The FastDay Forum

This may be discussed already somewhere but for someone on Neurotin or gabapentin (I understand for pain control) this is medication that apparently tends to weight gain. Is a fasting diet likely to help reduce weight for someone taking this medication?

Hi Anita

Yes, definitely. Not only weight but may help with the condition you are taking it for. Indeed fasting as a treatment for epilepsy is an old idea that has recently been talked about again in the scientific literature. Is it for TGN? Am hoping fasting is helping with my TGN symptoms!

Actually it's for fibromyalgia - or polymyalgia (i'm not sure which any more, it's a condition my mother suffers from). My mother is keen to shift weight which, along with her condition, must be impacting on her mobility. She has enthusiastically taken to the fasting diet but couldn't find any information about this medication and fasting.

I've just been looking into fasting and fibromyalgia as I have mild FM. There seems to be good evidence that FM is linked with defective mitochondrial function. Exercise is good for promoting mitochondrial growth, particularly high intensity interval training, which I do (see Dr Mosley's Horizon programme: The Truth About Exercise. Link in the resources board). I could not find much info about fasting and FM but it may improve some of the dysfunctions.

As for the medication, it can be taken with or without food so fasting should not affect its action.

Thanks!