Indigestion / Upset Stomach / Dyspepsia
Users on Reddit report experiencing indigestion, upset stomach, and dyspepsia while taking GLP-1 medications, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain requiring medical attention. These issues are often linked to the medication's effect of slowing gastric emptying.
Experiences with Indigestion / Upset Stomach / Dyspepsia:
Symptoms can be severe enough to lead to ER visits. A user shared, "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... I still ended up in er. "[3]
Specific food types can trigger or worsen symptoms. One user noted, "If i force it I pay the price with massive gas, bloating, etc bordering on acid reflux no matter how early i eat the greasy foods, probably its slowing stomach emptying. "[4] Another said, "My one rule is no fatty foods on shot day. Any thing super greasy or fatty and I crap myself for the next two days haha"[13]
Heartburn and reflux are commonly reported. A user described having "the most terrible heartburn" and that "the reflux was out of control" despite taking omeprazole. [5] Another mentioned, "I find day 2 I tend to feel nauseous and have a bit more frequent heartburn. Both I think are related to my volume of food. "[6]
Some users experience dyspepsia symptoms like feeling food caught in their chest. One user described, "A host of dyspepsia symptoms, including feeling like food was caught in my chest, that I couldn't quite get it down. And severe, sudden, sharp stomach pain that knocked me off my feet. "[7]
Sulfuric burps are another mentioned symptom. "Last year for instance I was plagued by a sulfuric taste / smell that was accompanied by severe bloating and nausea + vomiting. "[8] Another user mentioned that Dexilant helped with heartburn but they still had "lots of burping, but not so sulfuric. "[5]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Eating small, frequent meals: "you may want to eat 4-5 very small meals a day. "[9] "What helped for me was eating really small meals more often. "[10]
Stopping eating when full: "Nausea-STOP eating when full. Yeah there are two bites left of breakfast-I’m full and I’m not eating those two bites. "[11]
Avoiding trigger foods: One user found cutting back on citric acid helped with silent reflux. [12]
Eating early dinners: "My biggest challenge is trying to eat early and keep my dinners small so my reflux doesn’t get triggered. "[1]
Avoiding going too long without eating: "do your best to avoid going more than 3-4 hours without eating something, even if it's small... Always have snacks on hand! "[14]
Medications:
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) & H2 Blockers:
Omeprazole: Some users take it, but it's not always effective alone. [5] One user's GI doc recommended "omeprazole in the morning and famotidine at bedtime. "[15]
Dexilant (dexlansoprazole): Several users found this highly effective for heartburn and reflux when other PPIs failed. "What a difference! Still lots of burping, but not so sulfuric,and no more heartburn pain! "[5] Another stated, "The pharmacist then suggested dexlansoprazole, and it’s a winner! My GERD was gone! "[12]
Pantoprazole and Lansoprazole were also mentioned, with varying success. [12]
Antacids: General antacids are used, sometimes alongside PPIs. [5]
Gas-X (Simethicone): Mentioned by a user who still ended up in the ER, implying it wasn't sufficient for severe symptoms. [3]
Digestive Aids:
Digestive enzymes: "I add apple cider vinegar to my electrolyte water and it helps SO much. I also take a daily digestive enzyme. I notice a real difference when I don’t take it. "[16]
Probiotics: "I was recommended to take a glp-1 probiotic daily (pill form), and within this two week window of beginning to take it: things are moving along at a much quicker/more normal pace. "[17]
Kefir: "Kefir really helps me manage both constipation and nausea. "[18]
Lifestyle Adjustments:
Hydration: "drink at least 100 oz of water a day. "[9] "It really seems to me that a huge percentage of side effects people experience with these meds could be headed off by simply increasing fluid intake aggressively. "[19]
Sipping fluids between meals: "A simple tip I have would be to sip fluids between meals throughout the day rather than with meals. "[14]
It's important to note that some users, despite trying various remedies, continue to experience significant gastrointestinal distress. [3] Consulting with a healthcare provider is crucial for managing these side effects.
Experiences with Indigestion / Upset Stomach / Dyspepsia:
- Many users describe general gastrointestinal discomfort.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Dietary Adjustments:
- Avoiding greasy or fatty foods: "don't eat greasy or fatty foods eat very slowly and stop when you're full.
It's important to note that some users, despite trying various remedies, continue to experience significant gastrointestinal distress. [3] Consulting with a healthcare provider is crucial for managing these side effects.