Neurontin and weight gain

I have been taking Neurontin for about 8 weeks, and have gained roughly 20 pounds--I am very upset about this weight gain!

I have just been put on Neurontin and found out about this weight gain thing!! I am freaked out. I have come off of Topamax due to I could not handle the side effects and I was like I was in a coma. I am also on lexapro for depression so the topamax really effected me. The Neurontin has said to be given to bi polar patients but from what I have read people are having depression problems on it. So the whole weight gain and the depression thing is scaring me.

I am switching from Lyrics to Neurontin. I have always had a weight problem and lost 50 lbs.on Weight Watchers and have gained about 10 of it back. I am switching from Lyrics to Neurontin, hoping to stem the weight gain. Opinions and experiences please . . . am I jumping from the frying pan into the fire? I CANNOT ALLOW THIS WEIGHT TO COME BACK ANY FURTHER !!!! HELP !!!!!!

LC - Ohio

My experiences with Neurontin were similar to others here. I was on 600mg a day for couple years and it really did help with fibromyalgia pain! The bad thing is I gained 25 pounds and could not get it off! Then I went down to 200mg and lost 12 pounds immediately so I know it caused my weight gain. Recently I took myself off it completely, wanted to try something else. Haven't lost anymore weight (girlscout cookies keep calling my name) but I have had significant tooth pain! I did not make the connection until a neighbor told me today about neurontin causing tooth pain and I believe it! Since on SSD for fibro I don't have dental insurance but the pain is pretty bad sometimes. I'm tempted to go on it again because nothing else, outside of hydrocodone, has worked on my pain. I'm too afraid of Lyrica so I don't know what I will do!

mood swings, short term memory loss, extreme sleepiness, edema, light flashes, constant ringing in ears that varies in tone, depression, stomach pain, flu like body ache, headaches, ear ache, continual nasal congestion, weight gain, constipation, dry & flaking skin & hair

I have been on neurontin 300 mg for only 2 weeks, if not less and I feel the weight gain. I'm either bloated or this is unbelievable. I have a disc in both my left hand and my lower back, fibromayalgia and Lupus. Therefore, the severity of my pain is unbearable. With Neurontin, there is no pain. But, there is the dizziness, weight gain, forgetfulness and just feeling incoherent and drunk. I don't think I can handle the side effects. So, I do have a question, if I've only been on neurontin for two weeks, can I just stop them on my own or do I need to speak to my Dr.? I know he will tell me not to which is why I'm asking. I have an issues with my weight and gaining weight would destroy my psyche. Thanks for listening ..it's nice to be able to find common ground with people. I don't feel so alone anymore.

My mother has dementia and is being treated for shingle pain with Neurontin. She has lost touch with reality since they started this drug.

I have been taking Neurontin for 1 week (300 mg 1x per day and then prescribed to increase to 300 mg 2x per day after 1st week). It has been incredible taking the pain away (hemi-vertibrae bone defect in neck with severe arthritis)!!! Like Oh my goodness wonderful!!! however - by the end of the day - i am 20 lbs bloated and feel like the weight gain is right around the corner... I am very aware of body ( I am a dancer) and need to know if this is going to balance out... i know the answer of it depends oneach person - but some insight would help me not panic right now

I have been taking Neurontin for 2 months. I didn't think it was really helping because I still couldn't function normally. I have had 3 disk surgeries on L4/5, and still have severe pain in my right hip and down my right leg all the way to my foot. I am told there is scar tissue build-up in the area causing the nerve pain. I started taking Neurontin in small doses and have built up to 1200mg 3 times a day. I still couldn't walk more than 20 feet without leaning on something, but the pain was noticably less severe. My doctor put me on Trileptal instead, and the first day off the Neurontin was a nightmare...the pain was worse than ever. I went back to the Neurontin immediately. I have experienced some weight gain, but have attibuted that to no exercise. It does seem to make me forgetful, tired and somewhat depressed, but without it, the pain is completely debilitating. I want my life back, but I don't know what to do from here. Neurontin has helped the pain to a more tolerable level, but if I still can't even walk, I'm not even close to functioning normally. If anyone has a suggestion, I would love to hear it...thanks.

MAJOR WEIGHT GAIN, SHAKING OF THE LEGGS, CONFUSION,

I have been on Neurontin for over 10 years. I am taking Neurontin for PHN. When I was first given Neurontin, I could not take the med. as prescribed. I too would fall asleep. It took a whole year before my body adjusted to the med. I now take 2700 mg. daily. Along with Tramadol. I have the rare side effects but can not quit taking the med. for fear of having a more severe pain if I don't take the meds. I have recently noticed the weight gain. I continually think I have other things wrong with me, but when reading the side effects, I fit almost all the symtoms. Low back pain, bloated full feeling, body aches, buring eyes, change in vision, clumsiness, constipation, decrease in sexual desire, eye discharge, increased sensitivity to pain and touch, indigestion, nervousness, redness, trouble thinking, and loss of strength.

I've been taking Neurontin for about 2 months (300mg 3x/day) to lessen the pain of occipital neuralgia.....the pain is still present, but not disabling. This is the only medication I am taking.

Side effects I've experienced are extreme fatigue the first couple weeks....then, tired often if I don't get enough sleep. Another thing I've experienced is weight gain and increased appetite - Big time!! All I want to do is eat.

I'm forgetful and miss doses often. If I skip two doses, the pain comes back full force and I'm in bed for a day.

wish you all the best.

Someone here mentioned one pupil was "unequal", which I found interesting: I had an eye exam a couple weeks ago for eye pain; it was noted that my left pupil was more dialated....this is a first for me. However, overall, my eyes are good...

I've been on neurontin for about 3 years. I take 2400mg per
I have all of the ill effects mentioned above plus one more. My vision is impaired 40 % worse than when I first started this medication. I would have to say that I too am very frustated with this medication now. I have short term memory loss, weight gain, chest pain, constipation, swollen extremities, no sex drive, headaches, excessive feelling of euporia, depressed, and much more. The one thing I can say is that it did help the problem for which I was prescribed. Chronic neck pain/spasms. Go figure!

i have just started Neurontin for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I had to switch doctors (Insurance Purposes) and this doc took me off of everything and gave me Neurontin. 3 weeks in to it and 1200mg later I feel light headed, angry, crying spells and a general feeling of hopelessness. I am not happy with this drug and from what I understand it causes much weight gain. Anyone experienced this?

Not sure how to respond to you but I am doing so through here.

I have adapted to the ataxia (what I call walking into walls), tiredness, some short term memory loss etc. I still have some of them and I have been on it for a year, maximum dosage 1800 mgs. Now I am on 900 mgs. I guess I want to get off because I cannot stand the "hypoglycemic" feeling I get from it. Feeling weak and hungry, also I have gained weight on Neurontin. All along I have never really "believed" that there was such a thing as Atypical Facial Pain but as I come down off the drugs wierd things happen. My neck begins to hurt me is the one side effect of lowering the dosgage of Neurontin.

If you like, you can e-mail be directly at eburden@bbwg.com

Reading all these posts, I have to add my bit. The side effects of Neurontin are very similar to any sedating drug. Memory, problem solving, dry mouth, and some weight gain are to be expected. Neurontin is prescribed for seizure and pain that is connected to the nervous system, such as phantom limb pain and MS.
All patients should have their blood terted every 6 months if they are taking a seizure med or any tylonel daily. All meds have side effects, you have to decide if it is helping your medical condition more than another drug could, if you are better off with it or without it.
I have been taking 800 mg Neurontin for several years. I used to take 1200, but was feeling overly tired and lethargic and we (dr and myself) discussed it, and changed the dose. I am better off taking it, my seizures are under control with it, and it has less side effects than other seizure meds. And with my seizures under control, my migraine have been kept under control. (A lucky side effect for me!)My dr explained many persons with epilepsy do suffer migraines.
As far as Jan S. Kauffman wondering about taking it for anger control, certain types of epilepsy can and do cause anger outbursts, and that is most likely why this person is taking this.
Good luck to everyone taking the Neurontin, it has been great for me.

I have had inflamed liver following chemo and radiation. I'm given only 100mg of Neurontin x3. I have terrible weight gain, memory loss, occassional chest pain. I worry about the effects of Neurontin on the liver. anyone know about this? I've had seizures also.