Lyrica - What do you think about this drug?

[Cascarb]

Hey everyone,  Iv just been put on this med by my consultant to replace Gabapentin which I was taking for a few months but didn't work very well.  

When I took Gabapentin I was on 1200mg 3 times a day and have now been put on 300mg of Lyrica twice daily instead though he told me I would probably need to increase that because I was on such a high does of gabapentin.  What dose of Lyrica works for you?  I know everyone is different but am interested so that when I speak to my family Dr because she isn't very experienced with fms so is welcomes my input into my treatment which I think is great because it shows she respects me.

What do people think of this drug?  Im a little worried about the side effect as Im already always tired and starting to loose my six pack "laughs"  ..

Anyway ill stop blabbing now lol

[scaredmom330]

I take 1800 mg  gabapentin  daily and it works wonders for my fibro pain, i was on lyrica and had to stop because of the side effects, I gained 40 pounds, my hands and feet swelled. I took it for about 3 months. i am concerned about the comment that you shouldnt take gabapentin on a daily basis and that is a high dose. if you do any type of research you will see that isnt a high dose with people who have fibro also helps with pain for OA, RA and any nerve damage. I also have nerve damage in my lower back and it helps with that.And I am going to a doctor that specialises in Fibor and nerve damage... I suggest you give the lyrica a try, not everyone has the side effects and it did help alot with my pain, i was extremely tired when I first started taking lyrica but after a couple of days it went away, i started out at 50 msg and when I quit was up to 150 mg. have you discussed the side effects you are having with your doctor?

[dustybrown]

Are you thinking of Topiramate for the medication that starts with a "T"? That is the generic form of Topamax that I have been talking about. If you ask for it for migraines the NHS might cover it. See what the doctors say to that.
Topiramate is approved for migraines and epilepsy here in the US.  Our insurance won't cover it here for FMS in the US either because it's not FDA approved for FMS. Doctors use it off label for FMS, but if it's coded it for migraines it's covered. Most of us suffer from migraines anyhow as a symptom of FMS, so many doctors will prescribe it. Does this make sense?

[Cascarb]

Hey thanks for your comment, ye the gabapentin was a bit bitter sweet, I worked upto that does slowly but I always felt completly out of it.  The dr that prescribes it (well Lycra now) is a pain consultant but I don't think he is a tms speciallised just fms freindly.  He seams to think that in about three weeks thedoes will need to be increased even more!!!

I spoke to him about a diffrent drug that iv heard mentioned here I can remember what it's called it begins with T and is like Lycra lol anyway he was saying that the uk don't prescribe it for fms because the only study done on it was payed for by the pharmasutical company and the nhs won't pay for it.  

Sorry went off subject there lol but ye I'm trying to be seen by a fms specialist but there is a 1 year waiting list for him and my insurance won't pe to go private (I'm In Scotland)

I also take 600mg of tramadol a day which I'm not happy about but to be honist I can't afford not to work and athough I'm off my nut all day ateasf I can walk (kinda)

[concerned621]

I can't believe you could handle that much Gabapentin.  Did you have a lot of side effects?   Here is my two cents. I hate Gabapentin and if there were a bigger word for hate I'd use that for Lyrica.
If your doctor is not familiar with fms stop seeing her for it.  There isn't any reason to be on this dose of either one of these drugs.  There are so many other options and only docs who are well versed in fms could help you with that.  With each drug, there is hair loss, weight loss, I had problems seeing with Lyrica. I have very good vision other than needing glasses. I had been taking Lyrica for about 3 weeks. Gained about 7 pounds and noticed my vision was extremely blurred.  I was in shock to find out it was from Lyrica.  I stopped it immediately.
What happens with FMS is that as soon as a new commercial comes out basically a pharmaceutical company realized a drug they developed for something completely different reason may have some slight chance of working for this other problem, just so happens Lyrica is the new one for FMS.  In my opinion I'd wait 5 years and let them test that theory.  Just like Vioxx, of which I took for 3 years. It was a fabulous drug for FMS however look how that turned out, people were bleeding internally and dying.  So I caution you, which is my humble personal, non medical opinion.  I've been on just about every medication you can think of.  I've had FMS since 1992.   I take Gabapentin only when I am in desperate nerve pain.  You shouldn't need it on a regular basis,  if you were being treated by a doctor properly for FMS pain I'm pretty sure you would not be on it and not on that dose.   Again this is my humble personal opinion.  But I also personally would NEVER take either Gabapentin daily at that dose or Lyrica ever.  
If you can get an appointment even with a Rheumatologist who works with FMS.  They are up on the latest studies and drugs.  Stay with you family doc but do what is best for your health.  Take care.

[BooBah1]

If it weren't for Lyrica I could not function...it helps alot with the pain, I'm on 200 mg daily. I just wish there was something to take all the pain away.

[RockyMD]

Also, dizzy too. I fell too. Being so dizzy and my vision not great. At one point, I was walking cross my condo and stumbled on a shoe on my floor. Not something I have done before. And since I am already in pain, I could barely pick all 105lbs of 5'2" frame off of the floor to go lie in bed. I started the Lyrica Dec 3, and Rheumy wants me 150mg per night.