Alisha Trafford, a 25-year-old healthcare worker from Hull, initially hailed the weight loss injection Mounjaro as a "magical" solution after shedding an impressive three-and-a-half stone in just three months. However, her triumph turned to trauma when she was rushed to hospital with severe abdominal pain, leading to a diagnosis of pancreatitis that doctors directly attributed to the medication.
From Weight Loss Success to Medical Emergency
Trafford began taking Mounjaro in February 2025, purchasing the £135 injections from an online pharmacy. She reported not only significant weight reduction but also improvement in her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms, describing the treatment as "the best thing I ever did" at the time. "It was pretty much magical," she recalled of the initial period when her health appeared to be transforming positively.
The Onset of Severe Symptoms
The situation deteriorated dramatically when Trafford started using her second pen of the medication. She experienced intensifying abdominal discomfort that she initially dismissed, but the pain eventually became unbearable. "Within six hours of me being home I rang for an ambulance," she explained. "I was vomiting continuously. The pain was getting more intense and it felt quite similar to what I imagine a heart attack would feel like."
Upon arrival at hospital, medical professionals diagnosed her with pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. After a week-long hospital stay involving fluid treatment and pain management, she was discharged, only to be readmitted within 48 hours with a more serious diagnosis: pancreatic necrosis.
Diagnosis of Pancreatic Necrosis
Pancreatic necrosis represents a severe complication where portions of pancreatic tissue die due to interrupted blood supply. This condition can lead to dangerous infections, sepsis, and potentially fatal organ failure if not properly treated. Trafford's consultant was reportedly "adamant" that Mounjaro had triggered this life-threatening condition.
"I couldn't lift my head or speak because of how poorly I was," Trafford described of her hospital experience. "All I could really do was sleep. The pain was agonising and my body was exhausted. I lost two stone while I was in hospital because I couldn't eat."
Repeated Hospital Admissions
Between May and August 2025, Trafford faced numerous hospital admissions for pancreatitis, with her consultant expressing astonishment at her ability to maintain conversation given the severity of her condition. "He said he'd never seen so many admissions for pancreatitis so closely together like this," she revealed, adding that medical staff were surprised by her relative stability.
The consultant reportedly told her that her age likely prevented her from requiring a medically induced coma, suggesting that "if I'd been any older then it would have been a different story."
Long-Term Health Consequences
Trafford's health struggles continued with another hospital admission on December 6, and she has been warned that pancreatic complications will likely recur throughout her life. "My life has completely been put on hold," she lamented. "I've been told the pancreatitis is probably going to come back and I'll be at risk of that for the rest of my life now."
She expressed profound regret about her decision to use Mounjaro, stating: "If I knew this was what my life was going to be like then I never would have taken it. It's heartbreaking because I saw taking Mounjaro as a way my life was going to change for the better."
Understanding Pancreatic Complications
According to NHS information, pancreatitis involves inflammation of the pancreas over a short period. Pancreatic necrosis can develop as a complication of severe acute pancreatitis when blood supply to the organ is compromised, causing tissue death. This creates vulnerability to infection that may progress to sepsis and multiple organ failure, representing a potentially fatal condition without appropriate medical intervention.
Manufacturer's Response and Safety Information
Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Mounjaro, responded to the case with a statement emphasising their commitment to patient safety. "Patient safety is Lilly's top priority," a company spokesperson stated. "We take reports regarding patient safety seriously and actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines."
The manufacturer noted that the Mounjaro Patient Information Leaflet already includes warnings about pancreatitis as an uncommon side effect that may affect up to 1 in 100 users. The documentation advises patients to consult healthcare professionals before using the medication if they have a history of pancreatic inflammation.
Important Warning for Users
Now attempting to lose weight through natural methods, Trafford has issued a urgent warning to others using similar medications: "Just be careful. Don't ignore any pain and if something doesn't feel right, get it checked. Don't ignore it, it's not worth ignoring if something doesn't feel right, get it seen to."
She emphasised the importance of listening to one's body and seeking prompt medical attention when unusual symptoms develop, reflecting on her own experience: "I was that person that thought [being hospitalised] wouldn't happen to me. I have chronic pancreatitis and my pancreas is still healing, all because I wanted to make better changes and give myself a second chance in life."
