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 spend half an hour reading labels in sainsburys on Sunday as my DS is on a high pro/locarb diet ahead of starting MJ. The amount of carbs in so-called ‘high protein’ foods (certain brands of Bilton FFS?!!) was stunning - often 2-3x as much carbs as the advertised protein. Was trying to be supportive, but I’ve just made him a homemade cheese burger with a standard bun because I managed to make it with 20g carbs and 43g of protein. He’s 16, and 6ft 3, so cannot go without carbs completely, but a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 seems fair for a main meal. Not buying any bars/shakes/meal replacement products though - what a scam!!

@CautiousLurker the only protein shakes I drink is Grenade because it’s lower in carbs. 7g ish per drink. To be honest after 15 weeks on MJ I now don’t drink them often but they are a decent protein boost.

Hi, this is a question that's probably been asked so many times so apologies in advance. My start day was yesterday but my usual weigh in day is a Friday, can I bring my injection day forward a day each week until it's a Friday? Will that be too much? Xx

Thanks to those who gave me a pep talk a day or two ago about my mini blowout on chocolate and crisps. I'm still struggling with wanting all the bad snack foods - I'm always the same when I'm ill. I have no suppression at the moment and just want to eat constantly 😞

do you no feel like this is such a waste of money when you can get the pen for £118 from zava or even £109 from medexpress with coupons? just curious as its nearly half the price :)

@Sabblue not actually started yet but the support is well worth it to me as I'd been considering going back to therapy, which would be an extra £40+ a week x

Can we not encourage people to use Mounjaro against the prescribed dosage and timescales please. The first pen should be used as prescribed - 2.5 mg for 4 weeks to get your body used to it, then titrate up as necessary, but only as prescribed. It's irresponsible to encourage new users to fast track the dosage.

I'm not weighing myself but am measuring...not bad after just one week on 2.5 :)

@PissedOffNeighbour22 keep on going. Just keep on. The other half of my user name quote is “you can never be defeated”. You might wobble, but don’t give up. This too will pass. Keep on venting here, we all understand. When’s your next jab day? See that as being the day you’re aiming to reach, no further than that. All will be well.

Would it not be better to move it forward 2 days twice? I've done that to move my days. I started on a Thursday and now am on Wednesdays. One extra day per week worked absolutely fine for me.

@Vamozz thanks, I don't know what you mean by 2 days twice, sorry I'm so tired tonight 😴 if I did that it would make it a Thursday 🤔
If it wasn't too much in a short space of time I would just inject week 2 on this Friday instead of next Monday. That would be easier I suppose.

@Greyrockin that’s not true once it’s been left out of the fridge to room temperature or warm before first use. It does then have to be used up within 30 days, not the expiry date. Expiry date is if it’s been kept in the fridge

My post wasn’t about expiry dates, it was in response to people implying that it’s okay for new users to use 2.5 for a couple of weeks then jump to 3.5 or 5 mg.

Hang on @Justice88, are you responding to what Eli Lilly told me?

Sorry...I meant your injection day is Monday. So next week take two extra days and inject on Wednesday and the following week the same again so you would inject on Friday. It would make the pen last slightly longer too.

Sorry can I pop on to ask a quick question - my order is due either today or tomorrow and it's looking likely no one will be in to accept it (DH usually works from home but isn't these two days unexpectedly!)

Do we know how long it'll be ok in its cool bag (they say they'll leave it outside with a photo) it's 19 degrees C where I am.

@GoodLuckBabe I was with voy to start with. When you cancel they ask you why (drop down menu) - if you chose cost you get an email a few days later with a discount code for £50 off - which makes it about the same price as other places at lower doses… but it’s definitely worth shopping around as voy are expensive unless you have people using your referral codes.

Ah okay got you, great idea thank you I will do that xx

I have worked out that if I want protein I can mix protein powder (which I got because my brother was chucking it out!), which is otherwise unbearably sweet, with yoghurt which tones the excess sweetness down. I'm going for a 0% fat proper greek strained yoghurt and that's then 190kcal for 36g protein which seems like a good arrangement. I'm not someone who worries about carbs but it has 7.5g carbs in which seems okay even if one is trying to cut down.

@Greyrockin I get what you’re saying, but I started on 5mg and was completely fine. However each persons reaction is different

I don’t think it’s a case of each person’s reaction, more the approved dosage schedule? The guidance is really clear that it’s at least 4 weeks on each dosage… I’m not sure we should be recommending or encouraging moving up doses faster than what’s outlined in guidance, regardless of what any of us choose to do as individuals.

Thanks @Ifyounevergiveup, my next dose is Friday.
I just hope it's not that I've got too used to the 10mg as I don't want to go any higher. I'm around a stone away from bmi 25 so will need to look into reducing my dose soon.

but what are you on about saying I’m wrong about pens and 30 days? Can you quote the bit I’m apparently wrong about?

Evening all.

For yesterday and today I've been eating too much rubbish. Craving everything and wanting to pig out. I've been stressing thinking I can't control myself etc. Also been wondering if I need to increase my dose again etc. Then this evening I got my ttm! So explains the craving and the hard to control hunger. When I think back, it tends to be that when my period is due, I want to eat etc and want to up my dose. So I need to remember to expect to feel hungrier than usual around my ttm and don't jump the gun and go up a dose unnecessarily! Also trying to be accepting of feeling hungry sometimes so I can work on controlling myself. Not working quite so well at the moment!

Aha, this is me.

Decided instead of chocolate I'd treat myself to a tapas at our local fancy café lounge place, so I felt fuller, probably still ate a lot of calories but it was only 3 small dishes and mostly protein. Also went for a swim.

I was full but now I'm laid in bed again thinking about food but I am due on soon and even though I've had a small gain, I'm still at least 5kg down, probably more as I never did an official starting weigh.

Learning to be comfortable with hunger is so hard, as it's always been painful for me, but it's manageable on mounjaro.