Hand-hold - and tips - first jab today

[Alltheyellowbirds]

Have my first 2.5 Mounjaro in the fridge. V excited for my new life but also v scared of the jabbing process - not to mention any potential side-effects. I live alone and fear having some calamitous health crisis with no-one to notice or help. I don’t want to tell my friends I’m on it, at least not just now. They’re a bit of a “just eat less and move more” crew. So, any hand-holding or encouragement would be gratefully received!

Also any tips for the actual jabbing. Eg is it best to have some food in me or have an empty tummy?

thank you in advance 🙏

(edited for spelling)

I would say make sure you've eaten clean the days before hand
So nothing fried or heavy
I've injected after food and on an empty stomach, didn't notice any difference.
I was on mj from March to September last year and just restarted yesterday
Good luck x

Thank you! I’ve been quite good all week eating home-cooked healthy meals, but didn’t eat well yesterday - a pret baguette for breakfast (long early commute for work event) and another one for lunch! They sat quite heavily in my stomach. For dinner had broccoli and rice though.

The main thing I would say is relax! It really is very easy and in no time you’ll wonder what you were worrying about.
Read the instructions carefully. The needle is extremely fine and short so it’s completely painless. The pen makes sure you get the correct dose.
The injection is into the fat under your skin, not a vein, so it’s absorbed gradually. So I’ve found it makes no difference if you’ve eaten or not. I personally take mine first thing on a Friday morning before I get up.
Good luck and tell us how you get on!

Good luck! I recommend finding the January starters thread, you’ll be in good company.

I am on week 7, so still early days. I haven’t had any bad side effects. Drink lots more water than you think (your thirst may be reduced too), or you may suffer constipation. Focus on protein and fibre where you can, and getting steps in. If you can build more muscle on your frame, muscle burns more calories than fat so you will be able to maintain more easily in the long run. Even just 15 mins of body weight exercises at home will help over time.

Good luck, and wishing you an easy ride!

I try to make sure I’m well hydrated to avoid headaches so I drink 1L of water before jab in the morning. Clean eating, lots of protein and fibre have helped minimise any side effects with occasional constipation and minor headaches being the worst.

Good luck, I am glad I started.

Thank you all, this is very helpful. Yes, have joined the January starters group so am in good company! Just wanted to consult some more experienced folk too.

Oh, I meant to ask about where to inject. I’ve read that it’s less painful doing it in the stomach because it’s fattier, and that the jab is most effective ie better weight-loss results. However I’ve also read that there’s a higher chance of stomach-related side effects than if injected into thigh or arm. What is your experience?

Just do it honestly, first time is always nerve wracking, watch a couple of videos on you tube, do it slowly step by step.

now I pretty much do it on auto pilot and I also do my husbands as he’s no fan of needles, in fact this morning he shouted whoa you ran at me with that 😂

It’s so easy it will feel like an anti climax!

I usually jab into tummy, around 8pm. After my first jab I literally woke up the next morning and felt like someone had turned my hunger switch off.

My advice is don’t try to eat more than your body is telling you is manageable. If you do get any nausea, ginger nut biscuits are your friend.

I think a lot of this is highly anecdotal/down to the individual. I've always injected in my belly because it's easier, softer, very accessible and hidden. Sometimes you may occasionally get a slight bruise at the injection site, or a tiny reaction (itchiness/redness). None of these are serious - they're pretty normal - but I'd rather that happens on my belly than eg my upper arm!

I’d just do it op. Hopefully you have done and aren’t still sitting over thinking.

id start with the thigh, it can be stronger in tummy, I sat down, which basically pushes the fat forward and basically just did it. No biggie.

It’s a doddle. You will be fine. Do it in the tummy . Simple squeeze a bit of tummy fat , put the needle in , squeeze the plunger ( takes a few seconds ) pause and then you are done.
No need to do anything special in terms of food that day. You won’t notice much. You might have cold hands and feet. Drink plenty of water that week, plan much small portions as you will feel full quickly . Avoid big meals out.

There's no evidence for where related to side effects so just go with what you feel right doing.

I do my tummy right before bed so I can sleep through any potential side effects effect's. I once did it at 4pm and felt sick all evening (only time ive felt sick in 7 months).

Good luck! Welcome to your new chapter.

Drink a lot more water than you expect.

Actually there is, there was a full trial on it, as part of rhe trials for the regulatory authorities, it is googleable.

It is done. Bloody hell, I did find it a bit of an ordeal. Not because it hurt or anything, just trying to understand the instructions and not jab myself with air or anything.

Did my tummy in the end as realised I had oestrogel on my thigh already and wasn’t sure if they should mix?

Had two pieces toast beforehand for breakfast. Have meat in the fridge for tonight as trying to increase protein, but also soup and Greek yoghurt in case I’m feeling sick.

Now I just have to try and keep the anxiety at bay and not go imagining pains in my pancreas and gallbladder. I’m already thinking I can feel something funny under the injection site, like a cold feeling… Need to keep busy! Weather’s rubbish but planning a day of Spring cleaning - and maybe a little weights session or some time on the treadmill.

Thanks so much everyone, it really helps to be able to talk it through!

Well done op. You shouldn’t feel sick unless you eat something too much or it’s anxiety related, in fact you’d be lucky to get suppression.

do you suffer anxiety, and have meds for it? Or a way of coping when you become unwell mentally? Like exercises you can do? Have you struggled the same with other injections ie vaccinations?

air doesn’t matter, you’re injecting into fat. Not a main vein.

Take Photos Of Doom today. And measurements too. You'll likely hate the first set but they are SO satisfying to look back on.
I'm a bit over 6 stone down, since Nov 24, and love having that visual chart of my progress now. They were also very helpful in the first few months when the progress isn't so visible day to day.

I always take a hot bath and then put on clean comfy clothes when I’m feeling anxious. And drink so much water!

Don’t usually get anxiety, and no problems with jabs at the doctor. I do have a very real fear of serious illness though around being single and having to look after myself, so the stories of pancreatitis etc put me off doing this for a long time. In the end I figured the odds of a catastrophic side effect from WLI were probably lower than the long term health risks from staying obese and that the risk-reward ratio was worth it. Fingers crossed I’m right! 🤞

And thank you for the info around air bubbles, that makes sense. One fear I can put to bed at least!

Great idea. Congratulations on your weight loss, that’s amazing.

I’ve just made a warm turmeric milk which is my comfort go to 😁

DH weighed all this up (pun intended! 😉) as well. He's a year in, and so much more healthy.

OP, he does the jabs without thinking now, but the first few times took great care.

Gosh i remember this feeling so well, locking myself in the bathroom and laying out the instruction to scrutinise them!
keep hydrated, plan fresh colourful meals and lift weights.
i have always done my injection in the evening to sleep through any possible nausea (well that was my plan at the beginning and the habit has just stuck now).
Good luck on the WLI, best money I have ever spent on myself in my whole 40 years on this planet, zero regrets, it’s given my back my health, my self confidence, my way back to fitness, rediscovered my love of clothes shopping and wearing clothes that I love and not wearing clothes that would draw the least amount attention… absolutely priceless imo.

Thank you! I forgot to say, include some portraits in the photos of doom as well as body shots. I took them to track my chins deflating but they've helped me see that my face had become a lot narrower over the last year.

Am I allowed to ask where everyone gets their Mj from?
I keep looking but getting overwhelmed by too many choices.
I really want to get started.