Has anyone actually been prescribed any type of weight loss injection from the doctors?

[Elfie23]

Hi all.
I’ve been looking into ordering Mounjaro and reading up on side effects, doseage etc.
I’m 37yrs old, 5ft 8ins and 15st 8.
I absolutely hate the way I look and really struggle with my weight. Partly due to lifestyle - single mum who does alllll the running around so life is literally work, school runs and clubs so fitting in time to exercise is difficult although I’m hoping now the lighter evenings are coming I can take DC out for an evening walk etc.

My question: my BMI is 32, through the doctors I’ve tried the 12 week weight loss programme twice, tried Orlistat and literally got no where.
I have polycystic ovaries and feel like the symptoms of this have worsened with my weight

I’ll admit to eating when I’m not hungry, or when I’m bored and really need a kick start and see more than 3lbs loss on the scales 🙈

Has anyone here been prescribed any type of WLI from their doctors? Wondering if it’s worth trying to ask them for help again before I buy online? I’m not sure if the criteria is different depending on NHS trusts or not?

They will need to refer you to the weight loss service for it. GP’s can only prescribe it for diabetes.

Nope. I tried as I had a BMi of 36 and thought I could, but you will get referred on a tier system . And I think if lucky people with bmi of 40 plus may get them..

If you can afford it then get them yourself, they are fabulous drugs and most people find they work..

I think it will happen but it will take time and could possibly save the NHS vast amounts of money.

It’s a diabetes drug, first and foremost, not a weight loss injection.

Currently it’s hard to get even for diabetics and lots of hoops to jump through but I imagine that will change. So that needs to be the priority in the NHS rollout.

In your position it's extremely unlikely and would take a decent while before they would even offer anything like medical intervention to you. As the PP has said, you'd need to be referred to the specialist weight loss management service, and what you could access would depend on your BMI. At a BMI of 32 I suspect you wouldn't be offered the higher tier which might include WLI, Wegovy at the moment rather than Mounjaro.

I think the criteria for diabetes prescribing is currently BMI of over 35.

@Gravytanned Mounjaro is an approved medication for weight loss. The only reason it's hard to get for weight loss on the NHS is that is is the NHS business decision not to offer it. They have decided on a slow long term roll out, taking at least 12 years.

Mounjaro is an approved weight loss drug but is incredibly hard to get on the nhs in my experience. Being obese isn't enough apparently, you have to have other issues as well, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc. even then you have to get referred and put on a wait list.

Have tried and failed.

Not me but my mum has been. Not sure of the BMI but has other health issues and also prediabetic.
I pay for mine myself. Also have PCOS and had high blood pressure, same height as you but started at bang on 16 stone at the end of October last year. Yesterday marked 20 weeks and I’ve lost 4 stone exactly. Quite frankly I’d spend the money every month for the rest of my life for it if I can. My BMI was about 35 or 36 when I started and it’s currently just under 27. So I’m still a bit too heavy according to that indicator, I’d happily lose one more stone and then maintain that forever.
If you can afford it do it yourself, it’s the best thing I’ve ever invested in for my health and my future.

Thank you everyone for all your replies it’s really helpful!

@TheChosenTwosounds like we are similar in terms of height and weight - would you mind me asking which meds you use and where you get them from if you don’t mind? Thank you x

Mounjaro is considered the most effective with the least side effects.

if you go to monj.co.uk you can see registered legitimate suppliers - online pharmacies - that can prescribe and sell you mounjaro privately. Choose the cheapest supplier (many have discount codes you can see on the comparison website). You’ll have to fill in an online consultation form, submit photos, and prove your ID. It arrives in the post with instructions and off you go.

The NHS is prioritising due to funding and resource constraints, not because it isn't a recognised and licensed treatment for obesity/weightloss.

You wouldn't say Metformin is a flu treatment not a diabetes drug, or Viagra is for hypertension not ED

Drugs get repurposed all the time when they discover additional uses. The world and those qualified to make those decisions have moved on from saying GLP-1s are only diabetes treatments. Time you did too.

Yeah I get mine from Oushk because you can choose a delivery day so I always select a day I know I’ll be WFH. (Sometimes it’s been delivered early but Dh is often home during the week and it’s never been a problem, the medication comes very securely wrapped and kept cool with ice packs and it’s always been cold when I get home).
i’m on Mounjaro and everyone starts on the same doseage of 2.5mg.

This is so helpful, thank you!

I think it varies. I went to the rugby yesterday and was talking to a friend of a friend from Swansea who was prescribed WLI at BMI 42. She needs a knee replacement. Obviously the Welsh NHS is different but I think it varies within England where I live too. It may be worth asking your GP.

FWIW I pay for it and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough. I was BMI 32 also.

If you buy it OP I’d suggest joining the March starters thread. I’m on “my” month’s starters thread and the support and camaraderie has made a significant difference. Good tips and ideas, too.

With your BMI slightly above 30 I’d recommend making your photos as unflattering as possible. Mine were rejected twice because the pharmacist did not believe that I was medically obese although I genuinely was. I’m a tallish hour glass so carry it well.

One of my colleagues/ friends has ozempic on NHS as they have Type 2 diabetes.

They say it hasn't made much difference.

I've just started monjaro (paid for by me) and felt a difference immediately. Been to supermarket. Didn't buy treats. Have cake in tin. Haven't eaten it. Friends for dinner last night they all had 3 sausages and I had 2. This wasn't through will power it was all I wanted.

In your position, the only way you will be able to access it quickly will be privately from a registered pharmacy etc.

I also have PCOS. I’m 5’5. Started in October at 16st 2.7lbs BMI 37.7. I’m now 11st 8.5lbs BMI 27. Gone from a size 18-20 to a 12-14.

All of my PCOS symptoms have pretty much gone and I now have monthly periods; something I’ve not had in 10+years.

No horrible side effects, feel great.

Hi has anyone had mounjaro with someone monitoring them medically? I have complex problems and pharmacists have said I can take mounjaro if I am monitored but they cannot provide this service has anybody had this happen? Can anyone recommend a service please thank you.

@Pessismistic sorry to hear you have such complex problems. I wonder if there is a pharmacy local to you that offers it so you would have face to face contact? Other than that, a private gp might be the way to go?

A couple of the more supportive pharmacies are Oushk and Pharmulous who might be more open to a discussion at least. Pharmulous have a GP as medical director so could be worth a try?

Hi @Pessismistic I’ve also heard very good things about Oushk pharmacy. I’m with SheMed which is monitored each week as i got in on the year long clinical study into the meds they were running. SheMed do now take other people on and I think you still have access to their clinician on their general plan. SheMed have an app which you can download to read all about them

Thanks will look into it.

Thank you.

it would be expensive but have you contacted any private hospitals where you could be monitored - eg by an endocrinologist? I’d imagine you would need blood work also. Our local hospital is £250 for an initial consultation and £150 per appointment after ( this is with an orthopaedic surgeon but to give you a ballpark)

Criteria for NHS use will be out in a couple of months and likely to be something like BMI over 40 or 45 with comorbidities for the first group.

Thank you. Will look in to it.