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?

Hmmm yes but possibly others too. I wouldn't date somebody who uses/used them

It sounds like a win for that somebody.

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..?

Oh dear, this is absolutely batshit crazy.

Do you think taking HRT is cheating?

I think they’re amazing and life changing like all medications that deal with issues that need to be fixed. I do wonder about the huge weight loss’ effect on the body eg how in the past it was told x amount of weight loss was safe, but if doctors are prescribing them this must have been looked at. I don’t believe everyone has the same capacity for weight loss without jabs and I don’t believe everybody should struggle through other methods

What's so bad about people being able to lose excess weight and avoid Covid? Do you have shares in the funeral industry?

I’m a nurse and I live in a country where these jabs are extortionately expensive. If I could afford it I would start in a heartbeat. There are benefits for so many systems as well as simply for obesity. I have zero negative judgement for people using this to improve their health and wellbeing. I wish you the best of luck.

'Fair', 'cheating', 'notworthy'

Is all really interesting language about the medication someone is using.

Do these judgements apply to other medications? Or just those used to treat obesity?

You’re significantly shrinking your dating pool. Some medical drs are taking them, ppl with heart disease, kidney disease, inflammation are taking them (independently of weight loss).

Some are coming off patent so hopefully they’ll reduce in price soon.

I have no skin in the game. I've never taken then and don't need them.

I know three people who are on them and they are working well for them. I don't consider it 'cheating'

The way I see it, it must be really demoralising to feel you have a lot of weight yo lose, lose a couple of stone, not really see much of a difference and know you still have a way to go without really knowing how successful you'll be. If WLI make it feel easier or help in any way then thats great.

The people I know who take them have completely changed the way they eat/see food and their understanding of the impact of eg UPFs/sugar on their body/metabolism/food noise and are hoping to not need the drugs to maintain when they've reached their goal weight, which is a huge change for them.

I don't understand the covid reference.

You could try asking your own GP, you know a medical professional that knows about these things instead of mumsnet

YANBU - I bet 20 years from now there'll be a slew of compensation lawsuits for unexpected consequences of the jab.

YABU - your 'covid jabs by stealth' suggestion is preposterous.

I've been thinking similar, something just isn't sitting right with me

I work in healthcare and I think they are great. So many people have had diabetes reversed among other things. Who cares if it's cheating?
And the side efffects are not as bad as being hugely overweight i reckon.

I’d be scared of getting acute pancreatitis which is a known side effect. I wouldn’t ever take them as I have a history of pancreatitis from gallstone damage and have had half my pancreas removed. Nothing more painful than acute pancreatitis and i’d never take something with that on side effect list. I can’t even express how painful my attacks were, absolutely horrific and no painkiller touched it really. Of course you can get it without taking jabs, and it’s probably low risk but just wouldn’t be worth the risk for me.

I'd love to hear from someone educated in the medical field about whether these are actually safe for people without diabetes

Well, since there have been jabs approved for the weight loss indication by the EU and USA authorities (plus lots of others including UK), you are in luck! Those authorities- EMA, FDA, MHRA etc, have people with the scientific and medical expertise to evaluate the full data, which is not available to the good folk of Mumsnet, and they produce extremely detailed and comprehensive evaluation reports which are publicly available. So, if you do really want to hear from people ‘educated in the field’ then that’s what you would be reading versus asking a bunch of randoms on Mumsnet (with the obvious intention of creating a shitshow discussion).

Yes, @Newbabynewhouse could you clarify your suggestion?

I was on Saxenda three years before Covid so your conspiracy theory doesn’t work.

Pretty much all of the side effects people have seen are side effects of losing a lot of weight very quickly and in a less safe fashion. Someone who has an unhealthy relationship with food, binge eats and doesn’t exercise, then goes on the jab and suddenly stops eating (extremely example) and loses an extraordinary amount of weight in a short time will obvious have adverse health issues.

Someone who takes the jab, follows the advice to eat a balanced diet, up their protein and fibre and most importantly, increase their physical activity and incorporate resistance training to gain and preserve muscle mass will have a vastly different and much safer outcome.

To consider mounjaro or ozempic “cheating” is to sit on a fabricated moral high ground where fatness is a moral failing of lack of self control, and being thin makes you better because you have self control. The idea that someone can overcome their brain chemistry to reduce their weight and inflammation feels unfair to some delusional people who like to feel superior because of their body size.

I say this as someone who is not overweight but has struggled with ED on and off my entire life. I think the potential side effects of a jab are better than dying of obesity, especially when countless nurses and doctors are in favour and often take it themselves.

It’s a bit like looking down on women who have a c section. Maybe it’s none of our business and we should let people make medical decisions for themselves. And if you’re naturally a size 6 and pushed 7 babies out without even using gas and air then congrats, you win at life, your prize is nothing.

I'm the same... I just cannot seem to shift any weight at all and I am at my heaviest. My weight has always gone up-and-down over the years but now I'm older, I just cannot seem to lose it at all. I have tried so much to try and lose some but it isn't seeming to work. Very disheartening.

Yes, I have had pancreatitis before and it is one of the most painful things I have ever experienced (and I have had lots of medical issues over the years!). Knowing my luck it would likely trigger the pancreas being rather unhappy if I did start on the injections! Not something I would ideally want to risk but the prospect of finally being able to lose some weight that is not budging is really rather tempting... I need to have a look into the figures of pancreas-related issues. I know it is meant to be really common but curious now

😆😆😆

I am not a user of them, but wouldn't write them off entirely.

I think in some ways they have been very validating for people who have really struggled with weight for years. I've never been more than a couple of kilos into that BMI but it takes a lot of activity and food management to keep me at a "healthy" weight. I'm glad that people can access them.

On the other hand, I worry about the issues with muscle and bone density loss, and people needing to stay on them indefinitely. Muscle and bone density are already well below where they should be for a lot of women, and the jabs only make this worse. A lot of folks on them are enjoying the weight loss and not making time for resistance exercise to build up muscle and bone reserves.

This could lead to a lot of problems down the line.

Covid vaccines are offered to people over 75 or those immunocompromised, if they wanted more people to have the Covid vaccine surely they would just open up the eligibility for others? Your conspiracy theory is way off!

As for the jabs, game changer!