Lyrica

Start getting into natural cures and search the internet. Stay away from mainstream med. Here is a site that may get you going. www.naturalnews.com. Also www.prescriptiondrugsarekillingus.blogspot.com. Good luck. Bulk up on good vitamins, organic foods, water, exercise. watch Food Matters, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, King Korn, Forks over Knives. There are a lot of others. http://michaelpollan.com/articles/

In my humble opinion reporting to FDA does not good. they are in bed with Pharma. Here is a fabulous website to show you. www.ssristories.com also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fduMpYhv1_M&feature=share, also www.prescriptiondrugsarekillingus.blogspot.com.

Reporting your adverse effects to the FDA does nothing. Here is a blog that might help you. www.prescriptiondrugsarekillingus.blogspot.com. All of these types of drugs are highly addictive. If you miss a pill you think that taking one helped but actually, you are addicted and your body was going through early stages of withdrawal. What you think is helping is actually an addiction to your med(s). For further info go to www.breggin.com. NEVER EVER stop taking your medications without weaning off slowly. My son-in-law died because the doctor failed to recognize suicidal ideation. If the drug you are taking has a black box warning be very careful. You can learn about what a black box warning is by going to the first blog listed above. Good luck to all. It is my honest opinion that most all of these problems can be fixed with a healthy diet such as organic fruits and veggies. Sugar, carbs and overly processed foods are poisons. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fduMpYhv1_M&feature=share

I've taken Lyrica for PHN for 11 months. I've tapered from 150mg to 75mg to 50mg to 25mg. I'm on the 4th day of zero dosage and I immediately developed both upper and lower respiratory issues, including copious amounts of green, even brown mucus from my sinuses and lungs. Any advice is greatly valued.

Just to let everyone know, you can report adverse drug reactions directly to the FDA for them to investigate, I suppose they will investigate if they see a pattern?
I've been on Lyrica for three months 75mg x2 daily, along with Cymbalta and Flexaril. I've had 50% relief from burning muscle pain and stiffness due to fibromyalgia. unfortunately, I've noticed the relief does not last more than 4-5 hours. I think I need to have the dose and frequency increased. I see my Doc today.

Side effects I've definitely noticed feeling a little fuzzy with difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness. I go into a room and forget why I went in there and what I was looking for? But folks with Fibromyalgia have difficulty in these same areas anyway. They call it the "Fibrofog" Lyrica definitely makes it more pronounced. A nice strong cup of Java helps with that.

I also noticed that it eases migraine pain, my other longterm chronic affliction. I will keep taking Lyrica because I feel better mentally and physically.

My husband is Type II diabetic and has rapidly accelerating neuropathy in all extremities. Four years ago, he was prescribed Lyrica (300 mg 3x daily). It seemed to be a wonder drug at first - helping with the pain more than ANYthing he'd ever taken. But over the next couple of months? his mental capacity regressed... he was forgetful - from one room to the next, couldn't remember seeing a movie we saw last week (at all - even with coaxing), very disoriented, and oddly enough? maturity level was slipping. he realized PART of it.. we talked, we talked to the doctor and she reduced him to 150 mg in the morning, but still 300 mg at night.... eventually we demanded that he be changed off of it... and have comfortably moved to neurotin. not quite as good - but the side effects are less.
My biggest issue? over the past 3 years? he's NEVER returned to normal thinking patterns. it appears to have been a permanent damage - leaving me with a 50-year old irresponsible teenager... :( nobody seems to complain about anything but the suicidal thoughts (and yes, he did attempt that during this time, too)... but what about the rest of the 6%, 7% and 9% of the people who experience abnormal thinking, disorientation, etc... when does it go AWAY????

Since starting Lyrica I have suffered > eye problems,blurred vision, double vision
> memory loss
>confusion
> fatigue
>Dental problems

I'm on methadone and my shrink gave me lyrica is it safe to mix the 2?

Margie, Please look at my reply to "drift medison" above. i've been on Lyrica for years and for me it has almost been a miracle. We (my doctor and i) tried a zillion different medicines before Lyrica and nothing helped. With Lyrica i am probably 65 to 75% better. That may not sound great to someone else, but from where i was then to where i m now has been quite an improvement. i would suggest that you give Lyrica four to six weeks to really kick in then see if you notice improvement. i should also mention that since taking Lyrica i have gained about 25 pounds and nothing i do can get rid of it. Of course i was on the thin side to start , 5'11'' and 135 pounds, so some people think the extra weight is good. (i still hate that part though.) Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, i am not a doctor! Please consider that in your thoughts. Everything i've listed is just from my personal experience. Be well, tony

i've been on lyrcia for years (to treat fibromyalgia) and have never experienced the symptoms you describe. For me it has worked wonders and i would recommend it to anyone suffering the pain of fibro. If i run out however and don't get to a pharmacy for a few days, then i start to have the aches and pains again. It can get to the point that the faintest touch can cause pain and burning in my arms, legs, back, anywhere and everywhere really. Even the movement of my shirt against my skin can cause unbelievable pain. Seriously. When i get back on it these symptoms go away. i hope this helps.

I have an AVM. I was born with this, and it was first found in an MRI 13 years ago. While testing for my symptoms of facial pain (Neuralgia – They didn’t know it at the time) 2-1/2 years ago, I had another MRI. These results were compared to the MRI from 13 years ago, and they found that the AVM had grown from 2cm to 2.3cm x 1.2 cm, and had hemorrhaged. (I had an event 3 years ago when this happened, and a small stroke). I was alone and confused when it happened. I got severe spins and puked like I was drunk, and it happened suddenly. It was really scary. I fell asleep for an unknown amount of time and half my face sagged for a week. I was also very slow for the first week.

I have 2 conditions that I have been dealing with, and am on medication for

1. Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

2. Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

I have read that the AVM can provoke Neuralgia. I do not know if that is the case for me or not.

I am on 150mg of Lyrica (pregabalin) 2 x daily for the Neuralgia pain.

I am on 5 mg Imipramamine 1 x daily, for the head pains associated with having this mass in my head.

Both meds are very strong. If I forget to take a dose, I can suffer for 2 to 3 days with something similar in feeling to a hang over.

I have seen a neuro surgeon, and I was told there is 100% risk of complication if surgery is performed for either (both) conditions. I still see my neurologist on a regular basis, and saw him a week ago, last.

I’m a 53 year old, male professional, with 37 years in my profession. I’m struggling with the symptoms of the conditions, and the side effects of the meds, and it seems to be getting worse, creating a higher dependency on the drugs I want to get off. It’s a horrible, vicious circle.

My memory and my vision have been dramatically affected, and are getting worse. I’m now recognizing episodes of behavioral, and emotional problems. I feel as if I am losing my sanity at times.

My neurologist, who cannot think of any alternative treatment for me, wanted to refer me to someone who could administer stronger drugs. I expressed that I so not want to do that, as I have been trying to get off of medications.

I feel that it is becoming increasingly difficult to perform my job as a professional. My personal life has been heavily impacted. I have no social life, and have lost my ability to live normally. I alerted both of my now adult, kids 2 nights ago of where I’m at today, explaining everything, and indicating that I need help and that I am reaching out for that help now, to them.

Ever since starting the Lyrica, I have been experiencing increased burning in all four extremeties, worse after waking up in the mornings. The burning sendation is mainly in the forearms, hands, fingers and thighs, legs. I am not sure if it is secondary to my cervical spinal canal stenosis or from the effects of Lyrica. Has anyone experienced similair symptoms or can throw some light on these, Thanks! Drift

my daughter is on lyrica, for over three and a half years now. at the time she started it she also got her first nerve block for rsd and had her first experience with inability to urinate. this has continued on and off since she has been on the med. recently while adjusting the dose she had atonic bladder (dx by urodynamic testing) and has learned to cath herself when needed. the dr's are trying to find a reason for atonic bladder but testing is negative. i think it is lyrica, they are telling me know. what is your opinion?

You may have developed sleep apnea, though not from Lyrica

I have Neuropathy, Osteo Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. I have been on a combination of Lyrica and Cymbalta for a year now. Other than hypersexuality (my hubby is not sad over that) I have done well on the two drugs. I am not waking at night from pain in my legs and RLS which I have developed in the past two years (I have obstructive sleep apnea and use a cpap ).
We recently changed my Lyrica from 50mg x3 times a day to 100mg x 3 times aday as I was having pain issues if I was late with the afternoon or evening dose. Now I seem to have some overap to give me a safety zone.

my doctor prescribed lyrica to me today for my fibromyalgia but after reading some of these post i think i will have to pass on this drug

Involuntary jerking of hands. I drop things all the time. Trouble concentrating. Motors skills dimeinished. Feel "high" all the timel. Dizziness when I get up. The pain in my face is dimished to 5 or 6 for about 6 hours then goes back to a 10 well befor my next dose is to be taken. I am 56 years old and I take 150mg twice a day for chronic pain from Shingles.

is lyrica ok to take with fruit planta diet tabs

i am taking fruit de planta diet tabs are they safe wit lyrica

simce begining lyrica 4 weeks ago I have started snoring ( my husband never heard me snore for 12 years until now), have severe intermittent and muscle cramping that catches me way off guard, almost tonic-clonic type muscle jerking when lying or sitting still trying to relax. my pain has lessened somewhat- from a 8 or 9 to a 7. I also have had the common side effects of dry mouth, swelling of extremities, and weight gain ( although I am dieting like mad to lower my cholestorol). Has anyone else had any of the uncommon side effects that I have had? finally,d oes anyone feel that their lyrica " runs outta juice" or wears off after about 4-5 hours, way before next dose is supposed to be taken? I am on 150 mg/day...

simce begining lyrica 4 weeks ago I have started snoring ( my husband never heard me snore for 12 years until now), have severe intermittent and muscle cramping that catches me way off guard, almost tonic-clonic type muscle jerking when lying or sitting still trying to relax. my pain has lessened somewhat- from a 8 or 9 to a 7. I also have had the common side effects of dry mouth, swelling of extremities, and weight gain ( although I am dieting like mad to lower my cholestorol). Has anyone else had any of the uncommon side effects that I have had? finally,d oes anyone feel that their lyrica " runs outta juice" or wears off after about 4-5 hours, way before next dose is supposed to be taken? I am on 150 mg/day...

I have gone deaf in right ear since taking Lyrica. Anybody else had this problem? =-O

Fortunately, my doctor recognizes that I am extremely drug sensitive. I was taking 50mg of lyrica once a day before bedtime. After about a week of side effects that were somewhat tolerable and that I was informed would lessen, I woke up dizzy, nauseated and disoriented. After a couple of hours, the symptoms got worse and I couldn't stand up as I was weak and totally dizzy and close to blacking out. I was taken to ER, treated for nausea which helped the dizziness. On discharge sheet doctor wrote: Lyrica is a bad drug for you. Stop taking it.

I am 29 F and have been on Lyrica for 2 years. I have DDD 3 disc herniations and neuropathy in my leg,nerve root in back and in my neck. Had one surgery in 09 but have permanent nerve damage in sciatic nerve. Ok So Lyrica really helped my leg pain when I went on it two years ago. And I had no side effects (some weight gain but i couldnt walk so....). Ok about 7 months ago I started getting huge lumps in my body under the skin and my hands were going numb, I also developed diverticulitis. Ok so some people I know kinda convinced me it was due to the lyrica.

So I took myself off of it for 6 months let it clear out of my system. Lumps kept coming and so has tummy issues so it was not the lyrica. My pain in my nerve is back and all of my muscles hurt. I can barely get up in the AM. I have put myself back on Lyrica as of yesterday 150mg a day. Ok so the first day I did feel a little stoned...glassy eyed, I am really tired (it does make you sleep because without it I was kinda an insomniac last night slept like a rock LOL) Today way less stoned feeling (I didnt notice this the first time I went on because I was on so many meds then). I am pretty sure this will go away over time when you get used to it. The only thing I can say for a side effect in last two years is that flashing lights bothered my eyes. Especially sun through the trees when driving. I did not think of this as a pos side effect until I read other posts. Well thats my experience hope it helped (ps I dont recommend taking yourself off as I did it can lead to serious probs unless supervised by a doc, thats what the info says anyways ) I will post any side effects i notice this go around. Thank you -Jen

I am sorry to hear about your side effects. Have they gotten better?

Sorry to hear that this happened to you! Have you gotten better?

I tried it for a couple of days. I was disorinated , dizzy, felt drunk, but most of all I had severe stomach pains each time I took the pill. I cant handle that. The dizziness would have gotten better with time they say, but I could not take the pain in my stomach. May have to talk to my Dr. about lower dose. But I stopped it right away.

I am anxcious to know of the long term effects of Lyrica on memory as I am very afraid of Alzheimer's disease.

I'm a 65 year young retired female suffering from nerve pain after last back op, neck pain after 2nd neck op,severe fibromialgia:Using Lyrica for 2 years.Took 300mg once a day, increased to 300mg twice daily for 9 months before and after back surgery (fusion,etc) and 2 neck surgeries (fusion & prosthesis)Graduly decreased dosage to 50mg once per day (at night) and recently increased to 50mg twice daily.Side effects were uncomfortable at first but mild to slight at present.Includes inability to loose weight,slight hair loss,memory loss,inability to find right words in middle of sentence,inability to remember facts, names places,decreased libido.Other medication includes Paxil (using it for 17 years),Bilicor,Estrofem,Wellbutrin (recently)Cozaar. In my opinion many of the more severe side effects are a result of the combination of Lyrica with other more or stronger drugs. I am feeling on top of the world, practically painfree and full of energy.I hope that there are many others that find Lyrica such a blessing as I have.

James, I realised yours is an old posting, but 3 x 300mg a day is WAY over the maximum recommended dosage! My husband has trigeminal neuralgia and was so desperate to relieve the pain he put himself on 750mg a day (maximum is 600mg). As a direct result, he suffered heart toxicity and has to have a pacemaker/defibrillator inserted because his heart is severely damaged. His hospital cardiologist researched and found this can happen - too late. His heart and blood pressure had previously been perfect. He was on no other medication, and his breathlessness and irregular heartbeat coincided with his overdosing on Lyrica in sheer desperation.

Hi Joe - if you already have heart failure, DO NOT take Lyrica. Warnings are on the leaflet within the tablet package. My husband increased his dosage (ignoring my warnings) to 750mg/day for severe trigeminal neuralgia, way above the recommended maximum dosage. He is now in coronary care with arrythmia, and has to have a pacemaker/defibrillator inserted in the next couple of weeks. His heart has always been healthy. The only reason for his cardiac failure is his overdosing on Lyrica. Don't risk it Joe - it's not worth it. If you are considering it, ask advice. Our world has been turned upside down because of this. Such a reaction is rare, but has been reported.

Has anyone else experienced ED?  I'm a 57 year old male.

ED

Hello   I am seeking info on using lyrica, having heart failure

i have been taking lyrica 75mg for a few months and up the dosage to 150mg for the pain in my fingers and toes.. i have fibromyalga and severe back pain.. today my eyes were very sensative to the sun and burned my eyes , while driving out out town, and slept a lot.. i am going to try 75mg and stick with that dose for awhile and see if i feel better.. i have too much pain all over, worth another shot.. the 150mg was to strong for me.. i will post again and let everyone know how i did... annmarie.. canada

Report to the FDA - it's a simple form you fill out electronically:  http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/HowToReport/default.htm

I am sorry to hear that you also had bad side effects.  I hope you return to some normalcy soon

Earlier this month I started Lyrica.  Was on only 50mh pr night for 4 nights before I had an allergic reation.  Had to stop taking it, took over a week for the allergic symptoms to stop!  Just reported to the FDA.  You should report your adverse reactions as well!

Gosh ur brief outline of your story is a little along lines of what happened to me 4 years ago.  My life has been changed forever since a possible 'virus' got into my body and left me with burning all over my body like I;ve been set on fire and scalded everywhere, which starting along my spine. I too had a lumer punture, brain scan etc etc etc  A nightmare has continued since but Lyrica has been a miracle for my burning despite the side effects, Don't worry about the eye lid flickering, I immediately remembered that happened to me when I read this, it did stop after a while so as far as I am aware it is quite normal for this to happen at first.  I hope things improve for you. 

I totaly aggree....look up "Pfiser" who makes this drug, in the early 2000 they had a mega law suit costing them to settle for over $ 2 billion .. for miss representing the drugs side affects  .and soon after that the FDA approved it  whyle the FDA also raked in mega millions from it.....the article on " Pfiser " is worth reading...My neurologist was trying to put me on it...having known the side affects I refused ...hence I am changing doctors.

Hi I am on day 5 of taking Lyrica and yesterday I got the fright of my life when my eye muscle started making this weird movement now I am really nervous as I have never had any twitching before... I have been put on Lyrica as docs think I have virus in nervous system and am all tensed up..Bloody virus its the name they use when they don't have a clue whats wrong with you. Have had mri lumbar puncture all clear my main problem is severe calf leg pain so bad have lost a stone in a week.. anyone else in same predicament?

After a little over 2 weeks on Lyrica I awoke one morning with blurred vision. It has been almost 2 weeks and even after stopping the Lyrica I still can not focus my eyes. I am told that my eyes are focusing in and out and if I try hard enough I get double vision. I also have severe headaches that I never had before and nausea. Leg and back muscle pain, worse than the Fybro ever caused. I am not able to work or function normally. I am severly depressed and moody. I feel this medicine ruined my life! I would never recommend anyone take it! It's not worth your sight!

cant sleep,hair loss.depressed

Severe headaches every other day, and normally don't have headaches. These were so severe I had to lay in bed. Plus dizziness.

My wife was taking Lyrica along with Zoloft and Tramidol last July for her Fibromyalgia and a pain syndrome. It made her feel miserable. She could not describe everything that was going through her brain, but I saw that she was confused, irritable, had new leg pain and a rash developed.

When she called the doctor about the rash he finally told her to stop taking it. This did not give her immediate relief. Some of the symptoms continued, especially the far out-of-character mood swings. During one mood swing she tripped and fell and became someone I had never seen before. She acted like a child, screamed at the top of her lungs and accused me of "Chest Bumping" her, even though this was impossible.

Needless to say I went to jail that night for "Assault" and it took several weeks before the drugs were out of her system enough that she realized what happened. Her depression over the whole incident led her to believe I had left her because of her behavior, although I was not allowed to have any contact with her. Because we had no contact and she was not included in court proceedings, eventually I felt the best thing to do was plead "No Contest" where I was given credit for the time I served and probation. Eventually she attempted to contact me and learned what had happened and immediately had the court remove the no contact order.

To this day we are still not allowed to live together or have much more than telephone contact. No matter what she says now, she is always treated like my "victim" and as if she is too stupid to leave an abuser. Unfortunately she has suffered worse than myself because I have always been her care giver and she has been forced to care for herself when she is frequently in too much pain and too exhausted to get out of bed.

I hope there is a special hell for those who push this irresponsible drug on victims like my wife.

You sound identical to me.  I want to get off of it but is the pain worth it.  I am nnow starting to get hives.  I think it is the medicine....

Doctors are told what to prescribe and its ridiculous because they don't test enough on the medication.  Pharmaceutical companies want to get a patent asap so its an automatic billion in the bank because of the 18 year patent law.  Doctors are the lab rats as well as patients and it shouldn't be that way.  The medical companies pay millions of dollars to put the medication in health MD books so when they are going thru school they learn certain medications to prescribe for certain symptoms.  This is a huge problem.

I am very similar to "Tom" Hangman's FX, etc. on 07/14/2008.
Last year at this time I was far better neurologically than I am today and was not taking Lyrica.  My neurologist had prescribed it but I tried to stay away from it.  My neuropathy has gotten worse each day.  I take 100mg of Lyrica in the morning and at night with 20mg of Baclofen.  The Lyrica takes the edge off the neuropathy.  I could not take more of a dosage because my balance & gait gets way off as if I was staggering drunk.  I have gained about 15 pounds and do not like this side effect at all.  I had a recent MRI (my third since the accident) to determine if I have a syrinx or not.  In a way I hope I do and they can go in there and just take it out so I can get off Lyrica ... until then I am in daily pain, cold burning numbness and extense tingling.  Its no fun as I am sure you all know.  I tried stopping Lyrica and felt like hell.

I was prescribed Lyrica by my doctor right after my 18th birthday. I was diagnosed with Post Herpetic Neuralgia (after pain from Shingles) when I was seventeen. Lyrica was the most horrible thing I've ever taken. While taking Lyrica, I was taking 18 credits at my college and trying to function normally was impossible. 5 x4 hour classes in a week felt impossible and I worked as hard as I could. I felt like a complete zombie, it's often hard to remember a lot from when I was on the medication. I gained weight. My pain never seemed to hurt any less, I think more than anything I was so out of it to even care. I felt high, and I'm sure I acted the same. I missed a dose when I was on vacation and I woke up in the middle of the night with the WORST muscle pain I've ever experienced. I could hardly walk and collapsed on the floor. It took a few hours for the medicine to get into my system and after that I was fine. That's when I knew this medication was going to kill me if I didn't get off it. I feel like the doctors prescribe things without fully exploring options. At eighteen years old, new to living on my own, and in college - I trusted my doctor to help. I don't know how many times I threw the bottle of pills across the room because on one hand it made it so I didn't care about being in pain, but on the other - the side effects were miserable. If I had to tell someone to run before ever touching this medicine, I would. In a heartbeat. It took me a good 4 months to fully feel like myself again and even longer after that to finally get to the point where I felt like I didn't NEED to take that medication everyday. The only reason why I'm posting this tonight is because the muscle pain I mentioned, I have periodically. My legs hurt so badly, the same way they did when I missed a dose of Lyrica. I NEVER had this problem before that stupid medication. Shame on the people making this stuff.

I started on Lyrica after neck surgery due to my scoliosis-after the surgery everything on my body hurt-just like when you have the flue--but ten times worsre and nothing helped until I started on the lyrica--I do have the weight gain and it is starting to be a prob;em-I just keep gaining no matter what I do. But I am afraid to stop taking it because the pain without it was terrible. I guess I have the burning sensation in my feet-but not sure I can blame the lyrica--I also have nerve damage r/t my back issues-

I was subscribed Lyrica for my fibromyalgia and took it for about 3 weeks and as a result I ended up jumping through a window (resulting in permanent injuries) and wound up in a mental institute for 3 and a half weeks.

i have so many simulair side affects as u

im fairly new on the medicaition,and im just trying to do some research on it. i do have the weight gain,muscle spasms(my arm or such will jerk for no reason at all) and i have missed my period. and, i was all excited that i may be pregnant, even tho i suffer several pain,it would make me so happy. i have 2 beatiful children and would love 1 more,any ways, then i find out it is a side effect of the medication. any one else evperience it???

I've been taking Lyrica for several years for diabetic neuropathy and have been so grateful for at least occassional relief from the pain that I have just had to "live with" the side effects:

depression/suicidal thoughts
weight gain
dizziness - loss of balance
sleepiness
memory loss

The last two side effects are taking a toll on me in terms of threatening my job! I fall asleep at my desk, and it's a real problem!

Also I find that some days it doesn't seem to be working at all.... the pain is unrelenting and just as if I had missed a dose. Anyone else have that problem?

Is there anyone to go to for answers?

Thank you.

I havn't  had to many problems with Lyrica i do get lightheaded and weightgain. but reading other people's side effects really scares me.

Extreme fatigue, sleeplessness, short term memory and speech difficulties, Edema, weight gain, stumbling, shortness of breath, numbness in both legs, and completely kills ability to achieve orgasm.

After one dose of 50mg felt euphoric, dizzy, out of touch with reality and extremely depressed; unable to function as normal. great for pain but don't think I can continue with this. 

seaver buring arms and legs

drowsiness, double vision, weight gain

well i take 100 in the mornin and 200 at night and i couses memory lose and site problems sexual dont cares lol and hastility and now i realy think i need to get on something else iv been on it for 2 months due to a neck enjery and if i hadnt takin it i would not be abul to do eny thing i was just about parelized due to the acident but not im havin more problems

Hangman's Fracture C2, C3 - carbon fiber disk replacement, fusion & hardware; Central Cord Syndrome.  I take 75mg of Lyrica about 10AM and 10PM combined with 20mg Baclofen at 8AM and 4PM for neurological pain & spasms.  At first I felt dizzness & sleepiness but now I have become accustomed to the drugs and function as best as possible with my ongoing condition.  I missed my 10PM dose one evening and felt like hell the next morning.  The combination of the two medications help take the edge off my permenant condition & disability with vast reducing of over the counter pain medication.  I seems from reading adverse effects that the dosage is extremely high especially early on with this medication.  As I have experienced it is best to start low dosage and introduce slowly until you reach a comfortable daily dose and frequency as opposed to taking a large dosage right off the bat.

Lyrica has been a wonderful drug to reduce my pain for my nervous system deterioration but causes memory loss, reduces sexual desire, and some urinary problems. I take 150 mg once a day and am considering asking my Dr. for a lower dose and increase frequency. I am a 58 year old male.

I have been taking lyrica for over a year and was on a low dose for chronic migraines.  It seemed to help for awhile then my migraines seemed to be getting worse again and my neurologist increased my dosage only a little.  By the end of the week I had had twitching, shaking, difficulty in forming words, not a pleasant experience and backed the dosage as I am still waiting for the dr to call me back when I left a message on friday am with symptoms and it is Monday and still no response. I am going to keep titrating down this is not worth the side effects weight gain,memory loss, loss of sexual desire.

I cannot take this.  I've tried to stay on it and can't function, only on 100 mg , twice a day.....It seems to make me not care I have the symptoms, but sometimes the muscle pain feels worse.  Right before I fall asleep, I feel like I am dying and the life is being drained out of me....Horrible......

I am having a problem with swelling in my ankles and wonder if it is from lycira.
I have neuropathy in my feet from being diabetic.

I also have the jerking and get dizzy. I will be asking my dr to take me off of lyrica

I also jerk a lot besides foggy head feeling, tremors, very dry mouth and tiredness. It has also made my anxiety a lot worse. I will ask my dr how to get off this drug.

i take 3 300mg a day i have low energy dizziness n jerking if i stop taking it the pain from th fibro n nerve damage is unbearable dun know what to do?  

Hello all. I took 4 Lyrica 75mg capsules last night around 8pm for withdrawaling from ops. This morning i woke up and i felt drunk and dizzy. Becareful eveyone with this drug you take to much and it will make you feel "cloudy". Does help well with withdrawling.

That is EXACTLY what I am going thru right now.  Was on gabapentin (neurontin) then switched to lyrica.  Jerky all the time.  I am calling my doc NOW

I'm 40, recently diagnosed with fibro. I'm taking 75 mg x1 per day and it is helping overall with my pain but my legs get fatigued very easily and I have to take breaks when walking. Not sure if zI'll keep taking it.

I'm a 40 year old with fibro that was prescribed 75mg of Lyrica twice a day. 1 & 1/2 weeks into taking it I still was not adjusted to the med. I was so tired and sleepy I could not focus or consentrate It was making me dislexis I work with numbers all day. It was between my job and Lyrica yes it helped with the pain but giving up my brain to eaze my pain was not an option for me. 

i have just changed my mdeication to lyric after being on 600 mg. 4 x aday of neurontin   for my phn i am now 53 and have been living with pain for 5 years, the first year without treatment.  lyrica was hard to adjust to the first week, feeling drugged and the pain level rose as i was on a low dosage the first week now i am taking 150 mg. twice aweek and feel much like i did with so much neurontin. i hope to take just a little bit moe lyrica so as to lower even more or better still eliminate the pain..

MY visionwas so blurry I thought that I was going blind. I couldn't focus. I even started working on my funeral. Writing things down.I am also gettting prepared for my 11 hip surgery.I am only 50.  My left has had 4 r 7.I don' need this now 

I have been taking Lyrica for just over 3 years now.  My dosage is 450mg/day (225 am and 225 pm).  Was prescribed medication with respect to severe radicular neuropathic pain (nerve and nerve root damage in lower back).  At the time I started taking it I could barely walk anymore and could not sit, stand, or lay down for reasonable lengths of time without developing severe pain.  Initial problems with constipation (counter-acted with diet changes) until became used to dosage and take daily cup of probiotic yogurt :-).  Daily side effect is a bit of a 'zoning out' period generally experienced about 3 hours after taking and lasts approx. 30-40 min.  Occasional drowsiness depending on existing tiredness. This, in a sense, has been my miracle medication as the result has been a significant reduction in pain.  Initial dosages were lower and I built up tolerance with slow increase.  However, I am hoping for other solutions to my medical condition as I would like to reduce or eliminate the need for this medication.

First time

I may try Lyrica off label for GAD and PD as well as some antidepressive effects I read in journals, articles.

Lyrica has been approved for GAD in Europe but hasn't gotten the FDA approval for it here yet.

The above poster, Case Report #Self-4916 experience sounds a little like Xyrem, or gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) as I used to take it both when it was sold in health food stores and as a RX (Xyrem) to help me sleep but also in low doses when going out to socialize as I don't drink alcohol ver often and Xyrem in low doses is the best socializer medication around and must better than alcohol or other prescripition drugs like the beta blocker or benzodiazepines like Xanax.  Xyrem is make you talk a lot even if you're a reserved person and you can become the life of the party or social situation at the time. 

150mg BID is the dosage of Lyrica that's suppose to have the antianxiety and prosocial effect.  Maybe the dose is to high for you, you don't metabolize it as well as others, it just has that effect on you or maybe some interaction with another medication..valproic acid if you're taking it.

My condition allows me to see what other people or doctors would not see. I started Lyrica about 6 months at 75mg three times daily. It had been a trial to control cronic pain after a neck dissection. It does nothing for the neck or shoulder pain. I developed mood changes at first but after 60 days they seem to pass. Short term memory has become a problem and coordination is somewhat impaird. NOW, WHAT DOCTORS HAVE NOT SEEN. Neck dissection leads to swelling and pain in and around mouth and jaws. Lyrica appears to have reduced the amount of lymph fluid being produced. The swelling has been reduced and horrible metallic taste form lymph fluid is gone. Therefore it seemed to have an unintended good effect. There are other effects not yet discussed with doctor. Immediately upon starting lyrica breathing was easier. There is less resistence to normal breathing. Since I have had a laryngectomy I breath differently than other people. My lungs now produce less mucus. For someone who breaths through a hole in their neck that is a blessing. But is it? Every time I do some labor that makes breathing deep and rapid My lungs begin to bleed. The first time it was just a couple small dots. My last episode produced enough blood to send most people scrambling for the emergency room. Unless you breath through a hole in your neck you do not see or know what fluids your lungs produce. Your doctor also does not know. You swallow fluids from your lungs during normal breathing without knowing you do it. Since these drugs effect everyone differently I can physically see why someone could suffer respiratory failure. My first day after starting lyrica I had a 75% reduction in fluid from my lungs.

Nathalie
I have TN I had the brain surgery because I was no responding to any medication, I tried Gabapentin, Tegretol, Topomax and finally Lyrica, with Lyrica I gained 60lbs, couldn't make the difference if we were morning or night was confuse. Kept falling down the stairs broke my collars bone at 3 different places.  My brain surgery was done in 2003 they put a piece of teflon on my nerve.  I was doing fine but the past 3 month my nightmare came back.  The pain is back and I am on morphine to control the pain I am scared I don't know what I am going to do!  Lyrica was a good fit for me but low dosage only!!!!!!!

I had started on lyrica for RSD reflex sympathetic dystrophy to help with pain control in feet and legs. For the first many months it did work, I did find relief as I had been on its sister medicne Neurotin for quite a while. Also for pain relief but did not like how many neurotin I had to take daily.  Then...came Lyrica. Doc said its the new and improved neurotin. This way I could take much less.  For months it did work to a good extent.  Then all of a sudden WHAM!!!  I had tremors, just as I would fall asleep something *neuro* was happening. Jerks, tremmors..etc.  I stopped taking Lyrica immediately and it all cleared up.  Did Lyrica damage something?  Would anyone...ever...tell me the truth about exactly what happened?  Thanks!~    Leslie   Charlotte, NC

I had a TMJ bilateral surgey and at 3rd week I started experiencing a sharp pain. As time passed, pain was more excruciating and at that point MD didn't have much of a solution for me, except taking Lyrica. I was referred to neurologist who diagnosed Trigeminal neuralgia. The MD prescribed Tegretol on top of the Lyrica plus some other diagnostic tests. At this point, both medications are making me feel so bad, they are containing the pain to a 90%, but I don't feel like myself. I've lost coordination, memory, feel "high" all the time, even when I wake up. It is a weird feeling. Now, the question arise when I stop taking medication, because I have to drive. What happens to my system if I stop the medications? Does any one knows?

I had a TMJ bilateral surgey and at 3rd week I started experiencing a sharp pain. As time passed, pain was more excruciating and at that point MD didn't have much of a solution for me, except taking Lyrica. I was referred to neurologist who diagnosed Trigeminal neuralgia. The MD prescribed Tegretol on top of the Lyrica plus some other diagnostic tests. At this point, both medications are making me feel so bad, they are containing the pain to a 90%, but I don't feel like myself. I've lost coordination, memory, feel "high" all the time, even when I wake up. It is a weird feeling. Now, the question arise when I stop taking medication, because I have to drive. What happens to my system if I stop the medications? Does any one knows?

I had a TMJ bilateral surgey and at 3rd week I started experiencing a sharp pain. As time passed, pain was more excruciating and at that point MD didn't have much of a solution for me, except taking Lyrica. I was referred to neurologist who diagnosed Trigeminal neuralgia. The MD prescribed Tegretol on top of the Lyrica plus some other diagnostic tests. At this point, both medications are making me feel so bad, they are containing the pain to a 90%, but I don't feel like myself. I've lost coordination, memory, feel "high" all the time, even when I wake up. It is a weird feeling. Now, the question arise when I stop taking medication, because I have to drive. What happens to my system if I stop the medications? Does any one knows?

I Just started taking Lyrica 75 mg yesterday. Both yesterday and today, within 2 hours of taking it, I have intense throbbing in my Liver area. I have Liver Disease and have had three biopsies...so I DO know what Liver pain is. I am wondering if the Lyrica is affecting my Liver and making it work harder....everything that I have read about this medication scares me...I think I might stop taking it! Has anyone else experienced pain in the Liver area after taking this medication?

The first time I took Lyrica I gained 40lbs.- started @ 25mg-slept for 24hrs- had to increase until 450mg/da-before Drs decided ok to come off of as I always developed tolerance to it. It would help significantly w/my chronic nerve pain (I have RSD/CRPS- a chronic neurological pain dystrophy where you feel burning, crushing, flesh being torn off, stabbing, freezing, acid pain at all times)- pain is so overwhelming @ times it is necessary to take a Lyrica for @ least some relief. Especially now that it has spread to half of my body. Have had condition for 17mo-also virtually sedentary lifestyle as disabled)-this time taking w/Flexeril as ab/torso pain like being in transition labor or passing a kidney stone. This has cut down the sugar cravings a lot. The first time I took Lyrica I craved sugar non-stop. Still do at times since I am again on 300mg./day (started 50)-Dr will have me go on & off for life I was told-as tests show I have slight atrophy of one kidney, (I wonder if it is from high doses of Lyrica.) One Dr. told me he works w/people on Lyrica all day, & didn't know of even football players on as much as I was- actually wanting to increase again as I have break-thru pain and am constantly minimum level 7 pain all the times, even w/complete rest. Serious side-effects for me- but I can't tolerate other meds-tried many- so Lyrica does help for awhile. Side effects include gaining about 60lbs (from size 5-6 to12-14- don't care about size even though used to be anorexic-that should prove how painful RSD is that I am willingly taking a med that causes weight gain!) I didn't lose any weight coming off of Lyrica and all meds for months. I sometimes wonder if Lyrica both decreases and increases pain- by making my nervous system overwork to counteract the med- as pain is very intense right at time I need to take it again. (works for 8 hrs- then only for 6-then less so dr. increases)-also, fatique- blurred vision (also on Flexeril so ?), and irritability (which my family takes personally-my husband refuses to see or believe it is caused by the med(s) and chronic pain-even though I am a strong Christian.)-I am thankful for the partial break from the pain Lyrica can offer me. Hoping to find a natural way (for ex-Neuragen, a homeopathic expensive oil, gives a lot of relief while walking for a few minutes & claims to work for wks, even mos w/ continued use- without it RSD makes you feel like you are walking on hot coals, pin and needles and on your foot that feels stripped of skin). Prayer works best for me!Note re: withdrawl- coming down 50mg/wk. caused anxiety, restlessness, innability to sleep, migraines, etc.- one time I forgot to take meds for & suddenly felt like every cell was crawling- Notice pain so high w/ reducing, I can't seem to bear to be without Lyrica. (I also can't "find words to say" & can't remember anything! Don't know if due to Lyrica or my condition.)

I nearly lost my mind when I took Lyrica. As I cycled up the dosage, things started happening to me. I knew that I was quite sleepy. But my husband said that he was terrified that I was losing my mind. He said that I dropped to sleep in the middle of a word and drop my head down on the table. Then I would say things to him that made absolutely no sense at all. My behavior continued with inappropriate conversation and sleepiness. My unusual behavior continued, even though I had no idea that I was doing anything weird. I have no memory of any of my weird behavior, and I don't remember at least two days when I was taking the drug. My husband started doing some research on the side effects and insisted that I cycle off of it. When I did, my behavior returned to normal and my husband was so relieved. He was afraid that I was going to be like that forever. He told me that his Christmas present was "having you back." Scary stuff.
VJC

My husband died in Dec 2007 due to a contradiction of taking Lyrica with Effexor XR. He was taking Lyrica for post herpetic neuralgia.

His doc decided in Noc '07 to have him take it daily (ie prophlactically), 2 weeks before his death the doc had him on Effexor Xr to help alleviate the stress @ work that would agitate the condition. (he had been suffering with this for 4 years from a bout of shingles).

The day he died he had 5 beers between 12:30pm and 5:30 pm while we were out watching football. Came home, stomach didn't feel well, took a nap and never woke up.
The Coroner ruled his death accidental - the tox report inferred that the interaction between thos 2 drugs was a "1 in a million" occurance. I could not sue his doc or the drug mfg's since every med says do not take with alcohol.
My husband was a 6' 190lb 43 yr old man.
Lyrica is a dangerous med - it is amazing to me how the tv commercials for this drug keep adding adddtional warnings on this drug.
Please, everyone, please be careful.

HI EVERYONE,
I AM ON 75MG LYRICA PER DAY AND AM CONVINCED THAT IT CAUSES ME TO SWEAT EXCESSIVELY FOR HOURS AT A TIME.
HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM???
REGARDS
DEHLIA :'(

I've found myself waking exactly on time each morning ready for my morning dose.

I've been more socially bold than usual. I've gone from being an introvert to being a type A personality. I often have to be careful of what I say so as not to offend people, which id total opposite of how I used to be.

I am taking Lyrica 150 mg twice daily.

It has helped tremendously with nerve spasms and temperature/pressure intolerance in my feet. :)

I suspected Lyrica was making me feel clouded and in a "bubble" however, after recently stopping a regimen of alternating between Prilosec and Prevacid for heartburn (they each say not to use for more than 14 days) my clarity came back and I feel as lucid as ever while taking Lyrica. I know sometimes its hard to know which drug is causing which symptom until one is stopped...

I have taken gabapentin for several years without a single problem. My neurologist tried to start me on Lyrica. I could not form my words, felt very ill, foggy, dizzy, unable to walk, and extreme fatique. I tried taking a much smaller starting dose (25 mg) but the effect was the same. I will not let this medication into my body now. It is odd considering that gabapentin is similar chemically and in its interaction with the body. I am back on gabapentin.