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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

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.

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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Does Fibromyalgia Cause Weight Gain?

Does Fibromyalgia Cause Weight Gain?

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