To want to get weight loss injections on the NHS?

[BrumMama]

Please share any experiences you have had - I am especially wondering what the timescale is between approaching GP and actually beginning injections.

I am 99% sure I meet the criteria (high BMI and cholesterol) but I have struggled with eating disorders in the past (bulimia and restrictive eating) will this rule me out?

Despite having a good understanding of nutrition I just can’t shift the huge weight I have gained in eating disorders recovery. Thinking this might quiet the food noise in my brain and offer a solution?

For anyone with an ED, the jabs would be very dangerous as we don't know when to stop losing weight, are prone to doing dangerous things (vomiting, abusing laxatives, over-exercising) and may easily overdose accidentally trying to lose weight more quickly.

I'm sorry OP, not what you want to hear but you'd not be a safe candidate for the drugs. Can you access therapy for your eating issues?

They ask you or at least I got asked through Asda if I’ve ever had an ED. They don’t prescribe to ED as I assume it can promote disordered eating through the appetite suppression

It depends on what happens prior to and after a binge. Many people with BED purge after bingeing, which means they're at high risk for misusing their medication.

Like I said, I am not sure binge eating disorder would preclude you, I am not a prescriber.

It is definitely a question that will be asked before prescribing, and they ask for GP details.

Personally I think the dangers are more about those who have experienced restrictive eating disorder/anorexia, but the best way to find out is to apply.

My gp told me only if I was diabetic and even then I'd have to go through all of that, plus the dietician, be referred.

I told him I had a bottle of full sugar coke and I wasn't afraid to drink it. He still said no. I do love my GP and he is fantastic and does anything in his power to help, but he couldn't do this one.

Oh OP, you've been through the mill. I really would not recommend that the injections are for you.

I think also now they make your GP aware. Or they ask if they can after you've filled in GP details.

That said it's a pretty anonymous process.
Apart from the postman who I swear knows!!

thats fabulous! Well done. How did you decide which injection to go with?

God you are right. It never occurred to me that it might be an issue, I thought it would be a good thing shutting out food noise. I’m really grateful I saw this thread before I tried to order any.

It's cured my binge eating disorder, it's a miracle.
I get it on the nhs for diabetes, no waiting list they were falling over themselves to put me on it and have upped my dose despite me not asking them to, as they want to reduce the insulin.

You were robbed!

2.5mg pharmacy2u was circa £120 with discount and delivery.
5mg I think was 159 with both.

So you’ll always stay on it? With BED I would worry what might happen if I stopped. As it is, thanks to this thread I will be giving it a swerve.

Why would they abuse their medication?

I'm not sure bingeing would be possible with so little appetite.

But, I don't have an ED so, I honestly wouldn't deign to presume.

I was a BMI of 38 and diabetic. I was denied and unfortunately I think it's a postcode lottery.
I am not overly sure it would work anyway, you have to actually want to lose weight for the drug to work properly, it's a diet aid. I feel those who get told to go on it would just not do it properly and would be a waste of money for the NHS. Another reason this drug works so well is that we are all personally financially invested. We wouldn't waste our own money.

I've been on it 6 months and lost 5 stone

My friend was on mounjaro and I copied her. I did some research but it was knowing someone on it that gave me the confidence to try. I finally feel myself again and am just a few lbs off being a healthy bmi. My weight gain happened over the last 3 years due to a very stressful time and I just couldn’t get a handle on it this time (age being against me).

There are many suppliers even cheaper than that if you look on

monj.co.uk/discount-mounjaro-price-list/

Thanks that really useful. I long to be back with a healthy BMI. I’m on loads of different medication (3 of which had weight gain as side effect!) so I think I will have to ask GP for advice on whether it is safe to take it but I’m happy to pay if it’s suitable.

@ChasingBlueMoons when you get it privately it’s through a proper gp so they’d go through it all and advise you. You only pay if you proceed. I’m with Asda pharmacy - more expensive than some but I wanted one I trusted.

The NHS can help you with weight loss in other ways too.

Go and ask for help.

They may or may not give you the injections but they’ll give you other help and if you’re on the ‘system’ then you will be more likely to get the injections that if you’re not.

I'm more worried about coming off it and the BED returning, by far.

I'd be delighted to stay on it until the day I die

I ‘qualify(ied)’ for bariatric surgery (top of the waiting list now) … but not for the injections!

I wouldn’t rule out MJ with ED but I would suggest a doctor led service - I would assume BUPA do one - where you can see someone face to face and they can make a decision to prescribe on your history.

You were robbed if mj. 2.5 is much cheaper then that usually

You were both robbed!

Monj.co.uk has listed pharmacy's that have both 2.5mg and 5mg pens for less than £100 and they last 5 weeks so not actually very much per month!

I finally had my phonecall from the tier three weight loss service today. Turns out it’s just six months of zoom calls with a nutritionist. No counselling, no actual help, just what I’ve been doing with an app myself for the last six weeks. I asked about weight loss medication and they said after six months you qualify for surgery but they don’t prescribe medication at any time. I said I had asked my GP and they said they don’t prescribe it either and that’s why they put me forward for the tier three. So, at least in my area (south east) there is no way of getting it. I’m not keen on the side effects / unknown long term effects anyway, but it is frustrating that you’re told one thing by primary care and it’s then completely contradicted after you’ve waited more than a year to be contacted.

My GP prescribes me Ozempic on NHS. I was pre diabetic. I've lost l over 4 stone and no longer PD. I've still got another 4 stone to go and I've plateaued over last month. I'm going to get out walking more as weather gets a bit warmer.

Pay for it like most other people who are using them?

It costs me around £105 per pen and each lasts 4 weeks (or 5 if you use the extra dose). I change pharmacy each order to make the most of discount codes.

I can't easily afford it, but I am making sacrifices for my long term health.

There's no shocked emoji!

Well... I shall be book marking this. I've only just started 5mg, I will do the extra on this one. Then I'll be popping off to monj.

Are you sure they're legit? 🤣