Weight gain

[Memmy]

I'm thinking of trying gabapentin. Should I stop taking my 0.09mg mirapexin before starting. I tried Lyrica and put on a lot of weight quickly. Does gabapentin cause the same weight gain. I haven't taken mirapexin for 2 days but take 50mg tramadol and Kratom. Advice pleeease

[Carlettejaque]

Gabapentin caused me a lot if weight gain. It also caused me to have a swollen foot and leg on the left side. It also causes a feeling like you are slightly drunk, affects your balance and can fog your brain. Unfortunately, I have to take it for a neurological condition.

[Memmy in reply to Carlettejaque]

Oh so I think I'll keep away from it. Thanks

[Joolsg in reply to Memmy]

Pregabalin and gabapentin are the same class of meds with the same side effects. Both increase appetite.

[Memmy in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks for replying. Does that mean if I can control my appetite then I won't put on weight if I start gabapentin. I read that it was water retention that caused weight gain so I'm a bit confused.

[Carlettejaque in reply to Memmy]

Yes, it does cause water retention . I suffer with oedema in my legs but it also affects metabolism. It strips fat from the across the body and dumps it around your tummy. I have a huge tummy but ordinary sized arms and legs. I've had to buy big sized clothes.I gained a stone in the first 2 months then shot up to 3 stones and I have a restricted diet. I don't eat sweets, chocolate, cakes and buns etc.

Once on it, its difficult to get off it as it has nasty withdrawal effects.

[Elsie85 in reply to Carlettejaque]

Hi, thanks for this info. I'm also on gabapentin and Ropinerole and have put on 3 stone. Mine is also on my tummy. I look 6 months pregnant. Get fed up with people looking at me with that ' is she isn't she' . Lots of baggy clothes. I didn't realise it is due to water retention , does this explain why my tummy can go rock hard?

[Carlettejaque in reply to Elsie85]

I get water retention just in my legs and feet. It's annoying that I can't wear anything but sandals. My tummy goes hard too but I think it is fat. I don't have any fatty or greasy foods at all but the gabapentin slows metabalism and causes the weight gain to go straight on your tummy.Im in my 70's so i just look fat. I am fat but with gabapentin you can't shift it! You would have to practically stop eating and run 5 miles a day. I can't do that.

[Joolsg in reply to Memmy]

There's definitely an element of water retention but it also increases appetite. I never used to feel hungry before I started pregabalin but definitely noticed I was always wanting to eat after I started it.

[Elsie85 in reply to Joolsg]

Sadly I've always had a big appetite but on these meds I always feel hungry. I have to be so careful. Doesn't help aswell that I'm now at that delightful menopausal age. Without the meds I'm in a terrible state and can't be without them. Just trying to except the new me.

[WideBody in reply to Joolsg]

I never knew this and it explains a lot. I am a night time eater. I am not hungry in the morning. I live on coffee till about noon. but I will eat an entire plate of cookies or an entire apple pie after 8pm. Not necessarily by choice, but the appetite overrules every thing. I have been dealing with this for years, but the pregabalin kind of kicks it into overdrive, I didn’t realize that. Thanks

[SueJohnson]

I take gabapentin and do have edema in my legs but it is not bad enough to take a diuretic and doesn't really bother me. I read somewhere that only around 10% of people get edema.. I have had no increase in my appetite and have only gained a couple of pounds. It is not difficult to get off it and there are no nasty withdrawal effects. It has been a lifesaver for me and completely controls my restless legs. My doctor feels there are fewer side effects from gabapentin than from lyrica.

[Memmy in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue

[Memmy in reply to Memmy]

Can you tell me how much you take and at what times and also which gabapentin(if there are different ones). After your reply I may try it

[marsha2306]

I’ve been taking Gabapentin for 6 years with NO weight gain. I have not had any side effects either. I take it for RLS and unrelated extreme nerve pain.

[Memmy in reply to marsha2306]

Thats really great. May I ask which gabapentin and what dosage. Does it work completely

[marsha2306 in reply to Memmy]

Mine is a complex case. Before I had nerve damage (unfortunately from a flu shot that f*cked up my spinal cord) I was only taking 300 mg at nite for the RLS. After about 6 months I had to go up to 600 mg but found out my ferritin level was only 73. I then had an iron infusion and that kept my ferritin up for about two and a half years. Then I had that flu shot so I take the 2700 mg because of the nerve pain.

[joker826]

I have been on gabapentin for several months and have not gained any weight. Although I do walk every day.

[24Blue24]

I’ve been on Gabapentin for about 8 years. I have not had weight gain, or water retention. It works pretty well for me. I’m on 2100 mg. because of a neurological condition. I went on a low carb, no sugar, high protein, diet almost two years ago, and lost 20 pounds. I think Gabapentin is like most other medications. Everyone has their own way they react to it. Lyrics made me gain weight.

[Annty]

Luckily I knew about possibility of weight gain on gabapentin before starting. This gave me a head start and like 24Blue24 I keep my carbs low and protein high. I did have oedema(fluid retention) and puffy feet and ankles for few weeks and at each increase but lucky for me went after that.With rls its always a compromise between meds and symptoms and you'll find out what is best for you, what your prepared to put up with or gain from.

This is a really good forum with lots of very knowledgeable people, keep asking questions. Good luck x

[Memmy in reply to Annty]

Thanks that helps a lot

[Guitarpickin]

I love gabapentin…or I guess I should say I love how it knocks me out and diminishes (or eliminates) my symptoms for the night. I’m on a very low dose (only 100 mg an hour or so before bed) and did have terrible ankle swelling that persisted for several months, but it went away awhile ago and hasn’t come back. Because I’m on such a low dose, I can stop taking it when I choose, without any issues (other than possible neurological symptoms). I haven’t gained any weight and have actually lost a little. But at approximately the same time I started gabapentin I started the 5-2 diet on two different doctors’ recommendations. Apparently it can help with neurological disorders. As others have said, gabapentin may make you feel a bit fuzzy or drunk, but that’s not such a bad feeling when you’re going to sleep. If you are in a position to try something other than mirapex, you probably should. I hope you find something that works for you.

[Memmy in reply to Guitarpickin]

Thanks so much your advice is really helpful