How New Weight-Loss Medications Changed My Heart Health: My Experience with Semaglutide

Every time I saw another headline about “miracle weight loss,” I used to roll my eyes. I was still trapped after years of calorie counting, avoiding cookies, and working out hard, with my heart health deteriorating and my motivation waning. My doctor then surprised me with a new question during a routine checkup: Have you heard about semaglutide? For me that question changed everything. According to my doctor, semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which essentially aids in appetite and blood sugar regulation. I made the decision to give it a shot (literally) after discussing the advantages and disadvantages and reading up on it from reliable sources.

I realised that I wasn’t as hungry as normal throughout the first two weeks. I began to lose weight, gradually at first, then more consistently. I had shed more than twenty pounds just a few months. More significantly, my cholesterol and blood pressure began to drop. I felt more energised and positive about the health of my heart for the first time in years.

Not everything went as planned. There were periods when the pharmacy was out of stock, and it required some back and forth to get the insurance company to approve the prescription. Additionally, I initially experienced some moderate nausea, but it eventually went away. I made sure to check in with my doctor whenever something felt strange.

Some of you might be asking how it affected me mentally. When I started semaglutide, I was mostly focused on the physical benefits—weight loss and heart health. But I quickly realized it could also affect my mood and mental state, sometimes in surprising ways.

As the weight drops and health indicators improve, some people—including me at first—notice an improvement in their confidence and attitude. Seeing improvements on the scale and feeling more in charge of my diet did improve my motivation and general attitude.

But I also had times when I felt depressed and anxious, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment. After my injection, I would occasionally feel more down or unmotivated than normal; it was almost like a slight depression that would subside after a few days. According to what I’ve read, this is not unusual: a tiny percentage of people may experience mood swings, anxiety, or even depressed symptoms as side effects, according to research and user reviews that I read.

My advice? If you are taking semaglutide or are thinking about taking it, monitor your mental and emotional well-being. If you have ongoing melancholy, anxiety, or mood swings, keep track of any changes and consult your physician. The majority of the emotional side effects were minor for me and went away as my body adapted, but it’s crucial to pay attention to them, particularly if you’ve had mental health issues in the past like me.

I’m still on my journey, but I’m grateful for the progress I’ve made—not just on the scale, but for my heart. If you’re considering semaglutide or another new medication, I hope my story helps. Anyone else here tried it? Would love to hear your experience!