Should I or shouldn’t I

[Luccue]

I’m scared and conflicted. I need to lose weight, not just for appearance but because my weight affects my health. Anyway my concern is. I have 2 colleagues that have/are taking weight loss injections. The one has had to have her gallbladder removed and went through so much and so many fights before. And the other is having gallbladder attacks and in constant agony. I’m a single mother and there’s no way I’d put my son through seeing me like they have been. What do I do? I desperately need to lose weight and stop me drinking Diet Coke. But what I’ve seen do I take the chance?

Which one are you considering? That’s the most important thing first.

Would you be eligible on the NHS was my decider - and I wasnt, so I didn't

That's a strange decider. NHS regs will be based largely on cost rather than risk. The drugs are safe and licensed in the UK to be sold via private prescription if a person meets the health requirements. Just because the NHS doesn't want to paybfor it doesn't mean it isn't safe.

Thats very strange reasoning. The NHS has set deliberately high and onerous conditions on WLI down to the sheer amount of people who are eligible for it (using the manufacturer’s criteria- which is used on private prescriptions)

Amongst other criteria the NHS requires a BMI of 35 and over . Wheras a BMI of 30 is the criteria for private prescriptions with a Bmi of 27 is acceptable with a weight related comorbidity . That is a huge difference. Are you saying that you are not fat ‘enough’ ?

As for the gallbladder issue , it sounds like OP is looking for reasons NOT to start WLI and feels a need to justify it. You don’t need to ! Just say you don’t want to go down this road .

I have been on it since April and have lost just under 37kg. I am now BMI 23 and have been since November. It has changed my life in so many ways . I have had the sum total of one day of discomfort from constipation in all that time.

ALL drugs come with side effects. Some people suffer from them more than others . For me the very serious prospect of ill health from obesity (side effects include diabetes, heart disease and death) was sufficient to persuade me it was at least worth trying . After all - my sister in law and nephew get a nasty reaction from Paracetamol, this doesn’t mean I would hesitate to take a couple of them if I had a headache !

Gallstones are unfortunately a risk of losing weight in general, I developed them 4 years ago after losing some weight during lockdown and ended up having to have an emergency gallbladder removal after it got badly infected.

Also unfortunately, they are caused by gaining weight too, so it’s a bit of a damned if you don’t and damned if you do situation.

Gallstones unfortunately come hand in hand with losing too much too quickly - which is one of the issues with WLI or WLS
Its not the product - it’s the result , which is why it’s important to maintain good nutritional intake , concentrating on protein , fibre and healthy carbs - cutting out the crap only
It’s an understandable concern but so are the risks of obesity . Good luck in what you decide

I had to have my gallbladder out as a result of weight loss using Mounjaro. I don’t regret taking it and still sing its praises. I am happier and healthier in other aspects - less joint pain, lower blood pressure, higher self esteem.

I’m sorry for your colleagues. I have been on them for 15 months and whilst I had some headaches and extreme fatigue in the beginning, it didn't last that long. The injections have been brilliant, and I am so motivated.
I still have a bit too lose but now go to exercise classes and don’t feel too self conscious to move, which is brilliant!

I personally don't think its a atrange decider at all

The NHS have strict guidelines, following the evidence that is available at this time. So certain weight, certain conditions

We all know people are by passing and there are problems

Look, I've no beef about people using the injections - all the power to you - BUT - imho these drugs are tested on a certain group of people - diabetic, obese , certain secondary health conditions , they have not been tested on the general public

Im of the generation that the pill was tested on, it was shit believe me Sure the "Pill" had been approved but not wide spread, not for every circumstance. I , and many of my peers suffered big time and now today 50 years later, the combined pill is not the birth control of choice yet when I needed BC it was have this and suck it up

I personally think that if the injections are the holy grail for you, then go for it. As long as you fulfil the criteria Don't lie, don't go behind your GP's back.

If you don't fill the NHS criteria, even if you cant get on the NHS, I would be questioning

That's my feelings, my thoughts . Don't be coming at me for those

The prescribing criteria are the same for the NHS as for a private prescription, no difference. The NHS has made a choice, for reasons of practicality due to numbers that are eligible, to start offering injections to those with very high BMIs and at least one weight related health condition.

No medication is tested on “the general public”. This medication has been tested on people who are obese, or overweight with a weight related health condition. And that’s who is eligible to be prescribed it.

People getting a private prescription are not “going behind their GPs back”, as a GP has no involvement in a private prescription. Just like if you get any other private health care.

Well I will challenge incorrect information yes.

I think you've got mixed up with private prescriptions and illegal prescriptions! The online pharmacies are still regulated, still have the same laws and guidelines to approve by... the NHS just isn't rich enough to fund these jabs yet. They haven't said they aren't safe, and your GP is notified and it's on your notes. In fact my surgery has called me and checked in with me since I've been on them.

Do you think everyone who 'goes private' for their health care is being risky? Do you think Bupa or Super drug or Boots are dodgy?

It's not an illegal drug that people are bypassing the regulations to get hold of!

Have you opinions that you don't want to use them, absolutely. But please don't spread the misinformation that this is cheating, or unsafe, or going behind you GPs back to obtain a dodgy jab.

Hello, can I ask those who have tried these injections, where and how did you access them please?

@Pinkapronthere are various online pharmacies who you can apply to, to get a prescription for weight loss injections. The website https://monj.co.uk/ is a price comparison site for registered and regulated pharmacies.

You fill out their online consultation form, upload photos/id/video or do a live video consult, and if you meet the prescribing criteria the medication is prescribed and sent out to you.

@SilenceInside, thanks very much, presume they’re safe and regulated? I’ve never had medication from the internet before.

The pharmacies on that list are all registered with, regulated and inspected by the GPhC, so yes as safe as any shop-based pharmacy. You can find their GPhC registration number and go to the GPhC website, search for their details and read their most recent inspection if you want.

Thanks very much for the helpful information

I started mounjaro in August. I had a bmi of 36.6 I’ve lost nearly 5 and a half stone and now have a bmi of 23.7. I did have some side effects on and off (constipation/nausea) but nothing major. It was the best decision I have made. I’m now in maintenance and coming back down the doses.

only you can make the decision of what is best for you and your health. Every medication has its side effects and should be properly taken in to consideration. As does living with obesity.

good luck with whatever you choose!!