Juniper asked for GP verification of BMI

[Startinganew32]

Hi, I’m new here (not to Mumsnet but to this section of it). I have had a lifelong struggle with binge eating. I do well for a few weeks then it’s like my body actively tries to sabotage and I eat everything in sight. My weight has yo yo’d so much and I’m sick of it. I’ve been up to BMI 33 and currently it’s 30. The binge urges are stronger than me and I need help.

i tried to order Mounjaro via juniper and have submitted the photos. I’ve now been told I need a GP letter verifying my BMI and waist measurement. Has anyone else had this? I’m heavier than I look I think but I’m in the obese range ffs! I don’t fancy going to my GP as they will probably talk me out of it plus I’m embarrassed. Oh and it’s a miracle if you can get an appointment at my surgery and I’d guess one of these letters will be 50 quid or so.

Aaagh

Apply elsewhere! I have not heard of any of the suppliers asking for this. What a waste of the gp's time quite frankly!

Thank you! Yes, I will do that, I think. Really disappointing and yes, a total waste of GP time. I have just emailed them and asked for a refund as I had paid already. Fingers crossed.

Try somewhere like MedExpress, they seem good, there are loads of codes on here for a discount as well. best of luck

To be fair it's for safeguarding purposes they do this and its only responsible of them to seek verification of your weight if its not clear from your photos - they aren't supposed to supply the drug to people unless their bmi is high enough so its fair enough that where its borderline (or appears borderline to them) they want to check it.

That all makes absolutely sense and I don't disagree that prescribers should/might tighten up their procedures in some cases. However, this is the first time I've come across this situation and I've been around several months and I'm on several MJ social media sites - it's therefore, an interesting development, particularly if the OP didn't disclose any additional health issues to Juniper.

@KrankyKumquat I totally agree. It seems a step too far to be booking a gp appointment )which are like gold dust!) in order to be weighed for a private prescription. Local pharmacy, fine but a gp?!?

Also interesting tjat it possibly indicates tighter controls on are on their way.

I was with Juniper for a while and they have gradually become more strict about evidencing BMI. Sadly I think this is in response to people lying (sending past pictures of higher weights etc) to get the medications.

There are other providers, though, I and my son use Dr Frank’s Diet clinic (part of Howell medical group I think) and that involved a 10min zoom, where they can actually see you so, in addition to the photographs, they can eyeball you to confirm the photos are current.

This is so odd! I agree with others - go for another provider. (MedExpress have £40 off first order and price match promise).

This is the message btw. Yeah I do see the need to be fairly strict but on the other hand they don’t require your face to be in the shots! So someone could ask an obese friend or family member to pose for the pictures and juniper would be none the wiser. Well I am going to try one of the others as soon as my refund comes through. Not going to waste my GP’s time and take away an appointment from someone who needs it.

@Startinganew32 so you can pop to the local pharmacy, then?

Oh I didn’t see that. Would they give me a letter though? And measure my waist? I’ve never seen that service offered in any pharmacy I have been to.

@Startinganew32 I would imagine they have a download able form that the pharmacy just stamps/signs (for an admin fee, possibly)? Failing that, you could pre prepare a letter yourself that they can just sign?

Boots will do this for you

Thank you I had no idea I could get this done at Boots! Well I’ve already asked for the refund so I might go with someone else anyway or I could re-apply to Juniper.
thanks everyone!

Also - its not recommend for anyone with eating disorders now or historic

I didn’t realise that. I thought quieting the food noise would stop the binge eating 😞

I do have a really bad relationship with food. I’d heard people say that mounjaro was like becoming a normal person where you don’t think about food all day. But don’t most obese people have a bad relationship with food and binge eating?

@Startinganew32 https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/news/semaglutide-weight-loss-medication-very-dangerous-for-those-with-eating-disorders/
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/mental-health/eating-disorders-increase-weight-loss-drugs-wegovy-zepbound-rcna162124

Thanks, although I think that article is not particularly specific - just says eating disorders generally. I can imagine that vomiting is triggering for someone with a history of bulimia and that the reduced appetite would not be good for someone with a history of anorexia. But I am not sure how it would be bad for someone who struggles with binge eating. I mean sure there are some people who get obese because they just over-indulge and have rich food but there are so so many who exhibit classic binge eating signs - eating whole packs of biscuits, sweets and takeaways. I am surprised that it wouldn't be good for them to try injectables.
Anyway, I will do some more research on it. Maybe it's not the right thing for me but I'm just so depressed about constantly constantly failing to keep the weight off.

I think it’s best to presume that not all obese people have a bad relationship with food and binge eating….not all obese people have an eating disorder and not all binge eaters are obese. Obesity can be down to illness, metabolism/ genetic factors, family habits, medication ,poverty, food choices v. activity choices as well as emotional reasons , and often a combination of factors. Eating disorders by definition involve an abnormal relationship with food but this can also be a coping strategy and is involved with distressing thoughts and feelings that affect your function in everyday life , they also sometimes have a level of denial or minimisation so it’s trying to be really clear about what your reasons are for trying a jab and in what ways you think it will help…so are you intending to take the meds for life on a maintenance dose or are you expecting things to be better when you come off them? Perhaps ask your GP about injection suitability as they know your history best.

Do you have a diagnosed eating disorder Op? As it comes up on the screening questions.

Voy don't require details of your GP at all, so maybe give them a go. Let me know if you'd like a referral code.

Thanks, all. I don't have a diagnosed eating disorder and my GP doesn't know my history well - when I have said about weight, I've been given the NHS healthy eating guidelines and I don't think the binge eating really registered as my GP told me to have a bath when I felt the urge to eat! Erm okay.

Yes, I do know that obesity can be caused by a variety of factors. Maybe I expressed myself wrong. And you're right that maybe I haven't thought enough about what I will do to maintain the weight. I always have it in my head that if I magically get slim, I will be able to maintain, lol. I then get down to BMI26 or so and it seems to stop and then it creeps back up. I don't like the thought of injections for life. I don't know really.

I have just changed to Oushk, from Voy Op as Voy are expensive, you could try them, they get very good reviews.