Starting weight loss injections on the NHS and feeling anxious

[Downtherabbithole34]

Hi all, I did make an earlier post about having the injections and gallstones. My gp has called me today and said the benefits outweigh the risk. My BMI is 52.. she has said she wants to check my bloods. If my lipids are high, then she will do the referral for the injections on the NHS. I know they will be because I had my cholesterol checked 2 years ago and it was 6.2. I've since gained 4 stone.

I'm crapping my pants about side effects, but also I know I need to lose this weight. I'm 34 and not getting younger and I don't want to die early because of my weight.

Can I have some reassurance please that this is what I need to do despite being scared.

I started on MJ last July with a BMI of 51, so not too different to yours. I didn't have any co-morbidities so didn't qualify for NHS treatment though. In just under 14 months I have lost 9 stone, and now have a BMI of 30.2. I haven't really had any side effects to speak of - a bit of slowed digestion for the first couple of days after each jab (not sure if would really call it constipation), a week or so of heartburn last year, one or two episodes of loose stools, but that's about it. Well worth it in my opinion.

I started in July 2024 with a BMI of 50, with only high blood pressure as a co-morbidity, so not eligible on the NHS for WLI. I started privately on Mounjaro, it is the single best decision I have ever made for my health and wellbeing, and one of the best decisions in general. My BMI is now 25 and everything about my life is so massively improved. After the initial adjustment to taking the medication in the first few weeks I have not had any side effects or issues.

I hope that the referral process isn't too long a wait for you - if it's a referral, is that to the Tier 3 weight management service, and will that mean that you need to work through their initial support programme before being eligible for Wegovy? Or does your GP mean that she will directly prescribe you Mounjaro?

Been on MJ 2 years. No side effects. Even if you did have a bit of nausea it’s worth it as your BMI is so high.

I'm not sure tbh, I saw gp last week for something unrelated and while I was there she weighed me and said my BMI was so high and that since I was last weighed at the drs, two years ago. My BMI had gone from 44 to 52 with a gain of around 25 kg. She said that my BP reads are stage 1 hypertension. She said she will speak to the partners and ask about eligibility for the injections. She said in exceptional circumstances the NHS will prescribe even if you don't meet the four co morbidities. She called today and said when my lipids have been tested and other bloods checked they will decide, and if they are high (lipids) she will do the referral for th injections but in the meantime she's doing the referral to the tier 2 weight management. They can't prescribe bit my understanding is they give advice and programmes etc before you get the injections.

Wow, congratulations. My main worry is the side effects on my already existing gallstones. But I need to be lighter for the surgery so I can't win really can I.

80 percent of people have no side effects. And those that do it’s usually mild gastro, if you can’t tolerate you just don’t take the nexy jab, but thay would be rare, just eat low fat low sugar the day before you’re first injection, then I assume that you’d do that after as you’d be on a diet. Most gastro is due to what the person consumed.]
nothing to be concerned about.

If you can request Mounjaro, then ask for it as it’s the most effective of all the treatments currently available and generally people have fewer side effects whilst on it.

Everyone is scared when they first start the injections as we’re all afraid of getting seriously ill, but within a few weeks, you’ll be injecting like a Pro.

Honestly, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made even though I have to pay for them privately and it’s more expensive over here in Ireland, but still worth every penny!!

It's completely normal to feel anxious when you're doing something new; it would be weird not to. Imagine the first day of school, or starting a new job. You wouldn't just walk in all nonchalant – you'd be nervous. It's a normal emotion.