New, and wondering about Lyrica

   

 

     I'm new here; but not new to chronic pain, insomnia, extreme fatigue.  My Rheum.( seen for RA) has told me the RA is under control in her opinion & my current pain and fatigue are from fibromyalgia.  She wants me to try Lyrica.  My reasonable hesitat

ion is due to reading the side effects of tinnitus and otitis media; my more vain reluctance is hearing about significant weight gain in some (many?) people.

    My strange infection related to the biologic drugs for RA is always ear infections( this is usually only seen in children  with JRA).  I have had severe bilateral tinnitus for 9 years following my first round of ear infections.

     Anyway---any info. on Lyrica experiences as far as side effects and how much it helps  would be great!

                                                                                  Thanks, L

Post Edited By Moderator (Acheybody) : 4/16/2014 10:56:29 PM (GMT-6)

Hi, Raer.

Welcome to the forum! Take a look at "Fibro 101," our first thread....it's a wealth of general info about Fibro, useful for anyone.

As far as Lyrica, yes, I tried it a few years ago. It kind of made me feel energized and speedy; I'd describe it as feeling like my blood pressure was elevated (though it wasn't.) Anyway, I didn't like that, so I quit. I didn't gain any weight.

Now I'm on Gabapentin, which is very similar, but it doesn't give me that same weird sensation, it just helps with my nerve pain.

I hope you'll keep posting, so we can get to know you....we do understand how frustrating this condition can be!

By the way,I added to your subject line to let people know you're new, so you'll get more replies.

Debbie

   

          Thank you for the replies---I know everyone responds differently to drugs; but it does help to hear "real' people experiences.  I have had some unpleasant and unusual effects over the past 13 years of tryimg meds. no one wants to have to take.

          I guess I will try to speak to my rheumatologist this week---operative word being try---her assistant gets back to you slowly & it is rare to actually speak to her. Not at all ideal of course but no other choice of MD's. 

        I will ask for a low dose and hope it doesn't worsen the tinnitus.

                                                                       L

I tried Gabapenten for about 4 years ,for??why??. I was already taking 8 a day which is limit 2400mg. I wanted to relieve all over pain from arthritis, sinusitis and almost every problem already on the list. So next Dr.'s tell me a lot of my pain is from fibro so I dropped the Gabapenten (gradually of course) and moved on to Lyrica within three days, my usually all over achefeeling was relieved not to mention I only need 3 a day ,but the price was so high, So I went back to Gaba,(for about 2 weeks) I would rather pay the price. I still have to deal with my other pains, and yes I do carry around an extra 10LBS I'm no spring chick, long as I am not in so much pain. I have written and erased posts (())

I have been on Lyrica for about 5 months now and take 300mg all at night. I sleep better now than I have in many years. I think that is about the only helpful thing it does for me. The pain is still pretty bad, but I feel I have more good days than bad. I have not gained any weight. I cannot do anything "on" Lyrica however, including driving. It makes me feel sleepy and lightheaded.

My Dad has absolutely no side effects, but he doesn't take it for Fibro.

Hope this helps.