? effects of new drug Lyrica/Pregablin

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Q&A | Fibromyalgia Drugs | ? effects of new drug Lyrica/Pregablin

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Name: Rosie Title of Question: ? effects of new drug Lyrica/Pregablin

Question: Hi just wondering if anyone has been prescribed Lyrica/Pregablin and how they tolerated it and what effect if provided. I had been taking it for a month took 3 weeks to tolerate one cap a day, body numb in most places but could'nt definitely say it provided vast improvement. Have now stopped it as side effects not nice especially when attempted to increase to 2 caps daily. Symptoms were flaring up just prior to increase. I has been a week since I stopped and symptoms slowly settling especially the visual and vertigo problems. Regards ?

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Name: Suzanne | Date: September 22, 2005, 16:03

Answer: I was on pregablin for 6 weeks. It helped only by making me feel less cranky. It didn't really help with the pain. I didn't like the side effects like the weight gain and sleeping in class. I always felt like I was drugged, which by the way is great to take for sleeping. It will put you out. zzzz =

Name: Harry | Date: October 12, 2005, 7:38

Answer: My Doctor prescribed Pregablin which, he thought would help with my neuropathy pain. I started out on a low dose increasing to 300mgs, I’ve being taking these for about four months and the only benefit I’ve had is sleeping well at night and feeling sleepy during the day. I’ve also noticed my memory is not as good, and feeling moody. At this stage I’m actually reducing my intake and hoping to come off them very soon, it has not helped with my pain at all. Regards =

Name: janiceharris | Date: October 21, 2005, 17:01

Answer: I have onnly taken one Pregablin and I feel like I am drunk. I am assuming this is a side effect of the drug =

Name: Hayley | Date: November 10, 2005, 10:51

Answer: i take pregablin as a anticonvulsant. I was increased to 600mg a day as well as prozac. I am unable 2 get out of bed ...........and visually my eyes....whats that all about.... =

Name: Julie | Date: December 3, 2005, 0:15

Answer: I've been taking Lyrica for a couple of weeks. No noticeable side effects, and it is helping me fall asleep at night without feeling drugged. It has not helped my pain, but the fact that it is helping me tackle my insomnia is great. =

Name: Jean | Date: December 3, 2005, 21:23

Answer: This is a fairly new drug and as I have read about it not too many people have been put on it. I believe it just came out of studies and I'm not to thrilled by the outcome. I myself will not try this one. Much too many side effects. Glad you are feeling better. =

Name: ame | Date: January 12, 2006, 6:17

Answer: Hi I took my first pregablin last night and it really makes you sleep. But feel bit moody and hungover today =

Name: virginia white | Date: January 30, 2006, 15:08

Answer: I took one pregablin today and i feel like i drunk a whole bottle of wine do not like this feeling =

Name: ellen | Date: February 9, 2006, 8:03

Answer: have been taking 450mg of pregablin and still have brain fog and cannot concentrate. would uping the dose to 600mg help as every time the dose has been increased i have had a good decrease of symtoms ? =

Name: kathy | Date: February 9, 2006, 21:21

Answer: I took Lyrica one evening and didn't wake up until the next afternoon...totally slept through alarms and phone calls. Waited til I was on vacation at Christmas and experienced the same thing. I have never taken it again. I've never had a drug knock me out like this one did. I've not had much luck with any of the drugs prescribed which is why I am looking at this website tonight. My symptoms have been out of control for some time now and I really need some relief. Thanks for letting me share... =

Name: Joan -4/3/06 | Date: March 3, 2006, 12:45

Answer: 2nd time I have been on Lyrica 300mg 1st time sleep all the time no help with pain,went on to Topamax that was worse,now trying Lyrica again 75mg only no help with pain sleepy all the time also bad dizziness coming off it , anyone with suggestions,Ive tried them all .Regards =

Name: dr tramboo | Date: March 4, 2006, 7:48

Answer: i have hardly seen any patient responding to one cap. my sugestion is that start with 50 mg increase it to 75 then 75 bd - tid after one week. you will tolerate it only if you take cinarizine with it. and please tell me what type of pain are you suffering from. visit my web www.paininterventional.com =

Name: dana | Date: March 6, 2006, 20:43

Answer: i began taking lyrica 1 week ago today and have had no ill effects at all. i can't say for sure that lyrica is what has made me feel so great, but i do feel great. i have been able to sleep at night without ambien for the first time in almost 2 years. i was also taking xanax 1-2 times daily for anxiety/feeling jittery, and have not taken any at all in several days. i take lyrica 150 mg every am and about noon, then i take 300mg at bedtime. it never makes me sleepy during the day, but helps me sleep at night. i also quit working and began going to a chiropractor about 3 weeks ago, so it's probably a combination of all these factors that have contributed to my feelings of wellbeing; whatever it is i hope it keeps up. i was at my very worst in october and november-couldn't eat due to ibs symptoms. i was dizzy, weak, nauseous and in extreme pain all day every day. even had a treadmill stress test because of the chest pain. i felt so bad i thought i must have something deadly-like cancer or heart problem finally got a new md-internal medicine doc who diagnosed me within about 5 minutes. i realize that i may still have some bad days, but knowledge really is power, and knowing what is wrong and what to do about it helps a lot. i have heard some people do not tolerate this med well, but you never know if you don't try it. =

Name: cathy | Date: March 7, 2006, 16:38

Answer: I was given samples at my doctors office and the first night I took it I had profound numbness in my arms. I stopped taking it for a few days and then thought that maybe it would help the symptoms that I initially went to the doctor for. I have had the same numbness in my arms the next two times I took it. I have always had trouble sleeping but the numbness in my arms keeps me awake.The doctor practicioner told me to take 50mgs for one week and 75mgs until I see her again, which will be in six days. I am not going to take it again. =

Name: Karla | Date: March 13, 2006, 13:55

Answer: I was taking Lyrica 200 mg per day for the past 6 weeks. I got moderate relief, but lots of short term memory loss. Over the past 10 days, I weaned off the Lyrica. I have now been 3 days without Lyrica and am suffering from headaches, nausea, dizzy spells, difficulty focusing on trying to read things, etc. Terrible. Would not reccomend this drug at all! Not enough is known about the side effects yet! =

Name: Verna | Date: April 8, 2006, 5:18

Answer: I hve been taking Lyrica for five weeks now, 75mg caps twice each day. No side effects except for a little giddyness for the first two weeks. Having small fibre neuropathy, I find this drug far superior to gabapentin. All the best, regards, Verna from Australia =

Name: margaretcaffrey | Date: April 12, 2006, 11:24

Answer: Hi in answer to your question,yes I have been prescrebed Lyrica/Pregablin and I started to take in on Monday the 10th of April.I was prescribed 1 twice a day and I can for the first time in a very long time feel relief of the intense pain from fibromyalgia which had me wore out.Prior to taking Lyrica I was taking up to ten neurofen plus a day of which I became immune to.To day Wednesday 12th when I took my first Lyrica about an hour later I felt some pressure in my head which took about an hour to clear.I'm not sure if this was a side effect of Lyrica.I have been started on 75mg for the first 2 weeks and after that it is increased to 150mg there after.Maybe you started on too high a dose which if this is the case would dishearten you,but I am very excited about this new drug as I have got at this stage 80% relief of the horrible symptoms and the balance is feeling sore in the back ,shoulders and upper arms similar to doing a workout.Regards. =

Name: AndyB | Date: May 1, 2006, 14:59

Answer: Interesting to read the comments - my experience matches almost exactly with margaretcaffrey - I started on the same day as had an epidural injection which confuses the ability to be 100% which improved things. However have much less pain (though still the other existing symptoms such as numbness) - and share the same symptoms of stiffness in the upper back, shoulders... wierd. I had attributed this to a sudden stop from taking dihydrodeine and diclofenac - but now I wonder. So far, so good me thinks. =

Name: James | Date: May 11, 2006, 23:58

Answer: I have presently started taking Lyrica for nerbe pain. It works very well for me. I am pesently taking 100 mg twice a day. The only side effect that bothers me is it makes me very sleepy. =

Name: Lisa | Date: May 13, 2006, 11:14

Answer: Lyrica. It seems the side effects out way any relief you can get from this. A group of us in our Fibromyalgia support group went to our doctor's and asked for the medication.. Out of 6 people, only 1 has seen any good relief from pain. I myself had severe muscle cramping, head aches, swelling in my hands and feet from it. We all took it about 4 weeks, some less because of the side effects. I was disapponted because I had tried so many different meds for this nasty Fibro. Some of us were on 50 mg. 3 times daily, and others 75 mg. 3 times daily. I guess it depends on the person. Hope this was a little bit helpful. Keep looking, if this isn't "the" one for your Fibro =

Name: Rachel | Date: May 13, 2006, 15:58

Answer: I've taken lyrica in different doses. From 100 mg 3 times daily to the 50 x3. I only got dizzy and felt stupid and unable to function. I was even taking 20 mg of ambien at night and the combo only would help me sleep maybe 3 to 4 hours a night. I wish at least it would've helped me sleep. =

Name: dana | Date: May 15, 2006, 14:47

Answer: i take 600 mg of lyrica every day. pain and sleep are both improved. only side effect noted is increased hunger with weight gain, which is so far not a problem for me since i weighed only 98 lbs 6 mos ago...because the fibro made me too sick to eat. after 3 and 1/2 months, me and my lyrica get along really well. obvioisly it's great for some of us, and horrible for some of us. definitely worth a try. =

Name: Mildred | Date: May 25, 2006, 13:10

Answer: Hi Rosie:i'm Mildred,an i to are looking for answers.Today is the first day taking the medication Lyrica. i have had 2 back operations so now they are trying this along with injections in my back,before antisipating surgery.I do hope it works.if theres something i notice that should be passed on i will contact you again.please feel free to contact me if there is something you feel i should be aware of.Thank you kindly, hope to hear from you soon.feel better =

Name: chris | Date: May 30, 2006, 16:02

Answer: I've been trying Lycrica for two weeks now, and don't like the side effects. My short term memory is almost not there. I get dizzy spells that really are awful. I don't know what else to try, but this stuff isn't helping me. I'm still working, but don't know how I do it. I gave up meat and only eat veggies and a little cheese and milk. After three years of not having one good day, this stuff only seems to make it worse. =

Name: Lisa | Date: May 30, 2006, 17:59

Answer: Hi Rosie. I hope u have better luck than a group of us from our FMS support group did. All but couple of ladies had awful side effects, ranging from severe muscle pain, water weight gain, headaches, watery stools, and sleepiness. Didn't do much for the pain, we were all pretty disappointed. Hope you have better luck with it. We gave it 4 weeks, and most of us had to go off it, but we will keep on looking! =

Name: susie | Date: June 6, 2006, 11:51

Answer: not stopped pain in my legs,weight gain and hard to get out of bed all my joints are sore =

Name: Sharon/June 18th 2006 | Date: June 18, 2006, 14:35

Answer: I have been on Pregablin for 18months, prescribed for sciatic pain in leg due to slipped disc which trapped sciatic nerve. Have put on approx 1 stone in weight and can honestly say that it doesn't really stop the pain, take 150mg at night and am supposed to take it during the day too but to be fair I don't see the point taking it during the day as it doesn't really help. I do work full time and it is hard, actually at weekends and when on holiday do not have much pain in the leg at all. Am now considering coming off pregablin am at my wits end with it all, have literally tried everything, am due to visit Osteopothist next month and my pain clinic doctor again in November, just can't put up with weight gain. =

Name: dana | Date: June 18, 2006, 22:32

Answer: Sharon, it is possible that this medication is ineffective for you because you are not taking the proper dosage. i take 600 mg daily, and it is working for me. that said, it is also possible that lyrica would not work for you even if you were taking it at the dosage prescribed for you by your physician. it has different effects on everyone. i have heard people taking inly 100-150 mg per day say they were drowzy, groggy, and slept many hours at a time, and yet i take 600 mg per day, and do not even have any side effects, =

Name: Tammy | Date: July 23, 2006, 20:20

Answer: I have just been put on this med for headaces it is my first day. I am already experiencing visual problems. I had a stroke last year and have trouble seeing out of my left eye. It seems to be worse in just the one day and right eye is blurry. =

Name: Gordon | Date: August 19, 2006, 4:44

Answer: I have been taking pregablin for 4 weeks in order to relieve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy - stabbing pains in feet ( particularly during exercise ) I am taking 200mg per day, am considering upping the dose cause I am not getting the relief I hoped for. Drawbacks so far are that I have put on 5lbs, having difficulty concentrating for anything more than 5 seconds & at times feel very lightheaded, I have an appointment with my gp next week to review results. =

Name: Rachel | Date: August 21, 2006, 15:48

Answer: Lyrica didn't help my pain, didn't help me sleep. Just drunk like and eye problems got worse. Careful: I drank it for 3 months in various doses in hopes that it would work and all I got for my efforts were 25 lbs! I've since shed those extra pounds but that was also one of the reasons I was taken off this med. =

Name: Linda | Date: August 27, 2006, 15:14

Answer: I took lyrica for 5 weeks for nerve nyrophy of my feet. At first it seemed to help then i started getting leg pain, arm pain and spasm; in my feet. i have been off of it now for 3 weeks and still have muscle pain in legs and arms so i am much worse than i was before starting it. Memory has also been effected. =

Name: Tom | Date: August 31, 2006, 2:34

Answer: I have been taking Lyrica now for 2 months - 100 mg twice daily. It has totally relieved nerve pain in my arm -- gone completely, where before it was almost unbearable. In this dosage, I am not expecting it to help my fibro. I have, however, noticed the symptoms of weight gain and daytime sleepiness. I figured it was from the morphine I am also taking, but I've taken morphine for 4 years and only recently (2 months!) noticed the sleepiness. DUhhhhh.....!! =

Name: pedrph | Date: September 4, 2006, 20:23

Answer: Start low on dose of Lyrica - 75mg was way too much. I've been on 25mg 2-3 times a day for 4 months. Side effects - visual changes requiring new glasses, weight gain (my stomach doesn't hurt any more), and when the dose is wearing off, I feel sleepy. Fibromyalgia and post op shoulder pain is minimal - no pain medications required post op - yes there is baseline pain in shoulder, but not enough to require pain med. Anxiety is tolerable, only occasional Xanax needed. Do still require Ambien to sleep - though only a piece of 10mg. If you are looking at Lyrica - start low on dose. If you chose to go off Lyrica - watch out as the pain you didn't feel while on the drug - comes back big time! =

Name: R.S.Hagen | Date: September 6, 2006, 1:44

Answer: This is interesting to know cause Lyrica is the new med for Neurontin or Gabapentin, I started it at 100mg only at night till I could adjust to it, today is first time to take it during the day, I feel a little dopy, but did at the start of the PM doses too, which eventually wore off, had stumache upset and pressure in my head at the beginning but this too is not noticeable anymore, I can sleep but don't have the hangover like the antidepressants or muscle relaxers gave me, and although my pain is slightly better the tension in my shoulders is lessening, which for me is triggering soo much pain, had major sciatica flareup, is has tamed down, but started the AM doses cause the burning in my arms started to come back. I am hoping it will work for me, I don't intent to increase my dose, I am really sensitive to meds, and can only take baby doses of the other stuff anyway. Will let you know if maybe this might be a better choice, it has been around a little longer than Lyrica. =

Name: paul | Date: September 21, 2006, 5:18

Answer: i have been taking lyrica pregabalin 300mg twice a day now for 4 months i only side effects i get is i dont remember to take them it makes me feel rough =

Name: Cristine | Date: May 23, 2008, 16:18

Answer: Hi all! I have suffered with FM for over 10 years now and have tried probably every drug in the world ( well feels like it :) Anyway I have been on Lyrica now for 6 weeks at 300mgs a day. I did experience a lot of drowsiness and light headiness but I have felt the best i have felt in years. I had to give up work in 06 due to my FM and have been practically bedridden ever since. After 1 week on lyrica I am a changed person. I have been going out and staying out of bed for most of the day. Its made a fabulous improvement. Disadvantaged is Weight gain unfortunately so now on a diet to control that ... but i just hope i continue to feel this good... still feel sleepy and light headed now n again but at least i sleep better so GFI i say ! :)) =