Mounjaro July 2024 - continued

[Lumirubin]

The first thread was almost full, so I thought I'd start a second so we can carry on the fab support!
I don't think I could manage tagging everyone!! But here is the link to the first thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5101435-mounjaro-july-2024?page=1

Thank you, I'm due my first 5mg Wednesday or Thursday 😳

@Aworldofmyown the only thing I've found worse on the 5 than the 2.5 is the fatigue. Everything else is the same. The suppression has upped a notch definitely though! I've had to force myself to eat today after my 3rd 5mg

Thankyou. Really benefitting from the updates. Last of my 5mg pen tomorrow.

So I'm onto Week 5 and my second 2.5mg pen. I am definitely feeling less suppression than previous weeks but I am kind of enjoying that. I feel like in the first month I set some really good, nutritious eating habits and now for the first time in my life I'm hungry for my meals only and the hunger I feel is manageable - it's never that urgent shaky feeling, and so I can take the time to prepare a lovely salad rather than frantically raiding the crisp cupboard or biscuit tin.

I'm anxious about letting calories drop too low anyway because I'm a yo-yo dieter and have in the past done some frankly quite scary VLCDs that I'm pretty sure had a permanent effect on my metabolism and I don't think my body can take that again. So I'm finding the injections now to be a tool to help me eat a sensible, balanced diet which I don't think I've ever done before. Maybe the 2.5mg will become less effective over the next month but if it stays like this I'd be tempted to stay on it again.

I did track calories for about five days to make sure I was eating enough when the suppression was stronger, but it started to bring back some dangerous feelings. Similarly, I can't go on threads anymore that list what people eat in a day as it triggers restrictive behaviour in me that would be too easy with Mounjaro and I can't go back to that.

I have lost less than everyone else here I think, I'm on 13lbs total the day after my fifth injection. But I think for me, slow and steady is the right way - and I have built in a lot of exercise that I'm enjoying, and feeling very strong and motivated to continue.

I have managed to give myself a giant bruise on my stomach where I injected, I don't know how?!

Checking in, thanks for the new thread.

I'm eating bigger portion sizes now, the injection wears off noticeably after 4/5 days. I inject on Thursdays. But having said that, I'm not reaching for crisps or feeling the need for sweet things, so that's good too.

All in all I'm glad I've done it. 😊

Hello everyone. I'm on my first week of 5mg, I do the injection on Fridays. I'm experiencing slightly more side effects this week, but nothing too terrible. I'm finding the appetite suppression to be much more, which I was anticipating. I have to remember to eat as I'm really not feeling hungry at all. I'm feeling full on really quite small portions - I really can't eat more once I hit the full feeling. I basically can't overeat and don't want to overeat. I'm finding that the meals I'm making are much healthier than I would usually make. I'm definitely preferring fresh food, minimal carbs and lots of veg!

It's very strange to think that I haven't eaten a packet of crisps, had any biscuits or fancied any icecream for over a month now.

I did my 4th injection a couple of days ago (2.5), but am on holiday and without scales. I’m not doing as well as the first few weeks - the suppression has eased off. I am avoiding pasta potatoes and bread and trying to drink loads of water but am feeling and looking bloated (heat & water retention?). I’m having a couple of glasses of wine every day which might also explain the retention but am also walking 20,000 steps a day so hopefully that’s offsetting some of the holiday indulgence

Anyone else on holiday atm? How are you getting on?

Thank you for setting up the new thread @Lumirubin. I am signing in ready for weigh-in Wednesday. I tend to take my jab every 6 days. I am going to stick to 3.75mg rather than move up to 5mg as the suppression is good and taking it a day earlier each weeks works best for me suppression-wise. I will inject a 3.75mg dose on days: 1, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31

Thanks for the new thread @Lumirubin !

I'm halfway through my first week on 5mg. Luckily, no side effects so far apart from some wicked constipation, but my god, I've been HUNGRY. Rationally, I know that this is probably because I started strength training a couple of weeks ago, I've changed my contraception, and it's hot, which means I'm retaining water. Pre-Mounjaro, there wouldn't even have been any rational thought about it - I'd have been straight into the buttered toast and chocolate.

I'm still feeling motivated to change my ways, and my exercise isn't motivated by being able to eat more, either - I'm genuinely enjoying it, although I doubt I'll be saying that when the leg day DOMS kick in on Wednesday and I can't get up or down the stairs 😂

Thanks @Lumirubin for the new thread.

@WeepingInASunlitRoom this is how I’m hoping it will go for me on second month of 2.5mg though I’m week 5 and do still have good suppression.

@MounjaroMunchie it's crazy how different our bodies all react to the same drug. I had a hello fresh meal for dinner last night. A chicken and green bean noodle dish. Was low calorie and high protein (512cals 38g protein) so thought it would be fine. It did have 13g fat also, but given I didn't finish it and alot of the sauce was left in the bowl I thought id be fine. I am NOT fine this morning! It's gone straight through me. It's almost got me wondering if I'm going to reach my limit with taking the jab. That meal should be ok to eat, granted slightly higher fat but not horrendous, and my body just can't handle it. I'm guessing I'm in the proportion of people who the medication makes me unable to absorb fat! Pray for me at work today!

Oh no @Lumirubin , that's not good! Here's hoping for a good day at work without too many toilet visits.

You're right about the fat issue meaning you might reach your limit, it's not sustainable or healthy to have the trots all the time. And our bodies need fat, even when we're burning fat in a deficit.

I wonder about fat. I eat very, very low carb - the carbiest thing I eat is tomatoes - so protein, salad or leafy greens and plenty of fat, either from the protein itself (marbling or skin) or olive oil/butter. I have had no tummy issues at all.

I do know that prior to MJ the one thing that would give me wind and a gippy gut is the mix of starch and protein, and particularly anything sugary like fruit or sugary stir fry sauces. I note that plenty of people use protein shakes for example, yet many of these are sweet and carby.

So maybe it isn't the fat per se, but rather the mix of things together?

Thanks for the new thread. I’m finding it so encouraging seeing everyone’s losses and experiences.

I need some advice or opinions please.

Im due my third 2.5 dose tonight. My next pen (either 2.5 or 5) will be due to start on 20th august. I’m going on a 10 day holiday from 24th august.

I don’t want to take the pen on holiday. So I’m debating either taking a break and not getting my new pen until I get home - but I don’t want to undo all my good work. Or I could stick with a 2.5 and take that when it would be due on the 20th and skip the next dose.

if I didn’t have the holiday I’d definitely be moving up to 5 as it’s working so well but I don’t want that level of suppression, or any side affects, on a hot holiday.

What do you all suggest I do?

SW 13st 9.5
CW 12st 13 (end of week 2)

Hi everyone! I’m receiving my first dose in the post today. I have so many questions. Do I need to put it in the fridge first, or can I just inject immediately? If fridge, how long does it need to be in the fridge before being used?

also does the injection process hurt? I have never done anything like this before, have never injected myself before and rarely get injections, so am a complete novice

@WeepingInASunlitRoom ive stayed on 2.5mg for Wk7 as trying 3.75mg made me feel ill. I’m happy losing 1-2lbs a week and feeling good on 3 meals a day with a focus on protein. I’ve had bruises too but I always bruise easily. I would stick with works working & feeling good.

@MounjaroMunchie i found eating some healthy carbs the night before a fasted run the next morning meant I could run more comfortably and faster. I was getting quite light headed otherwise whereas before I had no issue preferring to always run early morning fasted.

@IrisPallida i don’t have a gallbladder so I can’t tolerate mid to high fat food anyway so naturally avoid it but if it have the wrong combination pre-MJ I’d get the runs. Interestingly my body is a lot happier on MJ as I’m eating a lot less sugar & carbs naturally so my digestion has been the best it’s been for years.

@SettingsOptions you can use it straightaway, the fridge is just to store it cold and it should still be cold when it's delivered to you. If the ice blocks are completely melted and the pen feels warm then you might want to complain to your prescriber and ask for new one.

It can be stored at room temp for 30 days, as long as it doesn't get hotter than 30 degrees. I just keep mine in the fridge the whole time so I don't have to worry about it getting warm.

In my experience the injection doesn't hurt. Make sure it goes into a properly flabby area and you should be fine. The needle is very short and extremely fine. Read all the instructions first and couple of time and you should be good.

Thanks @GoSummer676 - I've been making sure to include a reasonable amount of carbs in my diet to allow for this. (And also because carbs are generally quite delicious 😂)

Thanks! I have taken my first ever dose.

Was easier than I thought but I wouldn’t be surprised if I did something wrong! I injected my stomach whilst I was sat down on my bed. I’m not sure if it’s better to do it standing? I’m also not sure if I went for 5cm away from my belly button…

might be a silly question but where do you store your sharps bin? I want it hidden away.

Also just a thought, does everyone in your household know you take MJ? I suppose with it being kept in the fridge, needing additional needles, and a sharps bin; it’s not something you can do in privacy I suppose.

I do the injection standing up, but just so I can see what I'm doing a bit easier. I don't think it really matters, whatever you're comfortable with. I just go over to the side, well away from my belly button, and atm my stomach is still plenty big enough that I have lots of choice as to where!

My sharps bin is in a slightly inaccessible drawer in my bedroom, so the children would not ever go near it. The pen is on the top shelf of a tall fridge, in a container so it's not obvious. My partner knows, but my children don't. If they did notice, then I would explain. They have noticed I'm eating less, and am not quite so fat as I was. I inject when they are at school, so I won't be interrupted by them. Slightly trickier in the school holidays but I've managed it so far. I tell my partner that I'm going to go and do the injection, and he will intercept the children if they're looking for me!

Well I have to say I'm very impressed with the level of suppression I'm getting on 5mg, I ate a very small chicken salad for lunch and halfway through my yogurt I had to give up. I don't like that I feel really bloated now though, wish I could just get the suppression without the stuffed/bloated feeling...I'm never satisfied

Also meant to say that my tummy troubles have cleared up but hoping I don't end up constipated again!

progress update -
SW - 13
end of week 1 weight - 12 10
end of week 2 weight - 12 7

so 7 down, 43 to go 😊

so half a stone down which I’m fine with. Was really noticeable this week that the suppression waned about day 4 so I may delay my jab by a day next week to see if that helps over the weekend.

I do feel tired but it’s manageable and I’m happy with the losses so far. I’m toying with staying on 2.5 for a while a I would rather lose slowly so it’s much less noticeable to others. That might seem really shallow but in the past when I’ve lost weight I’m mortified when people comment on it at all and I’d really rather nobody twigged. I also seem to self sabotage when it’s going well so slower is better then I can hopefully manage it better.

I will be so happy when I can find something in my wardrobe that suddenly fits - I’m still about 7lb away from that though!

I have mixed feelings about the cost as £229 per month is a lot but I’ll find it somehow.

for those using Voy - if I decided to stay at 2.5mg how would I tell them? I can’t even work out how to tell when they send the next pen. I feel really thick as I’m sure it’s crystal clear to most people.

I have another question. Is the dosage of MJ ever tapered to your individual height/weight, especially once you lose weight?

For example I’m short, a healthy weight for my height at around 5ft is around 50kg, obese is 65kg and up. My BMI is 33 at 70kg. I have been given a private prescription of MJ.

I wonder whether it would be more suitable to stay on a lower dose. EG perhaps my body might have more side effects with a higher dose, as I’m short, compared to another person with the same BMI?

if I’m taking a maintenance dose for example, I might weigh 50kg at time of prescription if I have lost weight. Therefore I’m just curious about whether my body could handle that. I know it will depend on how I respond at the time, but still interested in hearing views from those who are further in your journey than I am x

@JugglingMumma With that schedule:

3rd dose: 6th Aug
4th dose: 14th Aug
Bonus dose: 20th Aug
Then start your new pen when you return from holiday, either 2.5 dose (30 clicks of your 5mg pen) or 3.75 (45 clicks).