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:

FATIGUE
I have been on MJ for nearly 4 months, 2+ months on 2.5 and now on first dose of second 5mg pen. I have found the wiped out fatigue to most difficult side effect to tolerate. However, this week, it has abated. I would say I am 80-90% of normal energy level. Much better than feeling like I need to spend the day in bed!
For those who have been on it for awhile, how has the fatigue been - better or worse? Any relationship to dose levels?
TIA

Just injected my first 7.5mg and ended up with a lump actually hurt when i injected never happened before maybe I didn’t go in deep enough? Anyone else had this ?

I've just ordered some. Need to work on my neck!

I had a jab where it really hurt and I panicked before I had pressed the plunger and took it out and put it in somewhere else. Very bad idea from an infection POV but thankfully nothing bad happened. I haven't had a lump though. I assumed I just got unlucky and caught a nerve when it hurt.

I injected (badly) into my arm this week and, despite not knowing how much I actually injected, spent most of yesterday and overnight battling nausea. Never had any effects before other than a vague queasiness and being cold
I'm due to start 10mg next week and have that in my fridge ready but am debating asking if i can order another 7.5 and stay here for a while. I'm worried it's the building up in my system more than the injection site that might have done this. Anyone got any thoughts please?

Not too far to go! I’m still way off 😂

I wondered if it’s because it was cold but then again I always do it from the fridge … was looking on Google and it says can be from using the same spot a lot and I do alternate belly sides weekly .

Hi all. Just come here for some solidarity and sympathy while I'm on holiday 😂I just overindulged in the hotel restaurant for the first time. I had to leave and run back to my room with awful diarrhoea. Lesson learned 😭I won't be doing that again.

Oh no! It’s easy done isn’t it.

i ‘forgot’ about MJ the other night. Didn’t eat mindfully and had a normal size portion of lasagne and some garlic bread & salad. I was nauseated all night. I feel for you!!

I had a lump on the injection site too but it then went away after some time.

Hi I took my first dose today, very excited to see how I go on it. Did anyone else inject into their thighs? If you had any side affects when did they start?

It’s gone down it’s just a little red now … think I panicked as never happened before

Hi @Nervousmoosegoose I did my first dose into my thigh. It bled😂 Have done my stomach ever since 😁

I take mine around 8pm and woke up the next morning with a metallic taste and then felt quite 'bunged up' after breakfast. I do have to say though, every week has brought something new with this week (6) being the easiest other than than horrible taste which I always seem to have now!

I've injected into my thighs every time, except for two occasions. I just did my bonus 7.5 into my stomach yesterday and will never do that again as I feel awful today! 🤢

I just did the same, first time in the 4 weeks I’ve been on MJ, I will defo not make that mistake again 😂

Yeah I think I’ll only do it once!

Thanks for the kind words and thoughts everyone. It's your support that's keeping me going at the moment. 💐

Any thoughts on what this mark might be at my Injection site ? I've not bruised like this before whilst injecting.

I took my first full 5mg on Thursday, haven't felt great since, awful gassy wind, nausea, struggling to eat more than a fistful of food. I'm going to titrate down as I'm struggling with the side effects. Cancelled plans to go out tonight as I can't trust my dodgy tummy ATM.

Has anyone lost quite a bit of weight (maybe 6 or so stone) whilst in your late 20’s? I’m wondering whether my age may impact my skins elasticity and I may not get so much excess skin? So far seems so good although I am only almost 3 stone down and have quite a bit to go!

Just be careful not to use too much, or to rub it too much - either of those things will cause it to pill / ball up on your skin. Ask me how I know! It really is a tiny, pea-size amount needed and if you want to massage the skin or use a gua sha, do that first with a separate serum or oil for slip, clean it off, then use the Prai cream. There are loads of people moaning about the pilling and it's because they're not following the instructions.

Thanks for the tip! So do you apply a layer but don't rub it in?

@ObsidianTree apply a pea-size amount and stroke it up your throat / neck. It should absorb pretty quickly but if it doesn't after 5/6 strokes, I pat the rest in rather than rubbing. It depends on how dry my skin is on a particular day, I guess.

Brill thank you 😊

My MJ journey has been such a rollercoaster this past week / 10 days! I’m up and down the same 2 lbs allllll week long. I have breezed through other weights and for some reason am stuck at 93 kg and I’m sick of it! One day I’m 93.5, the next 93.2, then 93.4, then 93.0, then 93.4 again…. WTF?! It’s so demoralizing!

I’ve been eating healthy meals within calories; hitting the gym; getting my steps in. I’m just annoyed. I know logically it will shift eventually, it has to, but I keep thinking every morning- maybe today’s the day? And it hasn’t been for the last 7/10 days!!

MedExpress have prescribed the order that I placed on Wednesday (24 July)! Got the email at midnight! Therefore I’m expecting Monday dispatch with delivery Tuesday! I also got an email saying they could give me advice about trirating up as they’ve noticed I haven’t (I’m still on 2.5mg after 14 weeks!).