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bloating with lyrica + generally down about fibro

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Posted 10/13/2013 7:30 AM (GMT 0)
I've had fibro for almost 3 years. I am 28 years old and I've tried so many different types of medications. I've been on lyrica for a year and the weight gain and bloating is really starting to bother me to a point I want to go off it. I always thought that I wouldn't care about carrying some more weight if it meant pain relief, but not fitting into most of clothes now is beyond depressing and I suffering from the lowest self-esteem in my life. It is weird because my appetite is suppressed (I think from the tramadol). Plus, I have been really down about missing certain events. I reach my limit when my fatigue and pain kicks in and I have to rest. I miss being able to have a drink once in a while too. Just feeling really sad about it all. I've been okay at coping thus far, it just all seems so sad recently!

Has anyone else encountered stomach bloating because of lyrica? Has anything helped to decrease it? I just always feel "full".
Posted 10/13/2013 11:30 AM (GMT 0)
I can sympathize with you. I was on Lyrica several years ago and I gained 30-40 pounds in about 6 months. I was already overweight to begin with so I didn't need the extra and I also had the bloating feeling as well. I decided to go off of it and it took some time but the extra weight finally came off. I am on Gabapentin now and it works better and I don't have the weight gain. I hope you find what works for you.
Posted 10/13/2013 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Lyrica a short time, but found it bothered my stomach. I switched to Gabapentin, like diznyfrk, and was taking Flexeril, but that tends to be too strong for me.  I still take Flexeril when my muscles knot up, and it does help that.

I do fairly well on Gabapentin, though I'm one who really hates to take any meds unless necessary, since they seem to make me feel groggy and very little gets done in the way of my daily 'chores' to do. I have to really push myself and keep going, or I would give in to a long nap! Gabapentin really helps my nerve pain, though.

Hope things are better soon!
Posted 10/13/2013 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
I get bloating frequently and I don't take Lyrica. Certain foods can cause this like broccoli, cabbage, onions, cauliflower, etc. I take a Gas X and usually within a half an hour the bloating is gone.

Sherrine
Posted 10/13/2013 4:24 PM (GMT 0)

lilyflower said...
I've had fibro for almost 3 years. I am 28 years old and I've tried so many different types of medications. I've been on lyrica for a year and the weight gain and bloating is really starting to bother me to a point I want to go off it. I always thought that I wouldn't care about carrying some more weight if it meant pain relief, but not fitting into most of clothes now is beyond depressing and I suffering from the lowest self-esteem in my life. It is weird because my appetite is suppressed (I think from the tramadol). Plus, I have been really down about missing certain events. I reach my limit when my fatigue and pain kicks in and I have to rest. I miss being able to have a drink once in a while too. Just feeling really sad about it all. I've been okay at coping thus far, it just all seems so sad recently!

Has anyone else encountered stomach bloating because of lyrica? Has anything helped to decrease it? I just always feel "full".

I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time. I haven't been on Lyrica, but I do understand the issue with weight gain. I'm on gabapentin and elavil and many other med's for various things. What I have found helpful is talk therapy with a professional. It has really changed my life around and helped me to see the positive things I have and focus on that, instead of my pain. (I know - easy to say)

I have had fibro for 15+ years so I know how challenging it can be. I cannot do everything I would like, but I do appreciate the things I manage to accomplish.
Posted 10/13/2013 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
I myself was on it for a very short period of time and not long enough to have the weight gain. But a few on my friends did. When they went off of it their weight dropped down also.
I think it just gets so hard when you find something that works and then you have weight gain. Most of us get depressed with weight issues as is. Then we have a drug that causes more. Sometimes I feel like I am on a circle going round and round. Still we have to hang in there.
Posted 10/13/2013 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have gained so much weight on Lyrica. It is so depressing. I was obese before it.
Posted 10/13/2013 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
I take gabapentin. It does fairly well on my nerve pain.
I ditto the view on therapy. It really helps to have someone to talk to who will listen with no judgement.
Posted 10/14/2013 7:13 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your responses. It's very nice to know that people took the time to reply to me. I wonder if I'd tolerate Gabapentin better. I have considered lowering my Lyrica dose a bit to see if I notice any change. It's such an ongoing battle to manage drugs.
Posted 10/14/2013 7:14 AM (GMT 0)
And for those that mentioned the benefits of therapy....it is something I have found helpful in the past. I think I will look into starting it up again.
Posted 10/15/2013 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Yes. I have had terrible painful bloating to the point it looks like I'm 5 months pregnant. even had a test and they claim I don't have anything going on in my abdomen. I never put 2 and 2 together, but the bloating started when I started Lyrica! I finally have an answer. Now how do I go off Lyrica safely? I asked a doctor and they just said 'carefully". Not very helpful. The doctor who prescribed it has retired. My only issue is Lyrica has been a wonder drug for relieving fibro pain that nothing else I've taken could do. I went from 5 drugs to 1 - Lyrica. But I can't stand the painful bloating and weight gain - which as of today is approaching 40 pounds in just inside 1 year! That adds to the depression.




Fibromyalgia, Meniere's, chronic fatigue, IBS.

Post Edited (Fibromom1976) : 10/14/2013 7:10:45 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/15/2013 7:20 AM (GMT 0)
I have been down this road too many times with weight gain from the fibro meds. I would see myself getting heavier by the months. I tried several times stoping certain weight gain meds only to hurt worse or sleep less. I finally came to conclusion to accept my new weight. I am going to the gym to keep my weight under control, but I know I am not going to be slim and trim as long as I am on these meds. I can't do without them!
Posted 10/16/2013 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
Fibromom1976 and ak angel,
I am in the same boat. I don't want to bloat or continue to gain weight but I know that lyrica helps the pain. I constantly decide to decrease lyrica, but I get nervous a few hours later and take it. I get tingling all over my body. I've had such bad reactions to decreasing drugs I get really worried about something happening. I have some lyrica in 25 mg so if I do decrease it's at a slow pace. What to do...what to do?
Posted 1/13/2015 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
redface  I need to gain weight so that side of taking Pregabalin suits me but after a 2 nd go at taking 25mg x 2 I have severe bloating and bowel discomfort that can wake me at night; this starts after about 14 days and i'm scared to increase as the GP wants me to......I need something for the anxiety and IBS pain - tried various Anti d's but they don't suit; some people seem to tolerate taking lots of meds but that doesn't suit me at 84 lbs in weight.

Do these gut symptoms wear off after taking the pregab for while?

Thanks in advance

Posted 1/13/2015 6:55 AM (GMT 0)
Bloating seems to also be a part of fibro....have never been on lyrica...but still have some issues with the bloating anyway... But it comes and goes....
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