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Gastroparesis worse after Ozempic
I've had Gastroparesis since my early 20s. I have a lot of neurological and muscle issues. I also have so much going on GI wise such as GERD, acid reflux, pain medicine induced constipation, random diarrhea, Gastroparesis, history of ulcers. I've always been the person to go number 2 every other day or 2. I started Ozempic January 2023 and stopped taking it February 2024. After a year on it I was finding it beyond hard to go to the bathroom normal sometimes 5-7 days between movements. I could barely eat or drink and threw up almost everyday. I had many test and confirmed not a blockage just increased Gastroparesis. I need help trying to find better foods to eat. I tend to stick to what I can keep down. Breakfast is usually varies between runny oatmeal, eggs, toast with butter and jam, and smoothies. Lunch usually varies with different fresh fruits like berries, melons, apples, pears, and raw vegetables like broccoli and Italian dressing, cabbage, and occasionally soup. Dinner varies with chicken breast, thin pork chops, hamburger with a slice of cheese, pasta, jasmine rice, and different cooked vegetables. I try not to snack unless my sugar drops too low. I should mention I use to weight 415lbs and now I'm 270lbs. Any ideas on better food options?
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Hello. I have gastroparesis caused by ozempic, well that’s what started it I think. Just an heads up. I don’t eat any vegetables or fruits unless purred in to a smoothie. I have to eat several small meals a day and they consist of meats breads and cheese. I take fiber pills twice a day. Seemed to have gotten it under control kinda. lol. It’s tough
The med is called REGLAN.
I have had Gastroparesis since gallbladder surgery. What seems to be working for me is metoclopramide, take it about an hour before eating sens to help. But still get on the roller coaster ride of movements. And consistcy of movements I see the list of foods you eat. My dietitian too not eat any thing above 3gm of fiber.
This lines up with what a lot of people here have described. Gastroparesis means the stomach empties too slowly, and for some people it has shown up or gotten worse on the GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro. A few things that tend to help while you sort it out with your doctor: smaller and more frequent meals, easing off fat and fiber on the bad days, and staying on top of fluids, since the nausea can quietly dehydrate you. Ask whether a gastric emptying study makes sense, since that is how it gets confirmed. There is now federal litigation over these stomach effects, so if yours has been severe and long-lasting it is worth reading up on, but the first move is getting the diagnosis documented properly.
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2 ReactionsI have a history of gastroparesis. Mine was caused by a complication of diabetes. It literally means a paralysis of your stomach or GI system and results in slow emptying of your stomach. Food stays there too long, rots and wreaks havoc on your body instead of being digested and passing through like it should. This was confirmed by the stomach emptying test that one of the members referred to earlier in the thread.
I learned from dietitians that smaller, (more snack like) more frequent “meals” helps and definitely low in fiber. That was unfortunate because higher fiber foods helps to mitigate blood sugar.
I was also treated with metochlopramide / brand name Reglan. It helped the gastroparesis but it is a med that has neuroleptic properties and caused an uncontrollable movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. That was worse than gastroparesis! People who were on Reglan and developed tardive dyskinesia ended up involved in a class action lawsuit. The remuneration when they “won” the lawsuit will never equal the devastation of tardive dyskinesia.
This discussion refers to the use of GLP-1 (s) in regards to gastroparesis. Part of the mechanism of these meds is an affect on stomach motility. Years ago a provider (in another clinic in another setting for a different purpose) suggested using Ozempic to treat my diabetes and my local longtime endocrinologist ruled against it because of my history with gastroparesis.
I keep saying “history of gastroparesis”. That is because once I learned the above dietary guidelines I haven’t had a flare up. Prior to that I landed in ER and had several hospitalizations due to gastroparesis. (I also spent years being treated with Reglan, having tardive dyskinesia, getting that diagnosed ((by neurology)), getting off Reglan and participating in the class action litigation.) Long story short, dietary adjustments are the way to go to treat gastroparesis in my opinion.
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4 ReactionsI don't think GLP-1s should ever be prescribed to someone who already has gastroparesis.
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2 ReactionsThe GI doctor told me to eat seven small meals a day. I was told to avoid processed foods, sugar and caffeine. DO NOT EAT RED MEAT. It is the hardest to digest and can sit in the stomach 24-48 hours after you eat. I eat fish, turkey and chicken. An apple or peach fills me up. Then I wait awhile and eat something else. I have problems with reflux and stomach ulcers and nodules. The insert in ozempic tells you not to take it if you have gastroparsis.
You should not take Ozempic if you currently have gastroparesis. It is contra indicated if you all ready have gastroparsis.
Did you not read the insert to the medication?
GoodRx
Why It Is Not Recommended
Slows Digestion: Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that naturally slows down how fast food leaves your stomach.
Worsens Symptoms: Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) already stops food from moving properly through the digestive tract. Adding Ozempic can severely worsen symptoms like vomiting, severe nausea, bloating, and abdominal pain.
Link to Condition: Research shows that medications like Ozempic can cause or aggravate delayed gastric emptying
@artemis1886 in a way, Gastroparesis works like a GLP-1 drug. Definitely don’t need both.
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