Affordable alternative to lyrica?

I have tried it, it is also known as neurontin. It caused me to studder and didn't help me with my nerve pain. It made me feel wierd. But that doesn't mean that it wont work for you. There are many it helps. So you may want to give it a try.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen

I have no choice right now. There is one clinic in this area that takes poor people. My doctor works at that clinic. I live in northern maine, I'm not sure anyone up here believes in Fibro. I was diagnosed years ago, before I moved back here. Most of my family doesn't even believe in it. It's kinda like living in hell. Due to my financial problems (waiting for disability hearing) I'm living in a house my aunt and uncle own. My uncle doesn't believe anything is wrong with me (he's very old fashioned) so I'm constantly told how I'm worthless and useless and lazy because I can't work and I can't plant a garden. My aunt tells me just to ignore him but ti's not easy. People here just have that attitude, and it extends to the doctors here too. I'm thankful that I lived elsewhere for 25 years and as soon as I get the disability I hope to move. In the meantime my doctor is willing to treat my back problems at least a little bit. Hence the Lyrica.
Oh and sorry about the whining, bad pain day today and it makes me crabby.

I hope it does. Many people have results from it for nerve pain, and it may be that it helps you with the fibro.

Its not unusual for people to tell us that we are over reacting, or trying to get attention or handouts. My own mother constantly called me a hypochondriac. I had to call out of a newish job one day because my back was so bad I literally could not move; had to crawl across the floor to get my cell phone, from where I had fallen. When I got fired for it and got home to tell my mother, she flew all over me, told me "I guess you'll just have to get on disability, since you're so unable to work." It cut me to the bone, being such a cruel comment. I learned to ignore what people think of me; I know how I feel, and I know what I can and cannot do. If they dont like it, well, good for 'em.

It will take time--and a change of mindset, for most people--for fibro to become accepted. We have to fight to get accepted as not being crazy, not being lazy or useless. Keep fighting the comments and the looks, it will get better!

Kaely: my heart goes out to you. My hubby has severe ddd we thought L5-S1, but turns out that it is the whole of his lumbar spine.
YOU ARE NOT LAZY< YOU ARE IN PAIN! Did you try to call Pfizer(the company that makes Lyrica) to see if they have a drug assisstance program? some drug companies do. Gapentin (sp sorry ) or oh what is the name of it...it is an antiseizure drug that starts with a T... sorry my Tip of the tougue syndrome from my MS. If I think of it, I will let you know( it is an off label use)
God bless you!

Kaely,

That is a good idea to get ahold of pfizer. Often there are drug companies that will give you a drug for free for about a year. Also there is a site called http://needymeds.org. That often helps with people in your situation. I am sorry that your doc doesn't believe in fibro. I wish you could find one who does. I hope that you do. You really need good pain management in order to get better. Keep moving most of all. If you don't, your muscles go into rigor and you will feel worse. Can you get out for a short walk once a day? Even if you don't go very far, it helps. I go everyday. Though I haven't gone yet today, as I slept in and am behind in everything. Yuck...

Keep posting, know that we all do understand what you are going through. Get a doc who believes and think about signing up for disability. But you need a better doctor. Do you have other chronic illnesses that could go toward helping you get disability? I know that you post in depression, that is an illness. But if you had more it would help.

Take care, I hope that the neurontin works for you. Let us know, if you have nerve pain, it should help you. I just didn't like the side effects that I got from it, but that doesn't mean you will have them. Hopefully not.

Hugs, Karen

Started the Gabapentin today. 300mg 3x a day. 1 today 2 tomorrow 3 from then on. Hopefully it will help.

http://www.pparx.org/en/news_and_media/press_releases/2006/montel_williams Hopefully you can find some help with this website.

Sorry for your pain levels and the dr's attitude!

I could not afford my Lyrica once I lost my insurance...My doctor had me go on the Pfizer website and sign up for their program to get my Lyrica free...(based on income) I now get mine free

I'm now up to the full dose of 900mg a day. The pain from my diabetic neuropathy has pretty much vanished. A lot of the pain across my shoulders and upper back from my fibro has improved. The pain from my lumbar region is even been brought down to a tolerable level if I don't move around too much. (Before, even sitting still or laying down hurt terribly). So I'd say Gabapentin is a success for me right now. As to side effects I've noticed some water retention but not a huge amount. I realize it takes a week to build up in your system so I'll report again in a week. Right now though, I could cry with relief. I'm grateful to be able to move around again, even if it's not for very long. I can even get around the house without crutches :)