My daughter was just put on Lyrica as an anti twitch/ALS-like symptom medication. I realize that it is also used for neuro pain, as gabapentin has been.
Since beginning the medication a week ago she has become more lethargic, but most pointedly self-doubting and miserable. Thinks that she can't do anything right, etc...This is not her usual self.
I have told her to go off of the new medication for now until we can get more information and to see if the symptoms suddenly disappear.
The research on the medication is limited at this time. It's brand spanking new and is also listed as causing caner growths, visual disturbances, dizziness, renal impairment, etc, fetal malformations and cognitive impairment in children of those taking it.
In other words it's new and not fully vetted yet. So far the maybes are negative enough for me to tell her to stop taking it and we'll find another way to deal with the movement disorder.
Has anyone here had any experience with Lyrica yet?
Carol Ann
Posted by I Have Lyme Etc (Member # 7439) on :
My husband was on Lyrica for about a month or so.. He didn't mention anything about being tired from but I know someone else who did. My husband was taking it for cramping and nerve issues. It worked well until it made him swell up.. His legs, hands and ankles became like balloons and he had to come off.. We have a friend who lives down the block and the same thing happened to him.. Be careful with the stuff it can be nasty...
Posted by Truthfinder (Member # 8512) on :
Carol Ann, there have been some recent discussion here about Lyrica. Here are the links to the most recent 3. A search will provide more......
My daughter was also put on Lyrica (for headaches and pain). She became a different person - very emotional - upset about everything. She has never been like that - even during the worst of her illness.
We tried it for three weeks and ended up stopping it. Not to mention that it did not take away her pain (probably because her pain wasn't nerve related anyways). It was an experiment on the doctor's part.
The doctor told us it had not been tested on children. In any event, it was a disaster. Once she stopped, she was back to normal in a few days.
Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :
I tried Lyrica for peripheral neuropathy. I felt extremely druggy on it. In fact, the first day, I had to be escorted to my bedroom, as I was weaving like a drunk. This got better over a few weeks, but not good enough. It also did not imrove my pain sufficiently to be worth it.
Posted by Jillybean (Member # 8071) on :
I developed peripheral neuropathy in my feet from taking Flagyl, and the neuro put me on a combination of Lyrical & Pamelor (Nortriptline, an anti-depressant, also used for neuropathic pain).
At first this made me very "drunk", but worked well within about 3 days for the neuro pain. The nurse said it takes some people 3 weeks before it works for them.
Best of luck, and healthy healing, Jill
Posted by achey (Member # 6284) on :
i take lyrica for nerve pain and at first it made me very tired and dizzy and emotional. not I only take it as needed, and it combined with tramadol is a God send for me.
Posted by breathwork (Member # 567) on :
Thank you everyone for the replies including the links.
Your feedback has made our decision to go off of it easier and has defintiely reassured my daughter that this medication is not one for her.
Her pain is controlled with Vicodin well, so peripheral neuropathy wasn't in question, just the movement disorder.
Feeling out of control emotionally when you are a very intelligent young woman who is on summer vacation is jolting. Now she is feeling more herself.
For those who this medication helps, Hooray! But for those of us who have another experience with it, thank God for this sort of site to share!