Latest news with #NHS-prescribed
Edinburgh Live
05-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Obese Scots dad sheds half his body weight after taking NHS weight-loss jab
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A formerly obese dad who lost more than half his body weight after starting weight-loss injections has credited the drugs for saving his life and stopping him from 'eating himself to death'. On an average day, Bryan Spark, 49, would eat over 5,000 calories, more than double the recommended amount, through a combination of finishing off his son's dinners, eating whole packs of biscuits, and drinking litres of fizzy drinks. The dad-of-three, from Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, decided enough was enough in November 2023, after seeing a picture of himself at 33-stone (209 kg; 462 lbs) at his son's birthday party. He was so heavy that he couldn't tie his own shoes or see his bathroom scales due to the size of his chest and stomach, reports the Record. Now, he's lost 18 stone (114 kg; 252 lbs) - which he credits to starting the £200 per month weight loss injection Saxenda and, later, NHS-prescribed Mounjaro. Bryan, who stands 6'3" tall (190 cm), said: "It was embarrassing, it was horrendous. My wife was writing down my weights because I couldn't see the scale. "That sounds really stupid, but the size of my chest and stomach - I couldn't see the scale anyway. When I stopped off it, it said 'overload' on the screen." A full-time carer for his son and wife, Bryan decided to make his goal losing 10 stone - through a combination of diet and exercise, assisted by the weight loss injections. Bryan bought an exercise bike and went through three saddles after the pins became bent due to his excessive weight. He said: "I just kept replacing the seat and kept going, it's when I started cycling like that, I felt myself getting a bit healthier, being able to breathe a bit easier. "I was always out of breath going up the stairs and literally doing anything. It was just horrendous, when you start seeing the difference, when your t-shirts are far too big for you. "In the first six months I lost close to eight stone, it was just a huge difference." Now a keen cyclist, Bryan, who now weighs 15 stone (95 kg; 210 lbs) is planning a 1,000-mile charity bike ride from Lands End to John O'Groats in 2026, to celebrate his 50th birthday. He thanked his doctor for giving him the motivation to go to a weight loss clinic, saying he 'wouldn't have survived' without his drastic lifestyle changes. He said: "I see in the news and the papers all the time, it always says 'this could happen to you if you take these injections', and tonnes could go wrong. "There's not a huge amount of positive stories out there - it's been life saving, I don't think I would have lived much longer, I was a heart attack waiting to happen, amongst other things. "I was eating myself to death really." He added: "My attitude towards life has improved, I'm a lot happier in myself. "My family have supported everything, my wife loved me no matter what size I was, but obviously she was concerned about the size of me and illnesses. "The differences, my goodness I can do stuff. I can go for walks, I can tie my shoelaces, it's stupid things. My stomach was in the way, I always wore slip-on trainers and put my laces in my shoes because I couldn't do it. "I was struggling with everything, it sounds a bit dramatic, but literally I was struggling with everything and not able to do much."
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots dad too fat to tie shoes loses 18 stones after taking NHS weight loss jab
"It was embarrassing, it was horrendous. My wife was writing down my weights because I couldn't see the scale." A formerly obese dad who lost more than half his body weight after starting weight-loss injections has credited the drugs for saving his life and stopping him from 'eating himself to death'. On an average day, Bryan Spark, 49, would eat over 5,000 calories, more than double the recommended amount, through a combination of finishing off his son's dinners, eating whole packs of biscuits, and drinking litres of fizzy drinks. The dad-of-three, from Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, decided enough was enough in November 2023, after seeing a picture of himself at 33-stone (209 kg; 462 lbs) at his son's birthday party. He was so heavy that he couldn't tie his own shoes or see his bathroom scales due to the size of his chest and stomach. Now, he's lost 18 stone (114 kg; 252 lbs) - which he credits to starting the £200 per month weight loss injection Saxenda and, later, NHS-prescribed Mounjaro. Bryan, who stands 6'3" tall (190 cm), said: "It was embarrassing, it was horrendous. My wife was writing down my weights because I couldn't see the scale. "That sounds really stupid, but the size of my chest and stomach - I couldn't see the scale anyway. When I stopped off it, it said 'overload' on the screen." A full-time carer for his son and wife, Bryan decided to make his goal losing 10 stone - through a combination of diet and exercise, assisted by the weight loss injections. Bryan bought an exercise bike and went through three saddles after the pins became bent due to his excessive weight. He said: "I just kept replacing the seat and kept going, it's when I started cycling like that, I felt myself getting a bit healthier, being able to breathe a bit easier. "I was always out of breath going up the stairs and literally doing anything. It was just horrendous, when you start seeing the difference, when your t-shirts are far too big for you. "In the first six months I lost close to eight stone, it was just a huge difference." Now a keen cyclist, Bryan, who now weighs 15 stone (95 kg; 210 lbs) is planning a 1,000-mile charity bike ride from Lands End to John O'Groats in 2026, to celebrate his 50th birthday. He thanked his doctor for giving him the motivation to go to a weight loss clinic, saying he 'wouldn't have survived' without his drastic lifestyle changes. He said: "I see in the news and the papers all the time, it always says 'this could happen to you if you take these injections', and tonnes could go wrong. "There's not a huge amount of positive stories out there - it's been life saving, I don't think I would have lived much longer, I was a heart attack waiting to happen, amongst other things. "I was eating myself to death really." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He added: "My attitude towards life has improved, I'm a lot happier in myself. "My family have supported everything, my wife loved me no matter what size I was, but obviously she was concerned about the size of me and illnesses. "The differences, my goodness I can do stuff. I can go for walks, I can tie my shoelaces, it's stupid things. My stomach was in the way, I always wore slip-on trainers and put my laces in my shoes because I couldn't do it. "I was struggling with everything, it sounds a bit dramatic, but literally I was struggling with everything and not able to do much."
The Sun
05-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I lost 18st on Mounjaro after embarrassing ‘overload' message on the scales – I was a heart attack waiting to happen
A DAD lost more than half his body weight on Mounjaro injections after his scales flashed an "embarrassing" overload message while he was weighing himself. Bryan Spark, 49, credited the drugs for saving his life and stopping him from "eating himself to death". 10 10 10 On an average day, Bryan would eat over 5,000 calories - double what the NHS recommends for the average man - finishing off his son's dinners, eating whole packs of biscuits, and drinking litres of fizzy drinks. The dad-of-three, from Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, decided enough was enough in November 2023, after seeing a picture of himself at his son's birthday party. At 33-stone, he couldn't tie his own shoes or see his bathroom scales beneath his stomach. Now, he's lost 18 stone – which he credits to starting the £200 per month weight loss injection Saxenda and, later, NHS-prescribed Mounjaro. Bryan said: 'It was embarrassing, it was horrendous. My wife was writing down my weights because I couldn't see the scale. 'That sounds really stupid, but the size of my chest and stomach – I couldn't see the scale anyway. 'When I stopped off it, it said 'overload' on the screen.' A full-time carer for his son and wife, Bryan decided to make his goal losing 10 stone – through a combination of diet and exercise, assisted by the weight loss injections. Bryan bought an exercise bike and went through three saddles after the pins bent under him. He said: 'I just kept replacing the seat and kept going, it's when I started cycling like that, I felt myself getting a bit healthier, being able to breathe a bit easier. Can drinking nothing but fizzy water for two weeks really help me shed my excess weight 'I was always out of breath going up the stairs and literally doing anything. 'It was just horrendous, when you start seeing the difference, when your t-shirts are far too big for you. 'In the first six months I lost close to eight stone, it was just a huge difference.' Now a keen cyclist, Bryan, who now weighs 15 stone is planning a 1,000-mile charity bike ride from Lands End to John O'Groats in 2026, to celebrate his 50th birthday. 10 10 10 He thanked his doctor for giving him the motivation to go to a weight loss clinic, saying he "wouldn't have survived" without his drastic lifestyle changes. He said: 'I see in the news and the papers all the time, it always says 'this could happen to you if you take these injections', and tonnes could go wrong. 'There's not a huge amount of positive stories out there – it's been life saving, I don't think I would have lived much longer, I was a heart attack waiting to happen, amongst other things. 'I was eating myself to death really.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. He added: 'My attitude towards life has improved, I'm a lot happier in myself. 'My family have supported everything, my wife loved me no matter what size I was, but obviously she was concerned about the size of me and illnesses. 'The differences, my goodness I can do stuff. I can go for walks, I can tie my shoelaces, it's stupid things. 'My stomach was in the way, I always wore slip-on trainers and put my laces in my shoes because I couldn't do it. 'I was struggling with everything, it sounds a bit dramatic, but literally I was struggling with everything and not able to do much.'
Daily Record
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Katie Price's heartbreaking update on son Harvey's relationship with father Dwight Yorke
Following Katie Price's worrying admission about her fears of her son Harvey being on the "brink of a heart attack", a source close to the family has disclosed that the former glamour model is under significant pressure as her 22-year-old son's main carer. Harvey, who is preparing to relocate to a property near his mum's home in Essex, lives with several serious health issues including Prader-Willi syndrome. This condition is characterised by behavioural changes, uncontrolled hunger, and cognitive disabilities. In a recent heart-wrenching update, Katie announced on The Katie Price Show podcast that Harvey's weight was nearing an alarming 30 stone. The mum-of-five shared her distress, saying: "He's on the verge of a heart attack and he won't have a long life if he keeps putting more and more weight on. That's a massive worry for me at the moment." Despite often being painted as a controversial figure, Katie's dedication to managing the complex needs of her eldest son is undeniable, Edinburgh Live reports. The insider stated: "Katie is really worried for Harvey and his weight, it has got to an uncontrollable level and it's scary for the family. "They have such a close bond and it's difficult for her to watch, she's trying to keep him as active as she can and support him – she wants him to go on weight loss jabs to manage it." The source added: "People may criticise Katie for many things – perhaps the way she seeks media attention, her surgeries or her bankruptcies, but one thing you can't fault her on is being a good mum to Harvey. "She adores him, and his wellbeing is her top priority. He doesn't have a real father figure, so it all falls to Katie. "It's a heavy burden, making all the decisions and working out what's best for him, but she's desperate to save him and she'd be lost without him." Katie Price has candidly shared details about her life with her son Harvey in her latest autobiography slated for release in 2024, where she affectionately refers to him as "the best thing to have happened to me". Katie discusses her own mortality and has taken steps to ensure that "everything's in place" for Harvey should anything happen to her. She also reveals her plans to collaborate with his medical team on initiating NHS-prescribed Mounjaro treatment for him, highlighting the necessity of careful planning due to his unique needs. She explained: "Harvey doesn't speak like us, the communication, but as he's got older, he's got better. Because, you want them [carers] to look after them how you would look after them. No one's going to ever look after your son how mum does it." She further added: "Even when I tuck him in bed, it's a mum thing. Of course, there's been challenges but that's not Harvey's fault. "Obviously, we're doing something with the doctors but because of his complex needs and medication he's on, things aren't as easy as that. It's always a constant worry – like if I die, what's going to happen?" Katie was just 23 when she had her son Harvey, whose dad is former Manchester United player Dwight Yorke. Harvey has mostly been raised without his father's presence. Sources say Katie is keen to address Harvey's weight issues and feels the burden of being the only one making decisions for him, wishing Dwight would take part. The source revealed: "People sometimes forget what she's been through with him, it's been traumatic. She was a relatively young girl when she had him, and learning about and managing Harvey's issues was a shock. "But she loved him from the second she saw him. She's always done her best by him and genuinely means it when she says the door is open for Dwight." Dwight Yorke, the ex-Manchester United ace, said in 2009 that he wanted to be involved in Harvey's life but "wasn't given the opportunity". He commented: "I've gone down the legal route and I was entitled to see him for a certain period of time, but she calls all the shots." Katie recently shared on Rob Moore's Disruptors Podcast that she has "always left the door open" for Dwight. She mentioned that her mum Amy contacts Dwight's manager every year around Harvey's birthday and Christmas, asking if he wants contact with his son. Katie claims the response is always "the same thing back, not interested". Katie was deeply moved as she discussed the strained relationship between her son Harvey and his father Dwight, expressing hope for a reconciliation. She said: "There's got to be a time when Dwight and Harvey are in the same room. Because he would just love Harvey if he saw him, how could he not? He looks like him, for God's sake. "Harvey's so funny, so endearing and innocent. How can he not love Harvey? I just can't get my head around it, he'd have so much fun with him." Following her previous marriage to Peter Andre, whom she shares two children with, Junior and Princess, there were discussions about Peter possibly adopting Harvey. Unfortunately, their separation in 2009 meant it never happened. An insider close to Katie revealed the turmoil she's endured over her eldest son's paternal issues. They said: "It was such a shame and a loss when Katie and Pete split because Pete also genuinely loved Harvey and was always great with him. "There'll be deep sadness on both sides because Pete and Harvey were very close, but because of his relationship with Katie, it's just not possible for them to be how they were." The source continued: "I don't think anyone can know how awful it's been for her, and that's partly why she and Harvey have got such a close bond. She's totally tuned into him, she knows from just one look what he needs and wants, but that's a lot for one person to carry."
Edinburgh Live
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Katie Price's heartache as she gives update on Harvey and Dwight York's relationship
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Following Katie Price's revelation that she fears her son Harvey is on the "brink of a heart attack", an insider has claimed that she's under immense strain as his primary caregiver. Harvey, 22, who is set to move into a new house near Katie's Essex residence, suffers from several health conditions including Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder causing behavioural changes, excessive appetite and overeating, and learning difficulties. Last week, the mother-of-five sadly disclosed that Harvey's weight had nearly hit 30 stone. Speaking on The Katie Price Show podcast, she expressed her concerns: "He's on the verge of heart attack and he won't have a long life if he keeps putting more and more weight on. That's a massive worry for me at the moment." READ MORE - John Higgins shows true colours as snooker star aims dig at Ally McCoist in BBC chat READ MORE - BGT viewers all say the same thing as live show is halted twice While Katie can be a somewhat polarising figure, her ability to handle the challenges of caring for her eldest son should not be underestimated. "Katie is really worried for Harvey and his weight, it has got to an uncontrollable level and it's scary for the family," a source revealed. "They have such a close bond and it's difficult for her to watch, she's trying to keep him as active as she can and support him – she wants him to go on weight loss jabs to manage it. "People may criticise Katie for many things – perhaps the way she seeks media attention, her surgeries or her bankruptcies, but one thing you can't fault her on is being a good mum to Harvey. She adores him, and his wellbeing is her top priority.", reports the Mirror. "He doesn't have a real father figure, so it all falls to Katie. It's a heavy burden, making all the decisions and working out what's best for him, but she's desperate to save him and she'd be lost without him." In her 2024 autobiography, where Katie calls Harvey "the best thing to have happened to me", she also touches on her own mortality, ensuring that "everything's in place" for her son in case anything happens to her. She revealed plans with his medical team to commence NHS-prescribed Mounjaro treatment, emphasising the need for careful consideration. (Image: Daily Mirror) (Image: Getty Images) "Harvey doesn't speak like us, the communication, but as he's got older, he's got better," Katie divulged. "Because, you want them [carers] to look after them how you would look after them. No one's going to ever look after your son how mum does it." She continued: "Even when I tuck him in bed, it's a mum thing. Of course, there's been challenges but that's not Harvey's fault. Obviously, we're doing something with the doctors but because of his complex needs and medication he's on, things aren't as easy as that. It's always a constant worry – like if I die, what's going to happen?". Katie was just 23 when she welcomed her son Harvey into the world, and he has largely grown up without his father, former Manchester United footballer Dwight Yorke. Sources close to the ex-glamour model say she's eager to tackle Harvey's weight challenges and feels the strain of being the sole decision-maker, wishing for Dwight's involvement. "People sometimes forget what she's been through with him, it's been traumatic," our insider shared. "She was a relatively young girl when she had him, and learning about and managing Harvey's issues was a shock. But she loved him from the second she saw him. She's always done her best by him and genuinely means it when she says the door is open for Dwight." Dwight Yorke, the former Manchester United star, claimed back in 2009 that despite his desire to be part of Harvey's life, he "wasn't given the opportunity". He stated, "I've gone down the legal route and I was entitled to see him for a certain period of time, but she calls all the shots." In a recent poignant revelation, Katie admitted that she has "always left the door open" for Dwight to reach out. She disclosed on Rob Moore's Disruptors Podcast that her mother Amy annually contacts Dwight's manager around Harvey's birthday and Christmas to inquire, "does he want to speak to or see him?". According to Katie, the reply is consistently "the same thing back, not interested". Katie was visibly moved as she spoke about the distance between her son Harvey and his father Dwight, but she remained hopeful for a future where they could reconnect. "There's got to be a time when Dwight and Harvey are in the same room. Because he would just love Harvey if he saw him, how could he not? He looks like him, for God's sake. Harvey's so funny, so endearing and innocent. How can he not love Harvey? I just can't get my head around it, he'd have so much fun with him." After marrying her fellow 'I'm A Celebrity' contestant Peter Andre, with whom she had two children, Junior and Princess, there was talk that Peter might legally adopt Harvey. However, this never came to fruition before their separation in 2009. A source close to Katie shared the pain she feels regarding her eldest son's situation. "It was such a shame and a loss when Katie and Pete split because Pete also genuinely loved Harvey and was always great with him," the source said. "There'll be deep sadness on both sides because Pete and Harvey were very close, but because of his relationship with Katie, it's just not possible for them to be how they were." The source added, "I don't think anyone can know how awful it's been for her, and that's partly why she and Harvey have got such a close bond. She's totally tuned into him, she knows from just one look what he needs and wants, but that's a lot for one person to carry."
