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Community > Expert Q & A > Fibromyalgia > Does Fibromyalgia Cause Weight Gain?
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Does Fibromyalgia Cause Weight Gain?

Q. I have a question about fibromyalgia and weight gain. Since I started taking the drug Pamelor for symptoms of fibromyalgia, weight gain has been a persistent problem. My doctor prescribed it to ease pain and sleep disturbances, but although I exercise regularly and eat sensibly I have gained 25 pounds. Is there a link between my medication for fibromyalgia and weight gain? If so, is there another drug I could take instead? 

Pamelor (nortriptyline) very well could be responsible for the higher number you're seeing on your bathroom scale. A member of the tricyclic class of antidepressants, Pamelor is frequently used to treat fibromyalgia symptoms.

While tricyclics are often effective in promoting sleep for people with fibromyalgia, weight gain sometimes results. The cause for this isn't clear, but tricyclics appear to increase appetite, especially for carbohydrates.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to taking Pamelor and the other tricyclics. Serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a newer group of antidepressants that includes drugs such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil), cause little weight gain and may even contribute to weight loss.

I recommend you speak to your doctor who might consider changing your medications.

Don Miller, PharmD, Pharmacist

Chris
25 Jun 2010, 14:11
My mom was diagnosed with FMS in '99-00 and while I've never asked her officially, my guess is the weight gain is far higher than anything I've seen listed here. She used to be about ~130 and while I dont know the number, I know I've had to purchse XXXL clothes for her. She's embarrassed. I feel bad for her. It feels like there is nothing we can do. Lately over the last several months it has seemed even worse. To be honest, she really doesnt even look like the same person anymore.

Anyway, I'm just stunned that the whole focus of these comments is on pills and exercise and not more on how FMS itself is as much responsible for weight gain as any of the meds you describe. Thats what makes this all the more frustrating. Its the hormonal imbalance and the severe slowing of the metabolism that makes the biggest issue in my opinion. It all leads to fatigue and lack of sleep, which ultimately leads to weight gain.

My dad passed away 1.5 years ago and I'm an only child and live 5 hours away. I've started to receive comments from her friends asking me basically if I'm going to do anything to help her with the weight gain because they see her basically unable to perform every day functions with any real regularity. Its awful... I cant imagine how she does it, knowing that every day people look at her like a oreo cookie hound. When in reality she eats a great diet -- always has even well before FMS. Anyway, she's having a harder and harder time doing every day tasks and its mainly because beyond the pain, she is so big these days that moving itself is a struggle.

I just wish there was a way to even help the weight SUBSIDE at this point. Not only does the weight she is at not seem healthy in and of itself but at points she seems like she might explode.

Dana
03 Jun 2010, 01:01
I was diagnosed with fibro and other stuff in 2000 and its really been rough. I knew sonething was wrong but couldn't even imagine anything like this!!! I am on cymbalta and I take vitamins, c, d, tenormin because my bp goes up and down and I have MVP, Allegra for severe allergies, acidophilus, ditropan for IC, Aciphex for acid reflux disease with hiatal hernia. I also work full time and raised my daughter alone. I am 44 now and feel like I am 94. I have gained about 30 lbs!!! Please help!!!!
FAB
28 May 2010, 09:29
I lost alot of weight when I first got sick-fibro., rheumatiod and severe osteo-arthritis', Sjogrens Syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, 2 herniated discs in my neck that control my hand and arm movements and a permanently damaged knee from a bad fall. On top of this, I am transitioning from peri- to post-menopause, so needless to say, I gained 40 lbs. after going on gabapentin (Neurontin). I needed to lose at least 30 lbs. I was miserable! I finally tried Alli; I okayed it with my doctor since I take alot of meds. and he said yes, if I can tolerate it. I have lost 20 lbs. now in about 6 mths. Alli can can cause diarhhea, however, my meds. severely constipate me, so I don't suffer the normal side effects of Alli. I have also cut out alot of snack foods and snacking. 20 lbs. w/o exercising is pretty good; I'm still working on it and trying to start walking in our local park. Trying... 3 times in 2 weeks- I think I pushed too hard. As to the comments concerning narcotic medications, there is a difference between physical tolerance and physical addiction. Addiction involves requiring more and more of a substance just to stay "balanced". I have been taking methadone for over 5 years now, at a lower amount than when I first started on it. I can take 20 mg. per day or even 30 mg if needed. But there are many days that I don't need it; therefore I don't take it. Is that addiction? My doctor is very good about prescribing what I need, and I don't abuse the trust we've developed in the 12 yrs. I've been seeing him, plus he saw me before and after FM and sees the difference. I am blessed to have him. Now, if I could just educate him on bio-identical hormones! I have come to realize that I am my own health provider. I read alot about FM and rheum. arthritis and make suggestions to him and he listens or reads the articles I bring to him. Although I am basically non-functional most of the time, I am not the crying, wanting to die person that I was before I found help with all my medications. I also take alot of supplements-I have recently read alot about d-Ribose, a form of sugar! has actually helped me so much, esp. with my foot pain. That is my worst pain-my feet. The way I see it, the more meds. and supplements and naturopathic therapies that work for you will make you feel better and then become more active. And if you really want the inside scoop on pain meds. and addiction and the zealots who are trying to keep it from even terminal cancer patients because of possible addiction, please log-on to www.painfoundation.org., its a great on-line only now newsletter which I find to be very insightful, Sue!.
Betty
24 May 2010, 07:32
I have been diagnosed with Fibro & RA since 2000. I have been and are on the top end of narcotic and steroids. The steroids cause weight gain that can not be lost with exercise. Not that I could do exercise. My body doesn't permit it. The only exercise I have been able to do is swimming in a heated pool. Luckily here in Colorado there are Recreation Centers here that have year round indoor heated pools. The biggest help to my extreme pain has been medical Marijuana! It is awesome for the pain. Thank God that CO has made it legal. The only bad part of it is u crave food....As long as I can make myself eat carrots ad such when munchies hit I will be ok. Came off Neurontin and lost 10 lbs. Changed to Cymbalta. Now want to quit prednisone but have had hard time getting off the last little bit! Causes migraines when stopped....Will pray for u all that your pain is at a minimum! Hope u all get really good doctors who understand Pain Management! God Bless!
Leona
13 May 2010, 16:57
Have had issues for many years. Got tired of weight gain and "dragged out" feeling from prescription Rx. Took supplements from vitanatural.org for fibro, decreased my prescription med's, increased my exercise and watched my diet.(lots of water too!) Feeling much better, fewer episodes and weight going back to normal. Just an fyi. hope you can be better too.
Judy
11 May 2010, 14:09
In reading the various comments, the main difficulty seems to be in finding the right caring doctor. I have a rheumatologist and she is very good. I think that they are very reluctant to prescribe pain drugs because they
know how long the disease can last and they have really cracked down on docs and pain meds. However, I am doing well and take vitamin D and cymbalta plus a lot of other drugs for various conditions.
Good luck and God Bless.
Judy
angie
25 Apr 2010, 17:01
i have had fibro...sense 93 and it hurts very bad i am 41, i have 2 boys, i have raised them my self it is very hard,i dont hardly get no sleep, cause i cant sleep,i am so tired...........i have gained 25 lbs, but i lost it, cause at times i cant eat, when i do eat i get sick, the pain is so severe it makes me sick....no meds helps...........good luck and god bless
Sue
04 Apr 2010, 03:23
Vicky wrote: "I have done enough research about addiction and fibromyalgia that people with fibromyalgia DO Not get addicted from pain killers, our body obsorbs the medication to the pain we have therefore does not make us feel like a drug user!!"

wow, i'd like to see that research you did. as i can tell you one thing for sure - regardless of what illness a person has, if they take a (narcotic) pain killer for long enough, there is a 100% chance that they WILL become addicted....

that's not to say that they're seeking the drug for pleasure (although some do)...but, as the body becomes used to the drug, it develops a tolerance...meaning, eventually, the person requires *more* of the drug to feel relief from their pain - and, requires a minimum amount in their system at all times to keep from going through physical withdrawals.
Nancy
16 Mar 2010, 02:56
I have FM, since early 20's, but diagnosed in 2006 (now 45). Had a great Dr., but lost him (opiophobes forced him to close his practice). Trying a new clinic now at EVMS, but staff treats the patients like dirt. The most I could get from the new Dr is Lyrica. he won't prescribe anything else until my Vita D levels and iron levels come back up (he thinks my pain may be from the low vita d). I know what you mean about being treated like a drug seeker. People really need more education on how drugs work in FM patients. Lyrica has helped some at max dose, plus has helped my RLS some, but its like sending a boy to do a man's work. It isn't taking care of the problem. I walk 2 to 4 miles per day, and I'm gaining 2 lbs per month so far. I'm trying to watch what I eat. It's pretty discouraging to exercise my butt off and still gain the weight. I hope I can change from lyrica to something else soon. Finances are limited. pfizer pap helps for now.
nancy
Marcia
06 Mar 2010, 00:34
Yep...it's a killer. I also have osteo arthritis...pain pills for that helps
but Lyrica and Savella helped the fibro pain....but the side effects were terrible!!!

So, back to square 1 exercise ha! take
Ionic race minerals...lots of water...
New Emu cream off internet....and just
wait for another (attack).

Pray and rest and resist stress.
lost my job after 35 yrs...let go!
Terryl
23 Feb 2010, 18:00
I am a 46 year old mother with fibro. I have had it for probably 10+ years. I was reading these stories because I am so depressed about my weight gain. I read my story word for word when I read when I read Kickerboxer's story. I have a daughter she is 15 and she is so tired of seeing me ill and unable to do things, and tired all the time,that even she decided to leave. She went to live with gramma. This crap just takes everything away from you. I used to work,I was pretty,active, and married. Now I am none of those. My 3 dogs love me though....
kickerboxer
23 Feb 2010, 11:07
i have had fibro for 3 years with widespread pain.it hurts so bad sometimes.i have a child that i need to keep up with. so diffucult.i have tried many meds and have gained 25 pounds in the last year.it is so frustrating to want to work out, take a walk etc and not get too far because of the pain.i watch what i eat but with the lak of excersise here comes the weight.it is so painful at times that i sit and cry.it seems that everyone has a life but me.i try to be positive and fall on my faith in god but sometimes it gets to be too much.i used to be independant working and had lots of friends and once in a while they will call now,if that.i feel so alone in this.
Christina Newman
29 Dec 2009, 17:51
I recently was diagnosed with FM after going through months of unanswered pain, and frustration because I didn't know what was wrong with me. I used to be a hot 125-130 pound 40 something woman that young men thought I was in my early 30's. Now, I've gained tons of weight, and sadly I look much older than I really am now. I have only been on my FM meds for a month, all my uncontrollable weight gain has happened over the last two years, no dieting or excersice would stop it. Now I fear with the FM meds new to me, I will have more weight gain problems. I also have Hypothyroid, major cause of weight gain. Is there anywhere or anything that can help us with this at all? I want to get back into my hot jeans again!!!
Donna
19 Nov 2009, 13:35
Wow. I thought that it was just me! I have gained 40lbs. I am trying very hard to loose it, but nothing seems to work.
I am with Teri. Is there an online support group for us?
Kim
16 Oct 2009, 04:22
I know that with all the drugs I have to take for Fibro, etc. I've had a lot of weight gain and I know according to the side effects of alot of them is "Weight Gain", so even though I'm careful of what I eat and I try so hard to get enough exercise and it's hard with all that I suffer through, how do I lose weight? Is there some diet supplement that would help. I'm on anti-depressants as well, I know that right there stops some of them. HELP!
Vickie
06 Oct 2009, 12:10
Hi everyone, I feel your pain. I have had fibro for about 20 years now. I too am sick and tired of doctors not giving us the right medications that we need for the pain. They think we are all drug seekers, they think they have all the answers, I believe I know my own body well enough to tell them all about fibromyalgia. The new doctor I have, only because I moved, is trying to take me off of 3 medications that I have been on for years and are still working for me. She believes I will get addicted!! I have done enough research about addiction and fibromyalgia that people with fibromyalgia DO Not get addicted from pain killers, our body obsorbs the medication to the pain we have therefore does not make us feel like a drug user!! I believe that there should be some sort of law that doctors need have some sort of certification in fibromyalgia. What a waste of time and money going from doctor to doctor trying to find some help and being told it is all in your head because the doctor doesnt know anything about our disease!! I believe that the only way that Fibromyalgia is going to be recognized by the whole country and the and real research will be done is when a CELEBRITY gets this disease. Just had to vent, but I stand by what I believe. Thanks for listening.
Linda G
23 Jul 2009, 10:44
I have just recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia although I am sure that I have had it for literally years and years!! I have been to every Dr you can imagine only to end up at the chiropractor. She is the one that sent me to the rheumatologist for confirmation of what she suspected. What a Godsend that Cymbalta has been for me in such a short amount of time! I have been going to the chiropractor for acupuncture and adjustments for years on a weekly if not several times a week basis. If this continues to work as well as it appears, it will not only save me alot of pain but alot of money on trips to the chiropractor. Maybe now I can go once a month to the chiropractor! I was also prescribed 10,000 units of Vitamin D for 3 months. I had a blood draw and I now take 5,000 units a day. That has also helped tremendously.
southern song
13 Jul 2009, 23:22
I have to get shots either in my neck/shoulders or lower back once a month. The result?!?!?! weight gain!! How do I lose weight while still getting these very necessary shots? I tried going off them for a while and the pain was so much worse. So that's not an option.
Carla Williams
11 Jun 2009, 10:03
I have had Fibromyalgia since 1999, probably longer. There have been many ups and downs in my journey with this disease. I always come back to the basics, when trying to find what works. Sleep is most important to me, get good sleep however you can. I have apnea and sleep with a C pap machine, helps so much. Diet, though I find this one the hardest to follow, should be full of healthy fruits and vegtables, lean meat and lots of pure water. When in pain I crave comfort food!Thirdly,we have got to move at least a little. Gentle stretching,walking or water exercise work best for me. I also visit my chiropractor regularly.Good luck to all my fellow sufferers.I pray for you all.
Heather
24 May 2009, 10:13
I was dx with fibro 5 years ago. I take lyrica and tramdol for pain. i have gain 20 pounds also. I also had a hystorectomy last year. now my hormones are so out of wack. i really don't feel my doctor understands. he just gives me all these exercises to do but I am always in pain and tired. I am 33 and I feel 93. anyone have any ideas of better meds? I was going to try massage therapy to help with pain before starting exercise again.
K
18 May 2009, 10:30
I have FM and have gained significant weight since. I think it is a combo of many factors including the medications we are on. Not only that, but without meds, I still gain weight and am unable to lose weight. I found out that many of our hormonal levels are completely thrown off- these are the same hormones that affect sleep and metabolism. Without these working properly it is almost impossible to lose weight or even maintain. My doc also believes I have thyroid issues (which would be a result of the imbalances), however I continue to have normal tests. I may try to find a doctor willing to do more tests or try thyroid treatment to help me out.
ann
11 May 2009, 12:06
I thought I was gaining weight, when I've had an acute attack of fibro. Since I've been in physical therapy, low amount of drugs, the swelling in my stomach, thights, legs, etc. have decreased. The muscles swell and does not necessarily indicate you have gained weight.
Wendy
25 Apr 2009, 20:03
I gained around 25 pounds when my doctor prescribed Amitryptiline to improve my sleep quallity (it caused me to crave sweet, fatty things, such as doughnuts, and I was hungry all the time). She said that I definitely didn't need weight gain on top of everything else, and switched me to Trazodone, which doesn't appear to affect my appetite adversely(I've been taking it for over 10 years). When my daughter was underweight, her doctor prescribed Amitryptiline to increase her appetite.
Belle
16 Apr 2009, 11:11
Yes there is a great online support group for Fibromyalgia. it is www.fibromalgiatreatment.com I have found it very helpful.I have had this since childhood good luck.
Teri
14 Apr 2009, 14:36
I was just dx with fibromyalgia,dont know what to expect but hurt very badly. Is there online support group or other people to talk to about this?



Thanks so much

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