Bad side effects, no net positives, is this working? How to discuss with my doctor? Advice needed
My main reason for starting a glp-1 was help with chronic pain and inflammation. My doctor agrees but is mainly focused on IWL. He is convinced that losing weight will help my pain. My pain is in my hands and arms so...not really seeing how weight loss will help but ok.
I am now 8 weeks into Wegovy and it has been hell. The first month was tolerable side effects but once I went up to the next dose it has been rough. Especially the last two weeks. I've thrown up more in the last week than in my entire life. I've had to call out of work for an entire week. I've had diarrhea for 4 days non-stop. This is MISERABLE.
I am also not experiencing any positive results. I'm hungry as normal (when I'm not sick from puking.) Food noise remains high. Body pain and inflammation remains high. Does the inflammation and pain reduction kick in later? Will I be able to notice the decrease in pain if my head is in a toilet throwing up for the 3rd time that day? But my doctor says - but you lost weight so it's working.
How do you discuss your goals with a doctor who is focused on IWL? Are there specific markers you are looking at that can be tested?
Any advice on talking to my doctor?
At this point I'm ready to chuck this medication into the depths of hell. For me, it seems to "work" by making me violently ill and making it impossible for me to keep food down. I am deeply disappointed with this result and feel low-key tricked. Maybe it's bad luck. Maybe people are lying to me and feel like being sick all of the time is worth is to be smaller. It certainly is not worth it to me. I've missed out on work, social events, being there for family things. And I was miserable the whole time.
Has anyone dealt with this? How did you decide if this was a "rough patch" or if this medicine wasn't for you?
I have yet to see a single positive result from this medicine but I feel so confused when I talk to my doctor because he sees weight loss as proof it's working. Any advice would be much appreciated.