when do doctors give you Ozempic?

[junik53]

Hi My Hba1c has just gone upfront 46 to 51 about 4 years ago it was about 39 , it had gone down from 44 after loosing weight on slimming world , but I regained the 3and a half stone I had lost before , Been on and of S.W for years and it just doesn’t work for me anymore, I am desperate to loose weight but I just can’t stay away from seeets, I am an emotional eater which makes it really hard. Also I have other health issues including PsA which makes it difficult to exercise. I just wondered if a doctor would put me on Oxempic or similar for the diabetes or arn’tI bad enough yet ? I have never been told to take any meds for it and never been told to test my blood , even though I have done it off my own back and it’s always been good not high or low . I just don’t know where to go from here . I know I have to eat healthy and stay off the sweet stuff and watch my carbs , I was even thinking about buying it if nhs won’t find it but I don’t know if it would be right for me because of all the meds I’m on also it costs a bomb . Any thoughts ?

[Runrig01]

There are strict guidelines due to its cost. You generally have to have tried Metformin first. You also need a bmi of over 35 to be eligible. Here’s what is on the diabetes site:

“Ozempic is only prescribed to people who have a Body Mass Index, known as BMI, of 35kg/m2 or more and have additional psychological or other medical conditions that are related to obesity.

However, someone with type 2 diabetes can be prescribed Ozempic if they have a BMI below 35kg/m2 and:

Using insulin would affect their job due to the risk of low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, or hypos;

Weight loss would lead to improvements in other obesity-related health issues. ”

The BNF state the same re metformin, but that it can be given for bmi over 30. It would appear most Trusts are quoting bmi >35 though.

My husband uses mounjaro for his diabetes, and is steadily losing weight. It works by slowing gastric emptying, and makes him nauseous.

[junik53 in reply to Runrig01]

Thankyou for your reply , my bmi is 37 I also have many obesity related problems. Does your husband buy his Mounjaro injections?

[Runrig01 in reply to junik53]

No the surgery suggested he tried them. He’s tried many of the oral meds, and even spent time on insulin, but that caused many hypos. So they encouraged him to try it. His appetite is very small now, and he doesn’t enjoy food now, due to nausea.

I’d be concerned for anyone sourcing it, without being monitored by their gp. Especially when you have other health issues being added to the mix. The diarrhoea can result in some of your meds not being absorbed properly, and therefore not reaching a therapeutic level, which means it wouldn’t be as effective.