Continuing Mounjaro...part 16

[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.
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 - 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.

9 - 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

10 - Once you take your first dose you can choose to keep your pen in the fridge or somewhere else. It's up to you.

11 - 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

12 - 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

13 - 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.

14 - Drink lots of water. Water helps with the weight loss. Try and drink at least 2ltrs a day.

15 - 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.

16 - 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
furthet reading about injection sites and the effects: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316618

17 - 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.

18 - 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.

19 - 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.

20- 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.

21 - 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.

22 - 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

15th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5107426-continuing-mounjaropart-15?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:

35.1lbs gone forever today! 🎉🤩

That was a lovely weigh in after a day camping yesterday and it was even after I’d eaten and drank today so looking forward to a first thing weigh in tomorrow!

My SIL commented on how good I was looking yesterday and is the first person to have mentioned my weight loss. I had treated myself to some fabletics flared leggings and felt amazing in them surprisingly! I always feel very self conscious around my in laws as they’re all very small petite women and I’m 5ft8 and was almost 20st at my heaviest. It’ll be nice to be around people without feeling self conscious 🤞🏼

My aim for next years’ annual camping trip is to get in a nice pair of shorts! Each year with them I’m always covered head to toe even in 25 degree heat.

@Secretslimmer i love listening to RunPod especially the earlier ones Jenni has had some really inspiring people on there. I think Karen Weir talks a lot of sense too I must re-listen to that one. I’m early 50s and try to keep fit but don’t like lifting weights. I’ve very aware I need to though. I had a lot of success following The Shred body weight exercise program 10yrs ago 3x a week 25mins I was super fit by the end and was doing it with hand weights. I lost 40lbs post maternity doing it.

Haven't caught up on the thread, had a busy weekend, just came on to say that I've lost another kg, taking me to 80.2! I was upset on Friday that I didn't seem to be losing weight, so maybe it's starting to work now! I'm in my 3rd week now. Just to say keep going for anyone else, don't get disheartened and stick to the diet. I'm well into 12 stones now, it's been a few years 

Huge congratulations @Rainbowl ! Awesome news xx

Oh interesting! Yes I need to actually get back in the habit of doing more of this stuff, I’ve been more active in the past!

Do you remember if there was a particular version of the Shred programme that you did? I tried googling but there seem to be lots of things going by that kind of name

I haven't posted in this thread for ages, but thought I'd update.
I'm 15 weeks in and 19lbs down, so the weight is coming off slowly. I started at 14st 13lb and am currently 13st 8lb.
I'm 2lbs off losing 10% of my body weight.
I'm 49yo and only 5'3" and so still obese and still look it!
I'm currently on 7.5, after choosing to stay on 5 for 2 months, which was a mistake as weight loss slowed right after I ordered it! I ended up taking 4weeks of 6.25 by using the bonus dose.
I do get quite envious reading others big losses, but I also know that there is no way I'd have lost this much without MJ.
The biggest challenge for me symptom wise had been fatigue. It seems to be getting better, but it kicked in after a couple of weeks and wiped me out for a couple of months. I also felt quite lethargic and achy when walking out and about but for the past week I've finally felt a bit more bounce in my step and the aches have gone. I've only had mild tummy issues/ sulphur burps at times, but not too bad. I also had coldness for a few weeks, which is unusual as I'm never normally cold.
Whilst I can't see the weight loss yet, I am down a size in my tops and bottoms.
My main worries when I started were
1- How would I explain my rapid weight loss (I haven't told anyone)
2- What would I wear.
3- How would I deal with loose skin.
The advantage of slow weight loss is
1- No one has noticed, not even DH!
2- I've got so many clothes in my wardrobe that don't fit, that I'm slowly reclaiming them, and I have bought a few new bits.
3- I have been moisturising my skin religiously, so no loose skin yet, but I think that's mainly because I haven't loss enough to look less inflated.
Food wise I haven't massively changed what I eat, just eat less. I was already having protein powder in shakes and eat pretty clean, doing my best to avoid UPFs and seed oils.
The biggest change for me is knowing if I eat something, I can stop. I've made peace with slow weight loss, as it feels sustainable- very far removed from the old way of lose as much as you can as fast as you can before you fall off the wagon and start putting it on again.

I benefitted from someone's code on these threads earlier this month as a new user. Sharing my code here in case it helps someone with their ZAVA first order
REFRK232

@KrankyKumquat I am similar age and profile and would defo say try Pilates. It is great for core strength and tightening things up.

@KrankyKumquat - I have just started Pilates, as my son got a job at our gym, which means I am using that money to pay for my classes. Only a few classes in, but I am really enjoying it. I love the fact that I know I can do anything for 50 mins, and the workout feels great. I decided to try it as a way to really strengthen my core and wake up muscles that I know I don't use when walking. It is similar to Yoga in terms of balance and stretching, but with the added benefit of resistance and weights. I have read that you start to see results pretty quickly if you do at least two classes a week - let's see how it goes.

I really wish i didn’t. Don’t think it’s working anywhere near as well for me as it is others. Still hungry, still craving. I maybe get fuller slightly earlier.

FWIW, I don’t think that kind of weight loss is slow - losing about 10% of body weight in less than 4 months is really going some! Your starting weight was likely lower than some other starters -
I’m not sure when we compare total pounds lost it really tells us that much, without knowing BMI and all, though it’s still fascinating and I think sometimes motivating.

I’ve lost about the same as you over roughly the same period and I’m absolutely chuffed with that, given I’ve not had to go hungry or deprive myself or anything!

Also now on 7.5mg, I’ve stuck on that for a couple of months, not the most dramatic of losses lately but I get a bit knackered in first couple of days post jab so I’m not keen to go up if I can avoid it. Plus I think there is decent research backing lower doses/tapering off though I guess that’s all experimental. Anyway just wanted to say I think your results so far seem v good!

What a shame. Maybe when you go up again?

They will notice!! I am 2stones down.

Evening all. Sorry if it's been asked but can someone please explain what the bonus dose is used for ?

The manufacturer puts it there to allow for priming the pen without using any of your weekly doses, but we take it as a 5th dose to add an extra week per pen. You get more medicine for your money.

Edited to add - priming doesn't mean that 5th dose gets used up. There is surplus there than is actually needed.

It's basically a free dose.

Hope that makes sense.

@BlackFriYay thank you

I've dipped in and out of these threads now and then for quite a while with no real intention of buying MJ as I can't really afford it... I'm not sure what happened yesterday but I was reading through this thread and checking out prices again. While I was having a look on MedExpress I just went for it, clicked buy, done the photos/ID etc and got the "dispatched" email today 😮.....so here I am!

A tiny bit nervous as I have Hashimoto's but I see a few others on here have it too and are using MJ so that's reassuring.

I'll join in with my progress once it arrives and things are happening but in the meantime I'll go back and read through the links again.

Welcome @ShovelyJo :)

Welcome @ShovelyJo

Hi all, it’s lovley to read about the fantastic losses, NSVs and other news like twins!

I’ve been off the threads for a few weeks as I’ve been floored with neuralgia on my face which we are not sure was from shingles or not (only a few blisters on the ear so who knows) ok anti virals but I’m wiped out! And the face/eye head pain still there :(. Not sure if the tiredness and lethargy is down to this or MJ or a mix!!

Im on week 10 and at 7.5mg and have lost 18lb so far so not too bad, but not as fast as some.

Really not sure whether to go up to 10mg I see no reason not to buy see others staying at doses they feel work. I’ve been getting quite hungry but have suppression aswell so I’m torn!

I also really need to get into the habit of eating more nutritious food ad I’m eating less. I imagine the lack of calories due to feeling poorly has made me tired aswell.

I am so glad for MJ though because I know if not have been able to loose this much without it!! Onwards and downwards :)

This is the old original dvd version but you can find copies of it on YouTube sometimes. She had two ladies so you could follow Anita for easier version or Natalie for the harder version.
www.amazon.co.uk/Jillian-Michaels-Day-Shred-DVD/dp/B002RNOS2Y

Finally made a decision on where to switch to and have gone with Oushk as they seem quite patient focussed and their prices have all just been lowered so are competitive (the 10% off this weekend also helped!)

I have a question for those on the thread already with them. On my consultation form it says they like to do a video consultation. What does this entail? I’ve obviously been doing this a few months so unsure if I need it or if it’s just for people new to the injections? Thanks!

I think I said OK to a video consultation but it wasn't followed up which suited me tbh. I'm guessing it's just setting permissions if needed and there was nothing on my health questionnaire which triggered concern.

@KrankyKumquat That makes sense. I can’t imagine there would be anything in mine either but we’ll see! So far I’m really liking the fact they have a support group where the actual prescriber replies. When I was with med express I always felt they had standard email templates and there wasn’t much personal interaction

Apparently they only do the video where it’s really needed and most people won’t require it. I didn’t have to do one when I ordered my first pen with them last month.