[Apollo]

Hello Mrs. D!

I have a question for you (and also experenced users) about Lyrica regarding weight gain.

I have begun taking just one 50mg tablet at bedtime, and found that it helps give me a great night's sleep.

I am also a 52 year old male who is 5'8" and weighs 175 pounds.

If I just take the 50mg tablet once per evening and never raise that dose, am I likely to experence the weight-gain and swelling commonly mentioned?

I had read elsewhere that the weight gain seems to be dose-dependent and I did not think that 50mg of Lyrica once per day is that high a dose
(and here is that link):


http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lyrica/ly...ight-gain.html


I appreciate your opinion.

Thank you!

David

[mrsD]

It is difficult to say. Not all people get the weight gain.

Some people do get the edema, and this translates to some weight gain.

Watch your food, avoid carbs...ignore cravings if you can.

Your dose is low..so that is in your favor.

[invisable]

[QUOTE=Apollo;741372]Hello Mrs. D!

I have a question for you (and also experenced users) about Lyrica regarding weight gain.

I have begun taking just one 50mg tablet at bedtime, and found that it helps give me a great night's sleep.

I am also a 52 year old male who is 5'8" and weighs 175 pounds.

If I just take the 50mg tablet once per evening and never raise that dose, am I likely to experence the weight-gain and swelling commonly mentioned?

I had read elsewhere that the weight gain seems to be dose-dependent and I did not think that 50mg of Lyrica once per day is that high a dose
(and here is that link):


http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lyrica/ly...ight-gain.html


I appreciate your opinion.

Thank you!


Which has similar side effects of Lyrica. I was starting to get fat(ter), with some mild water retention. Dr. gave me a mild diaretic (which I am sure has it's own side effects.) I am taking the lowest dosage of Gab. I can without too many breakthru neuro sensations. I did this by adding Elavil (generic.) But also, as Mrs. D. said have been cutting down on carbs and sugars. I am not exactly loosing weight, but have noticed less water retention and weight is stabilizing. Seems (for me) when I don't have carbs, sweet, etc......., I kind of loose my cravings for them. If I have a little, it turns into a spiral of cravings and over eating.

[glenntaj]

--whether used for the relief of neuropathic pain or not, seem, with the exception of Topomax (and nobody seems to quite know why with that one) to have, as a common side effect, weight gain, either through fluid retention, carb craving, or both.

As Mrs. D notes, not all people expereince this, and there does seem to be at least some dose dependency. But it happens often enough that people taking them are well advised to pay close attention to their nutrition--and hey, we'd probably all be healthier eating fewer carbs anyway.

[Apollo]

Originally Posted by glenntaj

--whether used for the relief of neuropathic pain or not, seem, with the exception of Topomax (and nobody seems to quite know why with that one) to have, as a common side effect, weight gain, either through fluid retention, carb craving, or both.

As Mrs. D notes, not all people expereince this, and there does seem to be at least some dose dependency. But it happens often enough that people taking them are well advised to pay close attention to their nutrition--and hey, we'd probably all be healthier eating fewer carbs anyway.

.... thanks to all.

David

[JoanB]

Seems to me that it's pretty hard to say what will cause weight gain and what not for any particular person. Gabapentin didn't for me, then Amitriptyline didn't, then the two of them together didn't, but the two of them with the addition of Tegretol all of a sudden did. Was it the Tegetretol by itself or the cocktail that did it for me?

My doc is going to take me off of the two above mentioned anti-sezures since none of it is helping, and replace them with Topomax. I know that one has a reputation for being hard on the kidneys, but what to do? Being in constant pain isn't so good for anyone either.

But I'll tell you one thing I know David: if there is a drug out there that would relieve my pain, and also caused me to gain weight, I'd take it in a heartbeat! I used to think that weight gain was a deal-breaker, but at this point, it's just collateral damage.

[Rrae]

the term 'rapid weight gain'......until it happened to me and this was when I was put on Lyrica (much higher dose than yours)....... However I don't know that I can put the entire blame on that particular med, as I was also put on others and was dealing with Hypothyroid in that same timeframe.

But, what scared me the most about the 'rapid' weight gain (as in 9 pounds in one month!) was becoming short of breath and the high blood pressure that went along with it. This was downright SCARY! It seemed like it became out of my 'control' and I wasn't really eating much at all!

It was a Neurologist who put me on this 'instant' high dose cocktail of Lyrica, Amitriptyline.....and whatever else I was taking at the time (can't recollect)....it just ended up being a very bad 'mix' for me and the confusing condition/symptoms I was facing.
Obviously too much too soon....

This was a few years ago and I've since lost the weight and won't ever go on that high a dose ever again....... I do take a very low dose of Neurontin (Lyrica's cousin) and seem to be ok.

You 'know' your body. If you notice what seems to be 'rapid' weight gain....I'd certainly not put off keeping it in check, cuz it can get out of control, fast.
And yes, the liver enzymes shot up too.

Wishing you the best
Rae