Ozempic kicking my butt - help!

T

Taylor1982

Active member
I began taking Ozempic last Tuesday for my type 2 diabetes, and I must say, I have not felt this bad in years. I had trouble keeping any food down and got the worst headache I’ve ever had. I also feel like I've caught some kind of bug. My hubby picked up some meds for nausea and the headache so I was able to manage a small dinner tonight, but I still feel awful. I’m seeing my doctor again on Monday to discuss these severe symptoms. How long do these side effects usually last? If it keeps happening like this, I don’t think I can continue. Any advice on how to avoid or cope with these side effects would be greatly appreciated.
 
Try adding some electrolyte drops to your water. Staying hydrated with electrolytes makes a huge difference, especially in the first couple days after your shot. I stopped getting headaches once I started doing that. You can also try a tiny bit of sea salt under your tongue a few times a day along with drinking plenty of water.
 
Ask your doctor for some anti-nausea meds. Try eating small protein bars or snacks. The day after the injection tends to be the toughest. Make sure to eat enough protein so you don't lose muscle mass.
 
Drink lots of water, dehydration can make those side effects worse. Peppermint tea can also help with the nausea. But definitely talk to your doctor if it feels like too much; there might be another medication that would be a better fit for you.
 
I agree, definitely speak with your doctor. The dosage might be too much to begin with. In the meantime, try some electrolyte drinks. Bone broth can be really helpful too!
 
When I first started on .25 I felt kinda "off" for a few days, for sure. Mostly tired, slightly spacey, and some queasiness. Starting someone on .50 seems a bit much from a doctor who should know better.
 
I gave myself my first injection last night, and even though my doctor suggested .5mg, I went with .25mg instead. Reading this kinda confirms that I did the right thing.

Taylor1982, so sorry you're feeling so rough! Sounds terrible. 🥺 Mints have always helped me when I'm nauseous or have tummy issues. Good luck!
 
A lot of folks are doing microdosing, counting the clicks for smaller dosages than .25. It's a great option if you're more sensitive or a super-responder. You can gradually increase your dose and see how you tolerate it without making yourself sick.
 
Ugh, I remember those first few weeks. Ozempic hit me hard too, and honestly, I pretty much lived on plain oatmeal and toast for like, two weeks because it was the only thing that would stay down (hence my username lol).

Like everyone said already, starting out at 0.5 instead of 0.25 is pretty rough. Definitely talk to your doc about lowering the dosage. It gets better for most people once your body gets used to it, but there's no shame in asking for a lower dose or a slower increase.

Small sips of really cold water helped me more than downing a whole glass. Ginger candies were also a lifesaver. And honestly, just accepting that eating is gonna feel a bit strange for a little while takes some of the pressure off. Hang in there!
 
I'm even microdosing and still feel lousy, I have been yo-yoing since last summer and really haven't lost much. It just hasn't been worth it with all the problems. Although I don't need to lose a lot of weight my A1C has been perfect. I'm torn between weight loss and A1C and am currently taking a break!
 
My doctor prescribed it as .5 mg as well, but with instructions to start at .25 mg for the first four weeks. I think the packaging also mentions that. I cannot imagine beginning at .5 mg. Double check the directions with your doctor. Some don’t give good instructions when prescribing unfortunately.
 
If you're not already on .25, ask your doc to drop you down to that for a month. I had symptoms for the first week and a half at the .25 dose, but then one day I woke up feeling great. That first week is tough, but it's worth it once you adjust.
 
I've been sleeping/napping a lot since I started the medication, and I've been on 0.5 for 3 months now. I get headaches a few times a week. It's also been hard to eat or keep food down, but I've recently found some foods that work for me, like fresh fruit, kefir smoothies, plain toast, eggs, and a pinch of salt. It's probably different for everyone, but trying different foods might help you find what works for you now.
 
I'm also reading that these meds can have positive effects on libido and confidence, which is interesting. Has anyone else noticed this? I'm hoping once the side effects chill out, I'll see some of those benefits too!
 
Premature escalation is the main driver of that GI pattern - most people who hold at the starting dose for 8 weeks instead of 4 report significantly better tolerance at 0.5mg. Imodium helps acutely but the dose rate is the underlying variable.
 
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