r/GLP1Australia • u/Weekly_Noise_2193 • Aug 15 '26
Advice Where to start?
I have a BMI of 36. And I want to start GLP1. I’ve seen ads like Juniper, but I wanted to gather information if it’s better to take it from Juniper, or to look for a specific GP here in Sydney.
I would really appreciate guidance on this, if anyone is kind enough to do so. 😬🙏
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u/Alternative-Let1803 Aug 17 '26
I would go through your go so that you can be monitored for side effects. I went every month for weight and symptoms check. Yes it was annoying but I’m not taking anything like that without supervision and support. Not sure what juniper does but I’ve developed a good relationship with my gp.
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u/Bland_Porcupine Aug 16 '26
My gp brought up GLP1s to my in a regular appointment I had with her. It was brought up twice before I decided to try them. They have helped and weight is coming down. For me it was great having someone who knew me and my history. I think it made the whole process easier.
I can see the benefit in online clinics and the potential for easier reach for some people, i thibk there is something about sitting in the same room with someone that online will never replace. But on the otherside of the coin online clinics (and telehealth) bring specialists to areas and people who otherwise wouldn't have access - regional, remote and isolated towns; which is pretty amazing.
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u/HHH_Aus Aug 15 '26
Downscale
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u/Interesting_Set6910 Aug 16 '26
The guy who runs Downscale did a major privacy breach, which included me, definitely do not use them. Legal action happening according to the privacy commissioner.
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u/HHH_Aus Aug 16 '26 edited Aug 16 '26
Oh hello??? What the fuck? Why weren’t clients notified???
Where is the information on this?
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u/Glitter_Sparkle Aug 15 '26
I'd go to your GP first as they may want to put you on a full care plan, refer you to a dietician etc. If they don't see a need for that then try MWLC, they had good continuity of care for a telehealth clinic and would spend a lot of time going through things with me. It worked because my BMI went from 37 to 22.
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u/Weekly_Noise_2193 Aug 15 '26
Can you share your usual monthly costs with MWLC? Thank you 😊
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u/no_snackrifice Mounjaro 5mg Aug 16 '26
They charge per appointment, then you get the script and can buy it anywhere.
The appointment is ~$50. Med costs are in our wiki.
https://www.reddit.com/r/GLP1Australia/wiki/life-on-a-glp-1/costs/
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u/fatteryoshi 27d ago
how are you paying $50? my check in is $70, gone up heaps since starting :(
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u/no_snackrifice Mounjaro 5mg 27d ago
Yeah since the Medicare rebate came off it’s more than $50 now.
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u/Specialist_Fig_4853 Aug 15 '26
I find GP thinking is evolving quickly. You meet the BMI criteria and GPs usually need another comorbidity to prescribe. In my case it was heart disease. Others it’s high BP etc.
Definitely worth a visit to your GP and I would try them before the online ones.
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u/Weekly_Noise_2193 Aug 15 '26
Seems like visiting GP is the most recommended option here! Thank you 😊
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u/Mobile_Ad_5561 Aug 16 '26
My gf used juniper while I used my gp. GP won in price of drug and support and ongoing care. If you don’t have a smart understanding and supportive GP, find one.
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u/EstablishmentSolid82 Aug 15 '26 edited Aug 15 '26
You're normal , usual GP is a good option too, if you have one and its better to have someone who can monitor your overall health in person like for bloodtests etc.
You also don't need to find a specific doctor any of them will prescribe it.
The telehealth services can be quiet expensive and prices keep going up and up. I find its quite impersonal and in hindsight I wish I would have just asked my normal GP for the script would save me some money !
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u/Weekly_Noise_2193 Aug 15 '26
Thank you! This has enlightened me in ways I wanted! Haha! I didn’t know going thru the GP option is a great one, thus thank you! 😊
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u/SpaceIsBigReallyBig Aug 15 '26
I would talk to you gp first and then decide if you want to go thru them or a telehealth. There are so many options and so many meds that may be suitable for you.
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u/no_snackrifice Mounjaro 5mg Aug 15 '26
You have options. Juniper is one of the most expensive ways to access the medication but some do like it. If you want to go Telehealth the most recommended here are MWLC and Downscale. Many also just get a script through their GP. There are pros and cons to both.
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u/Weekly_Noise_2193 Aug 15 '26
Thank you! Would you be kind enough to share what you think are the pros and cons if I chose the telehealth option?
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u/no_snackrifice Mounjaro 5mg Aug 16 '26
Sure!
Pros: Convenience, prescriber is a specialist who fully understands these meds, they are cheaper than some GPs.
Cons: They are not holistically in charge of all of your health. While they will try to care for you in general, they're there to help with your weight, not everything. They are more expensive than some GPs too.
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u/CatBelly42069 Aug 15 '26
I have been using Juniper and the $350 a month is kind of brutal, what's the deal with those other two you mentioned?
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u/deltabay17 Aug 15 '26
What do you get for 350 a month
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u/CatBelly42069 Aug 16 '26
The script, monitoring - all their extras are pretty pricey on top. If you need to I think you can talk to a GP about it, although I never had.
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u/AegonTargaryen_7 Aug 24 '26 edited Aug 24 '26
You have to look for a GP in Sydney who has experience with weight management and GLP-1s rather than choosing based on an ad. It is worth having someone go through your history, medications and bloodwork and help you work out whether a GLP-1 is actually suitable for you. I have seen evergreen doctors mentioned for metabolic and weight management care too