Gabapentin - How bad is weight gain? Can diet help? How good for sleep and pain?

I have been taking Gabepantin for 4 months 300mg 3-5 times a day and have gained 15 pounds since starting. I heard you have to wean yourself off. Is that true?

I have been taking 1000mg of gabapentin & 1500mg of robaxin daily and although it has taken 70% of my excruciating leg pain, I've put on 20 pds even though I have no appetite and foods taste horrible. No diet or change in foods even allow me to lose any weight!! Grrrr. I don't want to be on a medication that makes me miserable, fat & depressed. I'm a bartender and had to take a family leave because the pain is still there, keeps me from moving fast, bending over, etc... I have to take OTC sleep aids or I would never sleep. Is there any advice out there??

Thanks,

Suellyn

Had the same experience. Weight gain like pregnancy (not taking hormones) and tingling in hands and feet. Does not help at all with insomnia. I cut back from 1800 mg/day to 600/day with no effect on weight - still gaining. Can only do stationery bike due to limitations on exercise imposed by my doc - do 45 minutes/day, but no help. Lyrica was even worse. Having surgery soon and will be off gabapentin, then will see what effect that has on my weight.

I have been on Gabapentin 800 mg 8 pills a Night For about 1 year I weighed 112 and now I am 147 it’s so frustrating I have been weaning off of all other medication Trying to figure out what is making me gain all this weight. Now reading all the comments I have hope. I’m getting off of it. I’m wondering if I have to wean off ? What kind of symptoms do you have if you just stop taking it?

My bf takes Clonodine to sleep. Sleeps like I baby. I get jealous but am on too many opiates and benzos to risk something else to lower my BP. Soma use to work great. Think I've developed a tolerance now. Best of luck!!!

Hi. I am new to this site seeing as I have not related any symptoms or "weird" things to Gabapentin. I have been on this medication, 3000 mg/daily, for approx. one year. I have gained 20 pounds. My eyesight got worse. I can't remember my words like I did. However I chalked all of this up to being in my 50's. My neurologist told me a couple of weeks ago that Gab can cause weight gain so I have been weening myself off of it... not just because of the weight gain but to see if my condition of severe leg pain (at night only) has improved any. During this weening I started the "hotflashing". After reading some of the comments I now believe it is due to trying to get off of this med. I have weened myself down to 600 mg. very quickly but plan on staying with this for at least a month... especially after reading the comments. All of this to say that obviously Gab can affect everyone differently but I believe it has definitely caused my weight gain and the other things. Thank you for all of your information. I has really helped.

I agree with the memory issues and brain fog.

I just take magnesium and naproxen, melatonin and diazepam . I sleep like a baby ! I am amazed at how much magnesium has improved my life ! I take cinnamon ,ginger and turmeric also

I went on Gabapentin 300mg x 3 times a day 5 years ago. Slept like a baby but did have to watch my weight! Its not that "it" makes you gain weight, the problem is it makes "you" more hungry so you are always looking for snack food. Biggest problem is that about every 18 months it loses its effectiveness and I have to up it 100mg 3 X a day. But I'll tell you what; when I am on this I don't even have to get up to go to the bathroom... can sleep from 10pm to 7am without going!

As for developing Alzheimer's... I don't think you actually develop it, I think you FEEL like you have. I just went up to 600mg 3 X a day. (been taking Gabapentin for 5 yrs) I sleep pretty good, but have a lot of trouble with my memory.. names, words, etc. My doctor says memory comes back once you stop taking it. He also says if I could lose enough weight I could probably stop, but I find I can't lose as long as I am on it so its really a dilemma!

I’ve been on Gabapentin for a year with lower back pain and leg cramp from L5s1 disc nerve and I had 3 injection and it worked u have to do the 3 injection and it takes time for it to work I think Gabapentin is the best choice for the pain for backs

msfino I'm trying to comment on your second posting but just get brought back to your first post. Thanks for the advice.

Well I guess I've Got My Mind Made Up I won't be taking this medicine even though I've already got the prescription filled I'll just deal with the hot flashes because I cannot deal with gaining anymore weight I have been small pretty much my whole life but two years ago I hit the 200 mark and it took me at least eight to nine months to get from 205 pounds - 100 + 50 and now within the last month I am back up to 170 just from going through menopause and I can't take any kind of hormone pills cause of the fact that I've had breast cancer before so I guess I'm stuck with this weight that I have now and hope it don't continue to keep expanding

I have been on gabapentin and trazodone for for sometime, and I can't sleep more than 3 hours at night and the pain is always there. I have added MSM for about 3 weeks and still in pain. Is there something out there that dose not mess with your brain and stops the pain.

I have been on gabapentin and trazodone for for sometime, and I can't sleep more than 3 hours at night and the pain is always there. I have added MSM for about 3 weeks and still in pain. Is there something out there that dose not mess with your brain and stops the pain.

OMG. Thank you. Your story has cought my eye. I can't beleave my eyes. I can't beleave my doctor. S.m.h
Thank you SOLO much. You don't even know.

Kali,
I am glad I was able to help you out at least a little bit. I think you will find that the Gabapentin will help as it usually works well for nerve pain. It is kind of funny I had a hysterectomy quite awhile back & I could not take a hormone replacement due to a blood clot. The dr. tried me on all kinds of meds to control my hot flashes the my Gyn said lets just increase the Gabapentin as it might help with the hot flashes, & sure enough they increased the dosage & I killed two stones with one med. So I believe in this drug & it is one of the few drugs that the side effects are very few. I hope you give it a try & it helps you out.
Also I am not sure how long you have been on Tramadol but you may need to either increase your dosage or try something else for pain relief.
Best of luck., Kathy

I started gabapentin about 3 weeks ago,i have spinal stenosis,and some days could not walk,bend or hardly get dressed.it is a great drug,i have insomnia and take something for that and on a very small dose of zoloft.it's the first time in a few years I feel human,can get dressed and run out the door,I'm overweight anyway and think i,ll have to watch what I eat,which I do anyway.but it's made me more relaxed and had given my quality of life back,i was fixing to go into a wheelchair of something didn't come along,don't know why drs.don't prescribe it more and it's not a controlled substance,have been able to quit hydrocodone and Flexeril.I love it.although I'm feeling alittle fluffy,lol!it's worth dieting for.

I started gabapentin about 3 weeks ago,i have spinal stenosis,and some days could not walk,bend or hardly get dressed.it is a great drug,i have insomnia and take something for that and on a very small dose of zoloft.it's the first time in a few years I feel human,can get dressed and run out the door,I'm overweight anyway and think i,ll have to watch what I eat,which I do anyway.but it's made me more relaxed and had given my quality of life back,i was fixing to go into a wheelchair of something didn't come along,don't know why drs.don't prescribe it more and it's not a controlled substance,have been able to quit hydrocodone and Flexeril.I love it.although I'm feeling alittle fluffy,lol!it's worth dieting for.

I started gabapentin about 3 weeks ago,i have spinal stenosis,and some days could not walk,bend or hardly get dressed.it is a great drug,i have insomnia and take something for that and on a very small dose of zoloft.it's the first time in a few years I feel human,can get dressed and run out the door,I'm overweight anyway and think i,ll have to watch what I eat,which I do anyway.but it's made me more relaxed and had given my quality of life back,i was fixing to go into a wheelchair of something didn't come along,don't know why drs.don't prescribe it more and it's not a controlled substance,have been able to quit hydrocodone and Flexeril.I love it.although I'm feeling alittle fluffy,lol!it's worth dieting for.

Cymbalta helps me with the pain and depression.

VITAMIN D is the only antidepressant that has ever worked for me!

My psychiatrist had me take 50,000iu, taken once a week. I took it on Sundays. After 3 months of this VITAMIN D boost, I was then instructed to continue 2,000iu each day. I take it every morning.

Antidepressant medications don't work. VITAMIN D will shock you!

Have your doctor check your VITAMIN D levels before and during this process. Just like antidepressants medication, give the VITAMIN D a few weeks to do it's job too you can really feel it.

It's been over one year since I've only been VITAMIN D and I'm less depressed than I've ever been!

*My Testimonial.

Lyrica's generic name is pregabelin. It has gabapentin & an additional chemical which is why it can be more affective - I've been told this by at least 2 m.d.'s & my pharmacist. It is used for 5 medical conditions- fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathic pain, shingles, some seizure disorders & I can't remember the last one but you can check it out on drugs.com. I asked about this several times as I was being told by some doocs to take both Lyrica & Neuronti , & 1 m.d. Wanted me to only take Lyrica. Hope this helps clear up any confusion I caused from my earlier comment. All the best to all!

im also on seriquel but im stuggeling, i also take valiumn, baclofen for pain, lorazepam and clonidine tohelp with withdrawls from fentanyl patches i just got taken off since it wasn't working, the withdrawls are making the pain tripple, they put me on prednisone for 15 days for swelling and thats making me feel more anxiety, and want to pull my hair out, im waiting for katamine lotion but it takes awhile to get it, gabapentin didn't work. im feeling hopeless about now.
take care,
judi

I have never heard of ketamine lotion before. Can you let me know more about it & if it's affective? I would really appreciate it. I can't ingest any Aleve, ibuprofen, celebrex, Aleve or asprin due to having had stomach surgery so my m.d. just rx'd Voltaren cream & surprisingly it works well. Thank you in advance & I hope you feel better soon!

What is the second ingredient in Lyica?

I dont' know where you're getting your info, but here are the ingredients of lyrica - Lyrica (pregabalin) Capsules are administered orally and are supplied as imprinted hard-shell capsules containing 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 225, and 300 mg of pregabalin, along with lactose monohydrate, cornstarch, and talc as inactive ingredients. The capsule shells contain gelatin and titanium dioxide. In addition, the orange capsule shells contain red iron oxide and the white capsule shells contain sodium lauryl sulfate and colloidal silicon dioxide. Colloidal silicon dioxide is a manufacturing aid that may or may not be present in the capsule shells. The imprinting ink contains shellac, black iron oxide, propylene glycol, and potassium hydroxide... note the only active ingredient is pregabalin.

I weighed 104lbs and my Dr put me on Seroquel to help me sleep. In three weeks I gained 27lbs and have went on to gain 43lbs all together. As far as having withdrawals?? I have not been able to stop taking it because I have severe withdrawals when I don't get it. I've been trying to get off of it for a year now and have decreased the dose but haven't quit completely. The Drs and Pharmacists both say it does not cause withdrawals but I'm living proof it does and they are awful. I would not recommend this drug to anyone even though it does help with sleep greatly. To me the weight gain and swelling plus the withdrawals when I don't take it makes it not worth it to me.

I am trying to get off a 10year Seroquel dose of 150mg for sleep. I slept good on it BUT gained 50lbs and cannot stop eating after I take it at night. IAM re-trying TraZODONE and although I sleep through the night, I cannot fall asleep... and yes Seroquel is like a "horse tranquilizer" lol. It works (but weight gain and harder to lose weight)... It's exhausting.

I also took 150mg Seroquel for several years but did gain weight (50lbs). I'm trying

I know this answer is old but I just had to say something. Please be careful with seroquel. Low or high doses. I was on 800mg for years and now on 200mg. Never had any history of high blood sugar and now I have type 1 diabetes, I'm on an insulin pump and have a continuous glucose monitor that checks it every 5min. I've just today found out that being on seroquel especially when I was on the 800mg could have caused my diabetes. I'm honestly shocked right now. I'm applying for disability and one of my inpatient psych records says they told me seroquel could cause diabetes. They 100% never said a word of that to me! Also half of the record has tons of false info in it! Which now I'm livid! Please everyone be careful with this drug especially!

I have gained 40 pounds in 3 months from taking it. I am barely eating and feel horrible. Never had a weight problem until I started having to take this kind of medication. A year ago I dropped 40 pounds doing exactly what I am now. It is so depressing. The doctors don't seem to care.

I have gained 40 pounds in 3 months from taking it. I am barely eating and feel horrible. Never had a weight problem until I started having to take this kind of medication. A year ago I dropped 40 pounds doing exactly what I am now. It is so depressing. The doctors don't seem to care.

Gained 25 lbs. on gabapentin and another 10 when I switched to Lyrica. Pain is under control, but very depressing to have such weight gain. Used to be 112, now had to buy a whole new wardrobe.

Gained 25 lbs. on gabapentin and another 10 when I switched to Lyrica. Pain is under control, but very depressing to have such weight gain. Used to be 112, now had to buy a whole new wardrobe.

I would so like to know if Gabapentin make you gain weight? Because I take it for diabetes I have neuropathy in my legs and that's why I take it but I would like to know that if I gain weight by taking it email me with the answer thank you Miss 1957

I would so like to know if Gabapentin make you gain weight? Because I take it for diabetes I have neuropathy in my legs and that's why I take it but I would like to know that if I gain weight by taking it email me with the answer thank you Miss 1957

I would so like to know if Gabapentin make you gain weight? Because I take it for diabetes I have neuropathy in my legs and that's why I take it but I would like to know that if I gain weight by taking it email me with the answer thank you Miss 1957

I would so like to know if Gabapentin make you gain weight? Because I take it for diabetes I have neuropathy in my legs and that's why I take it but I would like to know that if I gain weight by taking it email me with the answer thank you Miss 1957

Same here - switched to Lyrica, but it was worse. Can't wait to get off this horrid med!

Same with me I gained 15 lbs in one month. Especially my stomach. I threw the pills away 4 days ago and lost 5 lbs already

Hi! I have been taking 1800mg of gabapentin for about 4 years. I use it for pain. It does a pretty good job, but no pill will be perfect. I have gained weight but it hasn’t been much. Don’t let that keep you from taking it. Very few gain weight on this medication. More importantly you need to get on a sleeping med that actually works. I also have had insomnia for years. Luckily I have a psychiatrist that believes you can’t get your mental illness under control before you get your sleep under control. She worked with me and I take 1 150mg of trazodone, 1 lorazepam, and one Ambien. I sleep like a baby, and never had any issues with the Ambien. It may seem like a lot, but like you, my insomnia was serious.

Took gabapentin for a year for neck pain. I gained 35 pounds, monumental on my 115 pound frame. Nothing helped, not even consuming less than 800 calories a day. After neck surgery, I stopped the drug. That was seven months ago and the weight has just started to come off on a 1000 calorie a day diet. My doc said it would take six months, so I was a month over, but at least it is coming off, have lost 25 pounds in the last month. I don’t know if there is anything you can do while you’re on it - hang in there and know it will come off after you stop the drug.

well I was wondering about this medication if I was the reason for my sudden weight gain I just lost 70lbs no I want be using this any more so now I got to get rid of the weight I regain not to happy about this also it affected my sleep could not sleep and it really affected the symptoms of my manic bipolar can't have that wll in the trash it will go

I know this was a lot of years ago, is 3 percent a lot, just want to know if I am going to gain weight, does everybody gain weight, but if you are taking it to feel better, then you can do more things, like exercise.

OMG thank you so much for that information! I thought it was the facet injections to try to block the pain all this time! God bless you

I am currently taking gabapentin and would have yelled off the tallest mountains TAKE GABAPENTIN IT WORKS WONDERS FOR FIBRO PAIN... Yesterday I went to see my doc and I was weighed. The moment the nurse said what my weight was I cried. I had gone from health nut (despite the pain) to not so much because I suffer from another condition. I have not changed how I eat, I've done my best not to change the amount of exercise I get and I try to get plenty of sleep (when I can). After seeing the weight gain my doc immediately decided she is taking me off of gabapentin. She thought I was too skinny when she first met me (she thought I had Crohns, that's how small I was) and now she is regretting ever putting me on it. Now, instead of having stomach issues (along with my fibro) I am FAT and depressed. Thanks, bunches gabapentin! More than anything, I hope no one goes through the hell I'm going through right now.

I took gabapentin for 8 wks. In that time I gained 15 lbs. I am 5 ft 3 inches and 15 lbs feels like 30 on my frame. All of the weight was in my tummy: I look, and still look 7 months pregnant . I stopped taking it 4 days ago and have lost 5 lbs. This drug did nothing to alleviate my shoulder pain (I need total shoulder replacement surgery) I would not recommend this to anyone.

I took gabapentin for 8 wks. In that time I gained 15 lbs. I am 5 ft 3 inches and 15 lbs feels like 30 on my frame. All of the weight was in my tummy: I look, and still look 7 months pregnant . I stopped taking it 4 days ago and have lost 5 lbs. This drug did nothing to alleviate my shoulder pain (I need total shoulder replacement surgery) I would not recommend this to anyone.

That you so much for your comment I’m happy to hear you that you gained weight But you were able to lose it quickly.
Thank you so much!

They are getting ready to pull Gabapentin off the market. People are abusing it to much. It help me sleep that's about all. I believe it's for nerve pain.does not cause weight gain but if you are sleeping too much that will happen.for sleep try hydroxyzine. It's been around for years and it helps with alot of problems especially sleep.its an mild in histamine but it works better then Benadryl and doesn't make you groggy and you get a good night sleep. Talk to Dr. It might help you get a good night sleep. Plus they say is good for anxiety too

Sleep is essential to having a good day. The 1st thing my therapist asked me to do was get a sleep study. Did it and found I was only getting 40% sleep of time I was asleep! As for Ambien my wife did crazy things in her sleep like repaint my daughters bedroom, a neighbor washed the outside of her house in the middle of the night "to clean the house for the in-laws"! Needless to say, no more Ambien. I would highly recommend using an iPod if you have one and download a free "hypnosis" app for sleep and pain. My wife with SLE and great pain uses those now instead to sleep. I realize it's a lot of money but some phones offer same app selection. She wakes up refreshed and to no surprises of redecorated rooms!

Have you tried nortriptaline for both pain and help staying asleep?

I've just read a comment by newhope and when I am prompted to comment I get brought to a different comment by another site user. So to newhope the hypnosis sounds interesting... I try a lot of guided imagery and meditation tapes and saw someone for hypnosis and it was guided imagery. So that's helpful. And yes I have tried the drug you mentioned. Thanks for your feedback and time.

I've taken gabapentin and i gained several pounds and continued with severe insomnia.

I know we are all different, but when I started taking Gabapentin..200mg 3X a day, I would fall asleep the second my head hit the pillow and not wake up once (not even having to pee) until about 7 hours later! I have gained about 20 pounds in 2 years though!

thats weird! Same thing happened to my sister, one day she woke up in pain and found out she was sleeping outside on the front steps, but I have used it in the past and never had anything like that happen to me!

At 300 mg 3X a day I sleep like a baby! Don't even wake up for the bathroom, though after 7 hours, when I do wake up I feel refreshed but really need to run to the john.

Must say I have gained about 20 pounds in the last 2 years though

I was gaing weight like crazy, I gained 45 poundsin 2 months I called my pharmicist and asked him what would make me gain like that and he told me gabapentin and seroquel, so I stopped both. they now have me on a cpap machine and I sleep just fine with that and my pain meds

I also deal with constant pain especially at night, (severe fibromyalgia, arthritis,joint and muscular, and neuropathy) Sleep has become a distant memory. I used to use Ambien 5mg but hated it and then quit working for me.
You are SO right, how can we ever get sleep when pain consumes us 24/7? I am prescribed pain medication by my pain management group doctor but now with the stigma surrounding such meds getting worse by law makers, who i doubt deal with daily pain, i dont know where to turn for help? Marijuana has been brought up but i grew up being insistently told that that is so taboo and dont even know if it will even help with the pain! Besides its impossible to even think about in our state, Minnesota.
Pain and anxiety from pain has destroyed any hope of a good nights sleep again. Where does one turn to for help? My doctors are no help because of pressure and reluctance to long-term prescribe anything , even if it helps. Desperate 2 decade + sufferer whos at wits end.

Lot of us out there.
Re SLEEP: try liquid melatonin (if using Ambien, don't use if alone; give car keys & phone to somebody overnight. Put a motion sensor in the kitchen - to wake somebody up - it's not safe to cook
Re RAPID WEIGHT GAIN: 20 pounds in 4 days

Gabapebtin has made me go from Not sleeping at all to wanting to sleep all the time. I haven’t gained any weight on gavapentin but by mid day I’m ready for a nap or just relaxing. It has definitely zapped my energy.

I am a true insomniac and have been taking Ambien and Remeron. I agree with the others about Ambien and a memory loss. Take the Ambien and laydown. But if you are new to sleep medicine, I do recommend the Remeron, but that will also make you gain weight. I take a low dose of it because my Dr. assured me that at the lower dose there would be no weight gain and is better for sleep.

I am a true insomniac and have been taking Ambien and Remeron. I agree with the others about Ambien and a memory loss. Take the Ambien and laydown. But if you are new to sleep medicine, I do recommend the Remeron, but that will also make you gain weight. I take a low dose of it because my Dr. assured me that at the lower dose there would be no weight gain and is better for sleep.

I been taking gabapentin for over a yr at first it game me flu like symptoms then,my body has gotten use to it it put a lot of weight on me I had stop taken it for a week the weight came off so fast. I have fybroidmaglia.. Now,I am back on it again because of my fybroidmaglia pain and also to gain my weight back.

I'm sorry to be responding 6 years later!! But I switched from Lyrica to neurontin myself. Did you lose the weight, or some of it at least, you gained from the lyrica after you switched to the neurontin? Or did you stay at about that weight and struggle as normal from there? Thank you!

This drug is very bad about causing sleepiness. I cannot stay awake while taking it.

I suffered from insomnia and my sinus was so bad I began take 2 Benadryl at bedtime. Insomnia all gone. As your dr.