Considering injections - lots of questions

[Newnameoldme01]

Hi
I am considering starting injections to try and lose a lot of weight, I have a few questions I hope you can help with.

I am 46, BMI around 40/41, I have hypertension and anxiety that I take medication for, I also have mild CKD and IBS, not medicated and I suspect gallstones as get horrendous flare ups every so often.

Would injections be suitable or do these health issues rule them out?
Before starting did you speak with your doctor for advice or just go ahead and order?
When ordering online do you have a consultation or do they just send them out?

I understand the injections reduce your appetite and take the food cravings away, how do you know you are eating enough each day, do you set regular times and eat even if not hungry?

I will probably have more questions but these are the main ones just now.
Thank you for any guidance/information you can give.

(I am a regular user but changed name as I don't want this linked to my usual account as family know that)

You have to fill in a form which lists any medical issues and medications you’re currently on. Some pharmacies may arrange a call with you to discuss or they may just not process your order.

I have 3 meals a day, you need to eat something even if you’re not hungry.

Make sure you fill in your medical history honestly and completely. A good prescriber will want to know about thyroid and pancreatic cancers in your family, what medications you are on, what illnesses or conditions you have, and possibly your last BP measurement. They will probably ask you to upload photos of yourself.

You should discuss your gallstones suspicions with your GP first just in case that is something that could be an issue during treatment. I know pancreatic issues can be deadly.

Depending on all of that, they may or may not prescribe them. They each have their own rules about it. For example, Asda Online Doctor will not prescribe them if you have T2 diabetes, even if its well controlled and unmedicated. But plenty of others will.

As for eating, I dont really know how to answer that. My appetite is definitely less, but I dont forget that I need to eat. I still have to chose whether to eat or not. If you normally eat 3 times a day then continue to do that. You'll just eat less during those meals. Keep the frequency, reduce the volume.

I'm in another country and had to get prescriptions from my GP. Family history of hypertension and diabetes was seen as a good reason for me to get on the injections to lose weight and reduce my risk.

It's the end of week 3 at 2.5mg. I am still hungry for meals but am satisfied with a sensible portion of food. No desire to snack outside of meals but can eat for good manners (cake at a birthday etc). The advice to eat protein first and then fibre is really working for me. I have lost my sweet tooth - the cravings for chocolate are gone and I can walk past the sweets aisle now, but I can also eat sweets if they arw there.

For me, it's not a magic wand. I need to plan my meals and keep an eye on protein intake and calories. It's just a little easier than before.

Lost 4.3kg in 2 weeks. Hoping to keep that downwards trend going!

You will probably need to try a pharmacy which is more individual to discuss your conditions and whether they would prescribe. The big pharmacies will be a straight no. I have seen many people on Mounjaro with hypertension or IBS saying it improved the conditions (it has improved my hypertension) . Some with anxiety saying it improved/worsened but I don't remember that being a question on the consultations for Mounjaro.

The two that might be an issue is the CKD, some studies say Mounjaro can slow the progression of CKD, but you would need to be very careful to stay hydrated. Worth a discussion/email to your consultant if you have one, explaining you want to improve your health with Mounjaro and ask if they have concerns.

Suspected gallstones, is something to further check. Rapid weight loss can cause or speed up the formation of existing gallstones and there is the risk of pancreatitis which is very serious. ask your GP about your symptoms and if they are enough to get an ultrasound to confirm a diagnosis.

With a complex history your safety is the priority, but it is still worth checking out further to help you tackle your obesity.

Good luck.

Thanks all, I will try and speak to my GP and get advice re my current conditions, I know this isn't a wonder drug and there are risks, I also know I need to change my diet in the long term and I hope if I am suitable for the injections it will be a way to reset and kickstart healthy habits.