Continuing Mounjaro...part 18

[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)

Mumsnet does not allow promo codes. Please do not post any. If you want one, ask and someone will PM you a code or there are now threads on the promo page that have codes for Mounjaro.

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.
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 - 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.

10 - 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

11 - 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!

12 - Once you take your first dose you can choose to keep your pen in the fridge or somewhere else. It's up to you.

13 - 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

14 - 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

15 - 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.

16 - Drink lots of water. Water helps with the weight loss. Try and drink at least 2ltrs a day.

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 your 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: Now saying they support maintenance upto 2 years.

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 to 9th thread, get link from thread 10

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

17th thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5122095-continuing-mounjaropart-17?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:

Thanks for this @CautiousLurker
Good to see some more positive research. Hopefully the statistics are being skewed by people who drink MJ 'cause they don't have a spare needle 😅. My impression is that us on here are pretty top tier in terms of knowledge, experience and effort so here's hoping we're also at the vanguard of figuring out effective maintenance regimes.

@WheresSummer99 yes, both of Dr Andrew Jenkins’s books - Why we eat (too much) and How to eat (and still lose weight) were invaluable insights into my poor diet pre-MJ.

They’re both definitely worth a listen/read if anyone is interested in the science behind our weight gain.

Since starting my MJ journey I’ve ditched processed foods, added sugar, high carbs and refined fats and oils.

My diet has been completely overhauled, I feel so much better and my chronic inflammation and pain have significantly reduced.

@KrankyKumquat I am still in utter disbelief at that whole thread! So worrying and scary that people are putting their whole lives at risk 😢

I've just contacted MedExpress about my order not moving. I got an automatic response saying that prescriptions are taking 2-3 days to be processed. I'm on day 4. Anyone had any approved today?

I know, it was bonkers wasn't it? It was the way more and more layers of bat shit craziness were revealed, every time she added more info. There's a group on reddit which outs MN trolls, fantasists, attention seekers, braggers, etc - I did think about sharing it but felt a bit mean.

I'm on day 4 too, and have been approved, now sitting on 'awaiting dispatch'. I emailed them this morning and said I appreciated that they had a surge in orders to manage but am disappointed that regular customers aren't being prioritised. I got the automated reply, so don't know whether they approved me because I emailed, or just to me on the list. Either way, unless they dispatch it it's no improvement!

I feel like I need a link to this thread...

That's encouraging. I've just been reading the influx of bad trustpilot reviews they've been getting over the past couple of weeks. Crazy how much things have changed.

@ 3wDavid

I've got exactly the same situation as you...only 94 not 93kg (desperate to get to 93 as will be lowest since 2021 amd having kids)
every day I'm greeted with the same sodding number mocking me.

reading some of the other posts I am totally buying into the whole 'set weight points' - but I've only lost 7kg so far so really frustrating to stall so soon.

That's how I found the thread! I seem to get MN trolls notifications on Reddit now!

OMG I need a link to that Reddit thread now, my FOMO is kicking in!

@ObsidianTree
Ah, that's funny. That reddit group has suddenly appeared in my feed too, it's very entertaining and I hadn't spotted this had already been featured. I wonder if it's true - I fear yes.

Me too!

I’m really hoping that the fact that I’ve managed to keep lost weight off before until a major life change (pregnancy/menopause mostly), and the fact that my food habits were not THAT bad beforehand will help me. I’m aiming to lose a few more pounds that I originally set out to so I have a bit of a rebound ‘cushion’ as I know some will come back on. I am far more aware of portion size, and quite used to just going straight to the salad bar in the canteen sort of thing. I’m also hoping that my own willpower will be much stronger to keep me at a weight that is making me so much happier than it was when I had stones to lose and was taking a month to lose a pound.

I can’t really afford to stay on a high dose for maintenance but hopefully I can manage 5 for a few months. Maybe get to a year on MJ.

Hang on, hang on..
Here's the MNs thread in question:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/thirty_days_only/5129957-semaglutide?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

Ok I can't post a link of Reddit! Sorry! But if you go onto Reddit and search for it, you should find it! It's MNT....

Maybe it's new! Yes it is entertaining. Points you towards the craziest threads that you might miss 🤣

I found it in the 30 days only section. Torn between thinking it's a troll, and feeling incredibly worried for someone who is clearly struggling to the extent of taking huge risks. I feel sad that I identified with a lot of the comments she made. (Not the ones about drinking injectable meds, obviously!)

I was just thinking that basically she is desperate to maintain her weight loss. Which is exactly what we’re all talking about. We’re just lucky we do at least have one potential option of a maintenance dose.

Just read that thread, and could’t help myself commenting - but she’s precisely the type of person ending up in A&E and fuelling the negative news stories: not overweight, taking it to maintain, buying it illegally and not even using a branded pen.

But it’s all okay. The rando I met at a wedding is a nurse. Nothing to see here.

@MounjaroMunchie @Wonkypictureframe yeah. I don't think she was a troll. But obviously a very misguided individual. I also felt a bit sorry for her and saw where she was coming from. Just the ridiculous thought to drink the meds made me think she shouldn't be messing around with this type of thing at all.

I think some people told her to lie and get it the official way. I suppose that's better than getting it from this random person if she feels she needs to do it.

And yes we are at an advantage being able to stay on it for maintenance for even a short while etc.

Yes this is another thing. The more people that end up in A&E for taking fake drugs the worse the stigma is going to be.

I don't think they will stop selling them officially though as that would make more people go to shady beauticians to get dodgy meds. So best it's allowed to be prescribed etc.

I really, really love this thread for being the antithesis of the other one (not that I've read it but am imagining from the comments!). Thanks to @CautiousLurker and @Fromthesidelines for unpacking the science behind the regain studies so intelligently. I agree with OP and other PP that our best bet looks like a slow loss and maintenance support until we establish a new set point, or until the science takes us further along in our general understanding of how to not be dangerously fat.