Lyrcia for neuropathic pain, has anyone tried this?

[sissy]

I have full body neuropathic pain that is very, very, very bad & my SCI Doctor called me yesterday about this new drug Lyrica. He said that he put one of his patients on it & they had good results with it.

So I was wondering if anyone here has tired this yet & if so what do you think?
This is the site I looked at: www.lyrica.com/cwpb/v1/begin.do?null

[mike]

I asked my doctor about switching me to Lyrica from Neurontin and he told me that he saw no difference in effectiveness between the two drugs. As I understand it, Lyrica is Pfizers replacement for Neurontin. Perhaps others on this website have had different experiences.

[bruce]

Mike, I think it's too early to tell whether it's the same. As I understand it, an advantage to Lyrica is that the body doesn't metabolize it as fast, so you don't need to take it as often. I take 600 mg of gabapentin (generic for Neurontin) four times a day as the half-life of gabapentin is about five hours.

Using Lyrica for neuropathic pain associated with sci is "off-label" so there has not been research on it with sci. Using gabapentin for sci is off-label as well, Neurontin was originally FDA approved for treatment of epileptic seizures. It's been around long enough for us to know that it at least helps some people.

My guess is that some of us may find Lyrica better, others not. Some of us may have side effects from it, others not. I intend to try it soon .. I've been waiting for it to be approved.

Anyone out there taking it yet?

[alan]

I'll probably wind up trying it. Nothing better to do.

It has to be taken less often than Neurontin? Does that mean three times a day or twice a day? I know the required dosage is much lower.

[mike]

I think if it is found that Lyrica is a longer lasting drug I would have to consider the cost. Neurontin is available in the generic version gabapentin which is far less expensive, particularly in Canada, then Neurontin. I am sure that Lyrica will be extremely expensive, so if I have to take a drug more often and it cost twice as much, with all of the drugs I take, I might choose the inconvenience of medicating more often and save the money. Now if it is found that Lyrica does not cause edema or memory problems, then it would be worth some extra cost to me.

[ceron2]

Mike, I think it's too early to tell whether it's the same. As I understand it, an advantage to Lyrica is that the body doesn't metabolize it as fast, so you don't need to take it as often. I take 600 mg of gabapentin (generic for Neurontin) four times a day as the half-life of gabapentin is about five hours.

Using Lyrica for neuropathic pain associated with sci is "off-label" so there has not been research on it with sci. Using gabapentin for sci is off-label as well, Neurontin was originally FDA approved for treatment of epileptic seizures. It's been around long enough for us to know that it at least helps some people.

My guess is that some of us may find Lyrica better, others not. Some of us may have side effects from it, others not. I intend to try it soon .. I've been waiting for it to be approved.

Anyone out there taking it yet?


I have started taking it as of 9-29-05. I was on neuronton for many years at 2400mg per day. I am also on other pain meds with it. Ultracet is one of them at 8x per day. Had to drop down in dosage b4 switching over. Have not been on it long enough yet to tell is there is any diff. Will try to keep posted on it. rwj

[babsie]

My husband has been on lyrica for several months now, they do help a little with the pain, but he does get side effects, putting on weight is a problem since he started taking them, but for him the side effects seem to be less than when he was taking Neurontin, and the dosage is a lot lower. You can but try. Good luck

[Jake34]

I have been on Neurontin for about ten years at a dose of 2400mg per day which is the recommended maximum in the UK. Last year I asked to to be changed to Lyrica which my doctor approved and I did so by reducing my Neurontin to about 1200mg and then introducing the Lyrica at a starting dose of 300mg. Over the next few weeks I continued to reduce the Neurontin and increase the Lyrica until I was finally on 1200mg of Lyrica per day in 4 divided doses.



Over the following weeks and months (about 6 months in all) I noticed the following effects. An increase in pain, particularly shooting and stabbing pains, a further increase in memory loss and general mental confusion, a very disturbing tremor in both hands, some hitherto inexperienced muscle cramps, an increase in my long standing (no pun intended) osteoarthritis and an increase in my blood sugar level. The latter may not necessarily have been a direct result of Lyrica.



After being on Lyrica for about 8 months I decided I could no longer stand the side effects and that the Neurontin was anyhow the better drug for me with regard to pain relief especially with regard to shooting pain. I therefore went back onto Neurontin by reversing the procedure above. I am now back on 2400mg of Neurontin along with 30mg Oxycontin (slow release) per day. I find this drug programme gives me the best relief from pain, burning etc that I have so far found. The increased side effects of Lyrica have now subsided and returned to the “normal” side effects of Neurontin.



I dislike posting negatively about a drug or any kind of therapy, so please don’t think I am suggesting anyone rejects trying Lyrica because as we all know how each of us responds differently to all types of therapy. I would like to add however that I am very suspicious of Pfizer and suspect that Lyrica – which I understand is little more than a very much stronger version of Neurontin – was introduced to take over when the licence on Neurontin ran out. I understand that Pfizer held the new drug back for 3 years before “allowing” it to take over.



This has been my experience and my opinion of Lyrica.



Jake

[ceron2]

I have been weened off neuronton and am now on 300mg of Lyrica. I was on 2400 mg of Neuronton for 7 years. I am also on ultracet x8 per day.( History in brief,)[ I have had some procedures done to sever certian nerves in my back to help reduce some of the pain and skin sensitivity. Also had shoting pains and burning in leg. I couldn't have anything touch my skin , would be in sever pain.] I have noticed an improvement in pain. It has decreased somewhat over the level on Neuronton. Only side effects that I have had is increase in lightheadedness and balance is off a little more than before. I also seem to be al little more tired :zzz: (http://misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=68#)than before. Unless something changes in side effects I am satisfied with the change in meds. It does , for me anyway, help a little and at this point in time any help or improvement is a welcome one. rwj I would advise anyone to at least try Lyrica. It may help you . :thumb: (http://misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=68#)

[mike]

After reviewing the responses it appears that Lyrica works better with some folks then with others. I guess the same is true with Gabapentin versus Neurontin even though they are suppose to be the same. Looking at the Pfizer website http://www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/pregabalin/, it is interesting to note that they do not claim that their is any increase in effectiveness for pain relief,which they would certainly claim if they had evidence, but state that since lower doses are required there should be less side effects. The conclusion that I would draw from all of this is that Lyrica is not really a better drug for CP but as is the case in all drugs in may work better with some folks then others.

[alan]

When I tried to go to 100 mg. Lyrica at a time, I produced very little urine (same problem I had when I went to 24 mg. Palladone.) So, it seems Lyrica is not for me, either. <sigh>

Anyone have a guillotine I can borrow?

[canuck]

After reviewing the responses it appears that Lyrica works better with some folks then with others. I guess the same is true with Gabapentin versus Neurontin even though they are suppose to be the same. Looking at the Pfizer website http://www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/pregabalin/, it is interesting to note that they do not claim that their is any increase in effectiveness for pain relief,which they would certainly claim if they had evidence, but state that since lower doses are required there should be less side effects. The conclusion that I would draw from all of this is that Lyrica is not really a better drug for CP but as is the case in all drugs in may work better with some folks then others.

I don't think there have been enough responses to draw any conclusions yet. 10 people is a pretty poor sampling, I wouldn't draw any conclusions until I had heard at least a 100 responses, 1000 would be even better.

[alan]

I'm going to give the 100 mg. another shot, in case the effect was a fluke.

[metronycguy]

i am going to try it too, pick up a script for it this week.
i have this hypersensitivity pain RSD pain in my foot that stops me from wearing any shoe in winter, this causes more problems since the cold foot sets off unhappy sensations, i am starting out real low , i think 25mg 3x a day.

[alan]

I'm at 100 mg. of Lyrica twice a day, heading for 150 mg. twice a day. No relief so far.

[ddehlin]

I have just started taking Lyrcia a few months ago after chronic pain in both my legs for the last 20 years after 4 surgery's at L5-S1,S2, S3 with spinal fusions. I had the usual shooting pains and the feeling that there were electrical currents running down both legs. I have quit taking any form of pain meds as they simply robbed me of any quality of life. I was visiting my doctor and I always ask if any new medications have come out lately and he went and got me a sample bottle of 50mg Lyrcia and said "Try this", I had tried Neurontin with really bad effects a few years ago, My doctor told me that it was like Neurontin but without some of the unpleasant side effects. I came home and took a 50mg cap and waited, after an hour it was like someone had thrown a switch to turn the pain and electrical activity off. I have since moved up to 300mg per day as the 150mg did not last me 24 hours. I love this drug, I seem to have no side effects at all. :)

[Tim C.]

WE'LL see, i didn't have luck with gabapentin.
it all sucks

[DA6righthand]

i use lyrica too. but lately i've gotten a stronger burning sensation in my left arm. i need more lyrica. btw, nuerotin didn't do too much good for me.

this is a WAY OLD THREAD though.

[firesmurf]

as with any med,everyones individual response,really IS very highly individual.i had absolutely no side effects or pain relief from neurontin and finally went off at 3600,then i did have blurred vision but up til then had no side effects at all.went onto gabitril from there,and all i wanted to do was sleep.that side effect actually never ever went away for over like a year and a half i was on it,it also really didn't do muxch for my pain issues either.really great sleep aid tho.cymbalta was a huge disaster with too many side effects to even get into,mostly horrid nausea and flu like symptoms,so that one went too.

next i tried lyrica,now this was really a freaky experience.the day after my first dose of it,my legs began aching like a bitch,but it also actually dropped the lower leg swelling i had had since a surgery done on my RSD knee last april.interesting.the next day,legs still a bit achey,the huge swelling in my actual RSD knee,went down by like half,really amazing since in over the three years this has been there,that swelling has only become much worse,never better.but this med also did something to my polycystic kidneys.it made them swell even more than they already were and caused them to actually shift out of their normal position.

while this was going on tho,i was for the first time,also experiencing some actual relief from my central pain.nothing had ever touched that before either.but once again the side effects of my eyes being sooo screwed up and actually crossing and uncrossing and the leg co ordination was like i had just consumed a six pack or something.i couldn't walk a straight line if my life depended on it.it kept running into walls all the time and kept leaning and walking to the left for some bizarre reason.it appears,at least for me anyways that this med really affected the cerebellum in my brain,which helps to govern prioperception,the eyes,and co ordination.i have done alot of research on the basics of anti siezure type meds,and it does appear that quite a few of them do actually affect the cerebellum and can also cause whats called cerebellar syndrome,this is actually listed as a possible(but rare) side effect with the lyrica,if you read all that literature that is sent out by the drug company on it.

the thing is,you just don't or wont know how your particular response will be to any med you take til you actually try it.everyone reacts in their own way,just because our body chemistry and other medical issues we may have,and the other meds we take,all will dictate our own response.i would reccomend anyone to actually at least try lyrica and see how it works for them.like i stated above,while i did have some really awful side effects from it,it really DID help with my central and other pain issues.the side effects tho,well,they were just not worth that trade off.but that was just me.other people hail it as a wonder drug for them,so who knows.i would personally never not try a med that could possibly help with my hell just because of someone elses response to it.who knows,it could be the wonder med you have been looking for.but you will never know til you actually try it.

i am really glad to hear that this med is really working well for some of you.i just wish my side effects were not sooo over the top as it really did help,with many aspects.anything and everything is always worth a try,espescially with the burning hell of this crappy ass pain.marcia

[HappyJanel]

Hello Sissy and all of those who are wondering,
I just started Lyrica this past Wednesday 1/16/08 and WOW, I have not felt this good in over 11 years. In 1996 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and have lived in chronic pain ever since. (long story - I had a virus attack my nervous system with a 105.7 temp.) This pill allows me to feel everything as normal, but dulls my pain by over 60%+! I still have some pain and muscle problems, but overall, the pain is so low compared to what I was dealing with, I feel so happy and hopeful. Nothing and I mean nothing has ever helped me the way Lyrica has.

[knmotta]

I am taking Larika and it is good.

[MAKER30]

I started Lycria two days ago for numbness in legs and feet along with severe electrical impulses. This is apparently resulting from problems in lower back. Will post results in future days.

[timdog65]

I Am A T-5 Para I Was On A Cocktail Of Drugs For My Nerve Pain From Neuronton,efexor,norotripolyene And They Worked For About A 1yr 1/2 .then They Stopped Working And The Squeezing In My Stomach Came Back But The Squeezing Never Completely Went Totaly Away With The Pills. Now I'm Drug Free I Just Bare With The Pain But Its Starting To Get To Me .i've Herd About Lyrica But I Don't No If I Wanna Go Thru Taking Pills Again If It Is Not Worth It Can I Get Sum Advice

[timdog65]

i have a problem with taking pills on a daily basis so my schedule is never the same time daily would this be a problem

[petersencr]

I am taking lyrica and I took gabapentin. I didn't see any results in either of them.

[razzle51]

I ate everything in site and legs swelled up . So not for me .

[cheryl]

I was wondering if any of you have had a problem when you first went on Lyrica. I have been on it for about four days and it feels like I am taking no medication at all she put me on 50mg. I have a herinated disc and I am going crazy with no sleep the pain is so intense that I just can't sleep at all.I have the tingling throbing pain in both my legs.Do you think that it just takes time to really start to work or maybe the mg is not strong enough,what do any of you think.Please help me I can't stand this any more.thanks cheryl

[kmarie225]

your lyrica dose is really low. you can take more safely. call your doc and explain pain and no sleep. ask about taking amitryptin with it also. combination of drugs can bring relief. good luck. karen

[maddog5719]

I have been on lyrica for about 3 years, i was the first one my dr. prescribed it to and the first one to have it filled at walgreens my pharmacy. It works really good for fibromyalgia but the withdraw symptoms are horrible, the symptoms are dizziness, nausea, feel like you can't breath and the anxiety is awful. just be careful it how you wing yourself off of it no cold turkey.

[timdog65]

i'm a t-4 t-5 para who i suffering from server nerve pain in my stomach its getting really really bad i cant take it no more if feels like my muscles n my stomach are squeezing the life outta out of me can anyone help i'm at my last wind my dr's no help so i turn 2 my own kind 4 help. is lyrica the new drug 4 nerve pain i took nuronton 4 2yrs n it stopped working now ineed yalls help i dnt no how much longer i can hold on like this its stealing my joy

[Lee555]

i'm a t-4 t-5 para who i suffering from server nerve pain in my stomach its getting really really bad i cant take it no more if feels like my muscles n my stomach are squeezing the life outta out of me can anyone help i'm at my last wind my dr's no help so i turn 2 my own kind 4 help. is lyrica the new drug 4 nerve pain i took nuronton 4 2yrs n it stopped working now ineed yalls help i dnt no how much longer i can hold on like this its stealing my joy

You might ask about Klonopin or lorazepam. The are benzodiazepines. My chest muscles were doing the same thing, contracting to the point I could barely breath. I could do a major deep breath to stretch the rib cage, and it would be fine for half a day, but they would slowly get tight, and tighter and tighter.........

[snafu]

I have been on Lyric for 4 days and have been tired, sleepiness, showing sign of depression, nervousness, absent minded. Haven't seen enough difference in pain to stay with all the side effects. Definitely don't need weight gain. I tried it for the shooting pains and muscle fibrillations through out body. Better and longer living through chemistry. Have to think about that sometimes.

snafu

[Shaybabby]

I have been on 150mg 2x' s daily for two years. I has been much more productive and extremely helpful for severe nerve pain from an injury I suffered four years ago. I had a lot less side effects than neurontin for me, and actually gave me back my life. I use this with 40mg per day of Elevil, maybe the combo has done the trick! I have noticed one strange thing about the Lyrica.... If I forget to take it in the morning I before progressively more and more irritable throughout the day. Has anyone noticed this side effect when tapering down?

[Tim C.]

My evolution to Lyrica, under the care of Mt Sinai, (NY) to Kessler (NJ), to LIJ/ North Shore Medical (NY) was as follows:

Mt Sinai Hosp- Baclofin> for spasms/pain but made me sleep thru rehab. switched to Neurontin, mediocre results.

Kessler- titrated up Neurontin with minimal results, then graduated to Gabapentin, 3x per day, titrated up to max. (2,400mg?) Just another 'horse pill' that is only minimally metabolized as I learned. Added Topomax > zero help for pain.

LIJ- tried Lyrica, titrated up to 600mg, adding 100mg per mo, got only blrry vision. reduced to 300mg.
My thoughts are that it does squat for my pain.

what's next FDA?

[rgeebee]

I have been suffering from low back pain for over 20 years. I bent over to move a coffee table and the next day I couldn't move my legs. Went to er and they sent me home with flexeril and said just take it easy for a few. I was 24. I had severe problems with this for yrs to the point I couldn'y move without it feeling like I was beeing cut in half. But I never really had any ins. so I didn't see Dr.s. I moved back to my home state in 96. I had suffered a broken ankle and walking with a cast was causing me severe pain. My dad took x-rays and says your L5-S1 disc is gone and you've got arthritis all up and down your spine.. My old family Dr. says you've got a herinated disc there...I said that explains the burning in my legs when I lay down, it's been doing that for yrs. Well being newly divorced mother of 2 I had to go to work......I did provider care and that was not really a good Idea. Now mind you...I was not getting anything for pain at all. Nothing nada, zilch. My new job included light house keeping which required me to sweep and mop. (I had carpet and a teenage daughter to help me out) Well needless to say when I started moping and sweeping others floors I ended up with horrible pain in my lower extremities and would be unable to walk upright for days. My old family Dr. wouldn't give me anything for pain because he didn't want me to become addicted to anything. But finally broke down and started giving me 1 mg of xanax 3 times a day and 350 mg of soma 3 times a day. Didn't really help with any of the pain but I really didn't care that I hurt. Fast foward to 2002, Can't get rid of this "crick" I've had in my neck for months and my chest hurts so bad and is so tight......I think I'm having heart trouble. I get an x-ray and old doc says. your having muscle spasms in your chest. Up the dose of Soma. Well the neck pain gets worse and still uninsured I fanagle myself into an er in another state as an indegent. they make an appointment for 2 months later. At the appt. they tell me I need an mri....another 2 months later I get the mri......the tech comes out after and says "girl you definately got something going on in the back of your neck. I get no treatment and no explanation of what is "going on". Live with pain in neck and back for another 5 yrs. Had a slight wreck last yr. At fault didn't have ins. so They did take me to hospital to see about arm. Transported me to other hospital to see ortho for surgery on arm. Plate and screws. Haven't been able to work since and tell him neck has really been bothering me bad and I'm in tears all the time because of it. (Ihad applied for disability 3 times and always no). Well he does mri of neck and asks me what the hell I did to myself......I don't know.
That was last yr. I am waiting for my disability hearing and I get this letter from my lawyer since I had to have surgery in my arm again because ofthe plate being broke and the nerve being all tangled in it.
My lawyer sends me this and it says...according to my ortho doc that I have horrible bone on bone arthritis with spondylolisthesis. with canal stenosis and formaninal stenosis in my lower back with disk protrusion. And also the x-rays showed right angulation deformity in my right arm, a risdual broken screw in the humurus and residual radial nerve palsy. Well he never told me that. Then it says that I have protruding and ruptured disc, spondylitic spurring, canal stenosis, formaninal stenosis, spurring, compression on the thecal sac, narrowing of the inferior foramen and other more severe problems at C2-3, C3-4,C4-5,C5-6,and C6-7. The orthopedic Dr. said I was in bad shape but never told me all this......But it does explain the fact that I haven't been not 1 day in my life since probably 1998 without pain in my body. It never goes away and most days it takes my breath away. I cry about it and try to explain to my family how bad I hurt and I've been told to suck it up......get over it......take some Aleve or if you'd just get up and move around you'll feel better. I have no ins. and the orthopedic dr. sent me to see a pain doc. I had to borow the 300 it cost me to see him. He gave me some meds 1 time and it was all I could do to get them filled. He told me when I get my disability to come back. When I was wanting to die from the pain in my arm because the plate was compressing the nerve the ortho doc wouldn't see me because my bill from last year had gone to collection. So I went to the er at the hospital where they did the surgery and told them he wouldn't see me. He couldn't get there fast enough. They admitted me and started me on morphine drip and 4 days later they took the plate out. Took him 4 hours to dissect it out from around the nreve. When I went to see him for my follow up he told me he could give me something mild for pain but nothing else.....he gave me my scripts and told me to get the hell out and not to bother him again. His nurse prctioner gave me a script for Lryca for my fibromyalgia but I can't afford to get it filled. That and some Talwin.....As far as I'm concerned thats like giving a gunshot to the chest a babd aid and some tylenol. I have been ready to eat a bullet more times that you can imagine.......Where can somebody on the shape I'm in get some kind of help. The pfizer is helping me get the Lryca for free for a year since I have no income. My state doesn't have charity hospitals and now that gas is $4 a gallon I can't drive 3 ours to see my old doc for any pain meds....hell I can't drive any more any way....can't turn my head to see if traffic is coming......It has taken me almost 3 hours to type this out because of the cramps I get in my arm ad in my neck sitting in front of the computer. and also the ortho doc is the one that screwed up the plate in my arm last year.....he bent it putting it in and it finally snapped......thats why he is being such an ass to me....scared I will sue him I guess. Well sorry for this being so long but I rarely get to vent and I'm sure most of you know how that is.....The lyrica......Is it going to help me with any of the pain I have....or am I going to have to resort to that bullet. My lawyer says I have a year probably before I get a hearing for my disabilty. I don't know what to do til then?????? I would love some feed back and or suggestions.....Thank you for listening.

[LaMemChose]

What state are you in which does not have a public hospital? :thinking:

[rgeebee]

I live in Arkansas. The hospital I was in voided out my bill because of my income level but I can't find a Dr. to help me out with any type of treatment because I can't pay. The pain doc I saw that one time was given me zanaflex 4 mg and 5 mg oxycodone for pain....he did slide me a few somas with that but he doesn't like to rx that......but he wouldn't give me anything else after that because he wanted me to do those lumbar injections and I couldn't afford that....thats when he said he wouldn't see me any more until I get my medicaid. The only time in my life that I didn't have pain was when the were shooting me full of fentanyl before the surgery on my arm(2nd time) and It was nice not to hurt for that little bit.

[LaMemChose]

I live in Arkansas. The hospital I was in voided out my bill because of my income level but I can't find a Dr. to help me out with any type of treatment because I can't pay. The pain doc I saw that one time was given me zanaflex 4 mg and 5 mg oxycodone for pain....he did slide me a few somas with that but he doesn't like to rx that......but he wouldn't give me anything else after that because he wanted me to do those lumbar injections and I couldn't afford that....thats when he said he wouldn't see me any more until I get my medicaid. The only time in my life that I didn't have pain was when the were shooting me full of fentanyl before the surgery on my arm(2nd time) and It was nice not to hurt for that little bit.

Google "Arkansas Free Medical Clinics" for resources of which you may not be aware. I just did and found a wealth of info. You'll have to dig through it as certain programs are for HIV pos individals, some for homeless persons, others for those who are uninsured and/or medically underserved like you.

The clinics most often assist with health conditions/injuries/diseases which don't necessitate an e.r. trip and sometimes certain chronic conditions for those who are uninsired or under-insured.

Free medical clinics can sometimes provide referrals to physical therapists who agree to give of their time and skills. I don't know if you have received p/t referrals in the past, but it might be worth a shot.

Chances are you will not find a doctor who will write scripts for you for pain meds. Doctors often view such requests as drug seeking, especially at a free clinic.

What are you doing for catheters and bowel program supplies (gloves)/meds or are your injuries more of an orthopaedic nature?

[LaMemChose]

P.S. Any chance you or your husband served in the military?

[rgeebee]

No my husband did not serve in the military.....and as far as what am i doing for any kind of treatment at all....nothing.....the only reason I got the rx for the lyrica was because the nerve pain I was having from the broken plate in my arm put me back into the hospital. And I guess it's more of an orthopedic problem.....I have just recently found out that I was probably born without the L5-S1 disc. But as far as my other problems in my neck I don't know what the hell happened. It's not like I was some kind of thrill seeker and got all banged up and stuff. I have seen my cervical mri and it is just awful....(my dad was a radioligist so I do have an understanding of such things). I am really tired of people blowing me off about my pain. I have already been told that once I get approved for medicaid it's going to take alot of surgery to stablize my neck and back. That scares me alot. But I would literally sell my soul just to not have pain for 1 day. Charley horses in my neck and upper back, down my legs and the bottoms of my feet. I can't remember the klast time I didn't have needle prick tingling down my arms and legs. And that ortho doc telling me that my arm pain is because of all that mess in my neck and then blowing me off like he did!!!!! It hurts so bad I don't even want anybody to touch it. And the muscles in it are always cramped up and hard because of it. And I go through this every day.....not sleeping and basically not caring anymore.....Do any of you think that the Lyrica will give me some kind of relief at all. Am already extremely greatful for the info so far. Thanks for that LaMemChose

[foxyladi14]

:applaud: i pray you find some relief from your pain
i have been on lyrica for arthritic pain since jan 08
it was a miracle for me took a 75mg as soon as i got home within an hour was totaly pain free
was taking that dose twice daily
but since i do not like taking meds am trying to wean myself off of it
now taking 50mg twice a day
next week going to try 75 once a day for a week then 50 mg once a day
by then hopefully i can quit
oh i am taking glusomine sulfate 500 mgs three times daily and its partner tumeric carcumin once a day
love peace good health best wishes to all
:applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

[windycitywoman2001@YAHOO.]

Hello,

I am looking for anyone who has withdrawn off of Lyrica. I was on it for 6 weeks and could not take the side effects. I talk to my phramacy and they said I did not have to withdraw slowly, according to these sites I should have slowly withdrawn off of it. It has been over two weeks that I have stopped taking it and I am still dizzy. When I lay down or move my head quickly I can feel that my equal libreum is still off. Has anyone had this and how long did it last?

Windy
windycitywoman2001@yahoo.com

[foxyladi14]

:applaud: totaly off the lyrica no side effects no pain
i am and will continue to take the alternative supplements
glusimine sulfate 500 mgs three times a day
tumeric carcumin once daily
peace love good health and no pain to all
god bless

[rgeebee]

I am going to be getting Lyrica through a program with pfizer....90 days for free for a year....only because I have no income at this time....I have to wait to see P. M. when I get my dissability so I take what I can get....Since my last visit my ortho doc gave me some soma anf xanax to control my anxiety and spasms.....lot of good it did...I had one refill left on my xanax and got it filled yesterday morning 90 for 10 bucks......as of this morning my room mate took them and threw them away because she doesn't like the way I act on them....no they don't help wioth pain but at least I can get some kinda sleep when I take them.......I'd like to call the cops on her but she's the only one I can stay with and she is also the reason I had yo be hospitalized in the first place....and she paid for the script.......I may not be the easiest to get along with when I'm on medication but it's all I had....Don't know how much longer it will take to get the lyica in.....Does it really work for pain......Or do I need to just eat a bullet and get it over with?????

[foxyladi14]

:applaud: :) I am going to be getting Lyrica through a program with pfizer....90 days for free for a year....only because I have no income at this time....I have to wait to see P. M. when I get my dissability so I take what I can get....Since my last visit my ortho doc gave me some soma anf xanax to control my anxiety and spasms.....lot of good it did...I had one refill left on my xanax and got it filled yesterday morning 90 for 10 bucks......as of this morning my room mate took them and threw them away because she doesn't like the way I act on them....no they don't help wioth pain but at least I can get some kinda sleep when I take them.......I'd like to call the cops on her but she's the only one I can stay with and she is also the reason I had yo be hospitalized in the first place....and she paid for the script.......I may not be the easiest to get along with when I'm on medication but it's all I had....Don't know how much longer it will take to get the lyica in.....Does it really work for pain......Or do I need to just eat a bullet and get it over with?????it was a wonder drug for me within an hour after taking a lyrica 75mg my pain was totaly gone
i hope it works as well for you
pain is a real pain

[metronycguy]

i wish it worked well for me, i have been foublin gup at nite on doses , but no noticabl epain relief,.
i have been using opana for bt pain, but in the evening when it gets crazy bad it seems to do nothing, i took 70 mg of opana betwen 930pm and 230 am, it wasnt to 230 that i was able to try able to go sleep . this is the 4 night in a row like this.
i cant seem to find the right opana dose, 20 mg =ng.\tonoight i wil try 30mg .
night s are evil

[kmarie225]

Without Lyrica, my husband probably wouldv'e committed suicide from pain..He's also on morphine tablets and an antinausea to take with it. They just put our oldest on Lydicain patches for her pain besides her oxycodone and Lyrica. Everyone's different on how they respond to pain scripts. Lyrica does have side effects the first month or so when you take it. He's on 150mg 3x per day. You need to keep doing research on agencies that can help you out. It does take several times before you get approved for disability. It's such a hard long fight, we know, but you have to hang in there. Your docs should be sued for malpractice if your mri's show you to have all that trouble and they haven't helped you. Your hospital should have a social worker who can hook you up with prescription assistance. I'm surprised your states social services can't help you with some sort of assistance since you can't work. North Dakota's like that but if we go over the state line to Minnesota, all kinds of help. You can always try writing to your congressman and explain your situation. Ours has been a wealth of information. Good luck . karen

[rgeebee]

Thanks for the info Karen....I have applied for disability 4 times now...My attorney says it may take up to a year before I get my hearing...but I'm being very patient with the whole process...it's been 4 years since I first applied......I did get my Lyrica finally and am taking about 1000 mg a day....it has taken that much to work for me but it is working for now....I'm not completely pain free but if you asked me on a scale of 1 to 10 what is my pain level I wouldn't say "orbital". I'd say it's about a 5 or 6 which is pretty good for me.....I am no longer getting anything for pain...my ortho says he can't treat me for that....state law or something....any just wanted to let you know that...and by the way...what side affects did your husband experience???? I don't think I'm having any at this time.

[Annynonamous]

I tried it after an epidural for a pinched nerve.

What a waste of $75 and whatever the epidural cost.

Generics work much better and alieviated the pain, Generics are free for me.
Tramadol 50 mg gets rid of my pain.

[metronycguy]

I tried it after an epidural for a pinched nerve.

What a waste of $75 and whatever the epidural cost.

Generics work much better and alieviated the pain, Generics are free for me.
Tramadol 50 mg gets rid of my pain.

there is no generic for lyrica

[wiilber]

sissy,
i've been on lyrica for some time now and i haven't had much luck with it. it helps some i guess but it isn't and wonder drug. todate i have had
5 operations on my back the last time i saw the surgeon. he said another operation would be too risky. i have two compressed discs in addition to alot of scarring buildup, so really i'll try anything. i was on oxycodone and nothing nomater what the dose was. i've really had it, anyway lyrica may help you, you never know, i hope it helps you..
God Bless,
wiilber

[wiilber]

sissy
',I IIUsed lyrica for about 3 months it not a cure all but i have found it stops that stabbing pain i get when ai move dom't know why but it works i tried stoping taking it with a lot of problems like the pains return very quickly. so it does what it is suppose to and it does it very well you will think the world has a different meaning. no more pains. lyrica does the job you'll love the results. my keyboard is stuck and i can't make corrections sorry

[wiilber]

Sissy,
',I have used lyrica for about a year, it not a cure all but i have found it stops that stabbing pain i get when ai move don't know why but it works i tried stoping taking it with a lot of problems like the pains return very quickly. so it does what it is suppose to and it does it very well you will think the world has a different meaning. no more pains. lyrica does the job you'll love the results. my keyboard is stuck and i can't make corrections sorry
God bless
wilber

[jms462001]

Without Lyrica, my husband probably wouldv'e committed suicide from pain..He's also on morphine tablets and an antinausea to take with it. They just put our oldest on Lydicain patches for her pain besides her oxycodone and Lyrica. Everyone's different on how they respond to pain scripts. Lyrica does have side effects the first month or so when you take it. He's on 150mg 3x per day. You need to keep doing research on agencies that can help you out. It does take several times before you get approved for disability. It's such a hard long fight, we know, but you have to hang in there. Your docs should be sued for malpractice if your mri's show you to have all that trouble and they haven't helped you. Your hospital should have a social worker who can hook you up with prescription assistance. I'm surprised your states social services can't help you with some sort of assistance since you can't work. North Dakota's like that but if we go over the state line to Minnesota, all kinds of help. You can always try writing to your congressman and explain your situation. Ours has been a wealth of information. Good luck . karen

Should your husband ever have to stop taking lyrica and detox from it, he will probably want to commit suicide again. It is horrible. Glad he is getting relieffrom the pain. It only helped me with migraines, no relief from nerve pain.

[jms462001]

I have been suffering from low back pain for over 20 years. I bent over to move a coffee table and the next day I couldn't move my legs. Went to er and they sent me home with flexeril and said just take it easy for a few. I was 24. I had severe problems with this for yrs to the point I couldn'y move without it feeling like I was beeing cut in half. But I never really had any ins. so I didn't see Dr.s. I moved back to my home state in 96. I had suffered a broken ankle and walking with a cast was causing me severe pain. My dad took x-rays and says your L5-S1 disc is gone and you've got arthritis all up and down your spine.. My old family Dr. says you've got a herinated disc there...I said that explains the burning in my legs when I lay down, it's been doing that for yrs. Well being newly divorced mother of 2 I had to go to work......I did provider care and that was not really a good Idea. Now mind you...I was not getting anything for pain at all. Nothing nada, zilch. My new job included light house keeping which required me to sweep and mop. (I had carpet and a teenage daughter to help me out) Well needless to say when I started moping and sweeping others floors I ended up with horrible pain in my lower extremities and would be unable to walk upright for days. My old family Dr. wouldn't give me anything for pain because he didn't want me to become addicted to anything. But finally broke down and started giving me 1 mg of xanax 3 times a day and 350 mg of soma 3 times a day. Didn't really help with any of the pain but I really didn't care that I hurt. Fast foward to 2002, Can't get rid of this "crick" I've had in my neck for months and my chest hurts so bad and is so tight......I think I'm having heart trouble. I get an x-ray and old doc says. your having muscle spasms in your chest. Up the dose of Soma. Well the neck pain gets worse and still uninsured I fanagle myself into an er in another state as an indegent. they make an appointment for 2 months later. At the appt. they tell me I need an mri....another 2 months later I get the mri......the tech comes out after and says "girl you definately got something going on in the back of your neck. I get no treatment and no explanation of what is "going on". Live with pain in neck and back for another 5 yrs. Had a slight wreck last yr. At fault didn't have ins. so They did take me to hospital to see about arm. Transported me to other hospital to see ortho for surgery on arm. Plate and screws. Haven't been able to work since and tell him neck has really been bothering me bad and I'm in tears all the time because of it. (Ihad applied for disability 3 times and always no). Well he does mri of neck and asks me what the hell I did to myself......I don't know.
That was last yr. I am waiting for my disability hearing and I get this letter from my lawyer since I had to have surgery in my arm again because ofthe plate being broke and the nerve being all tangled in it.
My lawyer sends me this and it says...according to my ortho doc that I have horrible bone on bone arthritis with spondylolisthesis. with canal stenosis and formaninal stenosis in my lower back with disk protrusion. And also the x-rays showed right angulation deformity in my right arm, a risdual broken screw in the humurus and residual radial nerve palsy. Well he never told me that. Then it says that I have protruding and ruptured disc, spondylitic spurring, canal stenosis, formaninal stenosis, spurring, compression on the thecal sac, narrowing of the inferior foramen and other more severe problems at C2-3, C3-4,C4-5,C5-6,and C6-7. The orthopedic Dr. said I was in bad shape but never told me all this......But it does explain the fact that I haven't been not 1 day in my life since probably 1998 without pain in my body. It never goes away and most days it takes my breath away. I cry about it and try to explain to my family how bad I hurt and I've been told to suck it up......get over it......take some Aleve or if you'd just get up and move around you'll feel better. I have no ins. and the orthopedic dr. sent me to see a pain doc. I had to borow the 300 it cost me to see him. He gave me some meds 1 time and it was all I could do to get them filled. He told me when I get my disability to come back. When I was wanting to die from the pain in my arm because the plate was compressing the nerve the ortho doc wouldn't see me because my bill from last year had gone to collection. So I went to the er at the hospital where they did the surgery and told them he wouldn't see me. He couldn't get there fast enough. They admitted me and started me on morphine drip and 4 days later they took the plate out. Took him 4 hours to dissect it out from around the nreve. When I went to see him for my follow up he told me he could give me something mild for pain but nothing else.....he gave me my scripts and told me to get the hell out and not to bother him again. His nurse prctioner gave me a script for Lryca for my fibromyalgia but I can't afford to get it filled. That and some Talwin.....As far as I'm concerned thats like giving a gunshot to the chest a babd aid and some tylenol. I have been ready to eat a bullet more times that you can imagine.......Where can somebody on the shape I'm in get some kind of help. The pfizer is helping me get the Lryca for free for a year since I have no income. My state doesn't have charity hospitals and now that gas is $4 a gallon I can't drive 3 ours to see my old doc for any pain meds....hell I can't drive any more any way....can't turn my head to see if traffic is coming......It has taken me almost 3 hours to type this out because of the cramps I get in my arm ad in my neck sitting in front of the computer. and also the ortho doc is the one that screwed up the plate in my arm last year.....he bent it putting it in and it finally snapped......thats why he is being such an ass to me....scared I will sue him I guess. Well sorry for this being so long but I rarely get to vent and I'm sure most of you know how that is.....The lyrica......Is it going to help me with any of the pain I have....or am I going to have to resort to that bullet. My lawyer says I have a year probably before I get a hearing for my disabilty. I don't know what to do til then?????? I would love some feed back and or suggestions.....Thank you for listening.


If you can stand to gain a considerable amount of weight and suffer some other adverse affects, and tolerate severe withdrawal sympyoms when you try to get off it, go for it. I think it is poison and should be banned by the FDA the way they ban drugs that could be a blessing and life saver for many!

[Bondo]

If you can stand to gain a considerable amount of weight and suffer some other adverse affects, and tolerate severe withdrawal sympyoms when you try to get off it, go for it. I think it is poison and should be banned by the FDA the way they ban drugs that could be a blessing and life saver for many!

Mostly, this is a board about the support of Spinal Cord Injury patients. Quite frankly, weight gain and adverse side effects are a good trade off if the medication stops the pain.

[wiilber]

sSSissy, I've been on lyrica for about 8 months. It really works on yyit rt really works for me it takes away that stabing pain I use to get you know it felt like a hot poker gotiine threw my g back or like a knife sliceing through your musels it use to drive me crsazy. i tried ti stop taking it for awile and that twitch that would forse me to lay down right where i was atm, outside. living room, basement where ever i was i took it right and took about a day to really kick in but it really work.
Hope it helps you
.sorry about the typeing errors but ymy pc got a internal trogen virus and affected my keybord. if you ever get a chance to doew load VISTA antivirus DO NOT it reall y sucks i'm goint to reload from my backups it even affected my cursor it configered to blank so Idon't know where i'm at also i can't backspace or delete my entries in this message
so i hope it makes sence,
God bless,
bj (Wiilber):nono::nono:

[wiilber]

I asked my doctor about switching me to Lyrica from Neurontin and he told me that he saw no difference in effectiveness between the two drugs. As I understand it, Lyrica is Pfizers replacement for Neurontin. Perhaps others on this website have had different experiences.

i am currently taking both meds together and it helps alittle it just takes an edge off the pain and makes it bearable. i don't think there is anything that
releaves all the pain. i've tried the oxycotin route but even that didn't help
it is hell stopping the oxycotin
has anyone tried stoping the lyrica, i just was thinking how additive is it but if releaves the pain what the hell
also so i want to ask about back injuctions i've had different shots in my back what is the differents between the different epidurial shots ??????
t

[Paddy Schultz]

I have suffered with Fybromyalgia for the last 6 or more years. Finaly in the last 4 weeks I was put on 75mg once a day of Lyrcia. I have had 50% to 60% differance in my pain level. :)

[David Berg]

Good to hear, Paddy. How are you tolerating the drug? If all is well, you might consider upping the dose some. I'm not too knowledgeable on fibro, but with typical neuro pain, it's common to combine it with something like Elavil to help a little more.

[kmarie225]

My husband had to double his dose of Lyrica and it does work to some degree. It makes him rather wobbly and he has fallen down several times. I don't allow him to drive while the effects are the strongest. He takes it three times each day for pain. The doc started him on gaba years ago with absolutely no relief, so he switched him to lyrica. Everyones different. If you don't get relief from one, try the other. He's also on Morphine three times a day, the doc said he could try prescription meth but our daughter tried it and it didn't really seem to help so she also went back to lyrica and oxy. good luck.

[metronycguy]

i came off lyrica a couple months ago, i was on 300 a day , it didnt make any difference with my pain, just gave me untolerable side effects, i did find that neurotin did work, they are supposed to be the same class, but i never got the relief i got on neurotin, but again it gave me bad bowel side effects that i found intolerable, the same with the neurotin.