Hi J-poucher friends—has anyone used Wegovy or Ozempic? I was prescribed it for weight loss and a little worried about side effects. For those who have used it, how did it go?
Thank you so much!
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I am curious to know the same. Has anyone tried these medications and what was your experience? Juliemk3 ? Did you start it? If so how is it going?
I have been curious about the same. I know several ‘regular-bowel’ people who have taken it with mixed reviews. I talked to my GI about it, and she was frank about not really knowing. It’s very difficult for me to lose weight - I have a low tolerance for fiber and protein, so the typical diet foods are mostly off limits except in low quantities.
Thanks for the replies—I have not tried it yet. I’m too scared, honestly, so trying to get in more exercise and better portioned and balanced meals. I know it’s important for pouchers to not have too much excess weight so the pouch gets good blood flow. Loosing weight is hard because when you are feeling good; food is so pleasurable! Also, restricting food and the feeling of hunger is very triggering! Maybe we need a poucher weight loss group that’s positive and motivating? 🙂❤️
@juliemk3 posted:Thanks for the replies—I have not tried it yet. I’m too scared, honestly, so trying to get in more exercise and better portioned and balanced meals. I know it’s important for pouchers to not have too much excess weight so the pouch gets good blood flow. Loosing weight is hard because when you are feeling good; food is so pleasurable! Also, restricting food and the feeling of hunger is very triggering! Maybe we need a poucher weight loss group that’s positive and motivating? 🙂❤️
I’d join! I’ve struggled with my weight all my life, including post surgery. My pouch definitely doesn’t like fibrous foods (i.e. salads, some veggies, multi-grain breads, oats…). Give me a salad and I’ll be in the bathroom in 15 minutes! So yes weight loss has been difficult. I also don’t tolerate most sugar substitutes (especially the sugar alcohols). So, what’s a girl to do to lose weight?? Very frustrating. 😕
I just finished my first week on Tirzepatide. It is basically the same as Semaglutide. We will see. One thing that concerned me is that obstructions can be a side effect. I am drinking a lot of water and hope that helps. I take Lomotil to keep my bathroom time down and I have quit taking the evening dose because my stools have been pretty thick - constipation is another side effect.
I’ve been on Ozembic for two years because of diabetes. I found, as most do, that I experienced nausea for a few weeks when beginning and increasing dose. I have not had obstructions or other issues. Hope this helps.
Ray C
Ray C. Did the nausea ever get better?
Dear Iclassen,
The nausea did get better although it recurred for many months the first days after injection. I’ve also had a long flare of pouchitis and wondering if the Ozembic has played a factor. I found this online.
I had UC diag in 1991 and 2 step surgery in 1994, so 30 years ago. Have only had a couple issues with obstructions due to huge stress. I have just been prescribed semaglutide for weight loss, I never thought I would gain weight with this gut, but after I turned 47 and started menopause, that weight just held on. I am a little scared to start the injections because it is said that it will slow the gut down and I don’t think constipation is a good idea. Please let me know what your experience has been.
Thanks in advance
Shawn G
Shawn G,
Im Type 2 diabetic with pouch. After checking with my surgeon who said there wasn’t a lot of data to go on in this area. He advised me that if I was to try it, to be sure to start at lowest dose and go very slowly regarding any titration. I was told constipation tends to be one of the more common side effects and if it’s mild I can take Mirolax or a few Colace gummies occasionally if needed. But if it becomes a common problem to stop the medication as to not take the chance of getting a blockage. Staying ahead of it is a must.
So I started Mounjaro which is (Trizepitide) in June 2024. In 3 months time it reduced my A1C from 8.6 to 6.3. I have also lost 26 lbs. in 25 weeks. I’m following his suggestion of low and slow. I’m on 5 mg and hope to stay here the duration. I do have mild queasiness the day after taking shot but mild. I haven’t had any trouble with constipation but I make sure to stay ahead of it by drinking my water. I should add that you do need to get in a good amount of protein on these meds as to prevent losing muscle as your losing weight. So far so good. Hope this helps.
Judy
Thank you so much. I have had a blockage a few times & they had to open me up to cut away the adhesions but haven’t had any problems with those since 2019, thank goodness. I guess I have been quite lucky with my surgery. I have heard so horror stories.
thanks for the advice
shawn
I’m on Mounjaro as well. My “normal” with my pouch was always soft and runny so the Mounjaro is helping with that 😅. I agree that lots of water and protein are important. Good luck on your journey!
I posted above after just starting Tirzepatide. It has now been almost 11 months and I have had no problems with the pouch. I did stop Lomotil because my gut slowed down, but have had no constipation or blockages. I have also lost 50 pounds. There was a bit of nausea at first. That is now gone.
kta,
Thanks good to know. Thanks for sharing as you’ve got more time than me. I started Mounjaro in June 2023. Still on just 5 mg. Hoping to stay at this dose. I do occasionally still have some nausea the day after shot but mild. Have lost 27 lbs. in 28 weeks. So far no obstructions or problems with pouch.
Though I’m a little nervous as I’ve just recently this week noticed for the first time a reduction in my output of stool. Consistency has thickened. I’m gonna try increasing my water and see if that rectifies it. Please keep us posted as to any experiences with constipation.
Thanks 😊
Shawn G,
I noticed you stated you had a problem with obstruction due to huge stress. Is that a thing? Can stress cause obstructions?
Why I ask is…I’ve recently been under a huge amount of stress and beginning to experience a slow down in stool output and a thicker consistency. So you have me curious as to whether stress can effect your bowel output?
Welcome any input you may have on this.
Thanks 😊
Stress can affect bowel function, but obstructions are usually mechanical issues, not likely to be much related to stress. I think we sometimes are prone to call things obstructions that are more garden-variety bellyaches related to persistent gas and other sources of discomfort.
Scott F,
That makes sense. Thanks for the reply.
Judy
My obstructions all happened during stressful times in my life. Yes they are mechanical, but I tend to carry all my stress in my gut. The first time I was able to just rest the bowel with an NG tube & npo for a week, that was when my mom was in the hospital for 6 months & ended up losing her a week later, the second time my husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer & I ended up in the hospital for 10 days, npo & NG tube but then they had to cut me & cut all the adhesion and the third time was 8 months after my husband passed & I moved 2000 miles away to escape. They ended up having to open me up again because the last doc didn’t get all the adhesion. So, yes, I believe the obstructions are related to stress. But you will know, you can’t have a bowel movement and you throw up constantly.
shawn