posted
Pregabalin has only just been approved for use in fibromyalgia/CFS so I may be premature in asking this, but my physician has offered to prescribe me the medication to help control my Lyme symptoms during treatment. However, I only really get severe pain during bad flareups (headache and TMJ), most of my symptoms are neurological such as anxiety, poor coordination, vertgio, etc. Has anyone had any experience with this medication, and if so noticed if it improves symptoms other than just pain?
Thanks in advance for any input!
Posts: 32 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Sep 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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I had similar problems with Neurotin in very tiny doses that would be even less than the lyrica dose (same med, basically). I tried it several times over a couple years. EACH time, severe vertigo, etc. that took a long time to resolve. Never again for me - but others do well. I'd say if you can't take it, don't push it. I tried at least 6 times, all with same horrible result.
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Are you drinking enough water? Avoiding all aspartame and nutrasweet and MSG?
If you can, a gluten-free diet will help a lot with lots of different sorts of pain and vertigo, etc. B-vitamins, etc. Good fats and EFAs. Be sure to go over the lyme guidelines regarding the supplements suggested.
Specifically, Salmon oil (certified mercury free), cod-liver oil or krill oil can help relieve pain lots, too.
MAGNESIUM IS THE BEST BET as it can be a wonderful help for detox and pain reduction and reduxing anxiety. Magnesium glycinate with malic acid works best for me.
Magnesium has shown to be of help with neuropathy, headache and TMJ, etc. etc. A warm bath in epson salts/baking soda helps, too. Gentle movement helps, too.
Of course, for many "fibromyalgia" is from lyme, but the term serves as a basis for research regarding lyme pain. AND in balance with calcuim, zinc . . . and timing so as to not interfer with meds. Calcium can interfer with abx.
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Saw a neuro last week and he wanted to perscribe Neurontin or Lyrica for my head symptoms.
Ended up perscribing Neurontin and said that it was very safe.
I have not taken it yet as I see that it is an anti-seziure drug, the same as klonopin.
When I have severe headaches or head pressure, as little as .25 of Klonopin works for me. I decided not to try the Neurontin based on this.
Neurontin requires 3x day dosing and building up to required dose. Not sure about Lyrica. Neurontin and Lyrica are basically used for the same thing.
In my case, this small dose of klonopin seems the most benign of choices. I do not have any problem w/ klonopin and never have.
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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I have similar reactions from both Klonipin and Neurontin. (For folks with inner ear/balance problems any drugs that relax the CNS may make veritgo worse as it's harder to compensate.)
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Klonipin is processed through liver, Neurontin through the kidneys.
Whichever, it seems that very low doses of this sort of med. can have the same effect as a larger dose for many of us. Starting slow and low is a good idea whichever Rx is chosen.
I have a friend with advanced CFS (possible lyme) who has done very well on low dose Klonipin for years - although she has to also take an anti-depressant as Klonipin depresses the CNS, and can result in increased depression (as can many anti-seizure drugs).
Individual results do vary, but knowing this helps and keeping B-vitamins and EFAs up daily can help offset that.
posted
I'm going to be offered lyrica soon, and am wondering about it too.
With neurontin, I gained 10 lbs in 10 days and took myself off it. I told the doctor I consider obesity a bad side effect.
Turns out, it's not in the literature, but a lot of people gain weight on neurontin. I'm really struggling to lose, and don't want to take any drug that would defeat my efforts.
I went to AskaPatient to check on it, and also there's many thousands of hits if you google neurontin and wieght together. So, it's a common issue.
I just checked out AskaPatient about lyrica, and many who were on it for more than a month mentioned weight gain. Another common side effect mentioned was hair loss.
[ 01. January 2008, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: daisys ]
Posts: 563 | From New Mexico, USA | Registered: May 2007
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My dd has taken lyrica for many months. Started out low dose and built up slowly. Every re-check, some improvement, so upped the dose.
I think she takes the maximum dose now at 600 mg/day. 150-am, 150-afternoon, 300-bedtime.
She takes it for occipital neuralgia. It has been her worst lyme pain. Also has fibromyalgia. Also takes cymbalta which also helps. Tried neurontin first, helped some.
I think her other neurological symptoms have improved also.
Good luck, MommaK
Posts: 242 | From Mississippi | Registered: Oct 2006
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
I started Lyrica about 10 days ago. I started taking 75 mg at bed time and did so for a week.
I just upped it to 75mg twice a day.
At first it did give me a mild headache. Not anymore.
It does make me a bit foggy and loopy and slow.
My pain is better already though. I am supposed to go up to 150 mg twice a day.
I am a little depressed and trails had mentioned this in another thread about Lyrica.
Good Luck, Melissa
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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