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 got these but they o it work if u take 4 a day which I guess I shouldnt ...?

Omg - that should be "they only work if I take 4 a day"

Congratulations!

It's a great feeling hitting those mini goals!

@KrankyKumquat Oh yippee! I am so happy for you. On the drinking - it’s rare I’m around people who don’t know I’m in recovery, but my go to response is simply, “I don’t drink.”

Now, my story is different. I get that. And if people then say oh how come it depends on the environment.

I have been known to snipe if someone does push, but most tend to go you’ve been sober how long?

Hi, anyone know how long you have to ‘subscribe’ to if I move over to Voy as they seem more expensive than the Family Chemist that I’m on currently for the higher dosage. I’m just wondering if a discount code would work to reduce this next pen, 7.5mg, then in 2/3 months I move back to FC before my BMi is below 30? Just thinking saving a few ££ would be very helpful as I have probably another 6 to 9 mths on MJ. I’m just in week 7. However worried about how easy it is to move around suppliers. I’ve also read not such good things about them, whereas FC have been good, Thanks!

Thanks @Flappy
I've always been a very sociable drinker but I don't think anyone had a clue how much I was drinking in private aswell. So, to suddenly become completely abstentious (is that even a word?) has, I think, been a bit of a shock to friends especially as they're not aware of my taking MJ and the link between the two. Currently, I'm just saying I'm not drinking due to wanting to lose weight, sort acid reflux and sleep better. And I'm happy to be the designated driver!

Brilliant news on your refund! I don’t think I would be ordering with them again either if I were you. Also I’d be keeping an eye on which of my neighbours were losing weight 🤣

😂 I think now that there are numerous suppliers with delivery delays, I will have it delivered elsewhere as I can't guarantee it will be delivered when I'm working from home. Also, still awaiting a response from Royal Mail regarding my complaint to them not delivering to the door.

Gulp, I’m quite nervous! Not about Mounjaro…you guys have got me on that front…but I’ve just joined Mumsnet, I’ve never posted on any social media before, and I’m only doing it to say THANK YOU SO MUCH. I’m just about to go up to 5mg, PCOS, hypothyroidism, post menopausal…and so far I’ve lost a pound a week and if it weren’t for you guys I would have given up. But I won’t, I shan’t. Things to say thanks for (other than your very existence 😆) the bonus dose, protein shake and bar info, info about suppliers good and bad, the diabetic (not) cat, the hospital updates including banana stories, the frustration and the joy of a shared journey. I’ll stop now but I hope you know there must be thousands like me benefiting from what you post. Stars, all of you!

@ObsidianTree thank you for the click table. Not able to eat today so will titrate down next week.

Just spent over £400 on bloody bikinis as I’ve had to order so many to work out my size. Nothing underwired in stock in M&S, Boux Ave etc. Bravissimo was heaving and low on stock so did it all online. My husband is going to pitch a fit!!

Thank you, if you could PM the code that would be great thank you, I am really sensitive to smells so thank you for the heads up, would never had thought it!

Hi all, fell off the last thread but will go back and catch up!

I posted on the last thread about Voy sending me a 44% offer code then trying to fob me off with a 2.5mg pen for safety reasons. I got a response and they stated that my last pen with them was a 2.5mg so at best they can offer a 5mg. I actually had a 7.5mg but the receipt did say 2.5mg 🤨 I had thrown the box away (stupid of me) because Voy gave me a nice plastic container and the emails do not state the strength but luckily I had a message from the prescribing doctor approving me the 7.5mg so I screenshot and sent anything I could find and berated them for getting the receipt info wrong and lo and behold, I have been approved for a 10mg pen.

Didn’t use the 44% off code because the app is rubbish and kept wanting to use the 40% first order code but it only cost £139 with free shipping so can’t complain. The app has me at 170 stone though which is rather alarming 🤔😂

@OnInstagramAsFitFabForties just sent you a PM- let me know how you get on. If you're after clear whey drinks, theirs are also the best ones I found (and no I don't work for them 🤣)

Checking into the new thread to say I'm just back from holiday and I didn't gain any weight at all, stayed exactly the same. Madness.

Have decided to lower my target weight (again) to 80lbs - am currently on 70lbs lost, so will see how I feel when I get to 80!

Onwards and downwards!

I've weighed in today +3.5lb after a few days camping with the kids. Didn't self cater at all so have eaten rubbish! Took my jab last night when we got back so 2 days late. Back on it today but no real suppression yet so looking forward to normal service resuming! I have finally been to the loo which should help...I have chronic constipation anyway, and my 2x capsules of psyllium husk aren't doing the trick so I'm going to up to 4x daily.
I think I missed the 2nd half of the last thread, so am going to try harder to keep up with this one.

Just wanted to share a funny and unexpected NSV...when on the beach on Friday I was able to get out of my swimming costume and into my clothes all discretely under my top/towel. Kids were alarmed, but honestly no-one would have seen a thing! My towel went right round me. My top was loose enough to allow my to do my bra up underneath. The unexpected advantages of being less bulky!

Aww that's a lovely post. I don't do any other social media, just MN. I agree the threads have been amazing and I've read them all. I'm 19lb down after two months. Major stall this week but know it will move soon.

Great outcome 👏😁

@NCfor24 I’ve lost as much as 4lbs after a bout of constipation has past - plus (if you were eating lots of carbs) chances are your glycogen stores have restocked and you’re retaining fluid accordingly (you can’t burn glycogen without water, so you body stocks up it in tandem). I always wait 3-4 days after a holiday/weekend away to check my weight as it always seems to correct itself by then if I’ve got back on the programme.

So, don't beat yourself up. It’ll recalibrate very quickly!

Hi there, I have been in contact with my supplier, Bolt, about this in the last week as I will be away from August until December. They will agree to 3 months supply in one order I believe, but you need to give proof of travel plans - tickets there and back. I'm in discussion with them about what doses to order, with dates for my using them.
Hope this helps

MedExpress declined my request for price match (because my order had used a credit from the last price match). I challenged this and I've had a gesture of goodwill £9.99 which isn't the full amount but its better than nothing. I think it really depends on the customer service agent and their discretion!

Also. After the last order I did get an email noting that I had selected 2.5mg and really should be moving up. I told them I was happy with my choice and the customer service agent has said "If you are comfortable with the dose you are on and do not wish to titrate this is absolutely fine and completely up to you, our clinical care team will always double check with patients about why - to help them understand the effects of the pens and to offer optimal support".

I started Mounjaro today. Must admit I was terrified to inject myself but I felt nothing and I have a needle phobia ( it's taken me over a year to get to this stage because of the phobia) After reading through these posts I've made myself a little box of things I may need Fybogel Imodium paracetamol bisocodil and bottles of water. Do i need anything else?

Is the Voy app and website down for anyone else? My app won't load at all and the website crashes if I click on "My Account".

Can I just ask, when you are placing the order can you state what dose you want? if I want 10mg but never ordered from them would they approve?
I think someone said that it always shows the 2.5mg pen when you are paying and you can't choose higher dose?

Thanks so much for this. I'm wondering whether it's better to hold off until I'm back in the UK. Will keep thinking! Hope it goes well for you.

I am 16 weeks in and only 1.8kg shy of my first goalpost. Quite happy atm despite several stalls (16kg total loss) as can wear trousers and jackets I had not worn for the last 5 or 6 years. Once I get to my first goalpost I’m going to rethink about what I eat and increase or reintroduce some foods as I don’t mind a slower weight loss but want to be able to keep the kilos off once I complete this journey. I’m on 7.5mg atm, with another 7.5mg pen ready.

I am currently injecting on Sundays but will do Saturday next week and Friday the week after to “cover” for a 10 day trip starting that Friday.