Weight gain ,pregabalin

[Denford]

Hi everyone is anyone on pregabalin!? I have been on them a few month now and they are really helping with the pain,however Iam gaining weight and know it’s from the pills! Has anyone else’s had problems with this? And can suggest a different medication as good that won’t make me gain weight please.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer]

Did you develop edema after you started it? I believe a significant portion of weigh gain is from edema. Unfortunately Gabapentin and Deuloxitine, medications that work well for many, didn't work for me. What does your doctor day? Any change of meds needs to be done under his/her supervision so please consult with him/her.

[LoneEra]

Unfortunately weight gain is a common side effect of pregabalin. As if you need that on top of everything else!

Speak to your GP about this. Sometimes, they will tweak the dose. Or they may be able to switch you to something else, like Gabapentin.

Everyone reacts differently to each drug so it’s hard to tell what will happen. But don’t suffer in silence x

[B_kirstie]

Yes! I started it in May last year and it was a god send at first but since then I’ve gained 3 stone and as mentioned have terrible fluid retention. I’m working with my doctor to get down from 600mg daily but it’s hard. 😞 The weight gain really gets me down and is making everything worse. I’m also looking for an alternative x

[Paulainpoole]

Hi yes I take Pregablin I have put on some weight but not 100% its Pregablin as some of my other medication has side effects of weight gain i haven't found a medication as good so I stick with it

[rosewine]

Ive been on it about 10 years and gained some weight. It does have a kind of tranqilising effect which can slow you down. I also initially shied away from exercise because of the pain and Pregablin gave me a sweet tooth which I had never had before.I eventually got that excess off by being strict with myself, slowly building up my exercise but it was really hard work. I added more veg and fruit and cut out as many carbs as possible. As others have said some people have found they have had quite a bit of fluid retention.

So difficult you have to decide whether the pluses outway the negatives. I've carried on because it helps with the burning, shooting pains which was making my life utterly miserable. Some people have switched to Gabapentin and have had less side effects. X

[Cat00]

I found Pregablin really bad for weight gain, it made me hungry all the time. I was anorexic when I was put on it and within 3 months I was overweight, absolutely hated it. I found Gabapentin actually worked better for the pain and didn't make me put on as much weight. But honestly I wouldnt bother with either of them now, I found nothing works better for me, pain levels aren't much different and no side effects.

[Fra22-57]

Been on it for 10 years without weight gain which am grateful for.suppose medication effects everyone differently thou

[Shaz58]

I originally lost 10 st and managed to keep it off for 15 years. 3 yes ago I was put on pregabalin and taken off gabapentin as it wasnt working as well. I have a rare disease and am on a lot of medication of which 2 are chemotherapy tablet form and of course pregabalin. I've put on over 3 stone and I hate myself, I worked so hard to lose all that weight and within a short time put that amount on. I have cut myself down from 1000 mg to just 100 over the months and the weight is coming off again slowly. I'm 63 yrs old and so with age against me I'm fighting a losing battle.

[Tinky5]

Hi. I’ve been on pregabalin a few years now and I gained 3 stone. Unfortunately pregabalin increases your appetite it’s a side effect of the drug. But it works for me and I can manage my pain - just be mindful of over eating. I am now! But it’s a bit late. Lol.

[1499]

Hi Denford. I was started on pregabalin during my husband's illness as the fibro pains were getting worse and was given 50mg dosage. They were a Godsend as felt it was the first time I had experienced any relief from the pains, then my husband passed away. As you have no control over Fibro it got so bad it was like one continuous flare-up, it felt horrendous and my G.P. put me on 100mg. They didn't seem to be making a huge difference and so were increased to 150mg which I believe isn't really a high dosage compared to some (I realised grief played a big part at that time and made the fibro much worse) and I started to feel so sluggish all the time and my hands and feet were swelling so I weaned off them. There were days I felt like starting them again to be honest but I stuck to my decision and only take Tramadol now. I have 2 friends on them who feel they have caused weight gain but other than that they didn't seem to have the other side-effects I had. We are all so different. Good Luck!

[Paulainpoole]

Hi I have been taking Pregablin for years and it really helps me my doctor tried to stop it but reduced it instead trying to make my GPaware of anything Fibro is at least difficult its either she genuinely not aware or does not want to be aware there is lots of info out there should she want to make herself aware anyway getting back to my response to you I did gain weight but was unsure whether it was the Pregablin or Duloxetine I was started on around the same time but I am now losing the weight a lot of mess do put weight on im afraid Take care

[Paulainpoole]

Sorry Fibro Fog i replied twice haha

[Exca]

Hi Denford I've been on pregabalin for just over 2 years I've believe most of my weight gain is water retention I also take mirtazapine at night which has made it worse. Trouble is we have no choice it's either be in chronic pain or gain weight and be comfortable with less pain.