Anecdotal Fixes People Credit to GLP-1 Meds

I've been spending way too much time scrolling through Reddit communities, and I keep seeing posts from people sharing the some weird or unexpected changes they've noticed since starting GLP-1 therapy.

Could some of these be coincidences? Absolutely. Are people maybe connecting dots that shouldn't be connected? Probably. But some of these stories are consistent and bizarre that I figured it'd be fun to compile them all in one place.

So here's my totally unscientific, completely anecdotal collection of unexpected fixes in health and body that happened after people started GLP-1s.

Take it with a grain of salt, but honestly? Some of these are pretty fascinating to read through.

1. Some Truly Bizarre First

• Eyes Don't Water Cutting Onions: A very specific and strange change.

• Sense of Smell Improved: One user swears their ability to smell got better.

• Mosquitos Ignore Them: Reported by two users.

• Singing Range: Improved range, possibly due to better breath control after weight loss.

• Heart Murmur Gone: A detected heart murmur disappeared.

• Itchy Ear Canals Stopped: Years of persistent itching vanished.

• Improved Gum Health: A dentist even noticed the improvement!

• Vision Got Better: Someone's sight improved on Mounjaro, even without diabetes being the original issue.

• Temperature Sense Normalized: Especially noted by someone whose other medication (Methadone) previously caused them to be hot all the time.

• Recovery Time Decreased: Shorter recovery after workouts.

• Less Muscle Soreness: A noticeable reduction in chronic muscle pain.

• Kidney Issues/UTIs Improved: Relief from chronic infections and related problems.

• Marriage Improved: Arguably the biggest fix of all!

2. Changing Body Shapes

This one came up multiple times and is genuinely head-scratching for many:

• Smaller Shoe Size: Several people reported their shoe size going down a half or even a whole size! One 69-year-old said they went from a size 9 to an 8 after wearing a 9 their whole life.

• Lost the Butt: The dreaded "thass" (thigh-ass transition) was mentioned with both humor and a touch of sorrow. People are losing volume in unexpected places.

• Dowager's Hump Disappeared: One person noticed a hump they'd had since their teens, regardless of weight, simply vanished.

• Can See Body Parts: Several variations on "I can see my penis now" or being able to reach/wash certain body parts better (like needing a handled brush less) were shared, highlighting practical changes from fat loss in specific areas.

• Bruises Disappeared: One person noted the unexplained bruising on their arms stopped appearing after Ozempic.

3. Settling Mental Chaos

Beyond just "food noise", GLP-1s seem to be impacting brain function and mental health for some:

• Anxiety & Depression Improved/Vanished: This was a very common theme, with many reporting reduced anxiety, coming off antidepressants, lessening panic attacks, and a general lift in mood and outlook.

• OCD Tendencies Lessened: Several users mentioned a decrease in compulsive behaviors like counting, picking at skin/cuticles, biting nails (a very frequently mentioned one!), or general OCD tendencies.

• Suicidal Ideation Disappeared: This was a profound and impactful report from several users, noting passive harmful thoughts vanishing.

• Mental Clarity & Brain Fog Gone: People feel sharper, more focused, better executive function, less procrastination, and less "spiraling off." One person said their "brain is quieter. on Zepbound"

• Fear/Phobias Reduced: Someone noticed their fear of heights lessened, and another mentioned overcoming medical anxiety.

• Temper Calmed: Greater control over emotions and temper was noted by one user.

• Less Interested in Shopping: A few people, including one user's husband, reported a significant decrease in impulsive or recreational shopping habits.

4. Breaking the Grip of Addictions and Habits

A truly striking pattern emerged around cravings and addictive behaviors:

• Alcohol Cravings Vanished: Many reported their desire to drink alcohol (wine, beer, daily habit) completely disappeared or was drastically reduced. Some no longer even get a buzz.

• Quit Smoking/Vaping: Multiple users shared they stopped smoking or vaping "cold turkey" or significantly reduced their use, sometimes without even trying.

• Caffeine Addiction Gone: Several users reported no longer needing or wanting coffee/espresso and even craving water instead.

• Quit Chewing Ice: A specific habit one person kicked.

• Ended Bulimia/Binge Eating: Life-changing reports from individuals who struggled for years, finding relief from binge-purge cycles and constant food obsession.

5. Pain and Inflammation Relief

While the anti-inflammatory effect is somewhat known, the specific conditions impacted were surprising:

• Joint Pain (Knees, Hips, Back, Fingers): Countless reports of chronic pain vanishing or significantly reducing, including plantar fasciitis, arthritis, frozen shoulder, sciatica, hip bursitis, Ehlers Danlos joint issues, and even a stress fracture pain.

• Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Reduced: Several users found relief from widespread chronic pain conditions.

• Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Remission: A truly remarkable report of a Stage 4 HS sufferer seeing complete disappearance of their condition.

• Lipedema Pain Reduction: While not fixing the fat itself, it helped significantly with the associated pain.

• Oral Allergy Syndrome Gone: One user can now eat raw fruits they were previously allergic to (like pineapple!).

• Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis Improved: Some reported clearer skin and less joint pain related to these conditions.

• Endometriosis Pain Relief: Users found significant reduction or elimination of painful symptoms.

• Rosacea and Eczema Calmed: Skin inflammation conditions improved for some.

• Reduced Need for Pain Meds: People are cutting back or eliminating daily ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs.

6. The Digestive System's Fix

Often associated with digestive side effects (sometimes negative), many found surprising positive changes:

• IBS Vanished: A very common and life-changing "fix" for many who suffered for years with chronic diarrhea or unpredictable bowel movements.

• Normal BMs (from Loose/Struggling): People reported finally having consistent, solid bowel movements after years of struggle or loose stools.

• Less Gas: One user who was "SUCH a gassy person" is now never gassy.

• Acid Reflux/GERD Gone: Long-term heartburn issues resolving, sometimes allowing people to come off daily medication.

• Gastric Dumping Symptoms Reduced: A benefit noted by someone post-gallbladder removal surgery.

• Ulcer Gone: One person found their ulcer resolved after 20 years.

• Can Burp Again: A user with "No Burp Syndrome" for years suddenly regained the ability to burp.

7. Breathing and Sleep Improvements

Many found that GLP-1s impacted their ability to breathe and sleep well:

• Snoring Stopped: This was frequently mentioned, often happening very quickly, sometimes even before significant weight loss. Partners are thrilled!

• Sleep Apnea Improved/Resolved: Several users reported lower AHI scores, coming off CPAP, or feeling like their condition was significantly better.

• Asthma Much Improved: Reports ranged from less frequent inhaler use to lung function testing as "NORMAL" for the first time ever.

• Deviated Septum Improvement: Bizarrely, one person could suddenly breathe through both nostrils after decades after starting Wegovy.

• Less Nighttime Urination: Fewer trips to the bathroom overnight were reported.

• Sleeping Better/Without Aids: People falling asleep easier, staying asleep, and not needing melatonin or other substances.

8. Hormonal and Reproductive Wins

Especially impactful for women with specific conditions:

• PCOS Symptoms Undetectable: Users with PCOS reported regulated, consistent periods after years of irregularity, absence, or inducing cycles with medication.

• Regulated/Predictable Periods: Even without a PCOS diagnosis, many women noted their previously irregular cycles became regular. Periods also became lighter and less painful for many.

• Improved Fertility: A few surprise pregnancies were reported by those who previously struggled and needed medical intervention to conceive.

• Hot Flashes Gone/Reduced: Significant relief for perimenopausal/menopausal symptoms.

• Less Facial/Body Hair Growth: Noted by a couple of users.

• Libido Increased: One user happily reported their sex drive was "off the hook."

9. Skin Changes

Beyond psoriasis and eczema, other skin-related oddities appeared:

• Clearer/Glowing Skin: General improvement in complexion and skin health.

• Skin Tags Disappeared: Noted as a sign of potential metabolic syndrome reversal.

• Keratosis Pilaris Resolved: The bumpy skin on arms cleared up.

• Heels Became Soft: Cracked, scaly heels transformed into "baby feet."

• Rosacea Improved: Less redness and inflammation on the face.

• Dark Neck/Buffalo Hump Gone: Physical signs associated with insulin resistance fading.

• Acne Cleared: Significant improvement in hormonal and general acne, sometimes after years of trying various treatments.

These stories offer hope for people dealing with multiple chronic conditions, but remember - everyone's experience is different. What works for one person may not work for another, and GLP-1 medications aren't magic bullets for every health issue.

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