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Lyrica...Advice needed

I take Lyrica for nerve damage pain 3x75mg a day, prior to taking this drug I was unable to walk very well, had no sleep due to pain etc so for those reasons it has been a great remedy, however...I have just failed my driving test 3 times and this is simply because I am having difficulty retaining information, some days if you asked me my own name i would struggle to remember it although not every day is like this, the only way i can describe it is like when you are in conversation whilst drunk and you lose your thread and forget what you were talking about....I have other side effects too that are making my life a misery and want to consider reducing the dose slowly, I have only read about really bad experiences when reducing this drug, is there anyone out there who did not have it so bad and if so what was there method? I have another test in 4 wks so would appreciate any advice, thank you in advance...
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Avatar universal
Linda, I too took Lyrica some time back and had to quit taking it because it made me so depressed I couldn't stand it. I also stayed mad all the time too.  I only took it for a month and only 100 mg 3x a day. They later put me on Gabapentin  and it did me the same way but not as bad. But I quit taking it too. I quit taking all pain meds and everything. had back surgery and didn't work. about a month ago I started taking the Gabapentin again the pain got so bad I thought I would lose my mind then I started taking 10 mg 2x aday of hydrocodone. That just helps keep me upright. I can do a little house work in spurts. I mop using my chair with rollers. lol and run the flood Swiffer. It makes me feel good. anyway, just wanted to let you know that the Lyrica route is not the way to go unless you have too. I hate it!!!
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Avatar universal
Thank you  I didn't know if you stopped suddenly it might cause a seizure. I also have swelling and itching in feet, hands and ear.  All at different times by the next day the symptoms disappear. and a new one develops.  Generally they are getting milder.  Now only a slight swelling on the outside of my ear today.  I have been taking Lyrica for about a month now.  What do you think.?
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Avatar universal
Thank you  I didn't know if you stopped suddenly it might cause a seizure. I also have swelling and itching in feet, hands and ear.  All at different times by the next day the symptoms disappear. and a new one develops.  Generally they are getting milder.  Now only a slight swelling on the outside of my ear today.  I have been taking Lyrica for about a month now.  What do you think.?
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Avatar universal
Hi Mary, I am glad my post has helped, I really would not take them if you can manage without, I am now taking a low dose of 150mg a day, I am struggling a bit with mobility but glad to have more concentration (this could also be due to stopping cocodamol too) I will however try a 100mg a day and see if my mobility gets much worse, i think it will but will only know by trying!! I did not have too much side affects, just a few days of stomach ache and headache when i reduced and felt a bit low but that could have been coincidence because I can feel like that anyway... I have diverticular disease & sinus problems, both were blamed on medication ( mainly cocodamol) just had a really bad flare up of diverticular and still have sinus problem? when they know you are on medication it is so easy for them to assume.... I wish you well Mary and thank you :)
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Avatar universal
HI sorry for the delay in responding... My memory problems affected every day to day experience, I am still on the lower dose and my memory has improved prior to reduction, my mobility is affected and I do not think I will be able to further reduce... I have not taken any cocodamol either and trying to manage with paracetamol & multivitamins! I have another test booked and hope and pray I can get it this time, the stress is not helping, I am looking to go back to college so need to find a balance, I know I will not be able to come off them completely as I would not be able to walk and sleep, this I find frustrating because I would love to not take them, but not being able to walk made me suicdal...I had considered talking to the doctor about alternatives but worried I may be in a worse situation than I have been... I will keep you posted and thank you for your response :)
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2333944 tn?1342912367
Hi, notgijane.   Reading your post about Lyrica was something that I needed to see.   I was recently prescribed it because I had a total knee replacement.   I had finished my prescription and was doing well, but had some pain at night.   My doctor prescribed it again...to take it rather than having to take a narcotic.   I also have experienced being unable to concentrate and can't remember anything without having to stop and think.   (You know, the old CRS syndrome....can't remember sh*t).   Also this sounds crazy but after taking only a couple at night....which made me sleep like a rock, and that was kind of nice for a little bit, I found I literally could not walk in a straight line the next day.   I was weaving all over the place.    This has been a good "wake up call" for me because anything that powerful, is too powerful for my old brain.   I think I will add this one to my "don't take  any more" unless the pain is so unbearable that I can't handle it any other way.   Fortunately, I seem to be far enough along now that I can get by without taking it.   I quit hydrocodone a couple of years ago, and the doctor prescribed it again when I had knee surgery and PT, but I have been able to quit it this time with no trouble.    Good luck to you, and I am glad to read this this morning....it made me think.   Well, that is, think as best I can.  ;-)
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8987006 tn?1401030684
Sometimes people just think the medication is to blame,but it is not always just them don't forget!
Driving tests themselves are,in my experience,the worst 45 minutes of sheer fear,worry,anxious,tummy flipping,never want to do again,stress that makes you forget how to nod your head,never mind drive a car that someone can endure.
Do you find most aspects of your life are affected by this memory problem,or could it also be the stress of the situation?
In my opinion,4 weeks is just about long enough to feel the proper effects of what you are taking today(and compared to me that is quite low,and with any luck very manageable)It is the kind of thing that takes time to know exactly how effective dosage can be.
Talk to your Dr about alternatives,if they are the kind that will actually listen,not as someone else said be only too willing to blame the pain medication and stop it.
You could also maybe look into some vitamin supplements,I know that they work with some people and not others.
Lastly,if I where you,make notes of date,dose,effects and changes in pain,.I think a reduction of 50mg every two weeks was recommended by my Doctor,but that was me,and a few years ago.
Why can we not just be able to move freely,be pain free,AND able to concentrate/remember things like other people?
Sometimes it just is not fair!!
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Avatar universal
I completed the theory test ok but struggling with the practical, it is such intense concentration that I think I burn out after 30 mins.... on my 3rd day of 150mg (instead od 225mg) and feel ok, stopped the co-codamol too but I had cut down to 2 a day anyway, I have pain but manageable up to now... will see how I am after one week as that is how long pfizer say it takes to notice any difference... Thank you!
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Avatar universal
Sorry your having such difficulties.  Have you tried getting test done orally instead of the written?  I used to have problems and couldn't remember anything on a written test but when my instructors would call the questions out to me, I was able to answer the correctly.  Worth a try.
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Avatar universal
Just want to say that I failed all 3 tests in last 10 mins, so 30 mins maybe my cut off concentration point? so one tablet less might give me a bit longer!!!
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Avatar universal
I took 150 mg yesterday instead of my usual 225mg, slept ok and so far so good, will stay on that and see how my memory performs, if there is no improvement i will ask the doctor to reduce further and monitor... I started off on 150mg but still had pain but do not remember having memory problems, all I can remember is having to write everything down but I kinda already did that already,so hard to define... feel better today than I have in some weeks due to horrendous congestion which is not so bad but this could be coincidence? will keep you posted!! thank you for you input :)
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1855076 tn?1337115303
I had severe memory problems with both Lyrica and gabapentin.  Additionally I gained 16 pounds in two weeks with Lyrica.  Even though these drugs are not narcotics, they are extremely powerful medications and can cause all kinds of side effects.  If you feel you're having side effects that are intolerable, talk with your doctor.  He may reduce your dose or change your med.  Please don't change your dose on your own.  There is a risk of seizures if  you come off them abruptly so check in with your doc before making any changes.
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Avatar universal
Will do!! :)
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Avatar universal
keep me posted on how things go and what the doctor says.  
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Avatar universal
I used to take tramadol but the side effects were too much, could not stop crying etc, I am on co-codamol along with pregabalin but try to only take 3 a day as they have said it is because of them i have diverticular disease..I have osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease in top.mid & lower spine, my thumb joints have been removed and now have the same happening with my feet...you are right by saying that the pain will cause the same with foggy brain and tbh I was suicidal with the pain because of lack of sleep... so I suppose there is no easy answer, maybe dropping to 2 a day may be enough to give me some brain matter to pass my test!! but I will have a chat with the doctor and see what she says...
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Avatar universal
I completely understand the trust issue's with medical field, but even if you come off all of it, the pain and limitations can effect your mind and cause you to have the same problems your having now.  I speak this with personal experience, I'm currently taking Tramadol and arthritis medication and my memory is foggy all the time.  I'm for the most part confined to a bed and unable to do anything and it has played a number on me mentally because anything I try to take for the pain has no effect.

I would advise you though to talk with your doctor about these other two medications they have been known to work great for others that I know who have taken it.  At least ask it they can add it to what your currently taking.
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Avatar universal
I won't have any more injections, I went to the pain clinic a few weeks ago but was unaware that it was pregabalin affecting my memory.... I am only taking 2 today and see how I get on for a week? one way or another I am coming off them... I have gone from not physically able to do much to being able to do light duties but too ill to do them, I would rather have the limitations physically and have the ability to function mentally.... I am reluctant to discuss with the doctor in case they take me off them and it is not the right decision and then do not give me them back, have little trust in the medical profession atm, they blame everything on pain medication but offer no way out...really stressed with it all tbh, thank you
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Avatar universal
Talk with your doctor about changing this.  Nuerontin is a great for nerve damage and even Cymbalta is used to treat pain as well.  You may need pain management where they can use different types of injections to help relieve the pain your having without all the side effects.  I hope this is helpful and Good Luck.
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