Fibromyalgia Support Group

Hi again,

I just started taking Lyrica last night. Once a day 75mg. I felt sick, even though I took it with food. So I tried to sleep sitting up.

I am wondering about the weight gain possibility. I have lost 68.5 pounds and have 2.5 to go. I was wondering if the weight gain is all water, as it lists fluid retention as a side effect. Or if it increases your appetite.

I'd appreciate any info on this.

Thank you all so much!

Hugs,

Robyn

Everyone is different but I will tell you what my experience was. I was on 75mgX2. I gained 40 lbs. I was not eating anymore my body was just holding on to every calorie it could. To get specific, I would stop going # 2. I even tryed taking extra fiber, stool softners but still would have rabbit pellets. At first Lyric did help but after a few months I was back to where I started plus the extra weight. My doctor wanted me to continue it but I stopped taking it on my own. After all, it is my body.

As I said before , everyone is different and if you talked to 100 people you would get 100 different answers.

Hi Wintersnow,

Thank you for the input!

Hi Sweetie, I will tell you what Lyrica did to me. I was only taking Lyrica at night because of swollen legs, & feet and for hip pain. I took this for about 2 or 3 months, can't really remember how long I was on it but I do know that, it wasn't very long before I started having problems with breathing, swelling worse than I was, couldn't eat, and before I started taking Lyrica I weighed, 120. Once I started taking Lyrica, I noticed that my clothes were getting tighter, I weighed myself every day and I was gaining 5 pounds a day which I couldn't see how because I wasn't eating and I'm not a big sweets eater either. I was also on Cymbalta with the Lyrica. Not sure if it was the combo of both or not. After a short time, I'd say a month on Lyrica, other things started to happen, stomach cramps, itching and rash, hair was falling out and my head itched so bad all the time, completely stoppped eating but still putting on weight, and stayed swollen, to the point I could not wear shoes at all.

So I took myself off of Lyrica and Cymbalta , The Cymbalta didn't seem to be helping and when something doesn't work for me I quit taking it and I quit taking both. That's when everything else kicked in. Pain all over, shakes, sweating to where I had to change clothes 3 or 4 times, nausea to the point that I was dry heaving, really bad anxiety attacks and was walking the floors because I couldn't sleep, lay in bed or sit for very long because of the pain being so bad. These are the side affects from stopping Lyrica and Cymbalta cold turkey.

You need to tell the doctor that put you on Lyrica that it's not helping, Please I don't want you going through what I did and if you are trying to loose weight, get off of it now, while it's still early. Once I got off of both, my weight started to come back down but, I weigh less now because of others things and my Neuro seems to think that the dizzy spells and blackouts I've been having maybe damage caused by Lyrica and Cymbalta together. But, she wants to run more test but the tests that she needs to run, I have to stay in the hospital for 2 weeks. I haven't done it because I hate being in the hospital. I hope all this helps you and doesn't scare you. These are the things that I went through, it doesn't mean you will. We are all different when it come to drugs we are on, I for one can't take a whole lot. Very sensitive to alot of the drugs I've been on and alot that I have been on makes my Migraines really bad.

I Hope you have a better experience on Lyrica than I did. I was being honest with you, but please don't be scared. If it's helping you, then stay on it. I just had too many things it wasn't doing and it was adding to my problems. Good Luck. If you'd like to talk more, Just PM me and I will be more than happy to help you. God Bless You and it's been nice talking to ou. shortstuff

Hi,

I'm sorry you had such a horrible time.

I figure if I still feel this bad Tuesday I will call my Rheumatologist. I do not want the weight back. And I feel horrible.

I'd take my usual feeling of being hit by a bus over this feeling any day.

In addition to not feeling well I feel sort of disconnected.

Thank you so much for your support.

Hugs,

Robyn

I hated being on Lyrica. It made my migraines worse and ridiculously constipated. Most SSRI's make me feel disconnected, so I try to avoid them. Some of my first doctors would try meds that didn't work for me after a month, then triple the dose to see if it would work better. It always just made things worse. Make sure to tell your doc as fast as you can when a medication doesn't work or makes things worse; it could save you some trial-and-error time in the long run.

I hope you feel better soon!

Thank you! Will keep you all posted.

I will see how I feel tomorrow.

Hi Robyn,

I am sorry to read that you (as well as so many others) have had difficulties taking Lyrica.

I started it about 5 years ago and yes, at first, I had some minor side effects (including weight gain but not nearly as much as others). I gained about 15# in a month , it then tapered off and I haven t gained any more .

Please talk to your prescribing medical person about what you are going thru with Lyrica. I am sure he/she will be able to help !!!

I wish you the best ~~~ Let us know !!!

Marilyn

BTW ... I also take Cymbalta and it seems to be doing well for me also.

Post edited by: Auntie3285, at: 03/28/2011 06:27 AM

Hi,

Thank you for the information. I am waiting for the doctor's office to call back.

I have taken it twice. Both times I got a terrible headache like never before. An I have had some Fierce migraines. Also numbness in arms and legs, hands and feet. And nausea.

I don't like how I feel and want it out of my system.

I'll see what they have to say.

Thank you all for your help. Nice to know I am understood!

Yes Robin Cymbalta is a good one if you have insurance, I couldn't take it because there is no generic and its very expensive full price.