Pep talk needed! Side effects hitting hard

Carb-Lean

Carb-Lean

Well-known member
Hey everyone. Just started my second week. The first week on 2.5mg was great – just felt a little tired the second day, but that was it. Took my second shot Monday, and since Tuesday I've had zero appetite, really bad indigestion, and major nausea. Wednesday was the same. And today, Thursday, I've been feeling super clammy all day and just generally weird (like low blood sugar, but my glucose monitor says I'm fine; I had one in for the last 14 days too). I know the medication builds up in your system, but I'm shocked. Last week was amazing. Now I feel awful and I'm dreading next week. Does it actually get better?
 
The initial weeks were a nightmare for me! Thought I'd have to give it up due to the bad side effects. Then, around the third week, things evened out. Started my doses in late May last year and hit my goal by mid-October. Occasional bad days happened, but overall, so glad I persisted. Finally able to sit comfortably!
 
Sounds weird, but maybe it will help... I took all my data and doctor's advice and made a little chatbot using ChatGPT, my own personal side effect helper. I chat with it whenever I have strange effects. It's helped me navigate the weirdness by offering some insights. Plus, it gives me food suggestions and is honestly a good pep talker. lol
 
I didn't get any side effects until I was on 5mg for a while. Then the sulfur burbs came, and random nausea that made me feel like I was dying.

I keep going because the results are worth it, and I love not being constantly hungry.
 
Just a thought, if you're diabetic, a normal sugar level can feel off at first as your body adjusts. But definitely consult with your physician.
 
Not a pep talk exactly but sharing my reality... The side effects just kept getting worse for me. I was throwing up multiple times each week, dealing with both constipation AND diarrhea, felt nauseous constantly, and had zero energy. I started in July '25, and I chose to stop in October because the side effects were too much. I lost about 40 pounds on the medication, and have kept off around 30 pounds since stopping. My food noise vanished, and I feel free, and my body feels so much better! Even though the side effects were awful, I am grateful I tried it because it got me where I am now. But listen to your body, I probably should have stopped sooner.

Oh, also, a weird side effect I haven't seen mentioned: I developed lactose intolerance?? Had to take lactase pills or I was in so much pain, and having accidents. But now I can eat lactose again with no issues.
 
I think it needs time to reach its full potency in your body. They say the fourth dose is when your body hits a stable concentration of the medication.

My first week or two were fine, but then I experienced some mild side effects. They faded away, and I haven't had any major issues since, except for some short-term Allodynia with each increase in dosage.
 
I always found the second week after a dose increase the hardest. Because of how the medication's half-life works, your second shot puts a lot more in your system than week one. It stabilizes after that.

So, hang in there; next week should be easier. If not, see a doctor.

Edit: Also, watch what you eat. I've been on it a year, and I still can't eat anything greasy or fatty in the first few days after a shot, or I get extremely sick.
 
The med definitely builds up. It takes four shots/weeks to reach full strength. A bit less than half of the previous dose is still in your system after 7 days. It takes about 4-6 weeks to completely leave your system. Each shot takes about 3 days to reach its peak effect each week, too.

Starting Week 2, Day 4, I had nasty nausea and diarrhea. Pink Bismuth helped a little. I had to delay my next shot. Week 3, Day 3, the side effects came back. I tried some yogurt. It helped a lot. So I started eating yogurt every day. The probiotics helped my digestion. I added daily probiotic supplements too, and 34 weeks later, I haven't had any more nausea, indigestion, reflux, or any other digestive discomfort, even when I increased dosages.

Daily probiotics really help digestive health. I suggest adding probiotic-rich foods and/or supplements.
 
Just took my fourth 2.5mg injection, and the side effects from the first 3 weeks have vanished. The first 3 injections made me queasy on days 2 and 3, but not this time. And the reduced appetite is great. I stop when I'm full, not just because my husband is or there's food left. Oh, and my blood sugar is consistently below 110 in the mornings, usually around 102-104. The 7 pounds I've lost is a bonus but the blood sugar is the real victory.
 
I'm also on week two. I felt okay, nothing major. But this second dose is rough – nausea, muscle tightness and pain, nerve pain (apparently it's common), plus some cold intolerance and fatigue. Trying to stay positive, but it's hard.

If your side effects worry you or are more than you can handle, talk to your doctor to make sure it's normal and get advice on how to manage it.

I hope you feel better. It hasn't been fun so far, but I figured the start would be tough.

Sending good vibes!
 
Low blood sugar happened when I reached 5mg, not at 2.5mg dose. At 5mg, my blood sugar doesn't go high enough to 'feed the cells.' I think I need a bigger spike when the medication is at its strongest, and less as it wears off later in the week. That's when I feel lightheaded, even if my meter or CGM shows normal sugar. Eating more carbs helps. I just ate pasta, and it barely spiked. Next week that same pasta will spike me up to 160 or higher. I stopped intermittent fasting, only doing it when the meds wear off.

My nutritionist wants me to eat more good carbs and spike up, but I don't want too much of a spike.
 
Starting next week, and second-guessing because of the side effects. Were they bad enough to miss work? My managers aren't understanding, so I'm worried.
 
I had terrible side effects around week 4 - aches all over and total exhaustion. I still get tired often, but it's manageable. The worst side effects improved a lot around week 5.
 
You haven't eaten! Go eat something. On this medication, you need a food plan, or you can get problems from malnutrition. Since you've fasted for a couple of days, take it easy when you eat. Start with broth.
 
Hey all, just wanted to give a quick update. I took Hawkxx's advice and have been chugging water like crazy. It seems to be helping a bit with the clammy feeling. Still got the indigestion, though. Might try some yogurt like I mentioned before.
 
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