Lyrica

[BT65]

Hey all, my doctor is switching me from Neurontin (which I've been on for years), to Lyrica.  I was wondering if any of you has ever been on this med, and what can be expected?  I know we all differ, but I'm just wonderin'.  Thanks in advance.

[J.R.E.]

Hi Betty,

About 6 years ago, my doctor suggested the use of this drug, somewhere in my future, if my neuropathy was to get worse. At that time I was on Neurontin, but was not really getting any benefit from it.  Also, it was around that time, when the neuropathy, seemed to have stopped progressing,  so I never had to have Lyrica prescribed for me.

Why does your doctor want you to switch? 

That's about all I can tell you about it.



Ray

[BT65]

Why does your doctor want you to switch? 

I told him I have trouble with nausea, and light-headedness, and he thinks the Neurontin is partly contributing to that.  He thinks the Lyrica will have less side effects. 

[Jeffreyj]

I was on Lyrica in combination with cymbalta for over a year. After a while I stopped taking lyrica but I'm continuing on the cymbalta. I was feeling a little goofy as I was taking 150 mg/day.

It helped allot but I was feeling off mentally. Things are good now on the cymalta. it helps a little with the neuropathy pain, but my feet still feel numb and get inter-mittant pain. It didn't help the cramping , however, at all.

Just be careful and pay close attention to how you are feeling mentally. I had a friend who took it and didn't know who his roomate was of 5 years.

Best of luck.

[J.R.E.]

I told him I have trouble with nausea, and light-headedness, and he thinks the Neurontin is partly contributing to that.  He thinks the Lyrica will have less side effects.  

Hi Betty,

If he feels the Lyrica will have less side effects, but be equally effective, I would switch,( or at least give it a try).  I know it's more expensive though, if you have to pay out of pocket.




HUGS----Ray

[Jeffreyj]

Ray that is an excellent point about the $$$$

My insurance would not cover it, a month supply was over $200. I used DR. samples the entire time I was on it.

[BT65]

Well, the insurance plan I have through Medicare (AARP) covered the whole prescription.  Believe me, I feel extremely fortunate.  Of course, I always get butterflies near the end of the year, wondering what next year's coverage will be like.

Anyway, I'll probably start the Lyrica next weekend.  I had already poured out a week's worth of meds, and hate to have to go back through to change one thing.  That sounds lazy, I know.

Jeffrey, I will definitely watch my mental health while taking the Lyrica.  If it's the same thing as Neurontin, with just a little tweak, then I shouldn't have problems with it.  I've been on Neurontin for years, and don't have the problems with it I hear other people complain of.

Thanks, guys.

[debsd222]

Hi, I know this group is only long term survivors but I come in here sometimes to see what I can learn from you all. I have been taking lyrica for over 2 years for post-shingles nerve pain. I definitely feel kind of  "out of it" at times and have alot of trouble with short term memory problems. I try to keep the dose at the lowest possible to relieve some of the pain (75mg) but not make me feel completely goofy. I was taking 100mg for a while but could barely remember what I did the day before. I take it along with pamelor and the combo seems to help more than anything else we've tried, including all the heavy painkillers.

[sharkdiver]

sorry for the late response but, I have several friends who take that due to fibromyalgia. Two of them have said that using it has helped tremendously and they occasionally have some spacey /foggy spells. The other one is completely against using "meds" and says she can't stand the side-effects (but the "natural remedies" are certainly not working).

I hope this works for you!

hugs,
Sharkie

[texafornian]

I've been taking lyrica for a little over a year now,doesn't seem to help my neuropathy,but it sure helps me sleep at night--only take it at night--don't like to feel all groggy throughout the day,though I'm sure you could get used to it--like any other drug.

[sharkdiver]

I've been taking lyrica for a little over a year now,doesn't seem to help my neuropathy,but it sure helps me sleep at night--only take it at night--don't like to feel all groggy throughout the day,though I'm sure you could get used to it--like any other drug.

by the way texafornian,   welcome to the forum!
why don't you start a new thread to introduce yourself?

Sharkie

[texafornian]

thanks sharky,I'll try that--I'm a free member,is it possible for me to start a thread? Oh, and by the way,can't figure out how to attach my profile pic. to the forum blogs--can you help me on this? I would appreciate it,thanks.

[sharkdiver]

thanks sharky,I'll try that--I'm a free member,is it possible for me to start a thread? Oh, and by the way,can't figure out how to attach my profile pic. to the forum blogs--can you help me on this? I would appreciate it,thanks.

the poz personals is separate from the aidsmed as far as this is NOT a dating site.  The forums are free.  There should be a button at the top to start a new topic in Long Term Survivors.