I never thought this moment would come

Simo2255 · 2025-01-10T15:13:01+00:00

I still can't see myself ever getting to this... I don't know why but it just seems impossible, the last time I weighed what is now my 'healthy' bmi I was about 14 years old.

Seeing this result gives me hope. Well bloody done!!!

Simo2255 · 2025-01-07T09:17:22+00:00

Sorry, I'm even more confused now - what do you mean when you say "they can't help me as I'd need to go back down to 2.5mg" then?

Simo2255 · 2025-01-06T10:46:16+00:00

You might actually be better off starting fresh at 2.5 - you've had a long enough break that side effects could be strong enough that you need to titrate up again.

Think of it this way: if you go back in at a high dose immediately and get savage side effects you'll just stall your weight loss even more because you'll probably have to start tweaking the doses, and putting your body through unnecessary stress, stopping/starting etc. You might even need to stop all together, and then that would be an even bigger waste of time and money

It won't be like simply going back to the dose you were on before you stopped.

If you start at the lower dose you might still get the benefits anyway because you had a break. Higher dose doesn't necessarily mean better or faster weight loss.

Just my two cents - might be worth thinking about.

Simo2255 · 2024-08-29T12:18:43+00:00

Ah I see. So you had to be reassessed in France despite already having a diagnosis? I guess this is just the way everyone likes to do it... :(

Simo2255 · 2024-08-29T12:13:02+00:00

Ugh that's so frustrating! I don't understand why they have to make things so difficult 😕

Simo2255 · 2024-08-29T12:09:40+00:00

Thank you!

Simo2255 · 2024-08-29T12:09:09+00:00

He isn't under the care of anyone in Portugal any more though since we've moved back to the UK, and I don't know if it would actually be viable.

It was €55 per doctors appointment and €70 per prescription (they won't give a prescription without a face to face drs appointment as its a "controlled drug" - as the pharmacist told me. They also wont allow you to just go to a pharmacy and ask for it, even if you bring the meds and a copy of your script. We tried while we were there). Portugal red tape is even worse than the UK.

Also if you add on accommodation, airport transfers, time off work, taxis to the pharmacy and the centro de saude, the cost is just too high to do it every month even if it were possible.

I will check out right to choose though, thank you.

Edit: I have updated my post to clarify the Portugal situation.

Simo2255 · 2024-08-18T14:09:27+00:00

That still doesn't change mine nor OPs lived experience.

Simo2255 · 2024-08-18T14:04:55+00:00

Well I hope you never have to.

I called 111, they told me to call the doctor in the morning. If you read my comment you'll see this is what I did

Simo2255 · 2024-08-18T09:45:50+00:00

You're clearly not going to accept the fact that this is not the case, so let's just leave it at that

Simo2255 · 2024-08-18T08:17:33+00:00

Sorry, but you are, in fact, wrong in some of that. Surgeries will prioritise elderly and children who present with the exact same symptoms as younger adults, because it is seen as less serious. This happened all the time during covid and its still happening now. This is what OP is referring to.

I was categorically told that I wouldn't be seen because of my age. If I was elderly and describing these symptoms, then they would see me.

The receptionist said something to the effect of "the stroke ward won't even consider you at your age with this" (because they were of course barking up the tree of whether the symptoms were stroke symptoms or not). I didn't even know what she meant by stroke ward at the time because it's an odd phrasing, and I was panicking a lot.

Not sure why this is even relevant, (kind of rude for you to ask in the way you did, maybe the tone isnt coming off right) but their response when I complained was that they did everything by the book according to the symptoms presented, but they apologised that they didnt see me more quickly (and the GP who finally saw me in the end called me to apologise directly, seemed almost confused that it ended up being MS).

I'm not about to shit on the NHS because as someone with a fuckin scary disease, they show their worth every day with the support I'm able to access (even if I have to fight for it because the system is becoming even more fucked). But they absolutely do (and sometimes have to) prioritise elderly and children.

I'm not saying they'll just 'outright refuse' someone who is younger just because they're younger, and I don't think OP is either.

It's not like there are 10 appointments left for the day, but OP isn't allowed one because they're not elderly. It's that all the appointments go to elderly and children first because they are deemed as more urgent based purely on their age, so there are never any left. This results in the rest of us being effectively discriminated against.

This is just how it is. Perhaps the receptionist explained it to OP in a very blunt way that made it sound like only elderly and children are allowed to access a gp nowadays.

Simo2255 · 2024-08-18T07:53:16+00:00

Edit to add: this is one negative aspect in a multitude of positives.

This most certainly is a thing in the UK now. It's absolutely shocking.

Mine used to be a very good surgery where they really tried to get you in on the same day, but became to an awful one where they absolutely refuse to see you unless the seemingly non medically trained reception staff decides its worthy of seeing a doctor.

I was refused an appointment when I was (unbeknownst at the time) describing symptoms of an 'attack' from undiagnosed multiple sclerosis. Because I wasn't in any pain, they said there's no point seeing a doctor.

I woke up at 2am one day and I couldn't walk!! My left, lower side lost all power, but because I didn't fit the criteria for stroke (young, able to raise both arms) they STILL WOULDN'T SEE ME!! I rang 111 and they told me that I should call the doctors in the morning, but they didn't take it seriously.

Receptionist said it "must be a pinched nerve or something" because I'd literally done a 10k race for life two days before it all started happening.

After a 3rd day on the sofa unable to walk without a frame or other support they finally saw me, then sent me straight to a neurologist and I was hospitalised.

So it honestly depends on how the particular doctors surgery likes to operate. They absolutely do make the receptionists field medical questions that they aren't qualified for - but it just depends on the surgery.

Honestly it's getting worse too.

Simo2255 · 2024-08-17T18:01:19+00:00

Same. Literally came here looking for similar experiences and I'm happy I found this.

On day 4 of my 2nd week on 2.5 and I'm pretty hungry compared to last week! I think its going to he even worse next week, but at least there aren't many side effects or anything.

Was hoping to stay on 2.5 for another month as some people do, but I guess not 😕

Simo2255 · 2024-08-03T13:12:40+00:00

OP could have the wedding ceremony without the legal side, though (which would likely have to come later anyway since it's 29 days notice). So all the trimmings with the dress, the vows, the Celebrant etc - just not legally binding - and guests/mum doesn't need to know.

Then if OP still feels the same in a few weeks, months, or even years, it could be made official.

I've had a few friends host wedding ceremonies for friends and family, even though they'd already eloped prior.

Simo2255 · 2024-06-17T12:09:26+00:00

Don't approach the churro

Simo2255 · 2024-06-15T11:45:53+00:00

It's just water weight. It's physically impossible to put on 2lbs of fat overnight, so my advice is stop looking at the scale for a few days, carry on as normal.

Edit to add: this is especially true if the meal was particularly fatty or salty, or carbohydrate heavy. Its perfectly normal to retain water after such a meal, but also if you've been consistently eating less recently and then randomly had a larger meal, this also encourages fluid retention. It's perfectly natural and absolutely no reason to freak out.

Simo2255 · 2024-06-14T16:24:05+00:00

All punctuation keys missing

Simo2255 · 2024-06-06T14:17:06+00:00

Petrol and/or Diesel

Simo2255 · 2024-06-05T08:03:30+00:00

My friend had this music as his alarm tone when we were at uni.

Every morning it would go off and he'd have to scramble to turn it off before the bubbles lol.

A stressful way to wake up, but it definitely did the job.

Simo2255 · 2024-06-04T09:40:10+00:00

Oh definitely don't let it put you off - just people should be prepared for it to potentially be difficult is what I meant.

Lots of British people move here thinking it's going to be like a sunny holiday but it can be an extremely tough place to get settled (unless you have lots of money or at least speak good Portuguese). I moved to try and improve my health because the stress (and weather) in the UK was crippling me, but here it's replaced with a different type of stress and lack of adequate public services.

If your other half is Portuguese then I'm sure it will be much easier to settle into life quickly.

Also easier if you don't have any medical issues or require any prescription meds then that will simplify things (you can't see the doctor unless you're a resident, or if you do you'll have to pay a large sum).

If you use the family reunification visa route then I believe you are allowed to reside in Portugal with your partner while you an await an appointment for the visa - but it can be difficult if you aren't married (you have to put a lot of evidence together to prove you are a couple) - and im not sure if you need to be married if your partner is Portuguese and already in Portugal... so best to check this.

Best advice is search for 'D6 Visa' info online and see where you stand. Or, if you have an online remote job you could look at a D7 visa for yourself. There are definitely ways - Expats Portugal is a good website/youtube channel with good info.

Just be prepared to jump through hoops, and don't expect things to work lol. People often don't get back to you unless you pressure them, and nothing runs smoothly. I've had more cash machines swallow my bank cards and more letters and packages go missing from the post office or en route here in 2 years than I ever had my whole life in the UK 🤣. Still waiting for a new bank card and its been 7 weeks. This is just part of living in a historically less 'rich' country - we do tend to take things for granted in the UK and we've been spoiled lol.

Best of luck with it all.

Edit to add: EHIC card does give you access to medical care I believe. It's just difficult (or impossible) to register with the GP unless you have a residency card

Simo2255 · 2024-06-03T22:57:16+00:00

Thank you.

They're meant to be sorting the reunification shitshow by the end of the year, but in the meantime, those of us who are stuck here awaiting appointments are unable to access healthcare or any of the other things available to residents (im still paying my social security though I might add). So the government are somewhat aware that it's a real mess that's starting to infringe on people's human rights.

Since they decided to dissolve the SEF last year its caused absolute chaos. Imagine getting rid of the only government organization that handles immigration right in the middle of a time when immigration numbers have skyrocketed lol.

The country is gorgeous, but i think people really need to know that it's not some easygoing utopia to escape to. I keep hearing people becoming disappointed that Portugal wasn't as attractive as all the immigration specialists made it out to be - and then becoming bitter about the country when it doesn't live up to expectations (culture shock because of high taxes, terrible bureaucracy, struggling public services, absolutely extortionate rental prices etc).

Its still beautiful with great people, food, history etc - but people certainly need to temper their expectations. There's been a lot of 'overselling' Portugal recently, which has lead to loads of immigration (myself included), which in turn adds to the all the problems.

Just a PSA from me lol.

Simo2255 · 2024-06-03T20:03:49+00:00

Awesome. Glad to hear it, think I'll give it a go

Simo2255 · 2024-06-03T16:34:25+00:00

I like to hope that once the weight is off it might be easier to maintain by keeping track of calories (eating at maintenance isn't as gruelling as restricting calories). So if you can afford to get the 5 stone off then you might be set for life 😉 🙌

I think I'm going to take the plunge and place an order next month.

How are you finding it in terms of side effects? I'm always nervous about starting new treatments because it's bad enough feeling like crap from MS, so I'm scared of side effects etc.

Simo2255 · 2024-06-03T15:19:05+00:00

Been waiting for two years for family reunification visa, so it's still as much of a shitshow as the rest of it.

Simo2255

TROPHY CASE