Secret diary of a yo-yo dieter on a weight loss drug trial…
Anna-Louise Dearden | Last update: 30th August 2025
Not everyone can access GLP-1s on the NHS – and going private isn’t always the right fit either. But there is another way: clinical trials. They’re how new weight-loss medications are tested, and they give ordinary people the chance to try the very latest treatments under expert medical supervision (often free of charge).
In our brand-new column, one SlimrChat community member (and life-long dieter) shares her honest, behind-the-scenes journey of joining a UK clinical trial for a new weight-loss jab. From the application process to the first injection and beyond, she takes us with her every step of the way…
Week one & two:
After being on a diet for 40 years, and trying them all I am done, fed up and just want to be healthy!
Hearing all about the weight loss jabs, the lure of a magic injection to cut out the food noise is enticing, to say the least. I had a look at online sites but wasn’t convinced of the service – I am not concerned about the safety, these drugs have been thoroughly tested and been around for years. It’s more the care and support that was lacking. Although I am obese, I am completely healthy so don’t fit the criteria for the jabs via the NHS, so I thought, what about a clinical trial? Using the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research platform, www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk, I discovered a trial for a new weight loss jab and the centre conducting the trial wasn’t far from me; Bingo!
Screening visit
I started my journey on July 11 attending a screening visit, and discovered I was the heaviest I had ever been. I also had a thorough MOT including blood tests, ECG, and blood pressure. The trial was to compare three doses of a new drug with placebo, so there was a chance I wouldn’t get the drug, but would still receive the support of a one-to-one nutritionist, regardless of which treatment option. I left the visit feeling optimistic and a little more confident that I was taking control of my health. Many people think losing weight is about what you look like and in my younger days I would have agreed. But whilst that is a bonus, it is more about my health now and I have noticed how I just can’t do the things I used to as quickly or without getting short of breath!
Placebo or not?
My next visit was scheduled for July 28, where I would be randomised into the trial if all of my blood tests were normal. Thankfully, everything was good and I was randomized into the study. I was blinded, so I didn’t know if I was having the active treatment or not. I left the clinic after having the injection with a welcome bonus of not just having my travel expenses paid, but a small inconvenience payment too. Despite what treatment I get, it feels like being on a trial is a win!
Lack of appetite already
I drove home and within an hour of returning, I felt overwhelmingly tired and had a short nap. I have lots of reading materials from the trial, advice regarding food and fluid intake, advice on exercise, diaries to complete and a gift of a water bottle and gym towel. I ate a fairly healthy dinner, concentrating on following the advice as I would on commencing any other diet and slept quite well that night.
On waking the next day, it became quite apparent that already, I didn’t feel the urge to eat as I normally would, and throughout the coming week, I noticed a distinct lack of appetite! I didn’t have any nausea or vomiting, but did have a ‘gnawing’ feeling in my stomach – not dissimilar to a feeling of hunger, but it doesn’t leave on eating. I did experience some heartburn, which was managed by an antacid, and the gnawing feeling went after the first week.
Not eating enough?!
I started the second week with my first appointment with the nutritionist, going through my history, habits and food likes and dislikes. She told me I wasn’t eating enough – first time I have ever heard that whilst trying to lose weight! We made a plan to meet again, after my second injection. I attended my second appointment on August 11. This drug is administered every two weeks initially whilst escalating the dose for tolerance, and will be every month following the first eight weeks.
Could this really be my last diet ever
The trial will last for two years, and that first ‘weigh in’ told me it was going to be worth it – I lost just over 9lbs without ever feeling deprived or hungry. When I had my second injection I was on my way to feeling a little bit of joy…After a life-time of thinking about food and constantly worrying about my weight, could this really be my last ever diet?
Keep your eyes peeled for the next instalment of – Secret diary of a yo-yo dieter on a weight loss drug trial…