gabapentin weight gain likelihood?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hey there!
So I take lexapro 10mg for anxiety, ocd etc. and Vyvanse 70mg am/60 mg pm for ADHD.
Due to a period of heavy stimulant abuse earlier in the year I now suffer from occasional erratic mood swings resulting in severe agitation. When these happen I’m insufferable to be around and I get so angry at the sheer fact that I feel that way at all that I shut down.
It’s not constant, maybe once or twice a week. Not looking to add any extra full time meds, I asked my psych if there was anything I could simply take on a case by case basis and not every day. Just when the agitation sets in so I can find some relief from the feeling and not be a burden on those around me. He prescribed 100mg of gabapentin to take up to 3x in a day if I feel that way.
With this regiment in mind of possibly only needing to take it once or twice a week, possibly only 100mg, am I likely to experience the weight gain side effect?
My stimulant abuse stemmed from body dysmorphia resulting in wanting to lose heavy amounts of weight (dropped from 178lbs to 135lbs in 4 months to give you an idea of how much I was abusing...I’m back up about 25lbs now! 😊)
At the risk of another fit of self image warping, I don’t want to make assumptions that I’m doomed to gaining weight from taking a single pill once or twice in a blue moon. But knowing for sure and understanding the science behind it will help keep me at peace. I know myself and my ability to relapse into bad habits is unfortunately high and I don’t wish to do so again with the stimulants.
Any help is wonderful. Thank you!
0 likes, 4 replies
Yabatan0924 bradyrands
Posted
Gabapentin is used for treating partial seizures, neropathic pain, hot flashes, and restless leg syndrome. It is not used for erratic mood swings (or bi-polar disorder) which you described above.
Gabapentin is one medication the world is trying to avoid right now and unless you have any of the conditions i have listed above or any form of chronic nerve pains, i will advise you "NOT" to take it at all.
IF you have started taking it then you need to go back immediately to your GP and have a draw down plan on how to stop.
Have him examine you properly for bi-polar. May be that is what is wrong and need medications for.
I wish you all the best.
Yabatan0924 bradyrands
Posted
In addition, you did not tell us your age. If you have reached the menopause or perimenopause age then what you have could be termed as hot flashes; the reason why you have it occasionally. If that is it then Gabapentin may be the right medication for it. Just make sure you have proper examinations and checks before embarking on taking Gabapentin. All the best.
babs99203 bradyrands
Posted
This could be a long complicated answer but it comes down to a few things: everyone varies, but yes, for some people gab causes edema (fluid retention) and weight gain. It also should NEVER be given as an "as needed" drug. It's a seizure medication with a short-half life. For some sensitive people, missing one dose can cause withdrawal symptoms. It is only approved by the FDA for shingles/post shingles pain, epilepsy and small nerve diabetic neuropathy. All other uses are off label, that is doctors think it may help so they give it.
It can be a very difficult, even dangerous drug for some people. A new warning was just added in the US, has been out for almost 3 years in the UK about respiratory distress (i.e. you can stop breathing and die, get it?) For some it triggers severe side effects such as (a very serious desire to "not be here" which I can't write as the bots will flag and not permit the post), depression, anxiety, mood swings, movement disorders, memory loss, cognitive problems etc. Adding it to other meds can be extremely problematic. I have spent 3 years trying to safely and carefully taper down the usage. I was prescribed it for shingles, and lingering pain from it. I wish I had NEVER taken it. Please reconsider it's use.
Bocephus bradyrands
Posted
I am on Lexipro also for the same things.
Weight gain was a huge problem for me. Over 40lbs in 12 months. Maybe not so much as the drug itself but the effects. I didn't give a hoot about anything, my pain was worse and my self esteem went down the toilet. Therefore, I wasn't moving much, mostly sitting at my computer in a daze or watching TV in bed. I had not desire to cook meals and we ate delivery way too much.
The edema was huge problem also with me sitting at my job and chronic pain from injuries.
The being in a daze part started as soon as I started taking it but I was in so much pain, it didn't really register until after I have been off of it and started looking at the piles of stuff in my house and realizing how long that have been there.
Just my experience. Good luck.