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Lyrica - and Always an Addict?

I've been off Darvocet for 8 days now (W/D are done) and I am down to 2 Tramadol a day (from 8 last Tuesday) and as I've tapered my pain is pretty bad.  Today my doctor gave me Lyrica and says it's in no way addicting.  But I heard the same thing when I was prescribed Tramadol.  I don't see info about it here so I'm thinking it's OK, but would like to hear from anyone who has taken this and can tell me if it works and if there's any risk.   He's suggesting Lyrica and/or an epidural.

I also need some input on this:  I've taken pain killers off an on for a few years for real pain, nothing consistent until this year.  I only started to be irresponsible with the pain meds in the past 3-6 months (taking too many and getting multiple scripts).  I will be off all pain meds in the next few days and I'm wondering if I should stay away from narcotics forever now or if it's ok to take narcotics in situations where I'm monitored by a doctor and take them only as prescribed?  I have no intent of taking any narcs in the foreseeable future, but I'm still confused about where I fit in the addiction spectrum and discussed this today with my doctor.  But I'm still working through it and I find the feedback and support here so helpful.  Thanks.
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401095 tn?1351391770
I would try it if ur pain warrants it...i did but working, i couldnt get past the zombie feeling..tried for a month...people swear by it and it does not hit everyones pleasure button as far as urge to abuse..sure didnt hit mine so i wouldnt be worried about me taking it daily...just couldnt handle the side effects,..but maybe i did not give it long enough...working each day is hard tho when something is making me lethargic so it had to go

be safe and pain is an issue i think we have to experiment and take some good with the bad to get relief
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401786 tn?1309152034
Phantom,

This is what I wrote to someone on the Addiction: Social Community today who asked about Lyrica.....


by Jacqui805


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Jacqui805
Female, 42 years
PA
Member since Jan 2008
Mood: Jacqui805 is diggin' life
Journal Entry:   "Wow...it's been a long time since a real ..." [Read]
  

, Nov 19, 2008 04:43PM
To: trippedoutgirl


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trippedoutgirl
Female, 26 years
Member since Nov 2008
Mood: trippedoutgirl Chilling with Medhelp
  

I think the distinction between addicting and possible dependency needs to be made here.  While it is true, that it is technically possible to become addicted to it, you have to remember what addiction actually is....It does not mean that if you stop the drug you will have withdrawl..that is dependency.  For one to become addicted to something, there has to be a WANT to take the med..for a feeling one would get from it.  Look at the responses thus far, there really is no "high" from this med....at least that has been my experience, and it sounds like these other folks didn't "want" to take it...

There is a risk of dependency, but like so many other meds., one must weigh that vs. the possible benefit of the drug.  So many meds. cause dependency..such as blood pressure meds., corticosteroids, I could go on...

At first, when I was placed on the med., it DID make me very tired, and crushed my sex drive.  I was not sure I wanted to go on, but as a nurse, I remembered that often-times, when one starts a med. that can cause effects like these, that they will disappear over time.  This is a med. that requires careful and attentive titrating for proper dosage to be achieved..This drug may not work for everyone, and it can be some time before the right dosage is achieved.  

I thought, initially, that this was a waste of my time...and, I HATED the weight gain it caused, and it WILL cause weight gain.  While the average is about 6 pounds, I gained more, and was on a low dose.  Pain is a horrible thing when it comes to living with it daily, so while I was not too happy with the initial side effects, I was willing to tolerate them if it provided some relief and increase in my quality of life.  Long story short, over time, my dosage has been increased and I'm now on 200 mg twice daily.  I may be bumped up yet, to 225 mg twice daily.  

The tiredness has gone and I'm hornier than a young boy again...and best yet, while my pain is not gone, or gone all the time, it has decreased immensely, especially with the last dosage increase.  I have energy again and the pain is either tolerable or nonexistent .  I am heavier, yes, but I am now working out again, so I may look like Lara Croft again soon.  I'm willing to stay a little on the beefy side if I am happier...

The medication is VERY expensive and is not one that is covered by insurance companies often...Some insurance companies require an authorization for it to be covered..and my doctor (a rheumatologist) was happy to get that done for me.  In his experience, he has told me, he has had patients on Lyrica and not doing anything for them until they reach the magic dose for them.  I'm not 100 per cent, but I'm gettin' $hit done and feelin' kicka$$ again....if I'm not at my magic dose, I think I'm damned close.

The med. does not in any way cause me to feel high or euphoric, and it doesn't to most people....again, IF that should happen, it will most likely just be for the first two weeks or so.....I have absolutely no desire to take more of it, just as I would not take more of my Celebrex.....same difference, no mental benefit to me doin' either.

I'd say, ask your doctor for samples...and he has PLENTY!.....Give it a shot, and if you can tolerate any side effects you may experience, and the time it may take to find your dosage, do it...what can you lose?  Living with pain is no joke.....

Good luck............Jacqui
Helpful - 0
401095 tn?1351391770
some take them as prescribed for surgeries and such..many get their so to hold them for them and dispense them so they dont abuse..everyone is different..best to try alternative pain measures like ice, heat, chiropractic etc and ibuprophen..try to stay away from the meds if u can..good luck
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