Optic Neuritis with GLP1
TLDR: Searching for others with similar experience relating to a GLP1 and MS.
Was anyone diagnosed with Optic Neuritis as your first ever MS symptom shortly (within 1-2 months) after starting a GLP1, specifically Zepbound?
I [34F] started Zepbound in March 2025. Two weeks after starting, I had eye strain and pressure, along with twitching/pulsing behind one eye. I started to lose partial vision the next week. I didn’t know what was causing it and ended up at the ER in April 2025, where they diagnosed me with Optic Neuritis, and ultimately, MS. I don't recall any MS related symptoms prior to this event and I’ve been on Kesimpta since (stable/no relapses).
I was told the two weren’t related (starting Zepbound and being diagnosed with MS), as the only eye issues in studies for Zepbound were relating to strokes within the eye; however, I recently started Zepbound again July 2026 and have noticed the same pulsing/twitching in my other eye within a week of starting. I’m thinking now this can’t be coincidental.
I’m curious if anyone else has had a similar experience.