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:

That's really poor of MedExpress to be claiming the expiry date had been extended when it hadn't. Am sure when Eil Lilly contact them they will just say that it was sent in error with a 5mg pen and nothing will happen to them.

Many of us are not sharing details about taking MJ with friends and family. Some people might have received that note and taken it at face value as they had no thread like this to check with.

That was my worry. I looked at it and thought "Oh great" and thought I might be able to stock up if I needed to (I doubt that I will). It was the fact that there wasn't confirmation from EL with the pen that I thought I'd try and double check.

I agree that it was human error, but I'm hoping that if EL ask them about it they will tighten up their dispensing process. There are so many people ordering Mounjaro that I'm picturing suppliers running like sweatshops at the moment rushing to fulfil orders, so ice packs aren't being prepared adequately and incorrect leaflets are being bunged in with pens.

I've found I've needed to pee a lot more since doing my first injection on Tuesday. Is this normal? I don't see it in the common side effects but I've also drastically changed what I eat so it may be a combination of that as well.

I think it's the body's way of excreting carbs and fat.

I always pee more when I'm loosing weight especially at first when you start eating well !

It doesn't seem right at all, we pay the same as people in houses so why would they leave parcels at the main entrance? They don't do that with all the bills, they come through the door without issue! It's just very frustrating. I've gone back to Zava in the meantime, just to make sure I have my next pen ready when this one runs out. I will be looking at all of people's suggestions though as Zava are lacking lately. I ordered the 10mg on Wednesday evening and it arrived on Tuesday. Previously, my Wed orders were delivered on Friday of the same week.

Just spent an hour catching up! Everyone is doing so well. Congrats on all the losses and nsv
I've had a good week so far and it's been my third on 3.75mg. Going to up to 4.25 mg tomorrow morning I think, I'd I can work out the clicks!
I watch a really interesting diary of a ceo podcast last night with Dr Vonda Wright. She's an orthopedic surgeon who has spent the last 20 years I think she said researching longevity and maintaining mobility. It's a couple of hours long but really really interesting.

I'd made a few notes and started thinking about getting some firmer goals for maintenance and long term health. Ordered a lovely fitness and food planner to help so I can start recording what I want to learn more about etc

Thank you! That's reassured me

This sounds interesting. Looks like a lot more players in the weight loss drug market. Not sure how this one works yet though

https://www.investors.com/news/technology/viking-therapeutics-unveils-monthly-weight-loss-shot-and-rocks-eli-lilly-novo-nordisk/

Sounds like similar ingredients to Mounjaro, but taken once a month instead of weekly. Not sure how that would work without feeling ill if you have to take a massive dose each month!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.businessinsider.com/viking-therapeutics-weight-loss-drug-ozempic-glp-1-agonists-2024-2%3famp

Just popping in to say that today marks exactly 2 months since I started on MJ, and although my losses over the past week have been modest, I am overall 14 kg / 2 stone / 30 lbs LIGHTER !

Looking at the bigger picture makes my frustrations of the past two weeks seem rather silly, as really what else can I want?

Very grateful to have found this drug, to be able to afford to take it, to have come across this group. Just feeling really proud of myself for taking ownership of my own health and wellbeing. By no means nowhere near my goal but it is a start!

I repeat ordered with MedExpress at 6.30pm Wednesday for Friday delivery. Normally I’d have had an email confirming despatch by now but prescription hasn’t even been approved. Such a shame as the past 5 orders have been despatched perfectly on time. It’s hard for me to be at home during the week which is why I plan ahead, not sure what I’ll do now if it doesn’t come tomorrow or Saturday.

I did this and it did nothing so I moved up the next week. The only side effect on 5 for me has been very low grade nausea. Hardly noticeable. It's slightly worse after food and then goes back to low level again. Good luck

@PomchiK if your other post comes to your door really sounds like they are hiding behind an excuse

I'm in a bit of a plateau at moment, thank goodness for this thread or I would be so stressed and confused. My weight is hovering around 88kg. Interestingly in these weeks of no weight loss suddenly I've had the comments about looking slimmer.

@3wDavid 🎉🎉🎉 TWO STONE!!! Well done you! What an achievement 😁

I ordered Monday evening with MedExpress and it was approved and despatched today. Hopefully yours will be despatched tomorrow for Saturday delivery.

Wow, you started the same week as me and have lost 6kg more! Well done!

Amazing @3wDavid - well done! 🌟 I hit 2 stone this week but I've been doing Mounjaro for 20 weeks! Keep going until you hit your goals. They really are achievable!!!

Exactly what I was thinking. The postman probably couldn't be bothered to walk upstairs so dumped it at the main entrance instead. I just dont understand why they can't ring people's buzzers to let them know to come down and collect if this is their policy?

I'm stalling too and counting down the days to move up to 10mg and hoping that helps.

@3wDavid and @Choux Well done on the 2 stone mark! When did you both start? I know you've mentioned it in previous posts but my brain isn't functioning this week.

I started on 17th May (so 11 weeks ago tomorrow?) and am now down 16lb. It's annoying because 8 of those lbs were lost in the 1st 2 weeks and I've been stalling since.

Thank you all, you’re all so kind! I so appreciate the support and cheering each other on!!!

@PomchiK I started May 25! Exactly 2 months ago today!

I'm being a nightmare at the moment! Following my major wobble yesterday (thanks to all who talked me down) I decided to try a different injection site so I know the info on here suggests tummy then thigh then arm for efficacy but I've been doing my tummy regularly and had tried thigh on one occasion so decided to try my arm.
I watched a video by Chaz on TikTok where she put her upper arm on a cushion, pushed her bingo wing out outwards and injected. Confidently I began only to find it was a very difficult angle to press the plunger and, in my ensuing struggles, the needle pinged out and sprayed liquid everywhere so I have no idea how much I got and how much I wasted. Not to mention the fact it hurt!
I'm guessing the logical thing is to assume I got more than I thought but move injection day forward a bit if I go downhill during the week. Does that sound logical? 😭

Ahh that's good. I got an email from them asking why I've lost so much weight between now and the last time I ordered 8 weeks ago? I was like 'errr cos I'm on a diet where I'm incorporating good food and exercise alongside mounjaro,l?' they tried getting me to drop to a lower dose even though I could provide proof that I'd already been on 7.5mg from zava etc.

And now I'm back on a hold and waiting again 🙄

@PomchiK I use Chequp, they are a bit pricey but provide health coaching, nutritional advice and calls with medics if needed. They deliver by Royal Mail and insist on a signature.
If you look on Zava's own website in FAQs it says "When your order is dispatched, you will receive an email from our courier service with a tracking reference number which you can use to track the status of your order. All orders must be signed for on delivery, but someone else may sign for it on your behalf." so you could argue they are not following their own procedures
I don't think the GPhC would be happy with that!

I saw a YouTube video where some guy just put his elbow straight up in the air to get the back of his arm. I'm too scared to try the arm though as some people say it stings a lot and I'm a wimp. I still feel faint at the thought of injecting, even after all these weeks 😆