Mounjaro warning over common prescription mistake that puts thousands of Brits ‘at risk of deadly organ failure'
Branded the 'King Kong' of weight loss injections, Mounjaro can now be prescribed by GPs on the NHS.
Advertisement
2
As millions of Brits turn to fat jabs to shed pounds, one nurse has warned those taking Mounjaro - the strongest of the jabs - that a common mistake could lead to deadly complications
Credit: Alamy
But while more than three million Brits are thought to be eligible to take tirzepatide - the active drug in Mounjaro - only around 220,000 people are likely to get them prescribed on the NHS by 2028.
With demand soaring for the 'miracle' drugs that health chiefs hope will turn the tide on England's obesity crisis, thousands of Brits have opted to pay for the jabs privately.
Like all medications the weight loss jabs come with the risk of side-effects, ranging from milder symptoms like nausea, diarrhoea and constipation to more severe complications.
Among the most dangerous is the potentially life-threatening condition,
Advertisement
Read more in Health
Rachael Joy, nurse and chief clinical officer at SheMed, a private healthcare provider, told the
"These blood tests help identify any underlying health issues that need to be managed before a patient starts the programme, or if the treatment is entirely unsuitable."
Blood tests can screen for a host of health issues including thyroid problems, uncontrolled pre-diabetes, and high levels of harmful fats called triglycerides in the blood.
These come from foods, including butter, oil and fats, certain levels of these fats are needed for good health but high levels increase the risk of
Advertisement
Most read in Health
If someone has really high levels of these fats they may be at risk of pancreatitis, Ms Joy warns.
Pancreatitis is an
I went on fat jabs but the hair loss was unbelievable so I quit - I'd rather be chubby with hair than skinny and bald
There is a relatively high survival rate for pancreatitis but it can trigger organ failure.
In a few cases of severe acute
Advertisement
This in turn can cause a deadly sepsis infection and cause other organs to fail.
Severe acute
Officials are now looking into whether jab users affected by pancreatitis have a genetic trait that leaves them at greater risk of side-effects.
2
Mounjaro, dubbed the King Kong of weight loss injections, could trigger pancreatitis. Nurse Rachel Joy has warned without regular blood tests to check for the condition, people could be at risk
Credit: Alamy
Advertisement
Ms Joy has said this could be flagged by a simple blood test.
She is urging
SheMed have made blood tests a mandatory part of their programme before prescribing the revolutionary jab.
The
Advertisement
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it received more than 560 reports of people developing an inflamed pancreas after taking so-called
The MHRA is now asking for users who are admitted to hospital with pancreatitis to report the
Healthcare staff can also report the side-effect on a patient's behalf, which involves providing further information and submitting a saliva sample.
Researchers hope this will enable doctors to use rapid genetic screening tests before prescribing drugs.
Advertisement
It is predicted that adverse drug reactions could cost the NHS more than £2.2 billion a year in hospital stays alone.
Most side effects linked to the Mounjaro are gastrointestinal including nausea, constipation and diarrhoea.
But Ms Joy has warned that the weight loss jab can also cause severe dehydration, especially in people with diabetes.
It can cause headaches and dizziness and if not treated quickly can lead to seizures and kidney failure and even be fatal.
Advertisement
What is pancreatitis?
INFLAMMATION in the stomach area could lead to the discovery of one of several different illnesses, such as pancreatitis.
Many people worldwide experience the symptoms associated with pancreatitis, here's a look at how to identify the unfortunate
Acute pancreatitis means severe inflammation of the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach that helps with digestion.
The most common causes are gallstones and heavy drinking.
Acute pancreatitis means that the information eventually disappears, while chronic pancreatitis is permanent.
About four in 100,000 people suffer from acute pancreatitis each year in Britain.
According to a
The main symptom of acute pancreatitis is abdominal pain, which builds up over the course of a few hours and can last for several days.
Patients with pancreatitis may find themselves vomiting or generally feeling unwell.
Some report swollen abdomens which are often associated with a high fever.
The condition can become life-threatening if the pancreas swells enough to press on other organs - often the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
To combat the condition of pancreatitis, there are several methods that medical professionals use to treat it.
Antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and pain medication are a few of the approaches experts utilize to fight the condition.
If a gallstone is present, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography might be required.
If the condition is chronic, a nasogastric tube may be placed in the stomach.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
13 symptoms of super-contagious ‘Frankenstein' Covid-19 variant as cases rise in Ireland
IRISH people are being warned about a new strain of Covid-19 as cases rise in the country. The two new strains of the coronavirus, including a "super-contagious Frankenstein" variant, are rapidly spreading across Ireland and the 1 The new Covid-19 strains are rapidly spreading across Ireland and the UK Credit: Alamy The XFG variant, known as Stratus, is now the dominant strain in England, according to the data issued by the UK And the strain now accounts for 10 per cent of weekly cases in Ireland, according to new data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre recently reported 461 cases and 173 The new Stratus is understood to be more infectious than the previous READ MORE ON COVID-19 This can be seen in the UK Covid-19 cases, as it jumped from 10 per cent to almost 40 per cent three weeks later in the middle of June. The new strain is a descendant of the already extremely virulent Omicron and is referred to as a "recombinant" or Frankenstein strain. This indicates that it first appeared as a new hybrid variation after an individual contracted two Covid-19 strains simultaneously. However, there is currently no evidence that Stratus causes more severe illness, and science shows that getting a Covid-19 vaccine is "very likely" to offer protection from severe illness and hospitalisation, according to Mr Young. Most read in Health Trump signs exec order BANNING virus research feared to have sparked Covid Speaking to the "This could lead to a new wave of infection but it's difficult to predict the extent of this wave." Last month, the SIGNS TO WATCH FOR The symptoms of the variant are similar to other strains of the virus. It includes shortness of breath, feeling ill or being sick, a loss or change to their smell or taste and a loss of appetite. Some infections may show symptoms, such as nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, sore throat, headache, muscle or joint pain, skin rash, diarrhoea, chills, or dizziness. If you are currently experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 and feeling unwell, you are urged to stay at home until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone. Avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from Covid-19. People are urged to call 112 or 999 if they are very short of breath and cannot complete a sentence.
The Irish Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
The truth behind a dramatic rise in autism – and why it could be catastrophic, says Dr Rebecca Ker
IF you've spent any time on social media, you'll likely have come across videos titled 'the signs you're autistic' and 'why autism is to blame' for any number of behaviours or personality traits. This content has become so prolific it's pushed thousands of people to seek an official diagnosis. But is autism really becoming more common, and if so, is TikTok the only factor Advertisement 3 Dr Rebecca Ker, a psychologist who specialises in neurodivergent people and their families, reveals why the rise in autism diagnoses could be catastrophic Credit: Dr Rebecca Ker About 700,000 people in the UK are thought to have But influencers might have you assuming that number is far higher. There are now 3.2million posts about autism on TikTok alone. Many of these are inaccurate, but it is true that diagnoses are on the rise. Advertisement Rates are up 787 per cent in England from 1998 to 2018, and experts warn the NHS is 'overwhelmed' by the influx. Here, Dr Rebecca Ker, a psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and co-founder of EARLIER this year, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr promised a 'massive' research effort involving hundreds of scientists to get to the bottom of what he calls an autism 'epidemic'. Yet after more than 15 years working with autistic children, adults and families, the only epidemic I can see is one of fear-mongering and stigma. We've not suddenly 'caught' Advertisement Yes, autism rates have increased hugely - by 787 per cent in England over the past 20 years. Simple 10-question test that can help determine if you have autism When autism was first discussed in the 1940s, it was thought to affect one in every 2,500 people. Today, research suggests it could be more like one in 30. The reality is, that rise is down to our greater awareness and understanding of the condition and a broadening of the diagnostic criteria we use to define it. For starters, we're better at realising the nuances and subtleties of the condition and the That greater understanding has also been informed by the autistic community themselves. Advertisement There are some brilliant brains out there, advocating, educating, and finally being heard in a way they never were in the 1950s. We meet lots of parents bringing their children to clinics who are beginning to realise they might be autistic too. Often they grew up with a very different understanding of what autism is. THE NEW DEFINITION Secondly, when the DSM-5 - the guidebook psychologists use to classify conditions - was updated in 2013, it removed Autism spectrum disorder is currently defined as 'persistent difficulties with social communication, social interaction, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour (including sensory difficulties), and it has to be present from early childhood to the extent that these limit and impair everyday functioning'. Advertisement The criteria is broad. For example 'restrictive and repetitive behaviours' could look like lots of things, from rocking, hand-flapping and skin-picking to sticking to a strict routine or eating the same food every evening. For one person, difficulties with social communication might look like difficulties with picking up on the social cues of the person they are speaking to. For another person, it might mean being completely non-verbal. Autistic minds often thrive on sameness, predictability and routine. They have a real need for sameness. But here's the problem. While understanding has moved on, support systems are struggling to keep up. The latest NHS England figures, covering the period ending March 2025, show the number of patients waiting at least three months for an initial specialist appointment has jumped by more than a quarter since last year. That figure has also tripled since 2021. Advertisement In total, nearly 124,000 under-18s are on the waiting list for over three months - almost 30,000 more than the year before. 3 The diagnostic guidelines for autism have changed Credit: Getty NHS guidelines say patients should be seen within 13 weeks. But nine in 10 wait much longer. And those who did get assessed last year? They'd already been waiting, on average, a year and a half. And a diagnosis is often just the start… it doesn't automatically unlock the necessary support. Advertisement In my experience in Surrey, it's not unusual for children to wait years. That's years of growing up without support and without understanding. Changing schools. Falling behind. Developing And it's not just children. Last year, the Oxfordshire Adult Autism Diagnostic and Support Service stopped taking new referrals altogether. Adults being referred at that time were told they'd have to wait 18 years. If you're one of those families stuck on a waiting list, it can feel impossible. You're worried, your child is struggling, and you're being told to just wait and keep waiting. But even without a diagnosis, there is support out there. Please don't let schools tell you everything's fine just because your child is quiet or well-behaved there. Masking is real and it's exhausting. The children who cope at school often fall apart at home Dr Rebecca Ker While many end up seeking support privately, there are national charities and helplines available too. Advertisement Families need faster access to specialists to provide clarity, tools, and reassurance. Someone who understands neurodivergence can help you notice patterns, validate your concerns, and work with you on practical steps that reduce If you are concerned that your child is autistic, keep a journal of behaviours that concern you. Record exactly what triggers meltdowns, how you have noticed your child differs from their peers, how they respond to change, what their social interactions look like. Be as specific as you can. Advertisement Take that evidence to your child's teacher or SENCO. Ask for support plans, even without a diagnosis. Speak to your GP, or if your child's under five, your health visitor. The key characteristics of autism - and why they go unnoticed By Alice Fuller, Health Features Editor MODEL Christine McGuinness was a 'recluse' for eight years and only left the house at 3am. Springwatch presenter And recently, But what exactly is autism and why does it seem so different in everyone? Leanne Cooper-Brown, neurodevelopmental lead at 'Whereas we used to think of autism as a linear line, we have come to realise that terms such as 'high' and 'low' functioning or definitions of 'mild', 'moderate' or 'severe' aren't helpful and can be misleading. 'Nowadays, we think of autism in terms of the strengths and needs of the individual, which can change over time depending on their environment and support network.' About 700,000 people in the UK are thought to have autism - that's one in 100. But research by University College London suggests that number could be twice as high, as many people remain undiagnosed. Cases are on the rise though. Figures released last year showed a 175 per cent increase from 2011 to 2022. Dr Selina Warlow, clinical psychologist and owner of 'Receiving a diagnosis can open access to expert resources that support autistic people to thrive in society.' Autism has long been associated with social difficulties, like problems maintaining conversations and forming relationships . But research published in the journal Cell Press suggested that repetitive behaviours - like rocking or finger-flicking - and special interests - whether it's TV shows or specific animals - are more indicative of an autism diagnosis. Generally though, experts say the Sensitivity - autistic people can be much more or less sensitive to sights, sounds, textures, tastes and smells. For example, they find bright lights or crowded spaces overwhelming, Leanne says. They may also stand too close to others or need to move their whole body to look at something. Stimming - to manage this sensory overload, some people use repetitive movements or sounds. 'This is called stimming, and includes rocking, tapping and hand-flapping,' Dr Warlow says. 'Though it's something everyone does to some extent, those with autism are likely to engage with it as a form of self-regulation.' Masking - this is a strategy used by some autistic people, consciously or not, to match neurotypical people, Dr Warlow says. 'It's a way of hiding your true characteristics, and could involve copying facial expressions, planning conversations in advance, or holding in 'stimming' - swapping hand clapping with playing with a pen, for example,' she adds. Burnout - this is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion and is a common feature in autism. 'Being extremely tired, both mentally and physically, can be associated with the act of masking for a long period of time, or sensory or social overload,' Dr Warlow says. 'Symptoms of autistic burnout include social withdrawal, reduced performance and increased sensitivity.' Social struggles - socialising can be confusing or tiring for autistic people. They often find it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling, making it challenging to make friends. Leanne says: 'In adults, autism may present as difficulties with interpreting social cues such as understanding body language or sarcasm, struggling to express emotions or preferring to be alone. This can impact relationships and work.' Routine - many of us have a fairly regular daily schedule. But for autistic people, this becomes a 'very strong preference for routine', Leanne says. This could be needing a daily timetable to know what is going to happen and when, or having rigid preferences about foods or clothing. Literal thinking - some autistic people have a literal view of language - like believing it's actually 'raining cats and dogs' or that someone really wants you to 'break a leg'. Dr Warlow says: 'This can result in confusion with figures of speech, irony or indirect requests. 'For instance, being told to 'pull your socks up' might be understood literally, not as a motivational phrase.' Hyperfocus - often associated with ADHD, hyperfocusing is also common in autistic people. 'It's where you're able to focus intensely on an activity and become absorbed to the point of forgetting about time,' Dr Warlow says. 'This is useful in work or hobbies but can result in neglect of other aspects of life, such as food or rest.' Special interests - we all have hobbies and interests, but for autistic people, these are so compelling they often want to spend all their time learning about, thinking about or doing them. 'Special interests could include anything from dinosaurs to superheroes, and gardening to music,' Dr Warlow says. 'These usually begin in childhood, but can also form as an adult. 'Chris Packham is an example of an autistic person who turned his childhood special interest in animals into a successful career, becoming one of the UK's best-loved natural world TV presenters.' Please don't let schools tell you everything's fine just because your child is quiet or well-behaved there. Masking is real and it's exhausting. The children who cope at school often fall apart at home. If you can afford to explore a private assessment, be cautious. Advertisement There are brilliant services out there, but it can be overwhelming choosing a private provider that is offering the best quality in terms of assessment. A good autism assessment is a lot of work. It should involve a multidisciplinary team - not one person sitting with your child for half an hour. The specialists should be Health and Care Professions Council registered. The process should follow National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. They should draw information from different contexts (observing your child themselves, talking to school, interviewing parents) and produce a detailed report that can stand up when you need it - for school support, Education, Health and Care Plans, or future care. 3 Dr Ker says parents are 'too often dismissed' when they raise concerns about their children Credit: Getty Advertisement Let's stop talking about trying to 'reduce' autism. That's not the goal. Instead, we need to be building a more accessible world, where people can say: 'I'm neurodivergent. I am more comfortable doing it this way.' That means changing how we run our education system and services. Just as we build wheelchair ramps, and would view a lack of ramps to be unacceptable, we should be building sensory-friendly classrooms, alternative timetables, and flexible expectations. We need to train teachers to understand neurodivergent minds. Advertisement We need to provide the funding for more capable systems that can enable all types of brains to reach their potential. Too often, quiet girls or rule-following boys are told they're 'fine' while they suffer silently. Too often, parents are dismissed as 'overly anxious'. But often there are signs - a child who is exhausted after school, struggles with transitions, is inflexible in their play, feels different or confused by peers, complains the dining hall is too loud or smelly to be able to eat. The 10-question autism test TO get an official autism diagnosis, you need to be assessed by a healthcare professional. But if you think your or your child might have the condition, there is a simple quiz called the AQ-10 that you can use to help support your suspicions. The Instead, it is used to screen people who might be. A version for children is also available. For adults For each question, write down if you 'Definitely Agree', 'Slightly Agree', 'Slightly Disagree' or 'Definitely Agree'. I often notice small sounds when others do not I usually concentrate more on the whole picture, rather than the small details I find it easy to do more than one thing at once If there is an interruption, I can switch back to what I was doing very quickly I find it easy to 'read between the lines' when someone is talking to me I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored When I'm reading a story I find it difficult to work out the characters' intentions I like to collect information about categories of things (e.g. types of car, types of bird, types of train, types of plant etc) I find it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face I find it difficult to work out people's intentions Score 1 point for 'Definitely Agree' or 'Slightly Agree' on each of items 1, 7, 8, and 10. Score 1 point for 'Definitely Disagree' or 'Slightly Disagree' on each of items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9. If you score more than 6 out of 10, a healthcare professional will consider referring you for a specialist diagnostic assessment. For children For each question, write down if you 'Definitely Agree', 'Slightly Agree', 'Slightly Disagree' or 'Definitely Agree'. S/he often notices small sounds when others do not S/he usually concentrates more on the whole picture, rather than the small details In a social group, s/he can easily keep track of several different people's conversations S/he finds it easy to go back and forth between different activities S/he doesn't know how to keep a conversation going with his/her peers S/he is good at social chit-chat When s/he is read a story, s/he finds it difficult to work out the character's intentions or feelings When s/he was in preschool, s/he used to enjoy playing games involving pretending with other children S/he finds it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face S/he finds it hard to make new friends Only 1 point can be scored for each question. Score 1 point for 'Definitely Agree' or 'Slightly Agree' on each of items 1, 5, 7 and 10. Score 1 point for 'Definitely Disagree' or 'Slightly Disagree' on each of items 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9. If the individual scores more than 6 out of 10, they will be considered for a specialist diagnostic assessment. None of these on their own mean a child is autistic, but we should be sensitive to the clues. Advertisement With adults, the process is more complex. You don't always have parents to describe childhood behaviours. But what we see again and again is this: they've been masking their whole lives. They've been told they're too much, too blunt, too rude. They've often experienced long term difficulties with their mental health or been misdiagnosed with personality disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and so on. Difficulties with mental ill-health are more prevalent in autistic people. These are all signs that it is hard to be autistic in a world that is geared up for neurotypical people. They've made it through work or university by sheer effort - but at a cost. Advertisement And often, the moment they receive that diagnosis? It's a relief. At last, something makes sense. 'Not everyone is neurodivergent, but everyone is neurodiverse' So yes, autism is a difference. But it's a difference we've punished, misunderstood and ignored for far too long. The DSM-5 still calls it a disorder. But many autistic people find this term offensive and prefer the word 'difference' or 'condition'. And I agree. It isn't an illness. And there are many strengths associated with autism too. We all have different brains. Neurodiversity is a natural part of human variation - just like height or handedness. Advertisement Not everyone is neurodivergent, but everyone is neurodiverse. So when Kennedy Jr says autism is worse than Covid, he isn't just wrong - he's dangerous. His words fuel a climate of panic, shame and disinformation. And for what? To blame vaccines? To stir controversy? There's no medical basis for that claim. But what there is is a growing body of knowledge. Of compassion. And of people - autistic people - finally being seen, heard, and supported.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
I ditched UK for sunshine state and now earn triple my salary – it's that good I even left my wife & son back in Britain
STUCK feeling like his money was going nowhere in the UK with a rising cost of living and dreary prospects - Previn Diwakar made a decision that would shock those close to him. He decided he would leave his wife Lisa, 51, and son Oscar, 15, at their home in Shrewsbury - and head abroad for a better life where he could triple his salary and live the high life. 16 Dr Previn Diwakar left the UK behind to move over to Saudi Arabia Credit: SUPPLIED 16 Dr Diwakar left his wife Lisa back in the UK - but he still gets to go home & she gets to come visit Credit: SUPPLIED 16 Dr Diwakar said he is enjoying his life in Saudi more than back home - pictured the 'City of Earth' Diriyah Credit: SUPPLIED 16 Dr Diwakar pictures one of his top brunch spots Credit: SUPPLIED Dr Diwakar, originally from Glasgow, choose Saudi Arabia, the trillionaire state fast attracting professionals despite being accused of living in the dark ages by the West. The British radiologist - who has worked in Canterbury, Liverpool, Manchester and Cardiff - moved to Riyadh last year after 25 years in the NHS, choosing it over its more 'relaxed' ruled neighbour the UAE. He now says he earns triple his salary with no income tax, lives in an stylish 3-bedroom apartment, which is mostly paid for by his work. He has a free gym, pool and steam room in the block - and he also drives at Tesla Model 3, with free charging ports avaliable and the car also being half paid for by his hospital. The lure of the salary boost was so great for the family - he moved while leaving his wife Lisa & son Oscar decided to stay back in the UK. Dr Diwakar explained he was tired of constantly working harder in Britain but feeling no benefits as cost of living continues to climb. And said even with the lack of alcohol - he still gets to enjoy events such as football and live music. He also defended his decision to swap to Saudi - which while opening up to the West, still continues to have a It is estimated up to 300,000 Brits visit Saudi Arabia yearly - and there are around 30,000 UK expats living in the kingdom. And Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been the driving force behind a massive campaign to open up the country and attract Westerners. Meet the 'Neom' WAGS – the Brit TikTok housewives of Saudi living it up in desert luxury while husbands build $1tn mega city From luring in Mega projects planned including ambitions of the world's tallest skyscraper, an enormous new high tech city, and Dr Diwakar told The Sun: 'There was a very real sense that over the previous 10 years or so I was working harder and harder but seeing no improvement in my salary or quality of living. 'With the rise in living costs in the UK and punitive tax rules I couldn't see my quality of life for me or my family improving by staying put. 'It was like I was running to stand still. While initially drawn to the UAE , having visited there many times over the years, I became drawn to Saudi after seeing the opportunities here and that it offered me the authentic cultural and social experiences I was seeking which the UAE simply doesn't.' Now he says he earns roughly three and half times more than he did in the UK, with Saudi imposing no income tax on his earnings. His wife, Lisa Diwakar, and son, Oscar , remain in the UK but he manages to see them often thanks to generous annual leave. Western perception is that people don't feel comfortable talking about this country or politics and I don't think that's true Dr Previn Diwakar And his wife Lisa says while she misses him, when the meet up it makes all the time together that much more special. She said the family have had to adapt to a new way of living and working. Lisa said: "Being a working mum in the UK and wife to a husband working in Saudi requires careful planning to ensure we get to get to spend quality time together as a family. "We communicate daily and the physical distance has taught us to plan ahead and look forward to quality times we spend together. "This has been an important life lesson for me, I'm more organised and I always have something to look forward to, my husband coming home, me going to visit him or our family meeting somewhere to spend a holiday together. "We don't feel the geographical distance, we simply feel the lack of presence, that never leaves you but it does mean that when we are together it's so special." A keen football fan, he regularly goes to football games including Cristiano Ronaldo's He passes time with other expats drinking coffee, visiting art galleries, malls, restaurants and watching his club at a supporters club run by locals. Previn was a season ticket holder and went to as many games as possible when he lived in England and still attends matches when he's visiting. Last month he went to WWE Smackdown, costing him only £14, with fans decked out in wrestling outfits. 16 Dr Diwakar has spent 25 years working for the NHS Credit: supplied by freelancer David Rivers for exclusive use 16 Pictured with his son Oscar at an Al Nassr game Credit: supplied by freelancer David Rivers for exclusive use 16 Ronaldo just signed a new mega contract with the club until 2027 Credit: Reuters 16 Saudi Arabia has been working to modernise and open up Credit: Getty 16 The coastline of the city of Jeddah Credit: Getty He added: 'Football was a massive eye-opener for me. I have very in-depth knowledge of what the English and European games are like, but I had no idea what the Saudi Pro League was like. 'So when I was out here I asked various colleagues and they said football's huge out here. 'I thought, well, in England it's quite difficult to get tickets, isn't it? But it's not difficult to get tickets out here. The tickets aren't expensive either. 'You're probably spending maybe £10 to £15 pounds maximum for a decent seat. I was pretty near the pitch side and I went with my family, with my wife and son." The doctor said the stadium's atmosphere was even comparable to major European games he's been to. He said: 'The stadium was pretty crowded. It wasn't as huge as the European stadiums but there was a really good atmosphere and certainly like European games there's one end of the stadium that had the so-called Ultras there, the banging the drums and creating a lot of atmosphere. 'There certainly was an atmosphere when I went to see an Al-Nassr game with 'The team they were playing against was Al Riyadh, which is a comparatively less well-known team outside Saudi. 'So you would think with Ronaldo and Mane playing, this is just going to be a walkover, it's going to be one-sided. It wasn't. It was quite a competitive game, they won but only just.' Saudi is a dry country and remains adamant it will be But Diwakar says he doesn't miss it and has noticed no impact at events. He added: 'The atmosphere at WWE is incredible. There's all the chanting, there's the dancing, people wearing T-shirts and dressing up, it is as mental as anything in the UK or in Europe . Since I've been out here I haven't missed [alcohol] at all Dr Diwakar 'I don't think the lack of alcohol makes any impact on the atmosphere in these events whether it's a concert, WWE or live sport. 'There were lots of people wearing WWE outfits to mimic their favourite wrestlers. They had imitation belts because John Cena was there. "They were dressed up like Cena with the crazy hats, big foam fingers they were pointing at him. 'I was shocked actually because when I go to Anfield, when you hear all the singing and everything like that, that's what it is. But you don't expect it out here. 'How you feel about living in a dry country may depend a lot upon the stage of your life you're at. 'In the UK I may go and see friends at the pub, or at football I might have a drink, but at this stage in my life I'm not a heavy drinker. 'Particularly with my job, I never drank during the week, maybe a glass of wine with my meal at the weekend but that was it. 'Since I've been out here I haven't missed it at all." Some expats are keen to share their lives in Saudi - including a raft of Brits who are A dozen now-influencers - most with young children - made the move months or even years ago as their husbands landed various jobs working for Saudi projects. 16 Women who live in Saudi have also taken to TikTok to share what life is like there Credit: TikTok/follow_eisha 16 A dozen now-influencers - most with young children - made the move months or even years ago Credit: instagram/@aidamcphrsn 16 Brit mum Samara films day-in-the-life videos in Neom Credit: TikTok/@ Another Brit expat, who asked not to be named, swapped the UK for Saudi at the age of 23 and now works as an account executive in Riyadh. There he shares an apartment with another British expat, passing time with padel , art galleries and football with other expats. He's a fan of MDLBEAST, a series of festivals held in Riyadh and has attracted artists including A$AP Rocky, Calvin Harris and Guns N' Roses. There, he says you'll see things you 'wouldn't expect to see'. The expat told The Sun: 'There were things you would not expect to see at a Saudi music festival. 'They sold non-alcoholic beer for example. It was predominantly young lads, I didn't really see many women. 'They obviously weren't gangsters, but a lot of the men were wearing balaclavas, emulating Reading festival or something. 'There was a lot of music you might think men wouldn't be interested in here. So Jason Derulo was packed, they knew his lyrics." A$AP Rocky's set was full of expletives with the crowd singing along to all the lyrics. Diwakar compared its significance to the UK's Glastonbury , although he hasn't managed to go yet. He wants to attend at some point, and has set his sights on the Jeddah GP next year. Saudi Arabia has gone on an aggressive spending spree in recent years and it seeks to modernise the nation, particularly in sport. In addition to names like Ronaldo heading to Saudi PL, the world's best golfers including John Rahm play in LIV Golf for eye-popping sums. Some have accused the nation, a dictatorship, of doing so to wash its image. And alongside these projects, there is also a raft of Saudi influencers who share their lifestyles in the kingdom. The Saudi government are keen to clean up the kingdom's image. 16 Nada Baeshen is one of the top Saudi influencers with 700,000 followers Credit: Instagram 16 She shows off her lifestyle and her travels - and also works on Saudi TV Credit: Instagram 16 Nojoud Alrumaihi is another top influencer from Saudi Credit: Instagram 16 She also shows off her lavish lifestyle Credit: Instagram But Diwakar says the nation is fast evolving and change is embraced by locals. He said: 'It's very important to remember where this country has come from in an incredibly short period of time. 'It's 2025 now and eight years ago was at the start of these reforms. 'If you think of where we are now, I'm sitting in a lovely little cafe bakery here, crowded with men and women together. 'That wouldn't have been possible 10 years ago. So the social change and the infrastructure has changed a lot. 'As each year goes by, particularly as we accelerate through to 2030, some things will start changing and adapting.' He added: 'Western perception is that people don't feel comfortable talking about this country or politics and I don't think that's true. 'Everybody I've spoken to has been pretty good, they've been pretty open, no less so than in the UK. 'Of course you don't get demonstrations on the street. But I think when you speak to people, universally people have welcomed the changes that they have made. 'Like the fact that you can come to a coffee shop and you see groups of girls together, or going for non-alcoholic drinks." Saudi's most draconian laws By James Moules THE most infamous case of Saudi Arabia's draconian laws is that of Raif Badawi - a blogger who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for "insulting Islam". The Arab Kingdom still enforces the death penalty - in 2022, 196 people were executed. And on March 12 that year, 81 people were executed in one single day. Women and girls still face discrimination in regard to the law. The male guardianship act was enshrined into law in 2022, and means that women must have a "male legal guardian". The Arab Kingdom consistently cracks down on the press, controlling domestic media and jailing journalists for a variety of "crimes". Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 by agents of the Saudi government. LGBT rights are not legally recognised in the country. They are labelled as "extremist ideas", with public displays of affection between couples outlawed. Protests and demonstrations are also illegal. Those who defy this ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment.
