Lyrica

[mlg1961]

Maybe someone can help me with this. My girlfriend has dealt with leg pain for years. Nerve pain and usually at night. As a result she was prescribed Lyrica, 50 mg. twice a day. Problem is, she isn't taking it regularly. Maybe 2 or 3 days then off for a couple days. I told her that maybe it's a drug that has to build up in your system before she get's results. Anyone know if this is correct? Thanks.

[shinty]

I think most nerve drugs take a little time in order to start working as designed, and starting and stopping them certainly doesn't help one's nerve pain at all. 50 mg. of lyrica is considered to be a low dose of that particular drug, but that is where people usually start out at. I think it's a good thing that this person is on a low dose, since they are taking it sporadically, a low dose is probably a lot safer in the long run. Nerve pain can be debilitating, and I can't imagine someone not taking their medication, especially if it helps with the pain. Maybe that's the problem-she doesn't know if the medicine works, as she isn't taking it as prescribed. Make sure it's taken as prescribed for a month. I guarantee you she won't forget to take the medicine regularly if it does indeed help with her leg pain! Good luck, and it's nice of you to be looking out for your friends best interests.
                           shinty

[calmed]

Hi, should have mentioned that I was on lower doses 50 mg twice a day and  titrated up every few week or so..cannot remember..i started to feel the sharp pains going away within a month...I was taken off vicodin gradually because though it was helping pain..my dr. said lyrica was better for my pain...so for awhile when i missed the lyrica, i thought oh, i have vicodin...but as  Vicodin off, more and more the lyrica helped.....but when I missed doses of everything...,
It was by my wife keeping a diary, that I realized I was missing so many just a few days or even one...the Oh! went on... And now I have taken 3yrs without feeling the sick,sweaty feeling I felt when I missed dose..
I did not gain weight .. try to exercise, constipation as dose increased was my issue but I am  old so stool softener, and drink a lot more water too because that helps but should do that anyway!....

[calmed]

Please do realize...yes, it will be prescribed in a lower dose then increased accordingly ..read lyrica drug.com for that info...and it must be taken without any missed doses ...
I was taking it for years, getting relief, but missing a day or few....I never miss a dose now......when I missed days I was really ill and did not know why..
20mg might be the correct dose for her or more  added as it is started at a low dose and i did not get relief after a few weeks and increase in my starting dose...as pain dictates but she will never get the expected result her doctor hopes for unless she takes it as prescribed not missing a dose.....
I hate to take meds but help her not to miss a dose as that is only way she will know what to truthfully tell dr. So he can access what to do.

[Ellen038]

Yes she needs to take it on a routine basis. Lyrica was the only medication I ever got nerve pain relief from. I had tried a couple others but they just wernt as good. It will take 2-3 weeks to notice a big difference in the pain. That seems like a low dose. Lyrica comes in other mg too. My nerve pain is always worse at night, unfortunately I can go back on Lyrica for a while.  A word of warning about Lyrica, it caused me to gain weight. Just thought I would pass on the info. Good luck!