Have been assured by psychiatrist that my new drug, Pregabalin, doesn't have weight gain as a side-effect, but even though I am not yet on a therapeutic dose, I'm already noticing it. It's highly unlikely anyone else is on this drug as I've posted something about it in another thread, but I thought I'd ask in case anyone has noticed this in other similar medications (I'm also taking Mirtazapine) and whether it's possible to counter it? I find I am hungry a lot. I'm still on the 5/2 diet but am finding it very difficult to stick to and I nibble things later on in the day. I struggle with my weight anyway, and my MIL's family are all stick-thin, so the contrast is very depressing. I can't do the walking I ought to do, because of Achilles tendon pain, (though I am trying to increase my walking even if it's slow), swimming is out - I'm far too hideous to be seen in a swimsuit and I hate public swimming baths - I'm losing hope of ever being an acceptable weight and have relatively liveable-with levels of anxiety and depression.
My OH would prefer me to be off all meds, because he can see the health risks involved, but I am still hoping that they might make a difference. I just don't know what to do for the best. I hate how I look and it's getting worse but I also hate struggling with feeling anxious and depressed.
I'm not asking for medical advice, as I know that's not appropriate, but just venting really - feeling a bit low and horrible and in need of encouragement.
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An exercise bike might help - good idea. Though I used to have one my brother gave me and it ended up being used to drape clothes on, so we gave it away! I will post something in Freecycle (haha) and see if anyone has one they don't want.
And yes, I did see the leaflet - but only after he'd prescribed the drug, and I can't believe he told me that weight gain wasn't a problem. He's someone I normally trust. I am still on the lower dose to get used to the drug, so goodness knows what will happen when I have to take two a day.... 
Some of these medics don't seem to know much about the side-effects of the drugs they prescribed, as others have said on various threads on the forum!
Try not to worry about it (sorry, silly thing to say, I know) and see how you actually feel, mentally, when you go back to see him next time. Good luck. 
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