No Pain, Weight Gain: Does Taking Certain Medications Mean Adding Pounds?

Hi Geekygranny

Thanks for the comments, I am in the same "big" boat......... 

I was recently saw my Ortho. Docs (a whole gang of them) and was moaned at for my size.

I found it quiet embarrassing and depressing. I am obese but battle to walk and spend a lot of my life in a wheelchair, and have a very small appetite - food just does not interest me anymore.

I never thought to mention the medication that I'm on. Both meds that you mentioned in your post I take plus a whole bunch of others.

I know that I need exercise, but mentally and physically I know what the next 2-3 days are going to be like if I go for even a short walk.

I have no answers for you only my prayers.

God Bless and take care.

R 

  Hi Starr! 

Yeah, when I last saw my orthopedic doc, he mentioned I needed to lose weight.  I just blasted back at him "I have!"  I told him I lost 30lbs.  Then he started praising me.  The dipstick sees me only once every couple of months and of course wouldn't notice the change.  He's a man... and you know how THEY are LOL

I credit aqua aerobics for doing this for me.  Is there a rehab hospital with pools you can get into so you can do aqua aerobics.  It's virtually pain free and will help speed up your metabolism.

I'd rather not have meds that would relieve me of my pain if they are going to add weight to me.  Adding weight means added pain as well.

Now if the WEATHER would settle down, I wouldn't hurt so much too.  I am still twice what I should weigh but am working on it.

So Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica are off my list.  Currently taking Soma, Cymbalta (helps with the pins and needles in my feet), Norco when I flare, Klonopin for restless legs, and Lunesta for sleep.

But now I have rheumatoid arthritis and have been put on prednisone and sulfasalazine.  Don't know what those are going to do to me yet.  But I'm watching....

Hi There!

Yeah, you will need to watch how you do on Lyrica.  It is the same as Neurontin basically so you might have the same reaction.

I use Norco for my bad times.  But I still have trouble getting up in the morning even to go to the rehab hospital to do my aqua aerobics.  I have no stamina.  Fibro, OA, RA, sleep apnea have all wiped me out.  It's such a struggle.

But when I'm in the pool, I don't want to get out.  It feels soooooooooo good!! And I can swim and exercise without pain.

I'm glad you lost 40lbs.  I know it is a struggle.  I've lost 42lbs so far as well.  I also meditate.  I found an AWESOME album for it.  It is called "In the OM Zone" by Steven Halpern.  You just put your headset on and zone out on it.  When you join in, you can feel the vibration throughout your body.  I really felt better after listening to it.

I love Steven Halpern's music.  He orchestrates just about everything to harmonize with your body's vibration.  It really destresses and can help you heal.

geekygranny, Thank you for the replys and comments from COmtnmama.

I'm now into my 3rd month on 150mg Lyrica twice daily and my family have already noticed a difference in my weight but I have not had nearly the relief that I expected .  Maybe I was expecting too much from the drug, the doctors had high hopes and I seem to be a dissapointment to them. Back to the pain clinic and decision time - stay on Lyrica or try something else.

COmtnmama, please thing very carefully about the morphine. There are a lot of side-effects. Constipation, bladder retention, dry eyes and a feeling of being stoned (not nice) a lot of the time. 

In one of my other posts on this site I explained a little more about my troubles with morphine. I was on it for +/- 3 years and it got stronger and stronger to control the same levels of pain.

I really don.t want to put you off taking morphine if it will help you but speak to an expert and get the full picture before getting started on it.

Thank you again for listening and replying. Keep the faith close by.

Starr26

hi y'all. Yes I was borned and raised southern.  I have been on lyrica for almost 3 months ....no weight gain.  The doc said if you were going to gain weight it would show up in the first month.  But my hands and feet swell up at times.  I am on 150mg three times a day.  I also have a duragesic patch and take oxycodone for break-through pain.  I think anyone that does take a narcotic for pain relief should have the continuous kind, because we have fibro 24 hours a day.....right ?  right !  My last doc had me on hydrocodone 10 mg 4 times a day, and that left a lot of time without anything for pain.........take care all.................Sherri

Hey SRbear, Yep, the pain is 24/7 that's for sure. As for me I take the hydrocodone 10mgs 5xs daily, soma 4x's day and hydrocodone 5mgs for breakthru pain.  Sometimes it seems that all I do is take meds!! But that's life with Fibro, huh? And it does get old fast! I've tried morphine and methadone butthe hydro works best for me along with the soma and even with all this I have never felt "high" just get the relief from pain. That's thr difference in being a patient with pain and someone just wanting drugs. That's why I get so mad with people who think that if u take a combo like this then u must just be looking for drugs to get a "good" feeling!!!! Some dr.s included. Thank goodness I have found a great Dr. who understands the effects and troubles we deal with on a daily basis. Hope u have one who cares for u also. They are few and far between in this world that we live in these day!

Good Luck and God Bless!

Terri