“I had tried just about every diet, but I couldn’t lose weight. Yet it was necessary, according to my doctor. I had type 2 diabetes. After yet another failed attempt to lose weight, I was prescribed Ozempic as an emergency solution. Diabetic patients are given this medicine when nothing else helps. It is a drug that you inject into your legs and that lowers insulin levels in your blood. The result? You’re barely hungry anymore. The kilos flew off and after a few months I was 22 kilos lighter thanks to Ozempic. What a party!
The side effects of Ozempic
The sense of happiness I felt thanks to my thinner body lasted for several months. But gradually my mood changed. The constant feeling of fullness caused by the medicine made me increasingly nauseous and caused me to have persistent diarrhea or vomiting. I often woke up during the night and had to run to get to the toilet. I hoped this side effect would subside, but it got worse. My sister also used Ozempic and now had a bucket with her everywhere she went. Sometimes I had to call in sick because work was no longer possible. Eating no longer gave me any pleasure. When my husband was cooking and the smells of food spread through the house, I felt so bad that I preferred not to sit down anymore. To get something in, I lived on small snacks, which made me feel even more lethargic. I was barely getting the right vitamins and nutrients.
Those around me complimented me on my changing appearance. How healthy and fit I looked! Inside I felt the exact opposite. Yes, I was thin and my blood sugar was finally at a healthy level. But on the other hand, I always felt tired, sick and lethargic. With my appetite I had also lost my zest for life. While I normally enjoyed eating out, I now stayed far away from restaurants. I waved it away. This was just part of it.
Finally enjoying it again
A year and a half ago my husband and I went on vacation. As usual, I threw up the entire trip. Once we arrived at our destination, I discovered that I had forgotten my Ozempic. I decided to see how things went without it. Gradually I felt better. The nausea went away, I actually slept all night long and I felt once again what it was like to enjoy a delicious sausage from the barbecue. That left me wanting more.
I also left the Ozempic in the following weeks. Slowly I found myself again. I became an energetic version of myself again who enjoyed good food. And yes, also the 22 kilo heavier version. Stopping Ozempic can cause binge eating that causes the pounds to come back on twice as fast. Yet I was sure: I never wanted to go back to Ozempic. Since then, I have had a scanner on my arm that I use to measure my blood sugar throughout the day. For example, before every meal I weigh what I can and cannot eat. It is a lot of work, requires more discipline than using Ozempic and is not as effective for my blood sugar levels as my medication was, but it makes me a lot happier. Life is so much more fun when you don’t feel miserable all the time!
Voluntarily using Ozempic
I hear in the news that more and more people are using Ozempic. Not because they are sick, but because they are looking for an easy way to lose weight. Demand is so high that there are major Ozempic shortages. Diabetes patients who are prescribed it can sometimes no longer even get it. I find it unbelievable that people just turn to a drug that others need, just because they want to be slim. But what I find especially incomprehensible is that people use a drug like Ozempic voluntarily and ‘for fun’. Yes, being thin felt good and when I step on the scale, I still feel the Ozempic temptation sometimes. But by using Ozempic you compromise on your quality of life. I hope people considering using this will think twice. I certainly would have done that if I knew what the drug would do to me.”
9 november 2023
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2023-11-09 15:13:00
#Riet #controversial #slimming #drug #Ozempic #zest #life
