Abdominal/Stomach Pain/Cramping/Soreness/Discomfort
Users on Reddit report a variety of experiences with abdominal/stomach pain, cramping, soreness, and discomfort while using GLP-1 medications. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and are sometimes linked to other gastrointestinal issues or specific eating habits.
Experiences with Abdominal/Stomach Pain/Cramping/Soreness/Discomfort:
Another user described their experience on Zepbound after increasing to a 7. 5 mg dose: "I’ve been on zepbound for months though. If you have gastro problems, be aware that this will make them 10x worse I have abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and now vomiting in all doses. They were mild but with this new dose, it hit me like a bag of bricks to the point of needing to go to the er for severe pain and dehydration from vomiting. "[2]
A user on Saxenda (semaglutide) mentioned developing "extremely painful episodes around my stomach" which turned out to be gallstones requiring gallbladder removal. [4]
One user with Crohn's disease trying Saxenda for the second time after a bad first experience reported: "I remember wanting to stab myself in the stomach to get some relief" due to a "bloated tummy" along with other GI issues. [11]
A user with dysautonomia described "severe, sudden, sharp stomach pain that knocked me off my feet" while on a GLP-1 medication. [8]
Another user mentioned experiencing "Stomach cramps preceding diarrhea" and a "really gross feeling of food sitting in my stomach even though I haven’t eaten. "[13]
A physician noted that common side effects among their patients include "crampy pain after starting the meds. "[5]
A user with Crohn's disease on tirzepatide (compounded Mounjaro) experienced "stomach pain in general" along with other GI issues. [6]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Eating smaller meals: A user whose friend experienced constipation was advised by her doctor to "stop eating so much so she did, and the constipation went away. "[12]
Following a bland diet was recommended by ER doctors to a user experiencing severe abdominal pain. [3]
Medications:
Omeprazole: One user found that vomiting, which sometimes accompanied their abdominal pain, was "well-managed with Omeprazole, until it wasn’t I guess. "[3]
Zofran (Ondansetron): A user with severe abdominal pain and vomiting was able to get Zofran, which "helped a lot. "[3]
Pepto-Bismol: A user who experienced severe bloating, sulphur burps, and constipation found relief with "Pepto-Bismol cherry chewables. Like a godsend stg. Chewed 4 I have had no sulpher burps since and my bathroom problems have been remedied. "[10]
Gas-X and Miralax: A user who experienced severe abdominal pain and other GI issues mentioned, "Trust me, I’ve done what all the Redditors have said. Been on gas x, míralax, upped my fiber, ate small meals, avoided everything that would make my stomach die and I still ended up in er. "[2] (Note: This user still ended up in the ER, indicating these may not be universally effective for severe cases).
Hydration:
One user emphasized the importance of hydration: "What I have really noticed though is that when I drink a ton of water (around 135 ounces), I don’t have a lot of side effects. "[13]
Managing Related Conditions:
A user with a stricture who was concerned about constipation (which can be associated with abdominal discomfort) managed it by "taking calm in the evening. (Magnesium from Costco). "[14]
Dosage Adjustment:
A patient with a history of alcohol-induced pancreatitis experienced abdominal pain when they increased their Ozempic dose themselves from 1 mg to 2 mg weekly. They returned to 1 mg weekly and were "doing fine. "[1]
A user with dysautonomia who got sick on 7. 5mg of Zepbound (diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration) went off the med for 4 weeks and then restarted at a lower dose of 2. 5mg, eventually moving to 5mg, which was going well. [7]
It's important to note that some users, despite trying various remedies, continued to experience severe abdominal pain, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention. [2, 3] One user with Psoriatic Arthritis was hospitalized due to "nonstop agony for days + vomiting" after increasing their Wegovy dosage. The pain was so intense they couldn't undergo an ultrasound on their abdomen.
Experiences with Abdominal/Stomach Pain/Cramping/Soreness/Discomfort:
- Some users experience severe abdominal pain.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Dietary Adjustments:
- Avoiding heavy carbs: One user learned the hard way after eating pasta three days in a row, leading to being "miserable for almost a week and a half.
It's important to note that some users, despite trying various remedies, continued to experience severe abdominal pain, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention. [2, 3] One user with Psoriatic Arthritis was hospitalized due to "nonstop agony for days + vomiting" after increasing their Wegovy dosage. The pain was so intense they couldn't undergo an ultrasound on their abdomen.