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:

I think that is the right thing to do and hope the poster either hasn't seen it or it doesn't put them off asking questions. As the saying goes no question is a stupid question and that is what supportive threads are for.

I will assume your "Stand down" was meant lightheartedly.

I'm very boring with my lunches but they resemble a pick plate - chicken, egg, ham or cheese with some mayo (as I'm keto), cucumber, tomato and strawberries sometimes almonds. I quite happily eat the same thing but for me its focused on protein.

I am stuck in a lunch rut too. I seem to alternate between a protein bagel or wrap with some chicken or tuna with salad

after taking 3.33mg last night I have the most suppression I’ve had in weeks and also felt sick earlier when I was in the supermarket. Looking at the food was making me feel so ill. Amazing how much difference 3 clicks can make, it’s practically nothing - but tell that to my body! I had a protein yogurt mid morning and just can’t face anything else

Thanks for this post with the tips. Just collected my first two lots of Mounjaro from pharmacy - 4 weeks at 2.5mg and 4 weeks at 5mg, aiming towards 15mg. Quite nervous about the injection (Ozempic was much easier but harder to store so many!) and watching you tube videos so I don't go wrong. I'm guessing stomach will be easiest to start with - my consultant said to alternate between thighs, stomach and arms.

Off to read all the threads now, but I am sure I will be back.

(adding, I am getting it on NHS off label to treat some symptoms of an endocrine disorder. It is hoped it will help balance that out, and that weight loss will also happen as the disorder has caused large weight gain)

This stuff tastes awful!

I also dilute my flavoured clear whey into 1L of water per serve, otherwise it tends to upset my stomach.

@RagzRebooted ahhhh fantastic! They aren't comfortable things to wear when they are too tight are they?! Yay to us!

I am sticking with my stomach as I can pinch more than an inch and it is painless (I was sent 6mm pen needles) and there is plenty of space to pick a new injection site each week. Not even sure angle wise how I would inject myself into my own arm, and my thighs are quite sensitive so didn't like that idea.

I was worried about the Mounjaro pen too as it looks quite complicated, but after the first go it is actually very straight forward. I am only 3 injections in but no problems so far (other than being a wimp about needles!)

Placemarking and also a quick post.

I'm reducing down doses after reaching goal. Anyone noticed low mood if doing the same? I feel awful and want to climb into bed. I hate my job generally, but can't stand it this week. I am struggling to be honest. I am generally burnt out, but don't feel like I can take time off in the next few weeks (and there is no point in the school holidays as it would be anything but relaxing anyway). I've felt like this for as long as I can remember, but literally feel I have no petrol in the engine now.

Afternoon all.... I think (hope) i've finally said goodbye to 79kg... 76.6kg this morning on the scales. Been on 78-79 for a month and it was absolutely doing my box in. 13kg down & 43% of my way towards my goal. I still cannot imagine what I will look like in 16kg time. I actually think I will look too slim?! Does that sound nuts?

I will add that I've felt like this for years, not since taking MJ. I've worked FT all through raising kids and there are other stressors and frequent lack of sleep too.

Has anyone with Renpho scales linked to their phone scrolled down to the bottom of the page of stats on their phone and spotted that it shows your metabolic age? Mine is 4 years older than I actually am. Although that's an improvement on the 6 years older than I was when I started this. Disappointingly (although unsurprisingly!) of the stone I have lost, 4lbs is muscle so my body fat percentage hasn't changed as much as I would have liked.
For some reason, this is the first week I have actually linked my phone to the scales since the day I started MJ. I used to do it every time I weighed before that but, as the numbers have actually been coming down slowly I didn't bother looking at the other stats.

@ObsidianTree My but has gone as well! I can't sit on stools anymore !
I have completely changed shape now I am ancient!
And my legs are skinny.

Still have what looks like a belly but on inspection isn't. It's an empty apron of skin from twins and 2 c sections.
It really pisses me off actually.
Seriously thinking of one of the apronectomy things.

Done! It wasn't as scary as I had feared. Went with stomach and it was completely pain free!

You poor love!

I have not reached my goal weight but I do wonder what will fill the brain void that will be created once I am happy with my weight. I am also not happy or fulfilled in my job so I am sure that will rear its ugly head at some point. In fact, i've applied for 2 jobs today.

Sending you my good wishes.

@montysma1 you've described me to a tee...right down to the twins and 2x C-sections.My belly is smaller but I'm still very apple shaped as my legs have got slimmer and honestly I'd happily stick a stone back on them to lose it off the middle!
I'm assuming (optimistically) that the 1.5-2 stone I have left to lose will come off from boobs to hips and the apron will shrink, but I am pretty resigned to needing a surgical tidy up.
I guess weights and squats are the answer to the flat butt issue...so far I've not done any exercise at all!

@Soukmyfalafel did you get the happy/zen feeling while working up the doses or has MJ been quite flat for you all along?
Do you think it could be a lack of goal now so you need something to strive for?
Work situation sounds rubbish. Are you able to look for something else?

My DH would suggest exercise for endorphins but when you feel flat and burnt out it's probably the last thing you feel like doing.

@NCfor24 I have hit target at BMI 23. I fear if I lose more I will be gaunt and still have the envelope belly.......it's not a fat envelope any more, just skin!
The bum, I have been doing lots of running and the cross trainer thing which I would have thought would bum build, but it hasn't.
I hate weights!
Despite strength and conditioning of athletes being my husbands job!. I would cardio all day long but one set of squats and I am in a foul mood😁

Week 6 for me too, also ready to go up from 3.75 to 5 which I'll do on Sunday. 15lb down and delighted.

I’ve been doing all the gym work other than squats as my knees won’t let me. Mt butt has practically disappeared! When I look in the mirror it’s flatter than my stomach!

@thehousewiththesagegreensofa yeah I always look at that! Mine has (finally) got to my real age at bmi 23.8. I'm not sure how accurate it is but it's a good incentive.

I have bum envy. I gather all my fat around my bum and hips and would love for it to reduce!

Weird feeling isn't it! Also have csect overhang. Just not sure what will happen to that and still got a lot of weight to lose from my belly still.

For those down to a BMI of 23, what was your starting weight? I don't think I could ever imagine having a BMI of 23!!

My age is currently showing as 46. I'm 42. It's gone down from when I started so that's something! Would like to get to my ages on the scales! Or lower! Lol

I'm 7 years older!!!
No change yet and I'm 3 months in!
I'm weirdly obsessed with all the stats.

@JusteanBiscuits I was BMI of 36 2 years ago then lost about 30lb on Ozempic last year until I couldn't get any more supplies.
Restarted with MJ in March at BMI 32.

Now sitting at BMI 22.8.