Hi Marie sorry to hear about all of this I am also on lyrica now for 1 yr for nerve neuropathy from my neck down both arms to hands and down to my waist, My dosage is 450mg a day I started out on a very low dose and went up over 4 months to get to this dosage it started to help almost right away. I am not gaining weight but nor am I losing even after being on a diet of only 800 cal a day for the last few mnths I also take cymbalta witch can make you gain aswell. The side effects of the lyrica were bad at first I did't know if I would be able to stay on them but the awful feelings left after about 3mos Im glad I stayed with it because the benefit has been exellent. I hope you do well because I know this pain is awful and debillatating . I hope I have been of some help.