Q. I've been using medications like Saxenda or Wegovy, and I'm feeling very nauseous. Can I get help at a TKM clinic?

Many people are currently using GLP-1 receptor agonists. Since these medications work by delaying gastric emptying, some patients experience severe symptoms such as nausea or dizziness. Through clinical experience, I have found that the distress patients feel is often too significant to be dismissed simply as an 'adjustment period.'

In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this condition is often viewed as Dam-jeok (痰積), or phlegm-accumulation, where waste products build up, leading to decreased gastrointestinal motility and impaired circulation of Qi. Patients with a Pi-heo (脾虛) type—meaning they have an inherently weak spleen and digestive system—are likely to experience these side effects more intensely.

• Stimulating acupuncture points on the Pericardium Meridian (PC) and Stomach Meridian (ST) to promote gastric motility.
• Prescribing I-gi-je (理氣劑), or Qi-regulating herbal formulas, to relieve nausea and resolve stagnation.
• Customized herbal medicine to reduce inflammation of the digestive mucosa and reinforce overall vitality.

Please note that the decision to continue or discontinue your medication should be discussed with your prescribing physician; TKM focuses on reducing the physical discomfort arising during that process.