Pregabalin and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have struggled for years with depression and anxiety. I also suffer from nerve pain. I was prescribed gabapentin for this. After having a major meltdown and going to the out-of-hours doctor and sitting in his office crying and asking him to 'please help me!', he changed my medication to pregabalin. This not only would sort my nerve pain but also help my anxiety, and oh my god has it! I can't ever remember feeling this good! Anxiety, what anxiety! It's so fast-working too, I was amazed. I wish I had been prescribed this years ago. As for side effects, I have put on weight but I'm so much happier, I don't care! And a dry mouth, I can live with that. I am in the UK."

• nic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2020

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I have stage 5 neuropathy in my feet, with the usual needle pain and numbness, and even worse electrical shocks. I am not diabetic, and they checked me for lead and mercury, so they have no idea what is causing my neuropathic pain, but it has ruined my life. I tried a variety of medications, even medical marijuana, to no avail. I also tried K-lasers and neurogenic electrical current machines, which seemed to aggravate my condition. I even tried a spinal block that didn't help one percent. Lyrica reduced my pain by about 30%. I was taking 100 mg three times a day, but I was a total wreck. I walked around like a zombie, sluggish, very confused, and depressed, and I swelled up like a beach ball, gaining 25 pounds in under 3 months!!! My vision would blur up, and I had trouble doing routine tasks, and blurred vision."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 14, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Been taking now for over 2 years and it’s honestly been a wonder drug - as I’ve said in previous reviews. I’ve cut down from 300mg to 100mg and it was actually fine, although now my life circumstances have changed and I’m going through a transition, I may take higher doses when needed and this is fine. I’ve found taking a spiritual path really helpful but equally, an anxiety disorder is something that can be life long and genuinely neurological and genetic. You need to treat the core reasons of why you are anxious but equally medication is sometimes necessary. This medication has always kept me feeling safe and stops me from extreme panic. Anxiety just has no place in my life and this stuff truly keeps it at bay. Weight gain sucks but I’d rather weigh a bit more and have peace of mind."

• Ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've had GAD since I can remember and it's ruled my life, but since I've been taking Pregabalin, it's totally knocked it on the head! Now I'm the happiest person on earth! I've been taking every type of benzo that's out there, but NOTHING has touched it like this medication... Some of the side effects are still there, but the drunk-kind-of-walking has stopped. I'd much rather have the side effects than have this crippling anxiety that turned me into a hermit for years. I'm taking 75 in the morning and 75 in the evening. I haven't been on it long enough for any kind of weight gain, but in saying that, I'm quite thin and tall, so I wouldn't mind some weight! Wish I found these meds years ago! YEY!"

• 1ha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2020

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "This medication Lyrica is an absolute miracle drug. I've been taking for only 2 weeks, however, but my fibromyalgia pain that has haunted me for 12 years is absolutely GONE!!! I'm a little nervous about the weight gain, but we shall see, I guess."

• Too...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and degenerative disc diseases, plus arthritis. I was on gabapentin and tramadol. Neither helped. I then tried Lyrica. I've been on it for just about 2 years, 300mg twice a day. I started experiencing memory loss about 7 months in. I have more of what I would describe as blank moments which is a bit scary and frustrating. I also gained 65 lbs the first year which has its own side effects! However, it controlled my pain, a feeling similar to having overall body pain like when having the flu. Because the 'memory loss' was bothering me, I asked the doctor to go off it. I began tapering off and the pain came back. I was left to choose between two evils; disabling pain, or being fat and forgetful. I went back on Lyrica. Sure the side effects suck. I write a lot of things down, set reminder alarms, have family remind me of stuff, and buy stylish big-size clothes. Life goes on!"

• Kre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2019

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "Lyrica is the worst medication I've ever taken. I took it about 10 years ago or more. I swelled up and gained 90 pounds. I went to doctor after doctor. Even put me in the hospital for 4 days. Lost 32 pounds. All they wanted to do is put me on diuretics. But that just caused rebound swelling so it didn't stop the problem. Nobody would tell me why I was so swollen. I couldn't even wear shoes. My ankles were even oozing. Finally, one day I was sitting in a chair watching TV (all I could do) and saw a commercial about Lyrica and for side effects it said 'slight swelling of feet and hands'. I had already asked doctors if it could be any of my meds. Of course, it was always no. I quit taking it and the swelling gradually went away. The Lyrica had caused really bad edema. But it took me another year to get the 90 pounds off of me. Overall, it stole 3 years of my life. Talked to many that went through the same thing."

• Lil...
• February 3, 2013

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I hate to write this comment, but it has to be done. I have been on Lyrica for 5 years. I now take 150mg 3x a day. At first, this was a dream medicine for me. It relieved the aches and body spasms almost instantly. I could sleep at night and woke up pain-free, able to live a somewhat normal life. I did, however, gain 40 lbs. I am now experiencing severe depression, and I feel it is due to the Lyrica. I ran out once and experienced the worst withdrawal symptoms. I felt like I was dying, and the pain was severe. This medicine is wonderful, but getting off of it is very hard."

• Okg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 6, 2014

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I was taking Xanax to calm the muscle spasms and Tylenol 3 for severe pain. This combination worked, but I was terrified of addiction. Now taking 75 mg Lyrica 3x a day. Pain almost gone after two days, but I'm dizzy, falling down, sleeping in a stupor for 18 hours a day, weight gain 7 lbs a month for 5 straight months, can't remember vocabulary, feel dumb down."

• D88...
• December 19, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Here is my one-year review. I mentioned in an earlier review that I was having success after a month. I rarely feel anxious since starting pregabalin. On the bad days, it doesn't stop it completely, but reduces it to a bearable minimum. It really is a wonder drug and far more effective than SSRIs. I don't plan on ever coming off it. I take 150mg twice a day. Fair play to everyone with an anxiety disorder, it is such a crippling and soul-destroying illness. This medication can do wonders! Only side effect is slight weight gain."

• Saz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2020

For Pain "Given this pregabalin after several other meds failed to rid me of my agonising pain of 4 bulging discs (sitting on root nerves in my lower back, can’t lay down, can’t sleep, can’t cope!). For me, pregabalin is a miracle cure for now. I must admit I’ve read the bad reviews, but it's not the case for me. I never thought I’d be free of this agony while waiting for back surgery. If I gain weight or anything similar, I’ll take it to be pain-free (first time in a year)."

• sti...
• November 25, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I decided to give Lyrica a second chance after surgery for cord compression at C4-C6 didn’t relieve pain and actually aggravated things. New herniation above and below the level of injury and surgery. Continued cervical myelopathy diagnosis. I’ve been tested and should have known better as I metabolize medicine differently. Lyrica hasn’t helped with pain at all. I am in a stupor most of the day and I am so hungry. I’ve gained 15 lbs that I couldn’t afford. I wake up every night with severe pins and needles, pain, rigidity, and the worst migraines & head pains. Moodiness and depression have cloaked me. I’m weaning off today. I thought surgery would eliminate the need for medications but pain has increased. A scary side effect is my legs go completely numb and I feel my legs have been less reliable since starting the medication. I have an extruded disc and nerve root compression in L5-S1, the medication has me feeling weaker, inebriated, confused, and sad."

• Ang...
• January 8, 2020

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I started Lyrica 3 months ago because previous medication didn't do anything for my pain. I'm taking a dose of 100mg 3 times a day for numbness, weakness, and chronic pain from DDD, but fibromyalgia is also a possibility. Within 3 days, my stomach blew up like an inflated tire and hasn't gone down since. I have an increased appetite, started feeling moody too, no menstrual period for 2 months now, but not sure if that's my age (47) or Lyrica. The pain in my back and arm is still the same, so is my numbness and weakness, but it has taken the edge off of it. I feel bloated and get emotional a lot too. I've gained 11 lbs in 3 months too. I'm going to speak to GP."

• Cho...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 21, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I have both nerve pain and other joint and limb pain. But even with my injuries, I exercise every day, eat healthy, don’t drink or smoke. Twice I have been prescribed this drug for pain relief. Always being told it's a good drug, how can this be correct when the side effects make you dizzy (what can't stand, can't walk so no exercise). It increases appetite so you then put on weight because you can't prepare healthy food due to nausea. So again, you don't exercise, and it prevents proper nutrition. Beginning to think this is a way of further putting the blame on the patient. You won't be suffering from the initial conditions, but will have secondary medical harm that the medical profession can then blame on the patient. Instead of treating the initial problem."

• ama...
• June 27, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This medication has saved my life. Almost curing crippling depression that I once had 3 months of ECT for. Depression for 30, yes, 30 years. And I am 44. I have been on a myriad of meds. All classes and tried this and that. Then developed fibromyalgia, which I'm glad God gave me because it led to me getting approved for this drug, which helps with my panic anxiety that I was on klonopin for. I stopped it on my own. I stopped taking all antidepressants. I was on 3 different ones at once. I'm not in pain, physically or mentally. Weight gain, yes, but I'll take that over living inside myself as if it were hell."

• KTC...
• January 25, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have suffered from crippling anxiety (GAD) and depression from childhood. I also have a personality disorder. My psychiatrist prescribed pregabalin for me, 75mg twice a day. They sat in my cupboard for ages before I finally built up the nerve to take them. After many years of being tried on just about every drug out there, FINALLY a drug that actually helped me! I now drive again, sometimes leave the house alone, and even on occasion brave the supermarket alone. After 3 years on the same dose and with its effect starting to wane, I am now on 150mg twice a day. Yes, I am very tired, vague, and spaced out, but this will wear off with time as my body adjusts. As for the weight gain, I have lost 5 stone and have regained some control."

• Wor...
• May 13, 2013

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have been on Lyrica for almost a year now and can say that it has helped tremendously. I am very active in trying to keep the fibromyalgia pain as controlled as possible and just not been able to get to a plateau of any type. After a rough adjustment period of about 5 wks, I noticed a drastic change in fibro pain. I have gained a significant amount of weight, but over the last three months have been able to maintain. Now I am able to start losing the weight but have to be very careful to not take in complex carbohydrates or sugars in the afternoon or evening. I have gone to an almost vegetarian-style diet and have noticed that the weight just starts to come off with ease but slowly. My balance and vision are the only consistent side effects that I have."

• Liz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2013

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have had fibromyalgia since I was 27. I was put on Lyrica at age 31 to help with the severe pain that I have (and I also have nerve damage in my toes due to an unknown cause - I'm not diabetic). The medicine is astoundingly good for me at combating depression, anxiety, overall body pain & morning stiffness. It takes higher doses of Lyrica to feel pain relief for most people with fibromyalgia - those who say it doesn't work have often only tried it at less than 300mg a day. I take 300mg twice a day. The only bad side effect is weight gain - 100 lbs. (And I'm naturally overweight to begin with, so this was terrible). It did eventually stop making me gain, but I have to eat less and work out more than everyone else I know, just to maintain my weight, let alone lose."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2014

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I had put off taking Lyrica because I was afraid of the side effects. Eventually my nerve pain got to the point where I had no choice. It was completely debilitating. Searing burning pain with no relief. Pain meds didn't touch it. I couldn't sleep because the pain was that bad. My clothes hurt. Soft feather light brushes against my skin stung and BURNED for minutes after contact (more intensely than the consistent present burning). After about three weeks on Lyrica, I finally found relief from the worst of it. What I am left with as far as the burning goes is completely tolerable (of course it does nothing for my other symptoms). I'm grateful I caved but am concerned about weight gain & significant cravings for sweets."

• Pix...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2020

For Pain "I had hip joint pain (undiagnosed at the time). This drug, pregabalin, ruined my life. I gained a massive amount of weight, suffered extreme aphasia, shaking, memory loss, and more. It works at the start because it makes you high (precisely the reason they were allegedly using it to replace opioids). The withdrawal was the worst thing I ever experienced. I hallucinated, had depersonalization, derealization, restless limbs, insomnia-and it lasted for months. I now have severe chronic facial pain that started when I stopped Lyrica. Note that no scientific studies have been done on withdrawal and long-term effects. Even today, specialists dismiss the idea that it is addictive. Studies have shown that it’s no more effective than a placebo. Please join the Facebook group called Lyrica Survivors for support. I have had my comment refused because science is “generalizing.”"

• MMa...
• December 11, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Man, 47 years old. Been struggling with depression my whole life. Tried all the antidepressants in the market. The one that seems to relieve my black cloud to a certain point was Lexapro. Started taking Lyrica 150 once a day, a couple of years ago, because some research I did on my own. Even though its side effects (weight gain) it is fair to say that this is my godsend drug. In the meantime, I am having a reversal of fortune (so to speak) and taking Pregabalin is really helping me to cope with life. Side note: All SSRI antidepressants made more harm than good, because I felt like I do not care for anything and just want to lie on the couch and watch TV or see the clouds just passing by. Hope this drug helps you."

• ski...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 25, 2015

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I took this drug for 7 years, only gained 5 pounds. Recently I quit using it and started taking Gabapentin. I'm at 1800 mg a day and I've gained 15 pounds and counting. I walk briskly every a.m. for 45-60 min., 7 days a week. I'm up to 15 laps a day in my pool and I eat like a bird. Saw my doctor yesterday, am weaning off the Gabapentin and in a few days I will start taking Lyrica again! It helped my pain much better than the Gabapentin and the weight gain is ridiculous! I realize that some people have similar experiences with Lyrica, it just goes to show that every 'body' is different. Some people have a better time on Lyrica, some on Gabapentin. I'll take the Lyrica!"

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2018

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "I just started taking Lyrica 50 mg 2x a day for trigeminal neuralgia. Before I started, I was having awful facial pain, especially on the right side of my jaw and teeth. I thought I had some cavities or something. I was crying from being in so much pain. I went to the dentist, got an X-ray done, and there were no cavities and nothing wrong. So, I started doing my own research (googling my symptoms) and read about nerve pain. I immediately got in contact with my neurologist to come in and get seen. I also have epilepsy, chronic migraines, and the list goes on. When I picked up the medication from the pharmacy, I asked how long it would be before I could get relief, and the pharmacist said probably 3 or 4 days. I was feeling great after 2 doses of Lyrica. I am scared about the weight gain, so I'm watching how much I eat, but just not being in pain is so great right now!!! Thank you, Lyrica!!!"

• tri...
• February 28, 2008

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I love the drug, but I am experiencing excessive weight gain. I began the medication in November 2007. To date, I have gained 30 lbs. Some of my now fat clothes have gotten too tight. :( Has anyone else experienced this problem?"

• Jam...
• December 12, 2015

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I have a spine injury L5-S1 area. For the first 6 months, I was on every anti-inflammatory, and it made me sick. In addition, I was on a heavy dose of Tramadol with no effect on pain whatsoever, it just made me high. Then, Percocet only made me high and was very addictive. However, after reading about Lyrica, talking to my doctor, getting some, and stopping my flair-ups, it saved me. Lyrica reduced my pain by about 40% and stopped my flair-ups by about 80%. It acts somewhat like an antidepressant for me, making me a bit hyper (which is a good thing), but it kills my sex drive. I stopped it for a week, and it was hard on me as the pain and flair-ups came back. I rapidly built a tolerance to Lyrica, increasing my dosage from 100mg to 600mg. It also restored my hunger, and I'm gaining weight (a good thing). It's essential to realize that nothing but hard work and medication will reduce your pain, nothing can eliminate it entirely. I understand it can be disheartening, we all wish for a miraculous healing touch from our doctors. It's crucial to incorporate exercises at home, maintain a healthy diet, seek mental support, use pain medication, and seek guidance from your doctor. Dealing with chronic pain requires both mental and physical assistance, and above all, it's your determination that aids in your recovery."