Can GLP-1s Help CFS & Fibromyalgia?

Vitality101 Newsletter

Hello Reader,

Many people are asking if GLP-1 medications (semaglutide) such as Ozempic® and Wegovy®) can help in fibromyalgia, especially since the average weight gain in FMS is 32 1/2 pounds!

The simple answer is often yes, often improving energy, cognition, and other fibromyalgia symptoms along with lowering weight. But the only way to find out if it will help you is to try them. If you want to, here are a few simple tips to make it safer and more affordable:

1. Save by Using a Compounding Pharmacy

GLP-1 medications are obscenely expensive. But you get them by prescription from reputable compounding pharmacies for only about $100 a month (out of pocket, as compounding pharmacies are not covered by insurance). Have your doctor ask the compounding pharmacy to add vitamin B12 to decrease the risk of both nausea and B12 deficiency.

2. Compensate for Nutritional Deficiencies from GLP-1

These medications routinely cause severe and problematic nutritional deficiencies. So compensate for this by:

• Use the Energy Revitalization Drink Mix.
• Increase protein intake, especially eggs and meat.
• If able, go for walks in the sunshine.

3. Start with a Low Dose

Ask your doctor to start with a low dose and move up slowly as is tolerated. Sometimes even tiny doses can help.

If you have more questions on this or anything else related to CFS/ FMS/LC/pain, I invite you to join our new Facebook support group, “Recovering from Fibromyalgia, CFS, and long COVID.” We're over 2,000 strong and growing every day, and I'm happy to answer questions there!

Magnesium Deficiency May Lead to Lung Disease

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is the major monitor of nutritional deficiency and consumption in the US. In a recent study, NHANES looked at 30,044 people to explore the association between chronic lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema, and magnesium depletion.

They looked at a few key factors that cause magnesium depletion, such as PPI antacid, diuretic use, or excessive alcohol use. They found that these were associated with as much as a 34% increased risk of having chronic lung disease, and a 59% higher risk of dying.

Using GLP-1 medications would compound this risk of magnesium loss even further. This is one more reason why I recommend that everyone should be on a good, high-potency multivitamin that contains magnesium.

Related to This Week's Topics

Now Over 2,000 Members, Dr. T’s Facebook Support Group Keeps Growing!

People are already sharing experiences, learning together, and getting answers in our new Facebook Support Group—come join the conversation.

Bad News for a Burglar

One night a burglar broke into a house. While sneaking around he heard a voice say, "Jesus is watching you." He looked around and saw nothing. He continued creeping and again heard, "Jesus is watching you." In a dark corner, he saw a cage with a parrot inside.

The burglar asked the parrot, "Was it you who said Jesus is watching me?"

"Yes," the parrot replied.

Relieved, the burglar asked, "What’s your name?"

"Clarence," answered the parrot.

"That's a dumb name for a parrot,” said the burglar. “What idiot named you Clarence?"

The parrot replied, "The same idiot that named that big rottweiler over there Jesus."