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

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "My own experience was awful. I did not gain weight, but I had been suffering with depression because of all the pain I was in. My doctor prescribed these, which in my opinion she should have never done, especially when I was very down at the time. I've never experienced such thoughts in my life, the only time I got a break from my own thoughts was when I was sleeping. If you are feeling down at all while taking these, my advice: go see your doctor ASAP. Do not continue with these, not advisable to anyone with depression."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2009

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I was put on 50 mg of Lyrica at age 62. Within a week, there was noticeable improvement in the amount of burning and tingling in my feet and legs. Within a month, the burning and tingling disappeared. At 3 months, I had gained 15 pounds at a rate of 5 pounds per month. Most importantly, I began to notice I did not care if I lived or died. I stopped taking the drug. I have also experienced this with antidepressants. For 6 months after stopping Lyrica, I remained relatively free of pain. By 8 months, the burning and tingling have returned at their full intensity. I rate the drug a 5: great for pain with serious side effects."

• Kha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "I’m a mess. I have several issues medically: CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) in my left limbs. My arm, wrist, and fingers are nonfunctional due to a carpal tunnel procedure, it went untreated, so it spread to my leg and foot, Fibro, as well as degenerative disc disease. My mobility is 200 ft, it is the furthest I can walk. I have a new PCP. I’m on a Fentanyl transdermal patch, 25 mcg, for the last 4 years. I just started Lyrica. My issue is gaining weight. It’s already a struggle to walk, and I can’t carry extra weight, else, I won’t be able to walk. I’m prescribed 50 mg, 3x a day. I just wanted to know about weight gain. I appreciate any feedback."

• emi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "Lyrica did not work particularly well for me. I had previously taken Cymbalta 60 mg for 7/8 years and felt that it was no longer as effective, so my doctor prescribed Lyrica. I noticed a large amount of weight gain (which I would not have minded if it helped the pain!)-about 50 pounds over 6 months before it stabilized. After some time of taking the medication (9 months or a year, I forget), I was always complaining to my doctor about pain and fatigue being bad, so he switched me to Savella. I noticed a huge difference, and I lost the weight!"

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2008

For Fibromyalgia "I have an entrapped nerve in my leg causing shooting nerve pain in my foot. Lyrica has really helped stop the pain. It was so bad I couldn't sleep at night. However, I am gaining weight and having some difficulty in concentrating."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I have been taking Lyrica for 6 weeks. The first 5 weeks I took 50 mg twice daily. Literally, at the 5-week mark, I had significant improvement. My pain was at a consistent pain level of an 8/9 before starting and now a 5/6. I would like to note I had no side effects at this dose. My doctor increased my dose to 100 mg twice daily a week ago and now I have side effects: headaches that last all day, every day, whereas before I did have chronic headaches that came and went during the day from fibro. Also, my fingers and face are very puffy to the point of being uncomfortable. And the worst part is the chronic dry mouth. I have to keep a water bottle on hand to sip on constantly! (Having a chronic dry mouth puts you at a higher risk of cavities.) And weight gain."

• hat...
• October 29, 2015

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "I developed shingles in my face, scalp, and eye in 2005. The initial pain was treated with gabapentin, which didn't work very well. The doc wouldn't prescribe anything stronger. In fact, she hardly recognized that shingles pain was significant. My PHN kicked in when the rash disappeared. I've still got it. I monitored the internet for PHN meds, and when Lyrica came out, I notified my new doc immediately. He started me out at 100 mg three times a day, and when that was only modestly effective, he kicked it up to 150 mg X 3. It works very nicely. However, there are side effects. My weight gain has been significant. Brain fog happens. I get double vision on an irregular basis. I feel tired. Now my liver values are increasing."

• GIG...
• February 7, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Doc put me on Lyrica 50 mg twice a day. The first two weeks were AMAZING, I was doing things I haven't been able to do in many years. HOWEVER, let me just say IT DOES CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN AND MINE WAS NOT FROM OVEREATING. In fact, I was hardly hungry at all, and when I do eat, it is usually fruits and veggies. I was even working out every day. The last day I took Lyrica (I only took it for one month), it made me so freaking miserable, I went home in tears. My stomach swelled up like I was malnourished, and every time I would bend over, I would throw up water or whatever I had just put on my stomach. It was AWFUL! In a month, I gained over 10 lbs. NOT COOL!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I was given Lyrica 3 years ago for back pain from a herniated disk. The pain down my legs at night was horrific. The pain in my legs went, but I put on 12 kg. I did not eat more, in fact, I ate less because of my weight gain. The doctor refused to believe that Lyrica was the cause of the gain. Now, 2 years later, I have been given Lyrica again because no other drugs worked. When will the doctor listen and learn about side effects?"

• ksu...
• August 2, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was 14, and I have taken a myriad of medications to help with the pain. Lyrica, although it does help with the pain, the side effects are just too much for me. I have been on it for over 2 years now, and the water retention and weight gain is great. I weaned down and stopped taking it a week ago, and have already lost 10 lbs, and the edema in my legs is gone. If I could take the Lyrica without the weight gain and water retention, I would in a heartbeat. Hopefully, something else will work well for me."

• day...
• December 6, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Lyrica has helped my pain from fibromyalgia immensely. It helps better than anything I've tried, including narcotic pain medicines. I've had fibromyalgia for 6 years now, and Lyrica is by far the best option for fibro pain. I take 200 mg twice daily and 100 mg once daily. (It really helps me to take 20 mg of Flexeril at bedtime too, but build a tolerance first). The combination sets me up for a pain-free day. When starting Lyrica, it does cause a feeling of imbalance, weight gain, and water retention, but after about a week or two, the side effects go away. I am so grateful for Lyrica. It has improved my quality of life exponentially, and I don't feel all doped up as the narcotics make me feel. Thank God for Lyrica!"

• Gma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2005, along with arthritis throughout and mixed connective tissue disease. Because of a bone marrow disorder, I have severe osteoporosis. I've been on Neurontin, morphine, and Vicodin for 7 years, and though it did help some, it didn't take away the pain from fibromyalgia. 5 weeks ago, we changed from Neurontin to Lyrica, and I had immediate relief. I'm angry that I wasted away 5 years of my life in pain that could have been alleviated had I changed meds earlier. I did put on 7 pounds in the first month and have peripheral edema, so I joined the YMCA to exercise and lose the fluid retained."

• C j...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Worst medicine ever. I gained nearly 50 pounds in four months. At first, the medicine made me feel good even though I was gaining the weight fast. By the fourth month, the pain was so intense it actually rivaled childbirth. I was not overeating, and in fact, I was working out more. I still cannot get the weight back off. If I could give this med a -10, I would."

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I have tried several medications for migraines and started Lyrica three months ago. Other than the weight gain, I am very happy. Lyrica makes me feel ravenously hungry all the time. Actually, this past doctor's appointment, I was also prescribed Meridia and have experienced a loss in appetite, and I hope this will get me back to a more comfortable weight."

• Wee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 2, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I started taking Lyrica for trigger spots (burning, painful hot spots throughout my back) plus lower back pain. I began taking 150 mg 2x a day. It was wonderful, no more daily nagging pain. However, the side effects started to outweigh the pain relief. I had to start taking water pills because of the water retention, my memory and cognitive thinking were really affected. On three separate occasions, I was sent home from work because I was so drowsy I kept falling asleep. I was staggering, slurring my speech. My supervisor thought I had been drinking. It was very embarrassing. If I did not have all these side effects, I would have stayed on these meds, but it was getting out of control-my weight has skyrocketed also. I'm weaning off. Pain is back."

• ema...
• July 23, 2015

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "Shingles in my scalp in 2009. Started off using 75 mg twice daily. I am now taking 150 mg twice daily. The Lyrica was/is a lifesaver since I also have migraine, sinus, tension headaches. I seldom have the migraines anymore. My problem is that my scalp continues to get irritated if I comb it or use any kind of lotions, gels, moisturizers, oils, or sprays on it. Concerned about the weight gain, but overall, satisfied with Lyrica."

• tex...
• July 15, 2008

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Lyrica stops the pain in the ball of my feet. It's wonderful to be able to walk without the pain. I am diabetic and take insulin. I too have had a weight gain of 35 lbs over the past 6 months. I seem to suffer from a bit more memory loss than before, and I fatigue easily. I have caught myself dozing off in front of the computer at work, so I force myself to get up and walk around a bit. All in all, a small price to pay for the relief of the pain in my feet."

• Rub...
• April 17, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Doc has me taking 150 mg morning and 150 mg evening. I have gained 50 pounds in 6 months. I am going to get him to take me off this. I went on a salad diet for a week with balsamic vinegar dressing (1 tablespoon for a huge salad). I ate salad for lunch and dinner and drank nothing but water with lemon in it. I gained 2 pounds. I told this to my doctor, and he said that I must have cheated. Why would anyone go on just a salad diet if they weren't serious about losing weight? I do not recommend this drug. I did start using cyclobenzaprine, and it really helps with the leg cramps."

• Mum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "Was put on Lyrica for recurring hip pain (and lower back pain). By one month, I was on 2x75mg morning and night. Greatly reduced the pain, but I felt like I was constantly forgetful and would have brain fog constantly. Have gained just a little weight, but can't do much with my hip anyway. The one thing that made my doctor decrease the dose back to one a night very quickly was that I became depressive. Unfortunately, I would prefer to deal with the pain and find something else than feel that way. It is effective for pain relief (I found), but unfortunately I suffered some of the bad side effects."

• Ble...
• June 12, 2009

For Pain "I have been suffering from severe pudendal nerve damage pain and fibromyalgia for over 12 years. Vicodin, Percocet, Duragesic, OxyContin, injections, you name it. Lyrica 75 mg 2-3 x day has made the biggest difference in my life and pain in over 12 years. I can walk without a cane, and I feel like doing things. There was some initial weight gain, but that seems to have leveled off. I've been amazed and very pleased."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2010

For Pain "I took Lyrica for about 2 years and loved it. It helped my pain so much. I suffer from back pain and leg pain. I went from Topamax to Lyrica, and it was a big difference. I gained weight, about 20 lbs, but my problem was my insurance would not cover this medicine, and it doesn't have a generic. So I was having to pay almost $360.00/month for 60 pills. Couldn't afford it, so I've had to go back to Topamax. Now I've lost almost 30 pounds and don't like it as much as Lyrica, and it has more side effects. So stay with Lyrica if you can - it's a great medicine."

• bru...
• April 3, 2010

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Started using LYRICA about 6 months ago. It seems to have minimized the toe/foot pain I have when I go to bed. This was keeping me awake with pain and restless legs. Now I can get to sleep easier. Did notice some weight gain, but am working on it. No other side effects noted at this time. Sure has helped me at night!"

• RIS...
• September 21, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1997, but wasn't prescribed Lyrica until 2007. What a difference. Until Lyrica, I was in bed and couldn't do anything!! I was vomiting every day and had to be hospitalized several times and had lost several pounds. Now I'm back to work full-time, which I'd never thought I'd be able to do again. Doing more than simple tasks is a joy, and being able to play with my grandkids is more enjoyable than I can say. I do have to say I have to take pain medicine and muscle relaxers and had a pain pump placed inside my stomach, but with everything, I'm almost back to normal. The only negative is the weight gain, but I'll take that. My husband said I needed it anyway. But I can't tell you how happy I am with the Lyrica."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "Tremendous reduction in pain. I have been on the medication since May and have gone from bone-shattering pain at the bridge of my nose and between my eyes 24/7 to only two or three bad headaches a week. I have just had my dose increased to knock even those out, I'll let you know how much better I feel in four months. I would have given it a 10 if it wasn't for the weight gain."

• CEO...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 21, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "I began taking Lyrica in small doses and told my doctor it wasn't working. Dr. lowered the dose and the nerve pain was excruciating. I went back to my regular dose twice a day, however, I still had the pain in my feet. Once they increased the dose to three times a day, the pain in my feet completely went away. I gained weight, but since it stops the pain, I will take it gladly. As for the memory loss, I just give people I'm talking to the disclaimer, 'I'm medicated.'"