Teddi Mellencamp has revealed that her doctor declined her request for a GLP-1 medication after she experienced weight gain due to her cancer treatment. The 44-year-old former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, who is currently battling stage four melanoma, discussed the popular weight loss drugs on Thursday's episode of her podcast Two Ts in a Pod, which she co-hosts with Tamara Judge.
Podcast Discussion on Weight Loss Drugs
During the episode, Mellencamp explained her situation to guest co-host Dolores Catania, a star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. “I am a health and wellness coach who’s dying of cancer. But because I’m getting bigger from the steroids, I asked my doctor if I could have GLP-1s,” she said. “And he was like, ‘No!’”
Catania expressed sympathy but noted her own plans to take GLP-1s, which are commonly prescribed for type-2 diabetes and obesity by reducing blood sugar levels and curbing appetite. “I’m so sorry someone told you no, but I don’t know that I’d listen!” she responded.
Mellencamp, however, indicated that she could obtain the medication through other means. “I mean, I know people where I could get it. I have friends that do it,” she added. Catania quipped, “Tell your doctor to shut up,” to which Mellencamp laughed and replied, “Listen. Let me enjoy my time.”
Doctor's Perspective and Mellencamp's Argument
Catania suggested that if Mellencamp were truly dying, her doctor would have prescribed GLP-1s. But Mellencamp maintained her stance, arguing that the weight gain from steroids was the primary issue. “I think it’s just that I’ve gained weight,” she said. “So rude. Let me live. You tell me to live my best life, but I don't even get to. Like, where’s my GLP-1s?”
Mellencamp's Cancer Journey
Mellencamp was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022. By 2025, the cancer had advanced to stage four and metastasized to her lungs and brain. She underwent major brain surgery to remove four tumors. In October, she shared on her podcast that she had “no detectable cancer.”
“When they told me, I was in such shock. I was like, numb,” she recalled. Despite the good news, she will continue immunotherapy treatments for another year. “I’m still going to be having days when I'm feeling sick and stuff because I still am in immunotherapy, so I'm still fighting because you have to be,” she explained.
She clarified that she is not yet considered in remission. “The way the [doctors] said it works, it's like one year, then two years, then at three years you're allowed to be considered… in remission.”
Recent Public Appearance
Last month, Mellencamp presented her father, singer John Mellencamp, with the iHeartRadio Music Icon Award at the iHeartRadio Awards. During her speech, she reflected on how her father supported her after her cancer diagnosis. “He stepped up, took control, fought for me, and pretty much changed my life, saved my life,” she said. Addressing the common question about growing up with a rock star father, she added, “In my eyes, it was no different than anybody else. He gave me advice, he'd give me groundings, he would love on me.”
