Gabapentin & Weight Gain?

Hi Everyone,

I have yet another question. Since starting this Gabapentin, I have gained 15 pounds. It makes me sooooooo hungry. Not hungry where carrot sticks would help-- I mean so hungry where I want to eat a large moose. I am not quite sure what to do about this.

I am going to my dentist next week to get these 2 teeth checked again... I cannot KEEP gaining weight b/c of liver problems... plus-- we don't have money to go buy me tons of new clothes as I keep wanting to eat when I take the Gabapentin.

Does ANYONE else have this problem - and if YES--- did you find a way to control it??? This is not just normal hunger where you can ignore it----- so anyone who has experienced this-- your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Beekeeper.....

:(

Yes, me too...especially carbs. As of yet, i'm still trying to find a way to help. I talked with my doctor..but we're still talking.

I'm really frustrated by it as well. i've been overweight my whole life, but in the past couple of years i had really gotten a hold on it and had lost about 100lbs, then i started taking carbemazepine and gabapentin..and poof! all that hard work just seem to go up in smoke.

And you are right. Its not a simple "hey just put something in me" call from the belly..its "FEEEEED MEE NOW"

Sorry i'm not any help, other than co-miserating. If you figure out any help, please post it!

~Mistee

Yeah, I had lost like 60 + pounds-- and now -- show me food- and I HAVE TO EAT!!!! This is horrible!!! It is like you said-- POOF-- all that work to lose it- and it allllllll comes back.... I can't be doing exercises that make me bounce around the house- b/c of fibro-- and w/ my experiences in the past-- when it comes to drugs like this- walking nor exercising helps...

There is a prescription diet drug-- not phen-phen-- something else-- like penterimine or phenterimine or something- my sister told me about- but it is like an upper-- causes HYPER spells-- and so this is OUT for me..... sigh. (I am bipolar- that is all I need is something to give me manic highs--where I shop etc-- )

My doc say it was okay to buy hydroxycut -- just watch for side effects-- so I am going to buy the gummies- . They are not a stimulant... but I don't see how they can help..... It makes me want to stop the drugs- and lay in bed in screeching in pain-------

If I find something, Mistee, I will let you know...... Right now-- nothing though...... :( Makes me so sad..... there is no winning in this...... I keep hoping the dentist will find something- so I can STOP the drugs and and begin losing the weight....

I would have these 2 teeth pulled - just to TRY-- and get a bridge-- but I've been told a bridge would drive me NUTS--- and these are FRONTAL teeth..... so I pull them w/ nothing to fill in the gap- and I will look awful.....

Just so depressed. Stepped on the scales this morning had put on 2 more pounds.....

This just STINKS!!!!

((HUGS))

beekeeper

I never got hungry on the meds , but when I was on Lyrica it was 15lbs of weight gain in two weeks. I am on steroids now for another disorder as well and since I was diagnosed with TN (April of 2012) I have gained 40 lbs. What really pisses me off is that I am hypo-thryoid and it took years to get that weight off and before all this happened I had lost 50Lbs and was down almost 4 sizes...now I have to do it all over again. I am more pissed off than depressed.

Wendy

since starting carbemazapine I have put on 10lb I am so hungry!!!

i hear ya Wendy..it is maddening.

I too did the same thing. I gained well over 20 pounds while on gabapatin and tegratol. I have been off all drugs since the beginning of June and have already lost 25lbs. Feel sooo much better. I tried hard to keep the weight off at the time. Going to gym, running, skiing, etc. Other frustration was the pain while trying to stay active. TN and so frustrating. Eating right and staying active is about the best we can do while in pain, sad to say but the drugs are a must.

Take care of you!

Linda

I did not gain too much on Carbamazepine but when I started Baclofen I gained 15 pounds in two months! Crazy, I hate it! I hardly recognize my body. Grrr, yet another terrible faucet of TN. I really hope the weight comes off quickly after MVD and meds being reduced or eliminated.

I did not gain weight on trilepetal…dad on gab…for neuropathy
he not gain weight

They have increased my neurontin again. Yesterday, I ate everything that didn't eat me.

Of course, I am having to take Lithium to combat the side effects (bipolar) of the

Gabapentin, and this does NOT help the situation.

I see the dentist this coming up week- and honestly, I still feel this is TOOTH RELATED.

I believe my bicuspid could need bonding from MINOR gum recession, and that the root canal

that was done in January was not done the way it should have been. The DENTIST did it that day. My facial

pain was so severe, and they had gas to put me under. I thought it would solve the problem.

I was given no anti-biotics prior to the procedure- and even though the pain presented in the bicuspid, when he tapped the upper teeth, the pain was surreal on the primary molar. I didn't know it at the time, and I am terrified of

dentists- but this dentist had his rights revoked to do root canals on patients. We don't know why.

If these were not upper teeth, I would have them both pulled. I wish they were lower teeth.

The cream I had been using on my face and neck (called Dermatran)- has left a wretched rash on the side of the

left of my neck. That cream was really the only thing that brought ANY relief. It looked a bit like a rash- now it simply looks scalded. I have had to stop it for now.

I only know I can't keep taking this medication. I was told I might end up having to take 2000 mg of Gabapentin or more-

and due to liver problems, this is NOT a possibility. I will eat too much- and it will cause severe problems.

Whatever dental has to be done, I am game at this point. I just can't try the dental implants.

Part of me still wonders about an anaerobic infection within the gum region that wouldn't always show up on an x-ray.

So-- the search goes on-- and the numbers on the scales keep going up. Exercising vigorously is not possible due to fibromyalgia.

The pain never stops.

If something dental can be done - to abate all of this- fine. I had considered having both of these teeth pulled and getting a bridge to avoid the possibility of 2 root canals. I have been told however, I could never tolerate having a removable bridge in my mouth-- it would drive me mad.

I wish I were smarter about all of this- about teeth- neuromuscular things - etc....... I try to keep educating myself as I am not getting any DEFINITE answers - other than atypical facial pain from the neurologist and trigeminal neuralgia from the ER doc- and "more than one condition" from my new dentist (who I do trust).

God Bless Everyone---

xx

beekeeper-----

When this all started for me many years ago I had total confidence in my dentisit, had never heard of TN or thought of seeing a neurologist for what I thought was dental pain. Ended up having numerous root canals, but the pain got worse, I begged for help. In the end I had 5 teeth pulled, 3 on the lower 2 on top on left side, pain never ended. He finally referred me and found out had TN, please be careful with having root canals or teeth work done, we so want the pain to stop but I found it teeth were not the problem even though it felt like it and does to this day even with nothing there. I have been blessed that I don't have the problems on Gabapentin, I have had to increase dosage, and I do have days I am so hungry cant stand it, but eating hurts too much to be worth it most if the time. Keep us informed, here for you and sending gentle hugs.

Well, where my bicuspid is, there is some minor gum recession- when anything citrus or hot hits this tooth- it spreads pain up beside my nose-- like that pain refers up beside my nasal area. Maybe if the dentist put bonding on that area- it would stop? I don't see how bonding could hurt?

That Neurontin is really messing up my moods-- . I stay agitated, depressed (b/c of the weight gain)-- I have been spending like mad b/c of the bipolar (which the Neurontin def. brings on FULL FORCE)-- ..... and it has made me SO DUMB-- I can't spell a thing-- (and I was an English teacher)- can't remember a thing....... I just don't know what to do.

My neuro said this was atypical face pain - but he and his PA said this was NOT trigeminal neuralgia or he would send me straight to a surgeon. I am at the point, where -- crying is all I know to do. I have another neuro appt. - w/ another doc in September, but when I looked her up-- GEESH--- her ratings were HORRIBLE. So bad..... She WONT be able to tell me anything.

All I know to do- is make sure that this root canal (which has NEVER settled down)- is OKAY--- and maybe try the bonding on this bicuspid... If this doesn't help... Honestly, I don't know what I will do..... I don't even want to leave the house..... I have gained so much, I can't wear most any of my clothes..... and I had lost so much.........

If I could have ANY surgery to stop this--- so I could stop these pills---- I would!!! but the neurologist said it wasn't TN-- and the other one I am supposed to see in September is apparently dumb as a stump-- She is in a neurology practice but is an Osteopathic PA.......

I don't know what to do anymore..... and my family is SOOOO frustrated w/ me------. I don't have dental insurance so -- ? My family doc (an Osteopath) said an orthodontist does trigger point shots in the mouth to stop the pain-- but we can't afford this.

--------I feel like I am drowning.

beekeeper----- <3



Betsy Carlson said:

When this all started for me many years ago I had total confidence in my dentisit, had never heard of TN or thought of seeing a neurologist for what I thought was dental pain. Ended up having numerous root canals, but the pain got worse, I begged for help. In the end I had 5 teeth pulled, 3 on the lower 2 on top on left side, pain never ended. He finally referred me and found out had TN, please be careful with having root canals or teeth work done, we so want the pain to stop but I found it teeth were not the problem even though it felt like it and does to this day even with nothing there. I have been blessed that I don't have the problems on Gabapentin, I have had to increase dosage, and I do have days I am so hungry cant stand it, but eating hurts too much to be worth it most if the time. Keep us informed, here for you and sending gentle hugs.

Oh you poor thing. I feel so bad for you. I would think a second or even third opinion would be a great idea. I am taking Carbamazepine and Baclofen. Having those together seems to work not too badly. I am praying for some relief. Keep us posted.

Thank you... I am not sure when I see the neurologist again........ I can't take Tegretol.....

not sure about the Baclofen-- it is in the ointment I put on my face... but it is causing some

facial burning-- kind of scalding......... It was DOING FINE....... I don't know...... I just want

to fall into a hole-- so all of this WILL STOP. :'( I just don't know what to do anymore-- getting so

many opinions isn't really an option for me-- I see that woman in September------ but

I just wish this would stop--- I have lots of pain too- right beside my left ear-- kind of where

the upper and lower jaws meet----- right beside your ear....... I don't know. I just don't know.

xx

Heaven knows this guy should be paying for the dentists I have seen-- and the endodontist I am going to. When we find out --IF WE FIND OUT-- what is going on, Cleo, we are going to the office manager-- and depending on the problem are getting information about obtaining an attorney--- however, the pain started in my ear- moved to my face- and very quickly moved into those 2 teeth...... as I have said, the pain felt as though it was in my bicuspid, but when he tapped on the teeth- the pain was felt in the primary molar beside it----- not the bicuspid.

Yesterday was a terrible day-- one of the worst pain days I have had since this started- and my head was hurting when I went to bed (across my forehead) and hurting now-- along w/ the teeth----- and the area beside my left ear.......

I see that other neurologist in September- . Her ratings are not good-- but maybe -- if she says it is TN I can get an MRI (still have not had one)-- and be referred to a neurosurgeon to get something done-- . If this is TN-- at this point- and I guess everyone maybe gets there, I want something done to stop the pain.

They do give Botox shots where my neuro is-- (current one)- thing is-- He says (and his PA) that it is NOT TN--- they couldn't impress this more on me if they had written it on a huge cardboard sign. I suspect that I would be allergic to Botox, however. I am allergic to so many meds.... and once it is in your face- it's there.

I can't handle the Gabapentin much longer-- All of these drugs used to treat TN- are used to treat bipolar- and I've never been able to handle them. They have a paradoxical effect-- I end up being very hyper or terribly sad--bouncing around-- gaining weight-- (bad for my liver)-- I just wish I could get SOMETHING done- but I have to get this diagnosis first... I keep rereading Striking Back- and keep wondering -- why-- they say it is not TN?

All he would have to do is touch certain places on my face- and watch me fly through the roof-----. That would do it. He didn't touch my face- neither did my family doctor-- but the ER doc did and diagnosed me w/ TN.

I wish she had a private practice office-- I would leave the family doctor I have now- and move to her.

When I see the dentist on the 9th or 10th, I will find out what was put into this root canal. He can find out.

xx

beekeeper

I was like you, going from Dr to Dr trying to find out what was going on and really tired of taking all the meds that just made me feel worse. I saw 3 neurologist and was just ready to give up. My husband (my rock :) ) wouldn't let me. I saw one more Neuro and he asked a good questions " Have you ever seen a facial pain specialist?" Not all Neuros are facial pain specialist, something I didn't know. Make sure the doctor you are seeing in September knows about TN!! The last Neurologist I saw was the only one "DOCTOR" enough to tell me he thought he new what I had but didn't have the knowledge to help me. He even recommended I look outside my area because as far as he knew (he has been around for a looong time) there isn't a specialist in our area. All the other Drs just collected a copay and would never admit they couldn't help.

I have been luck and found a great Neurosurgeon who has helped me long distance and communicated with my Drs here. I am traveling out of town and don't really have the money for it but I can't live this pain anymore. I need to get my Life back!

Don't give up, there is help out there

yes i know what you mean, it is like the off button does not work on my hunger control. i was feeling boated after i would eat. now i force myself to eat only a certain amount, and just get used to the hunger....my goal is surgery to end this nightmare...then i hope to return to my regularly scheduled life.

hope you can find a method to deal...

*nods@ Mace*

I am finding that im starting to have to do that too. Just eat what i know i should be eating and then just "be hungry". It's frustrating ..and it almost feels like a darn compulsion..but i have enough problems. lol

As for you Bee...i'm so sorry you're having such a time. I can relate though, i went from dentist to dentist..to doctor to doctor...until i finally got a "guess" diagnosis of TN.

Don't give up. *hugs* Remember that this site is here to offer an ear and a virtual shoulder...as well as a wealth of knowledge. I've found that the only way i get good care is if i come in knowing what i'm talking about and not being afraid to ask questions and/or disagree with things i don't like. YOU gotta take care of you. Maybe take a friend or family member with you to these appts who will help you "push the envelope"? Thats what i've had to end up doing.

Again..don't give up. Have Hope....*hugs* im wishing you some relief and good news from the dr's.

~M

I was losing weight and then when I had to go back on meds I gained again (I also gained from steroids for my back). The tegretol didnt make me too hungry but the neurontin sure does!!!

Hi, I have been taking Gabapentin for 3 weeks and I too could eat any sized moose (not good as a vegetarian!!). I was hoping this woud wear off after taking it for a while? I have eaten sooooo much fruit today trying to be good! Chocolate doesn’t even help!!

I have only joined this site today and I am glad I did already. It’s good to know there are other people struggling with the same issues and seeing all the helpful replies.