weaning off lyrica

[trish699]

I am suffering from nerve damage from an angiogram performed last July. I am currently on 50 mg of Lyrica, down from 75. Less pain relief than from 75but somewhat tolerable, as long as I don't do much.When I dropped to 50mg,however, I had a huge spike in my pain. The second night after dropping to 25mg, I suffered the attack of the hot pokers, actually on the top of the thigh which was not subject to acute pain before and also in my right foot (shocking). I had a lot of discomfort before trying Lyrica (severe side effects at 100mg though), but due to the fact that I can't tolerate gabapentin or nortriptyline, Lyrica seemed my only option. Is the spike in pain a temporary adjustment to dose reduction, or has Lyrica totally screwed up my nervous system? Would taking 25mg every other day be an option? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Does anybody else suffer from angiogram related nerve pain???

[carmich]

I suffer from nerve damage as result of numerous angiograms and endovascular embolizations all going through my right femoral artery.  Now have nerve damage in the vicinity of femoral artery, the nerve(s) located in that area, have right inner, upper thigh pain which radiates down the saphenous vein, etc. I experince ache, burning, you name it and it gets worse with strenuous exercise like walking fast on treadmill.  Anyway, some days are worse than others but it never goes away and it has been three years now.  I take Lyrica, 75 mgs twice a day along with a host of other pain meds. If I miss a absent mindedly forget and miss a dose of lyrica I get extremely ill.  

[trish699]

Hi,
Sorry to hear of your dental woes. Eight months after my crown cracked, another, much  larger piece fell off. The actual metal under the crown  is now partially showing. My dentist (who lectures at the University ofToronto Dental School )has agreed to leave it alone, due to the months of nerve pain sparked by merely filing the original break.
I asked him to inquire at the facualty of pharmacy as to the role played by Lyrica in all this. Nothing on record implicates Lyrica. Of course, adverse side effects have to be reported by dentists and physicians.Personally, I feel that dentists are not connecting the dots when patients complain. Perhaps this is because Lyrica is a fairly new drug. I was given Vioxx to take and was assured that it was safe. Many deaths and law suits later we all know that was a lie.
If you look on sites used by diabetic patients, you will see that Lyrica use leads to dental problems. In fact, one physician remarked that Lyrica, although great for nerve pain, proved problematic because of dental sie effects for patients.
I suffered Shingles in the fall and my neurologist put me on a short course of Lyrica once again. I was so desperate that I took it for about 6 weeks, precipating further dental problems. My crown pretty much crumbled. I now also have eye problems. This drug is amazing for pain control...HOWEVER, some people will pay dearly for the relief they find with its use.
A word of caution. Do not stop cold turkey. Wean gradually. I found the energy drink G2 ( a lite form of Gator Aid very helpful) It will help with the head zaps. It addresses electrolyte imbalance. GOOD LUCK!!!!

[Bcassella2007]

Ugh, I have had two molar crack within 3 months.  I've been on lyrica for a little over a year.  I heard about these problems before with other ppl but never thought it would happen to me!  I am going to stop taking it immediately.  I am going to try cymbalta and see if that works.  

[trish699]

Ann,
I'm so sorry that your you have paid such a high price for pain relief.
Does your dentist attribute this to Lyrica more than the other drugs? My dentist thinks it's unrelated. I know now that he is wrong. Also, how long were you taking these drugs when the problem with your teeth began? Were you taking a large dose of Lyrica, or a smaller dose?
Thanks for responding.
Trish

[AnnHurts]

Trish,  my teeth are crumbling.  Four have crumbled to the gums.  One has a sharp point that is digging into my tongue.  I take Cymbalta, Lyrica, Percocet, etc.  All can cause dental problems because of dry mouth syndrome.

[jamlws]

I don't see how drs can do that too. I have always said that pain doctors should have to deal with chronic pain in order to treat people that go thru it. They don't feel our pain they don't know what we deal with every single day of our lives. I am glad you are going to talk to him about the wedding and I hope he is able to give you something so you can enjoy this special day.
Hang in there,
Jamie

[trish699]

I'm going to ask my pain specialist on June 28th for something to get me through that day. You're right. It's such an important day for us and it would be nice to be able to actually enjoy it.
I guess I'm just overwhelmed with the relentlessness of this pain. The fact that doctors can inflict this on patients *****, big time.
Thanks for yor thoughts and support. I hope your day goes well.
trish

[jamlws]

Pain is pain no matter how bad it is. we all deal with it different. I can't handle pain very well and my husband can. So people are different.
Is there anyway you can talk to your doctor about giving you something that will help with the pain when you go to your daughters wedding? I mean it will be short term but this is a very important day for you and your daughter and I think you should feel the l least amount of pain that day so you can enjoy your daughters wedding. Just a thought.  I hope the meds start working for you. I deal with nerve pain and it is so hard to treat until you find the meds that work for you.
Let us know how your doing.
Jamie

[trish699]

Thanks for that.
The pain has settled somewhat. When I dropped the dose a bit, I had sharp pains in my hands and wrists. Not as severe as the first attack of the hot pokers, but not pleasant either. I also had sharp pains in my bladder.Considering that my nerve pain is from 2 major nerves in the pelvic area, that was a surprise. Tuck, I now understand that the whole circuitry is affected, so c'est la vie.
I'm now trying to recover from a week-end road trip to my daughter's bridal shower. One and a half hours in the car, even with 3 stops along the way, was too much for me. I'm day 3 on 10mg of celexa and hoping it will help ease my despair, at least a bit. I now have nerve pain in my teeth and hairline from my dentist smoothing down a crown that split in half for no apparent reason.
I know people have more severe pain to deal with, but  I'm burning ot emotionally.. My daughter is getting married in August - a destination wedding, and I really don't know how I'm going to make it.
Thank goodness for the fellowship of this site.
Trish

[Tuckamore]

I did not have night terror on Cymbalta. Hopefully Tanglewood will tell provide you with more information.

As I am sure you know Lyrica is often used to treat nerve pain. That may be in part the reason you had experienced the "hot poker" pain. How is the pain now?

Lyrica is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Lyrica also affects chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system.

Cymbalta is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs). Cymbalta affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression. It can also be used for nerve pain.

Lyrica and Cymbalta are not in the same family of drugs. They do not have the same action. Although they can be used in similar instances.

Hope this helps.

~Tuck

[namnam46]

Wow, this is why I love this site so much.You can learn so much just by reading the other posts that you don't have any experiences with!!

I know for sure that I sure don't want to use ANY of the family of meds that Lyrica and  Cymbalta or Gabapentin are in.

I'm so very sorry for the trouble that you are having Trish and I certainly hope that you can get some help for the pain that you are having.

Thinking of you...Sherry

[trish699]

Do you find that you have bad nightmares on Cymbalta? I tried Effexor and had to get off because of night terrors. I've never experienced anything like it before. Since they are similar drugs, I  was just wondering about this.

Also, you said that you've gone on and off Lyrica. How did you proceed to wean down your dose? Did it take long to get off it? Did you experience nerve pain in places you never had it before?

I'd appreciate hearing your experiences, if you have a moment.

Thanks,
Trish

[trish699]

That woman had botched dental work. Tri  something neuralgia.
When my crown cracked (I never bit on anything hard, either), I saw the dentist. Big mistake. Since smoothing it over, so as not to catch dental floss, the tooth has become hyper sensitive. All my other upper teeth are also sensitive. The nerves in my hairline are sensitive too. It has been a month. You can see why I am desperate to wean off Lyrica. Even if I loved having dental work and spending a fortune, I could not tolerate it anymore.  All the nerves in my body seem hyper active.
I started a low dose of Celexa last night. Unfortunately, I am extremely sensitive to meds and have to build up gradually. I hope it can help me.
It's hard to face pain everyday, as you well now, especially when it's morphing through the whole body.
Take care,
Trish

[jamlws]

Wow I am happy for that lady that just had that surgery. But I have been told there is no surgery to fix my problem. What is done has been done and it can't be fixed it can just be treated. What was wrong with that lady? I can't even think about taking meds that make my teeth break, cause I won't go to the dentist cause of all I have been thru. So I take very good care of my teeth so I don't have to go back.  I hope when you start the Celexa it will help.
Best of luck
Jamie

[trish699]

Hi,
Thanks for that. I am having a hard time weaning down. My pain level, even down 12mg, is awful. My GP is unsympathetic and feels I should not wean down. If I hadn't read all the horror stories about teeth and crowns cracking after my crown cracked for no reason, I would have stayed on this small dose.I do lead a limited existence - never walk, or drive far, but 50 gave me some good days. Now, 10 days after dropping the dose, its getting hellish again.
I'm going to start Celexa. Hopefully, it might help.
Thanks!

[tanglewood]

I take Cymbalta and Lyrica; both help with my nerve pain. I take 50mgs of Lyrica 4 to 6 times a day. I take 60mgs of Cymbalta in the morning and 30 in the evening.
I've gone on and off of Lyrica over the years. Dry mouth is really the only side effect I get from Lyrica, but sometimes I still decide to stop the med. Then I'll give in and go back on it because I need the additional help with nerve pain.
I take the Cymbalta for derpession and pain. It helps me a lot with depression and some with the pain.
Good luck!

[trish699]

Thanks Jamie and Sara for your comments. I guess all these meds cause dry mouth. I called my dentist before starting Lyrica and he told me to rinse with biotene. I've done that faithfully, but I guess it was not enough. I did find comments on another site this am re dental problems and Lyrica. People have had front teeth break off and had crowns crack too.
I conclude that Lyrica seems to be worse for dental problems than the other drugs in its class. Ten days into weaning down from 50 to 38mg of the stuff and I also have stabbing pains in my bladder. The stuff is great for nerve pain, but doctors seem naive or illinformed about the less obvious side effects. Pfizer does not mention either of these problems in its list of side effects, naturally. Play dumb until you have a big law suit on your hands.
Jamie, I understand that they are now performing a surgery to relieve your type of nerve problem. I saw a neurosurgeon on CTV News (Canadian) a couple of weeks ago. A young woman who spent most of her time in bed said the surgery was a miracle - she has next to no pain.
Again ,thanks you guys. I appreciate the support. Hope the day is a good one, pain wise.
Trish

[Sarajmt]

I don't take Lyrica.  I take Cymbalta.  And I have had dental problems since my journey in chronic pain began.  My medications cause dry mouth.  I have to use a special tooth paste and rinse.  Sometimes that is just not enough.

I'm really sorry for your pain.  Ask your dentist about a rinse or something to help.

[Sarajmt]

I don't take Lyrica.  I take Cymbalta.  And I have had dental problems since my journey in chronic pain began.  My medications cause dry mouth.  I have to use a special tooth paste and rinse.  Sometimes that is just not enough.

I'm really sorry for your pain.  Ask your dentist about a rinse or something to help.

[jamlws]

Hey its me again, I just saw your question and yes I am on a anti depression pill it is amitriptylin, I really don't think that it helps but I don't want to stop it without talking to my dr 1st. I don't know if Lyrica would cause you to lose a crown. I would read the side effects again and see if it says anything bout it and if not call your dr and ask him if it does. Is it helping you? My problem started out as a root canal and then I had to get the tooth pulled cause the dentist did it wrong then another dentist pulled the tooth and left a big hole from my mouth to my sinus so it has been a very very long road. I like to call the gaba the devil in a pill form and I will never take it again or anything in the same family again.
Best of luck,
Jamie

[trish699]

Has anyone using Lyrica experienced major dental problems? A relatively new crown on my upper right, simply fell off. I was not eating anything that would crack it. All my other crowns are much older. My dentist smoothed the surface and for 4weeks I've experienced extreme sensitivity.  In fact, what ever he did sent all my upper teeth into hyper sensitive mode. I've been trying to wean from 50 to 38 mg of Lyrica, so I am, of course, experiencing higher pain levels in the pelvic area and I really didn't need the tooth pain.  If anyone has experienced the cracking of teeth or crowns due to Lyrica use, please relate your experience. Thanks.

[Tuckamore]

I couldn't tolerate the side effects of any other SSRI. They all seemed to cause severe vertigo that would come without notice. I do know that others on our forum take them without any major problems.

You're right. I felt I was defined by my career. I still miss it. I am sorry that you had to give up your career also.

[trish699]

Anybody else out there take Cymbalta for nerve pain? I'd really appreciate hearing personal experiences.

[trish699]

Since I am new to the nerve pain game, I had no clue re my spike in pain. Thank you so much for your answer.
Also, I'm so sorry that your career was cut short. We do, in a sense, define ourselves by our work.I left my career 2yrs early due to chronic knee pain. I never imagined that things could get much worse.
Have you used any other SSRI? If so, did it help at all with nervepain or mood (without becoming a zombie?)