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 took my 4th dose of 2.5 on Tuesday 7am. For the first time it seems to have worn off by yesterday so I’m definitely moving up doses.
I am hungry.
I was going to copy what someone else did and titrate up to 5 By doing the bonus dose in my 2.5 pen coupled with 10 clicks of my 5mg pen and then see how I go. Possibly doing the rest of the first 5mg dose the week after.

For those of you reluctant to go up a dose. You can always get the high dose pen and simply take a smaller amount until you feel ready so go up. The risk of repeating a lower dose pen is it losing effectiveness and you needing to stay on it for 3/4 weeks without it working well.

There's nothing stopping you from getting the 5mg pen and only taking a half dose to get 2.5. It gives you the flexibility to move up as slowly as you need at any point.

The only down side is that it will be slightly more expensive if you DON'T move up and the expiry (30days) means you may have to throw the last dose or two away if you don't use it fast enough.

At least this is the attitude i have. I have been doing two intermediate doses between each pen. so the bonus dose (with a standard needle tip) plus 10 clicks of the new pen. The following week I do 50 clicks of the new pen. then after that 60clicks as normal.

Out of interest, are people making big changes in what they eat whilst on MJ as well as how much? Obesity for me crept up as a result of long work hours, too much wine to wind down and then no inclination / time to cook properly, with maybe a load of mid life hormones thrown in. MJ has been an absolute miracle silencing both the wine and unhealthy food noise and I love it!

But… as many of us on here, I'm worried about life after MJ. My friend, also on MJ, refers to the drug as an exceptionally effective fad diet. Also, the annoyingly ubiquitous Tim Spector has an article in today’s Times in which he talks about solely relying on weight loss drugs to tackle the obesity crisis being flawed. Whilst not against the drugs, he does make the sensible point that we should be changing what we eat as well (which need not be expensive) and legislating against ultra processed food.

I am trying to use this period on MJ as an opportunity to overhaul what I eat and reset my bad habits in the hope that the weight won’t just pile back on afterwards. I’m in quite a rut though in terms of having a limited number of meal options / recipes that I return to again and again and would be interested to know what others are doing on this front.

@SetralineQueen im on my third 2.5mg pen. I’m expecting to remain on 2.5mg for the whole of my journey as it seems to have continued working for me. I’ve seen steady weight loss (1-3lb a week) and I’m feeling appetite suppression.

@TheCyanMaker im keto which I know lots of,people think is extreme but really I’ve just cut out all bread, potato, sugar, cakes and biscuits! Lots of protein and veg and some good fats when I can tolerate. Not sure how I’ll transition to maintenance yet - I’ll start adding in some carbs and see how I do. I don’t think I can ever be trusted around biscuits and cakes sadly.

@Cerialkiller have you heard anything about a 6 weeks expiry? I’ve seen it mentioned in various places but can’t see that it’s official guidance.

It must have been you who I was copying as that’s what I’m planning on doing.

I believe you are supposed to use the pen within 30days of first use. I think this is because of the possible introduction of bacteria to the drug in the pen because the needle breaks the seal, rather then the drug no longer being effective but perhaps more informed posters can clarify.

I keto off and on anyway as a weightloss strategy pre mj anyway. So yes just implementing this and mj makes it easier to stick to. I do have concerns about maintenance but I'm hoping that getting rid of the bulk of the weight will be motivating enough to stick to it once I'm there.

There are also various theories that being overweight actually effects your hormones to the point that it gets harder to lose weight the bigger you get, I'm hoping the reverse might be true and being a healthy weight will mean more balanced hormones.

Otherwise this is just another way to lose weight. No better or worse then any other way and weight gain is to be expected unless very strict at the other end.

I’m on week 2 of 10mg, 14 weeks of mounjuno in total and not had any weight loss for over 5 weeks even though my diet has a calorie deficit. I’m post menopausal- could this be a reason ?

Weigh day for me. 3lbs down this week making me 13st 4lbs. Still 1lb to go to get to my lowest weight from doing keto in 2020/21.

Getting closer to the 12s! Exciting!

Well, today is my official weigh-in after I did my first jab last Saturday. Was very surprised to see a whoosh of 2.2lb overnight, so I am officially 5.2lb / 2.4kg down in my first week - so chuffed, even though I do know it's mostly water weight!

SW - 12st 7.0lb
CW - 12st 1.8lb
GW - 8st (this would be BMI 23)

Not sure how achievable that goal is with loose skin, so may adjust further down the road.

I reached a 'healthy' weight this morning 🥳 my BMI is officially 24.9.

Everyone in my house is asleep so I can't share this exciting (to me at least) news yet!!

Have a great weekend everyone.

@ThirdStorm numan say the pen can be used for 6 weeks.

I think @Cerialkiller is right but I haven't seen it anywhere...

Congratulations @Stickthatupyourdojo

That's my official goal too!

@MounjaroMunchie the skin issue might not be as bad as you think. I'm over 4st down and I thought I'd have horrendously loose skin but I don't, even though I lost a stone a month for 3 months. I'm not well hydrated and don't put anything on my skin, so I was pleasantly surprised.
My stomach is dreadful though, but it's the thousands of stretch marks that are causing that.

Congrats @Stickthatupyourdojo. Amazing achievement 🎉

Thank you!

So three weeks down and just taken my 4th jab of 2.5, total weight loss 11.5 pounds. Lots of clothes are still too tight but my knickers are definitely more comfortable, no longer having to root in my drawer for the bigger comfy ones, they’re all comfy!

Slight nausea the day after jab day and tiredness every afternoon, but other than that I’m pretty happy with the treatment.

Yay well done @Stickthatupyourdojo ! That must feel amazing.

I've got the period bloat and have woken up 1.8lbs heavier. Fortunately I now know that this is normal and will come back off.

Congratulations @Stickthatupyourdojo You must be so proud of yourself!

For those looking for some healthy sweet treats, this book is brilliant!
The 3 ingredient chocolate mousse is scrumptious 😋

WI today is 2lb off 🙂

SW 14.12
CW 13.3.3/4
Mini goal 12.12

Back to Friday weigh in this coming week!

Congratulations on the weight losses, NSVs and to @Stickthatupyourdojo !!! Amazing !!

@PissedOffNeighbour22 It's already there unfortunately, from previous weight loss! My highest ever weight was 17st8lb. I lost a fair bit to help my PCOS and to fall pregnant, and it's pretty bad. Upper arms/thighs and tummy are awful and the belly isn't helped by having a huge c-section overhang! It will be interesting to see how low I can get without having skin removal surgery - I suspect it might just keep me in the overweight category.

This is an interesting listen - not solely about Ozempic but GLP-1 receptor agonists in general podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/id1291423644?i=1000661109842

@Eminybob I'd stay on the 7.5mg until the pen is done then move to 10mg. I didn't find 7.5 very effective and lost half what I did on each of 2.5 & 5, but I've just started 10mg and find it lots more effective so have ordered a 2nd 10mg on basis I can always take a bit more to titrate up if partway through I decide it's not enough.

Morning! My weight loss has definitely slowed down but I know it’s 100% due to lack of water and exercise. My appetite suppression is still there on my 3rd week of 7.5, I’m still having to remember to eat/force myself to eat so I know I’m well below my calories. I do feel quite weak so this week I’m focusing on nutrient dense good food, 10,000 steps a day and 3l of water a day.

I’m 32.9lbs down overall, next mini milestone is to get to 2.5 stone loss which is just 2.1lbs away! Hopefully with the extra focus on things this week I can get to it 🤞🏼

Well done for all the weight losses.

Well done @Stickthatupyourdojo . Great achievement ☺️