By WILL MILLIGAN

IN THE middle of the last century, our medical professionals were ill equipped and did not have the technologies to accurately assess inherited medical conditions, as they are today.

As I was born in Far North Queensland with some sort of digestive disorder, doctors initially diagnosed Celiac disease as the issue and I lived on a gluten-free diet.

Some 40 years later, as I had progressively experienced increasingly severe effects of the disorder, I was professionally diagnosed as not having Celiac disease and nothing could be done to cure the disorder.

Three Gastroenterologists later and a lifetime of trying every diet in the book, and carrying far too much weight for a decaying spine, I made the decision to be treated with weight management injections.

Without any doubt, this treatment has had very positive effects as I have now lost about 23kg since September 2024 with 5kg to go.

My heart and blood statistics, spinal and joint pain, fitness and general well-being have all optimistically improved.

Officially, according to the Heart Foundation’s website, I am no-longer obese, just overweight.

So why am I writing this story?

There are two reasons.

Firstly, because Wendy Creighton from this newspaper asked me to write a story about myself, of which I have unsuccessfully attempted three times, as they all sounded like my obituary.

Secondly, to let anyone intending to try the same treatment know that it is not for the faint hearted and takes a lot of commitment to continue.

You will spend a lot of days being quite ill or on the toilet, or both, there will be days that tensions in the household will sour as perfectly healthy meals have been prepared and you can’t enjoy them.

You can also expect months when you don’t seem to be losing any weight and other months when the weight just falls off you.

Then there is the cost, with the top level costing something like $700, each month.

Your biggest benefit will be your heightened level of self esteem, as peers will praise your achievement, with others bringing you back down to earth, or make you smile with their support.

At a time when I was quite ill, not losing much weight and concerned about the increased costs of the treatment.

I will always remember my local pharmacy assistant saying: “You will definitely lose weight now, as you will not be able to afford to eat”.

I have enjoyed writing a few stories for this newspaper over the years, taking a break in 2023 for open heart surgery and three lots of spinal surgery, however I would like to hear some feedback from readers if they would like me to continue or on what subjects they would like to hear my experiences on.