Health3 min(s) read
Published 15:23 28 Apr 2026 GMT
A woman described by her doctor as obese began taking weight loss drugs that led to the scariest moment of her life while on a cruise holiday.
Lynn Carratt, 44, was diagnosed with fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome, which can cause high blood pressure and high blood sugar, all leading to cardiovascular issues further down the line.
The mother-of-one decided that using the GLP-1 drug Mounjaro was a good idea to help her lose some weight and deter further health issues.
However, things quickly became dangerous when, on a cruise holiday with her husband and young daughter, Caratt began getting pain in her lower abdomen.
She told the Daily Mail that initially she thought nothing of the pain that started after she switched to a lower dose of Mounjaro, as she thought it could be a symptom of her irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Carratt said: "Having continued to ignore the niggling discomfort, we were a week into our three-week trip when I woke in the night in so much pain, in my chest and abdomen, I thought I was having a heart attack.
"Clutching my torso, I told my husband there must be something seriously wrong and that I was going to get checked out at the medical centre.
"The doctor examined me and, hearing my screams when she pressed my abdomen, said: ‘Oh, I think you’ve got an inflamed gallbladder.'"
Obviously, the mom was concerned about the consequences of an inflamed gallbladder, which can prove fatal if it ruptures, but she managed to get pain relief from the doctor on board the ship.
However, upon her return to the UK, she discovered that while the medication had eased her symptoms, the walls of her gallbladder were still larger than expected.
Carratt explained: "My consultant told me that, while he couldn’t say with absolute certainty, he thinks it’s ‘likely’ taking Mounjaro caused my gallbladder to become inflamed."
She opted against having surgery as the MRI scan gave her a positive update, although it may be necessary in the future.
A spokesman for Eli Lilly, the producers of Mounjaro, 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 cholecystitis (infection of the gallbladder) is an uncommon side effect, which 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."
