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:

Can someone tell me the name of this stupid thread? DM it to me if you don’t want to share it here.

@3wDavid

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5113344-labour-should-invest-in-weight-loss-medications-immediately?reply=136584786

@Soukmyfalafel

Well done for getting to gaol, great achievement!

In terms of only your DH noticing, I can guarantee others have, I just it's awkward for people and they don't want to comment on people's weight!

I often get 'you're looking well' which is code for less fat I'm sure!!

What a load of crap!!! I shouldn’t have asked, getting really worked up reading this drivel.

Ugh the fat shamers are still spouting their shit I see. What a nasty thread.

@Soukmyfalafel congrats! So lovely to see another success story 😊

Congratulations @Soukmyfalafel , I recognise you from the early threads. Fantastic to hear you have reached your goal. Keep letting us know how you get on as we're interested in hearing how maintenance goes!

@Soukmyfalafel Well done. So happy for you.
please let us know how the maintenance goes.
Bet you feel great 😊

Absolutely fantastic news @Soukmyfalafel I think you might be our second graduate after @FlappyFish It’s really inspiring for the rest of us to see you get to goal.

I still feel I have a long way to go (2 stone more to lose) but when I look back, I’m amazed that I’ve lost nearly 3 stone in just over 4 months which is really incredible.

I just hope that we’ve attracted newbies from that awful AIBU thread (not the OP!) and can help even more mumsnetters change their lives. If you’re new to this thread, don’t be shy and introduce yourself- and ask us any questions you might have.

Here's a code for Zava 15% off if anyone needs it!

REFK49UZ

I know. I've had to duck out for my sanity. You can't reason with people like that. Sad thing is they're probably sharing an opinion that people we all know and maybe even love, also have. People really do think it's as easy as eat less move more. I don't think until you've tried and tried and not lost an ounce, do you really begin to realise it's not always that simple.

It's exactly the reason I am reluctant to tell people I'm taking Mounjaro in real life.

I fear if I tell people they will assume I am lazy and CBA to put any effort in to losing weight. When the opposite is true, I've spent my whole life putting the effort in and failing. And the injections are hardly an easy way out, we still have to use will power and be conscious about what we are eating.

There is this one woman at work who used to tear me down every time I was on my latest diet, telling me how unsustainable it is and how ill just put it all back on etc etc (to be fair she was right) but you can't win with these people.

From experience the ones who are most judgmental are actually the overweight ones who have not yet made the decision to do anything about it, and are actually jealous when they see people losing weight.

Great work @DragonflyRuby and congratulations @Soukmyfalafel that's brilliant!

Also @Soukmyfalafel hardly anyone's commented on my weight loss either. I know it's noticeable as a colleague who has been on mat leave so hasn't seen me saw me the other day and her jaw dropped and said some very nice things. It's funny when people I'm close to almost seem to be deliberately ignoring it (when most of them probably know it would be welcome).

I'm going to sound like an arsehole now but I think sometimes people are just jealous. Do you think it's the same for you? My mum has always been sympathetic outwardly to my weight struggles but also delighted in saying "I can't believe I'm X Weight, so fat" knowing full well I was at least 3 stone heavier than her. Historically I can't win with her, I'm either rubbish compared to her friend's children or she gets jealous and snappy with comments like "well I'm sorry I'm not X/we can't all be X". Her face fell when she asked how much I weigh now and it's less than her. She sees my perceived failings as a bad reflection on her but my "successes" as a deliberate attempt to make her look inferior.

👋@Soukmyfalafel and @FlappyFish I'm also titrating down after a 37lb loss. I'm currently on week 3 of reducing doses and stretching the dose. It's been fine so far and have actually lost 2lb in those 3 weeks. I have 2 more doses left which will see me to the end of term. I need all of the help I can get as the staffroom is always filled with treats at this time of year.
The exercise has fallen off recently due to tiredness, work and kids but I'm hoping that can improve in the holidays. A child with ADHD will keep me moving!
Work colleagues and parents have noticed and have been almost embarrassingly vocal about my loss (I work in a community where it common to pass comment on people's weight/looks/almost anything about them 🙄). The endless questions about how I've managed it are hard to respond to. I just say low carb/high protein and exercise which is obviously part of it but it feels wrong to lie (but it would also spread like wildfire). An ex colleague I'm still in touch with has lost nearly 8 stone in the last year but I refuse to ask her if she is taking weight loss drugs.

I was just thinking these past few days that 5mg wasn't working at all. This morning, 4 hours after injecting I attempted breakfast and now want to throw up. Full surpression back.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Hope its helpful for others on their journey and best of luck. Keep going.

In terms of people not noticing or commenting, I'm relieved as I'm a terrible liar. I would need to explain then. I think as I've been quite small most of my life and have hidden under big clothes this last year where I gained the most, it might be less noticeable. Or maybe they don't want to comment on my weight. I've had a bit of a stressful year, so they might not want to bring up my weight at all. They also know I go to the gym and maybe just thought it was all muscle.

I haven't looked at that thread. I don't get threads like those. I don't know why you'd want generations to stay overweight just so you can feel superior.

These threads haven't changed our outcomes at all. We are losing weight. They aren't stopping anyone from doing anything.

What they don't realise is many of us haven't been overweight all our lives. I was an 8/10 up until a few years back. Circumstances, hormones and not having time made me gain. For others it is ill health, trauma or injury. They just think we are those couch potatoes who live on chips and cola and have no healthy eating habits at all. Can't see context in any situation. It is a very basic way of thinking. Lazy really.

A lot of them don't understand what these injections are.

I get the impression a lot of those posting are those men that spend their entire weekends on long cycling trips whilst their wives are stuck with the childcare and shit shovelling. I do wonder who they are.

Ha! Have they ever actually tried to use the gym equipment you get in parks. I have, it's shit. The only thing you're likely to lose is your balance.

I'm in London. I'm not sure how good the equipment is elsewhere but down here it's abs rubbish.

Well done @Soukmyfalafel . Amazing achievement 😊 please do stay and keep up updated 😊

@Lastchancefatty I agree. The people on the tread probably think like a lot of people in our lives. Not just localised to a few random people on the Internet. I don't know when the world becomes so fat phobic, but it's definitely a think and might be the way until everyone gets fat and then they know what it feels like!

@Eminybob that's very true. No diet will be good enough for those that want to put you down. When I did keto my sister told my mum I'll just gain it all back when I stop... I did, but hearing that from family made me realise im not telling any of them how I'm losing the weight.

The funny thing about threads like that is it just ends up convincing other people to try WL injections because other people who have tried them report their losses on the thread. There has been influxes of curious people ending up on here after reading those threads.

With the effects MJ has on drinking habits, I wonder if someone started a thread on AIBU saying that the NHS should give these drugs to help alcoholics, if people would be supportive? I bet there would be less people saying no they don't deserve it!

Same here. I was a size 8/10 until my mid 30s, when I suffered a nasty birth injury and a series of horrific circumstances that led to me gaining weight. I was exactly the same person when I was slim as I am now I’m overweight. I’m no less intelligent, no more lazy, no worse of a cook than I was when I was slim. And when I get back to my goal weight, I will still be the same person. They are not superior to me.

Injection day for me - currently on 7.5mg although todays dose went a bit peat tong as I forgot to prime the new pen and then it didn't click down smoothly / I was pushing as the plunger wasn't really moving so I did a few extra click and now actually have no idea how much of a dose I got.

Anyway!

I'm VERY hormonal today - first period since having my implant out a couple of months ago. And I am just eating everything. Want everything, carbs etc.

Haven't had this since being on MJ where all my old cravings are back.

Hoping it's just today and my dose kicks in soon. Really hoping to get to 1 stone lost this week - and a bit more.

Fingers crossed my rage and hanger calms down soon!

I literally said to DH last night this should be a treatment for alcoholics. I took about 3 hours to sip half a glass of prosecco last night and then threw it away. Habit makes me pour. It's almost impossible to drink.
I was drinking a bottle a night beforehand.
My DH still drinks as much as before and has a very healthy BMI but I'd love to see if MJ could help him. Obviously he can't try it, but it's just had such a miraculously beneficial impact of literally every area of my life except my bowels 🤣