Obesity as a Disease - Medication

Soarer · 17-08-2025 08:34PM

For anyone looking to start, I've been ringing around this evening.

There's a Life Late Night Pharmcy here in Cork. The lad on the phone (unless he was reading it wrong!), gave me the following prices:

2.5mg €183
5.0mg €250

That 2.5mg price is as good as anything up north, and the 5.0 isn't to be sniffed at either.

Might be of some use to people that are looking to start but the normal Irish pricing is prohibitive. Think Life Parmacies are around the country too, so probable same pricing?

Fwarder · 18-08-2025 09:30AM

Wow…that's literally 100e off everywhere else.

Soarer · 18-08-2025 09:42AM

I'd be ringing ahead before making any journey. It was late on a Sunday evening, and the lad on the phone could've been reading their purchase price! 😂

Fwarder · 18-08-2025 10:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123715189#Comment_123715189

just an update on this:So far after 2 weeks 108→100kg. Time to start eating a bit more actually to slow down the weight loss.I understand the initial massive drop due to water in the body, but either I'm a camel and I'm storing gallons and gallons of water or I'd need to finetune my food intake.

Supplements+protein shake do seem to be helping so I'll deffo continue with that.

All in all, this **** does seem to be working

One thing though: I tried the belly as injection site vs front thigh. Not great, but maybe I just screwed up the injection process 😅 Felt like someone kicked me in the ribs the day after. Although no sideffects at all 🤔

BTW some folks signed up for mybmi over my referral link 🤯I guess thanks is in order and I wish you the best guys/gals.

glen123 · 18-08-2025 11:35AM

Yesterday was 5 months since I started.

Down 24kgs.

12kg to go.

Still on 5.0mg dose.

waxmelts2000 · 22-08-2025 09:10PM

My GP sent through my prescription to Corrys for me, for three pens

They emailed today can only supply one month based on supply and demand which I understand

not sure of what the new pricing will be from September

Padraig Mor · 22-08-2025 09:59PM

Just took my 26th shot this evening. An update in case it's useful to anyone:

For me, Mounjaro is a support to OMAD intermittent fasting as opposed to just being used alone. Currently only on 6.5mg so microdosing the hell out of it (10mg pens).

Weight down 88lbs / 40kg.

BMI down 12 points and 'only' obese Class 1.

Bloods (back in May, possibly even better now) excellent, with the 'big ticket' items especially good.

Gone from basically no exercise to massive levels of walking - hitting 20,000 steps several days a week now and should comfortably exceed half a million steps this month. Planning to start jogging again (used do 50km a week a few years ago) next month maybe.

Smart scales (notoriously inaccurate, but trends should be ok) says I've actually lost about 100lbs fat and put on a stone of muscle but that latter has plateaued. Really need to get my ass in gear with resistance training - had got into a rhythm briefly a couple of months ago but lapsed since holidays.

runswithascript · 23-08-2025 06:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746135#Comment_123746135

The science on intermittent fasting has changed in the last year or two, supported by public academic research, and it is now thought to be more harmful to health than beneficial.

This combined with taking drugs to lose weight is not smart.

I won't repeat everything I have said on these drugs but what I will say is that if you consume more calories than you burn you will gain weight, if you burn more you will lose it. A disciplined diet and exercise are sufficient for the vast majority of people to lose weight.

Dazler97 · 23-08-2025 06:52PM

I'm 28 and 13 ½ stone 5ft 9 , I'm on metformin for weight loss and it's working some what I was 92kg and now 87kg, I was always under 60kg but medication unfortunately put on loads of weight 😢 so I'm maintaining my weight at the moment, I hate the way some meds pile on the weight for ya , it's a vicious circle sadly , I need the meds to help me sleep and I'm gonna increase my exercise big time and see if the weight will fall off hopefully, I think ozempic will only keep the weight off while you are still using it and once you stop then you gain it back , that's what I've been told by a few people, true or not I wouldn't be surprised if it was the way

LastApacheInjun · 23-08-2025 07:38PM

I don’t think “a disciplined diet” is helpful language to use as it implies that those who suffer from obesity have a lack of discipline, and therefore obesity is a result of a lack of moral fibre, rather than a physical imbalance of hormones (which all of the scientific evidence supports). You’re opinion is not uncommon but is outdated and rather unhelpful.

So, little update from me. I have been on MJ for four months, and have lost a further 30lbs, in addition to the 20lbs I lost on Ozempic last year. I am finally in a normal BMI, having been tipping over an obese BMI in February 2024.

I have so much more confidence, I have given alcohol pretty much entirely and have the energy to properly work out three times a week. In addition, I am pretty certain I have lipodema, a connective tissue condition which means a certain type of fat accumulates in my legs and leads to inflammation. That type of fat is resistant to diet and the inflammation is painful. While GLP1s won’t help with getting rid of the fat it helps enormously with the inflammation and I have a lot less pain.

This medication has been truly transformative for me, and not just in a physical way. I am dreading the price increases as my 15mg pen will go from £190 to £390 and I don’t know how I will afford it. Ideally I’d like to lose another stone and then perhaps I will try titrating downwards until I’m taking the minimum required to maintain my weight loss. Hopefully that will be 5mg or less.

LastApacheInjun · 23-08-2025 07:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748164#Comment_123748164

I didn’t realise metformin could be prescribed for weight loss solely? Are you diabetic?

Soarer · 23-08-2025 08:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748091#Comment_123748091

Where's the evidence to support that combining IF and GLP-1's is "not smart"?

And what about the minority of people? They just carry on as is?

runswithascript · 23-08-2025 08:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748379#Comment_123748379

Using either is not smart, I am not aware of any specific research on the combination.

You can find academic research on intermittent fasting that has changed the scientific thinking on Google/Semantic Scholar or articles summarising them online, damage to bone density and shown to be no more beneficial to losing weight when compared to consuming the same healthy amount of calories throughout the day without fasting etc. In terms of taking drugs to lose weight you can find the acknowledged side effects in the leaflet, and search for accounts of people who have experienced adverse side affects, and consider if you really think becoming dependent on a drug to lose weight is going to be safe long term.

Disciplined diet, disciplined training, no cheat days, no junk food whatsoever, no falling out of your exercise programme — enough for the vast majority of people. If you truly have a medical condition that prevents this working for you then I am not going to say you should not consider it as an option, but that condition cannot be that you do not feel like exercising today or you cannot stop yourself eating dairy milks.

runswithascript · 23-08-2025 08:46PM

This should get you started, most of these link to the research:

Popular weight loss drugs linked to rare but severe stomach problems, study finds

Can Ozempic cause stomach paralysis or bowel injury?

Gastrointestinal safety of semaglutide and tirzepatide vs. placebo in obese individuals without diabetes: a systematic review and meta analysis

Ozempic and Stomach Paralysis

GLP-1 microdosing for weight loss: Experts weigh the pros and cons

8-hour time-restricted eating linked to a 91% higher risk of cardiovascular death

Soarer · 23-08-2025 08:54PM

Yeah, but an apple a day….

Escapees · 23-08-2025 09:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748463#Comment_123748463

I'm no fan of weight loss drugs and have previously voiced some concerns in this thread... But, at the same time, it's great to read updates from posters here on how the drugs have really helped them get to a much better place. The weight loss figures are impressive. Sure, it remains to be seen whether they can shift away from the drugs at the end of the day, but certainly a lot of avenues have been opened up for those posters such as being motivated to exercise regularly as well as being physically able to!

Re: those links you sent, all the articles on the risks associated with the weight loss drugs are mainly talking about the risk of temporary 'mild' conditions. And it seems like the IF paper findings may be based on correlation rather than causation, i.e. it's likely that the participants who did IF were doing so already to try to lose weight etc. and therefore we're predisposed to a higher risk of heart issues etc.

runswithascript · 23-08-2025 09:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748295#Comment_123748295

That sweeping generalisation does not hold up to scrutiny and promoting that myth only encourages others to use it as a cop out.

Some people do have other issues, and exercise and diet alone may not be enough.

What obesity research actually shows is that although hormonal regulation can be a factor it is but one of many. Other factors include eating habits (will power), activity levels (exercise), sleep, socioeconomic factors (access to healthy food, education, stress), environmental factors (portion sizing, food availability), and medical conditions like hypothyroidism, PCOS.

runswithascript · 23-08-2025 09:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748530#Comment_123748530

Sure, some like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, could be categorised as 'mild' conditions but surely you would consider the majority of issues worthy of serious concern:

- gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) affecting up to 1 in 20 users
- gallbladder disorders and gallstones
- pancreatitis
- acute kidney injury from dehydration
- potential thyroid tumors including cancer (with an FDA black box warning)
- psychiatric effects including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation

Soarer · 23-08-2025 09:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748463#Comment_123748463

That last link you posted suggests it's more harmful to eat in an 8 hour window as opposed to the "standard" 12 - 16 hour window.

I'm gonna make the decision not to believe that, or bother to click the rest of the links.

runswithascript · 23-08-2025 09:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748596#Comment_123748596

Yes, if by more harmful you mean linked to a 91% increased risk of cardiovascular death, and there are other concerns around bone density etc.

I understand how the evidence you asked for may be inconvenient or incompatible with your eating habits, lifestyle choices, or will power, but it is there broad as day.

I have no issue with your willful ignorance being to the detriment of your own health but people should not be on a nutrition and diet forum promoting drugs that are unnecessary for the majority of people.

Padraig Mor · 23-08-2025 10:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748437#Comment_123748437

What a pile of crap. Benefits of intermittent fasting are very well scientifically established, even where calorie intake is matched.

And as for GLP-1 meds being 'not smart' - you then list a bunch of mild side effects, and a few very rare ones which, for the most part, are associated with weight loss in general rather than specifically with the meds. Guess how many side effects I, and many others, have? Zero. No mention though of the many, and well documented, ill effects of obesity.

We get it though - if you don't suffer to lose weight through 'disciplined' methods, you're a little less of a person. Whatever you want to believe mate. Us fatties can't get a break - you're a disgusting slob coz you're fat - try and do something about it using the latest proven medical support and you're a cheat who lacks discipline!

I'm a scientist BTW.

runswithascript · 23-08-2025 10:17PM

I have linked to the recent concerns on intermittent fasting and the many more serious -- not mild -- concerns about weight loss drugs like cancer, pancreatitis, and psychiatric effects which I have listed.

If you were actually a scientist, however inconvenient it may be, you would understand the validity of the peer reviewed academic research highlighting the risks and dangers of using drugs for weight loss and giving up on just using discipline, diet, and exercise.

Nobody disputes the correlation between these drugs and weight loss.

runswithascript · 23-08-2025 10:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748633#Comment_123748633

Further, the latest of several studies that demonstrate your statement is completely false is the 2025 Nature Medicine trial where 197 participants testing different 8-hour eating windows showed no significant differences in visceral fat reduction between any time-restricted eating schedule and controls.

Soarer · 23-08-2025 11:45PM

Ok @runswithascript , why are you contributing to this thread? I know you're perfectly entitled to, but other than that?

From what I can see, you're just being obtuse. You're obviously in the enviable position of not having to struggle with weight. I'd imagine anyone that's struggled, myself included, is well versed in the "eat less, exercise more" mantra. But for an awful lot of people, the "eating like a pig" side of the brain sends stronger signals than the "eat normally" side. These drugs, amazingly, turn off the "eat like a pig" side. Witchcraft as far as I'm concerned. But it's working, and for me, I've zero side effects. If I die down the line because of side effects, at least the coffin will be lighter.

Edit: That opening bit sounds proper ****. Apologies. I guess what I meant to say is you're coming across as condescending and kinda looking down your nose at people. That's how I feel reading your posts anyway.

Dazler97 · 23-08-2025 11:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748301#Comment_123748301

Nope not diabetic and yes it's just for weight loss but it will also lower my blood sugars as I love sweet things abit much

LastApacheInjun · 24-08-2025 08:37AM

it’s €253 every month This Is It, as they make you do the dr consultation every month.

it’s likely to go up in price in line with the UK price increases from 1 September. The just haven’t confirmed the new prices yet.

deward · 24-08-2025 12:43PM

Not sure why you have to use drugs. Metformin is toxic to your body.
I dropped from 104kg to 82kg by doing 3 main things:

1. Estimated how many calories I take on a regular day and reduced by 200-250 kcal.
2. Avoided sugar, junk food and fizzy drinks. Instead, I eat lean or a bit fatty protein, and I eat 300-500 grams of carbs a day.
3. Exercised 5-6 days a week. When I was starting out with exercising, I got a full set of resistance bands, and they would make me sweat big time. Slowly over time, I started hitting the gym, and now I'm as fit as I've ever been.

I can recommend the place where I got my set of resistance bands, it's called Medpoint. Fairly cheap ones.

Here's their website medpoint.ie

Soarer · 24-08-2025 12:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123749577#Comment_123749577

Do they pay well?

Dazler97 · 24-08-2025 04:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123749577#Comment_123749577

I'm on meds to for other things and some side effects is weight gain for a few medications and unfortunately I have gained a few stone in a few years , metformin is just maintaining it so I will increase exercise and see if I will lose weight further , it's the sweets I like but not obsessive, I think I just need to change my diet as it's very poor at the moment, I'd mostly just have 1 meal a day and I should up that to 2 and see how it goes etc

Mellor · 25-08-2025 01:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123746135#Comment_123746135

Good job on the weight loss. I would put too much faith in the scales BF% readings. Putting on 14lbs muscle while on a aggressive deficit is near impossible unless you are also injecting AAS.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748463#Comment_123748463

Can you provide actual sources rather than clickbait articles.

shown to be no more beneficial to losing weight when compared to consuming the same healthy amount of calories throughout the day without fasting etc.

Of course its not more beneficial. The laws of thermodynamics style apply. But of no extra benefit doesn't mean it's negative, the same way that eating the calories throughout the day is of no extra benefit.

Different approaches will be more conducive to sticking to a deficit for different people.

In terms of taking drugs to lose weight you can find the acknowledged side effects in the leaflet, and search for accounts of people who have experienced adverse side affects, and consider if you really think becoming dependent on a drug to lose weight is going to be safe long term.

Why would anyone become dependant on drugs to lose weight? Are you suggesting that if they come off the drugs, they would no longer lose weight with a simple deficit? I doubt these drugs are giving people superpowers.

Obesity as a Disease - Medication

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