Reality television star Gemma Collins has candidly shared the harsh realities of using medication to assist with weight loss, revealing she suffered from severe gallbladder pain after taking the injections. The former I'm A Celebrity contestant, known for her role on The Only Way Is Essex, described initially feeling 'liberated' by the treatment before experiencing debilitating side effects.
Initial Freedom Turns to Pain
Speaking to her jungle campmates, the 45-year-old recounted how the medication, which she hailed as 'life-changing', initially curbed her appetite dramatically. She recalled a specific moment when dining with her fiancé Rami Hawash, where a bread basket was placed before her and she felt no desire to eat it. 'It was great, it was liberating. I had freedom,' Gemma explained, emphasising the psychological shift she experienced in the early stages of her weight loss journey.
Dose Increase Leads to Complications
However, Gemma's positive experience was short-lived. After increasing her dosage to 15mg, she began to feel intense pain just a few weeks later. This culminated in an 'excruciating' gallbladder attack in August, which left her collapsing to the floor during Rami's birthday celebrations at a race track. Medical scans subsequently confirmed she was suffering from gallstones, a condition that has been linked to the use of Mounjaro, the weight loss medication she was prescribed.
Despite the setback, Gemma has been open about her use of Mounjaro, a drug licensed by the NHS to aid weight management. She has dropped from a size 26 to a size 20 since starting the weekly injections approximately a year ago, losing around three and a half stone in the process. 'I've lost about 3½st and kept it off. I just feel good,' she stated, while acknowledging she does not aim for a 'stick thin' appearance but rather focuses on being healthier.
Medical Perspectives and Safety
A spokesperson for Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, addressed the safety concerns, stating that patient safety is their top priority. They confirmed that gallstones are listed as a common side effect in the medication's Patient Information Leaflet for weight management, affecting up to one in ten users. For type 2 diabetes treatment, gallstones and cholecystitis are noted as uncommon side effects, impacting up to one in a hundred people. The company advises anyone experiencing side effects to consult their healthcare professional and ensure they are using genuine Lilly medicine.
Gemma has since taken a break from the injections and is considering microdosing to mitigate side effects. 'I've given it a rest and I've really been managing what I've been eating. But I think I'm going to start microdosing because I feel with the microdosing, you don't get all the [side] effects,' she revealed. She also emphasised that her doctors have assured her the gallbladder issue is not directly linked to Mounjaro, though she remains cautious.
A Journey of Self-Acceptance
Throughout her weight loss efforts, Gemma has tried numerous diets, from the 'cake boss' to Beyoncé-inspired plans, cabbage soup, and egg diets, but found they did not work for her body. She expressed gratitude for having a partner who loves her unconditionally, regardless of weight fluctuations. 'He knew me years ago, he knows me today, two pounds up, two pounds down,' she said, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance alongside health goals.
Gemma's story sheds light on the complex realities of weight loss medications, balancing their transformative potential with the risk of serious side effects. Her openness continues to spark conversations about health, body image, and the pursuit of wellness in the public eye.
