So overwhelmed, 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

there are other meds you could take. cymbalta is also used for fibromyalgia pain. Weight gain is not a side effect. Tell your doctor your concerns, and ask if you can be prescribed something that does not have weight gain as a side effect.

be judicious wiht your use of narcotics. they are not a long term solution for pain.

Thank you Monica. I'm meet with the doc again on Monday and will definitely be bringing it up.

Ok... So here's the thing.

Your weight will not help with the pain... Your pain will not encourage you to move and therefore contribute to your weight complexities.

So... I will tell you what I told the nurse at HRRH (Mine being PREDNISONE not Lyrica):

Gaining 20 lbs when I need to take 400mg of Prednisone in 7 days is hard... But it is more frustrating at 300 lbs then it ever was at 160 lbs.

It is remarkably hard when it pushes you BACK over 300 lbs after you lost 78 lbs over 6 months... Getting under 300 had been such a huge goal.

I guess the real question here is... Will it discourage you enough to give up completely and self sabotage yourself right back to where you started if you gain 10 lbs after you get close to goal?

You have a lot less to lose then I do... But reality is you'll know if it causes weight gain for you within that month. Take it so you know. It only happens in 9% of people on it, and it is an average of 7% of their body weight.

When they say a medication causes gain they mean like 10-20 lbs... WLS is designed to lose a lot more than 10-20 lbs. I would do it. HECK... I AM doing it... Knowing the risk of facing this is a reality for me at ANY time.

Please... Take the meds. Have your surgery as planned... Just make sure your team knows about the diagnosis, and medications so the best surgery for you is chosen.

Shell

Thanks for the advise Shell

Hi Andrea

After a very long journey, filled with pain, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia from 3 different specialists.  With a lot of perscription trials I finally got some relief with Lyrica.  I experience pain everyday but Lyrica helps me function now.  As I have told the team at TWH, I am glad that I was on the drug before my WLS as I don't know any different from a weight loss standpoint.  I had my 2 year check up last week and the dietician and I talked about this drug.  It is known for weight gain but if I was unable to take away the level of pain that Lyrica does I would be getting a lot less exercise in my life.  It is a balancing act for sure.  This drug is not for everyone; however, for me it has been a lifesaver.  Good luck on your journey to health.  Keep searching for what works for you. 

Barb

One of the side effects of Lyrica is indeed weight gain, however it isn't always a side effect.  I used Lyrica ( 75 mg OD and 150 mg QHS ) in combination with Elavil ( 50 mg QHS.....also a medication with side effect of weight gain )  as well as bi-weekly pain shots for treatment of nerve impingments at L4, L5, and S1 following a car accident.  I followed my regular diabetic diet, and didn't gain an ounce.  The med ****tail that I used while waiting to have quarterly epidural procedures on my back worked beautifully.  Often, when medications have weight gain as a side effect it is because those meds cause people to feel better and increase appetite as a result.  Lyrica is a great medication for nerve related pain, and if your pain levels decrease you may be able to enjoy more mobility.

Not that it will help with the pain at all, I could drop by and we'll go throw rotten eggs at your old doctor's office. 

I too have fibromyalgia and the weight loss to date -43 pounds- has made a big impact already on my pain level.--I have much less pain and am more mobile--so win win--everyone is so different--I guess you just gotta figure out what will work for you and go with it- Johanna