opinions on lyrica

[capnjorge]

hi all, I have been in constant pain , mostly all over my back, shoulders, ribs for three years now. my last doc had me on vicodin 7.5mg/325mg 2x/day, flexeril 10mg 1x/day, and atavan 1mg 1x/day. my new doc (just got on Medicaid and disability) wants to add lyrica. this has me concerned that he would add this as the info on the phizer website says not to take with benzos or opiates. I should add this doc is a complete **** and doesn't seem to give a rats *** but its what you get when ur  on the dole. and hes putting me on 225mg 2x a day. is he trying to kill me? seems possible to me. anyway so far I cant get myself to take it and am trying to get as much info as possible. even the pharmacist raised his eyebrows and commented that it looked extreme to him. but of course no one REALLy cares enough to actually do anything about it. mostly seems like I read a lot of bad stories about the lyrica so thought id ask here.

[trixy71]

I agree, I felt like I was drunk when I was on it. I mean fall down wasted drunk and I took it before bed and was still that way the next day. My employer actually thought that I hit the bottle that day - had to show him the prescription bottle. I couldn't walk straight or even speak clearly. But it does help some people I guess, but that's why I suggested one of the other ones because flat out refusing something is a red flag in many doctors eyes. It really ***** that its like that, it drives me crazy that so many people have uncontrolled or under-controlled pain. Its no wonder why some people get so desperate they reach for the bottle or even street drugs or the bullet. The DEA really has no business in my medical care. Granted, there are abusers but still, the majority should not be punished because of a few.

How've you been Shinty?

[shinty]

I've been on a lot of different medications after 10 back surgeries, and Lyrica was the worst as far as side effects- dizziness, water retention, etc....everyone's different though, and when in pain we will try anything. just my 2 cents

[trixy71]

There are other nerve medications that can be tried. Ask for an appointment and ask for one of the other ones. Lyrica is usually started out at 75mg once a day at bedtime for the first few nights, then twice a day for a week or two then up again if needed. At least that's how my doctor handled it. BUT i had those same side effects and can't take it, but also I don't have much of that kind of nerve pain, mine is more mechanical. But there are other meds in that class that might help, just explain, in person that it was too much and maybe can you try gabapentin or cymbalta. Most pain management doctors want you to try everything they ask and if you don't they will think all you want is the narcotics, so just explain that the side effects of the lyrica were too much but you are more than willing to try another med in this class and willing to try ANYTHING that they suggest. You may be surprised that after a while it just might help. YOu also have to give your body at least a week or two to adjust as many of the side effects will go away. Personally I think they just started you too high on the Lyrica.

Also, many people take Lyrica with benzo's and narcotics and it helps them so I don't know where you got that it wasn't good to take together, they are usually prescribed together in most practices that i know about.

Good luck to you.

[capnjorge]

update ; took 225 for the last 2 nites...awful side effects and even MORE pain. dizzy, uncoordinated , severe headache,  stay away from this poison I will not take it again. I called the docs nurse and was told I am being kicked out of the practice for 2nd guessing the doctors orders!! these people are dangerous. I think I need to get off of everything to see what its like to be clean and normal but I know the pain will take over everything. pain is treated like ur a drug seeker. what is a person to do?