Answer Summary

Members overwhelmingly connected the question about unexplained weight gain to medications commonly prescribed for fibromyalgia, particularly... Read more

Members overwhelmingly connected the question about unexplained weight gain to medications commonly prescribed for fibromyalgia, particularly gabapentin and pregabalin, with several sharing that these drugs caused rapid weight gain, night sweats, and worsening depression despite efforts like following SlimmingWorld or low-glycemic diets. Many described the emotional toll of outgrowing their clothes, feeling helpless, and struggling to afford new items while prioritizing medication costs and family needs, with some experiencing suicidal thoughts from the compounding effects of pain, weight gain, and loss of control. A recurring theme was frustration with the cruel trade-off of medications meant to help causing additional suffering, alongside encouragement to seek more knowledgeable specialists like rheumatologists and to practice self-compassion during an incredibly difficult journey.