Continuing Mounjaro... Part 23

[Jimmyneutronsforehead]

Pointers for newbies:
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 link below:
Promo codes :
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/promo-codes-bargains

For all threads so far, pointers for newbies, weightloss tracker, links to discount codes, tips and tricks and high protein recipes.
Site with all the info :
https://wattnext.notion.site/e880d9342b7a4bab94c244b34e0e5841?v=cc1edc3f1c2b41dab3011c8d9063df0a

Miss Mounjaro UK has the most up to date price comparison charts: https://www.missmounjarouk.com/

I will be back in the morning to add all of the information I had spent an hour on earlier on the original thread 23 that sort of went bust but I've just not found time this evening.

I'll cover UTIs again, as well as add the images from Miss Mounjaro, and the list of possible side effects.

Not quite the start to thread 23 that I had planned for, but I do think it's very important that everyone who had successful losses in thread 22 gets a huge congratulations and well done.

Happy thread 23 everybody!

@Forevafatty @GlueNoGlue It is normal to have some times when we lose and some times when we don't. I started MJ in May and have lost about 3st overall but recently had a 4 week spell when I lost and regained the same pound over and over. My measurements didn't change either but, oddly, I felt smaller somehow and I realised afterwards that this is a point where I have been stuck before so possibly a "set point" for my body.

Mine eventually resolved. I focussed on drinking enough, sticking to my calories and proteins and just sticking with it (in fact my first loss came after a week holiday when I didn't eat my normal foods and probably wasn't as "good" as normal!)

@GlueNoGlue I follow an American doctor who runs a big health and fitness group (his name is Dr Jones but I can't remember the page name) and he gives good MJ advice. He warns against cutting calories too low (aim for TDEE - 500), mine is 1400 despite being in my 60s and inactive so 1000 is possibly too low and may slow progress down. Have you calculated what yours should be? He advises increasing calories by 200 a day, on a weekly basis, if you are cold, tired or weight loss stalled until you reach a healthy point.
On the subject of providers I use Ashcroft Pharmacy who I have found reasonably priced, professional and reliable. There's no discount codes, they just charge the lowest price they can (they are about the cheapest for my dose). They also give you an MJ advice and information book when you start with them and have a dedicated MJ phone line for queries with a GP available for clinical advice the pharmacists cannot help with. I have no connection with them other than as a happy customer

@Forevafatty You might be better to reduce dose as the aim of this is to be healthy which is hard to focus on with the shits! You can always go back up if you need to but, personally, I would go down until you are back in a healthy eating routine and those symptoms have settled.

Just sending love and solidarity to you both. It's hard but remember we are in this for the long haul, for better health and for happier lives. It's not a race and progress, no matter how slow, will get us there in the end

Happy Friday!

Congratulations to all the amazing losses, milestones, NSVs, compliments, feelings of accomplishment, etc. etc. etc. Love love love reading about everyone's wins!!!

To those losing a bit slower - I second what others have said, it is unfortunately normal for the weightloss to slow down. If you're still eating in a calorie deficit, you would still be losing weight. Sometimes the body needs some technical time to adjust. I don't know the science behind it, but every time I have thought I've "stalled" or my losses have slowed down, then suddenly I get a whoosh. If you do body measurements I bet you, you're losing inches even though the scales may not be moving. Then a few weeks later you'd suddenly be a few pounds down seemingly overnight.

Adding on to those talking about weight loss slowing down, I've had the same experience. In the first 14 weeks on MJ I lost an average of 2.5lbs a week, then it's been around 1lb a week for the last six weeks. I guess it is to be expected as our body weights drop. I'm trying to be philosophical about it, it probably means I'll have to order another pen than I had planned to get to goal (currently on 10mg and hoping not to go up).

And to echo what some others have said, I am definitely bigger now than the last time I was this weight - I guess it's age related!

My weight loss is slowing down today because I've eaten 2 egg custard tarts that where a yellow sticker purchase and got a salmon Wellington and goose fat roast potatoes for my tea 🤤🙊

Back on it again tomorrow though. Just allowing myself a day of grace because I've spent most of it being father Christmases elf doing a speedy Christmas shop while my lad was at school.

It's just questions with an updated weight @Scarletstenfeettall

TMI alert!

Feeling sorry for myself. I've been constipated for over a week so I took 2 dulcolax before bed. Today has been a spectacular un-constipation 😱Horrible stomach cramps too (although I seem to be coming down with a cold so might be unrelated).

Weight loss is definitely much slower now than at the beginning. I weighed in at 171.8lbs this morning, 43lbs down since I started. Pleased with that but wondering how long the last 20-25 will take. I really need to be off MJ by April/May.

@QueenOfHiraeth thanks that’s really interesting. I’ve been using a calorie counter and it’s been a massive educator (who knew peanut butter was so high in calories?!) I input my weight, exercise level and aim to lose and it’s said 1,200 is what I should be aiming for

After a super week last week, I'm back to gaining and losing the same pound this week. But that's the way it goes, so I'm not too unhappy. But want these last 4-5 pounds gone, and to get to target. So close and yet....

It's taken 7 1/2 months, but I have lost 50 lbs.
Measure myself yesterday for the first time in a couple of months, and have definitely lost a LOT of inches!
From starting:
Waist - 36"
Hips - 42.5"
Bust - 41
Thigh - 24
Overall 143.5"

Now:
Waist - 27"
Hips - 35"
Bust - 36"
Thigh - 19.5"
Overall 117.5"

Lost 26"
I'd like another half inch o my hips, just so the size 8 jeans that I bought at a charity shop the other day are more comfortable. Next/M&S/Monsoon size 8 are ok, but these ones are gorgeous and just slightly too tight.

Maintenance is my next challenge - I have another 1.5 pens and then think I might talk to Oushk after Christmas.

That’s a brilliant result @pinktransit you must feel great!

I know what you mean about wanting to lose in certain areas, I so wish weight loss was like a game of tipping point, where you can ask for a few counters off your hips or your bum!

Morning!

I have weighed in this morning with a 1.2lb loss, updated stats below. I'm feeling good on 7.5mg but have ordered 10mg for my next pen, on the basis that I can titrate up slowly if it doesn't suit me straightaway.

SW - 12st 7.0lb
CW - 10st 8.2lb
GW - 8st 11.0lb (interim - this will still have me overweight)

The start weight above was the beginning of me on MJ but at my heaviest (Sep 2020) I weighed 17st 9lb so today's weigh-in means I've hit a total loss of 40% of my original body weight. Getting to 8st 11lb will mean I've lost 50% and be literally half the person that I used to be!

So I accidentally left my MJ pen out on the side overnight. I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that it doesn’t need to be stored in the cold once it’s opened, can anyone confirm that’s true? I’m so annoyed at myself

It's fine for up to 30 days out of the fridge when in use as long as the temperature doesn't go above 30 degrees. So all should be well.

@GlueNoGlue absolutely fine. I keep mine in my chest drawers in bedroom once it's in use along with needles, all together. Some people keep in fridge the whole time, but you don't have to.

@Fromthesidelines @morbidcuriosity Thank you! I was out for the evening so house wasn’t warm but definitely wasn’t fridge cold!

Sunday weigh in for me. Very pleased with 2.6lbs loss this week, the best in a while. Still on 7.5mg.

SW 214.8lbs
CW 171.6lbs
GW 166lbs (interim)

So close to my maximum healthy weight now, just 5ish lbs to go. Ultimately want to lose another stone or so as I still feel overweight at this point.

Victory this week was I grabbed an old coat in a size 12 and it fit!

@MounjaroMunchie 40% of your body weight loss is fantastic! You must feel amazing.

Good morning. Can someone who has graduated or someone close to graduating reassure me that my cankles will shrink.

Once upon a time I could wear knee high boots and now even when I try and put a welly on it just hangs off my foot like some deformed extension.

I don't think it's any sort of oedema situation I do think it's just the natural distribution of fat across my body but why good lord can't I just find a nice pair of wide calf and ankle winter boots that don't make me look like a rotund stable boy?

Thanks @BellaCriesAndThatsAlright and well done on your loss, too! It's been a long, long journey and I've got the baggy skin to prove it 😂

Day 3, oh so sick on 2.5mgs. All I can manage are protein shakes.
I tried some boiled eggs yesterday which I normally love and they tasted absolutely revolting. I guess its working.

@Gettingbysomehow please read this. It's not normal to be sick so before you continue taking mounjaro please call your doctor and your prescriber and take their advice.

Being a bit nauseous and queasy can be normal early days but not being so sick for days.

In light of the death of Susan McGowan please consider getting the a-ok by the medical professionals involved in your care before continuing, ASAP, citing that you're taking mounjaro and need these side effects investigating.

Your reaction to the medication is verging on worrying.

I'd get some medical advice.

@Gettingbysomehow as you can see in the graph Mounjaro builds up in your system each week even though you are taking the same dose each week on this pen. It has a half life of 5 days so you still have some of it left in your system when you take the next dose. If you are this ill from dose 1 you should not take dose 2 next week.

If you feel sick each week and are struggling to eat it will probably be worse after the next dose. You are sensitive to it and will likely be very ill if you try to move up to 5mg. If you are not able to eat c7,000 calories over the course of a week you are likely not eating enough fo your nutritional and energy needs and will become fatigued, may lose hair etc.

You might feel better on 2mg or 1.75mg. You should contact your provider to ask about how to minimise side effects and find a dose you can cope with long term.

Sorry the middle paragraph is not really relevant. I copied my response from another thread where someone has been feeling ill for three weeks!

Hi, I started on MJ in May and have lost 4 stone. I haven’t had many side effects apart from constipation and I have lost a lot of hair. I know this is my body’s response to stress as it happens if I change medication. I have some loose skin as I’m 60. My thighs and arms are not great but my stomach is better than I feared as it was huge.
I’m just into healthy BMI and have gone from a size 18 to 12/14. I’m planning to lose another half a stone and then see how I look. I haven’t done much more exercise apart from walking so I’m planning to book some sessions with a personal trainer to build some muscles. I have osteoarthritis in many part of my body including my spine so I don’t just want to try on my own at the gym.
Overall I’m feeling so much better. All my joint inflammation has reduced, no heartburn, no sleep apnea. Good luck to those just starting, I think for me MJ has been life-changing.

Just done my bonus dose, and last dose of 5mg. Next week I am moving back down to 2.5mg for 5 weeks and then plan to come off altogether It's not really been giving me much suppression the last two weeks so feel like I've been using a lot of willpower so hopefully that will help. Also not really losing now but I'm happy at this weight (although ideally I'd like to drop another 4lb) but this was my original goal.