What would you do? Knowing the pros and cons of using weight loss injections

[Miababe]

Would you use weight loss drugs after your experiences with them if you had osteoarthritis mild of the hips/hands, had tablet controlled high BP and now been diagnosed with severe sleep apnoea? I have around 2.5 to 3 stone to lose. I want to lose this weight as I am pretty scared of the sleep apnoea diagnosis, although i'm now using a mask at night.

Yes, absolutely I would, with the high BP and the sleep apnoea in particular.

I’m staying on a low dose because it’s been a miracle cure for sleep apnoea for me even though I wasn’t that overweight. My overall health is so much better and my quality of life hugely improved. I don’t regret it for a moment. Mounjaro in particular seems to have huge anti inflammatory effects and is currently under trial in the US as an osteoarthritis treatment, with initial positive results. In your case, I’d absolutely give it a try.

Yes

It was the sleep apnea diagnosis and c-pap machine that pushed me to try them, even though medicated for type 2 and blood pressure it was the sleep apnea that made me say that’s enough! I started MJ April 25 by Oct 25 I was off diabetic meds and in remission by Jan 26 I was off C-pap machine. I’m almost 5 stone down now and still jabbing with hopefully another 3 stone to go.

This is so interesting. I always thought weight loss jabs had the opposite effect and led to bone loss.

As I understand it osteoarthritis is inflammation of the joints so nothing to do with bone density. MJ is increasingly recognised as reducing inflammation so not surprising it's useful for this particular condition

I did , was about 3 stone over weight, and with the high bp and sleep apnea, now 6 and a half stone down, maintaining on a low dose for about 18 months, size 8, bmi 2o, off the meds, and I was on highest dose of 2, and sleep apnea gone.

you need to get monitored or keep checking your bp, my gp was reducing mine monthly,

No that’s poor diet, the drugs don’t target or impact, bone or muscle, any loss is based on diet.

In April 24 I was 8 stone heavier. Medicated for high blood pressure, statin for high cholesterol, injections into my knees for weight related osteoarthritis, a CPAP machine for sleep apnea and 200mg a day thyroxine.

By January 25 I had lost 8 stone. I was off all medication for BP and Cholesterol. No longer had sleep apnea . Haven’t needed a knee injection since September 24 and my thyroxine has been reduced to 125mg.
Best of all. I am so much happier. I’m a size 8 with more energy than I’ve had for 15 years. I’m 60 now. Feel better than when I was 40.

Yep. I mean I didn’t have any of those conditions (yet). I was just too fat. 5 stone down now and it feels like a miracle.

with decreased appetite i was able to log and pay particular attention to protein and fiber. i take supplements to make sure i'm getting my calcium and vit d etc. for bone health.

It's all positive there's no negative all the anti inflammatory side effects are brilliant, I can't take it now because I'm too small but if I was rich I'd buy it just for the anti inflammatory effects

Yes. There is a good chance that the anti-inflammatory action of the drug would improve your osteoarthritis, making it easier to become more active.

I think a pp has confused osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

My sleep apnea was curing after 2 jabs and I still weighed nearly 19 stone so it wasnt just the weight loss!

Honestly, that diagnosis would have worried me too. One reason I started was because I felt my health was becoming harder to manage as I got older. Mounjaro has helped me focus on smaller portions, daily walks and building a healthier routine, and the support from my medical service has helped me stay consistent.

Totally. 3.5 stones down, my knees and hip no longer hurt, I’m no longer breathless if I have to walk quickly, my digestive problems have improved greatly, I feel much better mentally and the stress and brain fog are much less. I don’t know whether this is completely down to WLI itself or the fact that I’ve drastically reduced my sugar and UPF intake (which I wouldn’t have been able to do without WLI).

Do you have to be clinically obese to have WLI?

Really interested in this as I’m in same position as OP (thank you OP for starting the thread!).

What is your protocol now and how much does it cost you if you don’t mind sharing?

A quick google will tell you all you need to know about that

You need to have a BMI of 30. Google BMI to find out yours. If you have weight related complications like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis especially in your lower joints, heart disease. sleep apnea or pre diabetic then bmi of 27 or more will qualify you to purchase from private online pharmacies.
If you have 4 of those and bmi of 30 + (lower for some ethnicities) you can access it via nhs weight loss services. With the same criteria and bmi 40+ and your GP can prescribe.

There are also now pharmacies prescribing at bmi 25, voy and med express I think,

Valeee9 - thank you. Can i ask you how you have found the Wegovy, have you had side effects?