26-28 BMI (who will prescribe)?

[coolpattern]

Hi,

I’ve been following for awhile and do want to try the injections. However, under 30 BMI looks like it’s not automatically accepted.

anyone else in the same boat and found a website that will prescribe if I’m honest about my current weight and BMI? I do have lipoedema but would declare that.

Yes, because it’s a course of treatment you take until you reach your weight loss goal which is usually Healthy BMI (25)

Why is it not OK for someone to start it at 27 / 28 BMI and get to 24BMI

But it's alright for someone to start it at 30BMI and get to 24BMI whilst passing through 27 & 28

If it's dangerous to start at 27BMI then surely everyone should stop when they get to 27?? If being 27 bmi and taking it isn't safe?

I've just started it on 27BMI because I've lost 7 stone myself and been stuck in this overweight category for 2 YEARS.

It's not dangerous. It's the level of acceptable risk of side effects versus the risk of staying at the starting weight. Someone who is obese is at more risk of serious health issues than someone who is overweight. The risk of the rare side effects of using the injections is not judged worth the risk if the patient is only overweight. If they are obese, then it is worth the risk, and worth continuing to get to a healthy weight.

People who are overweight have much less weight to lose and have the possibility of better success at other weight loss methods.

Mounjaro is sometimes prescribed to people with a BMI of 27 or higher if they have a weight related condition. Because again, the risk is worth the benefits.

@JulianBoon because that’s what the government has approved in the UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-authorises-diabetes-drug-mounjaro-tirzepatide-for-weight-management-and-weight-loss

Mounjaro is now authorised for adult patients with a BMI of 30kg/m² or more (obesity), as well as those with a BMI between 27-30kg/m² (overweight) who also have weight-related health problems such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems.

All pharmacies have to follow that.

What rubbish. Weight loss injections help you cut calories and eat less. It doesn’t mean you can eat McDonald’s and lose weight.

what drugs do you claim you were offered? Prescription medication? Or over the counter medication you could buy in boots?

I will admit to eating McDonalds while on weight loss medication. Usual frequency of once or twice a year but the portion I could eat was much less. As an occasional meal it’s fine. I also ate cake, ice cream, crisps, chocolate. Shocking I know. Main part of my food intake was healthy foods in small quantities. So the unhealthy foods were on occasion and also in small quantities. Which is completely fine. But some people seem to think that fat people only eat the likes of McDonalds and want to be able to continue to do that without making any changes. They don’t seem to understand that weight loss medications are not only about appetite suppression but have other benefits and cha ge what you want to eat. So you generally don’t want to exist on crap.

All treatments have to have criteria.

Eg if your BP was creeping up, treatment won't be commenced until you hit precise parameters - they won't start treatment until that point even as a preventative measure.

This is because drugs come with a cost financially, can have side effects (some potentially dangerous) and because the drugs are to treat a defined condition (in this example, hypertension).

The benefit must outweigh the risk.

In the case of MJ, it is used to treat obesity so if course it should only be offered to people with obesity. And the treatment should be offered to continue to treat obesity even after a normal weight is achieved, just like you continue on BP medsevsn when your BP normalises - because it's the drugs that are keeping it normal.

Most of us will need longterm treatment for obesity, not a quick fix.

In your case, you do have a history of obesity, so that's very different to someone who doesn't

I can't now figure out if this is like a chicken and egg scenario - I always thought I had fucked up my hormones by being obese - now I wonder was I obese because I have fucked up hormone levels. Who knows!! Either way, I now understand that I need treatment for my obesity or I will stay stuck in this cycle if weight loss and gain forever.

I was prescribed Mounjaro with a BMI of 28. I've had endless back issues (various surgeries) - not weight related, but probably not helped by being overweight - and I was approved. I also have high cholesterol.

Some providers (Voy for example) won't check whether you do or don't have the conditions that you say you have, as they don't require you to tell your GP that you're being prescribed the medication. Clearly that opens the system up to being abused/manipulated. Having said that, I can't see that there's much difference to someone being prescribed the medication with a BMI of 30, or one of 29.

@coolpattern Just saw on the facebook Oushk Support Group a post from their prescriber on lipoedema and it made me think of you. If you are still looking or considering Mounjaro it might be worth a read and contacting Oushk for a chat about your own personal circumstances (their contact details are on their website) to see if they would consider you.....

Good luck x