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Posted 10/9/2007 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
 

  Hello, just wanted to ask a question. does anyone here take lyrica for pain?  If so how is it working for you, and has it caused any weight gain?   I just went to the pain magement doc today and she presribed  it but I wanted to do some research before I decided to take it.

  I already take lamictal but that's for another health issue.  it's so funny when I went to the doctor today she said well looking at your MRI you have some issues with your back, well I think I could have told her that!  lol   she wants to know what I want to do, isn't she suppose to tell me what's best??   she gave me a choice of pt or injections, or I can go see a Neruosurgeon about back surgery. 

  I've mentioned before on another post, I have a broad based protruding disc at L4-5 and severe disc dengeration at the L4-5.  I don't know what to do at this point, but I do know I'm not having surgery.   I have spurring in my neck which is very painful, along with that migraines, and yes back is giving me a fit.

  Thank you for your support, it's nice to find a place where people understand what your dealing with.  but all in all Life is good.

   Keeping the Faith,

   mercyme :-)

Posted 10/9/2007 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Mercyme, I take Lyrica for fibromyalgia. I was originally given it for nerve damage I had in my wrists from a huge fall(broke both). Within 3-5 days of taking the Lyrica I found a BIG difference in my FMS pain. So therefore, I now am taking it for the FMS. Some it works for, some it doesn't. Some want miracles. My friend just go on it and swears by it also. Probably Dr wants to calm down the nerves around your spine to give you more relief. I also take vicodin when I need it.(ya know just to function around the house, just small things like that!) LOL Give it a try, why not? Heck somethings gotta click for us sometimes!! Let me know how it works for you. Take care.
Posted 10/9/2007 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Kathy, I will give it a try tonight is my first dose. doctor eventually wants me to take 3 a day. I've always been extremely cautious when taking meds. don't even trust the doc's sometimes, lol. I had one intern give me a med for anxiety, but on it, it said do not take if you have or have had a seizure. Dear Lord, I had just had brain surgery to stop my seizures! But thank the Lord I'm doing great now, no seizures. I feel blessed even with this back pain. God will get me through He always has. :)

Many BLessings,

Mercyme/Cindy
Posted 10/10/2007 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Cindy, I take Lyrica for PN in my hands and feet and I feel it has really helped me. I can understand being fearful of new meds but, please do not rely on everyone's reaction to the drug. We all react differently so please do not rely on this totally. Susie
Posted 10/10/2007 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
I have had wonderful success with Lyrica for my neuropathic pain.   Lyrica has done a better job controlling neuropathic pain than some of the narcotics my PM doctor has prescribed. It is my understanding that Lyrica’s real niche is neuropathic pain.   As you are probably aware, there are two major types of pain, nociceptive and neuropathic and the treatment is very different depending on the type of pain you are experiencing.   So depending on the type of pain you have may have an impact on how well Lyrica does for you.   Good Luck.
Posted 10/10/2007 6:41 AM (GMT 0)
Lyrica for nueropathy pain is very good , but the side effect's listing will leave u kinda jaw dropped... something like 20-40 side effect's and what's even more funny is some doctor's push this as apposed to narcotic's for the addictive reason's but this medication it is still possible to become dependent , and has the extra 20+ side effect's , funniest being (thoughts of suicide) wow....
Posted 10/10/2007 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
Have you all gain much weight on it? that is one of the side effects I read and I really don't want to gain weight. guess I'll have to walk an extra mile to keep the weight down, and stay away from sweets, lol

Thank you for your replys.

Mercyme
Posted 10/10/2007 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
I know several people on Lyrica that have gained weight and had to get off of it me included . I wanted to eat everything in site .

Posted 10/11/2007 6:53 AM (GMT 0)

Mercyme, I think it's great that you're researching Lyrica before taking it.  Unlike the other posts so far, I had a terrible experience (side effects) with Lyrica.  I was taking 450mg/day and now I am weaning off it and am down to 100mg/day right now.  I had rapid weight gain, joint pain and stiffness, swelling of feet and legs, hallucinations, depression, major confusion and memory loss, could fall asleep in the middle of a conversation, dry mouth, trouble swallowing, blurred vision and insomnia.  I still have some residual side effects but I am so much happier without Lyrica. 

I have 2 herniated discs (L3-4 & L4-5) with nerve impingement, lumbar disc degeneration, RA, spinal stenosis, nerve damage and lumbar spondylolisthesis.  I am having to deal with chronic daily pain but I guess I just have to get used to it. 

Remember this is just how Lyrica affected me.  All meds affect everybody differently and you may not have any problems with Lyrica.  It's sad to say but no one really knows how it'll affect them until they try it. 

I wish you the best and hope you find relief from your pain.

Posted 10/11/2007 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
  Thanks for replying hilo honu, after reading all your side effects not sure I even want to go there.  I know all meds don't have the same effect on everyone.  The side effects scare you off anyway, rather your on it or not.   I've only taken 2 pills so far, I take one at bedtime.  I am then to start taking 3 a day, but I don't think I'm going to.

   I'm thinking about calling the doc back and asking for the tens unit.  I had an appointment last week but had to break it.  But a pt at my church said I should get it.  She told me even doing the physcial therpy I'll need it to relieve the pain.  My insurance covers it, so I guess I have no reason to try it.

   Take care,

    Mercyme  tongue

Posted 10/12/2007 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Mercyme,  That is great your insurance covers the TENS unit.  I would definitely try it.  It does help me when it is in use but my insurance doesn't cover it so I am looking to buy one.  I just got back from my pain doc today and I will be completely off my Lyrica in 2 weeks and then they want me to start on Topomax the week after.  So now I have to research Topomax!!  They also put me on Cymbalta today for depression.  Do you know anything about it?

Good luck with everything and try that TENS unit.  I think you'll be happy with it.

Have a good day,

HiloHonu

Posted 10/12/2007 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
Lyrica has been a miracle worker for my feet pain.. Went from stabbing burning horrible pain to none at all.. Like i said a miracle working.. Pain meds could do nothing compaired to Lyrica!
Posted 10/12/2007 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi HiloHonu,

I took topamax for my migraines, it had alot of side effects. My main one was moodiness, my hubby wanted me off that one fast, lol. I also decreases your appetite, I lost 13 lbs on it before going off.

I've never been on cymbalta, so know nothing about it. Wishing you best of luck!

I've got a terrible migraine today, along with shooting pains in my lower back and into my buttocks. Have you ever used zanaflex/musle relaxer? doctor gave me that to try.

Blessings,

Mercyme
Posted 10/12/2007 6:26 PM (GMT 0)

The only muscle relaxer I've been on is Robaxin.  I don't think it really helped my pain much.  I've got so many different issues with my back and I'm on so many different meds it's hard to tell which meds work and which ones don't mad

I hope I won't even need to take the Topomax once I'm off the Lyrica.  After going through the terrible Lyrica detox, I don't look forward to trying something new cuz I don't want to have to detox off it.

I hope your day gets better :-)   

HiloHonu

Posted 10/12/2007 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
If you look up the side effects of Tylenol guess you won't take them either. They got some scarey ones.

Susie
Posted 10/12/2007 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Yes but I don't need to take Tylenol every day, long term.

HiloHonu
Posted 10/12/2007 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
your insurance may cover a Tens unit but you will have to pay somekind of co pay. I have a brand new Tens unit that I used one time and dont use anymore . could you be interested in it. let me know .

Posted 10/12/2007 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Did the tens unit not help you at all? I do have to pay a co-pay but it's not much. I'll get back to you if for some reason the insurnace pay it, but I've talked to the insurance lady at the doctor's office and she assured me it would take care of it. How expensive are the tens units??

Thanks razzle,

Mercyme
Posted 10/12/2007 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Razzle~Thank you for your help re: the TENS unit.  I actually ordered me one last night and I hope to have it by next Tuesday cuz I'll be on a long plane ride from Hawaii to Colorado.  I've heard that it can help on plane rides. 

Have a nice day tongue

HiloHonu

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