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:

Oops, mine came from Care, not Cloud!

Mind if I join?

I just started today, first jab this afternoon, definitely didn't feel a thing.

Hoping side effects won't be too bad, I am a bit worried that I will feel awful.

Starting weight 103kg

First goal is 88kg so 15kg to lose.

I've just ordered a 10mg from MedExpress...switching back from Zava due to their stance on maintenance.
How do I go about price matching and who is best to quote for them to match to?

@NCfor24

You just email them with your order number and provide a screenshot of the competitors price

The care pharmacy are cheapest for 10mg I believe at £159.99

@imnottoofussed thanks so much!

Took my 4th 2.5mg injection on Friday morning and might have had some side effects for the first time, but not 100% sure as I had a bad fall off a horse on Thursday night so been feeling a bit battered and bruised from that.

Lightheaded at times and bunged up - however things are moving in that area now!

As I inch very slowly towards BMI 30, can someone please remind me of the link to the providers and their <30 BMI "new" customer and maintenance stances?

I am almost out of 15% Zava codes so happy to move onto another provider again - have previously used bolt and med express - but have to make sure I don't miss any of their cut offs!

Thank you

@MJqueen I think Bolt let you use them with a BMI under 30. Not sure about med express, but if you have used them before then you might be able to still order with them? Just send proof of your last prescription form Zava.

I haven't kept up to date with that list of suppliers that someone on Reddit made, so don't have a current version

@MJqueen
I moved to Oushk when BMI was 26 something. No issues at all and they support maintenance for 2 years when BMI hits 22-23. I think many pharmacies have begun to adapt their policies as more people have neared or reached healthy weights. Just hold on to an empty box/label so you can prove last prescription as you'll need that as evidence.

Morning everyone! Hope you don't mind me jumping on board. My first pen is due to be delivered today. Feeling a bit nervous about injecting but reassured by all the posts on here. Thank you 😊

Welcome! This is a great thread, so come back if you have any questions or need support. Good luck and don't worry about injecting - that's dead easy, take your time, read the instructions (twice!) and crack on.

@ObsidianTree @KrankyKumquat Thanks for that.

So nice to have to consider this! It's fascinating how quickly your BMI drops at lower weights compared to at the beginning. 500g = 0.2 drop now

Overall I'm about 10 points down and while still obese on the charts I'm no longer morbidly so.

Yes, you're right. Mine's dropped from 32.4 to 26.6 in 12 weeks (35lb lost). I've gone up a dose every 5 weeks so got 10mg already but suddenly finding myself thinking I won't need to go any higher than that and beginning to plan how I'll do maintenance. In my wildest dreams, I never expected this.

Fyi, I ordered yesterday afternoon from Medexpress and had my order confirmed this morning already. Hope dispatch is as good!

I'm hoping for some advice as I will have to pre-order all my pens because I'm only in the UK 3 × a year. The first pen is ordered, but now I need to order pens 2, 3 & 4.

Does anyone have any particular recommendations for what strengths I should get? Should I get 2 × 5 & 1 × 7.5ml, or should I go straight for 1 × 5, 1 × 7.5, 1 x 10ml? Or something different?

It would be really helpful to know how many weeks you spent on each dose.

Thanks

Just to add my BMI is over 40, and has been for a while. My metabolism is completely fucked and I've been on every diet anyone cares to mention. Currently doing Low Carb, high fat.....

It's really hard to advise as, if I understand right, you haven't started yet? Some people stay on 2.5 for more than one pen as they find the side effects hard to deal with. Others go up every pen as they feel OK and/or aren't losing weight on the lowest doses. I've gone up every 5 weeks, had minimal SEs and lost weight consistently at each dose.
2.5 is a non-therapeutic dose and designed to get your body used to the drug before you move up, but many lose well on it and some stay on it for several pens.
I'd advise waiting on a decision until you done a couple of weeks, at least, at 2.5. This will give you a good idea - you'll know if you feel different, lose weight, get bad SEs, etc.

So....I injected 5 mg yesterday, so far so good, but woke up with this almost bitter taste in my mouth that just doesn't go away...Is that a thing? Has anyone else experienced it??

If you can I would see how you go on the first dose. I got on fine on 2.5 but was worried it might wear off so ordered a 5 for my next one, but instead went (iirc) 2.5, 2.5, 3.75, 3.75 and then 5 as I could feel the lower doses were only giving light suppression. It did mean throwing away a part used pen as I was too scared to go a lot over the 30 days - I guess if the 30 day thing doesn't worry you then you could go for the higher doses and if you don't need them, then you could stretch out the pens? Fully aware that this is dodgy advice though!

Yeah the bitter taste I’ve had it a lot even on 2.5mg not sure if it passes but it makes me drink a lot of water which is good!

Frussssssstrated over here as the stall that I rushed to declare over a couple of weeks ago is in fact very much not over. I’ve been up and down the same 1-2lb for the last 4 weeks and whilst I’ve not been too worried, now I’m getting fed up!

My calories are low, but not too low, I’m exercising and have been building it up gently so unlikely to be massive muscle gain. I’m a bit constipated again and have been struggling with upping my water intake but I’m going to keep on trying. I’ve got 7lb to go to get into the next stone bracket and I really wanted to be there before September but I don’t think it’s going to happen now. Any positive stories from others who’ve hit a real plateau much appreciated!

Not only have I stalled but I've slightly gained 😭

This was my 2nd week into 5mg.

I'm cutting myself a bit of slack I have been eating food van food for 5 days but I've also been active all day for those 5 days so thought the worst would be a stall.

I've had no side effects so I am toying with the idea of titrating up to 7.5mg or wondering whether to stick another 2 weeks at 5mg. I understand I am a very impatient person.

It's also the week before my period and I am HUNGRY but all I want is chocolate chocolate chocolate. We fortunately don't have any in the house but it feels like my own hormones are kicking my butt right now.

@@3wDavid I have this! started at 5 and is still here 7.5 wk 2... is very annoying! it comes and goes but yeah, bleurgh

@DragonflyRuby when I was on 5 I was the same, up and down around the same 1kg. I had a few things on that month, festival, anniversary, and a holiday, some excess but also lots of movement, and I was the same at the end of the 5s as when I started...depressing! am now end of week 2 of 7.5 and am back to losing... there was a bit of a 'whoosh' wk 1 of 7.5 where I lost 2.5kgs but then gained some back, body seems to be settling at the equivalent of 1kg a week looking at it over the weeks. I wasn't a quick loser on 2.5 either, lost about 1kg a week... annoying but I'll take it! dunno if that helps at all, you're not the only one, you may speed up, sounds like you're doing all the right things :)

I find my body holds on to water the week before my period but once it arrives it whooshes away.

I have been with MedExpress for three months now and my husband would like to start using MJ. Can anyone advise how they got a code for a new user please?