Bride felt she was ‘going to die’ after injecting ‘skinny jab’ in bid to fit into wedding dress

A bride who resorted to 'skinny jabs' bought off the internet in a bid to squeeze into her wedding dress was hospitalised when she 'thought she was going to die'. Vikki Ryan felt determined to squeeze into her wedding dress before her fitting appointment in February. The mum-of-two, who lives in Hartlepool, Durham, was adamant about shedding a few pounds before trying on the frock - and decided to order the viral 'skinny jab' bought online.

The family of drugs known as GLP-1 RAs, originally developed to treat diabetes, are now often being used for weight loss as they were found to suppress a patient's appetite. The 38-year-old had used the injectables a handful of times since 2020 - claiming to lose a stone-and-a-half in three weeks thanks to the jab's 'appetite-suppressing' effects. However, after placing an order in November, the salon owner had a concerning reaction to one of the jabs which left her feeling like she was 'dying'.

The mum was vomiting every half an hour for 30 hours before seeking hospital treatment - and still admits to feeling nauseous now ten days after taking the jab. Vikki said: "I wouldn't say I've ever been massively overweight, but as women we're always unhappy with the way we look. "I was told about the 'skinny jab' and knew about people who had lost a lot of weight from it.

I managed to get hold of a pen because I wanted to lose a stone. It was after lockdown and I'd gained some weight. "I managed to lose a stone and a half in three weeks.

I barely ate, I was only managing a couple of mouthfuls. Six months ago I decided I wanted to use it again and ordered a batch online. I again lost a bit of weight then I decided to do another order about four weeks ago.

"I'm getting married next year and wanted to lose some pounds before my dress is ready to try on in February. It's the pressure to lose the weight for trying on my dress. I'm not getting married until September but didn't want to try on my dress in February and be too big for it."

On Sunday, December 10, Vikki injected one of the jabs - which cost GBP45 for a month's supply - and decided to up her dosage after failing to feel the effects. However, within an hour, the mum began feeling noticeably unwell.

Vikki said: "I went to my mam's that evening for dinner and managed to eat a tiny bit when I started feeling ill. I went upstairs and was projectile vomiting.

I went home and was sick again. I went to sleep for a few hours and just kept projectile vomiting. "From that night I was sick every half an hour for the next 30 hours.

I got to like 31 hours of being continuously sick, I couldn't go to the toilet to pass urine, I felt terrible. "I felt like I was going to die at one point. I rang 111 and they suggested sending me an ambulance.

I got my mum to bring me and saw a nurse who said you're going to be waiting for at least seven hours to see a consultant. "She didn't think they'd be able to give me anything to reverse the effects and to come back if I wasn't any better in 48 hours. I was sick a few more times and took an anti-sickness tablet which helped.

"I'm on day 11 now and still don't feel right. I still can't eat anything and feel sick all the time. I feel dehydrated constantly.

I'm always thirsty. I only eat once a day because everything makes me feel ill." Weeks after taking the jab, Vikki said she feels 'disgusted' she injected an unknown product into her body - and now urges others to refrain from making the same mistake.

Vikki said: "Now I think why did I inject a drug I ordered off the internet into my own body? I didn't even really know what was in it. "I feel disgusted with myself.

I'll never do it again. I would never do this ever again. The thought of it makes me feel sick.

I've definitely learnt my lesson. It's my own fault. "I hope other people will realise the dangers of this too.

I say to everyone now 'don't do it'. It's scary what it can do to you. I'll never order anything like this again.

I'll never touch another 'skinny jab' again in my life."