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Original poster

Ozempic Shortage

133 replies

mummydoris2006 · 27/06/2023 14:20

I have quite a few complex and chronic health conditions and am prescribed Ozempic each month to help with these among any other medications.
Recently Ozempic has become available to buy as a weight loss quick fix which has resulted today in me now not being able to get my prescribed medicine!
There is a national shortage and my nurse is out of alternative options because they've all been exhausted due to the Ozempic surge.
I understand how hard it is to hate your body and to have a lot of weight to lose but surely medical needs should come first?
I am only early 40's but take a cocktail of meds every day that help me function and still be able to work. These are carefully monitored, and through trial and error over the years keep me being able to live my life. Now I have to deal with the consequences to my health because of a new 'fad diet' in effect. Sorry, rant over ...

OP posts:
Augustlou30 · 22/08/2023 18:44

I've taken ozempic to control my weight for a few years. It kicked started my weight loss a few years ago (maybe 20ibs) and I lost the rest (a further 30ibs) myself.

Ive mostly maintained it with alot of exercise and just eating better but occasionally it creeps up and I used to use a 1mg pen maybe twice per year to get it back under control when I gained a few pounds. I don't feel bad about that, I mostly work hard to maintain my weight and this was a tool I could order privately and pay for. Of course now it's not available for me as hopefully they are mostly prioritising for maintaining blood sugar. I accept that and just have to work that but harder. But as soon as supplies are up I'll get it again if I need it.

I work in a hospital, there's always something we can't get that affects patients. Supplies need to be dealt with, not people who are trying to do something positive.

AppletreesAndHoneybeesAndSnowWhiteTurtleDoves · 22/08/2023 19:23

Augustlou30 · 22/08/2023 18:44

I've taken ozempic to control my weight for a few years. It kicked started my weight loss a few years ago (maybe 20ibs) and I lost the rest (a further 30ibs) myself.

Ive mostly maintained it with alot of exercise and just eating better but occasionally it creeps up and I used to use a 1mg pen maybe twice per year to get it back under control when I gained a few pounds. I don't feel bad about that, I mostly work hard to maintain my weight and this was a tool I could order privately and pay for. Of course now it's not available for me as hopefully they are mostly prioritising for maintaining blood sugar. I accept that and just have to work that but harder. But as soon as supplies are up I'll get it again if I need it.

I work in a hospital, there's always something we can't get that affects patients. Supplies need to be dealt with, not people who are trying to do something positive.

I can sort of understand this a bit. Primarily I take it for my type 2 diabetes but I'm also morbidly abuse due to a combination of PCOS, psych meds and an ED. But for me I've tried everything with my weight and it's a serious mental health issue. This for me is the last ditch attempt to avoid a gastric band. I'm in my 40s but have complicated issues that may kill me. Though I know the meds alone won't "cure" me and I am doing the mental health work with therapy and am considering going back to OA.

I have a couple more weeks left. My diabetes nurse told me due to shortage I won't be getting anymore.

nameitagain · 22/08/2023 22:27

Augustlou30 · 22/08/2023 18:44

I've taken ozempic to control my weight for a few years. It kicked started my weight loss a few years ago (maybe 20ibs) and I lost the rest (a further 30ibs) myself.

Ive mostly maintained it with alot of exercise and just eating better but occasionally it creeps up and I used to use a 1mg pen maybe twice per year to get it back under control when I gained a few pounds. I don't feel bad about that, I mostly work hard to maintain my weight and this was a tool I could order privately and pay for. Of course now it's not available for me as hopefully they are mostly prioritising for maintaining blood sugar. I accept that and just have to work that but harder. But as soon as supplies are up I'll get it again if I need it.

I work in a hospital, there's always something we can't get that affects patients. Supplies need to be dealt with, not people who are trying to do something positive.

How do you buy one pen without being overweight. All the online places have you fill out health forms and surely won't fulfil a request like yours

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Augustlou30 · 23/08/2023 00:26

I am still overweight tho, but I have a 'comfortable' weight for me that I can mostly sustain and feel ok. I've gone from a size 20 to a comfortable 14 and my BMI is about 28. I'll never ever be skinny but I'm ok with that. I'm lucky I've not had to use it for any length of time. 2 years ago I maybe did it for 2 or 3 months and it really worked for me and I was able to just keep going myself. Ive managed to mostly keep the 4 stone off I lost, I've maybe needed a pen twice since. I'd been yoyo dieting for years. It's just a tool. Whatever way you do it there's no getting around a healthy balanced diet most of the time and finding a way to move your body regularly. There's no quick fix.

angelaheyes · 30/08/2023 14:48

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DoctorJay · 09/10/2023 05:00

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MrsSucculent · 09/10/2023 07:06

I don’t think you can blame people for buying. Blame companies for promoting and selling without considering stock management. It is a shit state of affairs but it’s not consumers fault.

Deathraystare · 10/10/2023 08:13

Diabetes type 2 here. Haven;t had my prescription for over a year, Will have to go to Drs soon so will ask them if it can be re-introduced.

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