Gabapentin and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• min...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 2, 2019

For Pain "Very effective on nerve pain in my leg due to having 28 surgeries. It does not affect the other pains present in my leg (i.e., muscle, tendon, ligaments, numbness), but I noticed a huge impact on my nerve pain. I do not think it will help you much for pain unless your pain is nerve-related. My only negative long-lasting effects were weight gain and slow metabolism. The other negative effects went away after 6 months (i.e., blurry vision, dizziness, brain fog, difficulty waking up)."

• ehm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2017

For Insomnia "Great addition to the combo of Dalmane and/or other meds like Remeron that were not keeping me asleep, so I tried it: definitely helped lengthen my hours asleep with little to no side effects that I can point to. Now I use a combo of Dalmane (30 mg), gabapentin (600 mg), and 15 mg Remeron (very careful re: weight gain side effect, gained 20 lbs in short order), dramatically increases your appetite for carbs and sugars and overall appetite (what they don't tell you is that they give this to patients in the hospital who won't eat to increase their appetite)."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 2, 2013

For Anxiety "600 mg three times a day. I was taking Gabapentin for 3 years, but I stopped it because it has too many side effects, including numbness on my whole body, weight gain is a major fact, more headaches than usual, sleepy, tired, active but with a tingling sensation on my tongue, and so on, depression when I didn't take it, intolerable, anxiety, sweats, withdrawal symptoms, but it does help with pain and many things, but the consequences of it are horrible. Memory loss is another fact, definitely, it is a very dangerous medication."

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2017

For Pain "My husband was given this medication due to suffering long-term knee pain. He took it for approx 6 weeks max and had to stop. The most awful side effects you can imagine for the whole time blighted him. Maybe he was just unlucky, and this med didn't suit him, but its cons certainly outweighed its pros in his case. Weight gain, excess gas, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches... Not a good one for him at all. UK-based."

• Anonymous
• March 16, 2011

Gabapentin for Migraine "I have been on Neurontin for about a year now. I started with 300 mg a day and now take 400 mg a day. This medicine has given me my life back. I was having 4-6 headaches a month, each lasting 1-4 days. I was taking Zomig 4-6 times a month along with Excedrin Migraine and Fiorinal. Now I only get 1-2 headaches a month, and they are very mild. I can usually get rid of them with one dose of Excedrin Migraine or Fiorinal. Side effects are weight gain and some slight brain 'fuzziness,' but nothing serious. I had previously tried a beta blocker and an antidepressant, and the side effects were horrible, plus I still had the headaches. I am very happy with Neurontin."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2011

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Gabapentin is the only thing I have found that reduces the chronic pain of a pinched nerve. I did gain a lot of weight since it has reduced my motivation. I also have acne, which I never had before. Muscles feel tight, and when working out, they become sore quickly. No sense of anxiety, very calm. A lot of small side effects, including almost zero sex drive, but the reduction of the burning, crushing needle-filled sensation in my foot is worth it. Great medicine for severe, chronic pain."

• Kka...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 7, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "I have neuropathy not related to diabetes and was having trouble walking because the pain was so severe. I would tape my feet at night to sleep. I have been on gabapentin for 10 years now and it worked amazingly, but I had to go back every couple of years for more. More, more, more! Now I take the maximum and have gained a lot of weight and have trouble with memory loss. I have to find something else, but weaning myself off was a non-starter because the pain is triple bad. Still trying to get the Dr. to change it. He says everything causes weight gain."

• Dun...
• April 17, 2008

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I have been taking gabapentin for approximately 18 months. The reason for this is following 'botched' surgery, I developed a hematoma 5.5 cm. I had further surgery to remove the hematoma as it was lodged in my abdominal wall. I have been left with a neuroma and neuropathic pain. The only side effects I seem to have suffered are a gain in my weight, and I cannot drink alcohol as it makes me feel sick, but the drug has brought me tremendous relief from pain."

• Sop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "I started feeling deep hot bone pain about 3 months ago, and it got worse and worse. My boyfriend took me to a rheumatologist. All she did was touch my body at certain points. I said, 'Oh, that feels good,' and right away she knew it was fibromyalgia. My dosage has been raised 3 times, and I'm now taking 800mg 3x a day. Then I read it causes weight gain (gasp). I wish I didn't read that part, but overall, today the fog is lifting, and I have little pain here and there, but I take Subutex for that. I am also on dextroamphetamine for the chronic fatigue, and it helps a lot. Besides, I've been diagnosed with ADHD."

• Mes...
• October 12, 2011

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Last year I went off gabapentin as I wanted to get a pilot's license. The FAA was so nasty because I have diabetes that I guess I will never get the medical clearance. Lately the neuropathy got so severe I couldn't stand it, so I gradually worked my way back up to 900 mg a day. What a difference. I may need more later. I did notice a few pounds packed on, and a bit of a blur in my eye with the new lens implant. Now that I know it is the gabapentin putting the weight on, I can be more careful as I want to maintain my figure. Lyrica made me nuts, and I had terrible mood swings. Once I got up to 700 mg of gabapentin, I noticed a big relief."

• Nic...
• June 17, 2010

Gabapentin for Hot Flashes "I had been on the brand name Neurontin for my complex partial seizure disorder since 1994. When the generic came out, I began taking it. I began experiencing menopause symptoms within two months. I was 36 years old at that time. Three months ago, my neurologist put me back on the name brand. My symptoms have diminished greatly, but not completely. I think my condition is unique in that I took this medication while still in childbearing age. When my age increased, something about the generic formulation's bioavailability actually induced menopause symptoms. I also know that the name brand is working, as evidenced by weight gain, which can be brought back down with exercise. I had lost weight, sleep, memory, and sanity while on the generic."

• Bra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2024

For Anxiety "Love it for my anxiety but really, really hate that it makes you so hungry. I have gained so much weight off it. And forget about ever having sex again. It destroys your ability as a man to both reach an erection and to have an orgasm. But the reality of it all is that it has helped me with my anxiety so much that I’m willing to live with these horrible side effects. Sad, but I’m that desperate."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 4, 2025

For Bipolar Disorder "I started this medication for neuropathy/fibro, and it does help my mood and anxiety as long as I don't have major triggers. I'll have to try stronger meds temporarily until I feel better, as those work better, but sadly those meds have horrible side effects. Gabapentin is one of the few meds I actually tolerate with minimal side effects. It's lifesaving for my issues, and I owe a debt of gratitude. I only had side effects for days into treatment and increasing dose, a little tired/foggy, but still functioning well. I've heard for select individuals it can mess with your mood the first weeks into treatment, but I never had an issue, and I get serious side effects from all psych meds outside the seizure/neuropathy category of meds, as they work best for me. This medication can work quickly but may take 4-6 weeks to actually work or for full effectiveness, but it does work well. I'm on a high dose and have gained a small amount of weight from it, but this can be offset by watching diet."

• Bel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 24, 2018

For Alcohol Withdrawal "Gabapentin helped me with horrible back issues due to a car accident and also with Suboxone withdrawals when I started tapering off. But unfortunately, when I stopped taking them, I experienced horrible, horrible withdrawals. My doctor is helping me taper off of them, and it's going to take a while. Rapid weight gain is one of its side effects."

• Alp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 9, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I've had issues with RLS and chronic insomnia since I was 4, until finally a (new) doctor many decades later put me on Ambien as part of my depression treatment regimen. I still had RLS from time to time but would take my Ambien (and years later, an earlier dose of Klonopin for anxiety) and it didn't matter. Fast forward many years and kids later, after a cervical disk injury, I was put on gabapentin (later, Gralise) for nerve pain. It didn't occur to me that my RLS had faded away too, until I phased out the Gralise because of the side effects and my RLS came back with a vengeance. I've restarted a smaller dose of Gralise and it has helped tremendously. Be forewarned-on high doses of gaba (about 1200 mg 3x/d or 1800 mg Gralise 1/d), I had weight gain, bloating, forgetfulness, psychological numbness/foggy thinking. Still, it was worth it for the nerve pain. For RLS, gabapentin is shorter-acting, so try to be on the lowest dose possible. Gralise is a long-acting version."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "Gabapentin helps a lot with my fibromyalgia pain, although I find that I have to keep taking higher and higher doses to have the same effect. I also have had some weight gain, which I hate. I don't know which is better, being chubby or feeling better. For now, I'm going to stay with it."

• Anonymous
• March 12, 2010

Gabapentin for Pain "I recently started Neurontin after trying oxycodone with a bad allergic reaction. Initially, I was tired non-stop with nausea and vomiting the first two weeks. Now, I have no nerve pain as long as I take it at 300 mg three times a day. I do have a nonstop haze that does affect my reading, so reading isn't too enjoyable anymore. I have also packed on 10 pounds. I still have horrible joint pain that I treat with 800 mg Advil three times a day. My gait is still the same and I still cannot walk without a cane, but the side effects are tolerable."

• ale...
• April 4, 2014

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "I started gabapentin 600 mg 3x daily after I had 2 bulging disks removed from my neck that had crushed my spinal cord. I was a paraplegic, but I could feel nerve pain. I couldn't even have sheets touch my legs without pain. It's been a year now I've been on it. I can tell when I'm late taking it. What a lifesaver. I get blurry vision sometimes and have gained weight (might be because my movement is limited). Might have to take it the rest of my life, but it beats pain pills."

• gim...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 24, 2013

For Epilepsy "I've been on this medicine for ten years now and have my seizures under control with 1200 mg a day. A neurologist placed me on it after trying Dilantin and Depakote. I didn't realize it could be helping my anxiety, restless legs, and migraines. I had terrible headaches before I was on gabapentin and now have all these things under control. I did gain 30 lbs when we added an antidepressant."

• 45a...
• September 15, 2016

For Hot Flashes "For nerve pain, this drug is great if you can live with the weight gain. I had been on 3,600 mg a day for over a year and just recently cut down to 1,200 a day (a few months ago). I also stopped my HRT 6 weeks ago because I was getting migraines from the Premarin, and the estrogen patches quit sticking after using them for 8 years (why???). So here I am, miserable, up all night, sweating like a pig, on fire/freezing, on fire/freezing 4 times an hour, around the clock. Heck, even progesterone doesn't help! Gabapentin doesn't work for everyone for hot flashes, so I'd really think about the side effects before trying it."

• Dia...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 5, 2023

For Migraine "I have vestibular migraine with aura. I get the spins and also smell smoke and lose my ability to speak. I was put on several anti-seizure medications and had allergies to all three (Keppra, Lamictal, Zonegran). Fortunately, I am able to take gabapentin without a problem or allergies. I have been given much of my life back with higher doses of gabapentin. Instead of waking up with vertigo and nausea, I am able to nip it in the bud with gabapentin. It's been like a miracle drug for me after two years of major disability and an inability to focus, drive, or function. I have had ten days of having my life back! The difference is higher doses of gabapentin. I am taking 600 mg three times a day and an occasional 300 mg in the early morning or mid-day if I need to stabilize my head. It's been a lifesaver, and I hope it continues to work. The only downside is a little bit of weight gain/water weight. A small thing to deal with to get my life back. I do have a traumatic brain injury and MS too."

• MoR...
• November 25, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "I experienced progressively worsening and frequent nerve pain shooting down both of my legs. I had almost immediate relief with gabapentin. And for the first time in months, I was able to sleep throughout the night. It was a miracle drug for me. I got up to 900 mg 3x/day. However, I also experience an array of side effects. I always feel exhausted to the point that it makes it difficult to do daily activities. I gained 30+ lbs in a few short months... and I have bad acne for the first time ever. I've started tapering back down and realize that I have more energy... we'll see about the other side effects now. It's a balancing act between the side effects and pain."

• Cin...
• February 21, 2021

For Anxiety "I suffer from bipolar type 2, chronic anxiety, and PTSD. Also, addiction disorder. I’ve been on gabapentin for about two months now. When I first started taking it at 300 mg 3x a day as needed, I didn’t think it was helping at all, other than feeling dizzy. Then it was increased to 600 mg 3x a day scheduled about a month and a half later. I’ve been taking it as scheduled for about two weeks, and I definitely notice a big difference in my anxiety levels. Anxiety is nearly gone! I wake up in the morning feeling pretty great compared to the past when I would wake up with anxiety as soon as I opened my eyes! I would definitely recommend this medication as a scheduled med. The only drawback is I think it has something to do with my snacking in the middle of the night, which is causing weight gain."

• Swe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2017

For Hot Flashes "I was prescribed Gabapentin, 300 mg three times daily for menopausal hot flashes as well as general moodiness, as Black Cohosh was not working. Well, 2 weeks later, absolutely no change except for weight gain. After reading some of these reviews, I need to speak to my gyn about possibly increasing the dosage. Not sure if it would make a difference, though (all this while having power surges)."

• Cri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 17, 2020

For Hot Flashes "Jewel - I've been on gabapentin 2400 mg a day and have never noticed weight gain with them. Everyone is different though. I've been taking it for years, for fibromyalgia and neuropathy. Hope this helps."