Lyrica

[Guest guest]

_darkrabbit2003@..._ (mailto:darkrabbit2003@...) writes: <<

Does anyone here take Lyrica for the pain of different spinal conditions? Doc

gave me samples. I'm afraid of it. Also, the surgeon I saw at the University

Hospital said he didn't want to operate on me at this time and to come back in

a year. He did comment on how many different problems I had. Also that he

wouldn't operate for tingling and pain but for loss of function. ...>>

Lyrica is the new generation of Gabapentin (Neurontin). I just had a

horrific experience with that medication and literally begged my physiatrist to

switch me off of it. I'm not sure about Lyrica but Gabapentin cannot be taken

" as

needed " . It needs to be introduced to your body then gradually increased to

maintain the proper dose for your body. It cannot be abruptly discontinued

either. Unless my Dr gave me a 30 day supply of samples, I'd be afraid too.

These drugs are antiseizure medications that work by arresting the firing of

neurons, therefore not triggering nerves to sense pain. In fact, Neurontin

had a nasty reverse affect on me. It is an extended release medication and I

had a gastric bypass so our bodies tend to store meds and release doses at

will, not necessarily how the drug is metabolized in our bodies. My symptoms

were so intensified that I went from steady numbing and tingling to prolonged

periods of having absolutely no feelings in my periphery at all. I would get no

pain relief whatsoever and would suffer daily from becoming foggy and

absent-minded (almost as bad as smoking dope).

Since July 2007 I have been on Oxycodone, Flexeril, Norco (hydrocodone),

Elavil (antidepressant), Percocet, Trazadone (antidepressant), Neurontin,

Darvocet, Tramadol, and Avinza (Morphine) and nothing has reduced the peripheral

problems...at all.

I don't know your tingling and pain situation but would love to hear it, and

what your Dr has said about it because that is THE main reason why I had a

C5/C6 ACDF and am about to have an L5/S1 diskectomy. They can't seem to get

these symptoms under control. What started out as an annoyance after an

interstate " fender bender " has developed into a disability. I drop combs and

razors

during haircuts ALL THE TIME (I'm a barber). It has spread to my feet and

recently my calves so now I trip over wires in my work station too. I often

can't feel the steering wheel, clutch/brake pedals or stick shift while driving,

and forget about closing buttons and zippers on clothing.

Please share the cause of your numbing and tingling, the diagnosis and

prognosis? Thanks bunches.

Best regards,

Patty A

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

[Guest guest]

" Please share the cause of your numbing and tingling, the diagnosis and

prognosis? Thanks bunches.

Best regards,

Patty A "

 

Hiya Patty and all,

  The tingling and pain in my left arm was pretty constant last year. I had

three epidurals

of steroids which helped, then physical therapy and then chiropractic. It

appears

shortly in the morning now and is gone for most of the day.  I have daily

tingling in my feet., probably due to the dull lumbar pain I have. Different

positions set it off (sitting in car is a big one). Doc gave me two epidurals

and a    friend who is a severe diabetic recommended benfotiamine, a vitamin

supplement which also helps. It is used by diabetics for the tingling in the

feet. I don't have any weakness as of yet. I continue to see the chiropractor as

my spine doc and family physician both recommend that i keep my discs moving

with mild chiropractic.  The chiropractor also puts me on a disc decompression

table and I have a home traction. Right now my greatest pain is where the

cervical and thoracic meet. Still not clear to me if Lyrica will help with this

pain

and there have been so many negative posts about its side effects.  Tuesday I go

to

a different University specialist for a osteochondroma.  Hopefully it is that a

benign tumor and it is not in a bad position.   God bless us all.

 

ivan

device.

[Guest guest]

I take 100 mg of Lyrica three times a day and 25 mg of Nortripyline at bedtime. 

I had a laminectomy in November 07 with major complications.  Long story very

short (posted back in January) I have severe sciatic nerve damage in my right

leg.  I called it my frozen leg and the " phantom itching " would drive me

insane.  I was originally put on Neurontin but it really did nothing.  I went to

a out of town neurologist that came up with this current combination and it was

great.  At one point, I thought perhaps my leg was healing and I tried to wean

myself off of it but all my symptoms came back.  It didn't totally relieve my

symptoms and there are days that are pretty bad but without the medication, I

don't know what I would do.  Plus I still get the weird itching and I know it's

nerves but it's pretty intense sometimes.

 

And, yes, there is swelling.  I think the neurontin also causes weight gain but

I have to deal with that or deal with the pain. 

Dani Magnuson

[Guest guest]

Yes I know, the Neurontin is not working so well anymore. I think it has caused

weight gain, but I have some other problems that have prevented me from knowing

for sure, I just don't have the swelling that Lyrica has in the past caused me

problems. I do know from research that it effects everyone differently, which is

probably why some ppl can take it and others can't. I may have to go on it

despite the side effects, because like I said the Neurontin has lost it ability

to stop the severe leg aching I am experiencing right now, and believe me it is

about to drive me up the wall. I have had to deal with a lot of pain for a long

time, but my tolorence is getting thin. Like you said either deal with the side

effects or deal with the pain, I know what my answer will be. lol

geo

P.S. nice to meet you Dani, my name is george.

Re:Lyrica

I take 100 mg of Lyrica three times a day and 25 mg of Nortripyline at bedtime. 

I had a laminectomy in November 07 with major complications.  Long story very

short (posted back in January) I have severe sciatic nerve damage in my right

leg.  I called it my frozen leg and the " phantom itching " would drive me

insane.  I was originally put on Neurontin but it really did nothing.  I went to

a out of town neurologist that came up with this current combination and it was

great.  At one point, I thought perhaps my leg was healing and I tried to wean

myself off of it but all my symptoms came back.  It didn't totally relieve my

symptoms and there are days that are pretty bad but without the medication, I

don't know what I would do.  Plus I still get the weird itching and I know it's

nerves but it's pretty intense sometimes.

 

And, yes, there is swelling.  I think the neurontin also causes weight gain but

I have to deal with that or deal with the pain. 

Dani Magnuson

[Guest guest]

Its one of those things that you think is not working till you stop using it

From: Dani Magnuson <magnascents@...>

Subject: Re:Lyrica

spinal problems

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2008, 2:31 PM

I take 100 mg of Lyrica three times a day and 25 mg of Nortripyline at bedtime. 

I had a laminectomy in November 07 with major complications.  Long story very

short (posted back in January) I have severe sciatic nerve damage in my right

leg.  I called it my frozen leg and the " phantom itching " would drive me

insane.  I was originally put on Neurontin but it really did nothing.  I went to

a out of town neurologist that came up with this current combination and it was

great.  At one point, I thought perhaps my leg was healing and I tried to wean

myself off of it but all my symptoms came back.  It didn't totally relieve my

symptoms and there are days that are pretty bad but without the medication, I

don't know what I would do.  Plus I still get the weird itching and I know it's

nerves but it's pretty intense sometimes.

 

And, yes, there is swelling.  I think the neurontin also causes weight gain but

I have to deal with that or deal with the pain. 

Dani Magnuson

[Guest guest]

I am nearly 75 now....and quit work at 64 because of back pain, progressively

worse....have had radiofrequency ablations from c-1(near my ear) to the low

thoracic....all of them, both sides....helped some initially, but not

ultimately....epidurals, lumbar....mostly osteoarthritis am told....yes discs

but nothing that paralyses me or totally numbs me....days are bed, chair,

bed,chair...etc....live on hydrocodone...morphine no help. unable to implant

cause I need anticoagulants for cardiac issues. i burn/numb/spasms most all the

time...I simply rely on dihydrocodene 10/325, which are not nearly as good as

the gabapentins..

Hopefully they can find more drugs like gabapentin or elavil that I can

tolerate....both work like a charm, but the side effects are worse than the

pain. The antianxiety drugs help alot for me...one side effect of elavil is

pain relief as an incidental finding. But I suspect that geezers simply do not

tolerate drugs like youngsters who are 60 or so.

I will, and have monitored this blog for any clues....and I wish each of us

sunny days and a good chair/recliner, and a good remote or book. That is all

that is left.

Blaisdell

ron Pat <ronpat0471@...> wrote:

Its one of those things that you think is not working till you stop

using it

From: Dani Magnuson <magnascents@...>

Subject: Re:Lyrica

spinal problems

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2008, 2:31 PM

I take 100 mg of Lyrica three times a day and 25 mg of Nortripyline at bedtime.

I had a laminectomy in November 07 with major complications. Long story very

short (posted back in January) I have severe sciatic nerve damage in my right

leg. I called it my frozen leg and the " phantom itching " would drive me insane.

I was originally put on Neurontin but it really did nothing. I went to a out of

town neurologist that came up with this current combination and it was great.

At one point, I thought perhaps my leg was healing and I tried to wean myself

off of it but all my symptoms came back. It didn't totally relieve my symptoms

and there are days that are pretty bad but without the medication, I don't know

what I would do. Plus I still get the weird itching and I know it's nerves but

it's pretty intense sometimes.

And, yes, there is swelling. I think the neurontin also causes weight gain but

I have to deal with that or deal with the pain.

Dani Magnuson

[Guest guest]

Hi, !

I'm kind of lurker on here. I came on in October last year to get

some insight on laminectomies. Now, after having it done, I look for

clues for pain relief. What I find is that, no matter what I am

going through, and just when I think I can't stand the constant 24/7

pain, I come on here and it helps me to feel better. I see that

there are so many people whose problems are so much worse than mine

and I stop feeling sorry for myself. I get frustrated because mine

was caused my a doctor's mistake and now I have a lovely limp and

half use of my leg. But, hey, I have a handicapped plackard now.

The day I got that was a low point. I had this procedure done to

better the quality of my life. Never, ever in my life did I think I

would have a plackard. And now my good knee has decided it was

jealous and has acted up. The doctor thinks it is a torn meniscus

ligament. Yup, I'm having fun!

Anyway, I wanted to say hi back and to thank everyone on here for

their advice and also their venting because, at least for me, it

makes me feel better to know that someone else knows what I'm going

through and I'm not crazy. A strange kind of comfort. You all know

what I mean!

Dani

>

> Yes I know, the Neurontin is not working so well anymore. I think

it has caused weight gain, but I have some other problems that have

prevented me from knowing for sure, I just don't have the swelling

that Lyrica has in the past caused me problems. I do know from

research that it effects everyone differently, which is probably why

some ppl can take it and others can't. I may have to go on it despite

the side effects, because like I said the Neurontin has lost it

ability to stop the severe leg aching I am experiencing right now,

and believe me it is about to drive me up the wall. I have had to

deal with a lot of pain for a long time, but my tolorence is getting

thin. Like you said either deal with the side effects or deal with

the pain, I know what my answer will be. lol

> geo

> P.S. nice to meet you Dani, my name is george.

>

>

>

> Re:Lyrica

>

>

> I take 100 mg of Lyrica three times a day and 25 mg of Nortripyline

at bedtime.  I had a laminectomy in November 07 with major

complications.  Long story very short (posted back in January) I have

severe sciatic nerve damage in my right leg.  I called it my frozen

leg and the " phantom itching " would drive me insane.  I was

originally put on Neurontin but it really did nothing.  I went to a

out of town neurologist that came up with this current combination

and it was great.  At one point, I thought perhaps my leg was healing

and I tried to wean myself off of it but all my symptoms came back. 

It didn't totally relieve my symptoms and there are days that are

pretty bad but without the medication, I don't know what I would do. 

Plus I still get the weird itching and I know it's nerves but it's

pretty intense sometimes.

>  

> And, yes, there is swelling.  I think the neurontin also causes

weight gain but I have to deal with that or deal with the pain. 

>

> Dani Magnuson

>

>

[Guest guest]

_johnblaisdell@..._ (mailto:johnblaisdell@...) writes: <<

Hopefully they can find more drugs like gabapentin or elavil that I can

tolerate....Hopefully they can find more drugs like gabapentin or elavil that I

can

tolerate....<WBR>both work like a char>>

Have you tried Trazodone? It, too, is an antidepressant and supposedly

significantly reduces pain. None of the 3 meds listed here worked for me, but I

guess everyone is different.

The Avinza (XR morphine) and alternating Flexeril/Tramadol combination seems

to work the best for me, but I'm having great difficulty with simple daily

functions, like say, staying awake and/or driving...LOLOL. I wish the pain

mgmt Drs who prescribed this routine would be kind enough to put me on either a

restricted work schedule or out on disability. Right now I'm self-employed so

no work = no income...*sigh*.

Here is a link in case you've not heard of Trazodone before.

_http://www.drugs.com/trazodone.html_ (http://www.drugs.com/trazodone.html)

I hope you find some good relief soon.

Best regards,

Patty A

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

This famous Lyrica... It came out like the brake through for Fibromyalgia

pain. But It is an OLD med. It never helped me one ouce wt. the pain.On top of

it it made me very dizzy & had vey mild wave shocks like stings on the head

that shoted from top to bottom. & a few other wierd sensations that I don't

remember. I probabley wrote it down on one of muy calendar books were I " ve been

recorded symptoms for a few or more yrs.

I discuses me when Pharmaceutical Co.'s launch " new " meds. promising to

make your life instanly better, I had so many people call me top tell me , hey

Now you won't be hurting any more, you'll be able to do every thing again. (

like the women on the commercials).And when you don't they think you don't want

to try or something.

It did not bother muy concentration or memmory but Stills is. I have like

ammnecia for short term. Like I wont remmenber what arrangements I made wt.

the Vet. for an entire day, even though I remmenber talking to them . Then It

hits me out of no where.

It seems like we just have to accept that we're just trading one thing for

another.

Good luck on your test.

VIVI

**************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial

challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and

calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

This famous Lyrica... It came out like the brake through for Fibromyalgia

pain. But It is an OLD med. It never helped me one ouce wt. the pain.On top of

it it made me very dizzy & had vey mild wave shocks like stings on the head

that shoted from top to bottom. & a few other wierd sensations that I don't

remember. I probabley wrote it down on one of muy calendar books were I " ve been

recorded symptoms for a few or more yrs.

I discuses me when Pharmaceutical Co.'s launch " new " meds. promising to

make your life instanly better, I had so many people call me top tell me , hey

Now you won't be hurting any more, you'll be able to do every thing again. (

like the women on the commercials).And when you don't they think you don't want

to try or something.

It did not bother muy concentration or memmory but Stills is. I have like

ammnecia for short term. Like I wont remmenber what arrangements I made wt.

the Vet. for an entire day, even though I remmenber talking to them . Then It

hits me out of no where.

It seems like we just have to accept that we're just trading one thing for

another.

Good luck on your test.

VIVI

**************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial

challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and

calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

This famous Lyrica... It came out like the brake through for Fibromyalgia

pain. But It is an OLD med. It never helped me one ouce wt. the pain.On top of

it it made me very dizzy & had vey mild wave shocks like stings on the head

that shoted from top to bottom. & a few other wierd sensations that I don't

remember. I probabley wrote it down on one of muy calendar books were I " ve been

recorded symptoms for a few or more yrs.

I discuses me when Pharmaceutical Co.'s launch " new " meds. promising to

make your life instanly better, I had so many people call me top tell me , hey

Now you won't be hurting any more, you'll be able to do every thing again. (

like the women on the commercials).And when you don't they think you don't want

to try or something.

It did not bother muy concentration or memmory but Stills is. I have like

ammnecia for short term. Like I wont remmenber what arrangements I made wt.

the Vet. for an entire day, even though I remmenber talking to them . Then It

hits me out of no where.

It seems like we just have to accept that we're just trading one thing for

another.

Good luck on your test.

VIVI

**************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial

challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and

calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)

[Guest guest]

Hi - I've had a lot of feedback about Lyrica from newsletter

readers. If you have time, try a search at

http://www.fms-help.com/newsletters.htm

Type Lyrica in the search box at

http://www.fms-help.com/newsletters.htm

When you get to the page you want, then hit ALT-F and type Lyrica in

the FIND box. It will take you to the right place on the page where

you can read other people's comments.

BTW, I spent 3 months in Scotland during the summer of 1972 and I

don't think we saw the sun but one time. It was damp, overcast and

rainy every day. I was sick the entire time as well. I was 22 back

then. I wonder if damp overcast weather makes fibro worse? I know it

does for me when it's like that here in Florida for any length of

time, but thankfully, we see a lot of sun here too. I have many

readers with FMS/CFIDS/ME in the UK.

You might also try a search for Lyrica on this message board, using

the search box, since some members have discussed it in the past.

Dom

>

> Hi everybody, I have just joined, hope your pain is not too bad today,

> even though it is cold and raining here in uk. had fms for long time,

> tried lots of meds, only just been given lyrica to try, 150mg x 2 day,

> i am very very dizzy and disorientated, does it get any better? who has

> tried it, does it work, if so, what dosage are you on, please please

> advise, many thanks,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome, –

When I tried Lyrica I had to discontinue because of the

dizziness. I wasn’t on it long enough to find out if it would help the

fibro symptoms; I just decided I couldn’t live with the dizziness.

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi everybody, I have just joined, hope your pain is not too bad

today,

> even though it is cold and raining here in uk. had fms for long time,

> tried lots of meds, only just been given lyrica to try, 150mg x 2

day,

> i am very very dizzy and disorientated, does it get any better? who

has

> tried it, does it work, if so, what dosage are you on, please please

> advise, many thanks,

>

I am new to the group as well and have also tried Lyrica and couldn't

tolerate it. I normally suffer from Vertigo but the dizzyness was so

bad from this that I just couldn't continue on it. It did not get any

better for me so I went off of it. The doctor did tell me that many

many people cannot tolerate this med. Hope this helps.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The Lyrica worked quite well for me as far as relieving fibro symptoms, but after about 6 months, I gave it up. Couldn't handle the double vision that I was experiencing each morning. Also I had quite a weight gain, more than 20 pounds in those 6 months.

Pam

Re:Lyrica

Hi and welcome, –

When I tried Lyrica I had to discontinue because of the dizziness. I wasn’t on it long enough to find out if it would help the fibro symptoms; I just decided I couldn’t live with the dizziness.

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

IF you stick with it the dizziness and disorientation will go away. I am

now taking 150 mg twice a day but started with 75 mg once a day then twice a

day then up to my current dosage. If it seems to be helping your symptoms

and you'd like to try and wait out the side effects, try taking it at

bedtime and 1-2 hours before getting up in the morning. Set your alarm

clock and have it by your bed with a glass of water. This made it easier

for me to handle the side effects until they want away, which can take a few

months. HTH!

Hugs, Michele

> -----Original Message-----

> From:

> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 5:27 AM

>

> Hi everybody, I have just joined, hope your pain is not too

> bad today, even though it is cold and raining here in uk. had

> fms for long time, tried lots of meds, only just been given

> lyrica to try, 150mg x 2 day, i am very very dizzy and

> disorientated, does it get any better? who has tried it, does

> it work, if so, what dosage are you on, please please advise,

> many thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi , I was on Lyrica for a little while, also saw no improvement. I started very slowly with only one 75 mg daily and then to increase to two daily. I could not tolerate Lyrica as I was very lightheaded, dizzy, my vertigo was very bad. When I told the doctor, his comment was "It's such a small dose to affect you this way", but it did and I went off of it. I have to say I also stopped seeing that doctor for this and other reasons. It wasn't helping with the pain anyway and I had not started gaining the weight yet, but had heard that I could.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

From: teresa.mermis <teresa.mermis@...>Subject: lyricadominie Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 2:52 PM

Everyone,I need your help, I'm sure you have had discussions on this already but i hve not found them. I have been taking Lyrica for 4 months, 75mg, 2x's a day. I haven't notced any change in pain, however I have gained 10lbs. and my equilibrium is WAY off. walking down stairs is interesting to say the least. Have any of you had success with Lyrica? AM I not taking a high enough dose? Any feedback would be appreciated as im considering weaning myself off. The weight is something I do not need! Thank you in advance,

[Guest guest]

I have a prescription but have been loathe to start it. I don't understand the weight gain. Is it because it makes one hungrier? I understand the dizziness is VERY common along with "feeling drunk."

S.

lyrica

Everyone,

I need your help, I'm sure you have had discussions on this

already but i hve not found them. I have been taking Lyrica for 4

months, 75mg, 2x's a day. I haven't notced any change in pain, however

I have gained 10lbs. and my equilibrium is WAY off. walking down stairs

is interesting to say the least. Have any of you had success with

Lyrica? AM I not taking a high enough dose? Any feedback would be

appreciated as im considering weaning myself off. The weight is

something I do not need!

Thank you in advance,

McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now!

[Guest guest]

If your doctor states to try it, then do, it may just work for you. It didn't for me and I did get the side effects and stopped taking it. The dizzyness for me was horrible, but I suffer from vertigo badly anyway. Good luck

From: kmtrs1@... <kmtrs1@...>Subject: Re: lyricadominie Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 7:02 PM

I have a prescription but have been loathe to start it. I don't understand the weight gain. Is it because it makes one hungrier? I understand the dizziness is VERY common along with "feeling drunk." S. lyrica

Everyone,I need your help, I'm sure you have had discussions on this already but i hve not found them. I have been taking Lyrica for 4 months, 75mg, 2x's a day. I haven't notced any change in pain, however I have gained 10lbs. and my equilibrium is WAY off. walking down stairs is interesting to say the least. Have any of you had success with Lyrica? AM I not taking a high enough dose? Any feedback would be appreciated as im considering weaning myself off. The weight is something I do not need! Thank you in advance,

McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now!

[Guest guest]

>

> I have a prescription but have been loathe to start it.? I don't

understand the weight gain.? Is it because it makes one hungrier? I

understand the dizziness is VERY common along with " feeling drunk. "

> S.

>

>

> lyrica

>

>

>

> I've been told the weight gain is from water retention. i'm not

sure though.

>

> Everyone,

>

> I need your help, I'm sure you have had discussions on this

> already but i hve not found them. I have been taking Lyrica for 4

> months, 75mg, 2x's a day. I haven't notced any change in pain,

however

> I have gained 10lbs. and my equilibrium is WAY off. walking down

stairs

> is interesting to say the least. Have any of you had success with

> Lyrica? AM I not taking a high enough dose? Any feedback would be

> appreciated as im considering weaning myself off. The weight is

> something I do not need!

>

> Thank you in advance,

>

[Guest guest]

From: teresa.mermis <teresa.mermis@...>Subject: Re: lyricadominie Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 7:30 PM

>> I have a prescription but have been loathe to start it.? I don't understand the weight gain.? Is it because it makes one hungrier? I understand the dizziness is VERY common along with "feeling drunk."> S.> > > lyrica> > > > I've been told the weight gain is from water retention. i'm not sure though.> > Everyone,> > I need your help, I'm sure you have had discussions on this > already but i hve not found them. I have been taking Lyrica for 4 >

months, 75mg, 2x's a day. I haven't notced any change in pain, however > I have gained 10lbs. and my equilibrium is WAY off. walking down stairs > is interesting to say the least. Have any of you had success with > Lyrica? AM I not taking a high enough dose? Any feedback would be > appreciated as im considering weaning myself off. The weight is > something I do not need! > > Thank you in advance, >

[Guest guest]

Hi !

My wife has had fibro for years, and the only allopathic medication

that has helped her pain was Lyrica, with Vicodin for the really bad

days breakthrough pain. She took Lyrica 150mg twice a day, and while

it wasn't perfect, it helped tremendously.

I did a lot of research on it, and this was back before the FDA

decided it was okay to prescribe it for FMS, and I read the research

papers published by the research teams. I also researched anecdotal

stories (old very useful website called " remedyfind.com " that has

vanished) and it seemed that you HAD to go to 300mg per day before the

majority of the folks got relief. Some people went as high as 450mg

but it seemed the " curve " indicated that 300mg was as effective.

My wife began it very gradually, starting out at 50mg once per day,

and increasing by 50mg per day, one week at a time. Lyrica

(pregabalin) is basically just a newer Neurontin (gabapentin). My wife

was allergic to Neurontin but not Lyrica. Weight gain is definitely a

common side-effect, and I'm not sure if it's just increased appetite

or if it's water retention, or exactly what it is.

On the down side, getting OFF of Lyrica is horrible! She's trying to

go to more natural solutions (I'll post in a different message!), and

the withdrawal side effects are pretty bad! Naturally the pain is

returning, but there is also an emotional component that is not to be

trifled with. For her it shows up as pretty severe depression.

(Outside of the U.S. Lyrica is acknowledged for its effects on

emotions, being prescribed for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Some people can't stand the side-effects and stop trying to take it.

But most people who stick with it for 2-weeks to a month find the side

effects (except for the weight gaine) go away. But if you're not

taking 300mg per day I don't think you're going to get any pain

relief. It takes a while to build up in the body, so you can't just

try it for a few days or weeks and KNOW that it's not going to work

for you. And gradually increasing the dosage ( " titrating " ) should

definitely reduce the onset of unpleasant side-effects.

Lyrica's first " on label " usage was for Diabetic Neuropathy, and the

dosage was approximately 35mg, taken once or twice a day. So a MUCH

higher dosage is needed for FMS. Before the FDA approved Lyrica for

fibro, I had to take a copy of the research paper to our doctor before

he would prescribe 300mg per day!!

Anyway, hang in there in your search for relief. Everyone's fibro

seems slightly different, and every person seems to have to find the

right set of things that give them relief. Bless you in your search,

and I pray you find relief.

Regards,

Jerel

>

> Everyone,

>

> I need your help, I'm sure you have had discussions on this

> already but i hve not found them. I have been taking Lyrica for 4

> months, 75mg, 2x's a day. I haven't notced any change in pain, however

> I have gained 10lbs. and my equilibrium is WAY off. walking down stairs

> is interesting to say the least. Have any of you had success with

> Lyrica? AM I not taking a high enough dose? Any feedback would be

> appreciated as im considering weaning myself off. The weight is

> something I do not need!

>

> Thank you in advance,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, .

I, too, was on Lyrica for about 8 months. I gained about 30 pounds, I

stayed sleepy, nearly falling asleep while driving several times.

Anyway, I gradually came off of it, and after it was " out " of my

system I realized it HAD helped with the pain - more than I had known.

Since I still have to work, I have to put up with the pain because it

was getting dangerous for me to drive and I could not concentrate at

work.

Thanks,

in TN

[Guest guest]

> >

> > Everyone,

> >

> > I need your help, I'm sure you have had discussions on

this

> > already but i hve not found them. I have been taking Lyrica for 4

> > months, 75mg, 2x's a day. I haven't notced any change in pain,

however

> > I have gained 10lbs. and my equilibrium is WAY off. walking down

stairs

> > is interesting to say the least. Have any of you had success with

> > Lyrica? AM I not taking a high enough dose? Any feedback would be

> > appreciated as im considering weaning myself off. The weight is

> > something I do not need!

> >

> > Thank you in advance,

> >

>

Jerel,

Thank you so much for your advice, you sound like a very

supportive husband! i have a phone visit with the F & F center on

the16th and I'm going to discuss it more with my dr. Thank you again.

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi, .

>

> I, too, was on Lyrica for about 8 months. I gained about 30 pounds, I

> stayed sleepy, nearly falling asleep while driving several times.

> Anyway, I gradually came off of it, and after it was " out " of my

> system I realized it HAD helped with the pain - more than I had

known.

> Since I still have to work, I have to put up with the pain because it

> was getting dangerous for me to drive and I could not concentrate at

> work.

>

> Thanks,

> in TN

>

in TN,

Thank you for your advice, i'm not on a high dose, but

understand the sleepy feeling. I hate it and since i do daycare, which

my doctor has advised me to get a different job, they think i won't get

better if I don't, I really don't like the feeling, I don't think it

has helped ALOT and just go back and forth all the time. i have great

days and think ooh, it works, and bad days and think what the hell...?

I think we could all tolerate this alot more if we just had some

consistency!

Thank you again,