Anyone taking Elavil or Neurontin for Neuropathy?

Sweeter-than-Splenda · 03-22-2004, 04:28 PM

Hi! I was wondering if anyone here on the boards has periphial (sp?) neuropathy (nerve damage) in their hands and feet and are currently taking either the medication Neurontin or Elavil? I did real well losing weight doing the Atkins plan unti I started taking Neurontin. I have been struggling for the past year. I have gained weight and have been trying to take it back off with no success. Currently I am taking Elavil in hopes that it will help, but now have found out that a side effect of Elavil is weight gain too. Arrrggg!

So, I am going to take myself off both meds and try and get the weight back off. Neither drug has helped my symptoms, and just leave me feeling anxious, dizzy, brain fog, etc.
I'd like to meet others with my similar problem in hopes for some answers. I've had many blood tests, and the doctors cannot find a reason for my neuropathy. It is verrrrrrrrrry frustrating!!!!
Please either answer me on this thread or in PM. Thank you! Also, if anyone has any other suggestions or any other medications that work for them WITHOUT weigh gain!!!

wattobotf · 03-23-2004, 09:03 AM

I take pamelor for peripheral neuropathy in my feet. It has done a great job with the night time pain. I currently take 90 mgs at bed time. I tried elavil and it didn't work. I've been taking pamelor since 1999. I started with a 10 mg dose and have stepped up over the years to 90 mgs.

I also take 1800mg per day of alpha lipoic acid (sustained release) and Benfotamine. I am currently, under doctors supervision, weaning off of pamelor to see how things are. I've gone from my 90 mgs per night to 50 tonight, no excruciating pain.

They were never able to tell me what caused my neuropathy, but I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2000 (I've probably been diabetic for a number of years and I suspect that what has caused it).

Pamelor also has a listed side effect of weight gain, but up until december 2003 (I started Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution) in December of 2002 I had a steady weight loss. From December until this week, no loss, clean eating and exercise, but a tremendous amount of stress due to my involvement in some work related legal matters.

I have finally lost 2 pounds this week, but I have no way of knowing if it is the lack of pamelor, my upping my fat intake or that spring has sprung.

Good luck, I know how painful this can be.

275/196/150

diatron · 03-23-2004, 09:08 AM

I just started taking Nuerontin for foot pain as a result of my lower back fusion. It works too well for me to give it up. I haven't gained any weight while I have been taking it, but I haven't lost any either. I've heard other people admit to weight gain while taking Neuontin. Some people have had success with Topamax, that doesn't seem to have the weight gain issue.

I also have new hypothyroid issues, so I'm not sure what is going on. I've been hovering around 170 pounds since Christmas time.

Good luck in your search for something that works for your neuropathy and weight loss.

Celeste2 · 03-25-2004, 01:44 PM

I've tried Neurontin and Elavil for pubic nerve pain from a compressed pudendal nerve. I'm pursuing surgery and hopefully that will help the most.

On the board for pudendal neuropathy I have heard of people getting a lot of help from Ultram. I don't know what it does to the weight, if anything. I do think if you can get some pain control, either with medication or an implanted neurostimulator device, you may be able to become more active and less depressed, which are extreme factors that shut off weight loss in those of us who find food to be a comfort. Good luck!!!!

pharmd4me · 03-25-2004, 04:59 PM

Tramadol shouldn't have any effect on weight. Its just a synthetic opiod like compound that affects the mu pain receptors in the spinal cord and brain. If anything you could get some constipation from it if you use it for long periods of time. There is a slight seizure risk with tramadol but that is very rare and usually only manifests as a drug to drug interaction. Nausea is also a common side effect, but that is with all opiod pain medications. Actually if you use this chronically you may lose weight due to the nausea and not wanting to eat. Most people will just switch the drug if that occurs, but I have seen this happen to people.

Best of luck,
jeff

Jewels · 03-27-2004, 12:29 PM

I don't have peripheral neuropathy but do have Restless Leg Syndrome so I have been on Neurotin for about 5 years. I lost all my weight in the past 1 1/2 years so I can't blame the Neurontin. I have not noticed any gain on it particularly.

03-22-2004, 04:28 PM	#1
Sweeter-than-Splenda MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 1,143 Gallery: Sweeter-than-Splenda WOE: Doing WW on my own. Start Date: start date 1/20/09	Anyone taking Elavil or Neurontin for Neuropathy? Hi! I was wondering if anyone here on the boards has periphial (sp?) neuropathy (nerve damage) in their hands and feet and are currently taking either the medication Neurontin or Elavil? I did real well losing weight doing the Atkins plan unti I started taking Neurontin. I have been struggling for the past year. I have gained weight and have been trying to take it back off with no success. Currently I am taking Elavil in hopes that it will help, but now have found out that a side effect of Elavil is weight gain too. Arrrggg! So, I am going to take myself off both meds and try and get the weight back off. Neither drug has helped my symptoms, and just leave me feeling anxious, dizzy, brain fog, etc. I'd like to meet others with my similar problem in hopes for some answers. I've had many blood tests, and the doctors cannot find a reason for my neuropathy. It is verrrrrrrrrry frustrating!!!! Please either answer me on this thread or in PM. Thank you! Also, if anyone has any other suggestions or any other medications that work for them WITHOUT weigh gain!!!

03-23-2004, 09:08 AM	#3
diatron Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 558 Gallery: diatron Stats: 207/169/150 WOE: Protein Power Start Date: 4/21/03	I just started taking Nuerontin for foot pain as a result of my lower back fusion. It works too well for me to give it up. I haven't gained any weight while I have been taking it, but I haven't lost any either. I've heard other people admit to weight gain while taking Neuontin. Some people have had success with Topamax, that doesn't seem to have the weight gain issue. I also have new hypothyroid issues, so I'm not sure what is going on. I've been hovering around 170 pounds since Christmas time. Good luck in your search for something that works for your neuropathy and weight loss. __________________ Diana 5' 7", 56 years young

03-25-2004, 01:44 PM	#4
Celeste2 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,938 Gallery: Celeste2 Stats: A chick with sticks	I've tried Neurontin and Elavil for pubic nerve pain from a compressed pudendal nerve. I'm pursuing surgery and hopefully that will help the most. On the board for pudendal neuropathy I have heard of people getting a lot of help from Ultram. I don't know what it does to the weight, if anything. I do think if you can get some pain control, either with medication or an implanted neurostimulator device, you may be able to become more active and less depressed, which are extreme factors that shut off weight loss in those of us who find food to be a comfort. Good luck!!!! __________________ Celeste

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03-23-2004, 09:03 AM	#2
wattobotf Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 6 Gallery: wattobotf Stats: 275/196/175 WOE: Higher Fat Bernstein's/Atkins Start Date: 12/24/2003	I take pamelor for peripheral neuropathy in my feet. It has done a great job with the night time pain. I currently take 90 mgs at bed time. I tried elavil and it didn't work. I've been taking pamelor since 1999. I started with a 10 mg dose and have stepped up over the years to 90 mgs. I also take 1800mg per day of alpha lipoic acid (sustained release) and Benfotamine. I am currently, under doctors supervision, weaning off of pamelor to see how things are. I've gone from my 90 mgs per night to 50 tonight, no excruciating pain. They were never able to tell me what caused my neuropathy, but I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2000 (I've probably been diabetic for a number of years and I suspect that what has caused it). Pamelor also has a listed side effect of weight gain, but up until december 2003 (I started Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution) in December of 2002 I had a steady weight loss. From December until this week, no loss, clean eating and exercise, but a tremendous amount of stress due to my involvement in some work related legal matters. I have finally lost 2 pounds this week, but I have no way of knowing if it is the lack of pamelor, my upping my fat intake or that spring has sprung. Good luck, I know how painful this can be. 275/196/150

03-25-2004, 04:59 PM	#5
pharmd4me Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: northern chicago suburbs Posts: 301 Gallery: pharmd4me Stats: 270/226/200 WOE: high protein, busting ass in the gym...	Tramadol shouldn't have any effect on weight. Its just a synthetic opiod like compound that affects the mu pain receptors in the spinal cord and brain. If anything you could get some constipation from it if you use it for long periods of time. There is a slight seizure risk with tramadol but that is very rare and usually only manifests as a drug to drug interaction. Nausea is also a common side effect, but that is with all opiod pain medications. Actually if you use this chronically you may lose weight due to the nausea and not wanting to eat. Most people will just switch the drug if that occurs, but I have seen this happen to people. Best of luck, jeff

03-27-2004, 12:29 PM	#6
Jewels Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 9,322 Gallery: Jewels Stats: Maintaining 126	I don't have peripheral neuropathy but do have Restless Leg Syndrome so I have been on Neurotin for about 5 years. I lost all my weight in the past 1 1/2 years so I can't blame the Neurontin. I have not noticed any gain on it particularly.