Lyrica and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Have been taking methadone, Zanaflex, and Mobic for quite a while for both fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Tried Neurontin, but it knocked me flat, finally switched to Lyrica, but I am so medicine sensitive that I can only take 25 mg in the a.m. and 50 mg at night. It is helping, however, I become groggy and have gained 20 lbs. The weight gain doesn't help the fibromyalgia, but the pain is unbearable, so I will take it."

• Ris...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2018

For Epilepsy "This was supposed to be an additional medication to help with my grand mal seizures. It didn't work for me. It made it difficult for me to speak. I could think of the words I wanted to say, but I seemed to develop an odd stutter and twitch. I also gained a lot of weight, which wasn't so bad since I was too slim. I went from 105 lbs to 150 lbs in just over six months. After being off the Lyrica for one year, I now weigh 115 lbs. My seizures didn't decrease in severity, length of episode, or occurrence per month. Lyrica did not work for me and actually caused problems. Please research before taking this medication."

• bra...
• April 14, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "With Lyrica, although some of the fibromyalgia pain was reduced, I found myself with increased depression and water weight gain, which only made the fibromyalgia worse. Discontinued after 60 days and nearly 20 lbs. Depression lightened, however, the weight has been hard to lose, having so much pain from the fibro. Baclofen has been one medicine that has 'helped' with minimal side effects. Please come up with something without the side effects!"

• CHE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I'm only taking 50 mg at night for my leg sciatica pain, and I feel dizzy at times. I'm also using Dr. Ho's TENS machine on my lower back for 40 minutes to scramble the signal pain. I think both are helping right now. I was on a higher dose, over 300 mg, a few years ago, and my hands and feet swelled up, and I gained 30 pounds I can't get rid of now even with water pills, so I had to stop the medication. I've had shingles right when I turned 50, before I could get the shingles vaccine, which I recommend to everyone as shingles is painful! I took only Lyrica 25 mg two or three times a day to stop the shingles pain, a low dose due to side effects from a larger dose."

• coc...
• July 6, 2010

For Pain "I have been taking Lyrica for 3 months. I started at 50 mg x 3. Increased to 150 x 3 times a day a month later. I have had almost no pain since starting. The side effects have been extreme dizziness, edema in the feet, weight gain (about 15 lbs). At my last appointment, the doctor adjusted the dose to 50 mg x 4 times a day. The dizziness comes and goes. This is a great medicine for me. I can handle dizziness at this level."

• Che...
• May 11, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 10 years ago and have watched in horror as the pain has increased each year. I have tried antidepressants with no help. I have tried NSAIDs with no help, including prescription. All of them. I have tried Vicodin with limited help. Cymbalta helped a little but made me gain weight. I am currently reconsidering it. As for Lyrica, I started this about 6 months ago, and for the first 2 months, it was a miracle; however, it was short-lived. Once my body gets used to taking a medication, the benefits begin to decrease, eventually dwindling to nothing. Lyrica has been no exception. As for side effects, I have weight gain."

• Cin...
• April 1, 2009

For Neuralgia "I am 52 years old and have suffered from neuralgia mostly in my feet and legs. It got so bad I could not fall asleep at night. I take 50 mg morning and night. I read all the comments and reviews on this and other sites. They made it sound like a miracle drug, and I agree. Finally, I had some relief. I am having trouble with swelling and had some weight gain. It has been worth it."

• Anonymous
• November 6, 2010

For Pain "Have moderate fibromyalgia pain, joint pain, a bulging cervical disk, and mild peripheral nerve pain. Tried it for a few months. Helped a little at 150 mg a day. At 300 mg, I had a flat mood and no libido. Gained 10 lbs. Wasn't worth the dollars or the side effects. Tried it again with Cymbalta. Didn't work any better."

• GDa...
• July 3, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I was on Lyrica for 2 years. At first, it was fabulous! But over time, I needed to keep increasing the dosage to get the same result. The side effects were bad for me. In the two years I was on it, I gained 60 lbs and my hair started falling out. I have since switched to Neurontin with no side effects, and my hair is slowly coming back. Lyrica was a miracle for me for about 18 months, but as they say, all good things must come to an end."

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I'm so sorry to hear about everyone's weight gain and swelling, and none of this happened to me. I got on phentermine 2 months before I started on Lyrica to drop weight because I did know of the potential side effects, and it has been a blessing. I continue with half a pill of phentermine a day along with 75 mg 2x a day and even dropped 5 more lbs when I started the Lyrica in February. No swelling or hunger-maybe because of the phentermine, but it's worked for me. I also was temporarily put on Cymbalta, and it did not work for me. Lyrica has taken away those everyday aches and pains you used to feel when you didn't know what was up."

• lil...
• August 15, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on Lyrica for 3 years. It has really helped with my pain (dulls it). However, I am now wanting to switch to Neurontin because Lyrica has caused me to gain over 40 lbs. I also have had to raise the dose to 150 mg 3 x daily. It really helped with the insomnia that I had suffered with for 10 years. If Lyrica did not have the side effect of weight gain, I would stay on it. Would I recommend this drug? Yes, I would."

• Jev...
• September 22, 2008

For Fibromyalgia "I call it a miracle drug, like most others who have shared their comments. I have been taking it now for 7 months, currently 450 mg a day (for treatment of fibromyalgia). I gained about 20 pounds within 2 months, which I desperately needed to do. Overall, I have a better life now thanks to Lyrica. Nothing that I have been prescribed in the last 14 years has even come close to treating my condition."

• Edo...
• January 25, 2009

For Pain "I am diagnosed with a type of 'Meralgia Paresthetica,' a neuropathic pain in my right leg. I also get pain 'breakthrough,' where pain attacks can reach up to 10 on a pain scale. I started Lyrica last year, and now I am on 225 mg twice a day and have the same amount of pain control as the Gabapentin, but at a much lower dose. My wife says that I am much more 'aware' and 'responsive' on Lyrica, and my short-term memory issues are not quite as severe, however, they are still there. My weight gain has ceased, however, I am having a tough time trying to lose all the weight I have gained."

• Jen...
• March 4, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I have suffered pain in my neck, shoulders, jaw, and suffered from migraines. I have tried EVERYTHING (doctors, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, psychiatrist, many meds). I was prescribed Lyrica for fibromyalgia pain and chronic fatigue. I was on almost the highest dose for 2 months and did NOTHING for me but make me gain 25 pounds! I am 5'6" 125 and went up to 150 lbs. 125 pounds is a high weight for me, so 150 is too much for my frame."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "I was prescribed Lyrica after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2014. It did not help with the pain whatsoever and caused some really weird side effects. Not just the physical effects of weight gain, but I became angry... ALL THE TIME! I knew I was, I had nothing to be angry about, but I couldn't stop or change it. Almost ruined my marriage. Do not take this!"

• pon...
• August 16, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Could not function or hold up my own weight. Lyrica gave me my life back weeks after starting it. I had dealt with pain for over 10 years. I'm 39 and had weight gain, but a small amount of a prescribed fluid pill took off pounds quickly."

• Kim...
• March 5, 2018

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I have had diabetic neuropathy, severe leg pain for 15 years. One year ago, I started with Lyrica, and it only helps fully if I take it with my Tramadol that I was previously on. Taking those two together gives me about 95% pain relief. Before starting Lyrica and Tramadol, I had been on gabapentin, which after 3 years stopped working for me at all. As far as Lyrica side effects, I had immediate weight gain and an increase in appetite, and swollen feet, legs, hands, face, and fingers, but I guess that's the price I had to pay because without the pain relief I finally received, I would have soon killed myself."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "I had a horrible experience with Lyrica. It was prescribed to me to help with nerve pain r/t multiple sclerosis. I ballooned up like a tick! Had to wear my husband's clothes! Ended up with pulmonary edema. I am glad to see it works for some people; just as gabapentin works for me! Good luck to all! And may God bless you always!"

• Mol...
• January 20, 2022

For Neuropathic Pain "I took Lyrica for nerve pain in my legs. The pain was so bad I had no choice. This is the worst medication I've ever taken, and I couldn't wait to get off of it. I was lucky to find a chiropractor to help me with my pain, and after being on the medication for 4 months, I was ready to come off of it. While the medication helped with my pain, it unfortunately made me feel like a zombie and gain 15 pounds. It made me clumsy, and I couldn't think right because of the brain fog. I had to taper off of the 225 mg that I was taking. After taking the last pill, I had extreme agitation, headaches, nausea, diarrhea really bad, and this lasted 6 days. I will never take this awful medication again."

• Kas...
• September 2, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "I was in constant pain 24/7, and I used to take so many showers to try to get some relief. Nothing helped, and I was in tears, I just could not stand the pain and discomfort any longer. My sister was on Lyrica because she had fibromyalgia and got relief. So the next time I was at the doctor’s, I asked him about taking Lyrica, and he thought that it was a good idea. It took a while, but each day that went by, more of my pain left me, and now I am pain-free from fibromyalgia. My side effects were gaining weight, and that was about it. Any day I would gain 20-30 lbs. to get rid of that terrible pain. Thank you, Lyrica."

• pwr...
• January 1, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "Been on Lyrica plus Savella for about 7-8 years now, dose is 150 mg 3 x day. While I get some relief of my peripheral neuropathy (PN), fibro, etc. with Lyrica, I've put on 50 lbs over that time, leg/feet swelling and can't seem to get it off no matter how little I eat, mostly water weight gain. After 7-8 years I have become physically tolerant of these meds, need a change, but nothing better out there that I have not tried with little success. Some days, between the pain and tiredness, it has become difficult. Losing some memory too. Anyway, we all need to make choices, take the meds and suffer with side effects or deal with the original pain, which in my case is degenerative."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I was on Lyrica for 5 months. It seemed to help with the pain somewhat for a while, but didn't stop it. Also, I gained 40 pounds. The doctor told me if I was careful about my eating habits that I wouldn't gain too much weight, but this was not true. After I went off it, I lost 22 pounds in 2 weeks - just from water weight. I have yet to be able to lose the rest of the weight."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2018

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "What I've read so far is confusing. One said Lyrica can cause peripheral neuropathy, another said Lyrica was prescribed for it! I have diabetic peripheral neuropathy. I'm no longer a diabetic. I'm taking 100 mg of Lyrica twice a day, not sure it's really helping me. Some days and nights are so bad, I sleep sitting up on my couch. Don't like the dry mouth, dizziness, weight gain. I'm watching what I eat, some days certain foods bother me, other days the same food doesn't bother me, very frustrating!! I don't want to gain any more weight, afraid my diabetes will come back. I have had one treatment of Botox, it helped so the pain is not as severe. The doctor gave me very little medicine to start off with. My next appointment will be after 90 days, and I will ask for more of the medicine, hoping to get off Lyrica after this next treatment!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "It has helped so much with my radiculopathy. The pain was unbearable, couldn’t sleep because of it. Lyrica has been a blessing. The downside is the cost because my insurance (in Puerto Rico) doesn’t cover it and also the weight gain. -Mr. Velez"

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Lyrica made my fibromyalgia symptoms worse. All it did was make me gain excessive amounts of weight (over 80 lbs in 6 months), and it caused more stress on my joints and symptoms than not taking anything at all for it. I hated it and recommend doing the vitamin regimen and looking up as much as you can online and sharing the websites you find with your doctor."