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Have you taken LYRICA ???

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Posted 10/17/2012 6:51 AM (GMT 0)

I would really appreciate hearing others' experiences with LYRICA.

Such as, whether or not it helped.

What were your experiences with the side effects?

What was your dosing like?

I understand that we are all different and that we all react differently. I am interested in your experience with it.

Posted 10/17/2012 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
I was tried on Lyrica. It seemed to increase my pain, caused me much more flatulence, and I felt in a daze.

I was on Lyrica once a day for a short time, than 2x a day, than 3x a day. I took myself off.
Posted 10/17/2012 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I had been on low dose for over a month (50mg twice a day). Couldnt explain except just felt foggier. Then Dr. upped it to 50mg 3 x a day for 2 weeks. Then 75 three times a day. I dont like the feeling. Everything seems harder. Especially thought  and communication. I am not getting "benefit" from this yet. I plan on sticking it out and giving it a true chance (It is my first med for fibro-all else has been gi). I just want to understand how others experienced it. I was talking with my mom (who is the other of us) about how weird I felt and she said yep .. "I read that" about it. Just would like to know how others "felt it"
Posted 10/17/2012 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
The feeling is so "high" like that I wonder if there is an addictive issue for this med..
Posted 10/17/2012 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
I did not try it, because my sister did and she had bad side effects.
Posted 10/20/2012 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
I tried it several years ago, at first it seem like it really helped. Then around May after 4 months or so, I started getting swollen all over. I noticed more pain after I stopped taking it, but I could not deal with the swelling.
Posted 10/20/2012 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't like it a few years ago, basically for the same reasons you didn't, so I stopped. Now I've been on Gabapentin (generic form) for several months, for nerve pain following a ruptured disc and spine surgery. I'm tapering the Hydrocodone down, and recently upped the Gabapentin from 900 to 1200 mg. I only take it once a day, a couple of hours before bed.

It has definitely made me even more dizzy, dopey and sleepy if that's possible. But I trust my doctor, so I'll do it unless the side effects get to be too horrendous (at this point I can function all right, and anyway, decades of Fibro have gotten me used to feeling like the world's biggest dingbat.) He keeps saying it's all temporary - these meds, I mean.

Debbie
Posted 10/21/2012 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Been taking it for years. I was not pleased with the initial effects but it has proved to be one of the parts in my fibro cocktail that has helped me live a fairly active productive life. I remember when I started it it made me dizzy and almost felt like I did when I was pregnant years ago. I even went and got a pregnancy test because of the side effects. My husband had even had a vasectomy that year but I had convinced myself that there could be still a few swimmers..LOL. I didn't feel like it was doing anything but going off of it I sure did. However I have known so many people that have had HUGE side effects just be aware of them when you start. I am terrified to change anything as for now I am on a mix of meds that seem to make me functional not feeling great but functional for now! Good luck
Posted 10/21/2012 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
I really didn't like it. I had that foggy feeling. Only took it for a short time.
Posted 10/21/2012 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks every one for all of the feed back. I am sticking it out for the time. If I dont then my husband will see it as me not trying hard enough to help myself, SO... he is so supportive and ... when I got it ... so did he (not literally)... ? OUR lives changed. So I will give it my very best ... I am still eagerly interested in others experience on it. What kind of pain did it help or what side effect persuaded you to quit...
Posted 10/21/2012 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
I tried Lyrica for months. I didn't feel anything so the dose was increased. I also tried Savella. I can't remember which one made my feet swell with water retention. In any event neither one worked as advertised.

I also tried Cymbalta and while it helped with pain some it messed with my head and I was thinking of dying all the time. I have a friend that uses this for depression and it has helped him. So everyone is different.

I'd say you need to give it a try but watch out for things like about death and/or swelling, water retention.

Those are the famous fibro 3 and didn't help.

My feet are numb and cold and have been this way wor 7 years. I went to a rheumy who said that it wasn't being caused by my fibro. They keep getting worse. After going to many doctors including 2 poditrists and tested for neuropathy with tests that use electricity on the leg calves. I was told there is nothing wrong with my feet, that they could find. I was put on a low dose of gabapentin, 100mg, which did nothing then my Internist increased it to 300mg.

She sent me to a Neurologist a few weeks ago. My appointment lasted an hour. I've never had such a long appointment. Long story short, I have neuropathy but why or how come I don't know. He upped my gabapentin to 600mg and after 10 days my feet feel a little better. The maximum dosage is 2,700 mg a day. I was a little loopy the first 2 days on this dose but am fine now.

I don't know exactly were you are hurting but thought I'd discuss the gabapentin as others take it for fibro. I also take celexa and wellbrutin antidepressants plus xanex as needed.

I have lots of medical problems that have made my fibromyalgia worse the past 2 years. Hopefully you don't have other problems.
Posted 10/21/2012 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Lyrica for a few months. I felt like it made me extremely moody and somewhat depressed. A friend recommended that I try an all-natural approach to treating my symptoms. I've started going to the chiropractor regularly and it really seems to be helping. Here's some info I found on how and why chiropractic can help with my symptoms: http://callowaycountychiropractic.com/wellness_topics/c_16_fibromyalgia.html

It might not be for everyone...and it might not help during an extreme flare up, but it has helped my symptoms...and I don't feel like I'm walking around in a haze like I did when I was taking Lyrica.
Posted 10/21/2012 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with you, tangle1985, about the chiropractor. I go every 3 weeks to keep up. She got rid of my headaches and HBP 7 years ago. I was getting them again a few months back so went for weekly adjustments until they were gone again.

I also get an hour massage every other week. She works out my "fibro" knots. I was going to an acupuncturist but wasn't getting much help for the cost. It cost the same as a massage.

Plus we have a small hot tub that is awesome.

I still need to take antidepressants and pain medication for my other health problems.
Posted 10/21/2012 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
I tried Lyrica a few years ago. Had to stop, as it caused nausea. :(
Posted 10/23/2012 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
I tried it for a couple of days when I was first diagnosed with fibro and the pain was a lot worse so I stopped taking it.
Posted 10/23/2012 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
I had them for 2 months last year, I think I was up to about 250mg per day. Can't say there's any improvements. Overall, Tramadol + Clonazepam combo seems to be my preferred choice.
Posted 10/23/2012 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't tried Lyrica but I used Cymbalta for a few years until my last fusion surgery which thankfully took away the majority of my nerve pain to where it's manageable without that type of medication.

As others have mentioned, there is also Savella, Neurontin, or Cymbalta to try if you decide that the Lyrica is not a good fit. You are smart to give it some time as every medication has side effects and many of them will go away over time.

As I've written on other threads, I was told by my Dr. that these types of meds can sometimes cause cravings of carbohydrates, salt and sugar. Which then in turn can cause weight gain in some people. So paying attention to your diet and exericse is even more important when on these meds.
Posted 10/23/2012 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
OMG. I have to have something to eat around midnight (cin. poptarts ). That is new since increase. The vertigo seems to be getting better. It is hard to tell side effects from fibro. Numbness and fatigue is intense along with decrease in ability to hit the right keys when typing and words with speaking .... maybe its just the fibro. I have had tremors and fog alot before this med ... its confusing, but I am still taking it. I have yet to see any benefit...

Thank you for taking the time to post. It especially helps with deciphering fibro from Lyrica.
Posted 10/24/2012 8:39 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking lyrica for 2 years. I've gained a little weight on it, but I can walk up and down the stairs now and there was a time before lyrica when I could not.
Posted 10/25/2012 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Lyrica for about 21/2 years. I think that the highest dose that I was on was 450mg daily, divided into 3 doses. It controlled my pain well. However, I had some troubling side effects while taking it.

Although I did not notice an increase in my appetite, I did notice a substantial weight gain when I first started taking it. Since I was already overweight, I certainly could not afford to gain more weight. I was also unable to lose weight while on it, in spite of constantly watching what I ate, and exercising regularly. I also noticed that my feet would swell while I was taking it, and this is not normal for me. I believe that my fatigue was worse, as was my fogginess. I know that caused my vision to be blurry, as it has improved since I am no longer taking it. Under the advise of my doctor, I decreased my dose to 300 mg daily, and finally down to 150 at night. However, the side effects did not decrease.

For these reasons, I finally stopped taking the Lyrica about 2-3 months ago. My withdrawals were terrible, although I tried to taper the dose down by taking it every other day for awhile. My pain was much worse than it had been before I had started taking it. I hurt in places that I had never hurt before! It had been helping with my sleep, and about a week into the process, I began having problems with not sleeping, or waking up after sleeping for about an hour, and then not being able to go back to sleep. This was a problem that I was having prior to taking lyrica. I have read on other forums that these are common problems that peope experience when they go off of this med, and the withdrawals can last for several months for some people. Some people seem to be able to discontinue it with no problems, but for the rest of us, it seems to really linger in the system.

I believe that I have finally gotten through the withdrawal period, and have actually been able to lose several pounds and keep it off. I am not taking any meds for the pain at this point, other than Tylenol. My pain level seems to vary from day to day, typical of fibro. My feet are no longer swollen, and I don't feel as foggy as before. Fatigue is still a major problem probably because I am not sleeping well. I am taking Melatonin, which seems to help some with my sleep, but there are still problems.
Posted 10/29/2012 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I found this to be really interesting seeing as I will be picking up Lyrica from my specialist today to try it for the first time... Am a little bit nervous after reading this thread but at least now I know what to look out for. Thanks all.
Posted 10/29/2012 8:45 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Lyrica for a little while. I am up to 300mg. (been on it a few months)
well, all I want to do is cry. I have NO patience. I feel DEVASTATED. Even tho I have stuggled some with depression since the onset of my illness, there is no comparison. It is like someone has given me a death sentence or told me i have lost a dear loved one. It isnt like everything makes me cry; it is more like ... bleak hopelessness...
I have not felt better nor worse with my fibro symptoms. I am actually doing as bad as I was in Dec. except then I was positive and strong. I have had good days on Lyrica, but no better or more often than before lyrica.

I am going to start to taper my dose down. Lyrica is not for me.
Posted 10/29/2012 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with fibro in March of 2007. I immediately started Lyrica. I have good results now-up to 225 mg twice a day. It was along road of trial and error and when to the mg. It does not get better over night but it does get better once you find a medicine that works with your body. THERE IS HOPE!
Now that I said that-I am also on Savella-so with the 2 I have ok pain control during the day. If I miss any doses, I feel it immediately.
I am going to have to asses my meds at my next drs appt this week. Keep your fingers crossed.
Posted 10/31/2012 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
I started Lyrica about 10 days ago. I noticed a significant reduction in my day-to-day pain already. I am so amazed! This is working better than I imagined.

The first 5-6 days I felt high as a kite for several hours each day. It wasn't a bad feeling, just dizzy and 'loopy'. The feeling is now a lot better. Today I didn't feel 'high' so much anymore. I feel like I'm back to normal with that reaction.  The only other side effect so far is flatulence.  Can't win 'em all.

I would rather deal with some dizziness and loopiness (if it lasted) than the pain I had every day. So far, I am on board with continuing Lyrica. I think my pain is down about 75%.  I also take Cymbalta and have been on that for over a year. It may be the combination of the two that works for me.

That said, it is evident that each person's body reacts somewhat differently to each medication. I wouldn't make a decision based on a handful of anecdotal responses. I think it's good to try what the doctor recommends and find out how it works for you.  Best of luck, I hope you are feeling better soon!

Posted 11/5/2012 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
i have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a couple of years ago, after years of searching what my problem was. Several years ago, I hade a double fusion because of two damaged discs at the base of my neck. I lived in pain for the next ten years, and tried about everything available for pain. I am now on Oxycodones, 30mg 5 times a day, a step down from 6 times a day and I am not liking it. 6 times was perfect for me. I understand that with time, the oxys are not as effective and my Dr is trying to get me down.

I had a surgery a few months ago, to push forward my upper and lower jaw. They break them and add plates and screws. It was difficult, but I am happy with the results. It really helped with my sleep apnea and I don't use a CPAP machine anymore. My sleep has improved, even if I still need to take ambiens at night, but we lowered the dosage. I haven't been able to work for a few years, but I feel I will be able to as my recovery goes on. Also, since the surgery, I lowered my Levothyroxine from 200mg to 75mg, though I don't seem to have any reduction in pain. But I begin to believe that I may have Reumato-arthritis.

I have frequent fibro attacks where my energy leaves me. I take Ritalin and it helps with that and concentration. I take Xanax for stress as well. I understand the no- med mentality, but 10 years of no meds and undiagnosed fibro was enough for me.

My doctor gives me injections in the back. He discovered that I had an injury many years ago, and calcium was replacing muscles where they should attach to the bones. These injections are miraculous. Most of my back pain is gone. I am far better now than I was in the past and I owe a lot to my Dr who is the only one who has diagnosed me and effectively helped me.

BTW, I took lyrica for a few months, and it did alright but I was gaining a lot of weight so I stopped it. Cymbalta caused depression, one of the worse med I took.

Post Edited (primitivx) : 11/5/2012 4:09:55 PM (GMT-7)

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