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???

[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.