Continuing Mounjaro...part 17

[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! Make sure the needle is twisted on tightly. Priming will help confirm if the needle is on securely and not faulty.
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 - 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 - Taking Mounjaro can stop birth control from being effective. If you are on birth control, consider extra protection if you aren't planning on conceiving anytime soon!
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. Try and drink at least 2ltrs a day.
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
15th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5107426-continuing-mounjaropart-15?page=1
16th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5115015-continuing-mounjaropart-16?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:

Does anyone here use Care Pharmacy? I think I want to change supplier and they look like a very good option (and have a high trust pilot rating!) but wondered if anyone had any personal experience please?

I was about to post the Medexpress email, but see that I've been beaten to it! Really pleased though, as it sounds like we can continue for a while. I'd like to titrate down over time, so a planned approach rather than collecting pens is a much better way I think.

Also, I don't know what happened to my post on Thursday, but it got lost somewhere! Did my usual jab and weigh in update, and even thought that someone had commented on it - clearly imagined that bit 😀

Short version, down a tiny bit (14oz) this week, but a good result on measurements. I'm away for a couple of weeks so it's going to be a bit more difficult than being at home. I'm at my parents this week, so enforced good diet, and then on holiday next week. I have brought my scales with me, as I didn't like not being able to weigh last time I was not at home.

Anyway - after 18 weeks, I have lost 31.4 lbs (or 14.23 kg), which is 18% of my body weight!

Inches lost:
Waist - 5"
Hips - 4.5"
Bust - 3"
Thigh - 2.5"

What's different from previous weight loss is where it's coming from. I don't think I've ever lost so much from my middle before.

Hi all! I’ve just got back from 2 weeks in Valencia. I only injected 2.5mg on the day we went (was previously on 5mg) as I was experiencing almost complete appetites suppression on 5mg and didn’t want to not be able to eat anything on holiday. I didn’t take my pen with me, so in 2 weeks I’ve only had the 2.5mg on the day we left. I have eaten, and drank lots. Thought I’d get it over with and weigh myself as soon as I got in and I’ve put on… 3lbs! I can’t believe it.

I posted earlier that I had reached a healthy BMI but am still overweight..my fancy scales agree!! I guess I'll keep going and hope that the weight comes off the middle where it still lurks. Also hoping that Voy will prescribe for maintenance/ reducing dose. Does anyone know? Also, thanks for these threads, so incredibly useful and informative. Good luck everyone.

That's great news from Medexpress. Hopefully others will follow suit.
Might change to them or elsewhere after the warm pen from zava.

@Thebaldprimadonna I hope you get there in the next day or so!

I am refusing to weigh now until next week as I want to stay in the 10s in my head 😂 and as it’s just that time of the month I know I risk going up a little!

Its so great to read about everyone’s success and also good to read about those of similar height/weight :)

I just came in to pass on this news!! I got the email this afternoon too.

good news for us Med Expeess users.

I’ve just switched to Care Pharmacy. I had to complete the normal online questions send a photo of me on scales. I kind of pointed the camera down my body so they could clearly see my flab!
I also had to send a photo of my previous prescription label.
The review are great for them and £159.99 for a 10mg pen with free delivery and needles is about the best price around. Yes you may get it a little cheaper if people use your referral code but no-one’s used mine and I don’t have much spare time to faff about hunting for codes.
Zava sent me a £10 off code but this is still cheaper plus no delivery cost.
This seems to give me the best price longer-term without the need to keep switching.
I’ll report back on product delivery condition etc!

@IReallyNeedThisToWork I asked them how they send them and they told me it was Royal mail Next Day and packages wrapped in a wool blanket with ice blocks...All sounds the same as my Med Express (which I have had no problems with).

@Ivytheterrible Thanks for the info. I was thinking of switching to them after the issues with zava.

Voy will apply the discount when the order goes through - I had the same thing and was panicking but it was all good!

Thanks @Happycyclist @Ivytheterrible 😁
@Fromthesidelines it's amazing how much my opinion has changed as I gain more knowledge about what I want and need as I go along! I reckon they will be quietly gaining a few customers just by being quietly efficient!

I am just here to strop because I haven't had the email from Med Express😁

I got the email and I'm very pleased. I was planning to message them to ask about maintenance. I also got an email prompting to move up to 7.5mg. I'm starting my 2nd 5mg pen tonight so will see how that goes before considering moving up.

I didn't either!

I also didn't get the MedExpress email.

Does anybody know which provider is doing 10mg the cheapest? If MedEx will price match, as I've heard they will, I may stay with them if its reasonable. I should be able to order from them again as I was two pens ahead (little Stockpile bought from them) so shouldn't need to restart at 2.5mg..

@BlackFriYay First, your photos are amazing and you are looking fab!
Second, J think the cheapest is the one a few posts down - Care Pharmacy at £159.99

If you don’t have any referral code discounts I think this is from Care Pharmacy. I’ve just ordered this afternoon but it’s not been approved yet. Free delivery is worth £4-8 too compared to other suppliers.

Quick update. My order with Care has been confirmed 2hrs after sending my last prescription label.
So far, so good.

Fabulous thank you v much 🙂

No MedExpress email for me either, despite having emailed them 10 days ago to ask about maintenance. Flounce! (If course, the fact that I'm only halfway to the very top of healthy BMI miiiiiight be a factor...)

But excellent news, and responding to concerns in a positive way. This, added to the fact that I've only ever had 2 day deliveries and they've always been properly cold, means I'm definitely sticking.

BlackFriYay, thanks for posting your photos! A really noticeable difference and so positive! And inspiration for me to haul my saggy arse back to the gym...

On a different topic, can anyone share a perspective on eating the right amount on MJ? Specifically, what it feels like.

I'm not calorie counting because a) it's impractical, DH cooks the main meal as I'm working and a count would be heavily guess-based; and b) I have never ever lost weight on a calorie limit, having to eat much less than the calculated amount based on TDEEs etc. Might be because I'm hypothyroid, menopausal, etc. I actually gain on 1100 cals which MyFitnessPal says should lose me 1kg/wk. (Also c) calorie counting puts me in a diet/deprivation mentality which in the past has led eventually to binging)

Therefore my stong preference is to have an eating plan which I feel good on and lose weight on, that doesn't make me feel deprived and sets up positive habits for when I'm maintaining. My hope is to eat like a slim person, ie healthily, in moderation, and non-obsessively. This needs to be a bit intuitive.

I've been losing on average 1kg/wk since the start and am delighted, so it feels like I must be eating about the right amount. But. I'm getting very tired. Mentally wiped after 3/4 day of meetings, so the last 2 hours are a write-off. Physical energy levels are low, moving slowly etc. I'm actually wondering if I'm not eating enough.

So, what do you feel like, when you're eating right to lose weight healthily, without the hunger cues?

@DesparatePragmatist I think you should do what feels best mentally and if that means not counting calories, then do that, but also might be helpful to just have a rough guesstimate how much you’re having without getting too bogged down with it. As you say, just to ensure you’re having enough.

Personally, for my height and weight I aim for 1300 kcal or so, but I consume anywhere between 1200 and 1400 on an average day. And I feel fine - I don’t feel fatigued, I have energy, I go to the gym a few times a week and walk 10-15K steps every single day. I also drink around 3 l of water; a daily electrolyte drink; prioritize protein and take multivitamin supplements. I think this all helps with energy levels as well.

@DesparatePragmatist I don’t calorie count at all. I’m also hypothyroid and menopausal. A (fussy) strict vegetarian too!

A typical day might be:
B: fruit
L: houmous and carrot sticks + fruit
D: halloumi and salad + frozen cherries, Greek yoghurt, oats and honey dessert
S: figs and 2 x Babybels + 70% dark chocolate

I also use a lot of Simply Cook recipes to cook from scratch.