You are so very young and the responsibility of children is incredible!You need someone who understands you and can watch your back that you are being treated correctly. Swim at a local pool at the gym or a community center. I've been taking Lyrica and slowly gaining weight. A smaller percentage of users (~3%) notice weight gain in the early stages of their treatment. Common drugs that cause weight gain include: Weight gain does not necessarily happen instantly when people take these kinds of medications. Nothing left to adjust in my lifestyle that will cause weight loss. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue. Stopping a medication, however, is not always possible, and it can sometimes have serious repercussions. At first, I didnt think that it was the Lyrica. The electrical impulses tell the nerves 'you're all right'. In 2016, I was on 150mgs of Lyrica twice a day for 10 months for sciatic pain. In studies that were 14 weeks long in adults, 9% of Lyrica-treated patients and 2% of placebo (inactive treatment) patients gained 7% or more over their weight at the beginning of the study. Celexa (Citalopram) vs. Lexapro (Escitalopram): Which Is Better? All 12 of the leading antidepressants, including fluoxetine. Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anti-epileptic drug ( anticonvulsant) used for: neuropathic (nerve) pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, for treating partial onset seizures in adults, and fibromyalgia What Are Side Effects of Lyrica? "Your information was very informative. The "thingy" you talk about in your back..is it a pain pump? A similar drug, gabapentin, has been approved for treating epilepsy and postherpetic neuralgia. https://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/, https://www.verywellfit.com/i-just-started-exercising-why-am-i-gaining-weight-1231585. People must weigh the risks and potential drawbacks of stopping or switching medication against the possible side effects, including weight gain. Lack of energy is another component to this triad. That is just what any girl wants to hear, right? im SO sorry that you are going through all this.I am 84 years of age and in constant pain due to arthritis, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia, and spinal deterioration, all due to back surgery for a compressed spinal cord.I had taken Lyrica years ago and didn't gain a pound, but this time after only being it again all I want to do is eat :( Ive only been on it again 3 days and have gained 2 pounds. I recently started lyrica 3 times daily with the cymbalta and it has really helped. Increased appetite is a recognized adverse reaction to your medication. Lyrica.com. Ut you can really get yourself into trouble! Im determined to conquer this wanting to eat AND the equilibrium. You should also be aware that many other individualized factors play a role in determining how much weight youll gain on Lyrica. I watched Caroline Jordan on YouTube who has a bunch of short 8min to 30min low impact exercises even for folks with back injuries. I do still take pain meds but much much lower doses and walked away from Xanax completely. Consuming carbohydrates during the day and in the . From the perspective of a pharmaceutical company, promoting a medication as having less weight gain is advantageous in that more people are likely to try it. Note: The author of this site is not engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. Look up healthy recipes online or in a cookbook so you can integrate them into your meals. I fully understand the pain you suffer and depression from work related injury the worst right now is I can't lose weight because if I go off lyrica I have tingling in feet so I'm stuck with weight and that adds to pain damned if you do if you don't. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Weight gain and fluid retention are known side effects of the thiazolidinedione antidiabetic drug class. People worried about medication-related weight gain should discuss their concerns with their doctor. For this reason, if you want to minimize the amount of weight gained, it is recommended to always take the minimal effective dose. However, it is really helping my pain in these 3 days, although my equilibrium has been off some. It is thought that unexplained weight gain may be a sign of fluid retention, which may exacerbate congestive heart failure.. I checked for a natural remedy. This can be excruciating nerve pain that continues after a shingles attack. Review the full Lyrica (pregabalin) information here, and discuss this information and any questions with your doctor or other health care provider. Im no longer that skinny girl Ive always been my whole life. Learn more about walking and weight loss here. It is considered the successor to the drug Gabapentin, but whether it is a superior medication is highly debatable. Therefore if you do gain weight, its likely going to take time and still may not be considered extreme. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. In some countries (outside the United States) it has also been successfully used for the treatment of anxiety disorders. I dont know who you are, but God does. As far as we know there are no antidotes to the weight problem. Have any of you had the little thingy I should start another thread about the thingy but I can't remember the name I had a rough day, you can tell. Think in terms of long-term weight loss, which is slower but is easier to maintain. All in my stomach.Lost it all within a few months after I stopped taking it. This drug can treat these issues effectively, but has side effects like increased appetite, food cravings, and a slower metabolism. NY, NY. Before embarking on a dietary supplement regimen, however, please discuss such options with a physician. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained within this work are not intended as a substitute for consulting with a medical doctor. Again, I cannot say whether this was because of the increased activity that my stimulator allowed me to do or because I switched medications. Bupropion is an example of an antidepressant that may lead to weight loss in some. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Other medications In this time, I gained about 6kgs but could continue to work in a job where I have to sit at a desk all day. Somnolence clocks in around 13 to 25 percent. I suffered until a neurologist prescribed Lyrica twice a day. Other common Lyrica side effects include fatigue, vertigo, brain fog, fluid retention, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, gas, depression, tremor and skin rash. Case holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and professional writing from Saginaw Valley State University. Antipsychotics prescribed for bipolar disorder include olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), aripiprazole (Abilify), ziprasidone (Geodon), lurasidone (Latuda), cariprazine (Vraylar) and asenapine (Saphris). However, I have crohn's disease, have an ileostomy, and wear a pouch. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making such positive changes to your diet can help you lose more weight. Many patients with chronic pain and other illnesses find relief with Lyrica, but the drug can also cause weight gain. Medications that provide relief from autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, and depression help people live fuller lives. Losing weight effectively and keeping it down involves a number of factors. It is important to remember that the benefits of the drug might outweigh the side effects and to keep in mind that weight loss and maintenance are possible. Seven patterns were developed and used for exploratory 'change point . You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Ack on an antidepressant but I looked at her crazy and said I'm depressed because I've just gained 25 lbs in 3 months and couldn't lose it. Lyrica is from a class of drugs that are antiseizure medications. Has anybody come up with a way to prevent this? A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. I should have said that in the beginning. You may enlist a friend to go walking with you or attend a workout class together so you are motivated to stay fit. I am also a chronic anemic, and now malnutritioned. Rely on your friends to visit you. Only roughly 7% of individuals taking this drug will notice "delayed" onset of weight gain throughout their treatment. Antidepressants that may lead to weight gain in some people include: Some tricyclic antidepressants. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. In studies that were 14 weeks long in adults, 9% of Lyrica-treated patients and 2% of placebo (inactive treatment) patients gained 7% or more over their weight at the beginning of the study. References. It will be interesting to find out. NOT to get you off of pain pills but to give you better coping skills. However, there is still a lot of data from independent research suggesting that significant weight gain is unlikely in the bulk of patients. Your doctor may recommend you take these to help reduce your weight while you are on Lyrica. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. You will lose the weight. Lyrica is a prescription medicine used in adults, 18 years of age and older to treat: pain from damaged nerves (neuropathic pain) that happens with diabetes pain from damaged nerves (neuropathic pain) that follows healing of shingles fibromyalgia (pain all over your body) pain from damaged nerves (neuropathic pain) that follows spinal cord injury "I've been living on the medical diet for hypoglycemia since 1987. Here's a link to her amazing story of eliminating the symptoms of MS (not curing it) https://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/. People on antidepressants, for instance, may find that they have an increased appetite because their mood has improved. I got OFF of it due to gaining too much weight because then it does put more stress on my body and also when I had the car accident and hurt my back it also hurts my back twice as much with the weight gain so I went off the Lyrica totally. I couldn't have done this without him.I wish you strength! It was a life saver. We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options. I can empathize with your frustrations and pain. In this article, we look at which medications are known to cause weight gain and how people can effectively lose weight that they have gained as a result of taking medication. At first I felt deprived but I'm used to it. Endone and Panadeine Forte helped a bit initially but not enough recently. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. My pcp did blood ak my ANA came back positive possibly meaning I have Lupus. Gaining weight because of a medication can be frustrating. Available for Android and iOS devices. Let me know if you were able to solve the weight issue, and if so, how. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Types of medications that cause weight gain. (n.d.). And I got disability after fighting for it for 2 years. I have a similar story minus the accident. Lyrica vs Gabapentin: What's the difference? Weight loss may occur once a person stops taking their medication. The devil you know or the one you don't know. Does that make sense? I have been there myself. Im so depressed I wish I could be the same person I was before the accident in Sept 2010. It was very effective. The program includes correct movement to prevent pain, exercise, etc. In studies, few patients (0.3%) stopped treatment due to weight gain. They might ask about changes in lifestyle habits to assess whether the medication has caused the weight gain. While we do not have the full technology to determine exactly how Lyrica is interacting with your genetics, some speculate that certain genetic variations may be responsible for weight gain on medications. Understanding that weight gain is a possible side effect is the first step in combatting it. Have your PCP refer you to a physical therapist who specializes in treating Fibromyalgia. Even if they are taking a medication that is safe alongside alcohol, people should avoid high calorie alcoholic beverages to avoid unnecessary caloric intake. If necessary, Lyrica can be used in treatment of epilepsy (combined with other medications), fibromyalgia and in complex therapy of generalized disturbs. Here is a link that describes this problem: People who gain weight on Lyrica should discuss the problem with the prescriber. It's like a little capsule that gets inserted into my back and it sends electrical impulses, like a tens unit he said. Have any of you lost weight since you were diagnosed with Neuropathy? I too am diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have a positive ANA. This drug has properties of Prozac, for example a SSRI antidepressant AND is specific for treating neuropathic pain. Within a few weeks the symptoms were gone. When your weight gain is caused by medicine. According to the website RxList.com, weight gain is a possible side effect of Lyrica, or pregabalin, which increases in likelihood when the dosage is increased. Increased physical activity can also help control weight gain from medication. Now this was the hard part. Lyrica is often preferred over opioid medications in the treatment of chronic pain as well as fibromyalgia due to its low potential for abuse and addiction. I found a recommendation for a daily dose of a combination of 600 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid and 100 mg of B-1. If you live around a pain center you may try pain rehab. RxList: Lyrica Side Effects and Drug Interactions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Weight: Improving Your Eating Habits. Only roughly 7% of individuals taking this drug will notice delayed onset of weight gain throughout their treatment. To help others get a better understanding of your situation, you may want to include information about your dosage, how long you had been taking it, whether you took other medications, and other possible factors that may have influenced your weight. Note: It is important to understand that the specific causes of weight gain may be different based on the individual. I also started taking 275mg of vitamin B6 and 150 mg of magnesium citrate. This medication is used to treat pain caused by nerve damage due to diabetes, shingles (herpes zoster) infection, or spinal cord injury. Most studies that show people who gain weight over the course of 1-years treatment end up gaining between 12 lbs. and 15 lbs. But looking back now I'm glad I did it. Last updated on Nov 1, 2022. Do this for 1-3 minutes until you feel calm. Get your family involved to help fix healthy meals, an exercise you all enjoy- swimming or non-weight bearing walking at waist to chest high water as prescribed. Peggy. About six years ago the peripheral neuropathy in my left heel was not allowing me to sleep. Avoid eating out of large containers, bags, or bowls, as this can increase your portion sizes. (2017). Is Lyrica a controlled substance / narcotic? I dropped 3kgs but never got back to my pre-Lyrica weight. I looked into Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and it's all day x 3 weeks. It is important not to get too caught up in the side effects if you really need this drug to function, but when the side effects such as weight gain become so severe that they affect your daily functioning, its time to reconsider the treatment. I read the letter from the person with peripheral neuropathy and wanted to let you know what works for me. Although the drug can be highly effective for some individuals in the treatment of various types of pain, as well as reducing the occurrence of seizures, many people are dissatisfied with the drugs side effect profile. In the middle of all this I developed breast cancer and had to go through treatment including the 5 year Arimidex which gave me bone on bone arthritis to both my knees. Take small bites of your food and chew it slowly so you can savor your food. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. It is used for treating pain caused by neurologic diseases such as postherpetic neuralgia as well as seizures. Maybe it's that you are gaining more muscle mass (good thing). Lyrica works by decreasing the number of nerve signals. ..except we only have 2 kiddos let me know! Take up yoga at a local yoga studio or your gym. You can also try doing yoga at home by following online tutorials or instructor-led videos. I have been on Gabapentin and had horrible side effects. This article has been viewed 75,634 times. No one should ever stop Lyrica suddenly! Examples. LYRICA is indicated to treat fibromyalgia, diabetic nerve pain, spinal cord injury nerve pain, and pain after shingles in adult patients. Also they consider every other medical condition you have so State them all. % of people told us that this article helped them. Select one or more newsletters to continue. My weight has come back down to where it was prior to restarting the Lyrica and has been easy to keep it there. I was shocked to read your post, due to our health similarities. Lyrica - is there any way to avoid the weight gain? It's basically protein, vegetables, some", "I saw my doctor today - I haven't gained weight since I started taking just Lyrica", "@pfbacon Hello Peggy, I was reading your post about living with neuropathy. Ive had four kids. I hope this helps you dear. It was such a relief to read the comments about Lyrica causing weight gain. Both Lyrica and gabapentin come as oral capsules or an oral liquid solution.. Lyrica is also linked with an increase in appetite and fluid retention. I found that this medication gives me approx 4 -5 hours of varied levels of pain relief. I hate to leave my house because people are always coming up to me asking me how far along I am. Some studies have suggested that only 10% of individuals will experience weight gain on Lyrica, while others have suggested that over 20% of people gain weight. There are thousands of us going through this and we will make it. I was on a lot of the same meds that you are on. (It really messed with my coordination) For about nine years, I have been prescribed Lyrica. She is a former contributing editor for "ePregnancy" magazine and a current editor for a natural food magazine. Those concerned about weight gain on medication should seek advice from a dietitian to evaluate their current diet. Objective: We examined patterns of weight change among patients treated with pregabalin for up to 1 year. Methods: Patients with 1 pre-treatment weight measurement, 2 measurements in Period 1 (day 2-56), and 2 during Period 2 (day 57-356) were identified from pooled data of 106 studies including 43,525 patients. How can I lose weight while on antidepressants? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. Pregabalin was significantly more likely than placebo to lead to discontinuation of the drug because of adverse events (RR 1.91 (95% CI 1 . It worked almost instantly! He helped me realize that all these medications were working more against me than helping me. Weight gain is surprisingly common among people taking Lyrica. Pregabalin (Lyrica) has become a go-to drug for nerve pain (neuropathy). Ive been taking 600 mg a day for the last two years. You have a lot of work ahead of you. Adderall), these may counterbalance some of the weight gain that you may have experienced on Lyrica. This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Some medications that cause weight gain are not safe to take with alcohol. Never go off of Lyrica completely without the approval of your doctor, as this can lead to other serious medical issues and side effects. If weight gain affects a persons health, a doctor may be able to prescribe a similar medication that is less likely to produce an increase in weight. A dietitian can help people who have a renewed appetite find a healthful way to satiate their hunger. Fad diets and rapid weight loss can be unsafe and often lead to people regaining the weight later on. Escitalopram (marketed as Lexapro) information. These tend to include: the dosage youre taking, how long youve been medicated, whether you take other drugs, your lifestyle, as well as your genetics. I am now on Medicare with a supplemental insurance and although it is still very expensive I decided to bite the big one and go back on the Lyrica. Does Geodon (Ziprasidone) Cause Weight Gain, Loss, or Remain Neutral? Opt for cooking at home most days of the week so you can have healthy, nutrient rich meals. Welcome, A. Other common Lyrica side effects include fatigue, vertigo, brain fog, fluid retention, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, gas, depression, tremor and skin rash. In studies, 9% of Lyrica-treated patients and 2% of placebo (inactive treatment) patients gained 7% or more compared to their weight at the beginning of the study. After spinal surgery and under medical supervision, I slowly took myself off Lyrica in early 2017; I recall headaches being the only downside of the slow withdrawal. I saw a post somewhere that said that one of the issues with this Lyrica weight gain was fluid retention. According to the website RxList.com, weight gain is a possible side effect of Lyrica, or pregabalin, which increases in likelihood when the dosage is increased. If the drug is working well to treat symptoms of nerve pain or seizures, you probably wont mind a little bit of weight gain. That's the only thing I think you can do. Monitor your diet using a food diary to help you stay on track. Also realize that if you are taking stimulatory medications (e.g. I would love to talk to someone who can relate to what im going thru :(. Accessed Nov. 11, 2020 at http://labeling.pfizer.com/showlabeling.aspx?id=561, Lyrica (pregabalin) monograph. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. I have never been overweight! There was a wide range of weight changes among these patients with diabetes. It's interesting to know someone else suffers from very similar issues. If you ended up gaining weight, feel free to mention how much you gained, why you think you gained it, as well as any strategies you found helpful for reducing it. Keep track of how often you exercise in a journal or app so you know you're getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Your daily regimen including the amount of exercise you get, sleep quality (and quantity), stress level, and dietary intake can all directly affect whether you gain weight. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Gained 15 pounds in less than 6 months. Learning to listen to hunger cues and control portion size can help limit weight gain. and 14 lbs. 35 yrs old. So, you've been told you have neuropathy, nerve pain or restless legs (all three can affect your feet and legs), and you may have been prescribed Lyrica. Lyrica (Pregabalin) is a drug that is approved for the treatment of neuropathic pain as well as partial seizures in adults. Find a quiet, private spot and sit in a comfortable position. Always keep in mind that when you double the dose of this drug, you are also potentially doubling the unwanted side effects (e.g. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013. for those on antidepressants and 75-125 lbs. Most people (~82%) that gain weight on Lyrica tend to notice after about a year of treatment. Assuming you are taking a moderate or high dose, it means that more of the drug is circulating throughout your body. You are your best advocate. I started working out and making sure I eat healthy food. The narcotics relieve pain but drag you down and cause drowsiness. Some people gain weight within the first couple months of treatment, others gain weight after a moderate treatment-term, while others are considered delayed weight gainers in that there is no immediate change, but they eventually pack on the pounds.