Lyrica help for a friend

[susan423]

So she's taking Lyrica (don't know what for) and she says it works amazingly and doesn't want to give it up. But she's been gaining while taking it. She was trying to diet but she wasn't doing low carb. Right now she's about 100 pounds overweight. She wanted me to ask you guys (I told her how smart you guys are) if there's anything she can do?
Thanks

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

Does she want to do Atkins?

[Suzanne_H]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

Lyrica is used to treat nerve pain as well as seizures. It's a pretty potent medicine, and has a huge warning label. I would recommend that your friend consult her physician before starting any diet and exercise program. I would also recommend she get a copy of DANDR and read up on the diet. Atkins isn't something we go off of once we reach goal. It's a way of eating for a lifetime... good news for some, not so good for others.

[susan423]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

Does she want to do Atkins?

I don't think so. The diets she's done in the past were the classic low fat type. I'm a believer that any diet will work as long as you can stick to it long term. I'm just wondering if low carb would work better for her being on this medication.

[susan423]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

Lyrica is used to treat nerve pain as well as seizures. It's a pretty potent medicine, and has a huge warning label. I would recommend that your friend consult her physician before starting any diet and exercise program. I would also recommend she get a copy of DANDR and read up on the diet. Atkins isn't something we go off of once we reach goal. It's a way of eating for a lifetime... good news for some, not so good for others.

Ok, Thanks

[Hoping]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

I have very strong feelings against Lyrica. I took it for nerve pain. That is some crazy.....
I, personally, didn't gain weight on it or at least I didn't notice weight gain if I did so it couldn't have been too much. But does she seem mellowed out? She may not realize how immobile she really is.
For example, there were a few days when I couldn't feel my hands. They were numb, so I didn't want to do anything but sit there. It was really just a strange feeling. And by the way, my hands did not have damaged nerves.
Is your friend also aware that it can cause blurred vision and many people have never been able to restore their vision? It's pretty crazy. If she hasn't already she should do some serious research on Lyrica.
Sorry I'm not much help.

[susan423]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

Thanks, Hoping. I'll ask her more about it. I'm not around her allot but I usually see her a few minutes a day and talk to her on the phone. One thing I've noticed about her is she just seems happier. More relaxed and not as uptight.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

>>I'm just wondering if low carb would work better for her being on this medication.>>

Has she asked you to solve this problem for her? If she doesn't want to do low carb, then she won't ... regardless of how you feel it might work for her.

[Hoping]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

I forgot to add one more thing, she may just have to do good old calorie/portion control and up the exercise (if she can). One thing I tell people is that Atkins helped me identify my trigger foods. She may want to consider doing a variation thereof if she can't commit to this woe.

[susan423]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

>>I'm just wondering if low carb would work better for her being on this medication.>>

Has she asked you to solve this problem for her? If she doesn't want to do low carb, then she won't ... regardless of how you feel it might work for her.

Well, she did ask me to check around and ask people (she doesn't have the internet) if there's a solution to her weight gain while on this medication. Although, honestly, she was heavy before she started this medication and I'm not sure how long she tried to "diet". In doing research I discovered that it does make you extra hungry so it could be more that then the actual meds.

[mission to lose]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

Well, she did ask me to check around and ask people (she doesn't have the internet) if there's a solution to her weight gain while on this medication. Although, honestly, she was heavy before she started this medication and I'm not sure how long she tried to "diet". In doing research I discovered that it does make you extra hungry so it could be more that then the actual meds.

Hi,
Has your friend discussed this situation with her Physician? He would be a good person for her to discuss this with. I agree with Suzanne.
Not sure if you said why she is on the medicine and how dangerous it is or not with a change in diet, but it is always good for someone to check with their doctor before a major change in their diet if on medication. And you said she has a lot to lose?
Forgive me, but I do not think she should be getting advice from all of the wonderful people here. This board is for advice on the Atkins WOE. Since you brought up the subject of her being on a certain medication, that sort of involves a little medical advice. And your question isn't really clear either, so I am a little confused. You said she wants to know if there is anything she can do? That is a pretty general question.
So if there is an Atkins questions, we will all be glad to help.
what specifically does she want to know?

[susan423]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

Well, since I don't freguent many other forums, and I've heard folks on here talk about different meds they are on and how some can slow weight loss, I just thought.....I guess I was wrong. She did mention her weight gain to her doctor and he says there's nothing you can do about it. Since I've been following low carb, I've come to realize how misinformed doctors can be So I thought someone on here that is on this med and has overcome the weight gain could give us some ideas. Guess not. Sorry to bother you.

[mission to lose]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

Since I've been following low carb, I've come to realize how misinformed doctors can be So I thought someone on here that is on this med and has overcome the weight gain could give us some ideas. Guess not. Sorry to bother you.

You are not a bother, it is just as others posted as well, since there is a prescribed medication involved, she should talk to her dr, and if she is not happy with his answer, she could get another opinion.

But again, this was sort of bordering on medical advice, not Atkins,
and you said she does not want to even follow the Atkins plan. And your question was not really clear. Like I had said, didn't mean to offend you.

*You can also try googling the internet for "Lyrica, weight gain", etc for some input as well, since you said your friend does not have internet access.

[goin2befit]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

I just wanted to say... I love your quote by Orson Welles..... That was to funny!

Now no to a more serious note, by no means am I a doctor so I agree 100% with what the others say about her consulting her doctor (who by the way sounds like a *ss if he is going to say there is nothing you can do... there is always something that can be done!)

Here you can find good info on Lyrica
Lyrica patient advice including side effects

Based upon that a couple of words jump out to me... diabetes.. and epilepsy...

Now based upon that we all know Atkins is GREAT for diabetes...
The next being said... according to the last studies a Ketogenic diet helps those with treating some forms of epilepsy.

Here is an article on that:
Modified Atkins Diet Can Cut Epileptic Seizures In Adults

Now the last part is the hard part which is changing someone's mind from low fat to high fat!!! It is her choice and always there is alternatives and choices that can be made no matter what doctor says otherwise!

Hope that helped... also, I know it seems upsetting sometimes to not get the answer we are looking for or for what is being said to sound a little harsh, but honestly, really and truely (and I have been in your shoes before) everyone is just trying to give the best advise that they are qualified to give that will help. We would all hate to advise you of something and your friend follow our advise and end up in a critical state because of it!!! HUGS!

[Suzanne_H]

Re: Lyrica help for a friend

Oh goodness sis you're not a bother! I just get a little jumpy when a thread comes up regarding something as serious as medications. There are plenty of folks online who consider themselves pseudo-physicians and are likely to give all kinds of advice without knowing c'mere from sic 'em. I appreciate your wanting to help your friend... just would encourage her to talk to her doc *first* before going on any diets and so forth.