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<\/p>\nOriginally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are now widely prescribed for weight loss. They’ve become so mainstream that it feels like everyone falls into one of three categories: you’re either taking one yourself, know someone who is, or can’t open your phone without seeing someone talk about them.<\/p>\n
Peter Dazeley \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
While these types of medication have been life-changing for many, they can also bring on a variety of side effects. Over the past few months, we’ve been sharing firsthand stories<\/a> from people taking GLP-1 medications, and there’s been no shortage of thoughtful, honest insights.<\/a> So, we asked for even more responses \u2014 and once again, people delivered. Here are 24 things people wish they had known before starting their GLP-1 journeys:1. “The only weird side effect I have is that most potatoes taste rotten. Baked, mashed, and French fries…all gross. Only Waffle House hashbrowns and tater tots are passable. I miss potatoes.” Caterina Oltean \/ 500px \/ Getty Images\/500px Prime<\/p>\n 2. “I have been taking Zepbound for 1.5 years and have lost 100 pounds, but I did not anticipate the amount of hair loss I’d experience on the meds. Not necessarily balding spots, but a significant loss in hair density.”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 42, F, MD<\/p>\n Related: “28 Health Trends That Have Doctors And Nurses Seriously Worried”<\/a><\/p>\n 3. “I am one of the very rare people who are highly allergic to GLP-1s! I was on a low dose for a few months and was feeling fine. When I went up in dose, I started feeling exhausted, and a few weeks later, it got to the point where I was sleeping almost the entire day! Turns out my liver was starting to fail because of the meds. Took a few months to get healthy after I stopped taking it. I would love to be able to use GLP-1s to lose weight, but I’m stuck with the old-fashioned way!”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 36, F, USA<\/p>\n 4. “I was on semaglutide for a year and had horrible diarrhea and vomiting, and only lost about 9 pounds. I have been on tirzepetide for about 7 months and have still only lost about 10 pounds. Fewer GI side effects, but I have injection site inflammation and irritation. My main complaint is I’m just not seeing the results everyone else seems to see. Not sure if it’s because I honestly never really ate that many calories to begin with, but I just don’t eat particularly healthy food. It’s frustrating to hear about people losing 40-50 pounds, and I am barely seeing the scale move week to week.” Olga Rolenko \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n 5. “So important to drink WATER while taking these meds! I had severe constipation (did not read the directions correctly, duh), and my friend said she was drinking two to three liters of water daily, yup, read the directions again…that is what should be done. Fiber also helps so much.”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 54, F, Sweden<\/p>\n 6. “I was on Saxenda<\/a> and developed diverticulitis<\/a>. I had to take antibiotics to cure it. I stopped that med, then switched to Wegovy for 9 months, and lost no weight. I then went on Zepbound. It ruined my eyesight<\/a>, and I ended up with a hole in my retina. I had to have eye surgery, and it was awful. The doctor says my vision will never be 100% again, and I have only lost 7 pounds. These medications are not without side effects. You have to be careful.”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 63, F<\/p>\n 7. “No one told me you’re not supposed to take Ozempic if you have diabetic retinopathy<\/a> or diabetic macular edema<\/a>, both of which can cause blindness on their own. Ozempic makes them worse. I nearly went blind in one eye. I stopped taking Ozempic over two years ago, and I’m still having some issues with that eye, although my vision did clear up after about 8 months. And for all that, I didn’t lose weight, and my labs didn’t change. The only thing that helped me was bariatric surgery.” Fotograf\u00eda De ELuVe \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n 8. “If you’re on GLP-1s, make sure you are also taking some form of laxative to help regulate your bowels!!! Very important. You will thank me if you have had impacted stools that required a hospital visit.”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 55, F, Atlanta, GA<\/p>\n 9. “I was on several different GLP-1s for two years, and the entire time I only lost about 35 pounds. I have a nerve disorder, PMOS (PCOS), pelvic floor dysfunction, thyroid disease\u2026the list goes on. But those comorbid conditions made losing weight more difficult. My OBGYN started me on the medication, and I quickly started losing the weight, but I would vomit uncontrollably to the point that my ribs would be sore, my eyes would be bloodshot, and my face would be bruised from heaving so hard.”<\/p>\n Related: “A Parasite That Causes “Explosive Diarrhea” Is Spreading Across The US”<\/a><\/p>\n “The longest I went without a bowel movement was 8 days, and I was then diagnosed with gastroparesis<\/a>, severe chronic gastritis<\/a>, and bleeding of the bowel. I finally stopped the meds when my dentist told me that if I didn’t stop the vomiting, I would lose all my teeth by 30. My gastrointestinal issues are permanent now.” Javier Zayas Photography \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n 10. “I was on Ozempic to help with diabetes. I developed gastroparesis. I was nauseous constantly. I vomited daily and had liquid diarrhea daily. I lost two pant sizes in a short time. But I was malnourished despite still being obese. Even the thought of food made me sick. I’m not able to properly digest the healthy foods I like and should eat. I’m on the toilet within a short time, and the food is in the toilet. Foods that are not good for diabetics are what I can tolerate \u2014 bread and pasta. I miss salads, broccoli, beans, carrots, and apples. I had several tests done to verify gastroparesis.””Didn’t know it was possible to be constipated and have diarrhea at the same time. Even if I watch what I eat, I have several flare-ups, stomach pain, and diarrhea weekly. I lost my health insurance and can’t afford Ozempic without it. I still have issues due to gastroparesis. I’d rather vomit than have diarrhea. My doctor that prescribed Ozempic, glossed over the possible side effect of delayed digestion. He did not explain what that fully means, the details and results of that.”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous<\/p>\n 11. “Permanent gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis. I was pushed by my doctor to start a GLP-1 despite my concerns. I took the starter dose of Victoza for two months before everything went on backorder, and it wasn’t available anymore. Yes, it took away my hunger, but only by paralyzing my stomach. The doctor said it was temporary; it’s been over three years. I can’t eat anything without pain, and I feel uncomfortably full 24\/7. I had a supervised three-day fast and stayed full the entire time. I’ve started having hypoglycemic<\/a> episodes because I’m so full and don’t eat. The kicker is that my endocrinologist recommended a GLP-1 to treat my hypoglycemia. Doctors are starting to bully patients into taking one. I wish I never did.”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 33, F, USA<\/p>\n 12. “I started on Trulicity; it did nothing but cause stomach issues, so I switched to Ozempic, and the stomach issues worked themselves out. But I began burping constantly. I switched to Zepbound two months ago, and the burping has only gotten worse. I haven’t had sulfur burps once; just normal burps constantly, sometimes deep and very loud. It is very annoying for me, and I’m sure for my husband too. I am certain he wishes I would stop saying ‘Excuse me’ after every single burp, because he’s started telling me he is done excusing me for the day. But I have lost around 50 pounds over the past year, making the burps tolerable.” M-gucci \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n Related: “21 Women’s Health Realities That No One Warns You About”<\/a><\/p>\n 13. “My brain is quiet for the first time! No food noise, no compulsive thoughts. I’m more organized, I get shit done, and I became incredibly aware that I may have ADHD. I’ve been on Ozempic for three months, and it was a decision to help with chronic pain. I’ve lost 35 pounds, with minimal side effects aside from being dehydrated so badly that my muscles keep cramping, and my body is achy. But I drink way more water and Gatorade now, my pain meds have started to decrease, and it’s changed my life! I used to feel ashamed and embarrassed for taking these meds, but I don’t care anymore. I’m the one that has to live in my body, I’m doing what I need to get my life back, and that’s all that matters.”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 38, F, Canada<\/p>\n 14. “After losing 18 pounds in two months on my own, I started Zepbound, and the weight just started falling off. But the first several weeks were miserable. The worst side effects were the nausea and my ADHD medication not working. I changed my injection site from my stomach to my thigh, and it helped the nausea tremendously. In total, I’m down 40 pounds in 6 months! I’m starting to wean off of it and am looking into therapy to help reexamine my relationship to food and weight loss. There are days when I’m eating so little, I am worried about developing an eating disorder when I don’t have the medication, and I want to remain healthy.”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 30, F, NY<\/p>\n 15. “Holy shit, the hair loss! I was only on it for four months. Lost 33 pounds, but by month three, I was losing handfuls of hair all the time. It finally stopped three months after going off the medication. I was told I would lose ‘some’ hair, but I had to buy a hair topper, it was so bad. Also, it made me very sleepy. How do I work out if I want to sleep all the time?”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 44, F, Las Vegas<\/a>, NV<\/p>\n 16. “I got mine through an online pharmacy, and although I had had gallstones before, I skipped that question on the online screening questionnaire. The medication then gave me pancreatitis and gallstones<\/a> so bad that I was in the hospital. Felt like my stomach would explode. Had to stop the meds. I’ve had to lose weight the old-fashioned way now \u2014 calorie cutting and exercising.” Igor Suka \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n 17. “I wish someone had told me it can completely play havoc on your nervous system AND the big one \u2014 I ended up having to have my gallbladder removed as it caused mine to become inflamed, so incredibly painful, and diseased. I was only microdosing for a few months, and even that caused complete chaos.”<\/p>\n \u2014Anonymous, 43, F, Maine<\/p>\n 18. “You have to learn how to manage the roller coaster. First three days after the shot, expect constipation. Take a stool softener. If you’re nauseous, you ate too much. So many people are prescribed this medication with zero nutritional backup. Gotta hit 90 grams of protein every day. Shakes, protein water, etc. Fiber: 25 grams, so take a fiber pill. Eventually, this levels out. Fatty food is a disaster; just don’t eat it. Diarrhea will be the answer. It hits hard. Fatigue is usually due to not eating enough calories. Also, it can feel like depression. Brain fog happens when you aren’t eating enough carbs. This is to reset your relationship with food. You end up eating what your body needs, not what you’re craving. There are no cravings. Muscle mass is important for many reasons, not just to avoid Ozempic butt. Remember, your heart is a muscle. If everything is getting flabby, so is your heart.”<\/p>\n \u2014greenovercoat48<\/a><\/p>\n 19. “I took Semaglutide from an online service for about 10 weeks. I lost only one pound in that time, but the elimination of cravings and food noise between meals was wonderful. The improvement in focus I gained from not being hungry all the time was a plus, for a time. But I stopped last week because the medication caused malaise, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Before the meds, I’d been swimming 3 to 5 mornings a week for several years. But after 6 to 7 weeks on the meds, I could not drag myself out of bed in the mornings. When I was able to get up and go to the pool, my muscles were exhausted after doing half the laps I’d been doing before. A 30-minute walk at lunchtime felt like torture. I attempted to get energy by drinking more coffee, but the drug seemed to make coffee taste terrible. I hoped the fatigue would subside, but it only got worse over the weeks. Now I know why people lose muscle and bone mass when they take these drugs.”<\/p>\n \u2014sharethebuzz<\/a><\/p>\n Related: “20 Things You NEED To Know About The Gut Parasite Spreading Across The US”<\/a><\/p>\n 20. “I’m on 15mg of Mounjaro, and the only bad side effect is I can’t lose weight without logging in my food to MyFitnessPal and maintaining a 1500-calorie-a-day diet. The pounds didn’t ‘melt away’ magically. The best effect is that I went from a 7.1 to a 6.2 A1C<\/a>. I will say it is easier to diet with Mounjaro due to a reduction in food noise, but it would be easy for me to overeat without the accountability of logging everything in.” D3sign \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n 21. “My dad has been using one of these medications, and it has literally saved his life. All his labs are good, his blood pressure is normal, he can walk without pain, he is creating art again, his humor is back, and he is the dad I remember from childhood. One of the biggest things is that he no longer craves fast food. He can’t even stand the smell of it anymore. He has had only minor side effects, and those were addressed. My mom has been taking the meds too and hasn’t noticed any weight loss, but her blood sugar is better. She has been having some possible side effects: exhaustion, dizziness, weakness in her limbs, and confusion. It’s unclear at this point if those are due to the medication or some other underlying issues.”<\/p>\n \u2014ehch<\/a><\/p>\n 22. “As someone who has taken GLP-1s to lose weight and now has a better understanding of what my body needs in order to be healthy, I actually started craving fruit and vegetables over processed junk. It’s sad that this country would rather make drugs to help people lose weight, rather than make food better for us. They’re literally working to make food more addictive to bypass the effects of GLP-1s. The goal IS to keep you unhealthy. I don’t judge anyone who feels like they need to take this drug; I judge the people at the very top who created this situation in the first place.” Witthaya Prasongsin \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n 23. “I’ve been on Mounjaro for almost two years and have lost the 70 pounds that were my target loss. I’ve also gone from 6.3 A1C to 5.2. I’m THRILLED. I’ve also gotten the sulfur burps, which I wasn’t warned about. They are RAMPANT two to three days after my dose. But I’m mentally an adolescent, so I’m more entertained by them. The constipation I was warned about, and as someone with IBS-D<\/a>, it’s been a bit of a tap dance to make sure I’m not having intense pain. My doctor told me to drink Miralax or a similar product once a week, and now I have no more issues. Your mileage may vary, but for me it’s been great.”<\/p>\n \u2014katet4dbf41478<\/a><\/p>\n 24. And finally, “I haven’t seen anyone else say anything about this yet, but I take a semaglutide compound, and in addition to quieting food noise, stopping blood sugar spikes, and losing weight, my perimenopause symptoms also became almost nonexistent. Some night sweats and hot flashes, but that was pretty much it. I credit the meds.”<\/p>\n \u2014visionarylion48<\/a><\/p>\n We hope these stories made you feel seen if you’ve experienced something similar, or more informed if you’re deciding whether GLP-1s may be right for you. If you have anything to add, we would love to hear about your experience in the comments or using the anonymous form below. Your response could be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community<\/a> post. UCG \/ UCG\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/p>\n Your daily brain workout: You’re One Of The Smartest People On Planet Earth If You Can Finish This 25-Word Mega Word Chain In One Try<\/a><\/p>\n Also in Health: “8 Times In Political History When Health Issues Were Hidden From The Public”<\/a><\/p>\n Also in Health: “Therapists Reveal The Hidden Traumas People Don’t Recognize”<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Peeled](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/buzzfeed_articles_778\/6b54b27739291010a7054e44b6f038d0.jpeg\"\/)
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