TAMMY Downing got more than she bargained for in her desperate quest to lose weight.
She woke up in hospital, told by her traumatised family that she’d collapsed at home, had to be resuscitated and “almost died twice”.
Tammy Downing woke up in hospital after mixing alcohol with her fat jab after collapsing at homeCredit: SWNS
Tammy was desperate to shed the pounds after reaching 16 stone despite exercisingCredit: SWNS
Doctors later said the pharmacy dispenser’s brush with death was likely caused by the mixed with .
While there is no strict advice against mixing with alcohol, experts recommend moderation as it can make side effects worse.
Otherwise-healthy Tammy, 44, now says she’d “rather be overweight” than risk using again.
Tammy lost four stone on before in September last year.
She started the jab in April 2025 as a “last resort” after she had reached 16 stone, despite teaching two Zumba classes a week and trying and calorie-counting without success.
Mounjaro worked well for her – she only experienced minor like nausea and sulphur burps – but chose to switch to Wegovy, which is cheaper, when Eli Lilly increased the price of the jab.
But two weeks after starting a weekly 1.7mg dose, her life flashed before her eyes.
She had a massive seizure after having a “couple of Bourbon Ginger Beers” with her partner Nicole Mestre, 47.
Her breathing stopped and her brother-in-law jumped into action, giving CPR in front of her terrified children, Joseph, 15 and nine-year-old Millie.
At Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, she needed CPR twice – which is required when someone stops breathing, either due to cardiac arrest or in Tammy’s case, respiratory distress.
“I’d only had a couple of shots of bourbon and I had a seizure about half an hour later,” says Tammy.
“During that, I stopped breathing and my brother-in-law had to perform CPR on me for five minutes.
“I was blue-lighted to hospital and needed CPR again because I stopped breathing again while the paramedics were checking me in.
“I don’t remember it at all. The only thing I remember is waking up in hospital with a tube down my throat.”
Tammy had a massive seizure after having drinking a few shots of bourbon with her partnerCredit: Getty
Tammy’s breathing stopped and her brother-in-law jumped into action, giving CPR in front of her terrified childrenCredit: SWNS
Tammy suffered – when the blood is not oxygenated enough because the lungs are failing or are injured.
It can be caused by lung diseases like or COPD, injury to the chest or lungs, or drug overdoses.
Tammy says: “I felt absolutely terrible when I woke up. I was very, very confused as to why I was in hospital. I couldn’t even tell you who the prime minister was or the day of the week.
“My partner was right next to me in absolute tears. She now has PSTD over it. My children were in the house (when it happened) as well, so it was traumatic for them.”
Despite ECG, EEG and MRI scans, doctors were unable to find a cause for the scare.
Since Tammy had never had a seizure before, they concluded that it was probably caused by mixing Wegovy and alcohol.
Still keen to lose weight, Tammy resumed Mounjaro but was soon hit with fresh health issues.
She said: “Even though what I had just been through was terrifying, I was that desperate to lose weight that I went back on Mounjaro.
“Now I regret it because not only did I nearly die twice, but I’ve also lost a gallbladder because of it.”
My partner was right next to me in absolute tears. She now has PSTD over it. My children were in the house (when it happened) as well, so it was traumatic for them
(infection of the gallbladder) is an uncommon side effect that may affect up to one in 100 people, Mounjaro maker Eli Lilly says.
Tammy says: “I was really ill over Christmas and I was back in hospital on Christmas Day because of excruciating stomach pains.
“They thought it was appendicitis but after an ultrasound scan and another MRI scan, they found out it was my gallbladder.”
Tammy had the surgery to within a week and medics later told her the illness was likely a Mounjaro side effect.
She has now stopped taking the jabs completely and plans to focus on “eating sensibly” and exercising.
So far, she has maintained the weight loss from the period she was on Mounjaro and sits at just over 12 stone.
“I’m still trying to lose as much as I can, but I’m definitely not using the jabs”, she continued.
“I’d rather be overweight than use those jabs again.
“It’s not worth risking your life or losing an organ over it.
“I know these jabs work for some people but there are so many people saying they’ve had pancreatitis and gallbladder issues.
“I don’t want people to make the same mistake I did.”
Tammy started with a weekly 1.7mg dose of Wegovy before her llife flashed before her eyesCredit: Reuters
Tammy, 44, now says she’d ‘rather be overweight’ than risk using weight loss jabs againCredit: SWNS The potential harms of fat jabs - death, organs rotting and 'eye stroke'
There are side effects of weight loss jabs (GLP-1 medicines) that should always be considered when debating using them.
While nausea, diarrhoea and constipation are by far the most commonly reported, organ decay, fatal neurological disorders, suicidal thoughts and blindness are some of the more troubling.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency collects reports of side effects through its Yellow Card Scheme.
Gallstones are listed as a common side effect of the jabs and the UK’s official medical licensing body said it was kept under “continual review”.
Specialist doctors have called for research into a sharp rise in gallbladder removals. The number of gallbladder surgeries recorded by NHS England in 2024-25 was at its highest level in the past decade.
Meanwhile, the MHRA warned in Febuary 2026 that GLP-1 injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy could increase the risk of pancreatitis.
But it said severe cases – where the pancreas can rot and die – are rare.
There have been 874 reports of acute and chronic pancreatitis reported by those on Mounjaro, and 252 from those on Wegovy.
The injections may also increase the risk of a rare but devastating condition known as non-arteritic ischaemic anterior optic neuropathy, or NAION, often described as an “eye stroke”, the MHRA said.
The condition strikes when blood flow to the optic nerve is suddenly cut off, starving it of oxygen.
It came after some 729 reports of eye disorders, including blindness and blurred vision.
None of these cases prove the jabs cause these conditions, only that they have been flagged as possible links.
As of early 2026, data reported to the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme suggest approximately 168 deaths potentially linked to the drugs.
Asked of the risks of mixing alcohol and weight loss jabs, Kiran Jones, Clinical Pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, tells Sun Health: “While there is no direct advisory not to drink alcohol while on Wegovy, that doesn’t mean that the two mix.
“Many of the effects of alcohol are similar to the side effects of Wegovy, and they both can reduce your blood sugar and cause you to be more dehydrated than usual. And if you’re eating less, drinking on an empty stomach may also trigger gastric irritation over time.
“Every person is different, and reactions may differ due to a combination of genetic, biological, and lifestyle factors.
“That’s why it’s also important to always buy weight loss medications from reputable sources and follow medical advice.
“There are alarming numbers of people buying them on the black market at the moment, but prescription medications should only be supplied by licensed medical professionals and regulated pharmacies. This way, they can assess your suitability for them, discuss any symptoms that may occur, advise you on the best ways to use them, and investigate any potential negative reactions – possibly even passing along to manufacturers so they can update safety information for future users.”
A spokesman for Wegovy manufacturer Novo Nordisk said: “Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. Like all medications, side effects can occur and vary from patient to patient. The known risks and benefits of GLP1 medicines are described in the Summary of Product Characteristics.
“We recommend that patients take these medications only for their approved indications and under the strict supervision of a healthcare professional, who can also advise on potential side effects.
“We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety.
“The benefit-risk profile of our GLP-1 medicines remains positive, and we welcome any new research that will improve our understanding of treatments for people living with chronic diseases.”
A spokeswoman for Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company said: “Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority and we actively monitor, evaluate, and report safety information for all our medicines to the MHRA.
“The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Patient Information Leaflet warns that stomach (abdominal) pain is a very common side effect (may affect more than one in 10 people) and cholecystitis (infection of the gallbladder) is an uncommon side effect (may affect up to one in 100 people).
“Anyone experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine should consult their doctor or other healthcare professional, and should ensure that they are getting genuine Lilly medicine.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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