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What Causes Weight Gain After Taking Amitriptyline And Gabapentin?
Question: Hello, I am having difficulty getting off Clonazapem that I've taken since 1997 (approx.) I was diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. I've taken a variety of medications to enable me to discontinue Alprozam and Clonazepam: including Gabapentin, Lamotrigine and Zoloft). I have sciatic pain that resulted in my taking Amiltriptyline for the last year approx.) . I have gained weight with the Amiltriptine and the Gabapentin(I believe it's going on 35 lbs. so far!!!!!!! I would like to get rid of all medications that cause weight gain. I wish I could go back to Clonazepam ....... I am anxious and depressed and have insommnia and Sleep Apnea. I better leave it at that now... Thanks for any guidance or suggestions.........
Brief Answer:
I think either Prozac or pristiq should be explored
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and tried to understand your concerns.
First of all I like to ensure you that the medications with tendency to cause weight gain can be removed. As I can see you developed weight following use of amitryptiline and gabapentin the both medicines needs serious reconsideration.
Regarding amitryptiline and gabapentin I feel pristiq is best alternative which covers functions of both medications. The pristiq have spectrum of actions which covers both anxiety as well as pain symptoms and depressive symptoms if any.
Prozac is another weight neutral option but it has limited to no role in pain symptoms but efficient molecule when it comes to PTSD. This is mentioned because it can be supplemented for amitryptiline thus making the medication combination as fluoxetine and gabapentin which have very less tendency to cause weight gain in compare to current combination.
I must acknowledge here that reduction of weight will also help in sleep apnea and insomnia to the significant degree.
I am slightly confused about clonazepam as there are two contradictory statement in your post. The first says "I am having difficulty getting off Clonazapem" while the second states that "I wish I could go back to Clonazepam". Please clarify what you mean by these two statements.
I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
I think either Prozac or pristiq should be explored
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and tried to understand your concerns.
First of all I like to ensure you that the medications with tendency to cause weight gain can be removed. As I can see you developed weight following use of amitryptiline and gabapentin the both medicines needs serious reconsideration.
Regarding amitryptiline and gabapentin I feel pristiq is best alternative which covers functions of both medications. The pristiq have spectrum of actions which covers both anxiety as well as pain symptoms and depressive symptoms if any.
Prozac is another weight neutral option but it has limited to no role in pain symptoms but efficient molecule when it comes to PTSD. This is mentioned because it can be supplemented for amitryptiline thus making the medication combination as fluoxetine and gabapentin which have very less tendency to cause weight gain in compare to current combination.
I must acknowledge here that reduction of weight will also help in sleep apnea and insomnia to the significant degree.
I am slightly confused about clonazepam as there are two contradictory statement in your post. The first says "I am having difficulty getting off Clonazapem" while the second states that "I wish I could go back to Clonazepam". Please clarify what you mean by these two statements.
I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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