Caregiving, GLP-1s, and the Surprises Along the Way

I didn't gain 28 pounds all at once. Adulting, caregiving, contract work, wearing all the caregiving hats, stress-eating bites of chocolate cake, and flopping on the couch to feverishly plant seeds for future work… all of that replaced my once-upon-a-time daily yoga practice, my weekly meal prep, and the rigor that went along with them. Despite everything, I would rally, a kale salad here, a good night's sleep there. But I couldn't sustain any good habit long enough to gain traction the way I had so consistently for so many years. And the extra weight settled in.

Sprinkle in a Wedding or Three

Then came the weddings… every summer. On top of caregiving, being intermittently employed and the stress of still being single, I found myself standing in front of my closet, the plumpest I'd been in decades, with everything to wear and nothing that fit. I kept saying I'd lose weight by the next wedding, and have a job, and a life, and… but I couldn't get it together.

The tipping point came at the most recent wedding, when one of my cousins brought up how much I loved my mom. It was a compliment, but I felt like I should have been walking around with a sign that said “hopeless spinster.” And that did it. I decided to finally give in and let GLP-1s give me a jumpstart. I could take it from there…

The GLP-1 Risk as a Caregiver

As I mentioned, I'd been circling the GLP-1 decision for a while. My doctor thought I could benefit from one. From a safety standpoint, the brand-name versions are well studied, but my insurance likely wouldn't cover them. The medspa I go to for other things offers a compounded micro-dose for $125 a month. Compounded versions aren't FDA-approved, which gave me one more thing to worry about. Here's why.

When you're a single, only-child caregiver with no backup, adding anything new to your life feels risky, because there's no room for error. An old Seinfeld episode comes to mind: “I don't have a square to spare.” IYKYK.

The GLP-1 Experience

In the end, my vanity won.

Week 1: I got my first dose and spent the weekend nauseous. I wasn't hungry or thirsty at all, and I slept more. This was exactly what I was afraid of… but I did lose four pounds that first week.

Week 2: I didn't lose any weight, and I felt off. On the bright side, I got some great anti-nausea meds from the medspa.

What I didn't know until I started is that GLP-1s slow down your digestion… way down. They keep food in your stomach longer so you feel full, and (I'm not a doctor) they seem to slow everything else down, too. Analysis paralysis I get, but digestive paralysis? Oy. My digestive system isn't exactly fast-moving to begin with, so this part of the GLP-1 journey has not been fun. Just FYI, GLP-1s can cause constipation.

Week 3: I think a slider and a couple of chicken wings did me in, but I'm not sure. I spent my Saturday afternoon curled up on the bathroom floor. The medspa folks recommended Oxy-Powder, and I used it for a couple of days. Did it help, or did it add to the discomfort? I'm honestly not sure. Since then, I've been using Miralax.

Please note: if you have severe or lasting stomach pain on a GLP-1, seek medical attention.

Week 4: I hit a turning point, and things started to settle down. I felt good!

So now I'm in month two, and I've lost about 12 pounds total. My yoga practice has gone from bad to worse. I haven't wanted to go when I feel tired or bloated, and I'm working on getting back on track. I'm also trying to figure out whether I can stick it out another month or whether I feel “jumpstarted” enough to take it from here. But there's another consideration I didn't expect.

The Pleasant Surprise Not on My Bingo Card

As I mentioned, I started the medication hoping to get back into my good habits, and my clothes. So far, despite the bumpy ride, I'm getting results.

What I didn't expect was for my anxiety to get better. I'm not a doctor, and I'm not claiming a GLP-1 treats anxiety. But I've noticed I feel less anxious, AND I'm not doing the compulsive things I think I do to self-soothe and quiet the anxiety, like eating sweets and buying little inexpensive things. That has left room for a few strategic thoughts about my future. I'm also being a little easier on myself. I can't tell you how many times in my life I've pushed myself way too hard because I felt like I had to… so, yeah, none of this was on my bingo card.

I'm going to make an appointment with my general practitioner this week. Other than Jesus, GLP-1s are the only thing I can attribute this mental shift to. More to come.