Has anyone been able to get saxenda or ozempic on NHS.

[Skye85]

Has anyone been able to get saxenda or ozempic on NHS. ?

Im 5'2 and weight 15st10lb. I NEED to lose weight. Ive had high blood pressure since 29 and been on medication for it since then (9years). Its so fucking hard. I crave sweet things all the time. I even wake in the night and go through ti the kitchen to eat food out the cupboards then go back to bed. Blood sugar levels are fine, no diabetes (yet). Im so ashamed but even that cant focus my mind to focus on cutting out the crap.

Ive tried to get reffered to a tier 3 wight loss programm in my local nhs but they say i dont fit the criteria.

Has anyone been able to get it on Nhs ? Specifically scotland? I just cant afford it privatley 😪

It's not available on nhs

I thought it was approved through specialist nhs weightloss programmes?

Have you asked why you don't fit the program? And what they recommend you do instead? I'm in Australia and can access ozempic privately as we wait for Wegovy to be approved but it's not a magic bullet. I can still over eat. I still need to work on my food habits.

It's bloody hard.

Approved maybe

But the nhs don't appear to be using it. We have to buy our own....but there are now shortages so only existing customers can get more

I asked recently to help lose 10 stone and was told not available on nhs

Could you do an extra couple of shifts a month in a second job if needed? It's about 170-200per month so at minimum wage should be an extra 20-30hrs per month depending on your tax band.

If I understand correctly, your BMI must be above 35. Is yours?

I didn't even try. Buying it privately has been expensive but I've saved loads of money from not buying as much food or takeaways I've put that towards the cost.

I've just paid 150 for 3 pens which at a low to mid dose will last me 21/2 months

You can use Klarna with Boots

That's so fucking shit. Going off on a tangent, but just hate the attitude of doctors and generally the NHS in regards to people.who are over weight/obese.

I've been like this my whole life, since a teen. Tried every diet going. Last Time I spoke to doctor he said 'yes well you need to eat less .

Yes I fucking know.

Wish it was seen as a disease or addiction. I feel like people think I choose to be like this. Maybe then doctors Will offer real help

Sorry just sad and frustrated

Also I'm worried to use it my self because of my high blood pressure, would much rather use under supervision of a doctor or other health professional.

Wheres the cheapest to get it ? Is wegovy available yet?

You can't get it anymore unless you are an existing customer

Saxenda and ozempic are in short supply

It's not actually licensed for use for weight loss in the UK...so it's nothing to do with doctors not caring about obese patients etc.
The dramatic rise in off licence prescribing in the private sector has caused a severe shortage so the patients who were getting it for the licenses use ...now can't get it and are at risk.
So yes I agree the entitlement is huge.

Or just pay for it ourself by working extra - you'll still be medically supervised - there are requirements you have to meet to get the private prescription

If you don't think it's worth working for it's unclear why the general taxpayer should.

Wow . Entitlement ? That's a big leap. You know nothing about me.

Kinda proves my point on people's attitudes to obesity. I do not choose to be obese. Its a constant battle each day and a constant cycle of shame.

Did you not see the part about me wanting to take it under the supervision of a medical professional ? Glossed over that part then

But thanks for the support.

A lot of the private companies are quite dodgy. It will be the NHS, as usual, picking up the bill for all the complications.

That's the problem, it's all about what you want.

You want an off-license drug prescribed, for free, to make you think without you having to put any effort in. And you want a doctor to supervise you in case anything goes wrong.

My local a&e has a 24hr wait.

We do not have budgets and doctors to spare for this.

Take some responsibility for yourself.

I totally get where your coming from OP, I too am overweight at 18 stone, I've various weight related health issues, including high blood pressure and diebetes, and more recently sleep apnea, my consultant has recommended my GP puts me on Ozempic, but I don't hold out much hope of getting it prescribed. However, I'm desperate to lose weight because of my health and I'm now seriously considering Weightloss surgery privately.

If you feel it is like an addiction have you tried seeking therapy? It can be very helpful in exploring why you overeat/comfort eat/ excessive cravings etc.

Did i say ive never tried ? Did you ask ?

Over the years i have tried every diet going

Done the weightloss groups

Done the gyms

Seen dieticians

Been to counsellors

Its all a viscious circle.

I do take responsibilty, but i swaer its like an addiction.

I dont see it as a miracle drug but ita a bloody start.

If i could i would pay to get my jaws wired shut.

That sucks OP. I've put on some weight myself and know it can be just heirs to climb out from.

But if the NHS says you don't fit the criteria - which I believe is generally diabetes - then there's not much you can do bar paying yourself.

Hideous* not heirs.

The criteria said 'diabetes and other weight related illness ' hypertension comes under that but diabetes seems to be the deciding factor I think .

Absolutely terrified of Stoke which there's a family history of serious cardiac illness.

This is being incredibly harsh. She is struggling, i’m pretty sure if she got a big weight loss it would spur her to continue not going back to eating the same way. Regardless of what help she gets be it counselling, dietician or meds she still requires help. Helping obese patients now stops the costs of treatments due to weight related illness further down the line.
It really angers me when people are so quick to stick the boot in when people are over weight. People need food to survive so it isn’t as simple as quitting. People don’t need cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, piercings, tattoos, plastic surgery and more to survive but they do these things come up against a problem and get help with the nhs. It can’t be help some and not others. This is someone who is clearly feeling a bit shit about their situation right now so if you can’t offer kind words or helpful advice then say nothing. 🤯