Should Ozempic be part of your lupus or RA treatment strategy? Learn what we know so far.

Can Ozempic (or similar drugs) hold the key to managing both metabolic syndrome and autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis? Learn how addressing metabolic health could impact inflammation, and discover if drugs like Ozempic might be a game-changer for your treatment strategy!

🔗 Links:

The guide you need to tell your doc your story -and get answers once and for all!

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💡Video Key Takeaways
✅ Autoimmune conditions like lupus and RA are often associated with metabolic syndrome, which contributes to inflammation and worsens disease outcomes.
✅ GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic, primarily used for diabetes, exhibit potential anti-inflammatory effects and are being explored for their role in managing inflammation alongside metabolic health.
✅ While there is no current evidence that medications like Ozempic can have a substantial impact on autoimmune disease activity there may be a role in addressing concurrent metabolic syndrome in those with autoimmune disease.
✅ Patients are encouraged to discuss symptoms of insulin resistance and potential treatment options, including medications like Ozempic, with their healthcare providers.

⏱️Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
0:55 It’s about Metabolic Syndrome
3:05 Metabolic Syndrome & Autoimmunity
4:37 Ozempic & GLP-1 Agonists
6:45 Convo Starters (Qs for you and you doctor)

📖 References:
1. Malavazos AE, et al. Semaglutide therapy decreases epicardial fat inflammation and improves psoriasis severity in patients affected by abdominal obesity and type-2 diabetes. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep. 2023 Aug 8;2023(3):23-0017.
2. Dubovyk V, et al. Obesity is a risk factor for poor response to treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis: a NORD-STAR study. RMD Open. 2024 Apr 4;10(2):e004227.
3. Medina G, et al. Metabolic syndrome, autoimmunity and rheumatic diseases. Pharmacol Res. 2018 Jul;133:277-288.
4. Gomez A, et al. Obesity and tobacco smoking are independently associated with poor patient-reported outcomes in SLE: a cross-sectional study. Rheumatol Int. 2024 May;44(5):851-861.
5. Yaribeygi H, et al. Anti-inflammatory benefits of semaglutide: State of the art. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. 2024 Mar 28;36:100340.

**Please note - we do not provide medical advice, opinions or diagnosis via email, phone or social media messaging.

👩🏻‍⚕️ About me:
Hello! I am Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz and I’m so happy you are here. I am a double board certified Rheumatologist with over 15 years experience practicing Rheumatology and am passionate about teaching & empowering patients to partner with their doctor.

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** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Any comments and/or recommendations made in the comment section by anyone other than Connected Rheumatology does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of Connected Rheumatology.**

[conferencedir]

I have failed on 7 RA drugs. After 4-5 days on a GLP-1, I felt my RA symptoms melting away. Feel better than I have in a few years. I do think I have metabolic syndrome.

[snafu]

I have so many questions and so many diagnoses…

[Knobologist]

I’m currently on abatacept injections (changed from infusions) and I’m not feeling huge benefits at all. I still have pain daily. I’m gaining weight because I’m not active enough. The cold weather is the worst. I still think I have Lupus and not just RA.

[CMBiggin]

I tried once during the pandemic but unfortunately had to stop due to the pain and inflammation I experienced after every injection. I would have zero energy and full body pain for 2-3 days after every injection.

[stephaniepotts]

I have been strict Ketovore for 4 years. Lost nearly half my body weight. I also fast 2 days a week. If I steer from red meat, I can feel the stiffness get worse. Keeping to mostly red meat, keeping my carbs under 10 grams a day, and regular fasting have made a huge difference for me. I am on Orencia, which helps maybe 20%. But what works more than anything for me is diet, walking, fasting. I went from hardly able to walk in my own home, to walking 3 miles a day without a cane...power walking at that. Keto is now a lifetime choice for my family. Blood pressure is low normal, asthma is gone, allergies gone...so many more benefits than just helping RA.

[Jayse]

I tried it but had to go off because the delayed stomach emptying stopped my hydroxychloroquine from working. For all the “benefits, ” there are serious downsides that don’t get enough press.

[christineHoxsey]

Please do it with no music. It’s very distracting to hear you.

[terephelps]

I have Gastropareis and right now I am suffering from constipation. The Monjaro which is the same as Ozempic
Made the constipation worse.
I can’t remember if it made my lupus systems worse because I was in so much in my whole body at the time .

[yuludate]

I have Rhupus, SLE Lupus and RA and while I tolerate my meds for Lupus, it’s not the same for what’s been recommended for my RA. Also recently diagnosed Graves disease. I am very interested if this could help me.

[kates]

Can't hear you because of the music

[petshopgirl]

I’m wondering about the interaction between Semaglutide and the typical medications we take for our autoimmune disease such as prednisolone and immunosuppressants such as Mycophenolate Mofetil. Semaglutide can have some unpleasant gastro side effects as can MMF (from personal experience) and steroids. I am interested to know whether taking everything together would just cause gastrointestinal overload, resulting in not being able to tolerate Semaglutide.

[s.masson]

Eating carefully and exercise on whatever level seem to be the better way to go.

[lilliangonzales]

You don’t mention it, but it includes Zepbound also right?

[mohammadkhaleel]

Background music is disturbing.
Bad sound.
can't quite follow your whole story. Unfortunately.