Re: [HeidiLiane] Insurance - Lyrica

[Guest guest]

I have been on Lyrica for a couple of years. I started at a low dose and my rheumatologist encouraged me to go to a higher dose, which I did. My insurance covers it. Eventually I noticed swelling in my ankles and feet. I was examined by a heart specialist and it was determined that I had Lymphedema and was encouraged to go off the Lyrica, since swelling of the ankles is a side effect. Unfortunately the doctor had me go off of it all at once. I should have known better and checked with my rheumatologist. I think he would have had me taper off. A couple of days after being off of it I had constant itching on my back that was caused my nerves. Nothing was seen on the skin. It was driving me nuts! Fortunately, I was seeing a pain specialist for my IC and he told me to go back on a lower dose until I see the rheumatologist in January. I checked the side effects of Lyrica online and found that going off of it was horrible. Dah! While it helped some while being on it, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It's not worth the side effects. I had to get Lymphedema treatments to get the swelling down and am wearing compression stockings (oh, they are fun, too!) at least until I get off Lyrica. I am hoping to find an alternative or better yet try a natural form of treatment... even acupuncture. Thank you all for your suggestions and most of all your support. I am new to the list and mostly read the postings... little contributions yet.

RE: [HeidiLiane] Insurance

I am on Nurotin (the generic) and I just went to 3 x a day. I can't take the newer drugs due to an irregular heart study i had done.

I does help a lot. I take other meds also. I still get bad flares brought on by weather or stress. I have my aches and pains that are different every day. but if not or the nurotin I would still be in bed.

Leah T.

"SHARING IS CARING"

-------------- Original message -------------- From: "Dawn" <dawnmichellemchsi>

My insurance wouldn't cover it either. They're making me go on Neurontin (sp?) first and then if that doesn't work, they'll switch to Lyrica. From what I was told, Lyrica was made from the Neurontin and it has a generic but Lyrica doesn't so it's a lot cheaper - hence why the insurance company doesn't want to pay for the Lyrica...

Thanks! Dawn

www.tastefullysimple.com/web/dmckeown

http://DawnsDots.com AND http://YourAssistant.homestead.com

-----Original Message-----From: HeidiLiane [mailto:HeidiLiane ] On Behalf Of big25redSent: Sunday, December 28, 2008 8:49 PMHeidiLiane Subject: [HeidiLiane] Insurance

My friend's doctor wants her to try Lyrica, but her insurance won't cover it. What are her other options? Thanks,Liz

[Guest guest]

Hi ! I had awful reactions from Lyrica! I've said this a while back,but I just wanted to remind some of you & our new group members,that I had vision side effect & I tried Lyrica at the beginning of this year & I have still not regained my sight 100%! It's not real bad,of course,but it happened! And it may not happen to any of you but please be careful of this side effect! Take care All! Pam.S

Many Unique Fibromyalgia Awareness Items Created Daily!

Please Visit My Store at= http://www.zazzle.com/pammys*

Great T-Shirt Sale Right Now!! Lets Spread Awareness Together!

Thanks!!! Pam

[Guest guest]

I too had horrible side effects from the Lyrica and had to go off. When I told the Neurologist at that time that I was having horrible effects, his comment was, "well you're not on enough of it to make you feel so bad". It was not in my head and he told me that other people are on much higher doses than I was and they were tolerating it just fine. Needless to say, that was the last time I saw that doctor. So I do understand Pam and we cannot allow these doctor's to belittle us! Take care H

From: P J <ps1968pm@...>Subject: Re: [HeidiLiane] Insurance - LyricaHeidiLiane Date: Monday, December 29, 2008, 3:11 PM

Hi ! I had awful reactions from Lyrica! I've said this a while back,but I just wanted to remind some of you & our new group members,that I had vision side effect & I tried Lyrica at the beginning of this year & I have still not regained my sight 100%! It's not real bad,of course,but it happened! And it may not happen to any of you but please be careful of this side effect! Take care All! Pam.S

Many Unique Fibromyalgia Awareness Items Created Daily!

Please Visit My Store at= http://www.zazzle. com/pammys*

Great T-Shirt Sale Right Now!! Lets Spread Awareness Together!

Thanks!!! Pam

[Guest guest]

I, too, had a problem with my vision when I took Lyrica. Every morning I had double vision, and while I was taking it, I had the problem for a little longer each morning. I could see that this was not going in the right direction, so I decided to stop taking it and go back to the Neurontin (Gabapentin). It took about a month for the double vision to clear up. Pfizer was very interested in hearing about it.

Pam H

Re: [HeidiLiane] Insurance - Lyrica

Hi ! I had awful reactions from Lyrica! I've said this a while back,but I just wanted to remind some of you & our new group members,that I had vision side effect & I tried Lyrica at the beginning of this year & I have still not regained my sight 100%! It's not real bad,of course,but it happened! And it may not happen to any of you but please be careful of this side effect! Take care All! Pam.S

Many Unique Fibromyalgia Awareness Items Created Daily!

Please Visit My Store at= http://www.zazzle.com/pammys*

Great T-Shirt Sale Right Now!! Lets Spread Awareness Together!

Thanks!!! Pam

[Guest guest]

When I told my doctor I wanted to go off the Lyrica and back to the Neurontin, she told me it wouldn't make any difference because "...they are the same medicine." I just shrugged, but I was thinking, Then why did you take me off Neurontin and put me on Lyrica in the first place?

Pam H

Re: [HeidiLiane] Insurance - LyricaHeidiLiane Date: Monday, December 29, 2008, 3:11 PM

Hi ! I had awful reactions from Lyrica! I've said this a while back,but I just wanted to remind some of you & our new group members,that I had vision side effect & I tried Lyrica at the beginning of this year & I have still not regained my sight 100%! It's not real bad,of course,but it happened! And it may not happen to any of you but please be careful of this side effect! Take care All! Pam.S

Many Unique Fibromyalgia Awareness Items Created Daily!

Please Visit My Store at= http://www.zazzle. com/pammys*

Great T-Shirt Sale Right Now!! Lets Spread Awareness Together!

Thanks!!! Pam

[Guest guest]

H: The "you are not on enough o it to make you feel so bad" comment really slays me. That is when it is time to inform these docs that one of the hallmarks of FMS is sensitivity to meds. Maybe they should read a bit about FMS and CFIDS before making such pronouncements.

S.

Re: [HeidiLiane] Insurance - Lyrica

HeidiLiane

Date: Monday, December 29, 2008, 3:11 PM

Hi ! I had awful reactions from Lyrica! I've said this a while back,but I just wanted to remind some of you & our new group members,that I had vision side effect & I tried Lyrica at the beginning of this year & I have still not regained my sight 100%! It's not real bad,of course,but it happened! And it may not happen to any of you but please be careful of this side effect! Take care All! Pam.S

Many Unique Fibromyalgia Awareness Items Created Daily!

Please Visit My Store at= http://www.zazzle. com/pammys*

Great T-Shirt Sale Right Now!! Lets Spread Awareness Together!

Thanks!!! Pam

Listen to 350+ music, sports, news radio stations including songs for the holidays FREE while you browse. Start Listening Now!

[Guest guest]

I completely agree. Ive had some so called 'benign' meds that of couse have 'no side effects' and make me feel terrible none the less.

From: "kmtrs1@..." <kmtrs1@...>HeidiLiane Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 4:50:00 AMSubject: Re: [HeidiLiane] Insurance - Lyrica

H: The "you are not on enough o it to make you feel so bad" comment really slays me. That is when it is time to inform these docs that one of the hallmarks of FMS is sensitivity to meds. Maybe they should read a bit about FMS and CFIDS before making such pronouncements. S. Re: [HeidiLiane] Insurance - LyricaHeidiLiane@gro ups.comDate: Monday, December 29, 2008, 3:11 PM

Hi ! I had awful reactions from Lyrica! I've said this a while back,but I just wanted to remind some of you & our new group members,that I had vision side effect & I tried Lyrica at the beginning of this year & I have still not regained my sight 100%! It's not real bad,of course,but it happened! And it may not happen to any of you but please be careful of this side effect! Take care All! Pam.S

Many Unique Fibromyalgia Awareness Items Created Daily!

Please Visit My Store at= http://www.zazzle. com/pammys*

Great T-Shirt Sale Right Now!! Lets Spread Awareness Together!

Thanks!!! Pam

Listen to 350+ music, sports, news radio stations – including songs for the holidays – FREE while you browse. Start Listening Now!

[Guest guest]

This same thing happened to me. I started on a low dose of Lyrica and my rheumatologist (whom I love!) told me I needed to go on a higher dose to feel the effect. I did that and stayed on it for awhile; but because I didn't feel much difference and learning that the swelling in my legs was a side effect of Lyrica, my PCP wanted me to go off of it. Unfortunately he did not have me taper off and it resulted in nerve pain in my upper back. I went back on a low dose and have a follow up appt with my rheumatologist to have help in getting me off of it. I just hope the nerve pain isn't permanent. It drives me nuts... like ants crawling under my skin!

From what I learned from others, being on Lyrica isn't as bad as going off of it. It is horrible!

Re: [HeidiLiane] Insurance - LyricaHeidiLiane Date: Monday, December 29, 2008, 3:11 PM

Hi ! I had awful reactions from Lyrica! I've said this a while back,but I just wanted to remind some of you & our new group members,that I had vision side effect & I tried Lyrica at the beginning of this year & I have still not regained my sight 100%! It's not real bad,of course,but it happened! And it may not happen to any of you but please be careful of this side effect! Take care All! Pam.S

Many Unique Fibromyalgia Awareness Items Created Daily!

Please Visit My Store at= http://www.zazzle. com/pammys*

Great T-Shirt Sale Right Now!! Lets Spread Awareness Together!

Thanks!!! Pam

[Guest guest]

I find this very interesting because I was put on Neurontin quite some time ago, way before they tried me on Lyrica and I couldn't tolerate the Neurontin just as I couldn't tolerate the Lyrica. I've never heard of there being a connection though. Thanks H

From: P J <ps1968pm (DOT) com>Subject: Re: [HeidiLiane] Insurance - LyricaHeidiLiane@gro ups.comDate: Monday, December 29, 2008, 3:11 PM

Hi ! I had awful reactions from Lyrica! I've said this a while back,but I just wanted to remind some of you & our new group members,that I had vision side effect & I tried Lyrica at the beginning of this year & I have still not regained my sight 100%! It's not real bad,of course,but it happened! And it may not happen to any of you but please be careful of this side effect! Take care All! Pam.S

Many Unique Fibromyalgia Awareness Items Created Daily!

Please Visit My Store at= http://www.zazzle. com/pammys*

Great T-Shirt Sale Right Now!! Lets Spread Awareness Together!

Thanks!!! Pam

[Guest guest]

I totally agree H! It just makes me sick to hear this & also hits home! I was on naproxen for years, which I could never understand because all the things I've read about Fibromyalgia stated it was NOT from inflammation of the joints,etc...,but it totally ruined my stomach! I went off of it & I got a new doctor & that's first,and only med.,he would give me for Fibromyalgia! He said, That is what is given for Fibromyalgia. I explained to him that I used to take it,for years,and it never helped & made me very sick to my stomach! Well, apparently, that was no concern to him?! I came home and took the recommended dose for one day & became very ill. I was so ill that my husband had to make the phone call to the doctor to tell him how sick this med was making me. The doctor told my

husband that it couldn't be from the med because I haven't taken it long enough & that I must have the flu! Of course I didn't have the flu!!! I pretty sure I would know the difference! haha! But,it was truly not the flu & I quit taking the med on my own & was well the next day with the help of anti-acids. AND, he never gave me anything else for the pain! His next step was muscle relaxers! They helped me sleep haha but didn't help the pain. Take care all, Pam.S

Many Unique Fibromyalgia Awareness Items Created Daily!

Please Visit My Store At= http://www.zazzle.com/pammys*

Great T-Shirt Sale Right Now! We Can Win This Battle Together!

Thanks!!! Pam