Has anyone tried LYCRIA yet?

[idesofmarch]

My RA gave me a free weeks supply RX for Lycria but I have not brought it into the pharmacy yet.  I also got 2 RX to start me slowly if I like it. Trouble is that it is so new that my copay will be almost $40 per month. I am on disibillity right now and can't afford it.  Also it is good for diabetic nerve pain-I don't think that I have nerve pain.I have muscle, joint and low back pain.  So bad that 3 vicodin every 4 hours doesn't do anything for me. It does take the edge off for an hour or so.  I'll appreciate your comments.  This site has been sleeping for over a week. Is everyone having a fibro-flare?

[releasemefrompain]

Hi there.  I am new here as well and I'm super happy that I found it.   Just a quick note for I and other Fibromyalgia sufferers.  Go to www.lyrica.com and Cymbalta. Com,  and also www.partnersforprescriptions.com.   These sites have coupons for lyrica and cymbalta

[VaBreeze]

I just thought I would add this info. for those of you who continue to use Lyrica or are just starting on a new trial.  Sometimes the drug companies do run coupons or specials on their medications.  If you google "Lyrica coupons" you may find something beneficial to help with the costs.  This is not just with Lyrica, it's with any type of medication.  

Also, I discovered this site today while browsing around:  

http://www.freedrugcard.us/

The drug card is free and can be used in addition to your prescription coverage, or if you have no coverage at all.  It is a non-profit agency who does this to help those with no insurance, or those who may be underinsured, to be able to get the medications that they need.

Hope this helps.

[Breezey]

Thanks for your comments,

I increased the dosage to 100mg last night and felt as bad as I did the first day I took the 50mg.  I still have lots of pain and it has returned to the levels it was before any meds. I have 2 more weeks to incease to 200mg a day to see if that helps my pain. I hope it works and that it is worth the adjusting. I am calling the doctor to ask about the headaches. Thanks again I will keep checking in to here how everyone is doing with there treatments

[Katzandra]

My grandmother has Cushings and I have fibro..

Her doctor gave her Lyrica.. it made her dizzy crazy and she thought she was going to have an adrenal attack. It was most likely her sensitivity to medications plus all the stuff shes on. If any of you know what Cushing's is .. you know how hard it is to deal with.

She thinks I have it too, but I'll stick with Fibro.

I was in a lot of pain one night and she gave me some...
Honestly it didn't do anything for me.. the pain remained. .and I've tried Amitriptyline
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amitriptyline
It worked the best for me =) But I've also only used it 3 times in my life. everytime its worked.. but as everyone knows medication is spendy so I stick with icy hot =/

But meh, everyone has different chemistry. either way good luck. =)!

<3 Katz

[SIMMY20]

hello all, i am a late comer to this group , my meds include lyrica at 3x200mg a day plus all the other goodies, i have been on them for four years now and have tried every pain killer going!! i am so sorry that your meds cost so much it is not right ,, also stay out of the cold ,good luck with your pains any questions i am here iff i can help xx

[1949greenlady]

I have FM/CFS.  If you have been diag with a problem that causes you pain, and if you have a good dr. that understands you and what you are going through, they will know that you are not a pill seeker.  Thank God my drs. know me and I do not take them unless I need them.  If you are worried about the pills you are not a pill seeker, that is waht one of my drs. told me a long time ago.

God bless you

[VaBreeze]

Lyrica does have some side-effects, but headaches are not one that has been seen.  There will be some drowsiness and cognition issues, but that should clear up a bit after your body has adjusted.  50 mg is a very low dose.  

I take 75mg 2x a day and the only thing i've noticed is some cognitive difficulty.  Otherwise it does help with my pain.  Maybe Neurontin would work for you and not have this effect.  If you are only on the 3rd day, try weaning yourself off and see if the headache lifts.  If so, then you will need to talk to your doctor about an alternative for your pain.

Best wishes to you.

[Breezey]

I am on day 3 of my lycria and take it for Myofascial cronic pain....The omg I can't function pain seems to be shrinking but my head feels like its going to explode, I can't think and I can't be awake for more than 20 minutes after taking it..is this just my body adjusting? I'm supposed to up the dosage in a week but this headache is so very bad i'm worried. Has anyone else felt similar? im taking 50mg and have never been on any medication before...ive lived in pain for 5 years and am scared to that this wont work

[Emperorgrahf]

I tried it for a couple of months, it barely helped for me. coming off of it was the worst though, I decided to take half dosage for 3 days then just quit.  I don't know how I survived it

[Sajonna]

First time posting here:  I took Lyrica/ Nerontin for only 4 days two years ago: It made me sleepwalk every night.  The last night I ended up right by front door- on the floor.  Scray.  But I have heard from other people that this med is a blessing.  Everyone is different!

[Daisendorfgirl]

Hi Everyone,
  I started Lyrcria in February and boosted the dosage up to 450mg per day as of the 18th April. These tablets have given me a new lease of life, no pain and I'm sleeping through the night without any pain or restless legs, I use to wake up every 2 hours and never really went into a deep sleep (REM), the slightest noise would have me instantly awake! My days were a nightmare, I had pain that shifted all over my body and all I wanted to do was sleep, much to my husband's disgust he just didn't understand anything about Fibro. The downside is I have put on weight, about 15 pounds and I'm hungry all the time, this is not me, I was a very light eater and never finished my meals, now I eat everything on my plate and still feel as if I want more!!!!  
Also my right leg looks twice it's size by the end of the day, It goes down again once I go to bed and am laying flat so I think it's fluid, the tiredness disappeared after a few weeks but I still feel sort of disorientated at times. But I don't want to give up the Lycria and go back to all the misery of fibro again!
Hope this helps and I welcome any comments

[wv tumbleweed]

I have fibro and other health problems.  I was given a prescription for 3 per day of 50 mg.  I took 1 pill at night before going to bed.  I start meds slow due to having problems with so many of then.  I noticed the next morning I had slept well did not wake up constantly like I normally do.  It also stop the need to move around, especially my legs.  I took 1 pill at night for a week.  I felt better, slept better, had less pain and joints moved more freely.  I am trying to lose weight and I felt it was causing weight gain, so I stopped.

After a couple weeks I tried 1 pill at night again.  On the third evening I was constantly hungry, I could have ate everything in the house.  That night I woke up with bad pain, it had inflamed my Interstitial Cystitis.  So I stopped it again.  

I am debating whether to try it again.  Even if it does not inflame the Interstitial Cystitis  I can not take it if causes me to be constantly hungry and over eat, and therefore gain weight.  I would like to be able to take it.

There are so many meds with weight gain as a side effect, cant they make just one that has weight loss as a side effect?    :-(

[donnavb]

I have had no problem with insurance paying for this med. I'm on 3 -75 a day which I take 1 late afternoon and 2 at bedtime which I found works for me. I've lived with back and leg pain for years and was taking Hydrocodone for years. Only side effect is weight gain which I hate but hate the pain worse. I'm over 65 and weight at my age is very hard to lose but try to use the treadmill as often as my feet let me. My co-pay is $40 for 3 months supply if I use mail order and did not go up when doc upped the dose to 3 a day. Must say pain relief is well worth the $$$. Also the buzzy brain will go away with time. Good Luck.

[sfbaygirl]

Wanted to warn you that most ins. co's won't pay for this stuff. My Dr. got me a waiver from the ins. co.  That 7 day trial got me through several weeks as I did it really slow. When I tried Neurontin, I went one day, two day three a day.

[patsy10]

I've never taken it but I do know it causes significant weight gain.  The doctor even told me that.  It's really not that new.  It's been out for at least a couple years I think.  I know a doctor tried to give it me me a couple years ago.  It was just approved for fibro treatment that is why you hear about it so much now.

[sfbaygirl]

I am on week  3 of Lyrica.  the pain is much much better. My brain feels like that drug commerical, ya know the eggs in the pan?  But anything is better than that pain.  Hoping for the sides to subside eventually.  I too like massages and get them as often as I can. Wish my fatigue would go away. I spend days in bed and hate this. Planning on going to grad school Jan 16. Wish me luck.  If I set my mind to it, I can do it, but how is this fried brain going to work???

[LLWB]

I just started Lyrica. I'm on week 2, 50mg twice a day. Increase to 3x a day next week. No significant improvment yet, but been very busy with holidays. I haven't been sleepy in am yet from it.  Co-pay shouldn't go up,at least mine hasn't on other meds, with the dosage is increased.  Water therapy does help me with my fibro, stenosis, and degenerative disc disease, as it makes it easier to move in the water..but I need the water to be warm. A jetted hot tub was perscribed by my dr., which helped greatly, until I had to sell the house it was in.  Fibro makes it so hard to exercise. Even when I hurt I have a massage whenever I can afford it, as it helps to realease the tension in the muscles. If they start easy, then increase the massage, it's easier to stand the pain. I find it wourth the effort and pain. Gentle hugs to all.

[Belle4]

I am on Lycria too along with 6 differnt meds as well for fibro. It is very frustrating. Some people have suggested getting massage therapy. Again most insurance companies will not cover this but I hurt when someone touches me so obvious that options is out for me.  Water arobics were also suggested. I did try that but I did not get much out of it.  I am hoping the new year will bring much needed relief from the pain.  Good luck and have a happy new year.

[sfbaygirl]

I am going really slowly with this stuff to see how it works. the first week 50mg a day, second week 100 mg a day, third (if I can handle it) 150mg a day.  I did way to much Neurontin and almost jumped outta my skin.  Hope by going slowly to see when or if the sx (sides) hit me, I can perhaps not do as much and still minimize the pain.  I want this pain gone like no tomorrow.  So far I am starting two today and felt very loopy today, but it sort of got better and will take pill #2 at bedtime.  Sure hope it helps.  Headaches I have heard can be a sx,  I have had severe migraines my whole life so I pray I don't get them.  Thanks for everyones posts...

Hugs for us all!
Linda

[888mom]

ON lyrica for a little over couple weeks now.  Is wonderful.  I'm on 50 mg twice a day but doctor wants to up it gradually so i'm on 100 mg twice a day.  My copay is $50 a month, but will it be $100 a month if the dosage is doubled?  If you are on a higher dosage, do you get pills that are the higher dosage for the same copay?  Medicine is so expensive!  Also not wanting to be on higher dosage because it is giving me insomnia.  Does that go away?  I can't afford to take a prescription sleepign pill on top of lyrica, nor do i want to pop sleeping pills on top of meds.  But, not having pain, it is wonderful.  First time in over 15 years.  :)

[thester6474]

Hi, I am sorry to hear all that you are going through.  I too have been going through major medical issues, fatigue being a serious part.  I have possible Multiple Sclerosis, myoclonus, hypermobility syndrome, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, early mild disc degenerative disease, early disc dessication, kyphosis, scoliosis, anemia, osteopenia, and a b-12/iron deficiency.  So, I know that fatigue is a major problem, if you get any good suggestions forward them to me please.

[thester6474]

Hi, I was prescribed lyrica in August, starting dose was 150 mg once a day.  After week one my dose was supposed to increase to 150 mg twice daily.  Needless to say, I could not handle the way I felt...I felt overmedicated, high (don't know exactly how that feels but if it was worse than what I was feeling --- it is not meant for me).  I found myself unable to actually get up out of bed in the morning without stumbling or falling, and I must say this lasted for hours after I woke up.  It felt like the room was spinning.  My rheumy took me off of it and prescribed Lamictal 200 mg. daily.

[jlc5155]

I started taking Lyrica last Thursday - 12/13 - I was also given Tramadol, both meds were 50mg. three times a day.  NO WAY IN THE WORLD can I take this much and attempt to work all day.  I started taking them just at night and I was fine, so I decided to take them in the morning along with my other meds and I was a mess.  I had loads of energy if I stayed moving.  I would drop if I stopped for awhile.  I laid down about 4:00PM and saw pink scrolling marquises with Umpa-Lumpas (from Willy Wonka) jumping around, I never went to sleep but it was kind of a trance.  I knew when someone came into the room but never moved.  I got up fixed supper, laid back down and slept for three hours and forty five minutes.  I got up, took my night meds along with the Lyrica and Tramadol and slept till 9:00AM the next morning.  I took just the Lyrica this morning with my other meds and I have the worst headache in the world.  I don't remember the headache being a side affect from the Lyrica.  I usually feel pretty good with just taking the meds at night, but forget the daytime, if I want to work or function.  Is there anyone else with this symptom?  I don't think I have been on them long enought to know the real side affects yet, but I do know that my legs, back and arms are really hurting, along with the headache.

[sfbaygirl]

Today I am on day 7 of Lyrica, only one a day. That 7 pack can last you 21 days the way I am doing it.  So far no sedation effects. I will start with 2 a day today and am not sure when I should take them. Anyone?  If this gets rid of the pain, I guess I will have to deal with the sedation effects if they come. I can't live with this pain!