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???

[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?)