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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask GP for Wegovy weight loss injections

59 replies

FattyGonzalez · 05/09/2023 21:37

Ok im a busy single mum, working full time along with running a business. Also have suspected ADHD. Ive tried every diet going but truth is, when i get stressed, eating healthy is the last thing on my mind. Sometimes eating is but then when i eat, its like eating the entire supermarket, i binge. Ive put myself to the back and i do anything for my children. Lifes just full on.

so currently 40 years old, 5ft 8, 17 stone and dress size 18. Bmi is 36 according to the nhs online calculator. Bloody obese.

am i being unreasonable to think the doctor would prescribe this for me?

OP posts:

DesdemonaTotteringBy · 08/09/2023 19:54

@bellac11 Comorbidites are classed as diabetes, high blood pressure, some cancers, arthritis etc.

I'm in my early 60s and despite my high BMI am fortunate to be in good health. I do lead a fairly active lifestyle so am not too unfit. My job is physical and I walk several miles a day and I have an outdoorsy lifestyle so maybe that helps. I have good genes, the women in my family lead long and happy lives! Although none of that helps me to get Wegovy that may give me some support to prevent future ill health.

DesdemonaTotteringBy · 08/09/2023 19:55

Everdecreasingcircumferences · 08/09/2023 19:39

Wegivy is specifically developed to treat obesity, which is a complex chronic neurometabolic disorder, so it's not denying diabetics in any way (and BTW severe hypertension for example is every bit as 'worthy' to treat as diabetes, and weightloss is far more effective than antihypertensives)
Not all areas have a prescribing capability in their weight management service - in the East Midlands it's easier to get a gastric sleeve on the NHS than saxenda/wegovy.
If you can make sacrifices to afford it privately you may think it's worth it, I appreciate this is not achievable for everyone.

The same applies in London. I'm eligible for bariatric surgery but not for Wegovy!

bellac11 · 08/09/2023 19:59

DesdemonaTotteringBy · 08/09/2023 19:54

@bellac11 Comorbidites are classed as diabetes, high blood pressure, some cancers, arthritis etc.

Is your cholesterol and blood sugars ok?

My BMI was 47 at my heaviest and I had high blood pressure which wasnt coming down

Its since plummeted since I have lost weight, pre and post gastric sleeve. Im hoping to come off my meds.

Seashanty3 · 08/09/2023 20:01

I've been on Ozempic for 16 months, paying privately. I have lost 75 pounds with some more to go, but the price from my supplier for Ozempic or Wegovy is just under £400 a month now.
I can't afford that! So am coming off. But would have switched to wegovy if it was more reasonable

For me, its the only thing that has worked. And totally worth it. But not at that price now!

DesdemonaTotteringBy · 08/09/2023 20:21

@bellac11 My GP ran all the medical checks when referring me to the WMS so I could get a weight loss jab. They all came back normal so the WMS won't prescribe. I do qualify for bariatric surgery though but don't want to go down that route.

FeelWorthlessAndAshamed · 08/09/2023 20:26

Wowokthanks · 08/09/2023 19:32

I have an eating disorder, BED. Have tried countless things from my own pocket to lose weight, Inc bariatric surgery.
My GP said there was absolutely no way they could prescribe me Saxenda or anything to lose weight so I think you may be unsuccessful in asking your GP.

However I absolutely recommend paying for it privately.

The daily injection I was taking was amazing. It made me feel like food was just not as enjoyable, I wasn't always after the next thing to eat. I have a slim friend, and I've seen her eat, and always wondered what it would be to see food like she does. She eats, but has no problem leaving food on her plate. I was just like her whilst I was on it.
Lost 12lb in the first 4 weeks (slower than many, but I have PCOS so weight loss is slower for me)
And it's acted as a bit of a pouch reset, my portions are much smaller than before the weight loss jab, but only because I'd become accustomed to eating less and less frequently.
But I will also say, within a few days of stopping, I was hungry like a bear.
Definitely worth the £200ish a month.

Boots is a good service to get it from.

This is interesting . I have BED PCO S and type 2 diabetes and have been on Rybelsus with approval of my GP and diabetic nurse. I loved it, loved feeling so full and the pounds dropping off.

But there is a supply issue and I've had to come off it. The GP and diabetic nurse did encourage me to keep up the DBT and trauma therapy I am doing for BPD and CPTSD, because it is strongly felt by therapist that I overeat as a form of self harm or self medicating . I used to do OA, and am thinking of going back to it. I had a good sponsor when I was on it.

@FattyGonzalez would you consider maybe Overeaters Anon? I think it does depend which fellowship you go to. I tried Food Addicts Anon in Recovery but that was really regimental and I found it inflexible to my complex needs (financial issues and a chronic Neuro condition). So went to local OA,and felt right at home and started making progress. I wish I had stuck with it , my sponsor dropped out during lockdown and I didn't feel confident enough to start again.

TicketyBoo11 · 08/09/2023 20:51

FattyGonzalez · 05/09/2023 23:17

I know, i need to meal plan really. My kids eat well but it comes to me, i treat my body badly really. Its having the headspace. I have to make some time to exercise as well. Lifes complete madness at the moment but im fat and feel like shit. I guess im just looking for a quick fix

This ⬆️..you just did an amazing thing there. You were honest and owned how you feel…For those of us who are carrying weight we can’t shift, who are tired, who eat emotionally and self sabotage..we want a different life, we know what to do and how to do it but the energy and drive it takes is sometimes too exhausting to maintain-that’s how I feel anyway. Instagram is full of fit, athletic women selling their way of life, (the food , the exercise, the adventure) they make it sound and look easy and maybe it is-I find it hard..and at then end of a stressful day my body and mind are not craving healthy..we need a positive, self loving mindset..restart the conversation with yourself /myself 😊

mycoffeecup · 08/09/2023 20:52

It's specialist initiation only. So as a GP I'd be happy to refer you to the local tier 3 weight loss clinic - when they see you, in 6-12 months, it'll depend I guess on whether there is any in stock. But still worth seeing the GP for a diabetes/lipids/BP check and see what other help there is available.

Puffwiththegreeneyes · 08/09/2023 21:32

Absolutely ask. They'll refer you to a weight management service first, it's the first step in the process. No reason why they shouldn't if you meet the criteria, just like with any other medical condition.

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