Overall Ill-Defined Poor Quality of Health
Users on Reddit describe a range of experiences with overall ill-defined poor quality of health while on GLP-1 medications, from debilitating combinations of common side effects to severe, life-altering complications requiring medical intervention. Some users also share remedies and preventative measures they've found helpful or have been advised by their doctors.
Experiences with Overall Ill-Defined Poor Quality of Health:
Another described their initial experience as "hell. I was so nauseous all the time. I threw up a lot. "[3]
A user detailed a difficult time with multiple GLP-1s: "Liraglutide made me hungry and my eyesight got a lot worse... Also I experienced serious anxiety problems. On Semaglutide I gained weight, had constipation, had mild anxiety... lost a lot of muscle... and was really, really tired. "[2]
Describing the negative feelings, one user said, "Honestly, they can be awful. I’ve had most of them. Stomach cramps preceding diarrhea, sulfur burps (awful!!! ), nausea after shot day and this really gross feeling of food sitting in my stomach even though I haven’t eaten. "[22]
A user on Zepbound shared a severe reaction: "I’m one of the few that got the worst of it. Just came back from the ER... I have abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and now vomiting in all doses... hit me like a bag of bricks to the point of needing to go to the er for severe pain and dehydration from vomiting. "[10]
Neuropathy and Vision Problems: Reports include "A painful sensory neuropathy, possibly small-fiber or mixed"[6] and even "Blindness due to GLP-1 use. "[7]
Pancreatitis: This is a recurring severe side effect, with some cases leading to ICU stays or being fatal. Users mentioned, "GLP1 -> pancreatitis -> death (less than 2 weeks)"[8], "Pancreatitis requiring ICU"[28], and another case of "pancreatitis, DKA after about 3 weeks on meds, admitted for a second time after re-starting his GLP-1. "[29]
Sarcopenia and Mobility Issues: A significant concern is muscle loss and functional decline. One comment noted, "People on GLP-1s who look like they have no business having mobility concerns (60s w/ standard comorbidities, overweight but not morbidly obese) needing SNF placement because they can barely walk or stand from a chair. "[11] This is echoed by concerns about sarcopenia in older adults: "Pancreatitis and AKI from dehydration are the most common serious effects. Edit: and sarcopenia in older folks for sure"[19] and the general risk of muscle loss with rapid weight loss. [30]
Severe Infections and Systemic Failure: One user recounted a harrowing experience: "1st dose GLP-1 --> guy eats large dinners regularly and refuses to wear CPAP for his severe OSA --> delayed gastric emptying + snoring = microaspiration --> PNA --> sepsis --> ICU + almost ended up intubated, 5 day total hospital stay. "[12]
Gastroparesis: Described as "horrible," with one healthcare professional stating they tell patients to quit GLP-1s multiple times a week due to it. [14]
Mental Health Crises: Severe mental health impacts have been reported, including a patient who "become suicidal because he wasn’t able to eat anything anymore"[18] and another who had a "suicide attempt from a patient taking mounjaro... no previous MH issues and they reported mood changes since starting it. "[32] A psychiatrist noted a patient with Bipolar Disorder had a "mixed episode (features of mania and depression) and caused suicidality, leading to psychiatric hospitalization. "[31]
Other Severe Events: Users also reported instances like a patient who lost "100lb in 3 months and end up hospitalized and on TPN for a month"[16] and another with "Severe vomiting ended up with boerhaave syndrome …the antibiotics caused fulminant liver failure and pt required transplant. "[17]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended by Users:
Some find that side effects lessen over time: "Adjusting to the medication is a little tough, like weeks 6-10, but if you make it through that hump, you get your energy back. "[33]
Dietary and Lifestyle Strategies:
Aggressive hydration is frequently recommended: "when I drink a ton of water (around 135 ounces), I don’t have a lot of side effects. "[22] Another user believes that "a huge percentage of side effects people experience with these meds could be headed off by simply increasing fluid intake aggressively. "[13]
To recover from severe initial side effects and combat muscle loss, one user adopted a regimen of "weightlift, eat a lot of meat, fruits, veggies, and fats, and I drink a lot of water. "[3]
For constipation, which can contribute to overall malaise, users recommend Miralax or fiber gummies. [21] One user's doctor advised their friend to "stop eating so much so she did, and the constipation went away. "[23]
Medical Oversight and Self-Advocacy:
It's advised to get checked for pre-existing conditions that might be worsened by the medication. [5]
Users emphasize listening to your body: "don’t keep on going if you’re actually feeling awful. "[22]
Reporting severe side effects to systems like MedWatch is encouraged. [26]
Discontinuation:
In cases of severe or unmanageable side effects, stopping the medication is a course of action users consider or are advised to take. [10, 14, 23]
Awareness and Caution:
A user cautioned, "Some bodies can’t handle it and you have to be aware and know everyone is different. "[10]
Concerns exist about potential long-term issues such as GI malignancies from gastroparesis or accelerated pancreas aging. [20, 34]
The risk of a negative cycle of muscle loss during medication use and fat regain upon discontinuation (especially with coverage issues) was highlighted.
Experiences with Overall Ill-Defined Poor Quality of Health:
- General Systemic Illness and Debilitating Symptoms:
- Some users report experiencing multiple debilitating symptoms concurrently.
- Severe and Life-Altering Complications:
- Gallstones and Gallbladder Issues: One user "developed gallstones and ended up having to remove my gallbladder" after experiencing extremely painful stomach episodes.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended by Users:
- Medication Choice and Adjustments:
- Switching from compounded versions to FDA-approved medications like Zepbound was suggested by a doctor who called the "compound stuff...