Hi All! As well as volunteering at the Pain Clinic I also saw a Dr for myself, today - & would you believe, he was the one guy I didn't want to see! (I think I've written here about a disagreement I had with him some time back). Anyway, he has put me on Lyrica. Have any of you had experience with Lyrica? The neurontin helped my pain immensely, but caused such bad brain fog & swollen legs & I think had a bad effect on my stomach. I know Lyrica can have these side effects, too but they say Lyrica works better for some people than neurontin (gabapentin). Any info gratefully received! Love & Light!
I did a little research on this drug. It seems to be perscribed only for nerve damage from Diabetic Peripheral neuropathy and Postherpetic neuralgia, the last one is a complication from shingles. As far as I can tell it was only recently approved in the USA.
It also has a few side effects, dizziness, sleepiness, dry mouth, swelling, blurred vision, weight gain and difficulty concentrating or attention. It states that side effects are generally mild to moderate.
It is supposed to help with the nerve pain in as early as 1 week. You'll never know it may help. I dont have any experience with it, so all I can do is offer what I found out through research. Hope this helps. I find a great place to research medications is on www.webmd.com, I find they give a fair opinion and quite accurate description.
How are you feeling? I hope you are doing well, you are always in mine and hubby's prayers, take care and God bless.
They are having good success with it in Colorado Apparently it doesn't cause weight gain and is easier on the system. My husband likes it better I have not tried it yet
lyrica is now being used for many types of chronic-pain: Fibromyalgia and nerve damage pain. Not all nerve pain comes from diabetes and chemo, some are from cervical injuries or surgeries.
I have seen the commercials recently that suggest this med works well for Fibro patients. I am not sure what causes Fibro? I know a lady that had three pelvic surgeries that left nerve damage and now was diagnosed with Fibro, she has all over body nerve pain? Interesting how different we all are.
I was on the Lyrica for well over a year. I was taking 75mg 3 times a day. It worked wonderful for the neuropathy and took care of alot of the headache that I had from my MVA.
I stopped taking it this past August because it was causing a major weight gain for me and I certainly didn't need to gain anymore.
SInce I've been off from it the weight gain has finally slowed way down but my nerve pain is back from all that garbage in my neck.
If you don't mind gaining a few pounds I would say go for it. If it wasn't for that one side effect I would still be taking it.
If I recall correctly I elive Sickandtiredofitall was also taking it for a short time. SHe might be able to give you a little more input on it.
Hi Oz - I did try Lyrica for a short while. I had rather dreadful side effects starting with the first dose (dizziness, slurring words, sounds and light amplified, perception of speed when travelling in an automobile amplified, difficulty thinking clearly (not that it's very good normally anymore after the accident anyway, water retention of five pounds over two days not in the limbs but in the torso, etc. etc.
Even though I was only on the Lyrica for less than a week all told (I drew the line when I had an increase in nerve pain instead of a decrease), it seems to have left me with a seemingly permanent increase in appetite.
I think if you put 'lyrica forum' into search, you may come across quite a number of other people who have had bizarre side effects not mentioned by the manufacturer. Another place to check it out might be 'askapatient' where people leave comments on medications they have tried.
But since you were able to tolerate the neurontin (excluding the unwanted side effects), you might be able to tolerate the Lyrica just fine. A lot of people seem to find the drug very helpful.
Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.
Sickandtiredofitall
Thanks guys! I can't believe it's nearly 18 months since I asked that question! Much has happened since then! I decided not to risk it - especially after finding out that magnesium can help so much. Magnesium has really made a huge difference for me with NO SIDE EFFECTS!
Sometimes when I've been more active the magnesium isn't enough and it seems like my whole body, especially my legs, is one large toothache. Recently, with starting back at work I've been so exhausted from the pain that I've just been getting home and getting straight to bed. I've been so tempted to have some of my heavy duty morphine type drugs then, but the side effects are just so bad I've held off. And, I am getting through this and every day is getting a bit better - despite some flare ups now abd then.
Hope you are all having a great holiday season! Love & Light!
I can see that these are old but for what it is worth-
I was Dx with Fibro-life was not good.
I tried Lyrica. Mirlacle drug for me.
BUT then-blured vision and weight gain. Appetite really increased.
The vision bothers me. I have read whee many others have had this problem. I see my Opthamologist tomorrow. It depends on him as to whether I continue or not. My weight has never been a probblem but I will fight that.al
I can see that these are old but for what it is worth-
I was Dx with Fibro-life was not good.
I tried Lyrica. Mirlacle drug for me.
BUT then-blured vision and weight gain. Appetite really increased.
The vision bothers me. I have read whee many others have had this problem. I see my Opthamologist tomorrow. It depends on him as to whether I continue or not. My weight has never been a probblem but I will fight that.al
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