I saw a post somewhere that said that one of the issues with this Lyrica weight gain was fluid retention. Has anybody come up with a way to prevent this? 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. They became the most important thing to me. Revised April 2020. Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. They think I have an overlap syndrome which is a sort of mixed connective tissue disorder that has yet to present. Does Lyrica Interact with other Medications? Is Lyrica a controlled substance / narcotic? The official prescribing information describes this as confusion or abnormal thinking. These gabapentinoids can cause a large number of side effects. They might ask about changes in lifestyle habits to assess whether the medication has caused the weight gain. Higher frequencies of weight gain and peripheral edema were seen in diabetes patients taking both Lyrica and a thiazolidinedione medicine (examples: rosiglitazone or pioglitazone) when compared to patients taking either drug alone. 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. Escitalopram (marketed as Lexapro) information. 3 Weight gain is a serious side effect because it may lead to non . If youve taken Lyrica (or are currently taking it), be sure to share whether you experienced weight gain or remained relatively weight neutral. He helped me realize that all these medications were working more against me than helping me. It is also used to treat partial seizures. Here are some ways to lose weight gained due to medication use: 1. Another thing that really helps is to keep a daily focus on what you can do to control the weight gain and take each day one at a time. Hey did you get the disability? Hi Calcetin64. hives, itching, skin rash. Reduce your total calorie intake by 1,000 calories per day to lose 2 lbs. I was experiencing weight gain for no reason, dizziness and loss of balance, itches all over my body and incontinence day or night.. Fad diets and rapid weight loss can be unsafe and often lead to people regaining the weight later on. 35 yrs old. Exercise can also help prevent symptoms of depression from returning when people combine it with antidepressant medication. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day to help you feel full. When the weather is cold and damp or I overdo things, I really regress and it takes days to recover.Take slow steps. and 14 lbs. However, this will depend on the drug in question and the individual. How long does it take for Lyrica to work? Did not realize I had gained any weight until I tried on a dress to wear to my nephew's wedding and I could not zip or button anything. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Increased physical activity can also help control weight gain from medication. sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips. Of 53 patients who gained >/= 20 lb (9 kg) during antipsychotic treatment, an initial sample of 12 patients (23%) who subsequently lost >/= 10 lb (5 kg) was identified. If you're taking Lyrica for chronic pain, you will likely find it more comfortable to do a low-impact exercise, such as walking or swimming. I should have said that in the beginning. per week, which you can achieve by making several small changes. They can also pay close attention to how their body responds to the medication, monitoring it for weight gain and other notable side effects. What You Should Know, Alcohol & Weight Gain vs. Most people (~82%) that gain weight on Lyrica tend to notice after about a year of treatment. At first I felt deprived but I'm used to it. It also is used for treating fibromyalgia. Tingling in feet (and hands) can be a withdrawal symptom too. Understanding that weight gain is a possible side effect is the first step in combatting it. Try to follow a sleep schedule where you go to bed at the same time every day and wake up at the same time every morning. Take Lyrica to achieve the best pain relief, every 12 hours scheduled and possibly a little higher dose if you are already doing the every 12 hour dosing. 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. A third person may have a totally different combined influence of various factors leading to weight gain. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. That must be frustrating having this weight gain after starting your neuropathy medications. The neuropathy prevents that now. I know the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, has a research based-Best Practices program for Fibromyalgia and lifestyle. unusual tiredness or weakness. Assuming you are one of the people that end up gaining weight on this medication, it is likely that youll gain between 5 lbs. Lyrica vs Gabapentin: What's the difference? Why do some medications cause weight gain? 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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. Other common Lyrica side effects include fatigue, vertigo, brain fog, fluid retention, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, gas, depression, tremor and skin rash. I found a recommendation for a daily dose of a combination of 600 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid and 100 mg of B-1. The electrical impulses tell the nerves 'you're all right'. MentalHealthDaily.com 2013-2019 | Privacy Policy | Legal Notice | Affiliate Disclosure, Amitriptyline & Weight Gain: The Reason 50% Discontinue Treatment, Does Mirena Cause Weight Gain? Hi Peggy, sounds like you are doing great with the lifestyle. I was on a lot of the same meds that you are on. 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. Weight gain is a common side effect of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic drug treatment. red, irritated eyes. Please dont give up! Hi. I was literally in bed for 3 years due to pain and the enormous amount of medication I was taking. Remember we are not alone. If the drug is working well to treat symptoms of nerve pain or seizures, you probably wont mind a little bit of weight gain. Swim at a local pool at the gym or a community center. Recently I gained 65 pounds within a two-month period. Your doctor may recommend you take these to help reduce your weight while you are on Lyrica. Thats always good advice, but it may not help many people if they have a voracious appetite from the drug and are dizzy and exhausted most of the day. I wouldnt lose a pound. You, as a reader of this website, are totally and completely responsible for your own health and healthcare. All rights reserved. and 15 lbs. If necessary, Lyrica can be used in treatment of epilepsy (combined with other medications), fibromyalgia and in complex therapy of generalized disturbs. Just check out The Discontinuation Syndrome on Google and you can see the symptoms from withdrawals from these types of medications. for those on mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics. Next post: Amitriptyline & Weight Gain: The Reason 50% Discontinue Treatment, Previous post: Provigil (Modafinil) & Weight Loss: How It Works. Common drugs that cause weight gain include: Weight gain does not necessarily happen instantly when people take these kinds of medications. Sometimes my crp is elevated. 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. Many people like to place blame on Lyrica, when in fact another drug like an SSRI and/or an antipsychotic may be responsible for their major weight gain. I didnt have them while tapering either because I went off very slowly. Most studies that show people who gain weight over the course of 1-years treatment end up gaining between 12 lbs. My weight is where I want it to be so I have been watching it carefully to see what happens. Do not skip meals to reduce calories. I do still take pain meds but much much lower doses and walked away from Xanax completely. "I've been living on the medical diet for hypoglycemia since 1987. Theres the vanity thing too I will admit I dont feel good when I dont look good. sore throat. Note: It is important to understand that the specific causes of weight gain may be different based on the individual. There are thousands of us going through this and we will make it. You should also be aware that many other individualized factors play a role in determining how much weight youll gain on Lyrica. Nerve pain (neuropathy) can be incredibly challenging. Reduced . You may enlist a friend to go walking with you or attend a workout class together so you are motivated to stay fit. Also im anemic and take prescription strength iron. I've been living on the medical diet for hypoglycemia since 1987. Four years ago my GP put me on Lyrica because the nerve pain in my feet was keeping me awake at night. This may explain why there is a clear connection between Lyrica and weight gain for many people. Does Geodon (Ziprasidone) Cause Weight Gain, Loss, or Remain Neutral? Before you blame a drug for all of your weight gain, make a conscious effort to be healthy so that you truly know whether the Lyrica is responsible for your extra baggage. of Health and Human Services, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Avoid-Gaining-Weight-While-Taking-Lyrica-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Avoid-Gaining-Weight-While-Taking-Lyrica-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Avoid-Gaining-Weight-While-Taking-Lyrica-Step-4.jpg\/aid9613114-v4-728px-Avoid-Gaining-Weight-While-Taking-Lyrica-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Healthy Diet Basics to Avoid Weight Gain on Lyrica, Fitness Basics to Avoid Weight Gain on Lyrica, What to Say to Your Girlfriend Over Text When She's Sick, Crystals in the Bedroom: What to Sleep With & What to Avoid, eight. It can be so significant that many patients discontinue their treatment prematurely. I was diagnosed with Lupus 13 years ago, and Addisons disease three years ago. Think more in terms of protein, healthy fats and vegetables to stay away from carbohydrate craving. Previously, I was in good health and walked briskly two miles daily. Remember if you miss a day of your prescribed exercises you may start over with pain, that is how important this is. The "thingy" you talk about in your back..is it a pain pump? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. NOT to get you off of pain pills but to give you better coping skills. I have used this very yoga session to skip phy$io. 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. I feel sorry for your pain and understand completely. Under the current dose of 225 mg daily. Take small bites of your food and chew it slowly so you can savor your food. Last updated on Nov 1, 2022. Think in terms of long-term weight loss, which is slower but is easier to maintain. Maybe it's that you are gaining more muscle mass (good thing). Share your own experience with Lyrica and weight gain in the comment section below. fast heartbeat. She has extensive experience writing about nutrition, pregnancy, infertility, alternative medicine, children's health and women's health issues. It is used to relieve nerve pain. The quick weight loss promised by fad diets is often regained just as quickly. Im always bloated on top of that. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. I can't say for sure that this will work for everyone but I hope it will help some try to INCREASE YOUR DAILY FLUID INTAKE for several weeks to see if it helps. I looked into Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and it's all day x 3 weeks. I suffered until a neurologist prescribed Lyrica twice a day. The devil you know or the one you don't know. It's a nerve stimulator. Don't beat yourself up about the weight gain. Have your PCP refer you to a physical therapist who specializes in treating Fibromyalgia. Holly Case has written professionally since 2000. This could make a difference in the way I react to Lyrica. My pcp did blood ak my ANA came back positive possibly meaning I have Lupus. Im extremely concerned about the weight gain I keep reading about. I still have pain and some days I can't hardly move but I'm able to function. Gained 15 pounds in less than 6 months. Thankfully I get relief. NY, NY. Sleepiness and dizziness are common side effects of Lyrica. 3 Ask your doctor about switching to a different medication. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the symptoms: Besides weight gain, other common side effects with Lyrica include: Lyrica can also cause some serious side effects, such as: This is not all the information you need to know about Lyrica for safe and effective use. Antidepressants that may lead to weight gain in some people include: Some tricyclic antidepressants. My scoliosis took a turn for the worse and back pain caused me to severely decrease my activity. Assuming you are taking a moderate or high dose, it means that more of the drug is circulating throughout your body. It is estimated that approximately 1/10 people taking Lyrica will experience significant weight gain throughout their treatment. The usual dose is 2.5 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) per day given in 2 or 3 divided doses. Ive been on Lyrica for six years now for my fibromyalgia. We avoid using tertiary references. Benfotiamine (a B vitamin derivative) might offer a different approach to treating neuropathy (PLOS One, Feb. 19, 2015). Reduce your total calorie intake by eating smaller portions, choosing low-fat foods and avoiding desserts and high-calorie beverages. Therefore if you do gain weight, it's likely going to take time and still may not be considered extreme. Welcome, A. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Lyrica is used for: The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance recommend increasing protein intake if medication-related weight gain is a concern. In one group of 333 diabetic patients who took Lyrica for at least 2 years, the average weight gain was 5.2 kg (11.4 lb). It takes 3,500 calories to gain or lose 1 lb., and the CDC says that losing 1 to 2 lbs. 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. Hi @pfbacon you may have noticed I changed the name of this discussion to "Losing weight with Neuropathy" so that others will see your post. 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. Does weight loss happen after stopping medication? I just want you to not give up hope!! I even wake up at night with hunger pains. I did however, lose 20 pounds. You will lose the weight. There was a wide range of weight changes among these patients with diabetes. I cannot say it is totally because of the drug. Do this for 1-3 minutes until you feel calm. 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. This demonstrates that weight gain patterns are different based on the individual. This drug has properties of Prozac, for example a SSRI antidepressant AND is specific for treating neuropathic pain. I can relate to what you are saying. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.. Im only 30 I have 3 kids. Although medications such as Lyrica can cause weight gain and make it more difficult to lose weight, healthy habits can still help you mitigate the side effects and lose some weight.