Mounjaro tips before I start?

[ohmyohmy123]

Waiting for my mounjara to arrive and wondered if anyone can help with a few questions.

Is there anything I should do to prepare myself? Eat less etc

Can you still drink alcohol? Thinking ahead to Xmas day!

My friends have said it's the wrong time to start with Xmas but I need to remember that Xmas is just 2 days and I don't want to be another stone heavier afterwards so need to start now.

Thanks

Hi @ohmyohmy123 there's a thread for November starters which you might want to join, or look for December starters thread although I'm not sure there is one yet. You could start it of course.

November thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5210618-november-mounjaro-starters-thread-2?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

In terms of your questions, Mounjaro slows down your digestive transit, so I would avoid eating large heavy meals on the day before you're planning to inject and any meals on the day before you inject.

You can drink alcohol although you might find you don't want to much any more.

I agree with you about starting sooner rather than later. It's a long term process and I think it's useful to learn how to navigate celebrations like Christmas, birthdays, weddings etc without overindulging.

Take some brutally honest close ups of your face and some full length ones too.

You'll hate doing it now - but will love to see how much you've changed after a few weeks/months.

Each persons response and side effects to the medication is unique to their bodies so you won't know what it means for you until you start. Some people find they cannot eat/drink certain things, while others are ok. If you start now it is likely you will have 4 injections under your belt before Christmas and have a better idea on how you are responding.

2.5mg is a starter/initial dose. Some people respond quickly with strong appetite suppression with no side effects, some feel as though they are injecting water, other get unpleasant side effects immediately.

If all goes well you will possibly be ordering your next pen and increasing around the holidays. You might decide closer to the time to stick on 2.5mg to avoid the step up to the next dose and any extreme appetite suppression or unpleasant side effects over the festive season. I would suggest to order a 5mg for your next pen if the price isn't that different as you can take a 2.5mg dose out of a 5mg pen and it gives you the option to put off the 2.5mg/5mg decision right up to injection day (your prescriber won't recommend/entertain adjusting pen doses down, but it is very common off license practice, and imo a safe tweak).

Also consider Christmas deliveries and delays for your second pen, and perhaps ask your supplier what they suggest.

@ohohmyohmy123 snap!

I am also waiting for my first dose to arrive
I thought waiting to after Xmas would do nothing but add even more weight to the scales.
Taking my photo as part of the ordering process was a sobering experience but glad I have it for reference purposes 🥲
I also took full body measurements to hopefully spur me on as the cm's drop

Mine is arriving today...I'm hoping to take it around 2pm as I'll be back from work and able to manage any possible side effects.

When does yours arrive?

I am so excited to lose this weight...need to shed over 5 stone!

Go shopping and completely overhaul your diet. Mounjaro is there to help but it won't do all the work for you. I have managed to avoid any side effects but I think that's done to not eating the same as I used to.

treat drinking 2/3 litres of water a day as part of the prescribed medication.

Get plenty of healthier food options in ahead of time. Prioritise protein and fibre in your meals.

I had an immediate reaction to the 2.5. I could hardly eat anything and felt really really full. My advice would be not to eat anything after 6 pm.

Don't drink any alcohol. You won't particularly want any and it won't taste as nice. You won't feel any effect from it either! Just see this is an alcohol free Christmas - you will see it reflected in your weight loss.

For Christmas dinner start eating the protein first and just have a little bit of everything else. Pretend you are a model! Don't compare your plate to everyone else's.

Just think that after Christmas you will be slimmer than before. I'm sure that never happens normally

I'm six months on and 3.25 stone lighter

I think you're right about just getting on with it, it's a month until Christmas.

By starting today you will be due your last (unless you take the bonus dose) on Christmas Day. It's not a bad plan as some find the effect wears off towards the end of the seven days. You might just want to plan around that though. You can obviously have a bigger space between jabs.

Order a 5mg pen for your second one, if you want to stick on less - 2.5 or 3.75 - you can count the clicks. There are lots of threads on how to do this.

If you are using MedExpress be aware they are not the cheapest but evidently do a price match. Use https://monj.co.uk for price comparison. There can significant savings to be made. Remember to take a photo of your prescription box in case you decide to change provider.

Are you telling your family? If not then be mindful of how you are eating etc because you can feel full quite quickly. I have found I can drink alcohol, but not much, and heavy meals really sit in my stomach.

Thank you for this - makes so much sense! I've been treating every day like Xmas for the last 7 years so missing one year to get my health on track is the way to go. I don't particularly enjoy drinking anymore...I feel like it's habit.

I'm sat here starving but I'm not really - it's just I've usually had 3 pieces of toast by now. I have been successful with fast 800 in the past so I'm going to do that again and an 18/6 eating window.

@ohmyohmyohmy123 it has just arrived!
Plan to take it as soon as I build up.the courage (scared of needles)
I also need to lose 5 stone and can't even imagine what it could be like to have a healthy BMI

Ah I'm still waiting - should have been delivered by 11.27am and I need to go out soon. I've not eaten yet as I wanted a fresh empty stomach.

To echo some of the other points and a few of my own:

1. Take brutally honest photos. You'll enjoy looking back later and going OMG.
2. Take photos of your prescription labels. You'll need them to move.
3. Don't be afraid to switch providers. Sites like mounjaroprices.com will help you. The market is very competitive and so prices change often, particularly with discount codes.
4. Change more than just the jab. Take the time now to change many things, walk more, drink water
5. Consider taking a good quality A-Z multivitamin. You eat so little you don't get all the nutrients you need. Do a little research in case any other supplements might be warranted.
6. Get some good bathroom scales and a good weight tracking app.
7. Weigh daily. You'll wake up excited for the morning and try to squeeze out every bit of pee. I found it kept me motivated :)

Hi, I'm going to start taking Mounjaro next week Monday, and I was wondering if there are any tips or anything I need to avoid before and whilst taking it?

@MyLuckyIsland have a read of the April/May starters thread where I am sure you’ll find loads of useful info from people at the start of their experience!