AIBU to ask GP for weightloss jab?

[FriendlyFriend]

Im 43, bmi 37, 5ft 8inc, size 18. Ive recently had my over 40s health MOT at the doctors and ive got high blood pressure and cholesterol (they text and want me to go in a statin). Ive not really discussed my results properly yet with them as we keep missing each other on the phone.

i saw the GPs will prescribe it for those classed as obese (me) and have high BP.

morally should i? Could i use this opportunity with the weight loss jab to change my lifestyle/habits?

There's this NHS programme you can self refer to, not sure about the qualifying criteria. They apparently can prescribe Wegovy.

https://oviva.com/uk/en/enter/free-weight-loss-programme/?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=LRRGSNENNENConversionssINSNHS&utmmcontent=LRENNENConversionssINSNHSSWeight-Loss&utmterm=nhs%20weight%20loss%20support&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAA97zsI807ymxX39YH64xGqt-PssUE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyL24BhCtARIsALo0fSCjT7Ch6Yf0M90fhSO-PHw-dbdmukCvcmnXyoc05RUXHC0TlWoyipkaAjmLEALwwcB

You can ask - but I doubt you will get it. They’ll revert you to weight management.

We are not allowed to prescribe it in my area. We have to refer to secondary care and they are not allowed to prescribe it until the patient has engaged with the weight loss service for at least 18months. If patients want it sooner they have to go private.

It's really not that simple. First you'll get referred to the social prescriber who will talk to you about dieting. Tier 1 and Tier 2 are actually commissioned by Local Authority rather than NHS, although provision can be through NHS. You'll be expected to do at least 12 weeks at each Tier. Then when that fails, you get to move up to Tier 3 which is when you'll start to see the specialists - consultants, physios, psychiatrists etc and then Level 4 is surgical. Ideally, there'd be no waiting, but the reality is that the wait is long and you'll probably wait months between moving through the Tiers.

You need to reach Tier 3 for injectable even with co-morbidities. Most people report about two years to reach Tier 3. Of course by then, any motivation you might have to lose weight and improve your health has vanished as you get more depressed and unwell. I've said it before, NHS weightloss service is not fit for purpose.

It's not £200 per month.

Plenty of discounts on the weight loss threads.

Like other posters have stated you will spend less on food over the month.

They are really life changing!

Do it. If you get the drug, you won't look back.

If you don't- c'est la vie, what have you lost?

Ok. I have to make an appointment with the gp anyway because my bloods came back “borderline” whatever that means. So im going to speak to them about those, high BP and slightly high cholesterol. Im also going to say ill fund it privately. I need to do this. I want to lose this weight. Its crept on over the years, so hard to get off. I wont let this happen again. Thanks for all the advice especially re discounts. Ill take a look on the weightloss group for help and inspo x

My GP referred me to the weight management service. I waited 18months to be told they have no funding for these types of treatments. They wrote to my GP to ask my PCN to fund it. My area has no funding for them either. So neither service knew that about each other, despite being in the same borough. Also diabetic.

Definitely ask, the worst that happens is they say no but they may well say yes.

I'm t2 diabetic so a bit different but I asked fully expecting them to say no as my diabetes was being managed with insulin and metformin so they could have refused. They didn't though, they said yes straight away and it's great. I'm losing weight, my sugar levels are loads better and I've been able to ditch the insulin and metformin.

There is no shortage of Mounjaro, it is readily available and very cheap for the NHS to purchase and prescribe so is more cost effective than insulin and metformin.

Overall a great result for everyone.

Gp here says have to do a 12 week face to face courses before any further action…. And that action not injections either. Not ideal when course is on a day of work or an evening when have young kids and no childcare.

Hopefully this will change in due course because that is utterly bonkers as treatment plan

In 18 months (or less) the patient could already have lost much, if not all, of their excess weight, perhaps then they could be offered a short 6 week course to engage with the psychology behind maintenence and having a different body size (because that is an impact). That would be helpful

I didn't bother asking my GP for it, I just immediately went private. I'm lucky I can afford it I know. I doubt my GP would've been able to prescribe anyway but I wasn't willing to jump through hoops and wait years for the slim chance I could get it when I can self fund and do it now. Lost 1.5 stone in nearly 7 weeks so far.

Its madness isnt it. In the long run prescribing this now could save so many lives and nhs money.

Then just go online and do it that way, you’ll be asked questions by the online GP supplied by the company selling the drugs.
It’s not a magic bullet, and that’s why the NHS is so reluctant to just dole it out.

You won't get it through the docs. I've been in tier 3 weight management for two years after waiting over 12 months for a referral, I'm about to go up to tier 4 and they still can't offer the jab - surgery is the only option and to be frank the obesity tier system is useless, they call and ask what you've eaten every 6 weeks and that's it!

However, I've been self funding Mounjaro and have lost 4 stone since January, so if you can afford it, just buy it online (obviously from a registered pharmacy).

Sounds like it would be very difficult to get it prescribed. I think pay for it if you can find it and don't feel guilt as if it works it will benefit them as well.

I asked my GP about them, she referred me to a tier 3 obesity clinic. I have my first appointment next week, I’ve waited about 6 months for it. I don’t know what they will suggest or whether they will be able to prescribe them, so I’m trying to save up some money just in case I do have to fund them myself. I can’t afford them on my current income, but I’ve been putting a little bit away each month when I can afford to so hopefully I will at some point be able to get them one way or another 🤞.

i don’t think there’s any harm in asking.

The nice guidelines are that there must be another weight comorbid condition- one of which is pre diabetes or diabetes- but the wording is 'such as' then a list of examples - but if you search weight comorbid conditions there are several - so I would go armed with that.

I tried that one. Our ICB is not participating

locally it wouldn’t be GP prescribing it. The GP would refer you to weight loss services, you’d need to do minimum 12 weeks of slimming world or similar before being referred to tier three weight management service. Likely 12-18m wait from that point to seeing someone who could say yay or nay.

if you’ve got the cash and you want ti try it then just give it a go. Alternatively, if you wait til you e developed diabetes then your GP will be able to prescribe. Bonkers system.

Just about to write the same thing. Where I live it’s a tier 3 medical obesity service drug. My clinic is at the hospital and very difficult to be referred to and if you are referred there’s over a year wait. GP can’t prescribe.

It is not a trite comment, and this is why. With all due respect, my weight and general health is pretty much the same as the OP's right now. But - on the other hand - I am also aware that the reason I'm fat, have high cholesterol and am borderline diabetic is BECAUSE MY DIET IS RUBBISH AND IT IS MY FAULT. But that is within my control. I was managing to reduce my weight really well last year, until I had a breast cancer scare and a biopsy etc, and my diet fell apart a bit then with the possible prospect of the grim reaper bearing down on me. But I am now beginning to get back on track again, and it is all about taking responsibility for your own actions. You can't just abdicate that responsibility and expect science to come up with a magic wand for you if you aren't prepared to put the work in as well.

For all the people who are funding it privately do you get medical support with it doing it that way? Eg Do you have someone you can speak to about side effects or dose titration, any does or don'ts about what to eat etc?
I know lots of people on here seem very confident and seem to just look up info online/ ask in chat groups but I would personally feel a bit scared and want proper medical supervision of a prescription only drug.
I'm not asking for myself but genuinely I have a friend who I am sure would really benefit, clearly fits criteria and can actually afford it but the one thing holding her back is who to turn to if she gets side effects or a bed reaction. She is thinking of waiting it out for the Tier 3 programme for that reason.
It would seem to me that ideally it would be good to have it as part of a proper programme prescribed and monitored by a specialist but it looks as though even if you wait 18 months you might still not get that.