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:

What reason did they give you for turning down the price match request? Are they saying it didn't meet the terms?

I've read about the policy in FAQ's and there's no other reason they should be rejecting it, given that they've actually advertised it on the website. Pricks. I was going to go back to them but if that's what they're doing I'll take my chances and stay with zava 🙄

It's happened!

13 stone 13.8lbs today 🙌🏼

Not quite out of the stall, but I'll take it 🤣

I’m this week going to order my first 7.5 pen and usually use Family Chemist although with the discounts with other providers, thought I’d try to Medexpress or Voy. However I’m struggling to get through properly as their sites seem to be struggling? It doesn’t help that I need to jump to 7.5 as I’ve already been on 2.5 & 5 anny boy have automatically put me in 2.5. Are other people struggling with ordering? I’ve still got two weeks before I need it, so no huge rush, but with delivery issues, thought I’d get it in asap.

I need some encouragement this morning! I'm still battling to get below 13st. Yesterday, for the first time in 12 weeks, I had a treat - lunch out with 2 friends. Spanish tapas. I literally had 2 glasses of wine, 2 croquettes, 1 meatball in tomato sauce, a small piece of a tortilla slice, 1 slice of tostado, tomato salad, and a couple of chunks of grilled chicken. I didn't eat anything else all day, as I knew this was a less than ideal meal, and I drank lots of water. Today, I've put on 1.5 lbs and had the squits. This is the moment when, traditionally, I either say 'f*ck it, what's the point if I can never have anything nice' and fall off the wagon, or spiral into punishing starvation for several days before I give up. I've lost 29lbs in total and just taken first dose of 7.5 but feeling like this is going the same way as all my other nearly 50 odd years of failed dieting (except this time it's also costing me a bloody fortune). Feeling so sad and hopeless.

Hi, Im picking up my first prescription for the injections tomorrow (i've had a private GP for years). Can I just call in at Asda and give them my prescription?

You would need to ring any pharmacy and ask them.

Hi everyone. Just checking in.

@KrankyKumquat I know those feelings well. Whilst I don’t drink anymore, the sugar in the alcohol will make you retain fluid.

Please try not to stress. I’ve now been on MJ for 5.5 months, reducing dose and I’m down to 10.2 now from 14.3. I still weigh daily. I go up and down a pound all the time, but my body really has reached the stage of no more loss and I am good with that. My BMI is now 22.2.

@ObsidianTree Congrats on the 12’s!!!

@MelissaLouRocks I am so sorry that’s the next step. What a terrible thing to be going through. You are inspiring on this thread as your journey is about so much more than weight. The reductions of meds is eye opening.

so many other names I know from our journeys, but losing track as always. Have a great Sunday fellow MJ’ers.

Oh love.

First of all - food is just food. It’s not a treat. You ate a meal and presumably enjoyed it. Probs a bit oily hence your gastric symptoms. Put those aside, this is life on MJ as we know it.

I weigh daily as I need to, to keep me accountable. It’s not for everyone. I never record the gains on my ‘my weight’ app - so sometimes I don’t record a weight for 10/12 days as I stall quite a lot now. I started March 15, so am 18 ish weeks in. The losses will come, but it will slow down now as you are also building lean muscle and that’s vital for long term bone density and functional independence as you age (I am 44 so think about this a lot).

Keep going. This is just once small day of a journey that may take years.

This happened to me a couple of weeks ago, don't panic because it isn't actual weight gain it'll be water retention from the salt/alcohol etc🙂

It'll drop back off again soon, promise!

I was gutted after my scales showed a 3lb increase two days after a big deviation from my new healthier habits, just one day of 'poor' eating.

Suffice to say it fell off again in no time.

KrankyKumquat Don’t dispair!
remember this is now a life time adjustment so there will be ups and downs and you have to eat, sometimes treat yourself. I’ve got my birthday tomorrow, out with friends so although I don’t want to go crazy, I will have a glass of wine and lunch out, although will try to keep it much smaller than a binge! I’m sure my scales will go up a pound or two, but 1.5 lbs is nothing in the big scheme and you’ve lost 29pounds, amazing! Don’t be hard on yourself and keep on track, you’re doing really well. Remember this isn’t the same as what’s happened in the past, don’t think like that, you can make sure of that !

@FlappyFish
Thank you Flappy. I've been following your journey and you are an inspiration. Good point re the wine. I was a very functional problem drinker prior to MJ and am very proud of stopping drinking completely since - the alcohol yesterday may be playing a big part in the weight gain (and in my low mood today!). I'm cross with myself as I didn't intend to drink but did due to social pressure.
@BlackFriYay @AgathaMystery @Tireduk
Thank you. Yes a meal of alcohol, fat and salt - no wonder it tasted so good! Mind you, if that's the Mediterranean diet, I'd be doomed. You're right, I need to have a clean day, re-focus and move on.

How exciting @Flapearedknave!

I remember getting below 17st a few weeks ago. It was just such a boost.

I'm dying to see 15st 13lb! Bring it on!

I am overweight 🎉

Am so happy it’s been 5 years since I was below BMI 30 and that was only briefly. I have a way to go but it feels achievable for the first time in my adult life.

Also dipped into the 11s so a double whammy.

Thank you to all of you on this thread. I am not a frequent poster and can struggle with some social cues but read daily and you are appreciated and are really helping me with my journey.

@AgathaMystery Not recording the small gains is one of the best things I have gained from this thread. As I go further into maintenance I know I will need to in order to adjust if I start creeping up. But whilst on MJ stopping tracking gain was the best idea. We all gain for our periods. For eating! For drinking.

@CiderJabs how are you MJ twin?

@SilverHeels Congratulations! It is such a good milestone.

@Slimstar13 I wish I could give you a real hug. I can feel the joy and shock through the screen. It’s real. We are doing this.

I’ve just had an email saying dispatched! Must be working overtime. So assuming they don’t have a clever way of getting it into the Royal Mail system on a Sunday I’m looking at a Tuesday delivery?

PS. RM tracking says dispatched 24 July so obviously somethings out of sorts.

@susiedaisy1912 It's hard to say about 7.5mg as I'm only on week 2 and lose some of this weeks with my crappy arm debacle!

I am losing slowly, I've lost almost a stone and a half in 11 weeks so averaging about half a stone a month. I had hoped to lose more as I am fairly large (SW about 17.5 stone) but am post-menopausal so older and I'm less active so maybe it's expected and 1-2lb a week is a respectable amount
I have never had appetite suppression as others describe it. I find it easier to resist temptation and am less likely to overeat as things don't appeal to me as they once did but I have no trouble eating the recommended calories each day and could still easily go over if I had something like ice cream

Don’t know why it’s so much easier and more obvious to tell these things to other people instead of to follow them myself, but here it goes: @KrankyKumquat I’m gonna hold your hand as I say this - it’s not a real gain. It’s probably some extra water from the alcohol / salty richer food. You’ve not messed up. You’ve not failed. You’ve enjoyed a day out with friends. Double down on your water and clean eating for a day or two and the gain will be gone (plus some extra probably). You’ve done great, you’re doing great, and you’ll continue to do great. Don’t beat yourself down for enjoying life a bit (and still being super sensible with it, may I add).

Just going to leave this here as a little reminder for everyone, myself included. I doubt we really gain this overnight as the scales suggest.

Also, slightly worrying that I've just seen MJ on Facebook Marketplace. 😣

They have palmed me off as well. Have told them not good enough and will make complaint to whoever you complain to a about pharmacys!

@FlappyFish I actually caved in and joined fb. I've sent you a private message via fb - see if it went into "other messages" - if you don't find it let me know and I'll message you here. I'm ok. Going down to 2.5 tomorrow and still holding on to 9.12-10.1 depending on the day so I'm taking it as a positive!

I am well past my target and BMI 22.2.

However, I am still trying to lose a bit.

Weightloss at my age has gone very differently to weightloss when I was young.

I am nice and slim, but still more belly fat and flesh on my torso than I would ever have had at this weight in the past. Middle age spread is real folks!

I would like to shift it because abdominal fat it the more dangerous stuff. My boobs haven't shrunk as much as I would expect either.

I am not saying my body is fat, it isn't . There is just more than I would have expected at BMI 22.2!

Where the weight has flown off is my butt ...........I now have nothing there! Hard seats are torture.
And my limbs. Arm and legs very skinny.

It's weird and slightly annoying. I dont want stick legs and a round body!
I am exaggerating of course, but it is annoying!

I have a tendency to this shape anyway, even when I was 9 stone I always joked that I looked like an orange with cocktail sticks poking out! So I suspect I’ll have this same issue when I hit my goal weight.

Asda don't send it to their pharmacys only by post. You might have more luck with boots as they dispense mj for collection in store