Has anyone been prescribed mounjaro or wegovy?

[DeadbeatYoda]

Hi all, I've recently been to the doctor to ask for help with my weight. I've been two stone overweight since I had my 3rd child 16 years ago. I'm a couple of years into peri-menopause now and have recently piled on another stone. I'm in a vicious circle. I can't run anymore because my knees hurt. My knees hurt because I'm overweight ( plus some small amount of inherited arthritis). My mild sleep apnoea is exacerbated by my increasing weight now which is making me tired. My cravings for fat and sugar are exacerbated by the fact that I am tired. My consumption of too much fat and sugar are making me pile on even more weight. Plus menopause. I need help to get me out of this spiral and down to a decent weight to help me get back to more exercise. Has anyone gone through their gp / weight management clinic to get a prescription for either of these drugs?

I think most people taking them are buying them privately. Although Wegovy is licensed for use in the NHS the reality is that hardly any GPs will prescribe. I think you have to go through all the other hoops in weight management.

A lot of Gp’s can’t prescribe them, they have to refer you to weight management services. From what I understand most people are referred to weight loss programmes and there is a tiered level of support and 2st over would likely not meet the top level which is WLS or medication. Most people buy them

Most of us on here are paying for it. It's expensive but hopefully worth it.

My GP has referred me to the diabetic consultant as he says they're not allowed to prescribe due to cost

Next appointment is 25/06/25! 2025! Aaargh

Two Stone?

This is why those who actually need it can't get it!

I think most NHS trusts are only making wegovy (and maybe now also mounjaro) potentially available to those who are referred to a tier 3 weight management programme, and only those with severe and/or complex obesity can be referred to one of these programmes.

The help available within the NHS is obviously restricted to those in greatest need of help. Being 2 stone overweight would not put you in that category. If you're lucky, your GP might refer you to a dietician, but there would likely be a long waiting list.

In all seriousness, you would be better tackling it yourself (if you can't run, commit to walking several miles a few times a week) than waiting for NHS assistance that won't come.

Or do what most people have done, and pay for it privately. Even then, it's not really for people who are overweight and not obese.

@BusyCM Im 3 stone overweight, you'll see that if you read my post again. However, would you rather I waited until it was five stone over? Would that be enough?

I think OP says she is actually 3st overweight which probably would qualify for tier 2 weight loss services but at that level, medication is not on offer as it’s reserved for people who have serious complications and complex weight issues like a PP said so I would not want you to get your hopes up

At 2 or even 3 stone overweight, you can completely do this by overhauling your eating habits, even if it takes a while.

These drugs are for people significantly (morbidly) obese who need drastic help. They aren't a quick fix. They are also very difficult to get hold of at the moment, meaning that those whose lives are at risk right now, aren't getting the medication they need.

I was 5st overweight and I did pay for ozempic to start me off although I don’t take it now. I do think starting doing something now before you are 5st over is the best plan. I kick myself I didn’t act sooner. I don’t think the post was delivered well but you can make some changes. I think the overall message is that the NHS doesn’t support weight loss medication at this level yet, and may never do. It is unfortunate but reality

Thanks for your replies. I would say that, given that you have no idea how short I am, you could not possibly judge whether three stone overweight would take me into the obese category in BMI terms ( it does, as it happens).
I was not really asking for people to belittle my situation either. I simply gave my background ( the just if it anyway) and asked if anyone had been prescribed these drugs.
I realise only people referred to weight management clinic can access these drugs on the nhs ( I have been) and extra health concerns are a big factor ( I have this too).
Thanks for the constructive comments though.

I am three stone overweight and am now using Mounjaro.
It's £114.50 to start (using a referred discount) and the weight is slowly but surely coming off.

The NHS won't prescribe it until you've jumped through hoops for many years which I guess is understandable.
Three stone is not a huge amount in the vast scheme of things and if you can stretch to paying for Mounjaro I think it will be worth it!

Good luck x

@DeadbeatYoda I work with a lady who has a BMI of over 40 and she has been waiting over a year and still hasn’t received any medication. They have taken her onto the list for surgery and approved her for Wegovy but she still doesn’t have it yet. She has very complicated health issues and even she had to go to a group diet session to qualify.

In terms of obesity I was BMI 36 at 5stone overweight but I think the criteria is BMi over 40 or over 35 with a condition like type 2 diabetes. If you have type 2 it may be easier to access some medications but they will expect you to complete other dietary programmes outside of the medications to manage your diabetes as well. There are a lot of hoops

You can tip over into the obese category by being 2 stone overweight.

Thanks, I can't afford to pay for the injections so I just wondered if anyone had had any success in attaining them on prescription. Cheers to everyone who tried to be helpful.

In terms of finance, have you looked at how much you are spending on food? Are you eating out regularly or eating convenience foods? As that area might be able to be offset by the monthly cost

My GP prescribes me Ozempic. It's the same as Wegovy but lower dose. I've lost 4 stone but still very obese. I had to have a BMI over 30, and other medical issues. I'm asthmatic, have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I've been on it since early March 2023. In order to stay on it I have to visit the practice nurse every month for a weigh in, speak with a dietician every 3 months and keep a food diary and exercise journal weekly to show the nurse. Also after a blood test I was told I was pregnant diabetic. This is how I got it originally. I started on 0.25 dose, then 0.5, then 0.75 then 1.0 now I'm up to 1.25. I'm expecting to be on it for another year I expect it to go up to 1.50. Then I'm expecting to be weaned off of it over a 6 month period. I'm so grateful to my GP and nurse. I have felt better. Some people don't do well on it because of constipation or diarrhea. I was a little constipated when dose reached 1.0 but nurse prescription Fybrogel.

Good for you for knowing you need to address the dreaded creep. You can but try, like most healthcare it seems to be a bit of a postcode lottery and depends on other associated conditions. There is a lot of misinformation on who can have it or not have it. In fact it can benefit those not obese but with other factors like high cholesterol. And prescribers can and do give it to people with a BMI less than 30, although this seems laregly private unless for diabetes control.

So many people do all the right things and not shift the weight dial so ignore those that seem to have some kind of grading system for when your weight deserves meds. You do you. Good luck in whatever you decide and well done for taking action before the hill becomes a mountain. The first step is always the hardest. I’m sure any sensible people considering these drugs have tried eating less and moving more and most people on these boards should also understand that sometimes it just isn’t that simple. They can be incredibly powerful if you use them with a change of lifestyle and can get you out of the vicious circle you describe. My friend in her 60’s is the fittest she has been ever. Wegovy has absolutely changed her life and her lifestyle.

Have a look at some of the threads on here with how much people have lost. 2 months could really kick start your journey and give you the boost you need when you hopefully see some results. They can be game changing. Good luck.

What a lovely post! I agree with everything you say!

@caringcarer thanks for sharing your journey, it's really helpful,
Cheers @Midgetm & @ihatecoffee for the support. Much appreciated.

Who actually needs it and can't get it? The shortage is long gone. Why make snarky comments like this?

They aren't difficult to get hold of. Supply issues are no longer a problem. Why are you saying this?

Pre diabetic definitely NOT pregnant diabetic.

@caringcarer
Just wanted to say well done, btw. Thought I'd typed that when I thanked you yesterday. 4st in 2 years is awesome

Im 2 stone overweight and wanted to buy privately. I was rejected this medication because I am not fatty enough. so what are my options? wait 10 more years until I am heavy enough; buy dodgy teas or pills online; do liposuction - probably that is safer than well known and tested medication 😭