Mounjaro October starters - Thread 4

[JustKeepsBreathing]

Number 3 was almost full so hope it’s okay to start a new one @YummyCookie

This is a fast moving group but so useful 😀

@Tohaveandtohold https://www.chemist-4-u.com/carepoint-pen-needles-31g-4mm-pack-of-100 I found these, not sure if can get cheaper

I weigh every day. First week I waited a week, but I found I wanted the 'reward' of weight loss more frequently. I've lost a tiny bit most days. Only problem is, I've just somehow 'put on' two pounds overnight and that's made me cross. I know it's not that simple (and I probably just need a poo 😅) but it is frustrating. I like to track it every day into my line graph to see that pattern go down.

So bit of an update following my health scare last week! I was told I’d have to wait over a week for bloods, but I ended up getting an earlier appointment last Wednesday and results came back on Friday. Thankfully everything is normal with my liver and kidneys etc. although compared to bloods I had done last year the results are higher, although within normal range still. I have a GP appointment next week to discuss as she wanted to scan me if bloods were ok just to double check everything. But the tummy pain isn’t as bad and seems to only flare up after exercise now, which leads me to believe it’s muscle related or MJ related and the longer I’m off the jab the better I feel.

However, the bloods did reveal I have extremely low iron levels. I was told to eat more foods with iron in and was sent a list - I am absolutely baffled as I eat all of these on a daily basis anyway and don’t know how I can cram anymore in! I was even told to limit my dairy intake as that can affect iron absorption - I’m dairy intolerant 😂. So I don’t know how I can up it as I don’t really want to take supplements (which is what was suggested), especially as given what I’m eating I have no reason to be deficient so I’d rather get to the underlying cause. I am wondering if MJ has affected my body’s ability to absorb the nutrients from food? Has anyone else found this? Another one to discuss with my GP!

Anyway, thought I’d also share my journey of coming off MJ. This health scare has really put me off. If I ever did decide to go back on it then it would have to be with a far more involved supplier who I actually see for check ins (video calls etc) and there’s a number I can call and speak to a nurse or doctor asap when I need it. I can’t explain the anxiety and worry I felt when my GP was telling me they couldn’t advise on my pain and MJ (but were concerned) because they weren’t my prescriber, but the prescribing doctor took 2 days to reply to my message and then when I replied to that they took another day to come back. I just wanted to speak to someone! I’ve seen Bupa are doing a weight loss programme with doctors and nurses who seem very involved, but at the moment it’s just for WG.

I’ve been off MJ for 3 weeks now and my suppression is only just starting to wear off! I can’t believe it as usually by the end of the week it would be pretty much gone, but not with that last week. I’d done 4 jabs of 2.5mg when I started to get pain and so stopped. So I’ve basically still had the effects for the past 2.5 weeks and have continued losing weight! Even now my cravings are coming back slightly etc I am so determined not to let it beat me and have lost another couple of lbs, taking me to a total of 1stone lost since I started MJ. I will be speaking to my GP about weight loss support. I’ve thrown so much money at PTs, nutritionists, online plans and coaches over the years, and now MJ, that I need support from somewhere if those aren’t working.

Curious why you’d think it was mj related if it only flares after exercise wouldn’t that indicate you’ve pulled a muscle or tendon? Could you have a hernia , how overweight are you, if it’s ok to ask.

also it’s unlikely 3 small doses of mj has depleted your iron stores, it would take a lot longer, so it would say this predates mj and has been declining for some time.

im not sure why you do t wish to take iron supplements, many of us do. Low iron doesn’t always have an underlying cause, months of bad eating can cause it.

@Mummy20213x0i have had low haemoglobin for decades and low ferritin in past. More recently I was getting pins and needles, GP didn't do any tests and told me to take iron, I have ibs and digestive issues so don't tend to absorb tablets but i take Feroglobin liquid iron so didn't think it was that.
Low B12 levels cause pins and needles and tiredness etc so I've got an oral spray as it has similar effect as B12 injections, but easier to take and my symptoms have all gone, I am warmer now with more energy and my nails are better.
As we get older especially over 30, we produce less enzymes and intrinsic factor to efficiently extra nutrients from food, so it may just be that for you. I also didn't eat meat for 5 years. There is also pernicious anaemia which you can read up on.
Glad your liver and other function tests were ok, really doubt its linked to 3 weeks of low dose MJ.

@Mysticmaiden2024 @ThatCoralShark thanks - initially it was a constant aching throbbing pain in my upper right abdomen that was getting worse, which is why I went to the GP. She told me my pain was classic liver pain and as all medications are metabolised in the liver, if the liver isn’t happy with it then it only takes a few weeks of medication use for the pain to start, which is why she referred me immediately for tests and I was told to stop MJ until we got to the bottom of the issue. My prescribing doctor agreed with this approach and has told me if I ever got back on to not go above 2.5mg for a while. I’ve always had a pretty good diet in terms of eating iron/protein rich foods for my main meals (it was the snacking which got me) and I started off my MJ journey at 16 stone and am now 15 with a BMI of 34. My GP when I went initially questioned my weight and BMI as she said I didn’t look overweight enough to qualify for it, but I’ve always carried my weight well. I have no issues taking iron supplements if there’s no other way to get my levels up, but the GP was acting like a low iron diet was the issue and that isn’t the case at all so I’d rather ensure there is no other cause. I’m only 31! I agree it may not be MJ related hence my wondering if anyone else had experienced it. And my abdominal pains obviously aren’t linked. They’ve since got a bit better and are now only flaring up when I pick my son up or go for a run, which is what’s making me think it’s more muscle. But GP wants to scan kidneys, gallbladder and pancreas to triple check there’s nothing else.

@Mummy20213x0 I know someone who is 33 and had gallbladder inflammation for 2 years. I'm an nhs scientist who dissects gallbladders and when I've studied about it, we get told its obese, fertile, over 30s women. You can have cholecystitis I.e. gallbladder inflammation without stones. Her pain sounded similar on right side and went from front to back. She was in hospital a few times due to the intense pain but they won't remove it yet as she is young and it is mild inflammation.

Hey. Has anyone got the link to the price comparison site?

This is important to remember I think you either do it daily or don't weigh for a significant period of time like 2-3 weeks. As if you weigh on an up fluctuation that week you could be disappointed and more at risk to self sabotage.

@Mysticmaiden2024 thank you! That’s good to know! Guess we’ll see with my scan and what that shows

Hi all,
Has anyone experienced injection site reactions while taking mounjaro.
I have some redness after the last two injections

@MustLoveCats only after my first injection, it was fine after that. It may be the alcohol wipes as I use alcohol gel now which is 70% and no issues

My weigh day is a Saturday, but I do weigh on a Tuesday to see how my week is going and decide what day I’m going to fast on.

monj.co.uk/

monj.co.uk

I’m 34 and have to take iron pills. I have PA and it’s not linked to the lack of iron in my diet either as Iv always ate meat and lots of stuff with iron in.

So far Iv had 2 bruises and I injected today and it was the first time it actually hurt when the needle went in.
It’s tender now and a bit read but it’s the first time that’s happened. I can already see my 3rd bruise forming 😂When I had 2 bruises before I didn’t have any pain when I injected.

Ahh pliers! I am pretty strong and couldn’t fathom how people were managing to get the hard twist done!
Yeah I totally see why people are doing it to get another dose out but I’m happy sticking to the prescribed formula at the moment so will carry on as I am. I might change my mind if at any point I decide to stick with a dose again but even then rather than bugger about with the pen I’ll probably just move on to the next one.

Also I have a NSV to report. I have lost 12cms from around my hips in month 1 (madness, wasn’t even sure that was possible) and today when I had a bath my body didn’t form a damn and block the water behind me when I let the plug out! It’s been so long that the bath emptied properly from in front and behind me, I was ecstatic! I encourage everyone if you don’t already to measure yourselves, I lost some cms from everywhere (except my chubby calves!) and it was great to see.

I'm doing my 8th injection in the morning. So far I've done 3x2.5mg and 4x3.75mg. My suppression hasn't been as great this week and I've had more food noise, not as bad as week 3 which relied solely on willpower.

In my head I thought I'd go up to 5mg if I have a week where I feel like it's not working for me, however I am still losing as on Friday I was down 3lb and this morning down 2lb from last weigh in. I only really want to lose 2-3lb a week so should I stay at 3.75mg or up it to 5mg.

I’m due to donate blood next week, does anyone know if you can do so on MJ? I know they’ll ask the question about using needles, so I’ll have to disclose it anyways, but I’ll save myself the time if I’m going to be turned away anyways,

Sorry only just catching up on the thread after a busy weekend. Funnily enough someone took a picture of me on Thursday and my face looks so much slimmer! I am still over 16st so still have a few too many chins but my cheek bones are starting to surface and my face is definitely looking much less round!
I have also noticed a difference in my waist (and so did a colleague), I don't particularly think it's fat I have lost as it happened almost immediately after starting but think I must have been retaining a lot of water around my waist if that is possible?!

@AllstarFacilier Yes you can 👍

I've gone up to 3.75 tonight after five weeks on 2.5 including the bonus dose. I can taste metal, odd! Hoping for minimal side effects 🤞