gabapentin and weight gain

hi folks hope you are feeling ok
i have been on gabapentin now for about 7 months starting titrating up the dose over weeks
i am now on 600mg 3x daily and have put on about a stone.over a couple of months
i am now doing more exercise i go to an ms exercise class on tuesdays and a rehab gym class on thursdays.
i also keep moving as much as pain and stiffness allows
it does help with my pain and i am quiet happy with it but is there an alternative that wont make me put on weight.
i feel like a telly tubbie lol
any thought folks
regards mick

[maxthecat9196]

It sounds like you are doing what you can already... I asked my my doctor about this, but he seems to think this is a small issue compared to the other things going on.  If you find a way to combat this problem though, I would love  to know about it.  

(Actually, I have been losing weight, because I apparently have a lesion on my spine that is messing with the nerve that controls my stomach.)  But I too have put on about 30 lbs since last year, with the start of gabapentin!  Sometimes I wonder how much good these drugs are actually doing...

-Tammy

[beachcomber13]

What?? Oh, no, don't tell me that. I lost 20 lbs in the spring and have kept it off... I don't want this drug to bring it back. I'm kind of enjoying NOT feeling like I'm walking barefoot in the snow, lol.

[Sparkysarah]

Been there, seen it, done it. I also put on weight with gabapentin and it seems that some people do and some people don't. I suggest that you talk to your neuro. I changed to lyrica and am getting on fine with it and do not seem to have the same problem with weight although I  think I do feel hungrier so temptation to eat more is there.

I think medication is a very personal thing and how we react to different Meds is very individual and depends on lots of factors. It is about balancing benefits against side effects and finding a balance we are happy with.

Cheers for now

Sarah