Weight loss drugs

If this was me, I would do the Mediterranean diet or Weight Watchers.

I am curious about this too. When you read the side effects they all list diarrhea as common so that makes me nervous.

If you try it, please let us know how you do.

UB,

I have the same issue. My PCP prescribed Wegovy. My colorectal surgeon had a fit--4 surgeries since 2016 for obstructions.... So I did not do it.

There are some ladies in my support groups that are on it. There are some that have no issues, some with nausea, one got horrible diarrhea right from the start and it still hasn't gone away, (5 months after she stopped taking it... Unsure if it was the medication or just a flare...) another got horribly constipated and she's still battling that 2 months after stopping the medication.

So I dunno. It sounds like it just depends. Personally I'm a little scared about it with my inflammation, narrowing and past obstructions. I can tell you I was placed on a waiting list over a year ago. I was 250th in line.... Now I'm at 149. If you do get to experience these meds please let us know.

Last thing....they all lost weight though....so I am a little envious.

Clo

No weight gain yet.

The ones with no problems are still on it....so they won't gain the weight back until they get off....if they don't change the way they regard food. But they went thru the hospital dietician and revamped their diet, started walking more, and there's a support group for during and after at the hospital...plus the medical companies have support groups on their websites I think. They are not losing weight quickly. 8 to 10 pounds a month. They have had times when they cheated and didn't lose weight for a few weeks. They also said they feel pretty miserable if they eat high fat content foods or over eat.

The others are nauseated because of diarrhea or really bad constipation.

One with constipation -- they think her stómach might not be emptying or processing food correctly. She's pretty sick. The other one isn't eating because it causes her to become impacted. She's had to go to the ER 3 times in the last few months... She is taking a lot of meds to make her "go-go"....but she is struggling... So she had testing to make sure her stomach is processing food. (It is but it's really slow. The doctors are hoping that it speeds up... Sometimes it takes a little while for your body to adjust after stopping it.)

The one thing I noticed about the ones that are still on it....they were not in a hurry to increase their dosage and they stayed on the beginning dose for a pretty long time. They did share that even for them....dosage increases took awhile to get used to and they were uncomfortable.

Hope this helps some. If you have questions I can ask them.

Clo

The diarrhea ones are both in a different support group. They both have IBD. Their doctors are trying to figure out if it's a flare or if it was the medicine. They said they expected constipation but first they had nausea... Then their stomach hurts when they ate fatty foods or too much.... And the time that it hurt just gradually increased.. then the diarrhea started. Their doctors said their numbers aren't high enough to represent a true flare so they think it was the medicine. They both have indicated that it's starting to get a little better.... But gosh it's been almost 5 months for them.

UB,

I just met with my GI about 2 weeks ago. I've gained... And gained... And gained on Remicade. He left the room and his PA said that she's had many many complaints regarding weight gain and biologics and the newer medications also in regards to their patients. She said a lot of IBD people are going to their PCP for Wegovy... And the other weight loss shots. She also Indictated that at their practice she has not had anyone go into a sever flare that they could not or did not recover from.... But that there had been a few "hiccups". Those individuals recovered after they adjusted to their meds, they did have a few more small hiccups when their dosage was raised but they have all settled back in and are currently doing well--plus they are losing their weight.

Then I went to see my colorectal surgeon and he said what she said was true but since I've had 4 surgeries since 2016 because of obstructions I am not a good candidate for those meds.

So like you I am waiting and watching.

Today I bought a bunch of salad makings and chicken breasts.... Plus non fat yogurt. (My ferritin is sky high and they hope the extra calcium will lower it...sigh...) I guess I'm going to have to do this the old fashioned way and count every bite... But with being unable to stand or walk because if my arthritis and knees.... Well.... I'm not too optimistic.

Please let me know how it goes. I wish you only the very best my friend. It is always good to hear from you/see you post...

Clo

My mom was on Ozempic most of last year. The diarrhea is no joke! Same with the nausea and headaches. She barely left the house when she was on it but she did lose weight. It really dampens your appetite and makes you cleanse everything you eat. She stopped it this year due to cost but I am not sure if she gained any weight back. She looks the same to me but she has always been big. She wont get weighed at the doctor’s office ever. She is still obese at this weight and needs to lose more but she doesn't eat well or exercise. It is kind of a losing battle but I can’t do anything. She can go out again though which makes me happy. I hated seeing her chained to the toilet since that lifestyle sucks.
It is interesting though what you said about this med making you gain weight. I am at my highest weight ever on Rinvoq and have had to get a whole new wardrobe. It sucks. I have never had size D boobs but now they are huge to me. Had to buy all new jeans and underwear. These meds must mess with metabolism and fat burning.

UB,
Yes there is an assistance program in the US. Their insurance covered it too... But it was still costly for them. I am unsure how the assistance program worked,--but they said it was easy to apply online.

Down where I live, there are compounding pharmacies that are compounding their own version of it for 79.99 a month... (Or there about) You have to go into the pharmacy to get the shots... They give them to you I think. I didn't pursue it once my CRS said no.

Bacongirl,
My CRS said there are studies that Indicate that some biologics do cause weight gain...but it just depends on the person.

I just know I morbidly obese and am having a hard time losing weight.... Especially with a low residue diet.

Clo

Half joking here.. but if you want to lose your appetite I can recommend prozac.... ye gods the nausea 😵 It was terrible for the first 3 months, now it's tolerable, but I refuse to take anything other than a low dose due to this particular side effect. Also no adverse effects on my bowel,in fact quite the opposite.

I know! Very frustrating for those who really need their meds for diabetes. I have a friend with diabetes who takes one of those drugs (not sure which) but she says her pharmacy had a priority list for the medication for those who do have diabetes.