My Mounjaro Journey
I've taken the plunge. After a lifetime of obesity, of diets that I only ever managed to stick to for a few months, I've decided to give the 'miracle' diet injection a go.
I tried to get the injection on the NHS a couple of years ago but was told that there was a shortage so they couldn't prescribe it. I had no idea that you could get it privately and, given it's a diabetes medication for people whose need was greater than mine, I left it there. Then last year my son-in-law started using it. He's on Wegovy and has lost three stone in three months. He pays for it privately so I looked into doing the same.
Initially, I found a company called Oviva who gave me a referral for my GP. They claimed that I had the right to obtain the treatment on the NHS under 'right to choose'. I sent the referral to my surgery and was invited for a blood test. I was told that, unless I had an underlying health issue, such as diabetes, I would have to fund the treatment myself. A couple of days later the doctor called to say I was prediabetic and have vitamin D deficiency. The results made me eligible for a referral to the weight loss clinic at the local hospital.
I was going to wait for the hospital appointment but an offer appeared on Facebook from a company called SheMed UK. The offer was 12 months of Mounjaro for half price. It really was too good to miss so I decided to go for it; after all, I might not be eligible for the treatment on the NHS. I downloaded the app, filled out the medical questionnaire and received a reply telling me I needed to provide a blood sample. They sent a kit with instructions which involved calling a number where someone talked me through the process. This involved registering the pack, providing photo ID and weighing myself so that it could be registered. The blood test was pretty straightforward and involved a gadget that you stick on the top part of your arm. You then push a button on the gadget until it clicks which makes a small cut in your skin. Gravity allows the blood to drip into a small vial which took about a minute and was painless.
The sample had to be returned as soon as possible so I took it straight to the Post Office. The information said that it would take four business days to receive the results but it was much quicker. I was provided with a medical report and advised that I was eligible for the medication which arrived today.
There's a Facebook group which you're invited to use once you're in the programme and I really wish I hadn't read any comments before my kit arrived. There are stories of migraine level headaches, nausea and upset tummies. A couple of ladies have even said they're so hungry they can't stop eating! But, there are also nice stories from women who haven't had any side effects and have started to lose weight. I have to admit it's made me a bit nervous about injecting myself.
Right, now for the embarrassing bit, my weight and my blood results:
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