtime).

Anyone who has an ifit membership I just saw they have a muscle maintenance series which is aimed at those on medication for weight loss.

All I need now is to actually get off my backside and do some exercise I just have no desire to do any

Also anyone with a toiletries habit like me, the bridal beauty company summer charity mystery box is fantastic. £50 and it has a 15ml Elemis superfood face oil in that's worth £54 on its own. Plus lots of other lovely goodies like a full size olaplex shampoo. And mini samples of all the new Charlotte tilbury perfumes

www.thebridalbeautycompany.com/products/charity-beauty-bag

Oof dinner was a right slog.

I did my first 3.75 mg jab in the morning and was fine for lunch - had a nice good sized salad with grilled chicken, and even a protein bar for dessert.

Just got dinner ready a while back and it was another yummy salad, and managed like 7 forkfuls.

I’ll try a protein pudding a bit later because I’m not reaching the calories today, but we’ll see how that goes.

It’s nice though, as I definitely struggled a lot more with food noise and appetite the last week or two and was managing on willpower alone

It's the end of week 1 for me and I've lost 6lbs, which I'm really pleased with.

I have had a few side effects, the worst being aches and feeling the cold. Really not so bad!

The food noise and hunger returned a bit yesterday and today so I've eaten my calories and I'm hoping that the next dose will control them again. It really hasn't been too bad though - just an observation rather than a complaint. I haven't been tempted to over eat so that's a win!

I am just so shocked by how my sweet tooth has been impacted. I had a Cadbury fudge on the night of my first injection and I had one last night when the food noise was going on. I didn't want anything else, which is so strange. I just can't believe that I haven't wanted to eat sweet things all week. I had a cookie my daughter made at the weekend because I felt that I should try them for her, rather than because I wanted it. I really hope that being on MJ is going to help me kick my sugar addiction!

I also have a couple of questions, if I may? toilet related (apologies!)

1. I asked this on the June group but thought some on here might have something to add - has anyone else had really dark poo? I had a colonoscopy a couple of months ago so I'm not worried about anything sinister. Anyone experienced similar?

2. my wee is BRIGHT yellow. Fluorescent almost. Any ideas? I'm taking some supplements so it could be that but I'm not taking electrolytes. I'm drinking loads - I'm having at least 3 litres a day.

Thanks for the thread - I have loved reading about your experiences and learning from you all!

19% loss for me since late Feb. That's so cool 😁

@greenmillions the supplements will be causing the bright yellow wee. I always get it when I take them.

Hi all, new to this thread (and back to Mumsnet for the first time in years).
Just wanted to drop in here to say thank you for your combined wisdom: I’ve been reading the threads over the last few days and it has helped me no end.
I am on week 7 of mj and am at 5ml. I am expecting to possibly stay on this dosage for a few more weeks - I am astonished at the effect. For the first time in decades I am not craving all day/planning treat food / battling gluttony and a ravenous feeling.
I’ve always been a big eater: I’ve often thought I could be a championship eater if I wanted to. It’s such a relief to not have to fight against it. I feel more positive, more in control. It’s a revolution in my life.

Maybe people disagree with how I'm taking Mounjaro based on some of the recent posts.

I'm currently counting clicks on a 12.5mg pen despite only being on week 13 and only taking 6.25mg up until now per week. (But I'm only not on my 7.5 pen as the 12.5mg one arrived just about cold something felt off about the delivery so didn't want it sat in the fridge if it had possibly been warmer than ideal).

I took 7.3 last week from this pen and yesterday felt all big balled and took 8.25 which today I regret as I felt quite sleepy and sick at the thought of food so shall reduce my clicks back to closer to 7.5.

I've lost 21lbs now so not as quick as some but I feel that I'm progressing well and haven't given up yet from the stress so I'm happy.

I’ve just done the weight loss calculator thingy. I have lost 14.5% of my body weight. How is this possible?!

This is amazing and so inspiring, but I’m so sorry you went through this hellish journey. It is truly heartbreaking and awful. The psychological help is vital to get you through and recovery. It does put everything into perspective.

Thank you so much for reaching out. It is a comfort xx

Ive just done this too - I’ve lost 16.1% in 4 months. My target is a total body weight loss of 26% so I’m well over half way!

I don’t know if I will continue, but will take it week by week and plan to reach out to my GP re: mental health. Sharing on here has made me realise I need to reach out irl. Thanks again all xx

I’ve lost 19% this year.
gone from obese to normal.

still somehow fat. BMI is rubbish.

That’s incredible… and it’s great you’re going to speak to your GP. I’m so sorry you’re struggling but it’s right to ask for help. Everyone here is rooting for you xxx

Anyone concerned about this https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jul/03/study-possible-link-weight-loss-jabs-wegovy-ozempic-and-naion-condition-blindness

Risk seems to be similar with all GLP-1 meds. I am on mounjaro and this has rattled me a bit.

I'm tired to I may have misread that article but that study specifically refers to semaglutides, whereas Mounjaro is trizepitide. From my reading it was also the group with diabetes that were higher risk.

Not that I don't worry about longer term health issues that we may not know yet. But I'm balancing risk with the bigger risks of being overweight.

@greenmillions bright yellow wee can be excess bile stomach acid. For the poo I would keep a food diary see if it correlates to something you’re eaten but do go back to your GP if it continues as they obviously did your previous tests for a reason. I had my gallbladder taken out 10yrs ago and have bouts of bright wee when I’ve eaten the wrong thing & my stomach acid goes up. But it can be a wee infection too so keep an eye on it. Or it could just be your supplements.

Bright yellow urine is almost always due to excessive supplements, eg berocca. Infection would lead to darker or cloudy urine, stomach acid doesn't enter urine.

Woke up really early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep! Haven't had this in a long time!

Morning all.

Just wanted to say I’ve reached my first target! The target was 20lbs off before I go on holiday in 3 weeks.

SW 214.8lbs
CW 194.8lbs

I'm also now under 14st. I have been trying to do this for years. BMI down to 29.1.

Going to treat myself to some non-edible today.

I am also really rattled by this this morning. I know it's about semaglutide, but Mounjaro wasn't included in the study so it's still an unknown. I think what scares me the most is that it says you can just wake up with reduced vision in one eye without any warning signs.

I know we need to balance again the risks absolutely known, but this type of news article really unsettles me.

I think I missed the part about all GLP1 meds.

They don't specifically mention trizepatides/Mounjaro in the article but they do quote the study which says 'Over three years, 6.7% of these people on semaglutide had naion compared with 0.8% who were taking other weight-loss drugs.' So in this instance wouldn't MJ would fall under 'other' as it's not a semaglutide?

I'm not downplaying it, just trying to digest what the detail is behind the scary headline.

It's Thursday weigh in day!
SW: 12.6.6
CW: 10.8.0
IGW: 10.0.0

2.4lb down on last week, and 3 in total over the past 2 weeks.

Bonus dose this morning, full dose using the hard twist, and then 2.5ml with a syringe. So just under 7.5mg I think.

15th jab today, so almost 2 stone in 3.5 months. It feels slow, particularly when compared to other peoples losses, but it's 2 stone more than I've done in years so I'm happy.