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Wegovy: 'I really hope the NHS crack down on this. I am forever traumatised by what happened'

My symptoms landed me in hospital. I was shaking uncontrollably on the floor shivering cold and blacking out. I couldn’t put any food in my mouth or even sip water because I was so nauseous for the first three days.

I too was given Wegovy when I didn’t need it, by a central London pharmacist who assured me the side effects are nothing to worry about and it would help me drop a few summer pounds.

I suffered with body dysmorphia and anorexia in my early 20’s. However, it was impossible to get away from the hype of Ozempic and Wegovy everywhere I turned.

Social media promoting the amazing weight loss, celebs, even friends who also don’t need it, everyone’s on it.

My consultation was in person with the pharmacist, and I kept asking a lot of questions as I felt worried to take it. What if it messed up my hormones, what if I want to just stop, what if it messes up my pancreas? But I wasn’t weighed, I wasn’t checked for any previous medical history. Nothing. Just given it, shown where to do it, and I paid.

Read more: Wegovy: Online weight loss drugs need 'urgent regulation', doctor leaders warn

Should I have been more responsible? Absolutely, but after what I’ve been through the past week, I find myself increasingly angry that they didn’t take one look at me and say: ‘No you’re not suitable for it’. Instead they just said: ‘Everyone’s on it’.

My symptoms landed me in hospital after calling for an ambulance in the middle of the night, because I was shaking uncontrollably on the floor, shivering cold and blacking out.

Luckily my partner was beside me and covered me in blankets. I couldn’t put any food in my mouth or even sip water because I was so nauseous for the first three days.

It felt like a punishment from my body. If I dared to put food in your mouth, I’d be sick and in pain. I became severely dehydrated and wasn’t functioning, I could hardly stand up alone without everything spinning. My heart rate was all over the place and my chest felt like it was on fire.

After I’d rested for hours on the floor, because the ambulance said it wasn’t a priority and suggested I get a taxi to A&E, with a probable wait time of four to five hours for Friday night, eventually I went to the hospital at 9am and they gave me fluids, anti-nausea medication and did blood work. The nurses were very kind and helpful, but were also surprised I was given Wegovy.

Read more: 'I'm terrified someone is going to die' - Wes Streeting demands tighter regs around Wegovy

Six days on and I’m still in bed, with severe anxiety over my symptoms. Sometimes my heart rate spikes to 120 randomly, other times I randomly start shaking and need to lie down.

I’ve visited the hospital again asking them to do anything they can to get this out of me, but it’s going to take weeks till I feel normal and can eat more than the BRAT diet. I’m supposed to travel and the fear this has caused me knowing it’s still in my system is horrible.

Read more: Wegovy online prescription warning - pharmacists threatened by GPhC action

I really hope the NHS crack down on this. I am forever traumatised by what happened, and it’s taken a toll on my anxiety and mental health.

I can’t imagine how many other girls are experiencing the same. The hospital told me ‘You wouldn’t believe how many cases we are having' of young slim girls like myself. So it obviously isn’t as ‘rare’ as the brand and pharmacists like to make it sound.

I continue to feel unwell and I'm just waiting for it to leave my system to regain my life.

There must be stricter rules for getting these drugs, or sooner or later there will be deaths and lifelong complications.

Thanks again for bringing awareness to this issue. I hope more exposure to this situation is made. It should be on the TV news of just how serious this drug is.

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk

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