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Weight loss injections/treatments

Discuss weight-loss injections and treatments, including personal experiences. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any treatments.

Original poster

MJ pens hard to press???

27 replies

Waitfortheguinness · 02/02/2025 13:23

I’m on my third pen, repeating a 5mg.
the previous pen I noticed seemed hard to press whilst injecting….i just thought perhaps a one off…..but I’ve just started a new pen and it’s difficult to administer singlehanded. I usually pinch a bit of fatty skin with one hand and inject with the other.
anyone else noticed, do you manage with one hand…..or use two, if so how?

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 02/02/2025 13:28

I use my thumb to press. So hold it in position with my 4 fingers (my hand is in a thumbs up 👍 and press down using my thumb (while counting to 5).

KrankyKumquat · 02/02/2025 13:32

Yes I struggle, partly due to a broken index finger/knuckle. I've stopped pinching as found it wasn't necessary on my tummy, despite being at goal weight so not excessively fatty there. The needle's short and isn't going to hit anything vital. So I use one hand to hold the pen and the other to push the plunger. Also found it's particularly hard to push if I haven't remembered to prime first.

mashingwachine · 02/02/2025 13:34

Is the needle working when you prime? I have had struggles and a needle change has fixed the issue.

Emotionalsupporthamster · 02/02/2025 13:35

I always think those pens have been designed with a man’s hand size in mind. I find it manageable but a bit awkward.

Bessica1970 · 02/02/2025 13:37

Completely agree - I used MJ for two months before switching back to Saxenda. I have painful joints and pressing the pen down was very uncomfortable.

Original poster
Waitfortheguinness · 02/02/2025 13:41

HundredMilesAnHour · 02/02/2025 13:28

I use my thumb to press. So hold it in position with my 4 fingers (my hand is in a thumbs up 👍 and press down using my thumb (while counting to 5).

Yes, that’s how I do it, I know I haven’t got biceps like popeye…but I’m hardly weak……it’s just that I nearly had to stop today, mid inject, as I just couldn’t hold and press for much harder for longer. Just wondered if it got progressively harder as you go up in pens.
i do prime before each shot, so I’m sure it’s all working fine……perhaps I’ll try as others have and maybe try a two handed job.
Ophs, sounds rude 😂

OP posts:
bugalugs45 · 02/02/2025 14:12

I couldnt get on with the clicking either so read on here about diabetic needles so bought some online , cant remember price but cheap , and fill syringe up to 0.6 and im away .

CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets · 02/02/2025 14:15

Pinch, stab, let go of skin, hold with one hand push with the other.

It is a bit awkward with one. It could do with syringe "wings" on it at the top.

mashingwachine · 02/02/2025 14:16

CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets · 02/02/2025 14:15

Pinch, stab, let go of skin, hold with one hand push with the other.

It is a bit awkward with one. It could do with syringe "wings" on it at the top.

What is the pinch for? Especially if you let go when the needle is on, doesn't that risk making it come out as the skin moves?

WeAllHaveWings · 02/02/2025 14:17

Did the stiffness coincide with a change of needle length and/or brand?

Allmarbleslost · 02/02/2025 14:20

Why are you pinching skin? I don't understand that bit.

Julen7 · 02/02/2025 14:23

KrankyKumquat · 02/02/2025 13:32

Yes I struggle, partly due to a broken index finger/knuckle. I've stopped pinching as found it wasn't necessary on my tummy, despite being at goal weight so not excessively fatty there. The needle's short and isn't going to hit anything vital. So I use one hand to hold the pen and the other to push the plunger. Also found it's particularly hard to push if I haven't remembered to prime first.

Yes I have an thumb injury and finding it hard. I think the pen could be better designed?

SilenceInside · 02/02/2025 14:23

I've not found this as yet, I've been using Mounjaro for 30 weeks. I don't pinch as I have more than enough flab readily available to inject into. It's a steady push, not a hard one, if that makes sense? I prime each time as per the instructions and would change needles if nothing came out.

IrisPallida · 02/02/2025 14:27

Yeah, stop pinching. There is no need if injecting belly, thighs or upper arms as directed because the pen needle will not ever go into anything that isn't fat as it isn't long enough. It may even be making things harder!

That will allow you to hold the pen in your other hand if you need to.

Losingthetimber · 02/02/2025 14:28

I feel the same op, you need to push hard to depress it. Don’t get me wrong, fully doable, but it is stiff in my recent pens, I have to push hard.

also I pinch, just so I’ve some fat there to inject into, and go into that, as I’ve quite slim thighs and prefer to inject there,

ShiftAMountain · 02/02/2025 14:29

HundredMilesAnHour · 02/02/2025 13:28

I use my thumb to press. So hold it in position with my 4 fingers (my hand is in a thumbs up 👍 and press down using my thumb (while counting to 5).

This is how I do it.

I think my thumb must have gotten stronger and it's easier now than when I first started.

Original poster
Waitfortheguinness · 02/02/2025 15:25

WeAllHaveWings · 02/02/2025 14:17

Did the stiffness coincide with a change of needle length and/or brand?

No, don’t think so….all the same, from same pharmacy etc…
I don’t remember the first 2.5mg being quite so difficult.

OP posts:
Original poster
Waitfortheguinness · 02/02/2025 15:30

Somebody just suggested that as they’ve fiddled with the newer pen design to stop people twisting more to get the extra dose out, maybe it’s made it a bit stiffer?

OP posts:
Titasaducksarse · 02/02/2025 15:32

Is it priming OK?

Original poster
Waitfortheguinness · 02/02/2025 15:33

Titasaducksarse · 02/02/2025 15:32

Is it priming OK?

Yep, alls fine…I always do a prime first.

OP posts:
IReallyNeedThisToWork · 02/02/2025 16:09

Definitely harder than they used to be!! I am an arm jabber and have realised it’s become too difficult now as the needle slips out 😫

TheChosenTwo · 02/02/2025 16:15

I haven’t found it to be stiff, I hold my skin flat with my left hand (I’m not a pincher!) and plunge with the right. I do have quite big hands though and find it fine.
i don’t keep mine in the fridge once it’s open though, I wonder if the mechanics of the pen are a bit stiffer and ‘stick’ a bit with the cold?

Henrythegorilla · 02/02/2025 16:48

I thought this just yesterday when I started a new pen. It was much harder to push down than normal. Doable, but definitely harder.

spinningisthebest · 02/02/2025 16:56

I don't pinch. I just aim for the flabbiest bit of the right area and go slowly

BagQueenBee · 03/02/2025 23:17

I think it is a little awkward, I also use one hand, and thumb to press pen…. Seems to take ages but I don’t press hard just gentle… I find syringe better on my 5th dose.

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