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:

Someone up thread suggested coke zero.

Looking for some advice please. My curate order arrived warm. No idea how long it was in transit, but it was fully warm when it arrived. I sent an email to let curate them know and to ask their advice since I am not ready to start this pen yet. They told me it’s fine if it’s clear and I should just stick it in the fridge. Not happy with that response. Doesn’t align with the instructions for use. Should I email Lily direct so you think? I’m thinking curate should be replacing the order?

Feeling sorry for myself today. I am on 10mg. Up until recently, I didn't have the desire to eat anything fatty or sugary but that has waned a bit. I had a KitKat last night as I was hungry then threw up this morning and feel poisoned! Had similar earlier in the week (so should have learned lesson then!).

I will make an extra effort for the next few days to focus on healthy eating and stay completely off wine. I don't want to go back down to 7.5mg as my weight loss really slowed down, but I can't handle my mornings being awful.

Wow new thread already!

Weigh day 19, weightloss since starting is 10kg. Stall lasted 5 long weeks but is finally over.
I'm still on 7.5mg, as stayed on 2.5 for 2 months due to side effects, then 5mg for 2 months because Medexpress didn't have 7.5 in stock (they got it in days after my order, I was so annoyed!). Then messed up and ordered another 5mg in error (ADHD brain). I upped to 7.5 from my last 5mg pen, and have now started on the 7.5mg pen.
I will definitely be going up to 10mg, I had the fear of having nowhere to go if I went up in the doses quickly and they didn't work for me, but now I am just trusting the process.

I am wearing size 16 trousers today and it feels great. I'm back to believing I really will be leaving obesity behind me in the not too distant future 😊

@coffeeandteav Yeah that was annoying. I just bought a box of wipes from Amazon. Think there's 200 for about a fiver.

Just a warning to save yourself the hassle - I checked Superdrug trustpilot reviews and there’s loads of recent ones of people waiting weeks for orders or ‘next day delivery’ with no communication from Superdrug at all, despite the seemingly premium support offering! Kicking myself for not checking - was £219 for the order. It also states that they offer no refunds once the doctor has approved so you’re essentially stuck waiting for them.

Well done on the stone. There's certainly a range of wider effects people are noticing around how MJ seems to affect our brains. A well-read PP explained that as MJ acts on our hypothalamus to adjust appetite and sense of fullness, other hypothalamus-governed functions also are affected. Several posters with ADHD or anxiety have noticed a major improvement in those symptoms. Several others of us (I'm one) experience a flat, demotivated feeling and reduced tolerance for people. For me, this is really noticeable as the drug levels peak on days 3-5, and I have to remind myself to give a shit about work and not snap at the kids. Interestingly, I do think I've also found a bit more oomph on the non-flat days, but I think that's more to do with anxiety levels coming down and less brain noise in general. You sound like you've really landed well with the generally being more kickass and go-getting effect!

Oh that’s interesting on the “not giving a shit”. I think I’ve had a touch of that which is really unusual for me. My anxiety has improved also.

Checking in to the new thread. I too was bouncing around the same pound for about 10 days but finally down to a new low today.
BMI now 30.3, so close! Hoping to be just overweight in a week or two.

Fatigue seems to be improving, despite going up to 7.5mg this week. I haven't had a nap at all and stayed up with DH until 3am last night (he gets home late Friday from working away all week and likes some company!).

Thanks for the new thread @ObsidianTree

Any (strict/fussy) vegetarians out there who would like to add to my list of protein snacks? I could really do with some ideas for when I can’t stomach a full meal!

I’m cooking from scratch and don’t really want to eat any UPFs or sugar.

This is what I’ve been trying so far:

Boiled eggs
Natural peanut butter with apple slices or carrot sticks
Mini Babybels
Greek yoghurt with raspberries or strawberries
Porridge oats

Several others of us (I'm one) experience a flat, demotivated feeling and reduced tolerance for people. For me, this is really noticeable as the drug levels peak on days 3-5, and I have to remind myself to give a shit about work and not snap at the kids.

This is interesting to me as that's exactly how I've felt for the past two days, it's reminiscent of the time I spent with depression which was all but cured with antidepressants. I have ADHD so I'm still a stress head but the depression had definitely gone.

I'm on day 5 after the bonus dose of 5mg, so around 6 something mg.

I'm currently in the process of tapering off the AD's and put my mood and lethargy down to that.. so it might be the MJ then..

@Pinkbendyman

Silken tofu with fruit compote stirred through

Houmous with carrots or pepper sticks

@Pinkbendyman
You can make chocolate mouse type. Desert with silken tofu, banana and cocoa. I'll find the recipe

Also lots of Tik tok recipes on cottage cheese that don't taste of cottage cheese.
Grilled Halloumi with edamame beans and asparagus is good

I just commented to my husband that I've not had a migraine in 3 weeks and joked maybe the mounjaro can cure that too. Well I did a little Google and it seems there are many people who now do not have migraines since taking it. What is this wizardry?! I didn't think it would improve my life like it has but if migraines are better too I will be in heaven!
Anyone here had less migraine with it?

I ma looking forward to the NSV of being able to remove my rings and not having to wear cycling shorts under dresses to prevent chub rub. My thighs bled last month it was so bad!

How do you get notified that someone has used your Zava referral code? Is it by email, zava message or at the checkout when ordering the next pen. Someone kindly posted to say that they had used my code and then posted to say they had received their pen, but I have not received any notification from Zava yet.

@diian If you log into your Voy account (or look on app) and go to ‘Refer a Friend’ it changes colour and shows a tick when someone has used it. They don’t seem to notify you and I assume that the discount will just be applied to my next pen.

I got an email. And when I logged in to do my next order the code was there saying click Apply if I wanted to use it against that order.

Now that it's warm, is anyone getting their orders with ice packs that are still frozen? Or even chilled? Who is the supplier?

And if you don't mind saying roughly where in the country you are or how long did it take from being marked as dispatched to being in your hands that would be useful too.

My latest ZAVA order was approved weds at 11am and received by me at 5pm Thursday. Room temperature. Per the tracking it came via the North west parcel superhub in Warrington and I am in London.

Mine was sent out late afternoon on Wednesday by MedExpress (London) and arrived around 10am the next morning in East Anglia. It was still nicely cold.

Day 3 of 5mg finally got the eggy B's.

Off to try coke zero.

@Lastchancefatty Me too! I can’t remember the last time I had a migraine. Offsetting the cost of MJ versus Sumatriptan!!!

@BlackFriYay @DesparatePragmatist I'm so glad to read I'm not alone with this feeling!! I injected my third 2.5mg on Monday and have had such a flat week, no tolerance for anything or anyone. I'm really hoping that doesn't increase as the dosages progress.

Just putting my Voy code here if anyone is looking for one.

joinvoy.com/r/U-bPrBluoFn0