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:

Anyone ordered from Zava recently , ordered on Sunday morning and still shown as processing?

Hi @Vamozz you should be able to give your DH a code yourself - so you'll both benefit - go to the account icon on the top right hand side and the drop down box should have a link to referral code

on your Med Express page...

Thanks so much 😊😊

@Js448 I re-ordered from Zava on Sunday afternoon and had an email saying approved at around 10pm last night - don't think it's been posted out yet tho, still says 'preparing your order' on the shipping status and estimated delivery Friday-Weds.

I'm now onto dose 6 of 2.5mg, decided to stay on it for another pen, do kinda wish I'd moved straight up to 5mg but never mind!

We were away last week and whilst I wasn't exactly BAD I was definitely eating and drinking more than I would have done at home so wasn't surprised to see a 2lb gain on the scales when I got back on Sunday.

Overall still a 15lb loss in 5 weeks so can't complain! Back in the gym this morning so hoping to lose that 2lbs (again!) by the end of this week.

What I have been thinking, is that normally at this point in a diet/exercise regime, if I'd had a bad week and gained in weeks 5-6 I'd have thrown the towel in and thought fuck it might as well go all out etc. But because my next jab was due, it felt like a reset and I didn't feel anywhere near as disheartened as I normally would and was able to just think 'this is a new week'.

Thank you for the encouragement. You were right - far easier than I expected 😊 Thank you 😊

I hear you on that! I'm currently stalled, well losing and gaining the same 1lb. Only just over a week but it's still frustrating. Normally when my weight loss stalls I get really disappointed and end up at the bottom of a share bag of chocolate buttons or something, but managing to hold my will for the first time in my adult life! Have only had a few snacks in the last 6/7 weeks so feeling very good about that!

The Lidl protein shakes are very duplicitous!

35g protein is per bottle, however the serving size is half the bottle, so it's actually only 17.5g/serving.

So for the whole bottle (which people would assume is the serving size) the cals are 220!

Been out for a couple of days and the thread is almost full again!

Official weigh in and am 9st 13.2 so still maintaining. Took 2.5 again yesterday and trying to decide what to do for upcoming holiday. Away for 2 weeks AI and won't take pen with me. I'll take it before I travel - do I stick to 2.5 or go up again to 3.75 just to help me with the holiday?

Thoughts ?

Check you out with the mini skirt! Isn't it funny when you realise you can actually wear nice clothes?

I think I'm also doing ok. Have had a mad weekend and had pizza and kebab but am still the same weight. I have noticed that I'm eating much less (I used to polish a full medium pizza) so need to learn to order less!

@CiderJabs, I'd say take 2.5mg before holiday. Not sure if you are planning to get more pens, but if so, maybe get another so if you gain anything from your holiday, you had a pen ready!

Enjoy your holiday 😊

220 is decent assuming that’s your breakfast

@ObsidianTree thanks. I still have a full 7.5 pen for when I'm back and today I panicked and ordered one more 😱
So I have plenty to take after the holiday. I've been trying to decide if I should go up a little bit so as I don't eat too much. I'm sure it's more the fear than a physical need for it.

if you like Tuna it packs a high protein for low calories. I added a tin to my GF pizza last night only ate half but I’m having the other half for lunch with green salad.

Hi everyone!!

Been considering injections for a while, finally realised that I need to take the bull by the horns instead of saying "if it's not happened in six months I'll go to the doctor"

Ordered mounjaro through voy and it should hopefully arrive by the end of the week (but I won't be home at this point).

I'm due to go away again 2 weeks on Thursday - is it worth delaying the start until I've been away or should I just inject on Monday and get it over and done with?

I wondered the same about delaying starting, as we're going away family camping over the weekend. But in the end I took my first 2.5 on Sunday (giving 4 full days to deal with side effects) and actually after 24 hours the slight nausea I had was gone and I feel completely normal again - albeit not that interested in food.

Of course not everyone responds differently but I am glad I just got started, it's been totally fine.

@katinthehattt oh interesting!

I don't think it'll arrive in time for me to take it before I go away on Thursday but if it's here I'll take it on Monday!

Well done for getting started and planning ahead. I assume your prescriber knows and is on board with your need to batch order?

The default approach that's been researched abd the pens are developed for is to go up a strength every month, until the top strength, then stay there as long as needed, then titrate down and establish maintenance. In your shoes, I would aim to do that as the default plan. So pens 2, 3 and 4 would be 5, 7.5 abd 10mg.

In practice, most of us are going up every 5 weeks rather than every 4, using the bonus dose in the pen for the 5th week - this also has the advantage of giving you a slightly stronger bridging dose.

You do see a lot of discussion on here about varying from the default plan to handle side effects and suppression levels - bear in mind that sticking with the plan requires less discussion! So it isn't the case that everyone is making up their own adjusted plan, they just do if they need to. You won't know how you'll respond until you get started, so the least brain-frying thing will be to assume a normal approach. You can always make adjustments later if you need to, by counting clicks to adjust your dose up or down. Good luck!

Calories wise it's about the same as all other protein shakes or meal replacement drinks. They are all 2-300 cal each, but usually with only about 20g protein so I think Lidl are great value in that respect.

Hi, I have done one month on 2.5, one on 5mg and will be moving to 7.5 on my next pen.
I have then got a delivery coming of 1 more 7.5 and 3 x 10mg pens to keep me going for the 4 months I'm out of the country. The advice for me was to use a 10 for longer rather than risk going up too high!

You can also use slightly less dose from the 10 mg pennies it's too much, or any side effects too bad.
Good luck!

@Wallywobbles

I would get the stepped up doses as you then have them available if needed.

My experience: I went 2.5 to 5, then stayed on 5 for an extra two doses in month 3 before realising it wasn't as effective so moved up to 7.5 using the rest of that syringe and have stepped up each month since.

You could always count clicks to measure smaller doses if you feel they are still effective.

@DesparatePragmatist can I ask about the bonus dose please? I’m on my first 2.5mg pen so when you say most people are going up every 5 weeks does that mean I should be able to get a whole nother fifth 2.5mg dose out of mine? And when I’m on the 5mg a whole fifth 5mg?

Exactly that.
I've taken 5 doses from every pen. I've used the hard twist method for dose 5 every time so no idea how much it was but at least the stated dose each time. It really makes a difference cost wise per week!

@NCfor24 thank you! So literally twist like you do for a normal dose but harder?! That does def make a difference cost-wise. My only hesitation is that I am getting very little effect so far on 2.5 (have had 2 doses) so quite keen to move to 5mg!