Anyone ask their GP first?

[SilkFloss]

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere - I've run a search but can't find what I'm looking for.
I'm hoping to start Mounjaro asap and I have been discussing it with DH. Yes, of course it's ultimately my decision and he is supporting me but has suggested I see the GP first, for what would hopefully be an unbiased view on whether this is a safe option for me.
Has anyone else done this and if not, did you just rely on the doctors associated with the various jab providers?
What if the GP says "no?" What then?

Frankly I don’t think GPs would get involved, they might write a note in your medical history to state you may order it privately but that’s it.

I don’t think this medication is dealt with via NHS primary care, it’s usually specialist weight loss clinics. Therefore you’re relying on your GP having a personal interest in keeping up with news on the medication, as they likely don’t have much practical experience with it to be able to have a consultation with you around it. It’s a conversation you have with the private medical practitioners you get the prescription from.

The GP will say no, in the sense that they can't prescribe it to you. It's only approved for people with a BMI greater than 35 with a co-morbid weight related condition, and only after they have gone through at least two tiers of other NHS weight loss approaches that don't involve medication. I doubt they'll want to offer an opinion on something they can't prescribe.

Do you have a pre-existing condition or take some medication that you think might not be suitable with Mounjaro? Is that what you want to ask the GP about?

The online consultation for Mounjaro will be overseen by a doctor, so if you mention everything that you would mention to the GP then they will be able to advise if you are suitable or not.

I went to my GP to see if I could get them on the NHS as I had a BMI of 36.. but she said she can't, she can only refer me to some weight loss tier system or something and it would take a few years to get anywhere..
She said she wished she could prescribe them to me as they are fab, and if I am to source my own then just make sure I go to a proper place, one of the big names.. so I went to asda doctor to start with but that was £179,

Since reading probably all the mumsnet threads I've learnt there is cheaper and my 2nd pen was from Zava with a discount code for I think £120.

I wouldn't bother with the GP unless you have diabetes , they seem to be only people able to get them from NHs.

No underlying conditions no, and I'm fully intending to self-fund. Wouldn't expect it on the NHS.
My BMI is around 31/32

"‘I will warn you that self medicating can go very wrong and the NHS is not under an obligation to treat you if it does’."

Is that true? Surely not!!!

I did ask the GP, who said there was no reason why I should not take it. I realised that she couldn’t prescribe it, I just wanted an independent opinion.

I suppose I want someone I know and trust (mind you, there have been lots of staff changes at our practice so I suppose it's the practice itself more than a named GP) to pat me on the back and say, "go for it."

Of course it's not true! The GP was being a dick and trying to scare the OP for reasons that I cannot imagine.

It isn't "self medicating" either! I have a prescription, overseen by a doctor that I can contact at any point if I have any questions or issues. They check on my progress and offer advice. It's just not through the NHS.

"Self medicating" would be buying some dodgy vial of who knows what from a beautician and injecting that without anyone overseeing or checking up on you.

I don’t think it’s reasonable to assume a GP will be any more informed about it than a non doctor, as it’s something they know they can’t prescribe.

And it is not “self-medicating” to have a medication prescribed by a private doctor!

Years back, when I had a great relationship with our named family GP who knew me well (misty-eyed with nostalgia), I was complaining about my weight gain and was listing all the things I'd tried. I said (jokingly) that the only thing I hadn't done was fly to Turkey for a gastric band but that I was too scared of being carved up by a butcher and that I really ought to just get on and do it the proper way - diet and exercise. The (nice) GP said, "Are you worried I wouldn't treat you if you did have surgery that went wrong? You don't need to worry, you know I would!"

The GP isn't going to pre-approve another doctor's prescribing decision. They cannot recommend it for you if you don't meet the NHS criteria, which you don't. I can see why you want "permission" but you don't need it and they can't give it.

The doctor supervising wherever you choose to apply online with will take into account all the information you give them and advise based on that. They're just as qualified as the doctors at your GP surgery.

Nobody’s come for you, we’re correcting your GP.

@TheDeepLemonHelper no one's coming at you. We are criticising what your GP said, not what you're saying.

I phoned my gp
And even though bmi 35 + she said that in our area at least Gps can't prescribe it and it can only be done via a specialist weight management service and there isn't one in my area , that sounds wrong but how can you argue the toss with the GP? I decided to carry on anyway . I get mine from pharmacy 2u and they ask for GP details I presume the purpose of which is to let them know it's been prescribed.
It feels scary going it for it unsupported but so is it scary having a lot of weight and not being able to shift it .
I'm working on the basis that it will have been trialled on lots of people and 000s of people now take it .so far I'm not hearing any negatives that make me worry and so far I'm
Feeling fine ( and losing some blub) so im carrying on

"Nobody’s come for you, we’re correcting your GP."
Exactly. That was really wrong of them - and see my post about what my GP said on a similar subject.

@SilkFloss If you go to a proper registered pharmacy {and you can easily check this online} give an accurate medical history, and get it prescribed you will not be self medicating but taking a prescription only medicine legally prescribed to you by a clinician. The real trouble is there are illegitimate sources both on line and in beauty salons which are illegal and highly irresponsible.

My usual GP is a dinosaur but I was lucky to see a young locum lady GP in his absence and she suggested that weight loss injections may be a good idea for me. I'd not heard much about them before.

She referred me to the Weight Management Scheme which in theory should lead to a prescription for weight loss drugs. It was a complete waste of time, the most useless course I've ever attended, and it became apparent that the NHS didn't have the resources to prescribe the drugs at the end of the course anyway.

I decided to purchase Wegovy privately and 18 months on I've lost 8 stone. It's been very successful for me.

When I had shingles and, instead of going to my GP, I went to the pharmacist who prescribed the anti-viral meds I needed. Was that self-medicating? Of course it wasn't. Even though I walked in knowing what drug I wanted, asked them for it, had the consultation and then was approved and bought it. Just like I have done online with MJ.

Honestly, many GPs are fanastic but some are just dicks and I'm sorry pp got such an unhelpful answer when they asked their GP.

I didn't talk to my GP first but did go to a qualified pharmacist (as we all did) and chose one who wrote to my GP to keep them informed. I was brutally honest in my application in terms of medical conditons. If I had to see my GP for anything, I would make sure to mention I was taking MJ. Other than that, I don't think there is anything more to do (for me).

My doctor has the letter from the prescriber that I am taking MJ and it is in my notes as I saw it when I was looking for something else.

I asked my GP, she wasn't interested in discussing it

I haven’t discussed it with my GP. I ordered from MedExpress and the prescription they gave me is in my NHS app.