Changing medication

[Millyann64]

Hi everyone need advise if want to come off gabapentin sorry for spelling what alternative is there ?it's not helping with pain and the weight gain I cannot cope with anymore thanks in advance hope you are well x

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi Millyann64

Unfortunately nearly all pain killing medication comes with the side effect of weight gain.

The sister drug of Gabapentin is Pregablin, but unfortunately that not only has the side effect of weight gain, but also some people experience severe depression on this medication.

I think your best bet would be to have a chat with your GP and see what they recommend.

Please, whatever you do, don't suddenly stop taking your Gabapentin. ALL medications need to be weaned off very slowly with the help and advice of your GP.

If you do not wean slowly off medication you can end up being extremely ill from withdrawal effects. These can make you very ill.

I really would recommend that you have a chat with your GP. He or she will know what to suggest that you try.

Wishing you much peace

Lu xx

[Millyann64 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

Thank you lu I'll do as you advise x

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Millyann64]

I do think it's best. With Fibromyalgia what suits one person doesn't automatically suit another.

Whilst you are with your GP, don't be scared to ask him if one of the side effects of what he suggests is weight gain.

Sometimes we have to weigh up whether we want the pain meds and put up with the weight gain, or have the pain.

It is a hard one I know.

Please let us know how you get on.

Lu xx

[Millyann64 in reply to BlueMermaid3]

Will do thank you x

[kmc-cudsleepforaweek]

Hiya, I'm sorry you feel the way you do. I can totally empathise with the predicament you're in. My issue was with Pregabalin, it didn't seem to hit the pain as much as I would have liked but it was the weight gain that got me so depressed. I'm normally a slim 9st but I put 1st on and couldn't shift it. After consulting with my GP, I was switched to Gabapentin, which, I have to say was a nasty, agonising few days while my body acclimatised to the change., I lost my excess weight in a month & it made me feel more me again however the pain relief stayed pretty much the same! I now accept that I will never be totally pain free but at least I don't have the excess weight to carry. That was just how my body reacted. Everyone's body is different & unfortunately, both medications can cause weight gain.

As bluemermaid says, please don't just stop taking any medication, talk to your GP about how you feel.

Good luck sweetheart, soft hugs to you 🤗🤗🤗

(P.s. sorry if post is rambled, dizzy head today! ) x

[Millyann64 in reply to kmc-cudsleepforaweek]

Thank you I will try and ask for swith x

[Loraine121 in reply to Millyann64]

Hi millyann64,

I was read a booklet from fibro uk and it said that putting weight on is a common problem for us fibro sufferers regardless of whether or not on medication, I thought that was interesting as I had not heard that before, i guess it probably as we are not as active as we used to be.

Take care

Loraine x

[Millyann64 in reply to Loraine121]

Oh I hope not I hate this weight thank you for your reply x

[Loraine121]

Hi millyann64,

I can sympathise with you about the weight gain i used to be slim but over the years of different types of medication for different types of illness as I have severe asthma and another lung condition too , im regularly on high dose steroids or even just the maintenance dose along with gabapentin ,antidepressants and the rest of my medication i have blown up to twice the size of what I use to be but it is a case off weighing up the benefits of taking the medication or being thin then the meds win even though the steroids increase my appetite if it was not for them i wouldn't be able to breath and I couldn't go back to the horrendous pain and suffering unable to get out of bed at least with the medication i have some quality of life even if I am over weight and it was my doctor who said to imagine how i would be without the medication, most meds say in the side effects about possible weight gain but not everyone is the same, we can always loss weight but we can't if were not here.

Sorry for the long winded post, I have recently been to my gp about my weight and that was his answer to me.

Whishing you a pain free day take care

Loraine x

[Millyann64 in reply to Loraine121]

Yes I see what you are saying I can't cope with pain but depression about my weight is growing as I am xx

[purple-paw]

🌸🌸 hi, I'm sorry that you're suffering pain. It's horrid and weight gain when it's out of your hands makes it all worse.

I've been on Gab for years and increased dose last year on GP suggestion. I'm not pain free but do now accept that's probably an unrealistic goal for me. But it's helped somewhat.

I don't think I could cope with changing meds right now but it's something I may consider in the future.

As others have said consult your GP DO NOT STOP TALKING ANY MEDS WITHOUT MEDICAL ADVICE. Sorry didn't mean to go all shouty on you.

I know this is probably going to sound a bit pathetic given the horrid pain but I surround myself with heat and that helps a little. I've got heat pads that go in the microwave plus ones you plug in. You can get heated cushions, back pad, foot warmers, shoulder and heated blankets. I couldn't be without mine they help ease it a little and make getting up a bit easier as I put my back one on first thing.

If you haven't already, get an OT assessment at home to see if there's any equipment or adaptations that will make life a bit easier and prevent stretching or straining to do things.

Sorry for long post. Hope you find things to help you 🌸

Sending gentle hugs 🌺🌺

[Millyann64 in reply to purple-paw]

Thank you taken on board and gentle hugs back and I don't mind the shout xxx

[Hidden]

Try codrydamol good for pain

[TheAuthor]

Hi Millyann64

I am so truly sorry to read that you have had problems with Gabapentin, and as the others ave said it is one of those drugs that you should not just simply stop taking without consulting your GP first my friend. Also the alternative to this (Pregabalin) has the same side effects as Gabapentin. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Millyann64 in reply to TheAuthor]

Thank you ken x

[TheAuthor in reply to Millyann64]

Good luck my friend x