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EARLIER THIS YEAR, I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea. I’d signed up for the August 2025 Ironman Ottawa to celebrate my 70th birthday and thought, “Why not jump on the Ozempic bandwagon for six months to drop some significant excess weight before the heavy training starts?”
I’ve struggled with my weight for years. My doctor calls me an emotional eater. I thought, if I dropped the weight and committed to keeping it off, an added bonus would be getting off the statin and blood pressure medicine I’m on.
I visited my doctor, and was put on Ozempic in April.
Welcome back, depression. The weight started dropping off, but in May I began experiencing feelings of depression. My wife and others noticed a significant change in my mood and behavior. I began withdrawing into myself, not talking or laughing much, just wanting to be alone.
I’d experienced depression when I retired and knew the signs well—a loss of interest in activities I used to enjoy; feeling tired and moody all the time; forgetfulness; feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness; lack of concentration; not able to make decisions. I had no desire to do anything. I gave up writing articles and working on my new book.
I didn’t understand what was happening to me, and I couldn’t put my finger on what triggered my depression. Could it be the skin cancer I was dealing with? Was it because a number of my friends were sick, dying or dead?
Things were bad, but they were about to get a lot worse. Panic attacks kicked in. Thoughts of impending doom raced through my head.
I imagined something bad was going to happen to the house. I had this fear that my basement would flood, and would run down and check for leaks at least a few times each day. I even had my father-in-law come over to look at some cracks I’d found in the basement floor, which I was sure were going to cause a leak.
He couldn’t understand why I was freaking out about such things. He told me that I shouldn’t worry. Any problem, he said, could be fixed as long as you had money. But his words didn’t lower my anxiety. I kept checking the basement.
I was on constant high alert, trying to spot signs of trouble. I started to hear random noises, especially at night. Sometimes, the noise was in my head. Other times, it was from the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, dryer or a car outside. I had to immediately investigate the source of the noise to ensure it wasn’t another potential problem.
All this wore me down mentally and physically. I started to sweat heavily at night. The bed would be soaked when I woke up in the morning.
I was sure my car needed to be repaired. I thought it made a strange noise when I put it in reverse. But when I took the car in to be serviced, the shop told me the noise was normal for my type of car and it was nothing to be concerned about. I think the employees felt sorry for me, and I wasn’t charged for the visit.
I felt hopeless and incapable of solving even the simplest of problems. I couldn’t see things getting any better and I didn’t want to be a burden to my wife.
I decided the best course of action was to kill myself. Once I made that decision, the suicidal thoughts came fast and furious. They consumed me for most of the day.
I even Googled the best ways to commit suicide, and settled on hanging myself from the pergola in the backyard. I went so far as to check out various kinds of rope at Home Depot to ensure I picked one that wouldn’t break.
But then I thought that committing suicide in our backyard would hurt our home’s value. I assumed my wife would sell it after my demise, and I didn’t want to do anything that would negatively impact her financially. Weird how the mind works.
I didn’t tell anyone about my suicidal thoughts, not even my wife. I didn’t want to worry folks.
Why didn’t I end up killing myself? I think what saved me was my love for my wife. I thought that my suicide would destroy her and I didn’t want to ruin her life.
She was convinced that Ozempic was the culprit, and forced me to see my doctor and tell him what was going on.
I called the doctor’s office to book an appointment, but was told that the next available opening was a few weeks away. I tried to convey the urgency by telling office employees about my high anxiety and how I thought it was linked to Ozempic. But they weren’t budging and told me to go to the hospital emergency room if my anxiety got out of hand. I think they didn’t believe Ozempic was causing my distress and that the issue was my own mental health. I didn’t tell them about my suicidal thoughts. I was too embarrassed.
I decided to take myself off the drug. But it takes a long time to get the chemical out of your system.
Trying to make it through each day, I forced myself to exercise, taking long walks and swimming three times a week. Exercising seemed to ease the pressure and temporarily lowered my anxiety, but it would come back, especially in the evening.
I would have a couple of drinks to reduce my anxiety and help me fall asleep. I know self-medicating is the wrong way to go, but I didn’t know what else to do.
I think that, if I had discovered that my basement was flooded or if something else had broken down, I wouldn’t be here writing this article. Things were really bad. But luckily, I didn’t give in to those suicidal thoughts. Still, it was close.
When I finally visited my doctor, he was skeptical that Ozempic was the cause. He had lots of patients on the drug and that was never a side-effect. He did the prudent thing and started checking all the physical things that could be causing the problem. He ran blood tests and checked my thyroid. He had my lungs X-rayed, searching for signs of cancer that might explain the night sweats. Nothing was found.
After a few weeks of detoxing my body, I started to feel better and people noticed the change. With each passing day, I was becoming more like happy old Mike. I’m still suffering from occasional feelings of anxiety and brain fog, but depression has left the building.
Ozempic and Wegovy are the same drug. The only difference is the dosage taken. If you check the Wegovy website, it lists “depression or thoughts of suicide” as a possible side-effect.
When I visit the Ozempic website, I can’t see that side-effect listed. Why not?
Mike Drak is a 38-year veteran of the financial services industry. He’s the co-author of Longevity Lifestyle by Design, Retirement Heaven or Hell and Victory Lap Retirement. Mike works with his wife, an investment advisor, to help clients design a fulfilling retirement. For more on Mike, head to BoomingEncore.com. Check out his earlier articles.
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Mike,
You might not remember me but I exchanged emails with you a few years back, after reading your books, “Retirement Heaven or Hell” and “Victory Lap Retirement.” Our conversation resulted in your being interviewed by one of my colleagues from my institution.
I am so glad you are still with us…and I wish you the very best of luck in the upcoming marathon.
I absolutely believe that medications can adversely affect you in ways that can’t be explained. Years ago, in the late 1980’s, I was experiencing terrible heartburn on a regular basis. I was diagnosed with a relatively rare (at that time) disease called Barrett’s Espohoigitis, and I was placed on a drug called Reglan. (I may be misspelling it.) It was a generic name for another drug, which I do not recall.
The symptoms I experienced were absolutely weird. I was tired all then time. I would break out into sobbing, crying jags, for little to no reason. I was very short tempered. I thought “everyone was out to get me.”
I told my Gastroenterologist about these feelings and they were dismissed.
One day during this experience, I was at Walmart, picking a prescription. (Remember, these were the days before Web MD and being able to GOOGLE everything.) On the counter at the pharmacy was a PDR Manual so I looked up Reglan…and there, in black and white were 5-6 of the symptoms I was experiencing.
I called my doctor, cussed him out and had him listen to me flushing the drugs down my toilet. (I know…I know…I shouldn’t have done that.) Needless to say, I never consulted hm again nor have I ever taken Reglan again. That experience has me getting second opinions on any drug I am prescribed these days.
God Loves You and so do I! I am so glad you are still with us…and again…good luck in August! You can do it!
Thank you so much for writing this. I am so sorry that you experienced this, but sharing your story is so brave. Many, many hugs and best wishes as you continue on your life journey.
“10 Suicidal Behavior and Ideation
Suicidal behavior and ideation have been reported in clinical trials with other weight management products. Monitor patients treated with WEGOVY® for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. Discontinue WEGOVY® in patients who experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Avoid WEGOVY® in patients with a history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation.” Product Insert.
The way this usually works is that Wegovy had a class warning—a previous group of CB2 weight loss drugs blocked cannabis receptors and gave a “reverse-munchies” effect that caused weight loss. They also caused a reverse “high’ and were banned due to depression and suicide thoughts. There wasn’t much of this in the trials of the two new products and the FDA is usually reluctant to require additional warning until the science and risks are worked out, eg what are the risks in those with prior depression? Sounds like they need to get on this quickly.
Thank you for the info and yes The makers of Ozempic need to make sure users are aware of all the possible side effects.
This article is a good reminder that each person’s body is unique. The doctor knows what he observes with most of his patients but you are an individual. I remember as a young mother I was told by my pediatrician “you know your baby best.” You are your wife were smart to identify the Ozempic as the cause of your anxiety.
My wife was the smart one. she’s right I need to listen to her more.
Schoretsanitis G, Weiler S, Barbui C, Raschi E, Gastaldon C. Disproportionality Analysis From World Health Organization Data on Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Suicidality. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2423385. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.23385
This post-marketing study showed a possible safety signal for a small, but increased risk for suicidality. This type of study can’t show causality, but does suggest that more safety studies be done.
Let’s hope they get on this asap. It’s the right thing to do.
Mike, I’m glad you’ve made it through, and I salute your courage in sharing your story.
Sorry, Mike.
There have been quite a few reports that people who take a semi-glutide become very dissatisfied or depressed when they realize that the drug didn’t change their life – it just made them thinner with the same life.
Good point. While they were skinner they remain unhappy.
Many people think retirement will automatically make them happier only to find out it doesn’t.
Mike, I had a similar reaction with my six month experience taking Semaglutide. I didn’t take the branded Wecovy or Ozempic, I was prescribed a compounded version made in a pharmacy. The drug made me tired and depressed all the time, not able to enjoy much of life. Although my depression wasn’t as severe as yours it was still prevalent in my daily routine.
I did lose 20lbs, but the weight loss did not make me feel better, the depression was worse. Like you, once the Semaglutide was out of my system the depression lifted.
it’s horrible suffering from depression and high anxiety. I really feel for people that suffer from it.
From Google AI: Novo Nordisk, the company that discovered and developed Ozempic (semaglutide), designed and oversaw the clinical trials for the drug:
No conflicts of interest here. Stanford professor and world renowned epidemiologist John Ionnidis, MD has been warning of lack of reproducibility and fraud in medical research for decades. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ioannidis
yes I believe the sample sizes were too small. As more people get on the drug we will hear additional stories about bad side effects and appropriate warnings will be posted.
Mike, thank you for your brutal honesty and transparency. Your words may well have saved another human life. I commend your courage, my friend, and am pleased to hear the depression is waning. I can’t wait to see your picture from the finish line of that Ironman! I hope that visualization will encourage you in your training.
Thank you Fritz for your positivity. This is my last shot for an Ironman medal and it will be interesting to see how things turn out.
Wow, what a scary story. You’ve done a public service by telling it.
You know those commercials they show for various drugs during live sporting events? They always start running down the list of “rare” side effects, and by the time they finish the list, I’m pretty much convinced that I’d rather take my chances with whatever condition the drug was created to treat. Yikes!
I only take one prescription medication, for thyroid replacement, but I just read a new study that found that this specific medication, which is very commonly prescribed for low thyroid—it’s the default—causes major bone loss. So I think it’s back to the doctor for me to ask if we can try an alternative medication. Ugh.
I agree with you all the warnings give me the creeps.
Thanks for sharing your horrible experience. While the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic is semaglutide, the two drugs were approved separately after going through different clinical trials. The FDA requirements for listing frequent, rare, and serious/life threatening side effects have frequency cutoffs and Wegovy must have been the only one of the two drugs that exceeded the cutoff for depression during clinical trials. This is obviously a serious short-coming in FDA regulations.
I agree and that is why I will continue to warn people about this serious side effect until a warning is posted for Ozempic.
Wow, sorry to hear that. Thanks for your bravery in sharing this. I’m glad you’re still here.
So am I!
i couldn’t find that warning as a side effect anywhere, but I did find a number of serious possible other side effects that would keep me from taking it.
Every medication we take has some risk. Low in most cases, but still there. I avoid medication if at all possible.
I agree about taking only necessary drugs. But the weight loss drugs have important benefits for people who are obese and in dangers of developing diabetes, heart ailments, mobility problems etc. It’s important to consider such benefits when weighing the risks.
“Avoiding medication if at all possible” is a good attitude. I’m convinced that drug side effects are directly related to an individual’s genetic makeup. And genetic makeup is truly complex and individualized.
Wow! Thanks for posting this, as you might save someone else’s life – just as you saved yours. Please keep writing, I’ve always enjoyed your articles.
I promise but hopefully only interesting ones. My Ironman attempt will be a good one and I’m dedicating the race to Jonathan.
Mike,
Thank you for posting your scary, but ultimately, positively resolved experience.
It is a warning many of us should heed.
Good luck and may God bless both you and your wife this holiday season.
Wow, that is truly scary. Congratulations on surviving, and good luck with the Ironman. I am always wary of medications, if there is a known side effect I usually get it, and if not, my body may invent one.
You might want to report your experience to the FDA. Go here.
A report was made on my experience. Hopefully it will push them to add the warning sooner than later.
I was going to make the same suggestion, Kathy. Making a report could save lives!
Mike, thanks for an important article. I’ve learned the hard way that even rare side-effects happen to somebody. A small percentage applied to a large population still amounts to a decent number of people with the side-effects.
In 2017 I had some cardiac symptoms that required medication. I was put on a common beta blocker twice per day. When I started taking it my wife told me to keep my eye out for any symptoms. In her experience it could cause drowsiness. At the time I started the drug I had been exercising frequently and had lost some weight. I was walking 3-5 miles per day and feeling great. With a few weeks of starting the drug I was feeling very depressed, tired, and listless. I’m usually a morning person. One morning I woke up and lay in bed thinking that I had no reason to ever get up again. My wife’s warning came back to me, and I looked up the side effects of the new medication. Depression was a potential side-effect. I called my cardiologist and she said to cut the dosage in half. I tried that for a few weeks and the symptoms improved but did not go away. I made an appointment and spoke with my cardiologist. She switched medications and the symptoms disappeared. The initial medication was widely prescribed and safe for most people. The cardiologist took it herself, with no issues, as did my mother-in-law. Since then I’ve spoken to numerous people who took it with no issues.
My takeaway is that we should monitor ourselves and loved ones when starting new medications. All medications have side effects, even if rare. You may be the one of unlucky few.
Good point Rick we need to keep a watchful eye when starting a new medication.
I too have side effects from cardiac related medications (brain fog, forgetfulness, depression). My cardiologist is aware that I am “in the minority” and keeps close tabs to ensure the dose is sufficient without causing low probability complications. We often need to change drug manufacturers; for some reason the generics make symptoms worse.
Key point “Monitor our loved ones.” I was misdiagnosed with a seizure disorder and placed on Keppra. It caused such aggressive behavior (verbal) that, though I kept my job and, for the most part, held it together when working, my family was afraid that I might provoke an attack while traveling on the subway or engage in road rage. It was a co-worker who called me after work one evening to timidly ask if I had spoken to my doctor about the changes in my behavior (I had not). I’ll never forget the pained look on my husband’s face when I asked if he had noticed any difference. He said “We’ve all been afraid to tell you …” After I left a message on the doctor’s answering machine (cursing him out for not picking up), he called a day later and said to stop taking it. The lives saved may have been those of family members or strangers.
You might want to share this with your physician. FDA report from January
Glad that you trusted your instincts and avoided a catastrophe.
I had a similar experience with the drug Reglan I was taking it for a Gastroparesis problem.
The problem was the depression came on so slowly that I couldn’t pinpoint the reason for it. Fortunately a coworker saw the change in me and told me to quit taking Reglan for awhile. Three days later I was me again. It was like Dorothy opening the door when she landed in Oz. Everything was in color again.
The strange thing was the Reglan did little to nothing for my Gastroparesis. Fortunately the Vagus nerve regenerated over time. Now I’m weary of taking any drugs. Even aspirin.
Dennis,
You were not alone my friend. See my experience above!
Kevin
And Reglan is such a common drug, even prescribed for infants and children in small doses. But some people have rare and/or paradoxical effects. You are right to be cautious about all meds, especially aspirin. A relative died of internal bleeding because he was mistakenly given aspirin as a blood thinner when in the hospital, ignoring his previous diagnosis of a bleeding ulcer. My aunt chose not to sue for her husband’s death.
Mike, I thank you for your honesty in your post today. I am glad you are better now. I am sure you helped someone today. Chris
Thank you for this eye-opening article. Very informative!
Wow, just wow! What an honest, raw and frightening story. I’m sorry you went through this nightmare and glad you are coming out on the other side, better. I’m sure there are things about these new “wonder drugs” that we don’t fully know the effects of. I hope you continue to improve and can do your Ironman in a few months.
Anyone remember fen-phen? It was smooth sailing for the first few years, then all hell broke loose.
That was some nasty stuff.