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Semaglutide anxiety
- Thread starter Zeegoman
- Start date
Nick Cliff
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @Zeegoman and welcome.
I started oral Semaglutide in a clinical trial, but did not have these symptoms, however had other side effects which caused me to stop. There is this conversation about that trial, which might be of interest: https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/ascend-plus-clinical-trial.115559/. Sorry not to be more helpful. Regards, Nick
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
It’s quite rare, but one study found an association between GLP-1 agonists and mental health adverse events (most commonly depression and anxiety). Other research didn’t find any increased risk, so further research is said to be needed.
I’d suggest talking to your Dr about your experiences - they may recommend moving to an alternative medication?
I’d suggest talking to your Dr about your experiences - they may recommend moving to an alternative medication?
goodybags
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
hi @Zeegoman I was going to kind of suggest the same as @everydayupsanddowns has already, if your concerned or possibly have a side effect from taking that medication best speak to your GP or your pharmacist, (they are usually easier to get to see)
I was a few years ago previously taking Semiglutide although not a tablet version myself, when I was taking it, like any medication they made me aware there can be side effects which I dint think I was getting, however they moved me to a alternative medication.
I was a few years ago previously taking Semiglutide although not a tablet version myself, when I was taking it, like any medication they made me aware there can be side effects which I dint think I was getting, however they moved me to a alternative medication.
Unfortunately I've been through the gamut of oral medications.
My Hba1c was climbing on increased to maximum doses of previous medication. I was hopeful that this would be helpful and it appears to be working as my blood glucose averages are falling. However, my conviction that it induces a sustained period of anxiety after taking it is shaking my commitment to it.
I hope to continue until my next Hba1c (this will be 3 months on the drug) and then discuss with the clinician. Maybe and hopefully by then the side effect will have dissapated.
Unfortunately it's feeling more and more like an inevitable road to insulin.
Yes more research is needed and it's only when the hundreds of thousands of users exist do the emergent side effects appear. Unfortunately 'psychiatric' side effects of most medication don't carry the cache of the physical and it's difficult to get funding.
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Switch to insulin then? Best thing I ever did. Most say the same.
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yes, insulin should not be seen as a last resort or failure. It is just another means of managing your levels. It takes quite a bit of head space at first but you gradually settle into a routine with it and it gives you more freedom with your diet.
When I had a question about moving on to insulin, everydayupsanddowns posted a link with a flow chart about progression of medicines.
http://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/type-2-and-insulin.113033/post-1364162
http://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/type-2-and-insulin.113033/post-1364162
It would by defenition be the last resort. I have friends and colleagues who use it and I don't see insulin use as failure, just not something I want to do if I can avoid it. However I am aware of the probable progression of my illness.
My original question relates to management of side effects of semaglutide.
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Why not?
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Have you tried an evening walk to see if exercise will help you sleep better and be less anxious. Another alternative might be Amitriptyline to help alleviate the waking up early and the anxiety, but I am not a great fan of taking medication to overcome the side effects of other medication, but it may be an option to discuss with your GP if you feel the Semaglutide is working well.
Thanks for that and I'm sure I'd benifit from a seaside walk but I live in Central Scotland. I generally look after myself physically and am pretty fit.
Early morning wakening coupled with anxiety is something I have lived with for years. Incidentally it's a far more common issue than you might expect. However, until I started taking semaglutide it did not intrude into my day.
I manage my diet, alcohol & caffine, meditation, exercise etc. I have recently started taking Ashwagandha at night but it has so far made no difference. I will continue that for a few months.
Ironically if the problem resolves was it the herb or getting used to the semaglutide.
Mainly because I have had previous issues with hypoglcaemia. I have not been aware of being in the state.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
No mention of "seaside" from me, so not sure where you got that from. I live in the countryside in the North East of England and an evening walk really helps me, but I am also on Amitriptyline for anxiety having suffered with it for decades, I have only been on the medication for just over a year.
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Should be plenty places to walk in central scotland
What type of hypo - did it need an ambulance? What action did you take to regain hypo awareness? Just running high, as you have been doing, should be enough to regain hypo awareness so that isn’t a barrier to using insulin
The choice was my particular preference of a walking venue. I do a lot of walking, running and cycling often in the evening.
My current issue is not with anxiety in general but with the anxiety which I perceive to be caused by semaglutide.
I have lived with my run of the mill early morning wakening and it's concomittant anxiety for years. I have a mindful relationship with it and the deal is that it passes before my day starts in earnest. However this new varity extends well into the day.
I'm not sure that there are other oral glp1's available.
My reading of the possible cause of psychiatric side effects makes me think that it is likely that other varieties would have similar effects.
Given my current experience I would be reluctant to try an injectable even if it were offered.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Is there anything more you could do with your diet which would mean you may then not need to take that additional medication. It is easy over time for diet to slip and if you have been diagnosed for some time then ideas have changed about how powerful diet can be. Even with your existing medications a low carb approach of around 130g carbs per day should be OK especially if you are testing to keep a check on your blood glucose.
Have a look at this link as it may give you some ideas for moving forward and you can compare with what you are doing now, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/