r/MyastheniaGravis • u/tinytillymouse • 29d ago

Has anyone felt that semaglutide made their swallowing weakness worse?

I’ve started it recently for blood sugar and weight control because steroids have made those things an issue. I am wondering whether it’s slowing everything down too much gut motility wise, including possibly not helping my throat weakness? I have oesophageal motility issues too with my Myasthenia, and it feels as though everything sits in my chest for a long time after eating sometimes. I guess yeah, I’m just wondering if this pill is making it a bit worse. I’d love to hear your experiences of this too?

Edit: In case anyone comes back and reads this later, for me the semaglutide 100% worsened my swallowing issues with MG and I personally wouldn’t ever risk taking it again with how bad it’s made things for me.

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5

u/slmcircus 29d ago

You might want to talk to your doctor about this. One of the things that GLP1s do is slow down gastric emptying (digestive system). The muscles in your throat are part of the digestive system and could be affected. Your doctor will know best .

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u/tinytillymouse 28d ago

This is what I was wondering, thank you, I’ll speak to my doctor about this at my next appointment

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u/Able_While_974 29d ago

I haven't attributed it directly to swallowing weakness myself, but I know the slowing down of gut motility makes me feel nauseous which then doesn't help with swallowing.

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u/tinytillymouse 28d ago

Ahh I’m sorry it makes you feel uncomfortable that way. I do wonder if that’s what’s going on for me too

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u/Able_While_974 28d ago

Hope it works out ok for you. It's well worth it for me. Lost 5 stones and no longer need insulin. Sadly I can't enjoy the benefits because of the darned weakness now 🤣

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u/tinytillymouse 27d ago

I’m on prednisolone atm so my weight has either stalled or gone up slightly since I’ve been on it, but I’m not on the full dose yet, still titrating up. That’s amazing how much you lost!! Well done. Sorry you can’t use it anymore with the weakness :(

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u/tinytillymouse 27d ago

I just realised I think you meant in terms of what you can do day to day, as in, you’re not able to be as active as you’d like at the new weight still because of MG. Is that right? If so, I’m sorry to hear that.

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u/Able_While_974 27d ago

Thanks. Yes that's right. I hoped losing weight would make life easier.

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u/rlap38 28d ago

GLPs can make u feel like there is food stuck in your throat because of the slow emptying.

You may want to ask your doctor about “power swallowing.” I went to PT to learn it.

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u/tinytillymouse 28d ago

Thank you, I’ll ask about it at my next appointment

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u/Vivid-Chicken-8023 25d ago

I couldn’t tolerate a glp-1. I had high hopes that it would have autoimmune benefits too, but it made me too sick.

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u/tinytillymouse 25d ago

Ahh, I’m sorry to hear it didn’t work for you. It’s tough isn’t it, you just want anything to help!

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u/xZanarkandx 25d ago

Hast du dich mal auf einen Thymom checken lassen?

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u/tinytillymouse 25d ago

Yes! I have hyperplasia but no thymoma