Ozempic made her sick until the Michigan woman found a loophole and lost 60 lbs

Michigan native Madison Burgess, 25, struggled with her weight for most of her life. Her goal of losing 50lbs hit a roadblock after she started seeing no results for her workout regime, and couldn’t help control her persistent sweet tooth. She was considering a bariatric surgery, to manage her obesity. However, that’s when Ozempic, the blockbuster weight loss drug made headlines. The woman signed up with Claya, an online weight loss platform, and she was prescribed Ozempic in March 2023. The doctors started with the lowest dose, 0.25 mg, which is typically increased every four weeks to a cap of 2 mg. The results were instant, she lost five pounds in the first week. She had positive results, including reduced inflammation, and appetite control.After three months, the doctor increased the dosage to 1.7mg, which is a standard procedure for patients adjusting well. However, this time around, the results were undesirable. The woman began experiencing severe side effects including nausea, severe stomach pain, vomiting, and occasional diarrhea or constipation.“I realized this is not okay. This is not how I wanted to lose weight,” Burgess recalled. That’s when the doctor discussed micro-dosing Ozempic, which means taking less than the 0.25 mg starter dose, and she had reportedly no side effects for it. The woman lost 60lbs since then. The micro-dosing Ozempic benefited her for the best. It’s not clear how many people have personalized their treatment to microdose, but for Ms Burgess, it was a life-changing hack.Similar to Ozempic, other weight loss drugs such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, are meant to be increased very gradually, roughly every four weeks. However, due to its side effects, many are opting for the micro-dosing strategy for best results and minimal side effects. However, the FDA has not approved microdosing regimens. And micro dosing cannot be considered beneficial for everyone. If an individual experiences weight loss with super doses, scientists think, it is because they are ‘super responders’. Such people achieve significant weight loss rapidly when taking these medications. However, long-term effects remain uncertain.Research shows that most users regain weight after stopping the medication, as it does not permanently alter their metabolism. Some experts believe microdosing may be more sustainable, but studies on its effectiveness are still limited.While studies have shown most people need to remain on semaglutide or a similar drug indefinitely in order to keep the weight off, it's not clear if those rules apply to a microdose. But research into the drug's long-term effects is beginning to suggest that, regardless of dosage, a person must keep taking it because, while it suppresses appetite, it doesn't permanently alter the metabolism. Along with the medication Madison also follows a clean diet, by eating more fiber and protein. Though GLP-1 medication is a starting point, it cannot solve all the problems. Adhering to healthy eating habits as well as a workout regime is required to maintain an optimal body weight. Also, Ozempic is not free from side effects. According to a recent study, people who have stopped taking semaglutide - the active ingredient in Ozempic - regained about two-thirds of the weight loss. It has also caused a negative effect on overall health, with higher blood pressure and cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease. Some of the serious side effects include diabetic retinopathy (damaged blood vessels in the eye), gallbladder disease, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), increased risk of thyroid cancer, allergic reaction, and hypoglycemia.About 12 percent of US adults report having ever used Ozempic or another similar medication for weight loss, and six percent indicated they were currently using the therapy. 85 percent have discontinued within two years, and 71 percent stopped during the first year, either as they attained the desired results or because they couldn’t afford it. These drugs often cost somewhere around $1000 monthly. These drugs have also raised the risk of life-altering and even deadly effects, according to reports. A report also suggested that at least 160 people have died while taking Ozempic, though direct causation has not been confirmed. Some experts have also raised concerns about drugs like Ozempic potentially leading to blindness, stomach paralysis, and such irreversible side effects. (Representative image: iStock)