Semaglutide and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2022

Semaglutide for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Working with a board-certified obesity physician who suggested I try Ozempic. I am not diabetic but was pre-diabetic in 2015 and was on 1,000 mg Metformin until February of this year. I LOVE Ozempic. I feel like a normal human who doesn't think about food constantly, who can now leave food on my plate (because of Ozempic) and not pick at other people's plates. I've lost 32 pounds in 19 weeks!! I never had any gastrointestinal problems with the exception of being constipated, so I take something for that a couple of times a week. It is much better than the diarrhea I had with Metformin. I started on .025 mg for the first four weeks, then went to .05 mg and plan to stay on that as long as it works. BUT PLEASE BE AWARE, you have to cut down on carbs like breads, pastas, and sweets. I don't have a craving for sweets anymore. My doctor said Ozempic doesn't work as well if you keep eating those kinds of carbs, and I have noticed that when I cheat. I'm 74, something about 'old dog new tricks'"

• In ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2022

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "6-7-2022: I am about to start my eighth week on Wegovy: first four weeks at 0.25 mg, second four weeks at 0.5 mg, and starting 1.0 mg this week if I can get the medicine. My pharmacy is having difficulty getting it. The first week was difficult. I started on a Thursday evening and had diarrhea for two days straight and accompanying upset stomach. I took Friday off from work and was sick on Saturday. On Sunday, I felt better but very tired and stayed in bed all day. I was feeling better by Monday and Tuesday. Since then, few side effects. I lost 5 lbs. the first month and 7 the second, averaging my doctor's goal of 6 lbs./week. I'm so glad to be moving in the right direction. I'm 5'2" and weighed 260 at my highest. I lost 30 pounds a couple of years before COVID hit and had kept it off (a major triumph) but had gained back 10 of those pounds before starting Wegovy."

• Non...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started using this as a last effort to lose weight. I had tried everything I knew to do. My doctor starts out with a very low dose (0.10) and takes it up each week (0.20, 0.30, etc.). I experienced a little nausea my first week but severe nausea my second week. She just kept me at 0.20 for 2 weeks until I was no longer feeling that. I am now at 0.30, not because of nausea but because it is working so well at that dosage. I have had constipation for several days and then diarrhea for a couple of hours, but I am eating so little that I don’t have much in me. I am drinking a lot of water (always have) and haven’t experienced tiredness or fatigue. In the first 5 weeks, I lost 11 lbs. and 5 1/2 inches. I’m really happy so far. I never thought they would make anything that helped me. I do eat, just very small amounts. I do get a small rash at the injection site, but I use Benadryl cream and it slowly goes away."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2022

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Ok, so it's been 2.5 months. I made it to the 1 mg dose and had to stop. I did fine with the 0.25 and 0.5 doses and lost weight. The trouble started when I hit the 1 mg dose. I felt horrible the first week, like absolute death, with side effects of nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain-just awful. I reached out to my MD, and she said this was normal to go ahead and keep going. The second week on this hasn't been much better, with vomiting, and I'm stopping it myself. I have lost 20 lbs the last couple of months even on the lower doses, but due to supply chain issues, my pharmacy cannot get them in, so I'm having to switch medications now. Lower doses have way less side effects and are just as effective. I wish I could've continued with it."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2022

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started on Ozempic 12 weeks ago in Jan 2022, which is the same as Wegovy in a lower dosage. I spent 4 weeks on the 0.25 dosage, losing 2 lbs. Moved up to the 0.5 dosage for 4 weeks, losing another 2 lbs, moved up to the 1 dosage for 4 weeks, and lost an additional 3 lbs. I just took my first dose of Wegovy at the 1.7 dosage, and wow can I tell a difference. I won’t lie, I have experienced a few side effects, such as constipation, some abdominal pain, nausea, headache, and diarrhea, but all have been mostly mild and very tolerable. Nothing that can’t be helped with eating a little less. The key to managing all of it is learning how to eat properly with the right portion sizes. Only eat until you are satisfied rather than full. For me, it is well worth dealing with mild side effects in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle!"

• Sli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2022

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "So I am 5'4" and I found myself at the weight I was when I delivered my children, 145 pounds. For three years plus, I desperately tried to approach my goal weight of 125 pounds, dieting and feeling miserable for 3 years. I told my doctor I was dieting and exercising and could not budge the scale. At 60 years of age, the weight just doesn’t come off like when you are young. I’ve been on Wegovy for 6 weeks and have lost 12 pounds-a miracle! Now at 133 pounds, I’m staying the course to my goal. I will say the nausea is the worst side effect and comes in intermittent waves. I have Zofran (ondansetron) for when I can’t take the nausea. One of the best side effects for me has been totally eradicating my diarrhea. I have irritable bowel on the diarrhea spectrum, and luckily I did not get the diarrhea side effect but more the constipation, which has totally normalized my GI tract! I am so happy about this and assume this is due to slowing gastrointestinal motility."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2022

Semaglutide for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Started Ozempic 0.5 mg a few days ago to help me lose weight, a bit of nausea, and diarrhea, and I lost my appetite for food. I feel it is really working. The only thing is with the side effects, hope they don't get worse."

• Ddd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on this medication since August 2021. So far, I have lost 36 lbs. I have been on the max dose of 2.4 for going on 2 months now. Side effects I have experienced have been sulfur burps/gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sensitivity on my back and scalp (sunburn-type feeling). Although I haven’t had the most pleasant side effects, I would still recommend this medication. Now that my body is used to it and I am up to the max dose, I haven’t had any of the side effects lately, besides occasional nausea. I have noticed the most weight loss on the 1.7 and 2.4 doses. Just this week alone, I have lost 5 lbs. I hope to keep losing at this rate. I am only 40 lbs away from my goal weight now. So far, I have not really changed much with my diet or exercise. I cook my meals at home, drink water, and walk a few miles a week, and that is it. If you can stick it out and get up to the maintenance dose, it gets better!"

• Me ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2022

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, sulfur burps, fatigue, loss of appetite, super sensitive to smells, I have to make myself eat enough. It's like morning sickness, only it's 24/7. Zofran helps for about 6 hours. Cannot tolerate much besides chicken broth and Brussels sprouts. No fried, fatty, oily, spicy foods. Need to stay hydrated with water. Ginger ale helps. I'm up to a 1 mg dose and 14th week. This nausea is constant and impacts my daily routine significantly. However, it is the only effective weight loss option that's worked in 26 years of diets and exercise and eating healthy. I will not give up. The weight is killing me, and I needed this medication. I started at 221 lbs. and now I'm at 194.3 lbs. BMI is close to pre-obesity, and I know I'll cry the day I hit it. Full disclosure, I'm disabled in part due to my weight. There is no way I could have worked and taken Wegovy with the severity of my nausea and fatigue. But the mobility and breathing issues are improving."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2022

Semaglutide "I've been on Rybelsus for about 6 weeks now and am up to the 7 mg dose. I was placed on it to help lose PCOS-induced weight gain. It took about a month to get used to (minor vomiting, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea during the adjustment). I've lost almost 15 lbs, my anxiety levels have plummeted, and my skin is the clearest it's been in ages. I no longer have sugar or processed carb cravings, which I think is helping all of this. I'm lucky that my insurance is fully covering the medication since it is pricey."

• ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Rybelsus for a little over a month for PCOS and have had an overall positive experience - just started the 7 mg dose. My doctor recommended it since I am at risk for type 2 diabetes (>30 BMI, borderline high fasting glucose with a normal A1C, and signs of insulin resistance from PCOS). I get some pretty extreme nausea whenever I eat junk food (fatty and/or sugary), but otherwise feel good. I'm hoping that the nausea I do get helps instill better long-term eating habits. I've also experienced appetite suppression, which has helped me prioritize proteins and vegetables. I did get alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea when starting this medicine and am expecting that I'll experience the same with the dose increase. I have felt far more energy, and my cravings for junk food have drastically reduced. So far, I've lost slightly more than 10 lbs and am shooting for another 50 to help get my PCOS under control."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was obese prior to COVID lockdowns and gained 35 pounds over the first year and a half of the pandemic. My blood sugars were increasing, and my feet were so swollen that I couldn't wear most of my shoes. My doctor started me on Ozempic, and after one week on the .25 mg dose, my shoes fit again. I took .25 for four weeks, then .5 for four weeks, and I have been on 1 mg for two months. I have lost about 30 pounds, and my pre-COVID pants all fit again. My energy levels have increased dramatically. I am in my mid-60s, and for the first time in my life, I am able to stick to a diet without feeling like I am starving. I keep the level of carbs I eat at or below about 50 a day (primarily vegetables, berries, and whole grains), eat when I am hungry, and stop eating when I am full. I had some diarrhea at first, but I started injecting in my thigh instead of my abdomen, and that cured the diarrhea. The only side effect I have now is a little constipation."

• Ama...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "Listen to me, Ozempic will change your life, but you cannot eat synthetic sugar at all. I had severe Hashimoto's, PCOS, insulin resistance, and severe diabetes symptoms. HbA1c was high, all cholesterols were high despite the healthiest of diets. My numbers cleared from severe to perfect in 1 month! I had full-body swelling, severely cracked ankles, swollen feet, neck, legs, major hair loss... a nightmare. I began taking Ozempic. I was very sick. It made me extremely nauseous. I got severe diarrhea, but let me tell you, I lost 17 pounds of water weight in one month. My doctor couldn’t believe it. In four months, I lost 40 lbs. The nausea was mild to severe the entire time, but the results were borderline insane. It reset my metabolism, took all of the inflammation away from my joints, neck, back, my feet completely healed within one month. It’s barely believable. I spent two months on 0.25 and increased to 0.5 once a week for ten more months. High praise!"

• Jen...
• November 24, 2021

Semaglutide for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Stay away from beef! It's a game changer. I have lost 43 lbs over 4 months. It really works for me. I am at 1 mg/week now, and I feel full constantly. I eat around 1/4 of what I usually did, and my sweet tooth is a lot less than it used to be. I had a lot of side effects with sulfur burps, diarrhea, and vomiting at the beginning. I found a 100% correlation with eating beef and the nasty side effects. Even as little as 1 oz! I had been feeling fine for a month when I last week tried 1 bite of a nice steak! 24 hours later, the terrible side effects were back, and I lost 5 lbs over 24 hours (mostly fluids). So stick to chicken and fish. I have not dared to test pork or lamb yet."

• mem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I experienced slight stomach issues, mild diarrhea for about 5 days on and off... no nausea or other side effects except a decreased appetite, but after 3 months my hunger has kind of returned. My blood sugar came down about 60 points... on 7 mg so I am not sure what will happen when I go to 14 mg. Overall, this medicine is very good and very, very expensive."

• NP2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "28 days in! Started on 7 mg and will continue with 7 mg. I am also on Metformin 500 mg daily and have been for years. To be fair, my A1c was never above 6.3, and my weight was 179 lbs and height is 5-6. I have a strong family history of insulin-dependent diabetics, and I don’t want to go there! I’ve been losing weight like crazy with no exercise, which is why I came to read some of these reviews to see if this is common. Current weight is 164. Lost 15 lbs in 28 days! Mild nausea and dry mouth after taking the med in the morning. Pill is also bitter and not overly large, but a little hard to swallow. Nausea disappears with ginger ale or fruit. Appetite is gone! I have to force myself to eat at times. I suggest a vitamin supplement. Mild stomach ache and loose stool later in the day, but have solid soft stool in the morning. Want to continue to reach the weight goal of 155 lbs and A1c below 5.8. Then maybe go to a reduced dose if necessary. I definitely recommend this drug."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "Started taking Ozempic back in February after I asked my doctor to put me on it because of reading a British study on weight loss by semaglutide. Started at the 0.25 mg level for three weeks. Went to 0.50 for another four weeks and have been on 1 mg thereafter. No serious side effects apart from some belching, acid reflux after bedtime, and rare diarrhea. Significant loss of appetite, change of taste in foods, change of perceived texture of foods, significant reduction in alcohol enjoyment and intake, and increased sensitivity to cold. My A1C has gone from 6.7 to 6.0, and I have lost over 35 pounds since the start. My cholesterol is down to 115 and LDL down to 50, something I have never seen before. Overall, the results far outweigh the downsides of this drug and it has provided the most positive results faster than any other medication I have tried before."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2021

Semaglutide for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Started on .25 and now onto .5 for the next 4 weeks. My side effects have been mild nausea, a lot of constipation, slight anxiety, mild diarrhea, mild tummy ache, intermittent tiredness, and feeling somewhat under the weather. There is no pattern, it’s random. I do think it’s the medication, as prior to this, I had none of these symptoms. It is not great, but tolerable. I think the meds are really kicking in now. If I have a small snack, the nausea subsides. I have little to no appetite, probably consume 1000 calories a day. And my mind is not consumed with food, and before I had an obsession with food. For me, it’s been life-changing. I put on 15 kg during Covid lockdown. Was 85 kg, now 81 kg."

• AJa...
• July 4, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking 3 mg Rybelsus since June 4th. I am not experiencing nausea nor diarrhea, however, I am experiencing constipation and loss of appetite. Since I have been taking this medication, I notice I get tired very quickly. Overall, I notice that it has helped my diabetes tremendously, and I have lost 8 lbs with very little exercise. I also take metformin 750 ER. Before starting Rybelsus, my A1C was 8.1, I do expect it to be much lower on my next visit in September."

• Ash...
• May 12, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "My endocrinologist prescribed this to help with PCOS. I weighed 211 lb and started on 3 mg and lost 6 lbs while walking for 2 miles a day most days for a month. I was bumped up to 7 mg, but insurance wouldn't cover it, and I ended up gaining the weight back after trying Victoza and Byetta. My insurance changed, and my endocrinologist started me back on it at 7 mg since I already had Byetta in my system. During this time, I found out I have Ehlers-Danlos and was recommended to start weight lifting to help strengthen my muscles and lost 13 lbs in a little over a month, which I'm sure exercise has helped contribute. My menstrual cycle has been regular and on time for the first time in 4 years. I haven't had any major side effects other than a little nausea when I first take it in the morning and diarrhea, but I had that issue beforehand. I know a lot of people have said the side effects are terrible, but it hasn't been for me, and you should certainly give it a try. It's honestly been wonderful."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "It’s been a week on Rybelsus 3mg. I feel pretty good (except for seasonal allergies). No nausea, no vomiting, no diarrhea, smaller appetite. I am prediabetic with BMI >30. I would like to lose 30 to 40 pounds. I think Rybelsus will help me. (Prior to taking Rybelsus, I was fasting (16-hour/8-hour) and exercising EVERY day and STILL gaining weight.) I think Rybelsus will help. I weigh daily, and I am beginning to see the numbers ever so slightly trend down. I am optimistic. I will start 7mg after 30 days. I hope to come back here and share my journey with you."

• Nan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "After reading the reviews, a lot of my problems using Ozempic have been answered. I was wondering why I had the side effects that I did, such as vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, stomach gurgling, and belching or egg taste, etc., but a lot has been answered here. My only comment about this is that I am to use .50 every week, and my pen only holds 3 weeks' worth. I have called 2X after I mentioned it to my nurse practitioner, and the only thing I get is offered a voucher for a free pen. My question is, am I the only one that doesn't get the full 4 weeks' worth of the pen if using .50? I tried to ask that to customer service this morning, and she could not answer my question but only offer yet another voucher. Please tell me if I am the only one that this happens to or not. Overall, I am extremely happy with the product."

• Nav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "Background: I am a type 2 diabetic, was overweight at 245-250 lbs. I have had diabetes for 15 years now. Nothing worked to lower my A1C of 10+. I was taking insulin injections twice a day. Blood sugar was usually between 220-300 in the am. Nothing was helping until I tried Ozempic with Farxiga. What a 1-2 punch! It's been 7 months, and I am down 25 lbs, and A1c is under 7 for the past 6 months. My side effects have been minimal. A little bit of the runs for the first week, but that has since passed. This has been a game changer for me and my family. I just wish I could sustain it financially. Insurance no longer covers it, and at $860 per month (Ozempic only), I can't afford to continue. Hopefully, the manufacturer can help."

• Ail...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2021

Semaglutide for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I went on Ozempic for weight loss after being told by a friend of mine about it - she started at 280 lbs and lost 60+ pounds. My whole life I’ve always been about 130 pounds, and then I rapidly gained 50 pounds within about 2 years. I started taking Ozempic at 182 pounds (I’m 5’4) and 6 months later I am down 25 pounds and continuing to lose. I could not recommend this drug more. It INTENSELY reduced my appetite and obsession over food. Aside from some occasional nausea (maybe once every 2 weeks), and some diarrhea, nothing that I can’t handle, the drug has been pretty great. This is only my experience though!"

• Ann...
• December 28, 2020

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Rybelsus at the beginning of August for weight loss. The biggest con for me is that it causes constipation and then usually diarrhea when I finally do go to the restroom. I have only had issues with nausea when I try to eat past the point of being comfortable. It is also important to try to eat something within an hour of taking the medication. When I first started on the medicine, I could only eat a few bites of food and then would feel extremely full and bloated and would have to stop. Now, it is 4 full months later, and I am on the 14mg, and I can continue to eat beyond a few bites without feeling miserable, but I try to stop as soon as I am full. I have, so far, lost 30 lbs with no exercise and have gone from a size 12/14 to a size 6/8. Diabetes does run in my family, so I am hoping continued use of this drug may help prevent the development of diabetes in the future."