I’m new to this forum but have had MS for almost 40 years. I’m secondary progressive. I used to be very fit healthy and be slim. When I was first diagnosed, I was able to maintain this healthiness. I could exercise regularly. Over the past year. I have been gaining weight despite having a healthy diet. I just can’t seem to shift the weight. I take pregablin and I wonder if this has anything to do with it? All advice welcome.
It appears that weight gain is a known side effect of the drug.
“Pregabalin is generally well tolerated with side effects most commonly reported in trials being headache, drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain and fatigue. The extent of the side effects seems to be related to the size of the dose taken.”
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Besides the drugs, your metabolism is slowing down drastically. I know! I gained nearly 30kg in 5 years, in spite of deconditioning and losing muscle mass. I’ve shifted 7kg so far from “peak fatness” by basically eating less. Your dietary habits, however healthy, still leave room for reduction.
The other worry with MS is fatigue: dieting = calorie deficit and that can provoke fatigue, drowsiness and slowing metabolism too. Not much fun I’m afraid.
Talk to your MS Pharmacist. You may need a diuretic as much of the weight gain could be due to ncreased fluid retention.
Graeme
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I really do think that calorie restriction is the road to no town, for exactly the reason you set out. I am much more comfortable with the idea of eating with metabolic health (= brain health) in mind and you don’t have to go hungry to do it.
Thanks so much for clarifying. I knew this was the case that I thought that it only affected a very few people. I guess I’m that person! does anybody have any experience of coming off pre-gabbling? Many thanks, Andrea
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I was meaning to reply to you on this one Graeme! 
Hi, I came off pregabalin and went on gabapentin - similar drug so may have similar side effects. If you do want to come off speak to your doctor or MS nurse, but you must wean off gradually. I didn’t have any problems. Ali