A father of two who believed he was suffering from trapped wind after using weight loss injections was informed that his gallbladder was decaying and required immediate surgical removal. Edd Langmead, 44, from Oldham, began his weight loss journey in May 2025 after struggling with obesity for most of his life, reaching a peak weight of 20 stone 7 pounds.
Having endured weight-related back pain for years, Edd consulted his GP, who informed him that the waiting list for weight loss medication exceeded twelve months. Desperate for a rapid solution, the musician purchased Mounjaro from an online pharmacy and experienced swift results. However, when costs rose, he switched to a cheaper alternative, which proved less effective, prompting him to return to Mounjaro. Over nearly a year, he lost 5 stone 13 pounds, reducing his weight to 14 stone 5 pounds and eliminating his back pain, without any notable adverse effects.
On March 9, 2025, Edd began experiencing pain he attributed to trapped wind and attempted to treat it with over-the-counter remedies. Three days later, the pain became so severe that he collapsed, doubled over, and his partner called an ambulance, which rushed him to hospital under blue lights. Medical examinations revealed gangrenous cholecystitis, a life-threatening condition in which gallbladder tissue dies. Doctors linked the infection, which had spread to his stomach and lungs, to his rapid weight loss. He underwent emergency surgery on March 13 to remove his gallbladder and remained in hospital for four days, followed by ten days of intravenous antibiotic treatment at home.
Edd recounted: "I have struggled with my weight all my life. I went to my doctor to get weight loss injections, and they said the waiting list was more than twelve months. Everyone wants a quick fix, don't they? I did. I had been suffering with back pain for three years, and within two months of starting the jabs, it was gone. I had no bad side effects until that week. I thought it was trapped wind, but nothing I took helped. The pain just got worse. My partner was about to go to work when I was doubled up on the floor, barely able to speak, so she called an ambulance."
After the operation, surgeons remarked on how fortunate he was. Edd added: "All I could think about was leaving my children without a father. I went from feeling the healthiest I have since my teenage years to feeling like I am in my nineties. I have tubes coming out of me, I cannot walk or move properly, and I cannot lie down. If I had not gone to hospital or if I had been in a different situation where I could not get there, I might not be here. That is the scary thing."
Following his ordeal, Edd discontinued the injections and now urges anyone considering weight loss jabs to obtain them through their GP to ensure proper monitoring. He stated: "Once I found out the problem was related to weight loss, it made me doubt whether I should have just waited for the NHS. Online companies do not show you those risks. There is a sadness that it happened to me because I am sure that if I had done it differently, it would not have been that way. Make sure you get regular blood tests. It is not worth the risk."
Manufacturer's Response
A spokesperson for Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, commented: "Patient safety is Lilly's top priority, and we actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines to the MHRA. The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns that cholecystitis (infection of the gallbladder) is an uncommon side effect, affecting up to 1 in 100 people. Anyone experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine should consult their doctor or other healthcare professional and should ensure they are getting genuine Lilly medicine."
Acute cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, typically caused by a gallstone blocking the cystic duct. Without treatment, it can lead to life-threatening conditions, including gangrenous cholecystitis, where gallbladder tissue dies, potentially causing a serious infection that can spread throughout the body.
