Let's start with the obvious: I didn't mean to overdose on Ozempic, and I don't recommend it.
But I did. It was one part grief brain, one part "I've got this," and about 2 milligrams of miscalculation. I'd been staring at that little pen in my fridge for months, a free sample from my doctor, just chilling next to my oat milk and LaCroix like it wasn't about to take me out.
And then, one day, I did it. I took my first dose of Ozempic, and it was a full one.
No microdose. No gradual ramp-up. Just impulse and a blue pen.
The next seven days? The worst week of my life.
I took my first dose of Ozempic, and it was a full one. No microdose. No gradual ramp-up. Just impulse and a blue pen.By the time Ozempic entered the picture, I'd already released over 100 pounds, slow and steady over the course of eight years. My journey started in therapy, where I began transforming my habits from the inside out. I worked with a nutrition coach and a fitness coach, but more importantly, I learned how my body works, from my mental health patterns to how I process glucose. I completely changed my eating habits, built sustainable movement routines, and committed to showing up for myself week after week.
Enter my doctor and his GLP-1 recommendation.
There's a lot of noise around these meds. Some people treat them like a shortcut. Others think using them is cheating, like the only noble way to release weight is to white-knuckle your way through hunger and kale. But for those of us navigating PCOS, insulin resistance, and/or metabolic disorders, these medications can be tools of liberation. There's no place for shame in using them.
Eventually, I decided to go for it. But it wasn't quick, or easy.
It took three appointments with my doctor, Eugene Lucas, MD, an obesity medicine specialist at Weill Cornell, before I even considered his recommendation. At first, it felt like a betrayal of my body-positive values. I was uncomfortable opening myself up to this kind of tool. Deep down, I still had that lingering desire to "do it on my own." While I proudly consider myself to be on a body-positive weight loss journey, there are still moments where I have to check in and make sure I've put my old diet culture programming in its proper place, and that I'm making decisions rooted in care, not shame.
Dr. Lucas eventually gave me a sample pen and instructions to start at a very low dose. But by the time I reached for it, weeks later, I'd forgotten the specifics. The instructions? Buried somewhere in MyChart. I forgot I was supposed to adjust the pen to the starting dose, cranked it to "2," and injected like I knew what I was doing.
FYI: 0.25mg is the recommended starting dose. A microdose would be even less than that.
I recently sat down with Dr. Lucas to unpack what happened. He laughed gently and said, "I sent you very specific instructions!'" Then he added, "It happens . . . You finally muster up the nerve to do it and you're like, 'I'm just going all in, and we'll see what happens.' I can understand how your overdose happened for sure."
Within minutes, I was hit by a tsunami of nausea that felt biblical. I canceled all my meetings. I couldn't keep down ginger tea, let alone real food. By day two, I was retching on an empty stomach.
My body had just taught me an unforgettable lesson about the brain-gut connection, and how GLP-1s interact with it.As Dr. Lucas explained to me,"Ozempic activates the GLP-1 receptor to a much greater extent than occurs as part of normal biology. If someone starts the medication above the recommended initiation dose, that's when the side effects can be more severe, as the body has not had time to adjust. And because the medication is designed to last a week, that nausea can be more persistent."
As the week ended, I still couldn't think about food without running to the bathroom.
Once I stopped throwing up long enough to reflect, something clicked. My body had just taught me an unforgettable lesson about the brain-gut connection, and how GLP-1s interact with it.
Dr. Lucas later confirmed my thoughts: "The brain is influencing hormones that then affect hunger, cravings, appetite, and fullness. There's this bidirectional communication happening with the stomach."
In other words, my body wasn't just reacting, it was responding to a loud signal saying: We don't want anything coming in right now. These medications don't just float quietly through your bloodstream. They talk to your brain and stomach, loudly. They reduce hunger signals, slow digestion, and in my case, launched a full-on hunger strike.
That's why these drugs are often misunderstood. They look simple, but they operate on a powerful internal system, and that's exactly why they require intention, care, and real medical guidance. (Pro tip from Dr. Lucas: "If the nausea or other side effects become severe or prolonged, don't try to tough it out. Call your doctor.")
There's also stigma. A lot of it.
There's this unspoken rule that if you take a GLP-1, you'd better keep quiet and instead say you've been walking more. Say you've "cleaned up your eating." But don't say you got help, because then, it's not "real."
Let me be real with you: that's nonsense.
Using a GLP-1 is no different than getting braces to straighten your teeth. You're not cheating your way to a better smile, you're using the tool that works best for you.
Dr. Lucas agreed. "Clinicians can only ever access incomplete information about each patient's situation; it's never appropriate to make them feel judged when they are seeking support and guidance," he said. "Generally, the stigma surrounding weight issues is an unfortunate historical stain that needs to be left in the past."
He also noted that my reaction isn't just a newbie mistake. "Anyone who misses two weeks of doses and restarts at their previous dose can experience side effects again," Dr. Lucas said. "The body metabolizes the medication over time. The risk [of side effects] increases with higher doses and longer gaps."
I wouldn't wish my overdose week on anyone, but I also wouldn't undo it.
After taking two weeks off to let my body recover, I tried again. This time, I followed my doctor's instructions, starting with the smallest dose. I eased in slowly, just like I should have done the first time. The experience was far more manageable, and far more empowering.
Because now I know my body better. I understand how these medications work. And I've seen firsthand how wellness, weight, and worth are way too complex to be judged.
So if you're navigating your own wellness path, whether that includes Ozempic or not, know this: there's no one "right" way to care for yourself. You deserve to feel proud, not ashamed. Your health is your business. And your body is worthy of support, nourishment, and love, every step of the way.
Just . . . maybe start at a small, manageable dose, okay?
Related: I Tried Ozempic and Lost Weight - but Gained an Eating Disorder CeCe Olisa is a trailblazing voice in inclusive health and beauty, dedicated to inspiring plus-size and Black women to embrace self-care with confidence. As the founder of Cocoa by CeCe and the creator of the Curve Method, CeCe blends personal experience with expert insights to make wellness accessible, joyful, and empowering for all. Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( I Overdosed on Ozempic - Here's What to Learn From My Mistake )
Also on site :