Can I insist on a diabetes test to see if i can get ozempic for free?

[Mommasgotabrandnewbag]

Bmi 43 morbidly obese.

I want to try Ozempic but the cost without the 'weight related condition' is prohibitive.

Will a doctor agree to test me do you think? I do have some symptoms but I've always put them down to a love of salt and a weak pelvic floor.

You really don't want to hop you have diabetes, it's a nasty disease.

If you think you might have diabetes then yes you should request to be tested, you either have it or you don't though. You also are really unlikely to be put straight onto it even if you do have it, having diabetes would be a bigger concern than cheaper access to this though surely? 😬

Fat shaming on a weightloss forum. Why are people so horrible?

Apparently I've chosen to be this way and force fed myself with this as the goal.

Do you hang here to make yourselves feel better by being cruel to people who are struggling? Are you ok?

I’m surprised that being morbidly obese isn’t a weight related condition in itself? If it isn’t, that’s incredibly short-sighted policy. Surely it’s better to intervene and help people before they develop diabetes, heart failure, etc.?

I don't really care about myself much at all no. I just don't want to die an early death and leave my children without a mother.

You could buy a blood sugar testing kit and record your results over a couple of weeks. Then you will have some data to go to the doctor with.

Quite a lot of pharmacies offer free diabetes screening. I assume this is a finger prick glucose check and while not diagnostic for diabetes can be a useful indicator and if elevated would certainly prompt your GP to test you further

This.

it’s not the NHS or rotors fault you are obese

Even if you have diabetes you won't necessarily get ozempic. I am diabetic and have to buy it privately. The diabetic clinics in my region aren't putting any new patients on ozempic until 2024

*tories

It would cost the NHS far far more in the long term to not help though. The older you get the more weight related health issues you get and the more medical help you need.

Have you tried Slimming World. It's not a calorie counting diet and you can eat plenty to fill yourself up so long as it's healthy food. It really works - I've lost nearly 3 stone this year and everyone in the group I go to is doing brilliantly.

My brother got free Slimming World membership via his GP because of his high BMI.

Nobody chooses to be obese! What a nasty comment. Thankfully there starting to be is a lot more research and understanding of obesity and it’s causes. And before you say it it’s not as easy as just eat less move more.

You choose to be obese like someone chooses to drink or smoke.

Nobody is forcing food into OP's mouth. Her inability to take responsibility for her situation is why she's so obese.

You don't get to BMI 40+ by accident. You've got to be eating tons every day.

No it's not their fault I'm obese.

It is their fault that;

Inflation is so high making everyday things almost unaffordable

That businesses are being squeezed dry causing them to be unable to raise wages in line with inflation.

That the NHS has been chronically underfunded

That mental health services have been cut to the bone

That getting a GP appointment is like running the gauntlet

But this thread isn't about the tories.

I am on victoza for my diabetes and have never had a problem getting it

Oh gosh, I didn't realise it was so very easy! Thanks so much. I just need to take responsibility and then all my issues will just disappear as if my magic.

I must tell that to my husband who has chronic depression and my friend who starves herself to the point she's hospitalised every few years.

But they weren't remotely bothered until they thought they could get this "wonder drug" on the NHS. Now they want a test.

Ozempic can have horrendous side effects (including blindness) and it doesn't always work. Trust me, I know.

@SisterDonnarix - I repeat nobody chooses to be obese. There are many reasons for obesity. And no you don’t have to be eating tons every day. A lot of the foods we eat - especially those bought by people on low budgets - are manufactured with additives to make us crave them more. It’s much harder to stop drinking or smoking as we need to keep eating to stay alive.

A PP suggested that you sound like you are wanting to have diabetes in order to get a drug that will help you lose weight. As a diabetic whose sugar levels are all over the place (and yes I do monitor carbs before anyone else bales in) and who has other co-morbidities I have not been offered either of these drugs yet. Dietary advice will be the same whether you've got the pens or not - low carbs, fat and sugar. As someone else said upthread, eating plenty of protein and fibre will help and you will find as you eat less your stomach shrinks so you become less hungry naturally. The suggestion is that these drugs do work but you can't take it for ever, and if your habits don't change the weight will come back

@Mommasgotabrandnewbag - moving in from the arguments and fat shaming that happens on any thread that mentions Ozempic can I ask what you have tried so far to lose weight?

Being obese isn't like depression or anorexia. It's a lifestyle choice and/or a sugar addiction. Addicts have to put in effort to recover and stop blaming everyone else.

True. I've been on Rybelsus ( for its intended purpose - I'm diabetic ) and I've had to come off it because I've been vomiting very badly every day and am so constipated that I haven't been to the loo in a week! I tried to power through because apparently side effects only last a few weeks (not in my case!) So I'm going back to Metformin.

You really don't want diabetes OP.

Epilepsy and HIV are easier life long conditions to manage than diabetes.

I would book an appointment with your GP, you can ask to be tested and await the results. However dependant on your results will be the advice/medication offered. Most GP's will prescribe metemorfin initially to manage type 2 if warranted.

I do completely understand your concerns and worry OP. My own mother had a BMI of 40+ but this year, I asked her to join weight watchers with me and we support each other, my mum has lost nearly 40lbs since February this year.

I was a BMI of 29 so could also do with loosing the "pandemic weight". I've lost 24lb since February.

You also need to address your relationship with food and so much more.

Obesity is complex, it's not just a case of taking a pill/injection or joining a slimming club, but I'd definitely ask your GP for support around it.

Good luck OP.

Of course it is. Are you determined to make me feel like shit? Because its working. I hope your happy to have achieved your goal. You clearly have your own issues that need to be addressed. Take responsibility hun.