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:

Yes this is me! I've had my second 7.5mg jab on Saturday and it's been for a good week or so now. I don't fall over and I recover quickly after say 10 seconds but I have to brace myself and stop and wait it out!

Just checking in for the new thread with a NSV.
I was in the office today (normally WFH) and saw a colleague who I've not seen for 2+ months. She was very enthusiastic about my noticeable weight loss and shocked no-one else has commented. I told her I was using MJ and she said she'd thought about it herself and seeing me has made the decision.
It's funny but she's the first person I've told aside from my DH and DSis (who has also started now) but I felt comfortable she wouldn't judge.
It just shows how reluctant people are to comment on weight loss generally, I assume it's the fear of offending or learning someone is ill and not voluntarily losing weight.
Personally I'm thrilled it's finally noticeable as it's taken 2.5 stone to lose a dress size!

Congrats on the nsv @ncfor24

Day 5 of first 3.75mg and I'm beyond exhausted. Today appetite suppression has been very strong. Had a protein shake for breakfast then some Greek yoghurt, strawberries and blueberries mid morning and have felt very full since. Just trying to eat a protein bagel with a load of peanut butter on to try up my calories. Not lost much so far this week although my annoying 25 day cycle is causing that I think

I’m in the process of switching from Zava to Bolt and it seems pretty straight forward. I can’t be doing with the faffing about with codes and Bolt offer maintenance which I think I will need, and I don’t want to switch when my bmi is much lower.

I had an email this week from MedExpress suggesting if there were any side effects what to do for them. Meds suggested were cyclizine for nausea and omeprazole for reflux. So I did order some omeprazole as the reflux has been dreadful since Fridays jab and usually only affects me sporadically but this time has been none stop and waking me at night. Took the first tablet today and so far no sign of the acid indigestion so let's hope I can sleep tonight 🤞🏻

I have got this prescribed on the nhs, I started my own thread but this has been a good read for tips. My doctor has started me on 5mg, is this normal? Everyone else seems to start on 2.5

Welcome @Inyourgarden

Usually you would start on 2.5mg so you get used to the medication. 5mg could give you bad side effects. Could you ask you Dr if you should really be starting on 2.5mg?

Nice to see someone getting it on the NHS! Out of interest, are you diabetic?

Good luck ☺️

No, starting on 5mg is not normal. Guidance from the manufacturer is to start on 2.5mg which is too low to be effective for most people, according to the clinical trials, but lets the body acclimatise so you do not get severe side-effects.
It may be worth ringing the surgery and asking the GP or practice pharmacist

Please someone give me
Hope that the utter drained feeling wears off! I am really struggling. I don't even have to e energy to talk!!

@imnottoofussed just be careful with Omeprazole I started taking it last year due to bad reflux but then I couldn’t get off it. It’s not great to take long term. Ironically I’ve actually managed to stop taking it since started MJ. A low fat diet can help plus looking at which foods trigger acid . I don’t have a gallbladder which adds to the symptoms for me.

I does wear off. But is it rubbish feeling that drained. Once you get used to the dose it gets better.

@Summerheels they will only prescribe a course of 28 days so hopefully I'll be ok with that.

I've had it pre Mounjaro with specific foods but since Mounjaro I've not found the actual trigger yet. Possibly skyr and Greek yoghurt but not sure will need to test that out.

Thanks for the info on Zava and bolt. Can anyone tell me what pics I would need to send each of them to switch? Would like to be prepared and have them done when applying!

just did this weeks jab and went for 40 clicks of my 5mg pen, so 3.33mg. Last time I tried this dose I was very very ill the next day so I am a bit worried but hoping I’ve titrated up slowly enough that my body can handle it this time. Also injected in my thigh rather than tummy so hoping that makes a difference too

Hi, I am diabetic yes but literally by a tiny %, I’m almost out of it

@Inyourgarden I've never heard anyone start on 5mg and I'd be worried as it's against the manufacturer's instructions. I would definitely check with your gp before taking it. I suspect you'll be floored by 5mg on your first dose!

I keep missing entire threads! I was catching up on an earlier thread and just wanted to mention something in case someone got the wrong idea, @InspectorGidget you were saying that the Numan website says that you can use Mounjaro pens for 6 weeks, it doesn’t, it says 30 days like everywhere else, the 6 weeks was for Wegovy pens, the oage is here if you want to see help.numan.com/en/articles/8697784-fridge-storage-faqs-for-ozempic-wegovy-mounjaro-and-saxenda

Just to add a bit more to this - lots of us here have been on 2.5mg or slightly more for a long time..,I’ve been on MJ for 3 months and still not in 5mg. Please check with your GP because starting on 5mg will put you on your arse

I think it is more normal in the US to start on 5mg but yes generally people complained of more severe side effects.

So if I start on 5mg I’ll be skinny within a month?

im getting a call back from the doc to confirm tomorrow, be interested to see what they say

Going back to maintenance options, I'm with MedExpress and emailed to ask what they can provide in the way of ongoing support once I reach a healthy BMI. This is what they've replied:

We do not have a fixed approach to maintenance, but aim to review patients on an individualised basis when they reach a healthy BMI. Options at this stage may include continuing treatment with a view to carefully reduce the dose in order to balance preventing weight gain without further losses. Some patients may find that they can withdraw treatment altogether once they reach a BMI of around 23.5

I find this quite reassuring actually. I don't want to faff about with chasing prices and switching suppliers, or juggling use by dates and stockpiling. But I know I'll need to come off MJ very very carefully and like the idea of a tailored approach.

Not thar any of this is going to be an issue for me for several more months!

On another different note, can anyone recommend a clear whey protein powder that is low-cal and doesn't have any sweeteners please? Does such a thing exist or am I unicorn hunting?

I have one at the moment that is so sweet I have to double dilute!

Had anyone gone past 30 days with a pen? I'm on my 2nd pen. I bought the 5mg pen but was wary of using the full dose so I did 3.33 (I calculated the clicks wrong for 3.75!). Anyway, still felt strong suppression and no food noise so stayed on 3.33. Just taken my 6th 3.33 dose which takes me over the 30 days and there is still a bonus dose in the pen.
I've ordered a new 5mg pen but wondering if I could use the bonus dose next week before starting the new pen.
SW 210lb week 1
CW 176lb week 9
GW 160lb (I think)

I've only found one that doesn't have artificial sweeteners, although does have stevia, and it's Vilgain. They do 4 flavour and it's 20% off at the moment, but beware it can take a little longer to arrive as they're based in the Czech Republic. They specialise in food with no nasties, and also do normal protein shakes, high protein bars and snacks, etc.

https://vilgain.co.uk/vilgain-clear-whey-isolate/strawberry-lemonade-500-g-43863

Blimey! I've seen the 60days quoted numerous times in the last week or two (on FB predominantly I think). These threads certainly seem to have some reach.