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Will I be able to do my job if I take Lyrica?

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Posted 9/10/2011 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a 41 year old man, who has recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It's been tough getting a diagnosis since, being a guy, I just figured that it was normal to be tired and feel like I was run over by a steamroller all of the time, and went about my business as best I could. Symptoms started about ten years ago. After I started going to doctors about it, I spent about five years being told to exercise more, and take some vitamins.

I'm excited about the possibility that Lyrica will work, since the only thing that's worked so far has been Prednisone, which made me feel like a new man. However, doctors are extremely reluctant to prescribe it for any extended length of time.

I teach elementary school, which requires a great deal of concentration and energy if you're going to do it right. Is Lyrica going to turn me into a zombie?
Posted 9/10/2011 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Gabapentin turned me into a zombie (shuffling gait, etc). Lyrica wasn't so bad (always a good idea to start really, really low dose), but my hands swelled horrible and hurt :(

I had the same response to prednisone - worked on my brain something fierce and I found myself talking quickly, vacuuming out the van (first time in years), and rushing about like crazy. My rheumy put me on it, not for fibro but to test out a theory about some form of arthritis/inflammation.
Posted 9/10/2011 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Lyrica is one of the very few meds that I tried that did not produce side effects. Most of them turn me into a zombie. Unfortunately, I did not get enough relief to justify the expensive out-of-pocket costs since I have no prescription coverage.

P.S. I see you are a teacher! My sons are also in the field of education (secondary mathematics and business education), so teachers are near and dear to my heart. I hope the Lyrica gives you some pain relief and that you don't have any side effects!
Posted 9/10/2011 5:50 PM (GMT 0)

Chloe_s_mom said...
Gabapentin turned me into a zombie (shuffling gait, etc). Lyrica wasn't so bad (always a good idea to start really, really low dose), but my hands swelled horrible and hurt :(

I had the same response to prednisone - worked on my brain something fierce and I found myself talking quickly, vacuuming out the van (first time in years), and rushing about like crazy. My rheumy put me on it, not for fibro but to test out a theory about some form of arthritis/inflammation.


I was on Gabapentin for a couple of months, and had the same side effects, but it didn't do anything for pain.

They put me on prednisone for a sinus infection, and that's what really clued me in to the fact that it's not normal to be sore everywhere, all the time. I had some wicked insomnia from it, but I didn't care, because I felt so great! turn
Posted 9/10/2011 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
The side-effects may make you drowsy for a while, but it wears off eventually;) I'm on Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Cesamet and I haven't been able to walk so well in the last 2+ years, so this is doing great.

I'd rather they cure this darn syndrome/disease as opposed to just treating the symptoms, but hey, this combo is doing well until then:) Oh, the Cymbalta also gives you energy. I take a full 60mg in the a.m., half in the p.m., and none before bed. Man does this do wonders:D:D:D!!! The best part is when I'm at work, I'm okay, the worst part is I collapse when I get home. It's got its ups and downs;)

GOODLUCK:D:D:D
Posted 9/11/2011 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
I also took Prednisone for a week. The idea behind that is that, if you have Lupus,the Prednisone will make you feel great. I only felt great for the first 3 days or so & then I went downhill again, so the rheumy told me that FMS was more likely. I haven't taken Lyrica -- yet.
Posted 9/11/2011 12:30 AM (GMT 0)

applevenus said...
I also took Prednisone for a week. The idea behind that is that, if you have Lupus,the Prednisone will make you feel great. I only felt great for the first 3 days or so & then I went downhill again, so the rheumy told me that FMS was more likely. I haven't taken Lyrica -- yet.

Does Prednisone help with Lupus? I was on Prednisone for roughly 3 months, and felt great from about two hours after my first dose, until about a day after I ran out. I also have a weird rash on my forehead that they're sending me to a dermatologist about.
Posted 9/11/2011 1:13 AM (GMT 0)

neilpk70 said...

applevenus said...
I also took Prednisone for a week. The idea behind that is that, if you have Lupus,the Prednisone will make you feel great. I only felt great for the first 3 days or so & then I went downhill again, so the rheumy told me that FMS was more likely. I haven't taken Lyrica -- yet.

Does Prednisone help with Lupus? I was on Prednisone for roughly 3 months, and felt great from about two hours after my first dose, until about a day after I ran out. I also have a weird rash on my forehead that they're sending me to a dermatologist about.

 

Neilpk70- have you been tested for lupus?  My understanding is that prednisone is known for giving some pep - three months is a long time.  Hopefully you were taken off it gradually.  Let us know if you decide to try lyrica - it might work (well) for you!  So far, I haven't found much, other than pacing (which I find difficult) can combat fatigue.  But I'm on Butrans and Ultram for the pain, with very few side effects .....then again, they don't do much for the pain either hahahha!

Posted 9/12/2011 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
I quit Lyrica because it was making me foggy. I too am a man with a job that requires my mind to be clear and I found that after I quit Lyrica it was much better.
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