Is it the begining of the end for Weight loss injections?

[BeginingoftheendforWLI]

Just watched a report on BBC news, they did an item on a woman who had type 2 diabetes and was prescribed Mounjaro, doctors were impressed she managed to come off insulin within a month. She had some weightloss and now goes to the gym regularly.

Her doctor admitted that there was widespread concern in the medical field that people who were buying it privately for cosmetic reasons not for medical reasons could face some consequences in the future such as muscle growth and bone degeneration and lack of nutrition - they simply don't have this data at present.

Feel like this is going to be big news in the foreseeable future.

I’m sure some people may feel tired (all medication has potential side effects) but I feel great. I have lost 3st, I now work out (strength training) 3 times a week and eat a healthy high protein and high fibre diet. As another PP said, I now feel confident to go to the gym and I can see my body changing. I also have a mild condition which can cause insulin resistance and inflammation, and I feel that’s under control now. It’s right to be cautious but these drugs can be life changing.

I have been very tempted by them.
I think I'm watching and waiting though to see what % of people maintain the weight loss once they've stopped, since I certainly wouldn't want to be on them indefinitely.
I'm not knocking anyone taking them as we all make our own choices. For me, though, I want to see more data over time before I part with hard earned cash.

The side effect I have had ( aside from halving my body weight) is the lowering of high blood pressure to healthy rabge within 2 weeks of starting and the complete disappearance of an auto immune condition I controlled with VERY nasty drugs. I am now off everything and pain free for the first time in decades.
I'll risk it

If I had to wait for my GP’s support I’d be 4 stones heavier with high BP and near-diabetes. Thank goodness those of us that can afford it don’t have to wait for the NHS. I’ve improved my health and it would be good to have support and appreciation for taking this step.

I think what the OP was saying was that they haven’t been around long enough to know the long term effects. And I agree. There are millions of people taking them now (and, yes I was one) but what will come out year down the line? Who knows?

Well he has the power to restrict them then and chose the rules that people are allowed to purchase them so not sure how he let them slip through?

Your comment is why we need the laughing emoji back 😂

All weight loss injections are prescribed though. Unless you are buying them illegally.

That’s excellent, you should be really proud! Hoping to be where you are this year.

WLIs are revolutionising the treatment of obesity and obesity-related conditions such as diabetes. The only issue is around unregulated use which is the same as any other medication.

I suspect as they become more widely available on the NHS, the market for private treatment will shrink rapidly and the companies currently pushing them hard will lose interest as there won’t be enough profit to make it worthwhile. Once they are not being aggressively marketed, inappropriate use is likely to be less of an issue.

This class of drugs has been around for years so it’s highly unlikely that there is going to be any thalidomide-style side effect disaster waiting around the corner. Sorry to disappoint you, OP, but maybe you should instead focus your thoughts on why you REALLY feel this way about WLIs and what that says about you as a person.

They are prescribed and monitored by a medical team -
yes, even when obtained through private prescription
only qualified doctors can prescribe these medications

Do you know what the main difference is between the pills and the injection? The price point? MJ is proving very expensive these days, I'd be very interested in a cheaper option.

It's so lovely how many people 'care' about my health now I'm on wlis but didn't when I was obese and at far more risk. Makes me feel all warm inside.

They are prescribed by a doctor when they are purchased online (unless someone is selling them illegally).

People buying it privately (like me) are potentially saving the NHS money. I’ve reduced my blood pressure big time in the 6 months I’ve been on MJ (down from 13 stone 12 to 10 stone 8). This time last year I struggled to walk any huge distance, yesterday I swam 20 lengths after using the treadmill for 30 mins on a 10 incline.

Any form of rapid weight loss can lead to loss of lean muscle mass and impacts on bone density. People who have bariatric surgery are also at risk of nutrient deficiencies due to absorption issues.

That is why people taking WLI (or who have had weight loss surgery) are advised to eat extra protein, lift heavy weights and consider multivitamins etc if their diet is limited.

These medications are not a quick fix but a tool to help with lifestyle changes. As with any diet, if you make rubbish choices your health will suffer. You can lose weight eating only 3 Mars bars a day but it’s not a healthy thing to do.

They don't cause any more bone or muscle loss than if you lost the weight as fast naturally, do they? I thought the loss was purely down to the actual weight loss rather than anything the pill was doing.

It looks like yet again people are confusing Ozempic and Mounjaro.

Mounjaro is licenced for obesity. You can only get it on prescription. If anyone is telling lies to obtain it, that is not on the people taking it legitimately. In that sense it is no different from getting your pill from an online pharmacy.

Additionally, almost every side effect people are 'concerned about' is a side effect of general rapid weight loss or of obesity, not of Mounjaro specifically.

You do know that WLI are prescribed by pharmacists? And that they're far more knowledgeable about drugs than doctors are?

The weight someone is to receive a prescription is in the category of health risks due to obesity
even a couple of stones overweigjt increases significant health risks
obesity is the biggest health crisis humans have faced
it’s not just about appearance -
if someone is a healthy weight they aren’t prescribed weight loss medication

I'm just saying what the news report said - they are great for people that need it for medical reasons, cosmetic reason not so much. Do you normally struggle with understanding basic stuff?

I agree. Also, I feel it is not researched enough at all.

They currently sell WLI over the counter to nearly everyone over a certain weight

I took Mounjaro for six months. It made me so severely sick. I had to stop.

I'm not saying that there is something inherently wrong with mounjaro, just that it didnt work with my body.

They should research it more, and not just sell a strong drug to absolutely everyone over a certain weight

They don't have to take away your appetite. You don't have to take the maximum dose. I have stayed on lower doses and it hasn't affected my ability to exercise or made me unable to eat. Some people probably prefer having their appetite suppressed, people used to smoke for that reason, but many people taking Mounjaro eat what they're finding is normally.

Pretty sure I watched it, then came here to post about it.

I don't think so. They are getting cheaper more popular and more effective. So maybe jabs will be replaced with tablets. That's already starting to come in.

Of course there are side effects and obviously the long term are unknown. But the health outcomes of morbidly obese people are usually markedly worse than anyone using GLP1 and/or of a healthy weight.