Damon,
You are right on. I have been on Lyrica 75mg. daily & Imuron 3xday & over the past 6mo. I have gained 40 lbs. Let me tell you that sucks. 🙁
When I talk to the Dr’s about the weight gain. They just look at me like I’m nuts!:D
Because I have no propreoception & balance I can’t do cardio exercises & I only do stretching exercises & we all know that wont take the pounds off.
Hang in there & good luck!

Weight gain can be a side effect

[url]http://www.lyrica.com/content/main_side_effects.jsp?setShowOn=../content/main_about_lyrica.jsp&setShowHighlightOn=../content/main_side_effects.jsp[/url]

Weight gain is most defiently the number 1 side effect. My question is what can I do to keep from getting to be the size of a cow!:eek:

Hi Cathy

Do you have access to a swimming pool at all? Is there one in your neighbourhood? I have started doing aqua jogging (in the deep pool with a big floatie around your waist) — you literally jog around in the water. I also have balance and proprioception issues – and it was recommended to me by Gareth Parry who is a CIDP/GBS specialist.

It is definitely cardio vascular! Another is Pilates — you can do it lying down! Some of the exercises I can’t do, but it has really helped to strengthen my core muscles which makes a big difference.

A couple of ideas, maybe?

Cheers
Debs

🙂 Hey Damon

I have been using Neurontin for some years now; and I have had no issues with weight gain. In fact, I have lost quite abit of weight over the last two years -with trying of heaps of different medications.

Neurontin has been really great for me — I take 2700mgs day – 900mgs x 3x/day. It works well in terms of managing the nerve pain; it doesn’t stop the breakthrough stuff, but day to day it works well.

Debs

Hey Damon

I have been using Neurontin for some years now; and I have had no issues with weight gain. In fact, I have lost quite abit of weight over the last two years -with trying of heaps of different medications.

Neurontin has been really great for me — I take 2700mgs day – 900mgs x 3x/day. It works well in terms of managing the nerve pain; it doesn’t stop the breakthrough stuff, but day to day it works well.

Debs

Debs,
Thanks for the info. I have been telling my husband all summer we need a pool so I can work out in the water. Thast has gotten me no where. Another problem I have is I do not drive because of the GBS
Thanks again!:)

I took Neurontin and gained 16 lbs in about 5 months. Went off it and the pounds melted away. I think we all react differently and tolerate meds differently so the best I can tell you is to try it. It may be good for you and not cause you weight gain.

Debbie,
I thought i was going crazy. I have been trying to eat less but my clothes are getting snug. How much Lyrica do you take? I have only been on it for about 3 months now and my neuro keeps increasing it. He wants me to take as much as i can, and still focus. I have started my IVIG treatments so i haven’t needed to increase. I wish there was something else i could take that does work this well for me that doesn’t cause weight gain but i guess everything has side effects of some kind. If anyone has this answer we really need your help.

I am on Lyrica and I’m taking 150mg twice a day. I don’t want to say I’m glad there are others that have serious weight gain but it is a consulation knowing I’m not alone. I lost 37 pounds in 4 weeks while in the CCU. Now I am heavier that I have been in my whole life. My wife and I wanted to go out and eat at a nice resturant last week and NONE of my jeans or dress pants fit. I found 1 pair of slacks that I could get on and we went. When I was alone later that night I broke down. I’m trying REALLY hard to keep a positive outlook about this. I built a gym in my shop to get my muscle back that was lost in the hospital. I can’t even use it right now,the pain is so intense. My neurologist is suggesting I go on permanent dissability. I’m only 47!!!!! I have a great job but it’s physically demanding and I’m on my feet 8 hours a day 5 days a week. I have done this same job for 17 years. I LOVE IT! I was a diesel mechanic for 16 years before this job. I know nothing else. I am (semi-intelligent;) ) and trainable but I can’t stand or sit for any length of time. If it’s the Lyrica that is making me gain all of this weight I really don’t know what I’m going to do. Geeeezzzzz I have no idea what I’m going to do any way Lyrica or no Lyrica.:confused:

Hello, Debbie:

I lost the 16 pounds I’d gained when taking Lyrica by switching to Topamax. It only took about five weeks to loose the weight.

Joe

Debbie,
I too am on 300mg a day, sometimes i needed a little more but try to stay at that. I am unable to exercise and i think that is my problem. i used to go to PT swimming classes but they finally got the best of me, i would be down for days after.

Tim,
I too am heavier than i have ever been, i think total i have gained about 30lbs. I will know after dr appt tomorrow. I am on total permanent disability. I am 44. I was crushed at first but Debbie is right, having a positive attitude makes it much better to cope. Yes i have days that i cry but i pick myself up and do something that makes me happy. Going on permanent disability doesn’t have to mean life is over, i think of it as early retirement!!!!! Even when i meet someone who doesn’t know me and they ask what i do, I tell them I am retired. I get a kick out of it.

Joe,
I am on both Lyrica and Topamax. Lyrica for nerve pain and Topamax for headaches/seizures. Did you mean another drug?

[QUOTE=lisaD]Debbie,
I too am on 300mg a day, sometimes i needed a little more but try to stay at that. I am unable to exercise and i think that is my problem. i used to go to PT swimming classes but they finally got the best of me, i would be down for days after.

Tim,
I too am heavier than i have ever been, i think total i have gained about 30lbs. I will know after dr appt tomorrow. I am on total permanent disability. I am 44. I was crushed at first but Debbie is right, having a positive attitude makes it much better to cope. Yes i have days that i cry but i pick myself up and do something that makes me happy. Going on permanent disability doesn’t have to mean life is over, i think of it as early retirement!!!!! Even when i meet someone who doesn’t know me and they ask what i do, I tell them I am retired. I get a kick out of it.

Joe,
I am on both Lyrica and Topamax. Lyrica for nerve pain and Topamax for headaches/seizures. Did you mean another drug?[/QUOTE]

No, Lisa, Topamax was prescribed as a replacement for the Lyrica. It controls my nerve pain as well as the Lyrica did without increasing my appetite. I am also aware that Topamax is used to treat migraines and seizures which I do not suffer from.

Joe

[QUOTE=Debbie]Joe,

Sorry to bother you but how much Lyrica were you taking and how much Topamax are you taking now?

Debbie[/QUOTE]

No bother, Debbie, the dosages are the same for both, 100 mg. X 3 daily.

Joe

I’m glad to know I’m not the only one to be gaining weight. I’ve been on lyrica for a year and a half — substitute for gabapentin. I’m now up to 225 mg twice a day and the pain is there in both my legs (right now!).

Anyone have any ideas for losing weight? I tried Topamax but it made me crazy so I can’t take that.

Cathy:)

I stopped taking it because of the weight gain.

Hell, it wasn’t a weight gain, I stood in front of the ice box like a pack of wild dogs.

Something sweet, something salty…………….hey, I want rice and gravy, so what if it’s 3 am might as well cook some peas and get some hamburger meat out.

This went on for about a month and pack on close to 30 more pounds. It took a good two weeks off of it for the starvation feeling to reduce.

I am lucky I am on Concerta which cause somebody to loose weight so I am not to bad. I take a total of 300mg of Lyrica per day.
As long as I don’t have to get off my Concerta I love it. But it might not be good for my Raynauds disease.

Sue

Debbie,

I was searching around for info on Lyrica, my neuro just started me on it. The most useful drug I was on for the neuropathic pain was Topamax. I took it at 300mg daily. There are a ton of side effects (please consider them) But if you can tolerate the drug, it might work. One other horrible side effect (ha, ha, ha) is the weight loss. I was losing 5 to 7 pounds per month. Not much the first month, but it was consistent thereafter.

The bad side was the expense. I had no insurance and the cost became quite prohibitive, 300 per month or more. I couldn’t afford to take it anymore. I went a year and a half with nothing, and now am trying Lyrica. It certainly calms down the nerves at night, to my wife’s delight. I have been twitching, muscle jumping, and “nerve firing” quite a bit less since starting Lyrica a couple of weeks ago. I am only at 150 per day, but it seems to be helping. I also take methadone, which works for other things, but not the neuropathic pains.

Take care
Dick S