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Going from Gabapentin to Lyrica--scared--have questions

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Posted 8/6/2015 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on 200 mg of Gaba and my pain has come back. I'd go up to 300 (like before) but I had what might have been nerve side effects from it after a while (electrical pricklies, itching). So my doctor says I can drop the Gaba and go directly to Lyrica (25 mg 2x/day). Is that true? No weaning? Is it necessary to get totally off of one to go to another (regardless of what my doc says)?

And I know ppl have diff. reactions to Lyrica. What was your experiences? And be gentle...I'm not in a good place right now. And in pain.

Plus I hear ppl with fibro have 'flare ups'--mine is just in the "on" position all the time (except while sleeping)--and I think gets that way when meds stop working. So my opinion, is that on working meds, pain is pretty much gone. Off meds, its always there. I feel like that's not normal for fibro. ?
Posted 8/6/2015 7:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and forgive the intrusion,I'm not a fibro member but chronic pain and I was on Gaba at much much higher dose and was having issues and was switched to lyrica without a taper. I had a few days of feeling a bit strange but didn't have any other problems after those first few days and have far less side effects from lyrica. Everyone is as different as the Drs who treat us so trying to anticipate how you may react to the change is just guesswork. Can't help with any of the fibro questions but good luck with the med changes and also wanted to say that sometimes especially with meds like gaba those irritating side effects from a increase can get better the longer you take it.
Posted 8/7/2015 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for responding. Were your side effects similar to mine or totally different?

Oh I know everyone's different but I'm still curious. A friend of mine had to stop Lyrica due to side effects. Though his issues are from diabetes.

I guess how would you know to stay on the med even with supposed side effects in hope that they will go away, or to get off it b/c it's not for you?
Posted 8/7/2015 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
Medications and their effectiveness goes by the rule of thirds, is the theory I like best. A nice gent from Depression used it often, before he decamped the board. It makes sense to me.

Of people taking a specific medication, a third will show a lessening of symptoms. A third will have no real change in their symptoms. The last third will either feel worse, or have excessive side effects that last through the 4-6 week period of 'getting to know you.' This is of course a more or less, and very anecdotal, assessment.

There is no way to predict response.

I never took Lyrica, but I fell into the last third with Cymbalta. It didn't really help, even after dosage increases, and the side effects never went away.
Posted 8/8/2015 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
I've taken 300-450 mgs of Lyrica for about 18 months now. My only side effects are some constipation and blurring eyes. I take them at bedtime now and so the blurry eyes are not a problem anymore. Don't be afraid to try new meds, just take it slow.

I started with 75 mgs and it was great, but as most fibro meds, over time the good effects seem to wear off and so more mgs are needed.

Edit to answer one of your questions I missed. When I first started taking Lyrica and Tramadol, my life immediately went back to "normal", so yes when the meds work you can actually be normal again. I was completely amazed after having symptoms for over a year, that two small pills gave me my life back in a matter of hours. Alas, it was only for a few weeks. Today, they continue to "help" with the pain and such, but I'm not normal.

Post Edited (TomBSCS) : 8/7/2015 7:18:04 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/13/2015 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
I love Lyrica. It works great for me. I definitely prefer it to Gabapentin. Lyrica doesn't make my brain go fuzzy like the Gabapentin did.
Posted 8/16/2015 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I still haven't tried it and am in pain everyday. I cannot stand it. And been waiting (forever!) for a day when I have nowhere to go since I read how nasty it can be when taking it. Dont wanna risk driving.
Posted 9/30/2015 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
I took gabaptn yrs ago low dose put me to sleep. Lyrica i have taken for a few years & it helps my nerve pain. 75mg 2xdly.
Posted 9/30/2015 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Let us know how you do..i am med sensitive..so have not tried lyrica..i do use low dose tramadol and an anti inflammatory.. Also supplements and other slf help methods
Posted 9/30/2015 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
From what I understand, they are similar medications. So there probably wont be a lot of changes with the switch. Though I could be wrong.

I hope it goes smoothly for you.

Hugs, Karen...
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