Lucy, the key to this med is to NOT take too much. Doctors typically prescribe too much. Other replies mention vision and feeling stupid on it, that is true but i think its from taking a little too much, that was in my case. I have also taken gabapentin in the past and it did the same thing, made me not all there.
Marygrace mentioned she has a blog on LDN, Im going to read it…I have been on 1mg of it for about 6 months…it has worked wonders for my energy.
I have been taking Lyrica for almost 4 years varying dosages. I can’t imagine not taking it, pain intensifies if I try to decrease dosage. The key is to get dosage that you can tolerate. Side effects for me have been dizziness and bloating which I don’t like. I take 75mgs 3 times a day. It really helps in managing pain. Sammy
My experience w/Lyrica has been mixed. 40lb weight gain…which I hate and that seems to be biggest complaint from others. Doc had me on 50 mg at first but that wasn’t even touching the pain. I read on Lyrica site that for Fibro u need at least 300 mg a day. Even more for diabetic. So Doc moved me up to 150 mg bid. It definitely helped me during day but night time pain is still bad. As long as I’m moving around I do pretty good but when I relax to watch tv or read and at night when I go to bed it’s as if the nerve endings don’t want to relax. Tho it’s less pain than I previously had. I seem to get rush feeling few times a day too. It has definitely helped my energy level and for lack of anything else I’ve tried I’ll stay on it until there’s something else…think the weight gain is because it improved my appetite so much. I prev had stage 4 throat cancer so I needed to gain some weight anyway as I had list so much from my treatments. Noticed u stated u suffered from panic attacks and anxiety too, as did I for many years. As soon as I got off all my other meds (hydroxide, oxy, etc). My panic completely ceased. Tho I did have goods success in controlling panic for many years prior to Fibro with Prozac. Highly recommend it. No side effects, no drugged feeling. Even helped with energy level too. Again u have to work with proper dosage for success. Lol, actually helped me loose weight back then. Anyway, it’s wonderful not having panic anymore. I know ur prob having difficulty with exercise, but trust me, at least a daily walk around the block helps so much. I too have trouble with many drugs, (nausea, fainting, etc) I hope this mite b helpful to u and let me know if there’s anything else I can share about my experience. Soft hugs to you dear.
Hi Lucy,
I've been taking Lyrica since 2008. Now at 100mg x2. Down from 150 x2. Yes, I gained weight. About 30 lbs. Yes, it increases fog (wonderful). But, I've tried to stop taking it and I am right back to square one with the pain. Last summer I brought the dosage down, on my own, very very slowly. I found the right dose for me with the least side effects.
I agree too, with dee B. Just give it a try. Our bodies are each unique creations with different wiring and what works for some doesn't for others.
I especially like my night time dose. I take it about 7pm, when I go to bed, and it helps me relax and become sleepy.
Best wishes Lucy! Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Kitty
PS. I was able to lose the weight I gained from Lyrica. But, I tend to be one of those people who goes up and down with my weight anyway. Good luck, Lucy.
i took lyrica and it actually helped me, but unfortunately i had a reaction to it. I felt like i had the stomach flu about an hour after i took it...i was nauseated and had the poopies (sry lol) and my stomach hurt , and i couldnt take it anymore and the doctor told me it was a common side affect from it and i had to stop taking it. but it did start to help me with the pain...just be careful with the side affects. and also, the side affects didnt start until the 5th day of taking it. Happy new Years and I pray that you have luck with it!
Lyrica can work near-miracles with fibro. The downside, of course, is that it's terribly expensive. In my case, it goes under the heading of "expensive but worth it." I actually tried pentagabin about a year ago...which was a bad idea. The improvement when I went back was noticeable.
You also might want to consider an antidepressant such as cymbalta. As my doctor put it, "if you're depressed it works on the depression, and if you're in pain it works on the pain."
Anyway, good luck to you, and keep remembering you're not alone!
Madeena
Hi Madeena,
Many thanks for the advice, I'm seeing my doc on Tuesday, hoping to start it then, on a low dose and slowly increase if all ok.
I'm in the UK so if my GP agrees to prescribe it I'll get it on the NHS.....I pay for a yearly prescription exemption card, £120 for the year, which covers all my meds.
I've tried Cymbalta...known as duloxetine here....made me vomit and feel faint! I'm venlafaxine for anxiety and depression.
Will let you all know how It goes with the doc.
Love Lucy xx
Lucy, hello,
Yes, Lyrica helps me very much. If I accidentally miss a dose, I'm in agonizing pain. But when I'm on it regularly, my pain is reduced.
Side effects for me were dizziness and balance problems for the first month or so. EXTREME dizziness, like staggering like a drunk. Oh, and I gained about 30 lbs (but I think that was due to the Nortriptyline I am also taking.) But I kept with it and am glad that I did.
I really hope that it helps you, Lucy. You deserve to get your pain to a more manageable level.
Hugs,
Petunia
PS: if you can't afford Lyrica or Cymbalta, go to their maker's website, as they have a section for financial assistance. They'll give you the product for free for about 6 months if you qualify.
Hi Petunia,
Thank you so much for your advice.....I'm seeing my GP tomorrow and will certainly give it a try if she agrees, because as you say, my pain is not managed at all at present.
I'm in the UK so cost is covered by The NHS but of course GP's here have to manage their prescribing budgets so if certain meds are expensive, I know they can be reluctant to prescribe it..... I hope she'll be sympathetic to my needs!!!!
Love Lucy xx
Ah, thank you so much....appointment is tomorrow so will post a reply then. xx
HI Lucy, Good luck today at the doctor. I started Lyrica about a month ago and I must say the improvement was amazing. I am taking 100 mg in morning and 300 mg in the evening. I have been sleeping much better. It stops all those racing thoughts in my head that used to keep me up at night . It has an effect on my energy level for good.
Pain is suppressed somehow and although I still feel pain, it just feels different and I am able to accomplish more.
Please give it a try.I also take Cymbalta as well. This combo is the best I have felt in 2 years. I am also more able to talk with people and go out. Good luck and I really hope it helps you. I am one of those people that I feel it is a miracle drug.
Hi Lisa,
I hope it will be the miracle drug too!!!! I could do with one!!!!
Will let you know how it goes.
Many thanks....Love Lucy xx
Hi dee, it made me swell like a toad. My brother takes it with no problem. Geez!
Hi Lucy! Just checking in. How is the Lyrica doing so far?
Hi Kitty,
Thanks for asking........well, so far so good!! Week 2 now, started low on 100mg a day, now up to 150mg a day, am gradually increasing week by week until I get to 300mg a day, then I see the doc again to see how things are going, with a view to reaching 350mg a day, in divided doses, as apparently this is the dose advised for both fibro and anxiety.
So I've got a little way to go yet, but so far I have no side effects, which is lovely, as I am quite sensitive to meds.
I haven't noticed much difference yet but then I'm not up to the optimum dose yet.
But I'm hopeful, and at least they seem to suit my system.
Thank you for thinking of me, you are lovely.
Lucy xx