Gabapentin 300

[Northernnugget]

Hi my doctor has upped my dosage of 100 to 300 Gabapentin and apart from the usual constipation which I've always suffered on and on with and a martyr to I've noticed some weight gain and swelling Has anyone else had this issue? Has it settled down and the weight reduced back to normal?

[trudym]

Hi 12 years ago when my back went (L4/5 bulging, trapping nerves down right leg/foot & whole spine degenerative discs) I started off on 300mg gabapentine, which was upped to 300mg x 9 daily. I put on 5 stones, but due to lack of mobility I couldn’t shift…😒 I became tolerant to them a couple of years ago & was slowly weaned off, but only lost a stone. Hopefully your mobility isn’t as limited & you can still get around & exercise.

[Northernnugget in reply to trudym]

Thank you I can move around and I'm working full time I feel as though since actually being diagnosed my symptoms have got worse though It really is an absolute effer Hope your pain is managed ok lovey x

[Cat00]

I had weight gain with Gabapentin and Pregablin, wouldn't go back on them now for that reason.

[Northernnugget in reply to Cat00]

Did the weight drop? I'm I've gone from 7.6 stone to 7.8 Not a massive jump but I dont want to put any more on I like being small Can I ask how you manage the pain now?

[Cat00 in reply to Northernnugget]

I went from an anorexic weight under 6 stone to nearly 9 stone. When I stopped I went down to about 8 stone but I've never gone completely back. I do a lot of exercise though and I'm much more muscley now so some of the extra weight is down to that.

That's also how I manage the pain incidently, I do as much exercise as I can, particularly cardio that gets my heart rate high for at least half an hour a day. Partly bc I like doing this but also that's what the pain clinic recommends.

I have chronic migraines so I'm not allowed painkillers on more than 8 days a month anyway and while drugs like Gabapentin/Pregablin help a bit they've never helped enough to deal with the downside.

But back when I was diagnosed NICE hadn't decreed that painkillers shouldn't be prescribed for fibro so I went on many many meds before I decided to go for nothing. So this is how I know it is better for me not to be on meds but everyone needs to go on their own journey in that respect really.

[Coffeemum]

I was on gabapentin but couldn't function to how sleepy they made me during the daytime, was swapped to pregabalin which helps me slightly. I have put on 2 stone over 3 years and have to get on my exercise bike which is really hard work and painful to try and get my weight down. I'm frightened of coming off them, I've tried before but it reminded me of why I need them. X

[Northernnugget]

Oh bless you 😢x Keep strong x

[Bacaloca]

I have been on 600mg 3 x daily for over 4 years and gained about 3 stones in weight. I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knees in the last 2 years which is when most of the weight gain has been due to less exercise. My GP took me off Tramadol 2 months ago and now wants me to come off Gabapentin. I will give it a go but worry about how I will control my pain afterwards. As other people have said different people are affected in different ways. I did not put on much weight about maybe 7pounds until my knees began to hurt, so you might not put on any more, if you are lucky you will settle back to where you started.

🤗 gentle hugs

[Northernnugget in reply to Bacaloca]

Thank you I was diganosed with osteoarthritis in my right knee six years ago It doesnt seem to be a problem at the moment Good luck coming off the Gabapentin Stay stong x

[Fatabelly]

Hi there,

Weight gain and increased fatigue are normal side effects when you first start taking Gabapentin. Good news is that it usually settles down pretty quickly.

I take 1200mg (2x600mg) three times per day, and have done for a number of years. Personally I find it’s one of the best medications for pain relief and I really notice if I’m late or miss a dose.

I did try swapping it to Pregablin some time ago and it was the worst thing I ever did with my meds. It did nothing for the pain and just made me feel like absolute crap…so I quickly swapped back.

But I wish you all the best luck with it and hope you find it helps.

[Northernnugget in reply to Fatabelly]

Thank you I'm still getting pain in my wrists but we'll see I recieved a letter from Rheumatology yesterday offically diagnosing Fibromyalgia Apparently I'm allowed one more appointment valid within the next six months I'm tempted to ask for an MRI on my right wrist as its the most painful one x

[Hidden]

Waight gain is normal I would say.

It doesn’t give as bad constipation as an opioid, however it can do as we all different…

I suggest lots of , high fibre fruits, nuts and whole grains… also try and have atleast 8 glasses of h2o per day , or 1 glass every hour for 8 hours

[Northernnugget in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks x