COLUMN: Ozempic can make the dinner conversation “as boring as the water in the dishes”

As promised, here is an update on my Ozempic trip.

I’m not so concerned about anything physical right now, but now I have a new concern.

As with any new drug, it’s natural to do the inevitable Googling about side effects. It may not be smart, but it’s human nature.

By now, we have all heard that a patient can experience nausea, intestinal problems and indigestion. What I didn’t expect to have to worry about was becoming a big bore! As in water boring as dishes. Ozzempic, as it were. Hard on z.

I was recently watching a program hosted by Piers Morgan with a panel of doctors and patients discussing what was described as the ‘magic bullet’ for diabetes and also weight loss.

What Piers says was a shock. He said: “All my friends are on Ozempic, or some form of it, and they’ve all turned into complete bores.”

At first, I laughed. Then I panicked.

What he meant was that his group of friends are now so obsessed with the drug that it’s all they talk about.

My guess is that most of his friends are taking it for weight loss and not as it was designed, ie for type 2 diabetics.

I know I hated it when friends dieted and I didn’t. Dinner lost all of its magic as we had to discuss how many calories were in each meal, how many Weight Watchers points they would have, and how they had to skip dessert. Zero on the fun scale.

I guess that’s what Piers meant. A group of new Ozempic users discussing dosages and side effects would be of little interest to most anyone.

I can see how that could happen.

I remember going to a group event a few months ago and every conversation somehow came up to this. If someone comes along who seems a little lighter, the obvious question is, “Are you on Ozempic?” Seems like an acceptable question.

I also promised to tell you that it works for me.

This is now week 8 on the weekly shot at very low doses and I have lost 30 pounds.

It happened seemingly overnight and without a changed routine on my part. I expect this happens at first and then tapers off.

What changed was that I wasn’t as hungry.

The other change was that I didn’t think anything tasted that good anymore. This came as a disappointment from a lifelong food lover. I fill up faster and the food doesn’t taste as good.

Hopefully my taste buds will come back to life in time.

Again, I can’t say if this is the case for anyone else on diet pills.

When prescribed for diabetics, it’s meant to be a lifelong proposition, so I anticipate ups and downs, as well as plenty of plateaus.

The weekly injection is no big deal. The needle is so small that it is less painful than a finger prick.

If semaglutide is prescribed by a doctor, it will be covered by OHIP.

That’s about the extent of the information I can provide from personal experience.

Now, my biggest fear is being a bit of a party guy.

Some may avoid social functions because dining out is not as enjoyable.

Food remains a large part of our recreational gatherings, so changing eating habits could impact our activities.

I really don’t want to be a fool.

I will not burst into noise: Oh-Oh-Oh-Ozempic.

I promise not to shout out my blood sugar numbers in public or give my opinion unless asked.

Any future weight loss will be celebrated in private.

I must and will talk about other topics.

Back to politics?

What can go wrong with this?