Is the weight gain easy to lose if you stop gabapentin?
Question posted by kelbel310779 on 11 May 2011
Last updated on 11 July 2022 by lesliesings
... i get married in four months and I want to get back to my normal size and i am desparately unhappy ..i am three times bigger than i was and my appetitie has not increased. I exercise three times a week too and i losing it everywhere but my stomach it is so big and bloated. I have had none stop side affects as well as the weight gain..any ideas anyone?
my symptoms have got better as i suffer side effects from scar tissue on my spinal cord and there has to be something else that works just as good without the weight gain
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13 Answers
LE
lesliesings
12 July 2022
I’m so glad to see this question. I have been on Gabapentin (300mg) for 9 months and have gained 20lbs. After losing 150lbs, that’s devastating. I take it for RLS and severe sciatic pain, but I honestly don’t feel it’s worth it. I have no learned, thanks to y’all, that it causes acid reflux. I hate this medication!
Votes: +0
JO
Joejoe12xx
4 July 2022
I was on gabapentin at a dose of 900mg 3 times a day for 15 mths for a back problem and sciatica and weaned myself off them over a few months, I had gained over a stone through the course of 15 mths with the bloating and acid reflux and painful stomach most days. After a few months of awful withdrawal symptoms I've now started to lose my weight and lost 15lbs so far so I'm glad I made the decision to stop this awful drug and will never take it again although I still have bloating and acid reflux I'm hoping this will subside over time. Wishing you all the best while coming off them. Ps anyone suffering with disc problems of sciatica go find a good acupuncturist as this worked more than any drug for me.
Votes: +0
NA
nanbeth51
25 May 2021
I have restless leg syndrome and spinal problems. Had been on Gabapentin for over a year. Decided to discontinue due to low white blood cell count. Weaned off and in a month, lost 8 lbs. I am surprised. I had tried everything as well to keep weight under control, but still gained 17 lbs on my 5 ft frame . Initially, I thought my RLS would get worse and it did when I went through the weaning process, but I am doing better. Don't feel all swollen and my pain is manageable. The right choice for me. I know not everyone has the luxury of making that decision. I wish you well and understand your frustration.
Votes: +0
HO
holyokegal24
7 Aug 2020
I was on high doses of Gabapentin and just recently took myself off of it due to abdominal bloating and pain. Seeing that I’m Anorexic to begin with, my appetite has not increased nor do I cravings for non healthy foods. I’m on Stool Softener, Amitiza and Phillips’s Milk of Magnesia tables twice a day, which has resulted in massive diahrrea. But just got off the phone with my GI, who suggested Phazyme for bloating and Nexium for Acid Reflux. I hope this helps with all my abdominal issues. I’m besides myself with this horrible bloating and abdominal pain and acid reflux! I know it’s caused by the Gabapentin! Is there anything else I can do to get this extra weight and bloating down to my normal body weight? I will speak with my medical provider who prescribed this drug to me, but I’m besides myself! Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I’ve only been off the Gabapentin for a few days... Stay Safe!
Votes: +0
DE
deedeetoo
2 June 2021
I feel your pain. I've gain abdominal weight too which I'm sure is bloating because this occurred only four days in.
I'd like to ask you, did you try the Phazyme for the bloating? If so, did it alleviate it?
BU
bunnyflower
23 March 2020
Are you taking Gabapentin for nerve pain? If so you could try Elavil, Nortyptaline orTopriamate. They are not as intense as Gabapentin though. For about 8 months I have been on Gabapentin for my two bulging discs in my neck causing nerve pain. I take 300mg 3 times a day which is a very low dose. It helps with most of my pain, but it has so many side effects! The weight gain is the worst side effect! I've gained at least 20lbs! My appetite has increased, but I don't eat that much more than usual. My legs and feet are really swollen and my stomach is huge! I look pregnant and most of my clothes don't fit me anymore! I already have gained 20lbs on Propranolol for migraines, but it didn't make me gain weight this quickly. I'm doing physical therapy for my neck and so I can hopefully get off Gabapentin and hopefully lose weight. I'm afraid it won't come off even with diet and exercise.
Votes: +0
NI
Nickir
23 Feb 2020
Hi, I have had my gabapentin increased from 1 a day, to 12 a day. I have been following slimming world and have lost an average of 2lb per week. However just in one week of increase have put on 2lb? Very unhappy as I need to lose the weight for my sciatica, but need gabapentin for the pain.
Votes: +0
ER
erooney23
9 Feb 2018
Hi all I've been scouring the internet after taking Gabapentin for around 6 weeks due to nerve pain, and for the last month I've had such a bloated tummy and bad constipation that I've been worrying that its something more sinister. I have not put on weight, but my lower tummy and around my 'knicker' area is always puffy (look about 5 months pg) and feels like jelly to wobble. Its always there when I get up in the morning and when I go to bed too. However I've looked at the side effects and bloating doesnt seem to be listed (hence the worry)! I took myself (gradually) off the Gabapentin around 10 days ago, didnt seem to be doing anything for the pain but the side effects seem to be crazy! I've also got no appetite, and wondering if this was because of the the drug too! Does this sound similar to the feelings you are all having? (Still experiencing all the symptoms above too even though I've stopped the drug - and was only taking 3 per day). Thanks Emma
Votes: +0
HO
holyokegal24
28 Aug 2020
I was on increasing dosages of Gabapentin for over a month but the side effects outweigh the benefits. No increase of appetite but the bloating, abdominal pain and continuous GERDS! So how do I get this weight off if I’m not eating anyway? More exercise is not an option with both broken hips! What more can be done or is there another drug which causes weight loss? I’m desperate...
CI
cimbobimbo
28 Dec 2017
I'm sick of this drug... I too have gained weight and I get bigger as the day goes on. My breasts on the other hand have shrunk... I'm not happy... I have tried to come off them slowly but all my symptoms return very fast and I cannot live with them... it's an awful situation.
Votes: +0
WA
Wacogal57
28 Dec 2017
I've always been slim with a beautiful figure until I've been taking gabapentin and cymbals. Im still skinny but my stomach is huge. I don't have money for lipo and have called everyone trying to get help with this issue. What do I do?
Votes: +0
TA
Talkinmomma
12 Aug 2017
I have been taking Gabapentin for over a year almost 2 actually, with the last 8 months a doseage increase. I have always been in good shape and are very healthy. This medication has caused me to gain a solid 10 lbs the first year and another 5-10 after doubling the disease. It's an awful feeling and I'm researching alternatives. I have limited exercise capabilities now and can't go running everyday. I do a lot of Pilates. This medication helps very much with sciatica pain. I take it at night, and I wake up in the morning starving to death and craving sugar! It's so crazy. I can't do it anymore. Im going to see my Dr. In a week and try Cymbalta hopefully. I literally feel so bloated like I am extremely swollen and wearing a fat suit. To simply say lower you calorie intake and exercise, it's not that simple. The medication does something to the brain that you have no self control, like I did when I wasn't taking it.
I would love to hear how people are doing once they stop taking it. I'm hoping to become myself again within 3-4 months. In addition, I hope Cymbalata helps with the pain.
Votes: +0
KE
kelbel310779
12 Aug 2017
I'm fine now I'm off it but been left with bad stomach acid and not got rid of all the weight . I feel so much better for not having it though as the withdrawal symptoms hung around for ages
CH
chp_ict
12 Aug 2017
I have been off for about 10 days now. I am down 4 pounds - after really strict caloric intake and lots of exercise. Unfortunately, my pain is back but I have decided that I would much rather suffer pain than that horrible bloated fat feeling where my stomach was so large that my clothes wouldn't even fit. I took 2-3 Colace every day and I am now starting to feel "normal". Despite the pain, I feel so much better. I am going to the Mayo Clinic in a week and a half and I am hoping they have an alternative solution for me.
KE
kelbel310779
13 Aug 2017
Well I really hope they find a solution for you. I have used alternative medicine like reflexology which has helped and the Drs gave me a drug called naramig which stops my migraines occurring which is why they gave me gapapentin in the first place . It's brilliant and I only take it if I need it
I just stopped gabapentin 3 days ago. I gained about 7 lbs after 6 weeks on it. I thought the bloating and large stomach would go away quickly but it has not. I have eaten a very healthy diet and exercised 5-6 days per week. There is no reason other than the gabapentin that I would have gained weight. I am seriously hoping this weight will come off soon!
Votes: +0
SY
sydlars10
27 July 2017
Hello, I just recently got off of gabapentin about a week ago. I have those exact same side effects. No appetite, huge bloated stomach, and weight gain. I'm just curious was it easy for you to get the weight off once you got off? If so, how long did it take? I'm so sick of hating my body. It would mean so much if you replied! Thank you!
Votes: +1
KE
kelbel310779
12 Aug 2017
Six years on I haven't got my body back . I'm smaller than I was but had lots of problems due to that drug. My stomach is so painful and I have to take anti acid drugs now and I've also had to have my gall bladder out .
I just keep monitoring my weight but I know I will never be the size I was before I took it . That said I'm only a U.K. Size 14 .
Try to stay positive and not hate yourself as once you have it out your system you will feel so much better all round and that's all that counts
CH
chp_ict
12 Aug 2017
I am reposting my answer to another question below to respond to this question:
I have been off for about 10 days now. I am down 4 pounds - after really strict caloric intake and lots of exercise. Unfortunately, my pain is back but I have decided that I would much rather suffer pain than that horrible bloated fat feeling where my stomach was so large that my clothes wouldn't even fit. I took 2-3 Colace every day and I am now starting to feel "normal". Despite the pain, I feel so much better. I am going to the Mayo Clinic in a week and a half and I am hoping they have an alternative solution for me.
RA
ramona1234
1 March 2018
I stopped gabapentin five weeks ago, after having gained 30 pounds in ten months on it. I had surgery for the problem and am no longer in pain, but losing the weight has been very difficult. I only eat about 1000 calories per day (I'm 5'6") of whole, simple gods, raw fruits and veggies, yogurt, and eggs, and I exercise daily within my restrictions for 30 minutes. I used to run regularly, but can no longer do that with my condition. The gabapentin weight, which was in my huge bloated stomach and increased bra size, is very slow to come off. My metabolism is shot and w/o strenuous exexcise, which is forbidden, I don't think I'll get it back. All very depressing, but I will repost if the weight loss continues or gets better.
CH
chp_ict
1 March 2018
Ramona - keep up the hard work. It will eventually come off. I feel your pain not being able to run. Good luck!
CH
chp_ict
1 March 2018
Ramona - keep up the hard work. It will eventually come off. I feel your pain not being able to run. Good luck!
While weight gain is a side effect of gabapentin, stopping is not going to cause the weight to drop off. You will have to diet as in reduce your daily calorie intake to lose the weight. You need to be realistic in your weight loss goals. Eight pounds a month is what I shoot for with 6 pounds being a good average. So between now and your wedding, you could lose around 25 pounds and expect to keep it off. I really recommend you try to continue on the gabapentin and start changing your eating habits so to reduce your calorie intake and see what happens.
As far as alternatives to the gabapentin that won't cause weight gain, you might try Cymbalta though I must say that some people do gain weight on it while others do not.
Wish I could help more and congratulations on the upcoming marriage,
Laurie
Votes: +1
KE
kelbel310779
11 May 2011
thank you on the marriage thing i am excited ... i am getting alsorts of nasty symptoms like water infections, my teeth keep breaking ..to be honest after being on this for a year i am just so fed up... what kind of diet woud you reccommend?. I just want rid of the weight my doctor gave me the weight loss tabs but they are awful
Thanks again
Kelly
LA
LaurieShay
11 May 2011
I am on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. I eat oatmeal for breakfast, meat and cottage cheese for lunch and steamed or raw vegies with meat for dinner. Any snacks I eat are fruit or raw vegies. Sound boring? You can spice up the meat with any kind of spices, I use salad dressing on the raw vegies and fat free whip cream on the fruit sometimes. I have lost 23 pounds in the past 3 and half months. I need to lose about another 20 pounds.
KE
kelbel310779
15 May 2011
thanks for the advice..i really hope i can fix it. Good news was my wedding dress was tooo big so i must be losing weight although not as much as i want. I will keep plodding on with it and take care of yoursel xx
RE
Realtorking6869
21 May 2018
I had a terrible reaction to gabapentin! My feet swelled up like balloons! I couldn't wear shoes for 3 months. I ended up getting pitting edema,& had to spend the summer in physical therapy to remove the fluid from my legs,and feet. My Dr even put me on lasix (water pill). My Dr switched my medication from gabapentin to amitriptyline. I'd already gained weight from gabapentin. The amitriptyline put 35 lb on me in 2.5 months! I felt miserable! Both medications helped my pain,but the amitriptyline had me in such a zombie brain fog I couldn't wake up! I took 50 mg. per day,& my body never adjusted. I didnt hear fireworks on the 4th of July... Medication was awful..I weaned myself off,and lost about 30 lb of the 70 I gained... Im still trying to loose the weight,& now I just deal with the pain..Good Luck with your nuptials ❤
