[Rainbowlight2007]

Hi. My doctor recently prescribed Neurontin for fibro. Does everyone gain weight on this med? and I have also heard rumors that is causes some very bad hair loss?

[Jomar]

Hi Rainbowlight2007- welcome to the forum.

I just was looking at some info on Neurontin the other day-
some info and links-
below a section from - http://web.tampabay.rr.com/lymecfs/nfaq.htm
[KIDNEYS

It is important, since Neurontin is excreted through the kidneys, that your creatinine level is normal. This is a routine blood level that would have been drawn along with your usual yearly blood work. Neurontin is not metabolized by the liver.

Many users have found that hydration is vitally important while using this drug. A small amount of water retention is normal, especially when ramping up (increasing) doses. If you find that your rings are tight and/or your toes are swollen, AND you are drinking less than four quarts (approximately four liters) of water a day, you may find that increasing your intake of water will help eliminate any excess fluid unless your doctor has placed you on a water restriction. However, if you gain over 5-10 pounds, you may temporarily need an occasional diuretic to help flush out the excess water.

If you find that you are continuing to have worsening water retention, your doctor needs to be consulted as soon as possible to insure your kidney and cardiac functions are normal.

BLOOD LEVELS

Over the years, the need for obtaining gabapentin levels have become less important.

After about two weeks on round-the-clock doses, Neurontin is totally excreted from the body within 8-9 hours (if there are no kidney problems).

If one is not on round-the-clock doses, Neurontin is totally excreted from the body in approximately 4 hours.

For optimal dosing, Neurontin should be divided into a four (or more) times a day frequency to keep a constant blood level. If one is taking Neurontin on a three (or less) times a day and is experiencing break-through pain, the easiest experiment (with the doctor's permission) would be to divide the daily dose into four equal doses to see if that solves the problem. ]

and a list of info sites -
http://www.google.com/search?q=Neuro...ient=firefox-a

[Idealist]

I was on neurontin for a year and a half. I didn't put on any weight, but I did notice a bit of hair loss while I was taking it. It also gave me a craving for sweets.

[fiberowendy2000]

I gained 50 pounds on this med. I was up to at one point 2400 mgs a day but was mostly at 1800 mgs for quite a while. This medication has made me unrecognizible from my driver's license picture. I feel like a weeble wobble. I am 4' 11" and I weigh 185 or so. You can imagine what my body image must be like. This is after being off the med for over a year now and I am still fighting side effects.
While it is not a glowing review of the med, it is better to know than not know at all.

[Lilith]

Yes I gained about 20lbs on that med..... I am off of it now...Lilith

[julia]

Originally Posted by Rainbowlight2007

Hi. My doctor recently prescribed Neurontin for fibro. Does everyone gain weight on this med? and I have also heard rumors that is causes some very bad hair loss?

yes i gained weight and lost hair .....ask for something else oxo

[skyspirit]

I've been on 600 mg of neurontin for 2 months and they uped it tp 1800 mg's. I've been on 1800 mg's for 2 weeks and don't like it. I can't sleep cause I either have insomnia or talk too much in my sleep. It's making me so exhausted throughout the day. I have possible multiple sclerosis, cause they ruled out fibromyalgia, supposibly. I still say it could be either or.
Do you have sleeping issues like me? I've noticed my face being a tiny bit bigger and mys tomach being slightly more bloated, but not enough to tell if I'm gaining weight from it. I have a decreased appetite from it. I'm going to call my doctor to see if I can take herbs like st. john wort instead of the neurontin since I can't sleep and been more exhausted than whats manageable. If you have any comments or questions you can contact me at SKYSPIRIT@AOL.C0M Take care.

[RahaelOuch]

I was on it for headaches almost 10 years ago. I was on a very high does, even for a seizure patient and have been off it for quite a few years. I gained weight very quickly with it and haven't been able to loose any since. I recently found this out ... Anticonvulsants tend to cause hyperinsulinemia (elevated insulin in the blood) and increased appetite leading to weight gain. Hyperinsulinemia also results in increased testosterone, which causes a risk to women on these medications for development of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (POS). Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause weight gain, male pattern baldness, increased facial hair, skin tags, acne, infertility, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, and heart disease.

Seizure disorder studies showed that patients taking anticonvulsants who had either a normal or below normal body mass index had the most severe weight gain.
http://www.netnutritionist.com/fa12.htm

[razzle51]

I gain 60 lbs it was awful , got off it quick . I am now on Keppra and it works well