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 would be the most logical thing for them to do (reduce it) ...but like you say there needs to be some leeway for errors / priming !

I've been taking MJ since April and have lost 2 1/2 stone. I'm so very nearly at a normal bmi - I think I'm something like 25.2.

I haven't moved from Medexpress. I had the 1st ever pen for £90 and appreciate the easy ordering and quick reliable delivery.

About to go up to 10mgs tomorrow. Weight loss has slowed now as I'm getting nearer my goal weight which is to be expected.

I've been thinking a lot about maintenance and my strategy is to wean off and continue to weigh daily. Ill obv continue to eat non-upf/high protein and carry on exercising. I'm going to allow myself a range I can be in (ie 9st 7 - 9st 12) and cut back/eat more if I go even a couple of grams outside this range.

I have a few disciplined slim friends who use this approach and it works for them. Losing 1-3lbs and keeping on top of it sounds much easier that 2 1/2 + stone!

If it doesn't work - I have a spare pen in the fridge to use as maintenance..... I could also purchase another pen beforehand. I love being slim far too much to revert back to my chunky self!

Me again. Bit of a weird one but, can anybody else hear their own heartbeat since starting MJ? It may not be related but has only started happening recently.

I just found this thread, thank you @ObsidianTree for such helpful information, I’m in my first week, so it’s fab to read from others months ahead of me.
I'm in this to reset my food thinking for good

Just catching up so this might be a repeat but. If they just honoured a 10% discount system they'd make more money than offering price match because in this instance for example. they're losing more than what people would be getting in discount savings!
They're obviously relying on people who CBA to price match or aren't aware...

I think any changes to the pens are unlikely to come in before we've all got to goal at least. Any we buy over the next 6 months have probably already been made. They'd have to get a new license for the new device if they change the pen as well, I think.

Might be worth also speaking to MedExpress about maintenance support? I'm with them as well and can't be doing with chopping and changing. I emailed them about maintenance support and they said they would work with me to plan a tailored approach. Completely hypothetical in my case for a few more months! But as you're so close to goal it could be worth exploring what they can do to help you settle into a stable slim weight. Well done, it sounds like you've done brilliantly!

I was wondering exactly this. I’m now five pounds off my target weight, lower than I’ve been for years - and yet my boobs are still going strong. I wondered if it was a miracle but the hormone explanation might be more plausible. I’m also on HRT and I wasn’t on that a couple of years back when I lost a reasonable bit of weight - not as much as this time - when most of my boobs went. It’s so odd!

Haven't lost anything in a week, and before that weight loss had been very minimal compared to prior months. My period's just started and this morning my weight shot up by 5lbs. Am having a real wobble.

I'm also at the weight I hovered around for about ten years before I piled on weight during Covid.

Is it possible my body is trying to reset to this weight? Am I at some sort of tough breakthrough weight that's going to be a bit of a battle to get through?

Trying to remind myself that I've lost 2st 7lb in 3 months and this is huge progress. Or at least I had lost that much, nearer to just 2 now.

I've almost managed to master the art of weight loss zen when in a stall but definitely haven't worked out how to manage the disappointment/frustration/fear of gains!!

I think you should speak to someone about that. I used to be able to hear mine and I had a condition I was unaware of.

Hey, lovely new thread, thanks @ObsidianTree !

I'm due to do my 4th or 5th (bonus) 7.5 injection today, but I have lost barely anything on this dose! My weight loss has really stalled, and it's just doing my head in at this point. Only 6.5lbs lost this month.

If I'm on my bonus dose, I think I'll just skip it and start the 10mg pen.

Hopefully everyone is well!

@MrsBurtMacklin 7.5mg was a rubbish dose for me and for lots of others too! I did still take the final bonus one though because of costs. I only lost 6lb on it and lost twice that on 2.5mg and 5mg.

@Lastchancefatty Thank you, I will try to get an appointment on Monday to see what my GP says.

@MrsBurtMacklin a few of us were saying the same about 7.5mg, please do let us know if 10mg is any better. I'm not sure what to do if MJ has stopped working for me ☹️

Hello, I'm 5 weeks into my journey and have lost half a stone. I had lost 6 stone steadily in the 2 years prior so i am guessing that's why my loss hasn't been huge. On my 4th week I did a double dose with the bonus shot so had 5mg and experienced some sulphur burps and diarrhoea but nothing too horrendous. I did 5mg with my new pen on Wednesday and last night was horrific. I was up with vomiting, diarrhoea and anxiety. Are some foods worse than others for causing this or was it just the big jump? I'm a wreck this morning.

@slummymummy82 sorry to hear you've been so sick, it's rotten when that happens. It's almost certainly the big jump in dose.

You really do need to do the full four weeks at a dose before moving up as it builds in your system over time. There's a chart somewhere that shows how the levels increase.

The leap to 5mg is the only time your dose doubles and it can really impact you a lot.

Hopefully you'll start to feel better soon, you have my sympathy.

@slummymummy82 I just noticed your username 🤣 I thought I had been posting! I've just started on the flab jabs, going well so far. I hope you feel better soon x

I've really been on my A game this week - no UPF, no alcohol, loads of water, more exercise - and am looking and feeling thinner. Has my weight shifted? Still no! I hopped on the scales really confidently this morning and did a double take when it said the same weight yet again. I'm now at the stage of frustration that I'm actually amused by it and am thinking "damn you, evil scales, I will beat you"! I think this is helped by the fact that I'm going to be wearing shorts through choice today, something I only wore last year if strictly necessary.
The other thing which is pissing me off this week is that, having been violently ill when I originally did the 2.5/3/3.75/5 journey and going back down to 3 and building up really gradually again, I am now back to 5 and other than instant day one suppression, I have had no suppression whatsoever so feel as though all of my choices this week are being driven by will power rather than MJ. Whilst I didn't want to repeat the violent side effects of last time; I was hoping that a week where I was forcing myself to eat anything would force the scales down.

Absolutely the same here. Lost 13ish on 2.5 and 5mg each, and another 11 on the 2nd 5mg pen. Annoying as I'm not eating much!

@slummymummy82 the half life titration chart I mentioned is in the opening post, definitely worth a look so you can see just how it builds in your system over time.

Get well soon, you may want to grab some electrolytes to help you recover from the throwing up.

@MountKilimounjaro keep the faith!

I'd ignore the 5+ and weigh in again after your period is finished. Slow downs are frustrating (I am in one again).

I have a dilemma, 7.5 has been rubbish for me and I start my first 10 today. But go on holiday next Friday for a week. I don't necessarily want to pig out on holiday. I have a 7.5 bonus dose, so am thinking of doing 10 today, then BD next Fri for holiday week, then continue on 10 once back.

Am I overthinking?

@NextPrimeMinister I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do, but that's what I would probably do.
I go on holiday in a month and I will consider lowering my dose if the suppression is too much. I don't want to eat loads on holiday, but I want to know that I can have spicy food (going to Spain) without dying the next day!

Definitely ignore the period gain. I used to record every weigh in, even during my period and the run up to it, and it could be quite disheartening.

Mine ended 6 days ago and I'm just now seeing the losses that were 'on hold' that week.

I went out for a dinner last night. I made sensible choices so managed quite clean eating except the portion was a bit large. I did have some alcohol, 2 glasses of wine. I mostly just feel dehydrated today. I felt MJ stopped me eating or drinking too much but I didn't feel even slightly tempted so maybe that's me creating some new habits?!

Yep. I guess they must make more profit this way but it's a pain for us (and their customer service team).