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:

Hi all, I'm a finance director but I see we've already got one of those, but I can do long term business planning and get the numbers ready for our stock market flotation

Wasn't sure whether to admit this on here. Been feeling really rough this week, decided to take my bonus dose a couple of days after my last 2.5 dose as I felt it wasn't working and I've seen people say about doubling up so in effect it's a 5mg dose, well it is now! I couldn't eat for about 3 days and have felt so ill, starting to feel better today thankfully. I think I might only take 3.75 next time and see how that goes before jumping up to 5. Weight is coming off slow and steady and I can see a difference, weigh in day tomorrow

Another week, another thread! Thank you, Obsidian.

My SV is getting down to my stable adult weight again. This is the (top end of the) weight I held from age 18 to the general IVF/menopause/thyroid/lockdown shitshow that propelled me into full-on obesity. It's still categorically overweight and only halfway from my top weight to a healthy BMI. And, it's composed of more fat and less muscle than it was last time I was here. But it's SUCH an incredible place to have reached - I thought I'd never see it again!

And my NSV is a weird one - saving money on Vinted, because I no longer know what size I am in anything!

Would you mind sharing the spreadsheet as I’m planning on asking medexpress to price match my next pen from them too?

also thanks for the new thread @ObsidianTree

I'm a total apple shape 5 '1" and although I've lost just over a stone I still have a waist of 37". Boobs disappearing and bum gone!

5kg (just over 11pound) loss in 5 weeks.
Started my 5mg today but took my bonus which was a bitvless that a standard dose and 30 clicks of the 5mg pen so just under 5mg I'd say.

Put it this way, my chronic constipation for which I'm under hospital monitoring has reversed and I've barely been off the loo today.

Still struggling to eat more than 1000 cals a day, more like 800 most days.

My daughter is also starting on Monday (if Zava deliver on time) and despite having weight loss surgery she's started to regain but a lot of her issues are PCOS related. Praying it works for her.

My boob's have also stayed the same size. Is anybody else getting back pain as a result? I can't even hoover at the moment as it gets that bad. I'm assuming it's because my chest is the same size. It spreads through my hips too, so could also be the Endometriosis flaring up.

I'm feeling a bit disheartened at the moment. I'm in week 4 and I've lost 10lbs - 6lbs in week 1 and 4lbs in week 2. Since then, nothing. I'm due to take my bonus dose on Sunday, and I've got a 5 in the fridge although I think I'm going to start with doing 3.75s.

I know that 2.5 is just a starter dose and I know that 10lbs in 4 weeks is actually pretty great, but it still feels a bit rubbish to have stalled.

How long have you tended to stall for before you get going again?

I have pretty bad constipation so I'm taking the solgar fibre tablets and have been taking senna and dulcoease, but it doesn't seem to be working. I'm drinking enough too. I've just taken some lactose which will hopefully have an impact!

@greenmillions that's an amazing result for four weeks. Well done.

I completely understand the disheartened feeling and one of the big challenges is how to get out of that mindset (I still struggle). Focus on the long term and getting into a rhythm otherwise you'll drive yourself mad.

Weight loss isn't linear and MJ isn't a quick fix sadly. But it will happen, a steady 2lb a week eventually adds up to a LOT.

I stall constantly sometimes for a week, sometimes a good three weeks of losing and gaining the same few pounds. But you'll find that if you keep plodding on you do make incredible progress.

The joy of MJ is that it really gives you staying power.

Interesting to hear how everyone is losing weight in different places to normal.

My face has always been the last place to gain weight and the first to lose weight. My boobs have always been first on and last off.

But this time I've gone down a bra size really quickly, such a relief.

Thanks @Slimstar13 that's so helpful!

Ok I've just messaged medexpress about price matching my last order to pharmulous and I included a screenshot from my partial order with pharmulous showing the lower price and no delivery charge. So let's see if they give me £13.95 back 🤷‍♀️

Also to note pharmulous has a tick box for either you will inform your gp or you want them to inform your gp. So they don't do it automatically like some suppliers.

Also kidney conditions wasn't listed as one of the health conditions there so maybe it's been removed or they've just not added it to their list.

Still no sign of Zava dispatching my order, they're a nightmare at the minute 😭

Mine neither. Royal Mail have been expecting it since Tuesday. Even if Zava haven't actually despatched it, I'm now worried that they will do it late tomorrow and it will sit in a sorting centre all weekend. And I can't be home Monday.
Not good. It feels like zava have over reached themselves.

Has anyone seen anything about lily taking the 5th dose away? I watched a live last night on TikTok and Mounjaro Charlie basically said Lily are going to do the pens so there is no 5th dose!!

So interesting that lots are seeing weight loss in different areas to usual/different distribution. I wonder why that is, I’m going to do some digging but definitely interested in the hive mind if anyone has any idea?

I really hope not @Lastchancefatty!!

Well done on your losses!

I am very much looking forward to starting on 5mg (week after next) after reading your post because this constipation is unreal!

I am like your daughter, my life has been blighted by PCOS since I was 13/14 so I had a gastric bypass 4 years ago with the intention of getting a hormonal reset. It worked for me in that regard and luckily, I fell pregnant less than 12 months later. Whilst I haven't regained any weight, my losses stopped during pregnancy and despite no changes to my diet, haven't re-started. After a chat with my surgeon, I'm using MJ to try and kick-start some loss again and so far, it's working. It's odd eating less when I already eat small portions, but I'm being super strict with keeping up with my protein, supplements, and fluids to try and counteract that.

Wishing you both the best of luck!

I saw this and thought what she said about it was spot on. People talking about it has maybe made them realise it’s there so they are removing it.

How annoying! It’s not like they’re not making enough money, they can let us have the wee bonus dose!

It will be to do with licensing or something but it’s annoying.

I also watched and was a bit dubious of the origins of this info because They must know it is there! It's for priming ...they will know exactly the amount of medicine they put in they will have to for manufacturing processes!

Not to say they won't / aren't looking to change it because people are extracting it ...but they will definitely know it's there.

One of the differences between tirzeptide & semiglutide is that one of the components in the first targets visceral fat. This may be the reason

If they are going to do something they will still have to leave a little extra to allow for priming and, possibly even, a click or two of error but they could reduce it.
Just think of the increased profit if they save even half a dose per pen. Might buy some shares!