September 27, 2024

Patient Faces Ongoing Struggles After Ozempic Treatment

Dana Filmore was initially terrified of taking Ozempic due to her fear of needles. The thought of injecting herself in the stomach with this diabetes medication seemed daunting. However, after her antidiabetic pills failed to adequately manage her blood sugar, her doctor recommended Ozempic, which is FDA-approved for treating Type 2 diabetes.

Filmore, a 55-year-old grandmother from Columbus, decided to take the plunge. She began using Ozempic but stopped six months ago due to troubling side effects. Now, three years later, she has been diagnosed with gastroparesis—stomach paralysis—which can be a potential side effect of the drug. Since discontinuing the injections, she has struggled with eating and digestion.

Gastroparesis affects the stomach’s ability to contract, causing food to remain in the stomach longer than normal. This often leads to severe symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Filmore’s experience highlights the serious risks associated with Ozempic, raising important questions about the medication's long-term effects.