Gabapentin and Weight Gain

Posted by pah17 @pah17, Oct 12 11:29am

Within the past year I have gradually gained at least 5 lbs. and my stomach protrudes. I'm 72, so I doubt that this is related to menopause.
My diet is the same. My exercise level is about the same.
This directly aligns with starting on Gabapentin about 10 months ago.

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Oct 13 6:22am

I had taken low dose gabapentin and have gained weight over time. What do you take gabapentin for? I stopped taking it for small fiber neuropathy because I would be dizzy when I woke up and don’t want to fall (already have balance/dizziness issues and don’t need to add to them).

You may want to talk to your doctor about coming off of gabapentin and see if there is an alternative for treatment.

pah17 | @pah17 | Oct 13 12:46pm

In reply to @dlydailyhope "I had taken low dose gabapentin and have gained weight over time. What do you take..." + (show)

I take it for symptoms of neuropathy.

marquis113 | @marquis113 | Oct 14 9:47am

Been on gabapentin for over 30 years and have gained about 40 pounds. Can't take anything else without side effects

fanning | @fanning | Oct 14 8:44pm

I found this with Gabapentin too. I asked and was able to stop the Gabapentin and started Celebrex.

katcollins | @katcollins | Oct 16 8:12pm

In reply to @marquis113 "Been on gabapentin for over 30 years and have gained about 40 pounds. Can't take anything..." + (show)

I have been on gabapentin for two years and have gained weight as well. It helps my pain so I feel it is worth it.

katcollins | @katcollins | Oct 16 8:14pm

In reply to @fanning "I found this with Gabapentin too. I asked and was able to stop the Gabapentin and..." + (show)

These are two different types of medications. I guess it depends what type of pain or neuropathy you are experiencing.

janieel | @janieel | Oct 19 8:05am

In reply to @dlydailyhope "I had taken low dose gabapentin and have gained weight over time. What do you take..." + (show)

I developed small fiber neuropathy as a side effect from a change in my statin to Rosuvastatin! After lots of testing the neurologist came to the conclusion. I stopped taking Rosuvastatin immediately (after taking it for 5 months). The neurologist assured me the small fibers would repair themselves. Alas, here I am 5 months after stopping the Rosuvastatin and my small neuropathy is gone! I have to say, the symptoms I was having was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced! If you having the same, I truly feel for you. Do you know when your SFN started and can you remember and changes in your medication several months beforehand?
When I just went for my physical with my primary, and her knowing what I went through (she was the one that changed my statin from Simvastatin to Rosuvastatin), she said she since has had another patient presenting with SFN after that patient started Rosuvastatin!
Hope you find relief. Oh yes, the neurologist did give me a very low dose of Gabapentin for some relief. I actually lost 5 lbs, but probably because I ate very healthy knowing I was on no cholesterol medication. Even at that, my LDL went up to 240! Unfortunately, it’s a gene thing I get from my father. I’m being put back on my first statin, Simvastatin. Hopefully, that’ll bring my number down, and agree with me! Didn’t bother me the first time so fingers crossed.