Stomach bug or just... the meds?

Kim1990

Member
I posted yesterday about some awful tummy troubles after eating some not-so-great stuff (shared some muffins in the morning, a couple nibbles of a chocolatey treat later) -- but I've felt gross all day. Same stomach stuff. Just now, sitting on the bathroom floor at 1am AGAIN, it finally clicked and I checked my temp-- yup, fever. I was exhausted and had body aches but honestly I thought it was from not sleeping plus not eating great. This actually makes way more sense looking back because even though I almost never eat anything as sugary/oily as a muffin these days, I didn't even overeat, and I've had tiny bits of treats since starting this medication (a slice of cake at a birthday party, etc). Be careful out there everyone, this bug is really going around and it's AWFUL. I'm sure the GLP-1 isn't helping my symptoms. Thanks to the person who replied to my last post suggesting this could be it!!

Good call checking your temp — a thread on telling meds-GI apart from an actual bug has people sorting out the same 'is it the meds or a stomach bug' question.
 
This happened to me this past week. I've actually never felt so ill. I spent the entire night on the bathroom floor throwing up and didn't sleep at all. It felt like someone was stabbing me. It's been a few days and I'm feeling much better but I'm still bloated and queasy and can't stop burping.
 
I'm sorry you are sick, but I'm glad it's not the medication for you. Your symptoms seemed very intense to me. Feel better now!! And take it easy for a bit!
 
I had it TWICE in about a month. I stopped taking the injections for a little while since I dropped almost 8 pounds from being so sick !! I was SURE it wasn’t something I ate. I’ve been taking it easy with fiber and probiotics to get ready to try my next dose.
 
Oh man I totally get it! I had something similar around the holidays. I usually get a little queasy and some tummy issues for a few days after I take my shot. I usually inject on Sundays. But it was a Wednesday that I started feeling sick, woke up in the middle of the night not knowing which end to aim at the toilet (sorry, but you all get it lol). I was running back and forth for hours until I needed a bucket in my lap while still sitting on the toilet. It was terrible. After a few hours I took something to stop the diarrhea and my husband made me ginger tea. This helped that part but I was still super nauseous. I barely had anything left in my stomach at that point and I still couldn’t stop throwing up. It got a little scary when my throat was burning and what was coming up basically made my husband want to call 911! Thank God he was here, he was taking care of me and the bucket and looking stuff up. He made me eat ginger and drink chamomile ginger tea plus some anti-nausea medication. He said later he almost called an ambulance because I started throwing up stuff that looked like coffee grounds (the search results are NOT good). After the meds and ginger I passed out. For the next few days I couldn’t lie down at all or I felt sick right away. I basically just drank protein shakes. I made it through but something has shifted. Now the day after my shot and for about 3-4 days after my stomach is very sensitive. I’m burping constantly and having the opposite of constipation even though I’m eating pretty healthy. This is a serious medication and not for the weak!
 
I can relate to this stuff. I've been on Oz for about a year and a half. The every-other-week events are... intense. Sometimes, I swear, they are larger than should be possible. Fiber is key. A stool softener alone might help if you're getting enough fiber. If not, you might run into some issues.
 
The GLP-1s can slow digestion. It's pretty common. Your gut's still the same size, but you’re eating less and things are moving slower. So more water is absorbed in the colon. You need to make sure you are getting enough fluids and fiber, or things can get backed up. A fiber supplement can really help.
 
Absolutely, @Kim1990. Your body's digestion has slowed down so food gets stuck in your stomach. Try not to overeat if you can help it. So sorry you feel bad. I'd suggest smaller portions.
 
Just got on ozempic myself a few weeks back. Quick question - when you mention side effects, are you talking about your stomach or the injection site on your leg?
 
The timing with the food you ate makes it worth considering. GI stuff from the meds usually hits within the first day or two after injecting, not right after eating specific food. That said, your system is already sensitized by the meds so bad food hits harder than it would otherwise. Both can be true at once.
 
If it started after eating something specific, it's more likely food than the meds. GLP-1 side effects usually hit within a day or two of injecting. Stay hydrated.
 
Sauerkraut on GLP-1 is a recipe for that reaction. Fermented foods are acidic and high in fiber simultaneously - the gut is already sensitized and that combination tends to hit hard. The tire fire description is accurate. Reuben components are also a triple threat: fermented sauerkraut, fatty corned beef, rye bread - all harder to process. Most people learn their trigger foods the one-time-hard-way and then just route around them.
 
Fever is what separates an actual bug from GLP-1 sensitivity - the medication amplifies GI discomfort but doesn't produce fever. The timing plus the temperature makes this a real illness that the medication was compounding, not just dose sensitivity running hot.
 
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