Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

Share this article:

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

“No One Needs It”: Woman Tears Up After Ozempic Use Leads To Heartbreaking Diagnosis
52

“No One Needs It”: Woman Tears Up After Ozempic Use Leads To Heartbreaking Diagnosis

ADVERTISEMENT

A young woman revealed she was diagnosed with osteoporosis after using Ozempic for a year.

The 30-year-old, named Avery, shared that she began using the medication without a prescription from her physician after struggling with an eating disorder.

“I’m kind of in shock right now because I wasn’t expecting this,” the singer said on Instagram.

Highlights
  • A 30-year-old woman was diagnosed with osteoporosis after using Ozempic for a year.
  • Avery cautioned her followers about the risks of using Ozempic without a prescription.
  • A recent study links weight-loss medications to bone density loss.

“Ozempic can cause bone density loss and I didn’t think that would happen to me because I was only on it for a year. But I have significant bone loss, I have osteoporosis and osteopenia.”

RELATED:

    Image credits: averyofficial

    Avery said the medication caused her to lose far more weight than she had anticipated and urged others not to use it unless prescribed by a doctor.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “That’s what happens if you use Ozempic for weight loss and you lose too much weight.

    “I know some of you might not relate or some of you might think I’m being annoying or overdramatic but I’m really sharing this to say please don’t take this drug if you don’t need it.

    “Please use me as an example. I just want to be an example of why you need to be careful. 

    “It’s become very normalized, but it’s really dangerous. I just can’t believe I did that damage to myself.”

    Image credits: averyofficial

    Ozempic, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, mimics a hormone that signals your brain you’re full and slows digestion.

    The injectable medication is not FDA-approved for weight loss. However, some physicians prescribe it off-label for that purpose.

    Wegovy, a similar semaglutide, has been approved for weight loss in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Please please please be careful with Ozempic if you are not someone that needs to take it (it is only meant to treat diabetes and obesity),” added the Phoenix, Arizona, native.

    Avery said she experienced rapid weight loss, which affected her bone health

    Image credits: averyofficial

    “I’ve done a lot of damage to myself. I want to make clear that I DO have an eating disorder, and I did NOT get Ozempic from a doctor. 

    “It is very easy to get nowadays, and many people with eating disorders are getting their hands on it.  I made a mistake. I take responsibility for my actions. Please learn from mine.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Avery said she will start taking medication to aid her recovery. “It is not always reversible, but I can do things to improve the situation. 

    “At the moment I have to be very careful, as my bones are brittle. But it is treatable, and I will be okay. Thank you for your support.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Avery (@averyofficial)


    Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weak and fragile, making them more likely to break. Bone density loss can be treated with medication and exercise. 

    It affects more than 50 million people in the United States, and it’s more common in people over 50, according to the Cleveland Clinic

    Moreover, 1 in 3 adults over 50 who don’t have osteoporosis yet have some degree of reduced bone density (osteopenia).

    Some health conditions, such as endocrine disorders and rheumatoid arthritis, can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. Additionally, certain medications, including diuretics, corticosteroids, and anticoagulants, may also raise the risk.

    She took the medication, which was not prescribed by her physician, after struggling with an eating disorder

    Image credits: averyofficial

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Avery (@averyofficial)


    A recent studypublished in the medical journal JAMA Network Open found a connection between weight-loss medications and bone density loss.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The study assessed 195 adults with obesity who were split into four groups: one that exercised and received a placebo, one that received just a placebo, a group that received Novo Nordisk’s weight loss medication liraglutide, and another group that received liraglutide and exercised.

    “I got addicted to Ozempic and now my bones are as fragile as wafer cookies,” the singer wrote

    Image credits: averyofficial

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Avery (@averyofficial)


    “The combination of exercise and GLP-1RA (liraglutide) was the most effective weight loss strategy while preserving bone health,” researchers note.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Despite similar weight loss, liraglutide treatment reduced hip and spine BMD (bone mineral density) compared with exercise alone.”

     “I just want to be an example of why you need to be careful,” Avery said

    Image credits: averyofficial

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Image credits: averyofficial

    Semaglutide and liraglutide belong to the same drug class, called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. 

    “Our findings highlight the importance of combining exercise with GLP-1 RA treatment for bone health,” the study concludes.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Avery (@averyofficial)

    A recent study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open found a connection between weight-loss medications and bone density loss

    Image credits: averyofficial

    In addition to reducing bone density, rapid weight loss can also lead to a decrease in muscle mass and a lower resting metabolic rate, as per Healthline.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    If you’re taking medication for weight loss, doctors recommend consulting your physician about ways to preserve bone density and muscle mass.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Always research before putting something in your body,” commented one user

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    Share on Facebook
    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Marina is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor of Social Science. In her spare time, you can find her baking, reading, or watching documentaries. Her main areas of interest are pop culture, literature, and education.

    Read less »
    Marina Urman

    Marina Urman

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Marina is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor of Social Science. In her spare time, you can find her baking, reading, or watching documentaries. Her main areas of interest are pop culture, literature, and education.

    Lei RV

    Lei RV

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    Read less »

    Lei RV

    Lei RV

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    What do you think ?
    User avatar
    Add photo comments
    POST
    ElfVibratorGlitter
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She took the medication, which was not prescribed by her physician, after struggling with an eating disorder... Hear me out, not knowing which eating disorder she had...that she might have already had osteoporosis? I was anorexic for years and by 25 had beginning showing signs of osteoporosis... So... just my two cents.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah; I’m thinking the ED contributed most to her situation. After a traumatic event, I quit eating for 2.5 years (I simply had no appetite), and as a result, I ended up with osteopenia and all my teeth either fell out or snapped off because when our bodies don’t get enough calcium, they take it where they can find it, and that’s our bones and teeth. Bad things happen when our bodies don’t get what we need. Given that she stole someone’s medicine, she seems to have a problem with bad decisions, and also with cause and effect: I’ll bet her ED caused or at least contributed to her bone problems and the Ozempic just revealed or worsened the problem that was already there.

    Load More Replies...
    CatWoman1014
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She took it without a prescription. Boom, there’s your problem. It’s very hard to get prescribed ozempic. You need to not only be overweight, but you also need to have diabetes or pre-diabetic, and sleep apnea (at least my doctor required that) and even then you’re having to go in every 6 weeks to monitor everything. Never take a d**g without a prescription!

    Thanos'Fingers
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Medications are prescribed off-label by doctors all the time. It's not that hard to get prescribed Ozempic.

    Load More Replies...
    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This girl admittedly has an eating disorder. These comments are extremely harsh and I think she is brave for coming forward and sharing dangers of misusing a medication. It might not deter some people, but if it helps one person not do it, then it is a story worth sharing. People love to trash ozempic, but God forbid one of the victims of the side effects comes forward because she was already thin to begin with. It doesn't matter. I'm much more judgemental of the person taking time out to criticize her than I am of her admitting a mistake and trying to prevent others from doing the same

    Load More Comments
    ElfVibratorGlitter
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She took the medication, which was not prescribed by her physician, after struggling with an eating disorder... Hear me out, not knowing which eating disorder she had...that she might have already had osteoporosis? I was anorexic for years and by 25 had beginning showing signs of osteoporosis... So... just my two cents.

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah; I’m thinking the ED contributed most to her situation. After a traumatic event, I quit eating for 2.5 years (I simply had no appetite), and as a result, I ended up with osteopenia and all my teeth either fell out or snapped off because when our bodies don’t get enough calcium, they take it where they can find it, and that’s our bones and teeth. Bad things happen when our bodies don’t get what we need. Given that she stole someone’s medicine, she seems to have a problem with bad decisions, and also with cause and effect: I’ll bet her ED caused or at least contributed to her bone problems and the Ozempic just revealed or worsened the problem that was already there.

    Load More Replies...
    CatWoman1014
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She took it without a prescription. Boom, there’s your problem. It’s very hard to get prescribed ozempic. You need to not only be overweight, but you also need to have diabetes or pre-diabetic, and sleep apnea (at least my doctor required that) and even then you’re having to go in every 6 weeks to monitor everything. Never take a d**g without a prescription!

    Thanos'Fingers
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Medications are prescribed off-label by doctors all the time. It's not that hard to get prescribed Ozempic.

    Load More Replies...
    Nice Beast Ludo
    Community Member
    2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This girl admittedly has an eating disorder. These comments are extremely harsh and I think she is brave for coming forward and sharing dangers of misusing a medication. It might not deter some people, but if it helps one person not do it, then it is a story worth sharing. People love to trash ozempic, but God forbid one of the victims of the side effects comes forward because she was already thin to begin with. It doesn't matter. I'm much more judgemental of the person taking time out to criticize her than I am of her admitting a mistake and trying to prevent others from doing the same

    Load More Comments
    You May Like
    Related on Bored Panda
    Popular on Bored Panda
    Trending on Bored Panda
    Also on Bored Panda