Lyrica works well for me. I suffer from chronic pain due to 6 ruptured 6... 4 in my neck and 2 huge ones in my lower bato from an auto accident where I got rear ended. I believe I got fibromyalgia due to the accident. My pain is terrible to the point where I take Zofran for nausea. My pcp did blood ak my ANA came back positive possibly meaning I have Lupus. Im so nervous my moms cousin passed away @ an early age due to the disease. Im only 30 I have 3 kids. I can't work I filed for disability and go to my hearing in July... I pray I get it. Im on methadone xanax Lyrica norco robaxin lidoderm patches dyazide b/c lately my bp has been 160's/100's im not sure why and I've gained 30lbs since on Lyrica which is not good for my back. Also im anemic and take prescription strength iron. Im so depressed I wish I could be the same person I was before the accident in Sept 2010. Anyone with any comments to share... I would love to talk to someone who can relate to what im going thru :(
What can I do to stop weight gain caused by Lyrica?
Question posted by nledesma1981 on 16 June 2012
Last updated on 16 March 2021
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
37 Answers Page 3
Oh boy do I know how you feel. I was rear ended too. You need to pray real hard that the lupus can be controlled with all the new meds they have. I have been on lyrica for four years worked great, gained 80 lbs. I went off last month I am trying to figuire out which is worse the pain or the weight. The weight does not help the back or leg pain, but what can you do? I am taking higher doses of narcotics. I am hot all the time and sick to my stomach. At one point I was so depressed I just laid around and cried. At 43 and five years since my wreck, I still get depressed. When this happens and it will allot, leave the house, go to a friends, or just go walk through a store. Please do not feel bad about finding a mental specialist to help you, we have all been there. I wish I could hold your hand and tell you it gets better, sorry. You have learn to cope. You have to reach deep in your soul sometimes.
Honestly, I think they blame our pain on fibmyalgia because they do not really knows were it comes from. My grandmother use to say God only gives you what you can handle. I know that is hard to believe sometimes, hang in there, you have children that need you. Good luck
I was also on Lyrica for my fibromyalgia, & let me tell you my experience too. I had quit smoking about the same time they had started me on Lyrica. I started to gain weight, & thought for over 8 years that it was from quitting smoking. One day this past February, I hadn't felt well for about 2 days & had this really weird sort of headache. Since we keep a BP cuff around the house for my husband I decided to check my blood pressure. It was 190/100. I called my doctor right away because normally I have very low blood pressure. He saw me the same day & put me on furosemide & had me stop the Lyrica immediately. No tapering, just stop! I have deep white matter vasculistis of the brain, & could have very easily have had a stroke. The weirdest part is I lost 8 pounds of nothing but water in two days. Over a months time I lost a total of 25 pounds of water weight. I wasn't even trying to lose weight either.
In fact my appetite was ferocious & I was actually eating more than I was before. I had water weight from the lyrica all over my body, not just in my ankles as I thought. Everything shrunk. I thought I would really be miserable without the Lyrica becasue I too thought it was a miracle drug for fibro pain. Well, getting my BP down & getting rid of all that water weight helped a lot & I don't miss the Lyrica at all. Please be very careful with this drug. I am not the only one this has happened to. Just my thoughts...
Oh wow... so happy to hear I am not alone! Started with gabapentin and when that didn't do much Dr's switched me to Lyrica. Seems like it took a bit for it to work... still not sure how well it actually works... and I have gained 35 pounds in 5 months! I am happy to hear I'm not alone but not happy so many of us are experiencing this! I too quit smoking Jan 7th 2017 and thought that might be part of it but the more I read, the more I see it is not that! I too feel 5-6 months pregnant. ..and I'm supposed to b e hitting menopause. ..LOL! On top of that I was on prednisone for 3 weeks for bad poison ivy. ..so my appetite was big and then trying to make a connection with the weight gain. ..i was thinking. ..ok prednisone and not smoking. ..my appetite is bigger and my taste buds are back on track.
This mist be why! NO! Now I feel exactly like so any of you have described! I can't bend down to tie shoes without a gruff! I was 5'4" and anywhere between 115 and 125 (June 2017) Now I just hit 150 at Dr office Thurs! (Nov 2 2017) Makes me sick!!! There has got to be a better way to deal with nerve pain! I have had 6 shoulder surgeries due to torn rotator cuff and Dr says that is why the continued nerve pain. Now after being checked for RA that was ruled out but discovered I do have Fibro. I can totally relate to all of you and will keep you in my prayers! Any other helpful thoughts are appreciated. I think i am going to ask about going back on the Gabapentin instead of Lyrica to see if I can loose the weight. When I told you pain treatment Dr about it he said... well. ..is it worth the pain relief to have extra pounds? Well that was when I was only 10-15 pounds more. ... 35 is big difference and I think i need to try!
I also quit smoking about the same time as I started Lyrica (for the 2nd time). Hey he first time, Lyrica didn’t seem to help me but I was talking 100mg of Ocycodone a day plus was on a Fentanyll patch 75mcg every 2 days so who knows if the Lyrica worked really.
I haven’t been on the oxy or Fentanyl since June and then I quit smoking at the end of August. Dr put me on Lyrica (150mg 2x day), Cymbalta 30mg 1x day and Seroquel 50mg at nighttime since September. It’s working great for my fibro pain and low back from my back surgery last year (pins and rods now) BUT I have gained 25 pounds now in 2 months.
I am not eating more, actually less now. I don’t eat junk foods or fast foods. I would like to stay on the Lyrica (gabapentin doesn’t work for me) but between coming off all narcotics, quitting smoking and the Lyrica, I can’t take this weight gain.
Any suggestions???
I have started Lyrica recently for back pain. I have put 7lb on in 7 days. I spoke to my doctor and the doctor that I work for and both have said it wouldn't have caused weight gain that quickly. I don't know whether to carry on taking the Lyrica as I think it is helping my symptoms (my physio says I have central sensitisation) but I don't want this weight gain, if that's what us causing it.
Has anyone experienced weight gain so soon after starting Lyrica?
I gained weight IMMEDIATELY after starting the Lyrica. 8 pounds in 8 days IS possible because it happened to me also. Total weight gain since July is 30 pounds. Now I am going to cut back and see if I lose any.
Hi I am so glad I got onto this blog. I am 54 and I am a personal trainer/group fitness instructor. I have nerve damage in my neck and been getting pins and needles for just over two years. My doctor put me on 225mg lyrica/ 60mg cambalta which gives me a quality of life. I train at least 9 hours a week, drink at least 2 liters a day of fluids eat pretty healthy and have gain 6 kilos over the last 2 years. I figure I would've gained more if I didn't exercise so much. I am seriously thinking of going off all my meds as the weight gain is seriously getting me down. But would like to know if anyone out there knows of any natural treatments. I feel like the trainer that takes the weight from her clients, well they lose.(:
I know exactly what your going through. I too am on alot of medications. 6 different ones. I have fibro too and cfd. Along with a few other things. I was on lyrica for a while though it did nothing for me it did make me gain 70 lbs. Now I can't lose it. I try to go out for small walks daily, but my back and hips start hurting to the point I can barely make it home. And not to mention the next day I can't even get out of bed. I think are varying degree's of fibro. Some have it worse than other's. My mom has it and she is bad. I also like you have it bad. I can barely take care of my house, let alone walk everyday. I would talk with your DR. Hope fully they can help. I wish you the best, with your SSD. And with your health. :)
Wow we sound like twins with our health I truly wish you the best Lyrica is awesome maybe you should ask your dr to try it one more time or maybe Neurontin... im able to go for very short walks and then its back home. Life has definitely changed. Let's both just keep are heads up and hopes high! God bless!!
I have been on lyrica two different times and it didn't really help either time. I had to try nuerontin first for my insurance to cover lyrica. That was bad. Right now I am trying to find a doctor who will help me. I have been going in for the past year with headaches/migraines and I have been on topomax but it doesn't work anymore. My Dr just says well we don't want to upset the apple cart or for you to ens up taking a bunch of meds like your mother. So I picked up my records, and sure enough for the past year, it says I have been going in for the same thing and he has done nothing about it. He refuses to give me a MRI of my back, which I want because I think I have something more wrong. It's definitely a delicate line so your not "Dr shopping." Anyway, what I have found helps me is when I go for walks, I take my son and our dog, also I wear shape ups. They take a little getting used to but I wouldn't wear anything else. Thank you for the support, and good luck to you, I wish you and your family the best!
I have been on Lyrica for 4 years. I have always been slender, with an out going personality but not since I was diagnosed with Fibro and chronic fatigue. I went from 110 lbs to 130 in a year, now I weigh 155. The all over body pain got better but then I couldn't sleep good anymore. Just recently diagnosed with vertigo and silence migraines. Also I have had a lite case of shingles three times in one year. Reading some of the post I'm wonder with the medications Lyrica, meclizine and amitriptliline are they making me worse. PRAYING WE ALL GET BETTER.
Oh my goodness, I can see why you are so miserable! You poor dear... I feel for you. I want to add that we had a friend who was diagnosed with "lupus" and took all the medication she was prescribed for that. She started losing her hair... gaining weight... weak while still eating relatively well. She was also anemic.
I have to tell you that I couldn't take Lyrica or the headaches it caused. For some it has been a godsend... yet for others - a major disappointment (just like me).
She became involved with a doctor who specialized in diseases that mimic severe thyroid dysfunction. I want to happily report to you that 30 years later, my friend doesn't have lupus and never did. She had a severely low functioning thyroid and once she was properly supplemented with the right dose of thyroid medication (she does armour thyroid) and other medications as well... that she doesn't suffer from any of those things formerly reported. She has also gotten all of her hair back and then some. She has such a lush, thick head of hair that you would never know she ever was going bald.
I'm not saying this could be your issue but it sure wouldn't hurt to check out your symptoms by doing some research on your own. Just saying... information is key because her last doctor almost killed her with the wrong diagnosis and all the wrong drugs for that problem that never existed (except in his own mind). Too many doctors don't do enough for people as it is. My friend recommended an easy to ready book called: THYROID POWER... 10 STEPS TO TOTAL HEALTH... The amazing program to help million: conquer fatigue-depression-overweight-and other chronic conditions. The authors are a husband and wife team: Dr. Richard L. Shames, M.D. and Karilee Halo Shames, R.N., PhD.
I want to add that having read this book myself led me to be able to ask my endocrinologist more direct questions and actually receive answers that I understood. In the back of this book is a section specifically written for "doctors" and how to help their patients get better quicker. Just saying that information is power and key to making better choices when it comes to doctors and treatment plans. This helped me tremendously also when I switched from Synthroid and then Lyvoxiyl (sp) to having my thyroid medication compounded for me. After I made that change and documented how I was feeling... I also noticed that I dropped a bunch of water weight. Then after that I went on a program that allowed me to drop a total of 92 lbs. with nothing to change at the end of it. I still eat the same foods but now 3 times to 4 times a day instead of the 6 as I was losing weight. Just saying...
I firmly believe that the osteo+ stuff that I ended up with where a direct result of all the antibiotics and steroid regiments that I had been put on for too many years without considering what the long term effects were going to be. That is what my pm doctor tells me now about all that stuff affecting my joints, sciatica, spinal stenosis, muscle wasting stuff that has gone on for far too long and some cannot be fixed... just eased now. I am angry at myself for not taking better care of me before getting myself educated... I had never questioned a doctor's diagnosis before until recently (within the past 7-8 years).
My depression (RMD/wSI) has gotten much better and I don't think about that stuff any more. I also was on Cymbalta which is one of the best anti-depressants I was ever on besides Parnate (MAOI). Again, I highly recommend this book as an easy read and so helpful to me. It was and still is an "eye-opener" as far as illnesses that mimic thyroid dysfunction. I also refer back to this book if I am not feeling well. It gives me food for thought before I call a doctor to make an appointment. Sometimes I can correct the way I am eating or stop doing things that are aggravating conditions.
I know this response was really long but I hope you can grasp at what a life changing event this has been for me just because I got tired of being over prescribed with stuff that I had no idea of the consequences of those drugs. I hope you have found something useful or beneficial for you to consider while you are also on this journey of discovery because of your illnesses. Don't let your illnesses get the better of you. There is still a great life ahead of you when you put all things into perspective. I began telling myself that I was NOT a sickly person but a person dealing with issues the best way I knew how... like networking with people and reading up on things. If I go to one doctor who suggests I have some disease... I will go to someone else for another opinion and maybe a third doctor. I want as many facts as I can get before letting any one treat me any more. I got so screwed up by believing that a doctor had my best interests in mind. Once you are treated you end up as a number in their files instead of a human being with feelings seeking answers. I always want to know "why" I have something instead of a pill to take care of it.
I hope your journey is eye-opening as well and one that gives you power over "you" and who you choose to trust to let treat you as a person instead of a case number. I wish you well and I am also here if you would like to talk more about getting on a good path that helps you and informs you rather than leaving you with more questions than answers.
You did say you wanted a conversation so I hope I have given you that...
Many blessings and peace to you in your world. I would love to hear how your journey into more self-awareness and discovery about you and your health is going. There is lots that can be shared with many of our members here and many who have already given you good feedback. I hope you feel comfortable here and just know you are among friends... we all are dealing with struggles and share our efforts and challenges to better health.
Blessings and gentle hugs,
Mary
Mary
Mary you're amazing!! You are absolutely right getting a 3rd opinion is ok to do because sometimes Drs don't even know your name after coming for months. I did at one time have a hyperactive thyroid but was postpartum. My Thyroid levels are all in range. The Rheumatologist litterally did about 17 different blood test and one UA. Im just patiently waiting. That's what I've been continuously doing... just waiting. Im sorry you can't take Lyrica im not sure if I should either I have slight headaches at times my bp is high I've gained 30 pounds in 4 month. But it does work and the side effects aren't too bad. Thanks again and I wish you the best and will definitely keep everyone posted on my health conditions. Im glad I have people I can relate too. :)
I wonder if you have had the more exacting thyroid tests... not just the basic one??? Many doctors are now saying that the basic tests are showing a normal level when it isn't so at all. So, when they did the more detailed tests most were coming back way out of range. Isn't that something???
I am wondering about that for you... If the thyroid is truly out of whack, you might not need that Lyrica after all, for instance and just saying.
I wish you well and thanks for keeping us informed.
Mary
Mary, I loved your post. I too am going to check out the book you recommended. Thank you! Suzy
My pleasure, Suzy...
Hi, I have gained 25 pounds since November. My feet hurt so badly. Now that I have read it could be water weight, I hope that I can take care of it. I have gained mostly all of that weight in the last 2 months. I really could not figure out what was happening.
Drink lots of water, add lemon or lime slices and you have a diuretic. Most people that take Lyrica tend to swell up from water weight. If you google "natural diruetics" you will see a list of foods from beef to water that naturally deplete excess water from the system. Some people believe that the more water you drink, the more water weight you will have, it's not true, just the opposite.
I've fibro as well, and I avoid all refind carbs, and drink gallons of water (ok that was an exaggeration) a day, and it seems to help. But I couldn't take Lyrica, too many side effects, but I'm glad it's working for you! I also find yoga to be helpful with fibro pain, walking, IF you are able to do so, will help greatly. But don't do these activities unless your doctor says it is OK.
As far as Lupus goes, I just don't know about that part. But there are members here that have Lupus, and I'm sure you will be hearing from them.
Please don't get yourself whipped into a frenzy over the lupus 'DX' unless your doctor is absolutely positive you have it. I have a friend (in her 60's!!) with lupus and it is NOT killing her. So, don't disparage over lupus, yet.
Lupus is not the death knell it used to be, there are meds for it now.
If Lyrica works well, you just may want to get rid of some of your meds. I'm not judging you, not at all, just concerned that you may be over medicated and that can be almost as unpleasant as under medicated.
Are you a surgical candidate, due to your discs? You may want to consult a surgeon if you have not already. Yet, surgery is no guarantee that you will feel better. Just sayin'...
Best of luck to you, and never lose hope!!
Thank you so much you're very helpful! I will look into those natural diuretics. If you don't mind will you please tell me the types of side effects you had with Lyrica. Im not sure if I should keep taking it. As far as my disc Sx isn't an option at this time due to my age and me having 3 little ones, the youngest is 3 months. Im afraid of being paralyzed. I need Sx in my neck and lower lumbar I will have to wait till im older im only 30 and the meds do the trick for now even though its just a band aid I choose to take them so I can live a some what normal life vs. risking it in Sx @ a young age but if it gets to the point where its unbearable then yes whatever is best for my health. What do you take for your Fibromyalgia? I wish you the best and thank you for your response.
So if Lyrica didnt work for you, which drug did work? Thanks
They tried for two years to change medications because of cost Gullipen and two others did work .Lyrica works great but weight gain is problem. I have neuro doctor who has helped some mine is from a birth defect in the circle willis .
I am also on Lyrica. I take 300mg twice a day. In June 2015, my ins sent me a letter saying as of July 1st (that's when my ins renews) they were no longer going to cover Lyrica until I tried 3 less expensive generic drugs... so I went off the Lyrica and lost 20 pounds... now that I know it was water weight, I can combat it now that I am finally back on the Lyrica since none of the other drugs I tried were strong enough. I had surgery at 32. They did a fusion on my L5/S1 and a total disc replacement on my L4/L5. I am so incredibly happy that I went ahead and did it. I was at the point that I couldn't even sit in a chair. I couldn't walk to the mailbox. My sciatic nerve was totally pinched on my left side. I was miserable. I couldn't have asked for a better surgeon or hospital. The entire experience was great. I was only out of work for two weeks-granted I work on a computer all day.
I say if you can find a really good surgeon that u r absolutely comfortable with and has good reviews, then go thru the surgery. Everyone kept saying you're too young for this. My response was no, I'm too young to be living with this much pain. I take the Lyrica for my legs... they have extreme restless leg syndrome... I'm sure caused by the other herniated discs I have. Right now the meds are controlling those. I also take Robaxin, Mobic and Nucynta. Nucynta is an opioid pain med that was created specifically for orthopedic pain. It's the best pain med I have ever tried. They make it in a regular take every 6 hrs or an extended release that you take once a day. The every 6 hour one makes me a little sleepy, but I didn't have that problem with the ER one. Nucynta can be pricey but they have a savings card that you can print offline. You can use the savings card as long as you aren't using medicare, medicaid or and federal drug plan. I hope you find some comfort and relief.
I also have back pain and also fibromyalgia. It is chronic back pain. It is due to a car accident being rear-ended. I am also on a diuretic medication to not gain too much water. Being on the Lyrica made me swell but tapered off in the second month but still I gain 20 pounds in 2 months that's 10 pounds per month so I got off the Lyrica I cannot live with the excess weight gain period that causes the pain to double. So it's not only the water. Retention.
I have some sort of peripheral neuropathy. They said I have a lot of nerve damaged on entire left side of my body. I have been on every thing but the lyric 300ml twice day. I'm gaining weight so fast and dieting drinking water and liquids. Nothing will stop it. I recently stopped one dose but I really can't exercise. I'm going to a pain management Clinic to have a shot nerve blocker and stop all meds. I really think that is the only way
You shouldn't be afraid to have surgery. It was a life saver for me. I am too in my 30's with 3 small kids and I have had severe pain due to an accident in 2014. I tried to do all the minimally invasive procedures for the last 3 years but my spine just kept getting worse to the point that my pain management doctor's said I didn't really have a choice anymore. My disk impending so far into my spinal column that they said one fall or accident and I could be paralyzed. I was on a ton of pain meds and a mood stabilizer along with Lyrica. I had no use of my right arm due to cervical radiculopathy and Lyrica was the ONLY thing that helped somewhat. However, it made me gain 35 pounds very quickly and in areas and ways I've never gained before.
I finally had the surgery on Oct 27th and I so glad I did it and I can say as of 2 weeks ago I am no longer on ANY prescription meds and I feel great! I'm still a little stiff and sore and I still have a couple more months of PT/OT but compared to how I was living for the last 3 years I'll take it. I'm struggling now because the weight is not falling off as quickly as I thought it would which is incredibly disheartening seeing I have always been thin and even after my 3 kids I lost the 50lbs I gained in 7 weeks. But, anyway I wouldn't put off having the surgery any longer.
BTW: I too was told I Have lupus due to the blood tests and other symptoms but that was a couple years ago and do not believe I do.
Hi, i'm so sorry you are feeling so depressed right now. I understand the weight problem, i have it with my medications also. It really upsets me, how much weight i have gained. I also have a back injury, but no way near as bad as yours - sorry to hear that. Some light exercise every day will help, going for walks - also a great feel good factor from serotonin production and vitamin D from exposure to the sun. Jogging on the spot, lifting light dumb-bells, etc... Try to eat foods which are low in fat, and follow the rule; 'Eat like a king at breakfast time, a queen at lunchtime and a porper(sp?) at dinner'. Eating late evening is really bad for the waistline. Also every time you feel hungry, drink a glass of water first, your brain can mistake dehydration for hunger, and drinking the water before eating will help you to eat less. I'm not a doctor, so not sure if i should say this, but it concerns me how much medication you are prescribed. How do you feel about this?
Awesome advice! The meds help me maintain a so called "normal" life. I have 3 kids the youngest 3 mths and yes I was pregnant and suffering with these health problems I had to use a pump daily and inject my own sites. I prefer meds over surgery any day as of now. I need Sx on my neck and lower lumbar and im afraid of being paralyzed. Maybe later on when the kids get older I will go ahead and get it but now isn't the right time in my eyes nor my families.
OK i see, sorry to poke my nose in!! I think i am more sensitive to the multiple medication treatment at the moment because i recently found out that the combination i am prescribed is really dangerous - took 2 years for someone to identify this! Scary...
I really understand the fear of surgery, especially when you have young children. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly to make sure your major organs are not being damaged. I have liver damage because of meds which is another reason I fear taking ones for fibro.
I love your reply!! It's so simply put but all the real tips are inspiring...
Hello I just wanted to let you know that the back issue i totally understand. I have had four back surgeries totalling 14 screws and 2 rods with a plate in my neck with 6 screws and a plate. I have been diagnosed with fibro, RA, OA. neuropathy. IBS and a few others. I have no pain from the back surgeries but from fibro, RA OA and neuropathy and it has gotten really out of control. I just got Lyrica and have been taking it for three days. I have to say that the pain is gone. I have some side effects but they are not severe at least not yet. I am prone to weight so I am not looking forward to that and I thank you for all the ideas. I would like to say that the back issue is really tough one but I found a Dr. that my husband and I were both comfortable with and found him to be upfront and honest to what he could do for my pain and after the surgeries the back pain was gone. It is all the others that are miserable . I hope your medical issues become less and you find the right medicine combination
The standard answer is still the best answer; diet, exercise, drink lots of water, especially the water.
Thx its so hard for me to drink water but I hear it all the time... drink water...
I know, I do too, but believe it or not your body will hold on to water if it doesn't get it, water weight is significant. So the more you drink, the less the body will hold on to and the lighter you'll get. Water is also essential for the body to burn fat.
try adding lemon and orange to your water... gives it some flavor and healthy nutrients. I can't take fibro meds because of the side effects... high blood pressure being one of them. I've recently started pristiq for depression and so far so good... no side effects and depression is a bit better
I drink nothing BUT water, eat reasonably, exercise (nothing fancy, just walking/cycling) but have gained 35lbs while on 450mgs/day. In a span of 6 mos. I'm down to 1,000 calories a day, weight's still going steadily UP. Weight makes pain worse, so I stay on the pills- they really help. But if this keeps up I'll have to quit.
Thanks! I'll certainly give this a go!
Related topics
lyrica, weight loss (obesity/overweight), pain, fibromyalgia, weight, chronic
Further information
- Lyrica uses and safety info
- Lyrica prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lyrica (detailed)
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