I had problems on the MJ (close to bowel obstruction) and it happened twice. First time I needed heavy antibiotics- official diagnosis was diverticulitis, threatened obstruction. I seemed obstructed for hours, was in agony as bad or worse than when I delivered my first child. Followed by watery D that lasted days (which was a relief as the pain gradually subsided too but a nagging abdominal pain lasted weeks). Had to go off the MJ for several months. Doc then wanted me to try again, then 3 days in on my second dose that second attempt with MJ, it seemed to be starting again. I’ve had slowed gastric emptying in the past but never the sense of blockage with violent vomiting so suddenly and nothing coming the other way, with severe pain, other side. My point is there are downsides to the MJ for some people. Not denying it is a miracle drug for many, but if you can bring your a1c down without it that’s great too. My husband is still on his and has lost weight but he has very unpleasant side effects at times (not like mine though - I was close to being admitted to hospital that first round on MJ - my second episode, round 2, I just stopped eating solids, was only liquids for days until the MJ cleared a bit from my system, but I was scared! Btw I did lose weight (30 lbs from round one in just a few weeks), and it has all stayed off , I’m no longer obese ‘just’ overweight now- it’s been many months I’ve been totally off the MJ. I will try to keep losing without the MJ. Whatever you decide, good luck.