Story Highlight
– Sarah-Jayne Crawford experienced severe side effects from Wegovy.
– Her tongue turned black after 12 weeks on the drug.
– After experiencing pain, she was diagnosed with gallstones.
– Sarah underwent gallbladder removal surgery due to complications.
– She warns others about the risks of weight loss jabs.
Full Story
**Concerns Raised as Woman Suffers Severe Side Effects from Popular Weight Loss Injection Wegovy**
Sarah-Jayne Crawford, a resident of Antrim, Northern Ireland, had envisioned a spectacular wedding day with the assistance of Wegovy, a weight loss injection touted for its effectiveness. Weighing in at 19 stone 9 lbs and facing a long battle with obesity, she had hoped the drug would help her shed pounds before her nuptials. However, her experience would lead to unforeseen complications that dramatically altered her health journey.
Initially, Sarah-Jayne, who works as a personal secretary for the NHS, had high hopes when she began her Wegovy treatment in August 2024. Engaged to her partner Curtis, a mechanic aged 30, she was determined to look her best for the impending wedding. “Wegovy was my last resort. I know a lot of people who are on the jabs, and it worked like a dream for them,” Sarah-Jayne explained. Despite her efforts with traditional dieting and exercise yielding little success, she was ready to give the injections a try.
After purchasing the medication through an online pharmacy, Sarah-Jayne commenced her treatment with a starting dose of 0.25mg, followed by an increase to 1mg after the first month, incurring costs of £199 and £350 respectively. “At the start, everything seemed fine. My appetite slowly disappeared, and I felt great for the wedding,” she recalled, although she was disappointed that notable weight loss did not materialise.
However, a stark change occurred after about 12 weeks of treatment when Sarah-Jayne began to suffer from intense upper abdominal pain accompanied by significant vomiting episodes. “It all happened so quickly,” she narrated. The previously manageable discomfort swiftly escalated to debilitating symptoms, including what she described as “excruciating” feelings of trapped wind, leaving her incapacitated. It was during this painful ordeal that she noticed her tongue had turned an alarming shade of black.
Seeking immediate medical attention, Sarah-Jayne presented herself at Antrim Area Hospital where scans would reveal multiple gallstones blocking her bile duct, which put her at significant risk for pancreatitis—a potentially life-threatening condition. According to health statistics, approximately 10% of Wegovy users may develop gallstones, primarily due to rapid weight loss, a side effect associated with such weight loss injections.
Reflecting on her unexpected turn of events, Sarah-Jayne said, “Before, I had heard stories about the dangers, but when the pain left me unable to leave my bed, I knew something was up.” She described the severity of the pain: “I would rather give birth to five kids at the same time than go through with the pain again.” The gallbladder and pancreas are closely linked in the digestive system, sharing ducts that can complicate matters when gallstones obstruct passageways.
Following her hospital visit in December 2024, Sarah-Jayne underwent a cholecystectomy—an operation to remove her gallbladder. The surgeon advised her to cease using Wegovy during the procedure due to her condition. “By this point, I was 18 stone and had hardly lost any weight,” she stated, underscoring the disconnect between her expectations of the treatment and her actual experiences.
Over a year later, after overcoming her medical challenges and fulfilling her dream of marrying Curtis, Sarah-Jayne now weighs 18 stone 8 lbs. Notably, her tongue has returned to its normal colour, a side effect of the medication that remains unexplained medically. Sarah-Jayne now firmly cautions others against the potential dangers associated with weight loss injections like Wegovy.
“I’m slowly transitioning back to normal and eating more food now – but I’m still far from normal,” she admitted. “It’s not worth it. Weight loss jabs are a temporary fix, and the dangers aren’t obvious.” Her testimony serves as a sobering reminder of the potential perils of pharmaceutical weight loss solutions. The injections, which work by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite and digestion, have gained popularity in the UK, particularly with the rise in obesity-related health issues.
In February 2025, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued warnings regarding GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy, voicing concerns about their potential to increase the risk of pancreatitis. Despite the regulatory bodies noting rare instances of serious complications, the increasing reports of adverse reactions remind users to exercise caution.
Experts have been advocating for more studies examining the considerable uptick in gallbladder surgeries in the UK, with the NHS reporting the highest number of such operations in over a decade. The link between these surgeries and weight loss medications remains under scrutiny.
Manufacturers of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, emphasised their commitment to patient safety. They stated that adverse reactions from clinical trials, including the incidence of gallstones, are closely monitored and documented to inform medical professionals of potential risks.
Sarah-Jayne’s harrowing experience highlights a critical conversation surrounding the widespread use of weight loss medications. With mounting evidence of side effects and health risks, healthcare professionals emphasize that individuals contemplating such treatments should thoroughly research and consider the long-term implications of their choices.
As weight loss jabs continue to make headlines, both practitioners and patients are urged to engage in open dialogues about the potential benefits and risks associated with these treatments, ensuring informed decisions that prioritise health and wellbeing over temporary results.
Our Thoughts
To avoid the severe side effects experienced by Sarah-Jayne Crawford, several precautions could have been implemented. First, a more robust pre-treatment assessment could have been conducted to evaluate her medical history and potential risks associated with Wegovy, particularly concerning gallstones and pancreatitis, which are significant known side effects outlined in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).
Healthcare providers should ensure comprehensive patient education regarding potential side effects and the importance of monitoring during treatment with weight loss injections. Regular follow-ups could have identified adverse reactions sooner, potentially mitigating their impact.
The lack of oversight in private prescriptions raises concerns about regulatory compliance with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards, which require patient safety as a primary focus. Strict adherence to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidelines is critical to ensure that patients are informed of risks and monitored appropriately.
Furthermore, adherence to Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provisions regarding risk assessments and management in the healthcare context could prevent similar incidents by fostering a culture of safety and patient-centric care. Overall, improved regulation and monitoring of private healthcare practices are essential to safeguard patients’ well-being.
