Global Patient Feedback for Lyrica (Pregabalin) ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
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Question/Comment:

I have RSD and my doctor put me on Lyrica 50mg a day for the first week graduating to 50 mg 3x a day. I could not handle more than 50mg a day, because I became extremely spacey and I couldn't function. The doctor wants to change my prescription to Topamax which has so many more common, severe side effects. I do not know what to do. I called him and he said we will deal with the side effects if they happen.

53 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I also take Lyrica for RSD. I find that for me, Topamax has less cognitive and weight gain side effects than Lyrica does. I usually have about 6-8 weeks of fogginess with Lyrica, Topamax just makes me tired. Do watch out for kidney stones on Topamax!! Best wishes, and remember we all metabolize meds differently, and side effects differ from person to person, I am just speaking to my experiences.

46 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I have RSD as well and I take Lyrica twice a day. 150 mg in the morning and 150 mg in the evening. I also take Celebrex at night. It does make me me very groggy, but wears off after 2 to 3 hours. I did gain 25 pounds, but I joined a gym and not only lost the 25 pounds and more, but my pain has decreased and I'm more alert. I find that exercise is the best pain reducer for my RSD.

56 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I am 48 years old and have had RSD for 13 months now. I have been on Lyrica 150 mg twice a day for the last year. It has been my lifesaver! I do hate the side effects -- I've gained about 10 pounds (all in the "gut") and I am so loopey and groggy about 2-3 hours after I take my morning pill (I take them at 10 am and 10 pm). About 10 days ago I forgot my nighttime pill and I felt so good the next day that I decided to reduce my dose. I have now been on 225 mg TOTAL each day and am struggling. I have a return of the burning pain in my arms and legs and the RSD pain in my foot is worse, yet it isn't as bad as it was in the beginning of my RSD, so I am trying to stay on this level of medication a bit longer to see if it will even out. It is the side effects that I don't like, but I did find that I was feeling pretty much like normal the last few months and know it is because of the Lyrica. I am a Type A, very busy person, so it was wonderful having my life back. Now I just have to decide how much I'm willing to give up to feel that good again!

49 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I am a 41 year old female, have had Breast cancer twice, chemo twice, radiation once and now I have nerve damage from the last chemo. I took Neurontin previously and thought it worked till I was put on Lyrica which now works great.......I think. It takes away the pain a lot better in my feet than Neurontin did, but now I think I am fighting side effects! I have terrible pain now in my hands almost to the point that I'm afraid I will have to stop working. I do lift up to 32 pounds at work and type quite a bit. Driving is a problem and when I sleep the pain is tremendous! I am seeing a hand specialist and now am wearing braces at night when I sleep so I cannot bend them. He is also going to give me a nerve test to see if that won't give us some more answers to my pain, but I thought I had read that Lyrica can give hand pain, so I am looking to see if anyone has experienced this. I do have terrible dry mouth, blurry vision, low libido.....but not much pain in my feet. I take 150mg 3 times a day. I'm not sure if Lyrica is the way to go?!

42 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

Yes I am finding that the inital side effects of lyrica is causing pain in these areas and others but am finding that some days these go away so am advised to cont inue for 6 wks before I will feel the benefit as this is a brain related drug and the brain needs time as it were to alter the pain sense feelings..... I dont understand the process fully but am experiencing good days as well as bad days... so will give it a chance.... I have FMS and have been experiencing brain fog, dizziness, and pain whilst adapting but am sleeping better and have had good days so will update after a few more wks! x

41 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I have a nerve disorder in my mouth. The worst pain imaginable and went undiagnosed for 9mo's. $20,000 later; I was sent to Tufts Craniofacial Pain Center. They prescribed 75mg, 2 X
daily. It worked wonderfully; however I have gained over 15lbs. and I walk 4 miles each night on a treadmill. Does anyone know if this will stablize at some point. I have been on it for 4 mo's.
Thanks.

56 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

How long you have been taking this pill.Talk to Pfeizer drug company and they may have observed the side effect.if you are better and benefitted for a while ,you may start reducing the dose or stop,ofcourse by you questioning your M.D. !! Good luck!!

77 year old Male

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Lyrica (75mg - 2x daily) brought excellent relief from my leg pain -- uterine cancer/surgery/chemo/radiation -- however, I gained 30 lbs, in less than a year. That was the only negative side effect I experienced. "Increased appetite" is listed as a side effect in the fine print -- but even after counting Weight Watcher points -- I could not drop my weight.

I am now on 700 mg. of Neurontin daily. It brings moderate relief -- and I have been able to lose weight. I guess it's a balancing act.

51 year old female

Answer/Reply:

I regret to tell you that I have gained almost 75 pounds since I was first put on Lyrica. They put me on a med dose to start, and then kept going up (400mg). I have been miserable with weight, but have had SOME relief from the pain ( Fibro, Degenerative Disc Disease, Neuropathy). My weight has finally stabilized, and I have begun to try reducing my dosage in the hopes of getting this weight off. I don't know how this will go. Good luck, and hope this helps you--

53 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I regret to tell you that I have gained about 75 pounds since being started on Lyrica. They began with medium dose, and went up to 400mg. Now that my weight has stabilized (finally!!) I am trying to go down on my dosage in the hopes that the weight will come off too. I wish I could b more optimistic, but think I'll have to go off totally. Good luck and hope this helps.

53 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I have a question for anyone who can help, I'm actually not the person taking the medication, however, I am a home health nurse, and I have a patient who recently began taking lyrica about a week ago. Yesterday she reported that she is getting alot of weakness in her legs. She says that if she just slightly bumps any part of her leg into anything, her legs give out and she falls. This is a woman is is already prone to falls, however since taking the medication, it has gotten worse. Is anyone else having this probelm? She does not want to lose her independance, and refuses to use a walker, any help would greatly be appreciated. Thank you.

29 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

Please tell her to stop Lyrica for atleast for one to two weeks and observe if any improvement.Most likely the Lyrica is not for her!!!!!!

77 year old Male

Question/Comment:

I have just started taking Lyrica 50 mg twice a day - I am on day two..Two questions -
I noticed my face has been flushed all day.. Also, when in the best time to take the second dose?? mid-day or at bedtime.

70 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

No one told me that Lyrica would take about a month for my body to adjust, if the flused doesn't go away in about 2 weeks I would tell your doctor of the side effect and see what he says. I take 2 50mg at night and 2 first thing when I wake up

25 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I was recently taking provigil 100mg, dr. put me on 400mg of lyrica and 60mg of cymbalta. Is it okay to take all three of these medications in a day?

41 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

maximum dose given is 300 milligram. Question the prescriber?!!!

77 year old Male

Question/Comment:

How do I get assistance paying for Lyrica, it is so expensive my insurance pays so little of it because I am ordering the name brand Lyrica, I told them that there is no generic. Who can I talk to about this and is there a website for Lyrrica that the pharmacy uses that the consumer can't reach?

52 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Dear iGuard user,

Lyrica is made by Pfizer and they have a patient assistance plan for those who need help paying for their Pfizer medications. You can go to their help site at http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com

Other pharmaceutical companies have similar programs. Find out who makes your drug and then search on the internet for "(Insert Company Name) patient assistance" or something similar.

Thank you,
Ginny
iGuard Support

Answer/Reply:

Contact the drug manufacturer, they may be able to provide some assistance.

62 year old Male

Answer/Reply:

You should talk to your doc and see if they can work with the insurance company to cover it fully. My doc did this and now it's 100% covered, $40 copay each month. Not sure if that was specific to my insurance but it's worth tryin! :)

27 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

If you know the pharmacutical company that makes Lyrica, go to their site and they probably help you with getting it, they should have a financial form that you fill out and they will ask for information to send them. I have done this a few times with different phamacutical companys and I received them free due to the amount of money I brought in, examples of whatthey will ask for: copies of so many pay stubs, last years taxes. I hope this has helped you, if you are not sure of the company that makes the drug, ask your pharmacist and then look it up on your computer.

Linda
happysoul55@yahoo.com

54 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Lyrica is made by Pfizer. Pfizer has a patient assistance program. You can find it at http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/misc/Default.aspx

Question/Comment:

I am a 71 year old male who has had 3 cervical spine surgeries since 2000 with several fusions. I had serious chronic pain after the first surgery and was disabled to he point I could hardly move without causing terrible pain. I am on morphine sulfate and Fentanyl patches. After starting Lyrica at 150 mg 3 X daily in 2006 it reduced the neuropathic pain dramatically and gave me a lot of my life back. I can drive again and be more indrpendent. The bad things are I have no libido and have gained about 35 lbs. and I am not able to excersise properly to help the weight gain.

73 year old Male

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I'm going throw the same thing. But I haven't gotten my life back.

Question/Comment:

I am a 46 years old. I have multiple sclerosis,vision problems and have recently been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. Before the diagnosis I was taking tramadol for pain, but after finding out that i have trigeminal neuralgia I was given lyrica 75 mg. It now has been increased to 150mg twice a day. The first time I took it, I felt as drunk as a skunk!! I wouldnt take it anymore. I told my doctor, so he told me to try the 75 mg for 2 more weeks and try it again. (Guess what?) I was still drunk as a skunk!!. AND after reading all of the comments about the weight gain, Oh but baby no! No more Lyrica for the 46 year old woman. I turn 47 this month, I just lost 51 pounds, my 15th wedding anniversary is next year, and I want to renew my vows and look good while doing it. All of these comments alone, not to mention the symptoms for the lyrica is a good reason to quit.
cj

49 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

it seems that possibly you had no need for medication if not taking the lyrica was that good!

41 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

what are you taking for your trigeminal nuralgia now ?, I am 40 years old and diagnosed with trijeminal nuralgia taking Lyrica for the past 10 months it worked in the beginning but it does not seem to work now I am taking 150 mg 3 times a day. I feel tired all day, blurry vision sometimes and dry mouth specially at night i have to get up 2-3 times to drink water.I want to change the medicine or am also thinking for surgery.

Question/Comment:

Pregablin prescribed for spinal pain and pain in feet, I have in the last 12 months experienced severe dystonia in right foot which has dislocasted 3 toes and now requires botox
has anyone had any other experience like this whilst taking this drug. not known if this drug is responsible or one of other drugds taken.

62 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I took Lyrica for 5 days, 2 x 75 mg each day and the drug made me completely asexual. No sex drive, no erection. This is my 4th day without Lyrica now and I'm still in the same condition sexually. How long you think it will take the situation to normalize? Or can there be permanent damage? :(

27 year old Male

Question/Comment:

how do you get off of this med, 50mg 2x day. I have gained 10lb in 2 weeks, help!

46 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Yes, Lyrica (pregablalin) may cause weight gain and actually 10% of iGuard members taking Lyrica (pregabalin) have reported weight gain as a side effect.

You should first talk to your doctor before stopping any medication - stopping medication suddenly can sometimes cause more serious problems.

Answer/Reply:

I took Lyrica for about 8 month and gained around 50 lbs. I still can't get it off. I am heavy and did not realize what was making me gain weight, when I found out I stop. Does anyone have the same problem? It's all in my mid-section. Any clues on how to get rid of it?

48 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I have been prescribed lyrica 75mg by my spinal surgeon for chronic nerve pain after my 2nd cervical fusion. At first this medication seemed to work, I have been on it fro the past 8 mos and I have gained over 40 lbs, now I am not feeling the relief from the nerve pain it seems that the neuropathy has returned and the pain is back to where it was, I have been weening myself off of this medication on the advice of the Dr. I am very sorry that I took this medication and now I badly need to lose the weight that I gained. I am disabled and unable to do much as far as exercise, however I am going to try swimming or at least getting in the pool maybe it will help GOD willing. I would not recommend any body taking this medication.......D.K. in FLORIDA

52 year old Male

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I have taken it for about a year now. I am at 175 mg 2 times daily. I also have to use muscle relaxants and naproxen to help combat pain from fibro. I have noticed that my body gets used to the Lyrica very quickly and I am constantly having to go in for higher dosages just to combat the pain. I have also gained 45 lbs since starting the meds. I have had several spells where I will be talking and the words seem to simply slip out of my mind. I have a very public job and am constantly talking to people, so it is very embarassing when I can't complete a sentenance because the words are not there anymore. Hopefully my doctors will figure out something better to help with the pain.

Question/Comment:

this is a terrible drug and unless you necessarly have to go on it I wouldn't. It made me like a zombie and I was not able to function as a real person for 6 weeks till I took myself off the stupid drug and it still took about a month for me to fully feel normal again

51 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

When I started Lyrica, I was on a pretty high dose. I was walking into walls, felt like I was high and felt like I was in someone elses body.

I was also on 9 other medications. I stopped Lyrica which was a bad idea. I went into one of the worst withdrawal periods of about two weeks. It was horrible. I've learned to not take myself off any drug unless I talk to my doctor first. You should slowly withdraw especially when it's a controlled substance and talk to your doctor. You should'nt have to suffer taking a medication that is prescribed to help.

49 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I had the same problem when i first started. My doctor had to adjust the mg.,severial times to get the proper relief ,and from being a zombe. check with your doctor again. This is the best med. i have taken for the pain in my feet,ant toes.
Larry

Question/Comment:

Lyrica has helped me alot with the pain and tingeling in my arms,hands, feet and legs. I can deal with the tiredness but hate the weight gain!!! Due to other health problems I cannot exercize very much. But would like to lose the weight.

52 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I am on Lyrica and Cymbalta for complex regional pain syndrome in my left foot. I, too, have
gained weight but thought it was from low metabolism. I am disabled and can't really exercise either as I have to elevate my foot alot. I didn't know about the weight gain being one of the side effects but have to take it as the pain is unbearable without it--I can tell it if I happen to forget a dose. I take 150 mg 3 x a day of lyrica and 30 mg of cymbalta at night. I fall asleep
a lot some days but not always. My pain dr. told me it is my meds that cause me not to have the ambition to quilt or scrapbook or jewelry. I keep wanting to do this but have no motivation!!
Just read and play on computer, do do my housework but have to force myself!! Can''t wear a shoe on my foot or have any weight on it but have learned to manage that. Have been on it for 2 yrs. now.

60 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I'm a 38 year old man who has had Acute back pain since 11 years old,10 years ago I injured my back for the 18th time and that was all my back could take. I now suffer from severe nerve damage in lower spine,3 herniated disks with 2 others bulged, and I have been diagnosed with Fibromylalgia too.What a combo,anyways I take Lyrica with a leading pain killer and muscle relaxer & Ambien, Lyrica is a miracle drug for me,before my 75mg 3 times a day regimen I was unable to walk more than 20feet and there was no way I could even go to the store or anything else.Now I'm able to do alot more than I have been able to in over 10 years.The good way out weighs the bad in every way.The worst side effect I have experienced is GROGGINESS,its not that bad.

38 year old Male

Answer/Reply:

I was just put on lyrica for fibromyalgia and I feel all alone I at first didn't think men could have it, but i see now that men can have it too. I was on cymbalta and it worked for the pain, however i had bad sexual side effects and had to stop it. I hope lyrica works I am sick of hurting.

33 year old Male

Question/Comment:

I was prescribed this medication for suspicion of fibromyalgia (I still do not believe I have/had it) ; while it initially helped with my severe nighttime back pain, the effect lasted only a week; of course I had just filled a 3-month prescription! I took it for 2 more months, but then went off it cold turkey, as my hot flashes were increasing tremendously and my mental state deteriorated. What you don't need as a pre-or in menopause woman is rapid weight gain, feet retaining water, fuzzy thinking/memory etc. The only good things I can say about Lyrica (I took 50 mg at night) was that INITIALLY I slept through the first few nights without waking up from pain (but this positive effect did not last) and it seemed to lower my blood pressure. I'm going to physical therapy now and taking a combo black cohosh med (see my comments under that listing) and am feeling much much better!

56 year old Female

Question/Comment:

It did help with the burning pain of my RSD but the cost on my body was too much. I only made it up to 50 3x a day. I think the only side effects that I did not suffer was vision changes and lowered platelet count. I was only on it for 3 week and still suffered from withdrawal. You must ramp up and down slowly

For my friend, Pat, this is a miracle drug.

53 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Lyrica, with Nortriptyline and 3 g's of Melatonin do help me sleep at least 4.5 hrs a night. They are prescribed for me for head and neck pain related to a cervical injury and 3 concussions. The Lyrica did cause weight gain, however, it is combined with 17 other medications, daily, too! It took a few months to balance it out, and you really need to watch yourself if you are unsure of how it is affecting you the first month of taking it.

46 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Why are you on so many meds at 45 years old? Have you asked your MD that. Maybe you should try a holistic approach to healing your body. All of these chemicals that you are putting in your body is destroying your body. There are so many natural approaches that will help heal your body--I have seen these holistic approaches help people over and over again, but you do need to see someone that specializes in this area. Going to the store and randomly picking up vitamins and supplements is not the answer. They make tests such as hair analysis that reveal what your body needs because your body needs very specific ratios and amounts to function properly and heal.

Question/Comment:

This is the only medicine I have found so far to help the fibromylga. The only problem I had was swelling of my hands and feet so the doctor added a water pill and everything seems to be find.

43 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I take 300 mg three times a day. If I don't take it at bed time, I don't sleep. I have to take it because of a stroke. My left arm ache's so the neurologist put me on it. Beside not sleeping, I have dry mouth and double vision.

66 year old Male

Question/Comment:

with out this I would not be able to walk even 6 blocks & shop & come home without 3 days of frozen calf lags. I have been taking this for just over 1 year & even though it is the lowest that I could be given it has worked miracle. I must walk to stay out of nursing home because of other problem I have & could not do it with out this.

63 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I suffer from neuropathy, post herpetic neuralgia, ischemic optic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. I suffer a great deal of pain most of the time, and perspire profusely when too active or upset. My internist just prescribed 75 mg. Lyrica. I took my first one last night. When I awoke this a.m. I experienced difficulty and pain in swallowing, a dry mouth, nausea, and dizziness. Isn't 75 mg. too high to start with?

88 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I take 200mg of Lyrica in the morning and 200mg at night. Since going on this I have gained adout 35 pounds. I have swelling in my face and neck;drowsiness;grogginess;fatigue;dry mouth;dry eyes; numbness/ tingling in arms, legs and neck and face; tightness in chest; dizziness; and very vivid dreams. This was given to me for pain due to fibromyalgia but it does nothing for the pain. My muscles all over my body ache. Should I consult my doctor again about these symptoms? I recently changed doctors and haven't told him, but my other doctor was not concerned about it at all.

54 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Yes, contact your doctor. That is way to many side effects and since you are not getting any pain relief it could be time to discontinue use of this medication. Again, contact you doctor, I am not a doctor. I too have just begun using Lyrica and am experiencing many side effects but not much pain relief. I have spoken with my doctor and he believes that more time is needed for the drug to begin working properly.

It would be nice if it really brings me pain relief but with the amount of side effects, it will have to be very successful.

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I have peripheral neuropathy in both feet, and have not been able to determine the cause. I've been to 5 different doctors, and they are all puzzled.
The neurologist I went to could not give me the cause, but he prescribed Lyrica which I have been taking for almost a year, and it has helped with the burning, "on fire" feeling in my feet that was keeping me from getting a good nights sleep.
The only bad effect it had on me was weight gain. I've gained about 12 pounds, and have to really watch my intake to keep me from gaining any more.
And I've tried to lose the weight, but find it almost impossible without starving myself.

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Hi. My experience has been similar to yours. I am not convinced that Fibromyalgia is really what I have. My doc is now investigating Macrophagic Myofaciitis (MMF) as my actual condition. The symptoms are similar, but also cover other symptoms that "Fibromyalgia" never explained, for me. MMF is the result of the aluminum content present in TETANUS SHOT vaccines. Do you recall having that vaccine anywhere within a year of first noticing your symptoms?

Answer/Reply:

Wow, why take it at all if it does nothing for your pain! DO NOT STOP TAKING WITHOUT DR's CARE! You have way too many side effects from it!

46 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

It seems like a very high dosage. I take 60mg AM & PM. My daughter takes 150mg. She is drunk on this stuff. I just get a little numb in the feet but it does help the pain. Why would you take a drug for pain if it doesn't help the pain??

69 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I've been prescribed Lyrica for mental health issues (along with several other drugs) does anyone else take it as a replacement for Neurontin?

32 year old Male

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

No, but I take Lyrica because Nuerontin did not work for me. I have no side effects from Lyrica.

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