Question about weight gain while on gabapentin

[Djmohr 6,965]

As most of you know I have been dealing with a lot of spine problems that have progressively gotten worse over the last 6 months.

I had surgery 4 weeks ago to have an old non working neurostimulator removed. They believed that the surgically placed leads were somehow causing this severe nerve pain across my back and radiating into my right rib cage.

Honestly this pain has been some of the worst I have ever felt in my life and having severe osteoarthritis in my spine in other places is pretty severe. This pain is even worse.

Anyway, we have to wait another 4 to 6 weeks to do an MRI to ensure they don't address artifacts from the surgery I had.

prior to this they did do a CT scan which showed a Schwarnoma (benign tumor) on one of my nerve roots in my thoracic spine. Today when the doc examined me we discovered that I have numbness both on my back and my right front rib cage.

He believes it is this Schwarnoma on my T11 level that is causing all of this and is not wanting to order an MRI. Instead he wants me to remain on both Vicodin and now gabapentin to see if that helps.

If that don't work he wants to do epidural injections and consider putting a new neurostimulator in. I will not agree to that plan.

Anyway, he did say that gabapentin can cause weight gain. I have never taken this drug and I am guessing because of how I eat and my bypass tool, the weight gain should not be an issue.

I am wondering if anyone is experiencing weight gain with gabapentin and if so do you have tips and tricks on the weight gain front?

I have worked very hard to get nearly to my goal and I am very restricted on exercise. I have to be honest I really am nervous about this approach but I am willing to give it a try because this pain has literally stopped me in my tracks. It has been going on since June and it actually overwhelmed me.

I have very good coping skills and I normally would not take narcotics but no matter what I do this particular pain has really gotten the best of me. So I am willing to try it but just wondering if anyone has experience with this drug post operative.

Thanks for your help!

[Daisee68 2,493]

I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions! Is the med helping the pain though? (I hope I hope!)

[psvzum 81]

I just wanted to say how sorry I am you have to go through such pain. It sounds awful. I hope the new medication works.

Hugs

[newmebithebypass 713]

I have taken gabapentin used to take 2400 mg before I switched to lyrica the weight gain was minimal it can be managed by decreasing your calories a bit its a very good drug. Although I would ask about lyrica because its been way better at managing my pain than gabapentin did

[Dar200 285]

I have severe osteo arthritis in my spine and knees. I'm currently taking Lyrica daily plus Vicodin daily. I have a very low threshold for pain. Just can't tolerate. I have a spinal cord stimulator for my lower back and knees. I get injections for my low back pain - I'm still recovering from two sacral fractures. The very best response I've had is with the epidural injections. My doc does the left and right separately, two weeks apart. I am sedated during this so basically I go in stooped over in pain and walk out upright. The injection site may be tender for a day or two. The relief I get from the epidurals is magic for me and the relief lasts for three to six months. People respond to treatments differently, but I recommend at least trying epidurals one time to see if you can get some relief. I wish you well. And Happy Holidays!

[skinnylatte 5]

My opinion is u can't eat a lot anyway but don't take it bc it will make it harder for you to fight cravings and make the right decision based on how u are feeling and what u need to do -I would say -I'm taking amitryptaline and I swear it makes me want to eat all afternoon but I try to ignore it or just drink coffee since it's probably a sugar craving issue or anxiety idk