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Posted 6/3/2011 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
hi all. I went to a physiatry dr on Tuesday. He was a very nice man. Actually listened to me and didnt just type on his computer and blow me off like my primary dr seems to do. This dr was very thorough. Did some neurological testing and did the tenderpoint tests as well. We sat down and he explained to me about fibromyalgia( most I had known but it was nice to have a dr explain it to me). He also had me do some bloodwork for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus so I am grateful that he is willing to rule things out instead of blame everything on depression like the other dr.
Sorry Im rambling. I need to get to the point. lol Anyway, I was prescribed Lyrica. I have yet to take it because I always like to research things before I do. He gave me a script for 75 mgs twice a day for 7 days and then 30 days of 150 mg twice a day. Could you please share your experiences if you have been on this drug. I had told the dr I was given flexeril but they are hard to take as they make me very tired and hard to deal with my two yr old that way when Im by myself during the day. Thanks in advance for sharing. :)
Posted 6/3/2011 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
yea, take it at night. and w/ food. i got (still do?) crazy dizzy at first. i think it is a side effect, but i don't go reading all those looking to borrow trouble. i still take the drug 75mg ( i weigh 105lbs on average so my dose isn't huge), and it has been well over 6months. so other than that complaint, i have none.

oh, i never gained weight. but a lot of people kvetch that they do. i have no idea why.
i have crohns though so maybe i am immune to it? maybe crohn's disease makes you immune to weight gain if there even is any one else on this drug w/ crohns and w/ fibro? i am not sure, i have never heard from other crohnies w/ rotten joints who take it..
Posted 6/5/2011 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I know that reading side effect brochures cause me anxiety, but I guess everything has a side effect. I also have anxiety and panic so sometimes taking new things is hard for me. This dr looks like he is willing to only prescribe cymbalta or lyrica so I guess I have no choice but to try.Cymbalta he said he wouldnt do for me because I am underweight and cymbalta tends to make ppl lose weight.
Posted 6/6/2011 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Greetings,
That Lyrica dose sounds high to me depending on your weight. I am a guy 6 foot 200+ and it took me months to work up to 75mg twice a day.

Dizziness is a VERY common side effect. But don't give up on the medication because of this. I was able to get used to it and now I am dizzy free! Sleepiness and tiredness are side effect that are also common. These are gone for me now as well.

The first doctor who prescribed it to me gave me 75mg twice a day and it was quite horrible starting that fast. After one month of dizziness, sleepiness, "Drugged" feeling and gaining 10lbs I gave up. (the weight comes from three sources... slowed metabolism, feeling hungry, and water retention. this does not happen to all people) It was only several years later that I got my new doctor and she has been great. I started again at 75mg every other day for a while and the sides came back but not as strong. I kept working my way up. I started two pills a day only on weekends as I couldn't get bad sides at work. This was great and I was able to keep adding.

The real thing is that it works for my pain. so few things work that it is important not to slam the door on these drugs too soon. Give it a chance if you can. We are all different and many people don't experience these sides at all. Good luck and go slow.

Works great at bedtime.
Posted 6/6/2011 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
I appreciate the advice. Im very sensitive to pills. Im actually only 4'11 and 90 pounds so I need to gain weight. So that part would be nice. After thinking about it and weighing what youve said, I think I will start this weekend when my husband is home so he can help deal with the kids i get too dizzy. :)
Posted 6/6/2011 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carlybob1,

 I am actually a new member to this site due to my son recently being diagnosed with UC.  But I was perusing this site and came across your post.

I was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia 3 yrs ago.  The pain was so bad that I could barely talk...long story short, I was prescribed Lyrica.   Looking back, I have suffered from nerve pain for years.   But never put two and two together...dental work that took 3 weeks vs 3 days for the pain to go away, shingles, surgery pain that last 4 X as long as the normal pain to go away, etc, etc . It's so hard to describe "nerve" pain to someone that doesnt suffer from it.

I have been taking 75 mg of Lyrica 3X a day for 3 yrs.  I take it when I wake up, at lunchtime and at bedtime.  I have not gained weight.  I don't suffer from any dizziness and have never had the feeling of being "drugged".   I did notice that my eyesight was getting worse and now 8 yrs after having lasik surgery, have to wear glasses for reading, computer and distance.  (might also be due to my age - 50).  BUt all in all... it has helped me a great deal.   I have recently been increased to 150mg twice a day as I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.   I dont find that it works well on muscular pain as well as it does on nerve pain.

Good luck with it and I would definitely recommend it over Neurontin... that made me feel crazy and couldnt concentrate.  Cimbalta did the same thing.. could not concentrate while taking it...but everyone reacts differently.  I work full time and Lyrica was the only prescription where I  can honestly say that I had little to no side affects and it did not affect my ability to function.

Hope  you are feeling better soon!
 

Posted 6/7/2011 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
I was on it, with a dose of 300mg a day ( I worked up to it) I had to get off because of the bloating and the weight gain, the latter not a good thing with acid reflux. It worked wonders.The only thing which really worked.

I'm glad others have had positive experiences.
Posted 6/9/2011 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
If you have stomach problems, beware. It really messed me up. I got constipated for 11 days after just 2 pills. But I think it's because I have IBS. If you have IBS too, take 2 fiber pills. That works.
good luck
Posted 6/9/2011 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice:)
Posted 6/9/2011 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi sweetie, I take lyrica on the highest dosage allowed. Nothing works on my fibro pain. If I forget to take it I really can tell the difference. I also take Savella, Tramadol, Gabapentin all for the pain. Savella works for both pain and depression/anxiety. I will not take narcotics for my pain... i would rather have the pain then take that crap!!!
Anyway, I hope I helped you in your quest for the truth!!

Laura
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