Anyone tried GLP-1 agonists?

[Hoosierfans]

Curious if anyone has tried this class of drugs, either at “full” dosing or “microdosing.” They include:

• Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
• Exenatide (Byetta)
• Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda):
• Lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
• Semaglutide (Ozempic)
• Semaglutide (Rybelsus)
• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepound): A dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonist

My interest was peaked when my ME / CFS specialist mentioned that they were looking into using these in their complex patients so “stay tuned”; I then had a follow up convo with my psychiatrist who said that there’s a LOT of research about to come out on these drugs and their ability to help neuro inflammatory diseases, including treatment resistant depression and anxiety.

A peruse of online forums includes a lot of reports of people:
— improving their MCAS / food sensitivities
— significant improvements to autoimmune conditions (lupus, RA) include significant pain relief (better results seem to be found here with Terzipetide vs the others)
— neuropathy relief
— improved energy (although many people report increased fatigue)

Interestingly these drugs cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) and have been shown to return excitable glial cells back to their appropriate resting state. (Yay!)

Curious if anyone has tried them, or thoughts on their use in ME or our other comorbid conditions (like MCAS).

 

[Hoosierfans]

Here’s some interesting reading:

— GLP-1 anti inflammatory effects in the brain: https://journals.lww.com/nrronline/...n_like_peptide_1_receptor_activation_.17.aspx

— Microglia: GLP-1 enhances neural structure by inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in microglia: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043661819317505

— GLP-1 improves brain hypometabolism: (helpful for those of us w hypometabolism and the resulting brain fog and neuro symptoms?): https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpendo.00126.2021

— MCAS / Mastocytosis: Case report of rapidly resolving systemic mastocytosis symptoms which were previously resistant to mast cell treatments (I personally find it interesting that the results came BEFORE any significant weight loss and continue during some minor weight loss, and improvements were sustained over at least a 6 month period ).
https://bariatrictimes.com/glp1-resolution-chronic-systemic-mastocytosis-symptoms/

This has really peaked my interest so I’ll continue to post more interesting journals or case reports to discuss…

 

[Zebra]

@Hoosierfans

I see these medications advertised on TV every day for weight loss. Had no idea they were being studied for other applications! Thank you for this informative thread, with citations, no less!

 

[Hoosierfans]

@Hoosierfans

I see these medications advertised on TV every day for weight loss. Had no idea they were being studied for other applications! Thank you for this informative thread, with citations, no less!

Me too!! Yep no idea they are being studied so widely.

Because of their ability to cross the BBB and their neuro protective effects, they are being studied seriously for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s:

Parkinson’s results: https://www.statnews.com/2024/04/03/parkinsons-glp1-diabetes-obesity-study/#:~:text=The%20booming%20class%20of,study%20results%20suggest%20—%20Parkinson's%20disease.

Alzheimer’s results: https://aaic.alz.org/releases-2024/glp-drug-liraglutide-may-protect-against-dementia.asp

Anything that helps neuroinflammation may really help us symptomatically, even if it doesn’t get at the core broken pathways of ME / CFS.

 

[Violeta]

I have tried berberine, which is a glp-1 agonist.



Berberine (BBR) is a compound that can increase glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels and may help with diabetes and obesity:

GLP-1 secretion
BBR can increase GLP-1 production in intestinal L cells. This can be due to BBR altering the bacterial profile in the intestine

 

[elliem]

Thanks for starting the thread @Hoosierfans and including such great info.

I’ve just started an ultra low dose of Tirz.

First few weeks and so far ok. No major side effects or benefits yet (but my dose is super low). Interesting to notice how I don’t crave sugar anymore. I’m making sure to eat high protein meals because I can’t exercise at all and don’t want to lose any muscle mass. My BMI is fairly low so I’m trying not to lose too much weight (hence the ultra low dose). But I put on a few kgs this past year thanks to three meds (beta blockers, fludro etc) so for the first time I can actually afford to lose a few kgs without being servely underweight.

I’ll report back properly after a few months.

Have you tried any?

 

[jaybee00]

7.5 mg of Zep— no real impact on ME/CFS.

 

[Hoosierfans]

Thanks for starting the thread @Hoosierfans and including such great info.

I’ve just started an ultra low dose of Tirz.

First few weeks and so far ok. No major side effects or benefits yet (but my dose is super low). Interesting to notice how I don’t crave sugar anymore. I’m making sure to eat high protein meals because I can’t exercise at all and don’t want to lose any muscle mass. My BMI is fairly low so I’m trying not to lose too much weight (hence the ultra low dose). But I put on a few kgs this past year thanks to three meds (beta blockers, fludro etc) so for the first time I can actually afford to lose a few kgs without being servely underweight.

I’ll report back properly after a few months.

Have you tried any?

I have not. Will be curious about your experience!

 

[Hoosierfans]

7.5 mg of Zep— no real impact on ME/CFS.

Ugh bummer. Any impact on symptoms other than ME stuff?

I just spoke w a friend from whom semaglutide has had amazing effects on her migraines, daily headaches and neuropathy.

 

[jaybee00]

Not really— @leokitten had better results

 

[DonPepe]

Not really— @leokitten had better results

Better results from what? Please elaborate.

 

[jaybee00]

On Zep… prefer that he responds.

 

[DonPepe]

Thanks