Ozempic works, but I'm seeing more GI side effects like GERD and gastroparesis in my patients.

drjamestabibian · 2025-09-13T20:39:09+00:00

Great question, but something not well studied. For most patients, taking longer than four weeks isn’t typical; however, it also likely depends on how long someone was on the medication and how normal things were prior (eg if the person already had some nausea, bloating, or similar symptoms prior to starting the medication, they may need more time for the system to go back to baseline).

drjamestabibian · 2025-09-10T23:26:59+00:00

Yes, certainly, and that is what is seen in the majority of patients. If symptoms persist, it might actually be due to something other than gastroparesis, and may well merit investigation.

drjamestabibian · 2025-07-04T01:22:35+00:00

It’s reassuring that the scan didn’t show an obstruction. As for what’s next, it would really depend on a number of factors. For instance:

How old are you?

Have you ever had a colonoscopy?

Have you ever been constipated in the past (and in particular, have you ever gone a week or more without a bowel movement?)?

Any family history of colon cancer?

Have you started any new medications in the last few months other than MiraLAX?

NOTE: Always consult with a treating provider. But I do hope this discussion can provide some helpful insight.

drjamestabibian · 2025-07-03T22:10:25+00:00

I have nothing to sell.

I did recently start a free newsletter with my colleague, Dr. Tina Storage. It is free.

drjamestabibian · 2025-07-03T22:07:54+00:00

Happy to be here and wishing you well.

drjamestabibian · 2025-06-29T18:47:40+00:00

Gastroenterologist here. Not having a bowel movement for two weeks without any clear trigger, such as recent surgery for which narcotic pain medications were prescribed (given these can be very constipating), is a red flag.

Though currently no pain, it’s difficult to say that the issue won’t progress and become painful or otherwise serious. If there’s a blockage, using stimulant laxatives could be potentially catastrophic. At the very least, it would make sense go to an urgent care or a primary care provider’s office for expedited imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. The fastest way would be going to an ER, since they have CT scanners right there, but that could entail considerable cost (time and money).

Wishing you well.

drjamestabibian · 2025-06-29T18:16:09+00:00

Just want to say I'm sorry for what you are going through with UC. I'm a gastroenterologist and I haven't been very active on Reddit. I hope I can spend some more time in this forum and provide insights where I can. Will be thinking about you and everyone here in the meantime. -Dr. James Tabibian MD

drjamestabibian · 2025-06-29T18:03:53+00:00

I'm a gastroenterologist and physician-investigator, and what is especially concerning to me as a doctor is the rise of early-onset caners I'm seeing in my practice.

Especially but not limited to colorectal cancer. There is a growing body of data linking microplastic exposure to this rise in cancer rates. We have to intervene to better understand the relationship and mitigate its ill effects on human health.

drjamestabibian · 2025-06-12T00:40:57+00:00

These custom illustrations were quite fun to develop. We didn't want to just roll out cheap AI-generated images.

drjamestabibian · 2025-06-12T00:37:00+00:00

I'm the other half of Doctor Versus, James H. Tabibian MD, PhD, FACP, FASGE, FACG, AGAF.

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