glp1sideeffects.com

Users on Reddit report a variety of experiences regarding cramps while on GLP-1 medications, with some individuals noting that their cramps came back or worsened. These experiences encompass menstrual/pelvic cramps, often linked to pre-existing conditions like adenomyosis or endometriosis, as well as abdominal/stomach cramps and muscle pain.

Experiences of Worsened Cramps:

Menstrual/Pelvic Cramps: Some users with conditions like adenomyosis or endometriosis reported a worsening of their symptoms, including more painful periods. One user with adenomyosis stated they were "going through an extremely heavy and painful period at the moment" while on a GLP-1 since November. [2] Another felt their "periods got heavier" and they were experiencing "a ton of spotting between periods as well. "[3] Someone else with adenomyosis said the medication "made all of my symptoms 100x worse! "[4] One user mentioned they "just went through one of my most painful periods yet :/" despite losing weight. [6] A reply to this comment echoed the sentiment: "You know, I almost feel like my periods got worse since I’ve been on GLP-1s. "[7] Another user confirmed, "Mine got worse - the leveling out of the other hormones was a painful trip. "[8] Someone with endometriosis reported, "It has actually made my endo worse. I went from 1-2 days in agonizing pain to 3-7. "[11]

Abdominal/Stomach Cramps: General abdominal or stomach cramps are also reported. An emergency doctor noted that "common vomiting and crampy pain after starting the meds which is I think rather common but not particularly serious. "[12] One user described experiencing "Stomach cramps preceding diarrhea. "[1] Another shared a severe experience: "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. "[17] A user with dysautonomia mentioned experiencing "severe, sudden, sharp stomach pain that knocked me off my feet. "[13] Another user reported "mild stomach cramping, but wasn’t bad at all. "[23]

Muscle Pain/Cramps: Some users, particularly those with fibromyalgia, reported an increase in body or muscle pain. The original poster in one thread about fibromyalgia and GLP-1s stated, "Body pain... Just every fibro symptom seems magnified to unfathomable levels. "[14] Another user with fibromyalgia said their "fibro pain (dull and achy) was worse on those meds, especially Ozempic. "[15] One user described "Pain in muscles, like after a hard work out but no reason for it. "[16]

It is worth noting that some users, particularly those with adenomyosis or endometriosis, also reported an improvement in their cramps and period-related pain while on GLP-1 medications. [9, 19, 20, 10]

Remedies and Preventions Recommended:

Many of the remedies mentioned are for general gastrointestinal side effects, which can sometimes be associated with cramping, or for related conditions like fibromyalgia pain. Users recommend:

Hydration: One user found that when they "drink a ton of water (around 135 ounces), I don’t have a lot of side effects," including stomach cramps. [1]

Dietary Adjustments:

Avoiding heavy carbohydrates: "When they say don't eat heavy carbs, it's not a joke. Stay away, far away. I was miserable for almost a week and a half because I messed up and are pasta 3 days in a row. "[18]

Eating small meals and avoiding trigger foods were tried by one user, though these did not prevent severe abdominal pain for them. [17]

Fiber Intake:

One user "upped my fiber" as part of their attempts to manage GI issues, though it didn't resolve severe pain. [17]

Another user takes "4g fiber gummies morning and night" to help stay regular, which can alleviate constipation-related cramping. [22]

Taking fiber was also mentioned by a user experiencing muscle pain. [16]

Over-the-Counter Medications (for related GI issues):

Pepto-Bismol: "My life-saving medicine is Pepto-Bismol cherry chewables. Like a godsend stg," for sulfur burps and bathroom problems. [18]

Miralax: Used for constipation by some users. [17, 21]

Gas-X: Tried for gas, though not directly for cramps. [17]

Gaviscon: One user takes "regular gavascon" as part of their regimen to manage feeling 'off'. [16]

Supplements (for Fibromyalgia Pain):

For fibro pain that was worse on GLP-1s, one user mentioned trying "magnesium malate and CoQ10" for energy, though this was in the context of overall fibro symptoms. [15]

General Advice:

"definitely listen to your body. You can indeed get long term complications like gastroparesis and more, so don’t keep on going if you’re actually feeling awful. "[1]

One user experiencing muscle pain also recommended avoiding caffeine.