Well, I know it's after the holidays (which were LOTS of fun!). So I suppose that some weight gain was to be expected. But holy crap, dudes, I've gained close to 50 pounds since last January, when I first started Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Enbrel.
Yes, you read that right: Fifty freaking pounds!
My weight has yo-yo'ed by approximately 10 - 15 pounds throughout my life, depending upon time and circumstances. But previously,I could shed those pounds fairly easily by eating less and exercising more.
But this time, the weight won't come off. It's sheer torture, especially for a woman who absolutely hates shopping (except for shoes; I have an addiction to shoes.).
I'm keeping my caloric intake at 1000 - 1200 calories and doing aerobic exercise 40 - 50 minutes a day.
The only thing to which I can attribute my bloomage is the drugs.
My Neuro Dude says that most people only gain a few pounds from Lyrica and Cymbalta (which I take for my peripheral neuropathy; the Enbrel I take for RA. But you already knew that.). He, of course, thinks that I'm underestimating my caloric intake. (I'm not. I can read the nutritional info on my Lean Cuisines just fine, thank you.)
It's just so damned frustrating. Am I going to have to choose between being in pain and being normal weight? Have y'all experienced anything like this?
That is my fear as well. I have not gained too much weight from my meds yet however every day that I swallow my 10mg of prednisone I pray that I won't become a fat blimp but deep down know it is a REAL possibility. Good luck!
Posted by: URandomnessK | 01/16/2010 at 08:54 PM
Yep- Lyrica is NOTORIOUS for weight gain, and not just a few pounds, typical Doc comment, but good number of patients on Lyrica gain well over 20#.
Can't recall the numbers from studies I've looked through, but I think 17% d/c Lyrica in Fibro study because of weight gain.
Lyrica is second generation of gabapentin (neurontin brand name,)which can also cause weight gain, but is another option to try for peripheral neuropathy. Both of the latter are part of drug class known as anti-epileptics (anti-seizure) and they kinda slow the brain...these drugs also can affect memory, executive functions, etc.
You could try neurontin as an alternative and see if it makes a difference. Lyrica studies do show more improvement in neuropathy than neurontin, but neither are huge difference from placebo. It's individual, as with most drugs.
I don't know cause of your neuropathic pain, but it's possible nerve pain is caused by uncontrolled RA inflammation, and is telling you more disease control (DMARDs) is needed.
FYI-there is some indication that Enbrel is also linked with weight gain. I experienced it & my Rheumy confirmed she's seen it with some patients. Enbrel never did a great job for me anyhow, and even that pooped out quick, so I switched back to Humira (weekly this time) and the weight slowly came back off.
Cymbalta is likely not the cause, as it is far more commonly associated w/weight loss.
Sorry about the really long post, but I remember the frustration I felt when Dr's implied I must be binging & lying about it, or exaggerating my exercise.
Also keep an eye on thyroid, as it can be affected by meds, inflammation, etc...low thyroid crept up on me, with blood work showing small changes over last 8 years until I finally hit the cut-off. Treatment helped a bit w/nerve pain, fatigue, brain fog, but about 15-20 lbs dropped off really fast (again with no change in calories/activity.
Hope this helps, and remember, your Dr is an expert, but you know your own body.
Just found your blog, and thanks! RA is so isolating and you help remind me I'm not alone with this-
Susan
Posted by: Susan | 01/17/2010 at 02:08 PM
Hi,
As a middle-aged woman I can assure you that struggling with weight as we know is hard enough, but weight gain is a whole other beast. I just read an incredible book about controlling weight and it's not a diet book. Making Weight Control Second Nature - on Amazon by Susan Burke March! I love your comment about knowing how to read labels!
Barb
Posted by: barbara read | 01/18/2010 at 02:34 PM
@Barb -- I know! Doctors always automatically attribute fault to the patient. It's really frustrating. At times, I feel like yelling, "I have two master's degrees, you morons; I can figure this shit out!"
@Susan -- I think I have the PN from RA (classic glove and stocking distribution), though my RD thinks it's unlikely because PN is not a common side effect of RA (her words, not mine). Funny how the PN appeared a little over a year and a half after my RA finally began to be successfully treated, though.
I know that neurontin did not work as successfully for me as Lyrica, but maybe I'll give it another try. (I also take this for migraine prophylaxis. I LOVED Topamax for this reason, but it made me super-stupid.)
There's mixed evidence on the antidepressants in general wrt weight gain, so I figured I should throw it into the mix as well. I have to admit, though, that I really didn't know about Enbrel's association with weight gain. Can you get me some references? I'd love to take them in to my RD at my next appt!
@Randomness -- I wish I'd paid more attention at the beginning of all of this so that I maybe could have jumped on it and prevented it from happening. I think awareness is the key, and you have it. Remember, there are always other options that can be explored!
Kim
Posted by: Kim H | 01/18/2010 at 04:34 PM
It is the lyrica. For sure. You have to "weigh" your options: how much it reduces your symptoms vs. how horrible the extra weight makes you feel...and then decide whether to continue using it or not.
Let us know!
- RA SB
Posted by: RA Superb*tch | 01/21/2010 at 06:03 PM
I took Lyrica until recently because I changed insurances and could not longer afford it. But it worked better than the Gabapentin I am taking now. Yes, it made me gain weight, but it actually worked. :( The trade-offs?
Posted by: Lana | 01/28/2010 at 02:12 PM
Wouldn't it be great if they could find something that would give us relief without the side effect of weight gain? I had my primary care doc get on my case about weight gain until I informed her of the side effect from my meds. She is no longer my doc not because she got on my case but because she should have known.
Posted by: Jo-Ann | 01/28/2010 at 08:22 PM
when i first started to suffer (before I knew what i had... PsA if you were curious...) i weighed 120 pounds and wore a size 4 this was 3 years ago... I now wear a size 14 and topped out at 183 pounds. *sigh* i recognize that for me there are 2 main reasons this has come to pass. Exercise hurts now. and eating makes my heart feel happy. It makes me feel so much better to know that some of this could be the meds!!!! I am *trying* to exercise more and eat better. balance is good.
Posted by: Muffy | 01/28/2010 at 11:49 PM