Please help... sorry this is long

So to make a very long story short I left my old family doc because he out right said that my body pain was due to me being "fat" and I should go find a gym not a doctor for help. So in January I started seeing a new doc, we spoke in length about all my symptoms and we both felt it was time for a referral for wls. She also tried treating my pain with no luck. The pain has gotten so bad that I now use a shower chair because I cant stand long enough to take a shower. So today I met with a pain specialist who diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Finally validation! He prescribed a narcotic for pain and Lyrica for nerve pain. Here's my dilemma, while reading the side effects weight gain is at the top of the list. What do I do, start taking the Lyrica and have surgery next month and cross my fingers that I will lose enough weight to make surgery worth while or do I not take it and just take the narcotics for pain? OMG what do I do? I feel so deflated. 

Thanks for listening,

Andrea

I tried lyrica and did gain about 10 lbs pretty fast so talked to my doc and he put me on cymbalta instead, that hasn't caused the wight gain that the lyrica did. There is also savella for fibro and neurontin is sometimes very effective and it has next to no side effects or interactions with other drugs. Not everyone gains with lyrica tho so try it, iot may npt bother you but if it does there are alternatives. Don't stress just work with your pain specialist. Good luck to you, go ahead with your surgery and start your journey!!

I take lyrica and I did have a weight gain at first. I wanted off but my dr, convinced me to give it a try. The weight gain leveled off and I have had good results with lyrica. I did not want to start a new drug and go through all of that, but sometimes it is just trail and error.

Good Luck.

There is a supplement called OPC-3 that helps with fibromyalgia.  It will not cause weight gain.  It is a very powerful antioxidant.  Also I have heard that some fibromyalgia patients are deficient in magnesium.  However, the delivery system of these supplements is key.  If you would like further information, please e-mail me.

My Pain Management actually took me off Lyrica that I had been on after years and had hit a plateau post op of my wls by 8 years after gaining from steroids, and they put me on Topamax which is a hunger depressent and my weight went dropping off quickly. So there are quite a bit of things that you can find to help you with the Fibro, it is not the only thing on the market.  It works pretty good with the Fibro, but I find the supplements and exercise are better with Fibro than narcotics since my weight loss, I just feel better all around :)

Good luck with getting the right mix for yourself.  I have been there before.  Just let your doctor know what is working and what is not.  I was unable to take Neuroratin after awhile due to it feeling like someone flicking fingers on my brain.  But it depends on the person I believe.  I am just one who can't take it.  So it may work for you.

There are other meds available.  for a variety or reasons I no longer take lyrica or cymbalta.  I take neurontin and flexeril - both with great success and minimal side effects.  When my sleep is very bad, I also use valarian tea (a mild, all natural sedative).  I also take b complex and manganese on a regular basis to help maintian proper biorhythms which helps reduce severity of symptoms and frequency of flare ups

I take Lyrica and have for the pasy 6 yrs.  I am having RNY on Oct. 8 th.  I also take morphine and fentanyl patch.  The surgeon and anesthesiologist have both told me continue with my meds even on the day of surgery.  Also I ever gained. Any weight from Lyrica.  I say go for it.  I am!

I have been taking Lyrica for fibro for years, and no weight gain.

I also have a Duodenal Switch, which has made me so tired of eating I want to scream.  I eat more than I ever did wihle SMO...no weight regain!  Weight is stable..and anyway, my PCP does not want me to go below 160, dueto age and my other conditions, one of which is SLE (Lupus).

No steroids except in case of major flare... medicines now work after weight loss. last major flare was in 2010, after I'd lost my first 200 pounds.

For me, Lyrica is a wonder drug!  I hope you find something to help.

I take Cymbalta for fibromyalgia.  I have only had one flare up in 2 years.  It has been a miracle drug for me.