After eight surgeries, including a hysterectomy in 2016 and a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis in 2018, I’ve had my fair share of health battles. By 2021, things took a turn when I was diagnosed with stage 2 RA, and I was left with joint damage in 7 of my fingers, 3 toes, and my shoulders. Needless to say, dealing with the pain and loss of mobility has been a lot.

Before all of this, I was already struggling with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Thanks to medications like progesterone and estrogen, the weight gain was pretty drastic, and even after the hysterectomy, it kept coming while I tried to get my RA under control. For years, metformin helped manage my PCOS, but eventually, it stopped working, and I was left wondering what my next move would be.

That’s when my doctor brought up Ozempic. By that point, I was ready to try something new, so I started weekly injections in April of this year. By July, I had lost 40 pounds, and now, I’m down over 60! On top of that, I’ve been able to stop taking metformin and my blood pressure medication, which feels like a huge win after relying on them for so long.

But, as great as the weight loss has been, it hasn’t done much for my RA symptoms. The joint pain and fatigue are still very much a part of my daily life. And despite the progress I’ve made with my weight, the damage to my joints is still there. I’ve learned that weight loss isn’t a cure-all, especially when you’re dealing with a chronic illness like RA.

I like to joke that people always say, “Just lose the weight, and you’ll feel amazing!” Well, I lost the weight, and guess what? My RA is still hanging around. So no, it’s not that simple.

For anyone thinking about Ozempic or going through their own health journey, just know that it’s not only about the number on the scale. The real win for me has been getting off some meds and feeling like I have a little more control over my health, even if my RA hasn’t improved. It’s a process, and every little step forward counts.

It hasn’t been an easy road, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. If you’re going through something similar, don’t forget to celebrate those small victories along the way. Keep going—every step matters.