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:

I haven't lowered my levo dose. My recently blood test showed my free T4 as close to bottom of range. So kept my levo dose. I did reduce my T3 dose though as my heart rate was a bit high for a bit. This has helped and my heart rate has started to come down. I used to take 3 tablets of T3 a day as well as 150mg of levo. I now take my levo and 2 tablets of T3.

That's interesting reading your reasons for weighing daily. I've list 2lbs this week but not started injections yet, Monday is my day. I think I will weigh daily and track my weight.

Well done for all the losses today and the wooshes!

Thanks @ObsidianTree I certainly agree as I have never felt the same since my thyroid removal and my TSH is suppressed due to the cancer recurrence risk so I should have lots of energy and be slim 🤔

I did take T3 for a few months whilst doing the cancer treatment it was straight after my surgery and the NHS have said my levels are ‘fine’ so have never prescribed it again.

How do you order ? Is it through a website? I am keen to try it as I want to feel the best that I can.

I have somehow put on four pounds since Tuesday!!! I am also bloated. I'm hoping it's a combination of the heat and my period starting although I don't usually put weight on for that, only at ovulation. Hope it does one soon, I'm going away next week. Going to drink all of the water and keep my fingers crossed.

The funding isn't there to consider alternatives so drs don't tend to take you seriously when you say you don't feel right! In fact I think the training says that levo cures patients so nothing alternative is considered!

Drs go by your TSH and only treatment options are increase or decrease your levo!

I should mention, T3 suppresses my TSH reading completely so I'm always showing as under range for TSH. But my Dr knows this is because of taking T3. I look at my free T4 level as a gage of if I am under or over medicated.

I will pm you details

How easy is it to jump suppliers for price? I liked Voy but if no one uses my discount code £229 is a lot when others are significantly lower. X

I just posted my experience of moving, tried MedExpress and Cloud Pharmacy, Cloud was the best by miles so I think I will be sticking with them now

@TheRoseShaker thank you I'll scroll back up. X

definitely the heat / water retention / time of month.Give it a few days after aunt flo and weigh again - you'll see it's all gone and then some. :)

Well done on all of the losses and whooshes 🙂

After a great start on 2.5mg, having lost just under a stone, I'm on week 3 of 5mg (3rd jab today) and in the last week I've put on 2kg. I'm so despondent.

This is despite maintaining under 1000 cals daily, usually less, 5 yoga/plates classes weekly and steps. Log everything that goes in my mouth on Cronometer.

Not a single mouthful of refined carbs, sugar or crap in nearly 7 weeks, absolute bare minimum of alcohol (gotta have one treat otherwise life is bloody miserable) and sticking to protein, veg, yoghurt and a little fruit.

I saw on FB a lady who had bariatric surgery and lost 6stone in 4 months, whilst this is too much too quickly, I'm angry at my fucked up metabolism and seriously considering weight loss surgery myself if Injections don't work.

At this point I truly believe there has to be an underlying medical issue as to why I'm finding it so difficult to lose weight. If CICO is science, why am I the exception ?

I have just done my first injection! Any hints and tips welcome…

Aw thank you @3wDavid that's actually cheered me up!

Hi all, Im just getting ready to do my first injection & instructions say to swab the pen but no swabs included & not really sure what that is! Any ideas?

Praying that I can join Team Overnight Whoosh this week, as I have sadly joined Team Overnight Gain 😂 However, I am at the end of my first month on desogestrel so will blame it on that, as I've definitely stayed in a deficit.

Reading the thyroid chat with interest too, as I'm currently on the waiting list for a hemithyroidectomy.

Lots of us are losing weight at a glacial pace, me included. Most have stalls as the body sets up a range of physiological responses to counteract what it perceives as starvation. Most of us have fluctuations where weight goes up eg because of hormones, fluid retention because of weather etc. CICO is a massive oversimplification of the science. Age plus decades of yoyo dieting have certainly messed up my metabolism and my hopes of achieving my goal weight fairly rapidly have been dashed. BUT over time I will get there, a slow loss may help with maintenance and loose skin and that I'm exercising and eating healthily must be good for my current and future health whatever my weight.
Good luck!

Irrelevant but interesting about T3. What often happens is that when drug patents run out, other companies move in and produce generics which are cheaper than the original brand. Over time, particularly if usage of the drug falls some will drop out and often when it gets down to 2 suppliers, one will buy out the other. That single supplier then has the NHS over a barrel and increases their cost. If I remember correctly, the cost of T3 went up from a few pounds a month to over £200 which is why they audited use, which showed inadequate benefit/cost ratio and then withdrew it on the NHS.
Armour was withdrawn because, as a "natural" extract it was hard to standardise doses and so the safety and efficacy could not be guaranteed
I'm not getting at anyone with that btw as I think we are all learning, by virtue of the fact we are here and using MJ, that sometimes what helps us health-wise may not be what the NHS deems cost-effective or is willing to supply.

I just think it is interesting to know the background sometimes of NHS medication supply

What provider did you use? I used Voy and my swabs were in the bag with the needles and the pen.
You can buy the swabs from any chemist if that helps, but may be worth contacting your provider?

@loverrr it's to clean the end of the pen before you connect the needle to it. If you have any kind of first aid alcohol wipe then that would do. Or, don't worry about it for this time. It is just in case there is any contamination on the end of the pen which is pretty unlikely anyway.

I'm ordering from ASDA and both times there have not been any swabs included. I bought some separately.

I used my teeth to crank out the bonus dose from my 5mg pen last night :-) I had to keep stopping to look at the counter to see when it reached 1.

Bit of a stall this week, but I think I have had a bit of constipation and the hot weather does lead to water retention - so I am hoping for a whoosh in the next few days.

I have however bought some new dresses for my holiday in September and I am thrilled how they look on me, it is so nice to look in the mirror and like what you see.

@loverrr My provider sent needles and a sharps bin but not swabs.
These are a make that is widely used:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pre-injection-Alco-Swabs-Pack-100/dp/B009UG8872/ref=asc_df_B009UG8872/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3583349961668721650&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007098&hvtargid=pla-2281435178338&psc=1&mcid=91beb61576f73f7882cadb28715e4d88&hvocijid=3583349961668721650-B009UG8872-&hvexpln=74&gad_source=1

Well done on all the whooshes and losses everyone!!

My first injection was Wednesday morning, no real side effects but I cannot believe that my appetite has disappeared so quickly - not complaining at all but it's unreal!!

I hardly ate anything yesterday - a hard boiled egg and some watermelon during the day and that was only because I felt I should eat - I felt no hunger or desire to eat.

I went out in the evening to the pub with some friends and had a bottle of no alcohol beer and a J20 spritz.

We did get some crisps and I dabbled a little - more to not arouse suspicion than anything else. Normally with these friends I would have 2 or 3 pints of cider and inhale the crisps!!

I have NEVER felt not hungry - it's amazing!