The Day I Was Told, 'Shall We Start Injections?' — A Real-Life Account of a Man in His 60s with Diabetes
Mounjaro Has Arrived — Starting My Once-a-Week Injection Life After Breaking Through an HbA1c of 8%
What You Will Learn in This Article:
✔ Early symptoms of type 2 diabetes and HbA1c benchmarks
✔ What Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is and how it works
✔ My personal experience starting Mounjaro and the changes in the first week
✔ Tips for using Mounjaro, even if you are afraid of needles
✔ Important things to keep in mind when dealing with diabetes
Introduction
"Shall we start injections?"
When those words reached my ears, to be honest, my brain went "???" for about three seconds.
Injections. Start. For me? Wait, wasn't today just a monthly check-up where I measure my blood pressure, hear the blood test results, and then finish with "See you next month"?
That moment just drifted away.
After a while, I finally realized: "Ah, my diabetes has gotten worse."
Looking at the blood test results on the screen, there was a significant increase in red text.
This happened in May 2026, and I muttered to myself, "I see, so that's why."
What is happening
In my early 60s, I have been living with type 2 diabetes for several years now.
Until now, I had managed it with oral medication, but this month I finally crossed a major threshold.
My HbA1c level was exactly 8.0%.
This number is not something to joke about, like saying, "Well, 8 is a nice round number, isn't it?"
For the doctor, it is a sign that "it's time to take action," and for me, it is a reality check that "I'm in trouble if I keep taking it easy."
So, that is why this appeared:Mounjaro (generic name: tirzepatide).
It is a type of medication that you inject yourself once a week.
If you braced yourself when you heard the word 'injection,' please wait a moment. This is actually a very rational medication, and it is surprisingly not difficult to use. First, let's organize the story starting with the state of my body.
Why injections now?
My lineup of symptoms
When I listen to what my body is saying right now,
I feel unusually thirsty
Swelling in the feet (shoes feel tight by evening)
I just can't shake off the fatigue
My weight is gradually increasing
Leg cramps (charley horses, sometimes making me scream in the middle of the night)
Frequent urination (polyuria)
When I search for 'Type 2 diabetes symptoms' online, a list appears that looks like it was written just for me. It's as if it's saying, 'This is about you.'
[Infographic Insertion ①: Early Diabetes Symptom Checklist]
The 'Report Card' called HbA1c
Used as an indicator for blood glucose control, HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) shows the average state of blood glucose over the past 1 to 2 months.
Simply put, it's a numerical value that answers the question, 'Have you kept your blood sugar levels under control lately?'
My 8.0% is a state where I have firmly stepped into the entrance of 'poor control.'
I can't afford to be complacent just because it's still in the 8% range, but it's not a number to be overly pessimistic about either. I can turn things around from here. Yes, I can still do this.
[Infographic Insertion ②: HbA1c Value Evaluation Guide]
The reason the doctor chose Mounjaro
The doctor's decision was clear.
'I want to lower your weight while also stabilizing your blood sugar. Mounjaro is effective for both.'
For blood glucose management that had hit a plateau with oral medication, Mounjaro acts through a different approach. It is a type of drug called a 'dual agonist' that works simultaneously on two types of receptors, the GIP receptor and the GLP-1 receptor. It not only helps with insulin secretion but is also expected to have the effect of suppressing appetite and reducing weight.
In short, it's a 'drug that aims to kill two birds with one stone by lowering blood sugar and reducing weight.'
[Infographic Insertion ③: Mounjaro Action and Side Effect List]
Actually Trying the Injection
The Unexpected Mesh Problem
Mounjaro injections are typically recommended as subcutaneous injections into the abdomen.
However, this is where it turned out my body wasn't going to make things simple.
I had umbilical hernia surgery a few years ago, and there is a medical mesh around my navel. Since that mesh could interfere with abdominal injections, after consulting with my doctor, the injection site was changed to my thigh.
If the abdomen is out, the thigh is the next option. While the arm is also possible, the thigh is considered one of the easier sites for self-injection.
And my impression after injecting myself for the first time was,
“It’s actually a bit painful.”
It’s not dramatically painful. It’s just that after the prick, a dull, indescribable sensation lingers for a while. I can’t say it’s painless, but if it means the treatment is progressing, it’s within an acceptable range. My hands shook a little the first time, but that’s probably the case for everyone. I want to tell myself, not being used to injections, that I did a good job.
[Infographic Insertion 4: Mounjaro Usage Guide]
Things I Noticed in the First Week
Two weeks have passed since the injection. I’ve finished two injections. Tomorrow is the third.
There have been a few changes.
First, nausea and feeling unwell. This is the most commonly reported side effect of Mounjaro, and I’ve experienced it a few times too. It’s not severe vomiting, but more of a feeling that “my stomach doesn’t feel quite right” or “I feel a bit queasy after eating.” It got much better when I reduced my portion sizes slightly and started eating more slowly.
And one more thing. This was unexpected.
“I find myself wanting sweets.”
Even though I’m taking Mounjaro, which is supposed to suppress appetite, for some reason, an urge for sweetness emerges. Wondering what this was, I looked it up online and it seems there are cases where the body craves sugar in response to changes in blood glucose levels (though there are various theories). I plan to confirm this with my doctor next time.
Treatment is not always a straightforward process.
What to do from here
To summarize the current situation, it is as follows.
I have accepted the reality of an HbA1c of 8.0%
I have started the once-weekly Mounjaro injection
Side effects are mild, but my craving for sweets has mysteriously increased
Injecting into the thigh is 'mildly painful,' but it's a level of pain I can handle
To be honest, my injection debut was a bit depressing. I miss the days when I just took pills. It would be a lie to say I had zero feelings of 'why did it come to this?'
However,
If things go well, I will lose weight. My blood sugar levels will stabilize. My fatigue will lift. The swelling in my legs will improve. I won't have to scream from leg cramps in the middle of the night.
When you think about it that way, isn't a once-weekly injection a small price to pay?
In life, you take preemptive measures while you still can. That is the art of living for someone in their 60s.
Conclusion
In this series, I intend to share my daily life while taking Mounjaro just as it is.
Changes in blood sugar, weight trends, the reality of side effects, and how I approach meals—
I will write about what I feel in my daily life, not sugar-coated, but from a realistic perspective.
For those who have just been diagnosed with diabetes and are confused, those who have been recommended Mounjaro and are hesitant, and those who are living the same once-weekly injection life,
If this article can lead someone to think, 'Oh, I'm not the only one,' then that is enough for me.
I will do my best with my treatment!!
※This article is based on personal experience. Please be sure to consult with your attending physician regarding treatment plans.
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