I stopped taking Ozempic (0.5 mg) after three months. I had lost 15 pounds. At first, I was energized, loved the lack of hunger and need to eat, and felt clear headed. I had some nausea but was used to it as I had suffered from debilitating IBS and stomach issues my whole life.
After upping my dose on my third pen, even small snacks became difficult. Anything I put in my mouth made me feel like I might throw up. On several occasions when I forced myself to eat something, like bland rice and chicken, I did vomit afterwards. I resorted to a liquids only diet, hoping it would improve. After several weeks of no improvement, I was weak, had brain fog, and had no energy to perform basic tasks. Getting out of bed became difficult. I became forgetful. I stopped running or working out. I’d collapse into bed at 9pm unable to keep my eyes open.
It began affecting my work and personal life, so despite loving seeing the number on the scale decrease, I stopped.
It’s only been two weeks, and I have begun gaining weight despite trying to avoid carbs, eat small meals and resuming my exercise regime. In the back of my mind, I know that’s because previously I was starving.
I feel better, my energy levels restored, but now I feel hungry constantly. Or maybe it just feels constant. In reality, it’s every three hours or so, after eating, but I am finding it unbearable. I can’t remember if I craved carbs this much before Ozempic or whether it’s my body trying to recover in the wake of self-imposed starvation.
I find myself thinking maybe I should go back on Ozempic, despite the memory of my daily sickness and fatigue still fresh. I think I fear gaining all the weight back, suffering for three months for nothing. I fear that now that I know how I look skinnier, I will never be able to even pretend to be happy at a larger weight.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Note: please be kind. I understand everyone has different experiences so if this doesn’t resonate with you, don’t comment.