glp1sideeffects.com

Users on Reddit, particularly those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) like Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (UC), report a wide spectrum of experiences with GLP-1 medications. Some find significant relief and benefits, while others experience worsening symptoms or severe complications. The impact on colon health appears highly individualized.

Experiences with Colitis / Colon Health Issues:

Positive Impacts and Symptom Relief:

Many users with Crohn's or UC have reported that GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, and Ozempic helped their symptoms. [13, 3, 14]

One user on Wegovy stated it "Actually helped suppress my side effects and symptoms from Crohns. "[3]

Another found GLP-1s "slowed my normally hyperactive guts and now I can consume things I couldn't for decades, like eggs and coffee. "[1]

Reduced frequency of bowel movements was a welcome change for some: "Basically it just makes you go to the bathroom a whole lot less which, you know… is pretty fucking awesome. "[14] Another user on Zepbound noted a decrease from 3-4 bowel movements per day to 0-3. [36]

Some users experienced a reduction in inflammatory markers. One user on Wegovy reported it "actually lowered my c reactive. "[41] Many users with other autoimmune conditions like Lupus and Psoriatic Arthritis also reported significant reductions in inflammation markers like CRP and ESR, and overall inflammation. [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23]

A user with UC on Ozempic and Mounjaro said, "It can cause constipation but as long as you drink water, it’s not a problem. Other than that, it’s been no problem. "[24]

Negative Impacts and Worsening Symptoms:

Some users experienced an exacerbation of their IBD symptoms. One user reported, "Ozempic caused worse GI symptoms than just my Crohn’s at its worst," though they found Mounjaro to be "amazing. "[26]

Another stated that Victoza and Ozempic "gave me flare symptoms for the duration that I used them. The flares stopped as soon as I discontinued the meds. "[27]

A user on Semaglutide reported it "Gave me flare symptoms and peptic ulcers. "[28]

One individual with Crohn's and Hashimoto's on compounded tirzepatide experienced "SIBO (Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and then got thrush from the antibiotics. I also went over 2 weeks without a bowel movement. I also just experienced stomach pain in general. "[29]

A user trying Saxenda (liraglutide) described a severe reaction: "got super sick after just a week and had to stop. Had the worst bloated tummy I’ve ever had while throwing up and having diarrhea... It threw me into a flare for a while after as well. "[30]

A user on Zepbound for six months reported that after four months, they "started having active Crohn’s symptoms... Had a CT and found a structure in my terminal ileum... I’m terrified of a blockage now that I know the stricture is there, and I’m prone to constipation. "[31]

For some, the slowing of gut motility was problematic: "(Semaglutide) It made me feel so bad! It slowed everything down (movement wise) which for me was bad as I already have that problem.. "[32]

Severe Colon-Related Complications (Reported by medical professionals or patients, not always specific to IBD):

Multiple reports mentioned "Bowel perforation. " One account described stool turning into "golf balls," leading to surgeries and a colostomy. [33, 34, 35, 36]

A retired nurse shared that her best friend "ended up with a twisted bowel and needed surgery after starting ozempic. "[37]

Cases of "ozempic ileus" or bowel obstructions lasting several days were also noted. [38]

Remedies and Preventions Recommended by Users:

Managing Constipation (a common and potentially risky side effect for IBD):

Magnesium: "Calm" powder (Magnesium from Costco) was recommended: "Large heaping scoop once a day keeps the constipation away. "[39] Magnesium supplements and Magnesium Citrate were also mentioned. [40, 42]

Fiber: Users suggested Metamucil, psyllium husk, fiber gummies (e. g. , Mirafiber), and a high-fiber diet. [43, 44, 45, 40, 46, 47]

Hydration: Drinking plenty of water was frequently emphasized. [24, 43, 44, 45, 40, 42]

Stool Softeners/Laxatives: Taking a daily stool softener [25], Miralax [46, 48], Colace [46], and prunes [49] were among the suggestions.

Probiotics: Daily probiotics or a pre-probiotic combination were recommended. [48, 50]

Guar Gum: A user with IBS considering GLP-1s mentioned, "looking into getting some guar gum supplement as that is supposed to be good for both diarrhea and constipation! Sunfiber seems to be a decent brand. "[30]

Managing General GI Issues/Flares:

Slow Titration: Starting with a very low dose and increasing slowly was advised, especially for those with pre-existing GI conditions. [12, 30]

Low Dose Maintenance: Some found benefit by staying on a lower dose if higher doses caused side effects. [41]

Switching Medications: If one GLP-1 caused problems, another might be better tolerated (e. g. , switching from Ozempic to Mounjaro/Zepbound). [26, 51]

Consult a GI Specialist: This was particularly recommended for individuals prone to blockages or with existing motility issues. [52, 53]

Pre-Surgery/Procedure:

An OR RN advised, "You're supposed to stop this med at least 2 weeks before any surgery. "[54] Other medical professionals also noted holding GLP-1s for one to two weeks prior to procedures due to delayed gastric emptying. [55, 56, 57, 58]

Important Considerations for IBD Patients:
Users highlighted that the characteristic slowing of gut motility by GLP-1s can be a double-edged sword: potentially beneficial for diarrhea-predominant IBD but risky for those with constipation or strictures. [1, 52, 14, 59, 31, 32, 60] The risk of severe complications like bowel obstruction or perforation is a significant concern, although these reports are not exclusively from IBD patients. [33, 34, 35, 36, 38] Experiences are highly individual, and what works for one person may not work for another.