If you're taking Ozempic to lose a bit of weight doesn't this make you feel guilty?

[QueenieMe]

The Weight Loss Chat board feels like it's been taken over by Ozempic threads at the moment, with everyone and their aunt spending a fortune on injections to lose weight. Yet I've just seen Diabetes UK has issued a warning saying that diabetic patients are struggling to get supplies because of the demand. For them, taking the drug is not a lifestyle choice! I do appreciate there are those on the WLC board who are clinically obese and are taking it because their weight is impacting their health, but when I see women with normal BMIs saying they're taking it to lose that last stubborn stone I do despair. Knowing patients were struggling for supplies so I could fit in a bikini make me feel so guilty that I just couldn't do it. I'd love to hear their justification.

https://inews.co.uk/news/ozempic-diabetic-weight-loss-patients-drug-demand-2342119

There really needs to be a separate board for all the Ozempic threads and yes I think it's shocking so many people are taking it.

I would be quite concerned about side effects, it's not something to do lightly.

It horrifies me that so many people are taking it

When I look at the details of it, it seems you only lose weight if you stick to a low carb diet..........so the question is, why don't you just do a low carb diet and save your money and side effects of a drug?

Peculiar

These supply issue stories all smack of a PR stunt by the manufacturers to get the press to find a new angle to write stories about how effective it is as a drug for many groups of people.

It’s definitely working for me - I’m tempted to try it to shift a stone before my holiday..!

I just did a really quick google and Superdrug and several online pharmacies say they have it in stock for next day delivery so I’m not convinced there is a shortage for diabetics

But even if there was, it’s not like it’s their daily treatment or the only way to manage symptoms?

Isn’t the whole point that’s it’s a very effective appetite suppressant, so people who struggle with limiting their intake due to feeling hungry can do so very easily when taking Ozempic?

On the threads I’ve seen, people who said they’ve lifelong compulsive overwaters can now sit in front of a bowl of chips and not even be slightly tempted

What about the quote from Diabetes UK? Are they in cahoots with the manufacturers to find a new angle for the press?

Not to mention even the manufacturer says you'll pile the weight back on if you stop taking it.

The side effects are stated very clearly on this drug - it's amazing that people will take this hormone altering drug to lose a stone. Thyroid cancer seems to be the extra bonus!

I despair that people seem so unable to make changes to their lifestyle without resorting to a drug that literally states that it has a risk of thyroid cancer as well as many other side effects

A pill for everything is our way of life now

Its gross really, thankfully in the US demand has levelled off a bit with production, but many diabetics were going with it or having to ration their ozempic at the start of the year. The same could happen here but people won't listen, they'd rather take it rather than address the underlying issues as to why they're overweight (and gain the weight back when they finish using it anyway).

My friend took it to lose a stone and says she's absolutely fucked herself. Feels terrible. Going to hospital for loads of tests.

Now in the never ending loop of more medication to cure the damage the initial medication did

Are the people currently taking it for weight loss planning to stay on it forever?

Obesity should be treated as something that is a serious crisis in the UK. It is also extremely poor that doctors for a long time have been saying it's all about willpower and "eating less".

The psychological reasons most people are obese are not conquered by thinking "oh, I'll just put the chips down".

Obesity related health issues also cost the NHS a fortune.

I know several people on Ozempic for weightloss and I know two people on it for their diabetes.
The diabetics have had zero issues getting it at any point on prescription.

I think there's a lot of dramatics from both sides of the argument.

Some type 2 diabetics do require a weekly dose to manage their glucose levels, why on earth should they go without or find an alternative when there are people using it off license to lose weight? The selfishness of people never ceases to amaze. I'm not sure why Diabetes UK and what has actually happened in other countries would be some kind of smear campaign. I'm more disgusted that these companies selling it and the media haven't shone more light on the unknown of the long term effects of people without diabetes using it.

Some type 2 diabetics do require a weekly dose to manage their glucose levels,

They don't though, they can manage / reverse T2 through lifestyle changes?

It doesn't mean medication is the answer, sure it helps people lose weight whilst they take it (long term effects unknown) but it doesn't address any of the societal or other reasons people overweight. These people will just pile the weight back on, and unless you're suggesting everyone goes onto it which would be awful then not sure it's any sort of miracle cure. Essentially a company found out it can be used to curb appetite and knows that people will pay £££s for a quick fix.

It’s utterly depressing that this is how obesity is being tackled. I understand there is a small group of people for who this drug is helpful as the risk to their lives from pre-existing conditions is higher than that of being on life long medication. But the fact it is so readily available and open to being abused is utterly shocking.

By that logic fat people can just lose weight through lifestyle eh? You're extremely ignorant.

Not if their blood sugar levels are too high and they're in danger of becoming insulin-dependent.

”While we understand that off-label prescribing can be beneficial in some circumstances, we cannot support it when it is directly contributing to ongoing shortages that impact on people living with type 2 diabetes, and would encourage clinicians to be mindful of this impact,” he said.”

Reading this through the lens of someone who writes these sorts of statements for a living, it’s really not the strongest worded thing. They have been asked for a quote and given one that basically puts their own interests first but is making it clear they don’t really mind the off-label use.

I just can’t see anything to get outraged about.

Ultimately, type 2 diabetes is caused by people putting on too much weight.
The drug they want is also wanted by other people who have put on too much weight. I don’t see why one group should just be expected to ‘use self control’ but the other isn’t

And even the diabetic in the article is saying it’s just mostly more of an admin headache to get the medication

I agree there is a serious obesity crisis in this country and it needs nuance as well as action. But to say diabetics are having serious issues getting it on prescription simply isn't true - read the comment from Diabetes UK.

I think overweight and obesity causes are numerous and that they way to tackle would be a multipronged approach for psychological and physical issues, I don’t agree that medication and ignoring what is going on in the mind of that person is the right answer!

I'm taking it for weight loss, but I have a massive amount to lose. I've tried so many diets over the years but never seem to lose much. My old GP recommended bariatric surgery, but I just couldn't do it.

I moved house and have a new GP. He told me I'm pre-diabetic and insulin resistant. I tried Ozempic last year and it was amazing. All the thoughts of food, cravings etc. disappeared overnight. I could eat a small meal and be totally satisfied. You could offer me my favourite food and I wasn't interested. It was like a switch had been flipped in my brain. I was losing weight which made exercising easier and so was doubly effective.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to get any since December as it's become so popular. My pharmacy prioritises diabetics and I have no issue with that, but the doctor said to me last week that they should be prioritising me too, as it will prevent me becoming diabetic, and I'm exactly the person who should be on it.

I do feel annoyed when I see people taking it for a stone, or for a quick fix for a holiday. That's not what it's for at all. I've managed to find a pharmacy in another area who will take my prescription and send it to me, and hopefully I can continue on as before.

I used it and have come off it. I didn’t have a gallbladder due to previous weight gain and loss. Now it’s likely due to the weight loss I have stones in my tubes. I also have very low folic acid (I believe as a result of this drug). It basically makes you want to eat very very little. It makes you feel exhausted and weak, as even if you try to eat healthily you don’t have the appetite for it.

Misconception. Not all diabetics ( type 2) can reverse their symptoms, it’s also not always developed due to diet/weight/exercise either.