What do we REALLY think about the weight loss jabs?

[Newbabynewhouse]

I've put this on AIBU rather than weight loss jab because I want a neutral audience rather than people who are all using the jab.
What are peoples thoughts on the jab? I'd love to hear from someone educated in the medical field about whether these are actually safe for people without diabetes.
I'm obese and I have lost a stone so far by dieting although it's taking me a long time! I know if I keep trying hard I can lose what I need to. Lots of people I know have started dropping weight from using the jabs and I am tempted however, can't shake a feeling that there's something not quite right.
What I mean by this is... these jabs have been around for years for diabetic people, so why have they only just been 'released' to people despite obesity effecting the NHS for years?
I know a woman who fainted in work the other day with gallbladder issues, she's on the jab.
Also, I'm going to sound a little conspiracy theorist now, but, isn't it odd these jabs became popular straight after people starting refusing to have more covid jabs..?.. I'd love to hear from people with a bit of background info or medical professionals to tell me whether I'm overthinking or if I'm onto something?

…..always assuming that taking a smart choice is affordable and thus available to the individual

I think they're a really useful tool to help people to get healthier but I'd suggest that they shouldn't be seen as the only option. I'm on an NHS funded programme at the moment for people who are pre-diabetic, and it has been really helpful in terms of helping me to lose weight and, hopefully, keep it off. It has been particularly good with motivation - I'm now much clearer about why I want to be thinner and fitter - and I'm now nearly 2 stone down in 9 months. If people don't have the opportunity to do similar, they will either put the weight back on when they finish, or they will remain on the drugs for a lifetime, which must have drawbacks - not the least the cost!

FML the level of ignorance here is terrifying. Mounjaro helps with impulsive, addictive over eating. ADHD meds help with impulsivity too. You’re treating your food noise in the same way those of us are treating it with Mounjaro.

It’s certainly possible for you…. People differ!

Yes and I strongly suspect that’s what’s behind much of the sentiments expressed. The cost prohibits access for many. It’s highly unlikely so many have become over come with concern about prescription medication being used for the reason irs prescribed, not least as no one references the very real life limiting and life ending impacts of obesity and if you were genuinely concerned that would be front of mind.

On the supervision point, I've noticed in online WLI discussion threads that some people have clearly not realised the extent to which healthcare systems rely on people self-reporting. So it would be interesting to have clarification of what that means here, as well as why there needs to be an exit strategy when many of us expect to take them permanently- apologies if it has been and I've just missed it.

You're consistently rude. Why do you have to end your comments with playground retorts like are you alright? Obviously it's not a genuine question.

I lost my gall bladder well before MJ. It's not the WLI that impact your gall bladder.

Me too. I'm in my 60s and have spent most of my adult life yo yo dieting. Just knowing I'll never have to go through that again makes me elated, apart from all the health benefits I'm now enjoying.

Why are you so rude, do you think it helps your point?

If every case was different, medication wouldn’t work. 🤯

I don’t know what’s challenging about ‘it’s not about individuals’. Of course people are very often taking GP advice, and that’s another example of this being a system issue. GPs know that most of us prefer easier options, they’ve been dealing with weight/smoking/alcohol related illness for years. As I’ve said, I understand why people make these choices but it’s silly to pretend it’s not an easier option that the difficult, slow and boring process of calorie deficit.

Pressed send too soon. How many overweight but not obese people have a weight related health condition? Not many i’d guess, but interested to see data.

Me too. I’m a little younger and I gained weight due to peri , very, very high cortisol which led to weight gain, which in turn led to high blood pressure, insulin resistance and sleep apnea, it was impossible for me to get the weight off on my own, i was so unwell, exhausted, and in a vicious circle

now, im down from bmi 32 to 20, dress size 18/16 to an 8, im in the gym 5 days a week, im visibly fit and toned, and importantly all my blood test results now healthy and im off the brutal blood pressure meds as its naturally healthy now.

i have been maintaining for about 18 months on a low dose, and it’s so wonderful to know your clothes always fit you, I don’t go to bed hungry or feeling deprived. I can go out for dinner, socialise, eat what I please, I can easily over ride any feelings of fullness, last week I had a seven course tasting menu with a little too much wine, and I have no issue going back to a healthy diet the next morning, with no thought at all. As my blood sugar is controlled and my insulin response optimal. So no cravings. My weighr is stable and goes up or down 2lbs, I sleep a solid 8 hours a night. The sleep apnea is long gone, and my cortisol is back to healthy levels.

my husband is also staying on a low dose, It’s reduced his alcohol consumption. He typically had a couple of drinks a night to relax, just habit, he doesn’t do that now.he seldom snacks and eats a healthy diet like me. but importantly his family has a history of heart attacks and dementia so he’s staying on for the wider health benefits.

my heath now, compared to 2 and a half years ago is a huge huge improvement and my gp is fully supportive. In fact she recommended them. Although obviously I had to buy privately.

I can’t get my head round all the but but buts, some of it very odd, like being fat doesn’t increase your risk of gallstones or pancreatitis. A wholesale ignoring of the scientific evidence and attacking people for taking rhe meds to get healthy

Oh God you’ve just described my wish!!!

Right now I am irrationally envious of you assrrggghhh does me no good I cannot afford the damn jabs so unlike you, I often go to bed hungry (when I shouldn’t be).

I was a size 20 or so and have maintained my weight loss well. It’s just so fucking tiresome though never to be free of that nagging voice, always being in calorie watch, never really relaxing around food. I should but I can’t lose any more it’s just too hard and the calories I need to maintain at a lower weight would be unachievable for me. Without the off switch. Which would make it achievable for me as it clearly does for so many.

Me too - hands up again, I am envious (sorry)!

@Allisnotlost1 I think what is challenging about the “it’s not about individuals” line is that if you are in the target group that would be significantly negatively affect by the changes you want, it’s hard not to see the ways that it would affect you individually. Or take the criticism that you level at a group in our culture personally, as you are in that group. The “it’s not about you” claim seems hollow.

I think GPs prefer the option that means their patients don’t develop serious complications quickly rather than it being the “easy” option. In the same way that I prefer an effective option to remove my obesity rather than trying the same process that has failed repeatedly for my entire life. Effective versus ineffective is not the same as “easy” versus “hard”.

I'm not saying it shouldn't be available, I just think these providers need to be forced to take more responsibility.

They need to actually see the people they're prescribing to and have proper conversations about side effects they might be experiencing. People can just lie about their weight and withhold information to get jabs.

It's quite clear that all these companies care about is money, they pushed her into going up to maximum dose because it's a lot more expensive and means more profit for them. They shouldn't have been allowed to do this.

I don't think she even told them about the hospital stays because she wanted to stay on the maximum dose! She went way below her target weight.

She was quite open about not wanting to go down to a lower dose because she was worried about eating again and putting weight back on, someone told her they could get it from a hairdresser they knew if they wouldn't keep her on it! Luckily she knew that wasn't sensible. It's not right and it needs to be stopped.

I'd love to know how you equate a subcutaneous injection weekly as being the same in effectiveness/immune response/etc as an intramuscular injection given yearly. And that they'd divide up a vaccine into multiple doses when they have no idea how many somebody would take.

I’ve lost 3 stone 8lbs in just over 5 months with no injections just old fashioned willpower. I still have the same amount to lose again and will keep going. Lots of people have asked if I am on WLI but for me I didn’t want the expense and also I didn’t want to rely on them. I’ve nothing against them and have lots of slimmer friends than me on them - their choice. If it helps people I don’t see the problem tbh.

lol, considering the safety record of these meds, the huge health benefits, and the fact there is now 7 million people on them and the cost and infrastructure would stop the role out and damage the health of millions then I think that ship has sailed and quite rightly too.

see in person 😂

I cannot see how she was pushed into going onto a higher dose, it just doesn’t work like that online!

That would be more a face to face thing, which you’re advocating for?

What changes have I said I want? None I don’t think. And neither have I criticised any particular group - several times I’ve said we all prefer easier options, and I’ve referred to myself.

I understand why people might take it personally, but I read that as them projecting, not me criticising, because I’m not. I’m giving an opinion. If you want to think I’m secretly making it about you, knock yourself out I guess.

Effective medication is one thing, but as can be seen from the thread and across the board, many people use the medication and then stay on it for potentially ever because they haven’t actually dealt with the underlying issue. I don’t think that’s healthy and it allows the perpetual advertising of UPF, alcohol and the increasing sedentary lives we lead to continue. While
some people can get prescribed or paid for WLIs and resist the effects of those things, others can’t, and the knock on effect isn’t good for anybody. In my opinion.

Yes, I think face to face would be gold standard. I think it is for any medical issue to be honest, you can pick up on things face to face that you wouldn't spot over the phone.

Ok so maybe 'pushed' isn't the right word. It was obviously encouraged because she went up much faster than my friend did via the NHS and she was able to stay on it way past her target weight. She's spent thousands on this, I'm convinced capitalism plays a part.

The difficulty here is that what you're suggesting requires more HCPs. And there's already a shortage of them globally. If you want eg people made to come in and weigh face to face so a presumably qualified person can check, those qualified people are going to have to come from somewhere. In a lot of cases that's going to be the NHS, where they're doing things we really need them to do and we won't necessarily be able to replace them.

It takes a lot of capacity to check everything patients claim, which is why we already have substantial reliance on self-reporting within the NHS. Even if one sets aside concerns about accessibility and accepts your contention that face to face is the gold standard, it's very clearly one we aren't able to provide across the board.

I’m never advised to increase the dose …. Ever!

I cannot understand how your friend was?

Likewise.

Yes real people I work with or know from socialising.

I don’t watch or listen to “people chatting shit on the internet” I have a life and don’t have time to be on social media. I also don’t tell lies either or make up stories.

obviously some people do their own research but many don’t!