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Norwegian woman turns life around with revolutionary obesity treatment, advocates for wider access

Wednesday 17th 2024 on 05:08 in  
Norway

Louise Henriette Thorsberg (44) from Skien, Norway, recalls her life two years ago when she weighed 175 kilos and regularly missed appointments with friends and family due to her weight. She felt depressed and desperate and constantly worried about her weight.

Thorsberg did not always struggle with her weight. In her twenties, she worked as an ambulance driver, was physically active, and exercised frequently. However, after a car accident that resulted in a knee injury, she had to give up her job as it was physically demanding. She retrained as a nurse and continued to work hard, but eventually her physical and mental health deteriorated. She was diagnosed with bipolar type 2, anxiety, and depression, leading to disability and the end of her relationship.

Eventually, Thorsberg heard about Ozempic, a medication used for weight reduction, and proposed it to her doctor. After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, she met the criteria to receive the medication. The effect was immediate. She experienced a reduced appetite and in the first eight months, she lost 50 kilos.

The new medications are described as a revolution in obesity treatment. A weekly injection in the stomach reduces hunger, increases satiety, and curbs cravings for sweets. In 2023, over 175,000 people in Norway were prescribed at least one of the medications Saxenda, Ozempic, or Wegovy.

The Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk produces all these medications. Last week, the company sent an application to Norwegian health authorities proposing that more patients should receive Wegovy.

Thorsberg believes more people with morbid obesity should have their costs for Wegovy covered. She now enjoys a better life: she exercises four times a week, spends more time with her family, and goes on trips. She is looking forward to visiting a friend in Bodø and going on a camper trip with her father.