posted
Oh boy, you opened a can of worms if you want me to tell you how I feel about Lyrica. Especially if you start feeling like it's the wonder drug of the century in a few days like I did.
My neuro put me on this for my peripheral neuropathy about 4 months ago, along with Pamelor (Noritryptline) after too much Flagyl. The pain I expereinced in my feet was unbearable. It started with burning and numbness, then went to full blown pain.
I was up to 300 mg a day, and 30 mg/day Pamelor to get me thru the nite. Lyrica made me drunk-like, kindof euphoric. I had problems with vision, and with memory (which I have anyway). The constipation is terrible. Between the 2 drugs I had to make myself pee every morning when I got up, I had a bowel movement every 7-9 days. I had no appetite and didn't eat, but GAINED 45 yes, FORTY-FIVE pounds.If you Google the side effects, it doesn't just say weight gain, it says rapid weight gain! Little by little the drug looses its efficacy, and the dose has to be increased. And the worse part is to come off it, you have to be weaned off it...like steroids.
Sorry so graphic, but I thought this drug was a Godsend until all these things happened. And trying to find the right combo to replace them is a trip altogether. Now they're trying Topomax. It also makes me nervous that this drug is so new, don't think it's been tested long enough.
Best of Luck, Jill
Posts: 203 | From Jacksonville, FLorida | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
Lyrica landed my daughter in the ER--with shortness of breath and panic attacks.
Posts: 991 | From California | Registered: Feb 2006
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
On the other hand, my mom swears by it, for the pain in her feet that doctors couldn't solve, despite many treatments, including surgery. She was diagnosed with Lyme, but decided mot to pursue long-term antibiotics, preferring treating the symptoms through her PCP instead.
When she tried once to go off the Lyrica, her pain immediately returned in force and then some. So yeah, it is addictive. AND expensive, though covered by incurance.
Now, Lyrica is made by Pfizer. In the new IDSA guidelines, it has been disclosed that "several" of the doctors who co-authored the guidelines have conflicts of interest, including involvement with Pfizer. Gee...really?
If we've been treated for Lyme with a short course of antibiotics, we are cured, according to the IDSA. If we have apin, we no longer need antibiotics, but Lyrica.
Betcha Lyrica is more expensive than doxy....
Suspicious, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Look up the photonic stimulator by Bales Scientific. It is most effective in treating neuropathy. YOu may be able to find a practitioner in your area.
This is what helped me. The pain was unbearable. I ended up buying one, but they are expensive. However, they help with many other types of conditions so I'm very happy I made the investment. I'd rather use it than take yet another med.
Posts: 925 | From California | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
I took lyrica regularly for a while -- it *did* make me feel drunk the first couple of times I took it, but other than that, no side effects. The drunk feeling went away after a couple of days.
I was taking 300mgs/day -- I didn't find that it helped my pain all that much, so I weaned off it slowly.
Now I only take it if I have particularly annoying neuropathy, and I generally take 100 mgs at bedtime -- it makes me a bit drowsy since I don't take it regularly. It does help a little with the nerve stuff, for me.
I tried Topamax at one point, too (for migraines)-- that was a bit scarier for me, as I started having trouble with word finding --- I haven't had that particular symptom in years. It is hard to say whether the topamax is to blame for that or not -- I was herxing badly on doxy at the time, and doxy causes major neuro-herx stuff for me. Still, I haven't revisited the topamax.... the problems went away when I discontinued it.
-------------------- "Looks like freedom but it feels like death.. It's something in between, I guess"
Leonard Cohen, from the song "Closing Time" Posts: 822 | From California | Registered: Jan 2006
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