Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace has recently opened up about her terrifying encounter with black market weight-loss drugs, warning of the dangers of taking dangerous shortcuts to address excess weight.
The former Big Brother contestant opened up about a wave of grief and stress that took her to her 30s, as well as her search for unorthodox ways to lose the extra weight — a step that almost cost her life.
After experiencing major personal loss, she was stuck in a rut of emotional eating and a sedentary lifestyle, and it caused her to pack on pounds as quickly as she could say, “Stop”— if only she would. Desperate to reel everything back in, she sought weight loss medication from unregulated markets.
At first, things were looking good, with her noticing fewer cravings, more energy, and a huge amount of weight loss, bringing her down a dress size in just a couple of months.
But the benefits proved temporary. A few months after starting the medication, she started experiencing serious side effects that left her bedridden. Extreme nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea followed, and she could hardly function. Even more frightening, her vision began to blur until she could not see clearly or use her phone.
Her symptoms were so severe that she feared for her life, but shame and guilt prevented her from seeking medical help right away. As her condition gradually improved with the aid of a friend, she considered the risks she had taken by valuing weight loss over her health.
Her experience is a lesson in the dangers of unregulated substances and the need for people to consult with health care professionals before making decisions about their health and well-being.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.