| Key to ratings for lyrica: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken | Date Added | |
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| 4 | TO RELIEVE LEG PAIN | I HAVE EYE PROBLEMS SO INCREASED BLURRINESS MAY OR MAY NOT BE DUE TO LYRICA | I WAS OPERATED ON 9 YEARS AGO FOR A CERVICAL SPINE INJURY AFTER A FALL; I ALSO HAVE LUMBAR STENOSIS--BOTH OF WHICH RESULT IN REFERRED PAIN IN MOSTLY MY RIGHT LEG. DAILY DOSE OF 300 MG (2X150) HAS DEFINITEY RELIEVED THE PAIN (ACHING, BURNING, WEAKNESS) IN MY MOSTLY RIGHT LEG. IT PERMITS ME TO STAND LONGER AND TO WALK FURTHER (BEFORE I HAVE TO STOP TO LEAN UP AGAINST A CAR AND REST. I STILL HAVE PAIN BUT IN MY DAILY WALKING (1/4 MILE AND THEN REST; ANOTHER 1/4-REST, ETC. FOR 4 QUARTERS OR 1 MILE)THE PAIN IS ALWAYS WORSE IN THE BEGINNING. MY LAST 1/2 MILE IS EASIEST THO I ALWAYS HAVE SOME ACHING AND I ALWAYS WALK WITH A SPASTIC GAIT (LIKE A DRUNKEN SAILOR). I'M TEMPTED TO INCREASE MY DOSAGE BUT IT'S A STRONG DRUG AND I'M HESITANT. ANY ADVICE? | M | 81 | 10 months | 11/17/2009 | 1 | Fibromyalgia | Severe anxiety, headaches, loss of balance, nausea. | I was on this medication for only 4 weeks, the withdrawal off this med is awful. I am now off completely for 4 weeks and still having severe dizziness, daily headaches and anxiety. I never had any of this before this med. I was only supposed to be off work for one month and it's now turned to 3 to try and get the side effects to go away. DO NOT TAKE THIS MED...it needs to be banned | F | 36 | 4 weeks | 11/16/2009 | 2 | Fibromyalgia | Total brain fog | Took it for 3 days, hoping it would improve my pain. I started at a low dose (50 mg at bedtime). I was not able to function at work, find my car etc. | F | 58 | 3 days | 11/15/2009 | 2 | fibromyalgia | acid reflux, achalasia (pinched esophagus), crusty sores at corners of mouth, rapid weight gain, euphoria, sleepiness | The reflux and achalasia set off alarm bells. I looked up the ingredients and Lyrica contains lactose, which I am allergic to. Worked great on back pain and insomnia for about a week, then the effectiveness dramatically diminished. I retained a lot of water, which, almost 2 months after going off the drug, is still there. I went off it cold turkey, which was a mistake. The withdrawal symptoms lasted a full 10 days, exactly the same amount of time I was on the drug. I experienced profuse sweating, total insomnia, headache, congestion, severe muscle pain, stomach cramps and diarrhea. Lyrica is one nasty drug. | F | 57 | 10 days | 11/9/2009 | 4 | Anxiety | Lethargy, vivid sometimes disturbing dreams. DON'T TAKE WITH ALCOHOL!! | Because Lyrica is not approved for GAD in Canada, there is not a lot of info out there with regards to this off label use. My doc started me on this drug at a low dose of 25mg/day in an attempt to get me off of the 1mg of ativan that I was on. The 25mg didn't help so I was bumped to 50mg and then to 100mg. This drug is funny and I'm unsure what side effects belong to the Lyrica and which belong to my benzo withdrawal. I have noticed that I worry less about most things in life. I used to have anxiety attacks at the drop of a hat. The one thing that I MUST STRESS is that if you drink alcohol, DO NOT TAKE THE LYRICA UNTIL THE BOOZE IS OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM. I had two separate experiences where the day after was complete hell. Incredible anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. I am curious to see what the effects of this med will be once I am off of the Ativan. I don't plan on being on this med for longer than a few months. Fingers crossed that I won't have too much trouble coming off of it. Might be a case of out of the pot and into the fire. | M | 32 | 3 weeks | 11/7/2009 | 4 | Fibromyalgia and RSD | When first started got a little high feeling first couple of days then that stopped. Blurred vision which still exists but only for about an hour after taking. I gained weight from medication but I cut the dose and that lessened the weight gain of 30 lbs. | I have had fibromyalgia for over 20 years, and have tried everything and combinations and nothing helped. Taking morophine or other drugs left me druggy but still in pain. I have arthritis too, and take Enbrel injections 50mg twice a week. I am able to function on Lyrica so much better. I would rather be pain free with weight then to suffer. I also recommend Lidoderm patches on trigger points when you have break through pain days. | F | 55 | 1 years | 11/2/2009 | 1 | Fibromyalgia | Did not help one bit with pain or any of the other myriad of symptoms that come along with Fibromyalgia. I also highly disagree with their commercials targeting Fibro patients as if "we want to sit by and take it". I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. | Waste of money and big money at that! | F | 46 | 2 months | 10/29/2009 | 5 | block neuropathic pain in legs from | M | 81 | 7 months | 10/26/2009 | 2 | nerve pain in hip and leg | "drunk" feeling, nervous, difficulty concentrating, unsteady gait | The pain level is definitely improved but the side effects are too discouraging for me to continue taking this drug. As a recovering alcoholic, I do not want something that makes me appear, sound and feel drunk | F | 70 | 5 days | 10/18/2009 | 1 | Sciatic Pain | EXTREME loss of memory, inability to form thoughts and get ideas out (searching for words, just like now...), paranoia, inability to focus on tasks, hostility, malaise, anxiety, depression. I am normally an extremely productive guy in a new job, fantastic written and spoken communication skills, well liked and a good leader, with a real upbeat attitude. This drug really frightened the hell out of me... | I only took this product for 4 weeks and it damn near ruined my reputation at work. I can't remember statements made in meetings, my subordinates began to find me an unreliable leader, I began to feel hostility toward the folks that work for me, and I was sure they were all out to get me. I quit taking this medication as soon as I recognized that this is what has caused these very new problems. Hopefully, in a few days I'll be back to normal, until then I have to watch my every thought, word or deed. Better to live in pain than be unemployed and disliked by everyone close to me. Don't walk away from this one, RUN!!! | M | 57 | 6 weeks | 10/17/2009 | 1 | fibromyalgia pain | I took Lyrica a couple of years ago and at first I felt much better. Then I developed wheezing. I stopped using it immediately and went to Urgent Care where I was transported to the hospital with pulmonary edema. | I would suggest EXTREME CAUTION when taking this drug! | F | 60 | 4 months | 10/16/2009 | 1 | NEROPATHY | HORRIBLE HEADACHES,WEIGHT GAIN, WATER RETENTION,SLUGISH EACH MORNING, LACK OF ENERGY. I HAVE BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND I HAVE STARTED LOSING THE WEIGHT AND THE WATER RETENTION THE HEAD ACHES ARE GONE. | I WAS ON LYRICA FOR A YEAR AND AM SO GLAD TO BE OFF IT. I HAVE MY ENERY BACK ALSO. | F | 64 | 1 years | 10/15/2009 | 5 | Peripheral Neuropathy in feet | Had some grogginess at first, so switched to taking it at bed time. No more grogginess. I had terrible edema in feet and ankles for nearly 10 years prior to taking Lyrica. That has lessened greatly and I once again have slim ankles. Hooray! | Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm taking only 50 mg once a day. Because I had nearly immediate positive results and the burning sensation, electric shocks, creepy, crawly feeling under the skin in my feet and ankles, have all disappeared. Lyrica has helped me so well that I never did work up to taking more. So far no weight gain, but I've been taking it only just under 6 weeks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the once a day 50 mg will suffice longer. | F | 70 | 6 weeks | 10/13/2009 | 4 | nerve pain in back running to leg | short term memory loss (could be age 61)weight gain (but also on lupron)not as clear minded,sleepy about one hour after taking gets better later on | my back and leg pain makes me unable to sit or ride without pain.started with 25mg. twice two times a day now on 150mg. two times a day. now i can sit longer and ride farther with less pain. pain control far overweights side effects for me. | M | 61 | 2 years | 10/13/2009 | 1 | back pain | Bad jolting,hands shaking, not sleeping, no pain relief | quit taking meds | M | 34 | 5 months | 10/13/2009 | 4 | Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | Dizziness, feeling drunk/high (briefly, relieved by a nap and lots of coffee), increased appetite, spaced out feeling | I am on two 75 mg pills twice a day. I have a high pain tolerance, my current condition pushed me past even my threshold for pain. I was on pain pills that I was popping and it wouldn't even take the edge off, so far this is the only thing that has worked, personally I couldn't care less if I gained a 100 pounds I can work that off, I couldn't deal with the pain, I was grumpy with my kids, husband, and critters, I would rather feel drugged out and drunk for a bit then the pain I had before. | F | 34 | 3 weeks | 10/6/2009 | 1 | fibromyalgia | I can't see!! Well, I have vision, but everything is so darn blurry. Small weight gain, no edema, but extreme fatigue and a vague sense that something is really messing with my brain! | Frankly, I don't think the Lyrica helps at all with muscle pain, etc. Fibromyalgia is such a vague diagnosis, I'm not convinced I even have it, and I plan to wean myself from the Lyrica - 300 mgs. per day. | F | 52 | 6 months | 10/4/2009 | 1 | Nerve pain, spine damage | Massive weight gain (60lbs), dry mouth (causing extensive dental problems), swelling of feet, face, midsection, and ankles, mood swings, mental fog, dry eyes, sleepiness, increased urination, lack of sex drive | I was taking this medication for about 1.5 yrs before I realized what was causing the problems. I am 5'6" and when I started to take Lyrica in 2006 I weighed about 128lbs. I reached a peak of 187lbs in Jan '09. At that time I began to reduce the amount I took. I have so far, with 3-5 day per week workouts and drastic dietary habit changes, reduced that to 164lbs. I am astounded to read that the company thinks the side effects are Low. Come on, put Lyrica in browser search and you will find so many negative comments that it seems unlikely they don't know. The medicine does work a little to reduce some pain, but with the side effects, it gives more problems. Do not take this poison. I only hope that now that I have totally weaned myself off, I will be able to reduce the weight further and don't have any long term problems from taking this. | M | 33 | 3 years | 10/1/2009 | 1 | nerve pain | Every side effect that has been described in this feedback, I had when taking this drug for 9 months last year. Yes, I did loose my job from it. It took me 6-9 months to finally wean myself off of it. Everyone needs to get together a form a "class action" lawsuit before it really does kill someone. Luckily, I just lost my job and not my life. This is very dangerous and I cannot believe they are still prescribing it. What does it take for the FDA to take a closer look???? When I started taken Lyrica, the side effects of suicide were not even mentioned, NOW it is. Even on the tv commercials - it has been added. Please someone that can and will - TAKE ACTION NOW! | F | 51 | 9 months | 9/30/2009 | 4 | nerve pain | a bit sleepy and sometimes I don't say the word I want to. I'm more forgetful than a few years ago but that might be age. I take 50 mg 2X a day. The dr. said I could take more but I prefer staying at a small dose even though all my pain is not gone | My pain has REALLY been helped by Lyrica and I drive and teach part-time so I would not want to stop taking it. | F | 58 | 7 months | 9/26/2009 | 4 | trigeminal neuralgia | weight gain 30LB, I take 300 mg in the morning and another in the 300 mg in the evening, I am very tired in the afternoon trouble finding words, disconected from what day it is, month or time of year, I have to remined myself to stay focused .It is a strange kind of floating through the day but not in a plesant way. Slow stomach emptying. | Pain control is very good I suffer from level 10 TN | F | 41 | 3 years | 9/21/2009 | 4 | nerve pain, damaged nerves | 'High' feeling. severe memory loss, too much sleep, some difficulty having orgasm, feet swelled so bad, my shoes would not fit. | It works extremely well and fast for the pain. Kills nerve pain better than anything else out there, in fact it is the Only thing that has worked for my damaged nerves (due to accident). | F | 39 | 16 months | 9/20/2009 | 3 | Peripheral Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia | For the first week and a half I got really loopy and sleepy, and couldn't really do much of anything except sleep and stare at the TV, but after that week and a half the symptoms cleared up, and I haven't really felt any others. (No Weight Gain or anything) | I was origionally on 50mg 3x a day, but am now taking 100mg 3x a day. It does seem to help (as I do have less pain from my PN than before) but it could be better. (It was no miracle cure) And it hasn't seemed to do much for my Fibro. | F | 22 | 1.5 years | 9/20/2009 | 1 | Back Pain/ Right sciatica | Very dizzy and confused, worse with increased dosing of the medicine. I could not think or express my words properly, felt like I was in a constant fog | Would not recommend this drug at all | F | 37 | 2 weeks | 9/18/2009 | 2 | failed L5S1 spinal fusion | Not any side effects to mention | am currently taking 75mg twice daily along with darvocet, don't seem to be getting pain relief | M | 41 | 30 days | 9/16/2009 | 3 | DDD, nerve damage in leg | Weight gain, big time. 30 lbs in 5 mos! | Am supposed to take 50 mg 2x day but only take once bc got too fat! Want to ask my doc to go off. It helps a great deal, pain level is much lower on full dose but the extra weight to carry around will make things worse. Really don't have any other side effects but the weight gain is enough for me. I'd only recommend this drug if you are underweight to begin with, you will fill out fast. But if you are where you want to be or overweight, give this drug a pass! | F | 50 | 5 months | 9/15/2009 | 2 | Fibromyalgia | Primarily,my memory began to fail so badly that I almost lost my job. I could not remember previous statements made to my employees and was even accused of lying because I couldn't remember what I had told them. I felt as if I was in the Twilight Zone! Was in a deep fog, unable to make decisions, became irritable. I also had difficulty getting myself awake in the mornings and never did realize any relief of my pain. After taking Lyrica for approximately 1 year, I began to wean myself off last month and am now off without my doctor's knowledge. I have noticed that my memory and thinking processes improved within a week. Mentally, I am so much better as I try to recoup my job duties. I see my doctor later this week. | I agree with one of the other commenters, that there may be a problem with taking Lyrica with some other meds. I also took Cymbalta with the Lyrica, but I am continuing so far with the Cymbalta. | F | 62 | 12 months | 9/15/2009 | 1 | Fibro | Weight gain, almost 30lbs, water retention, swollen feet, face, dry mouth, heavy and prolonged period, forgetfulness, lost of word, feeling high, relessness, trouble sleeping. Oh did I say weight gain. | I have been on this drug about 2 months now. At first (after a dose increase) all seemed well: sleepiness and staying asleep, no pain and being relaxed. Then all hit the fan. Massive weight gain and water retention in my feet. Sleeplessness, mood swing and having a cycle going on the 3rd week. I am at the point where I would rather the pain cause all that other stuff comes without the drug. Being active duty and gaining all this weight is a bad thing and having to wear boots all day is no better. Can someone tell me if something better is out there. I have my doctor appont in 3 days!!! Help please. | F | 32 | 2 months | 9/14/2009 | 1 | Seizure Disorder | Side effects began mildly, but continued to escalte, despite a decrease in dosage. I initially experienced dizzy spells, motor weakness/dropping objects, increased urinary frequency, difficulty sleeping, word loss syndrome, difficulty concentrating, and impotence. Side effects progressed to falls, urinary incontinence, severe mood swings, hostility, paranoid ideation, physical violence, and suicidal ideation. | I began to experience seizures following a stroke nearly 13 years ago. I have since been a number of anticonvulsants, none of which produced the severe side effects of this drug. After approx. 1 month on a low dosage with no side effects, I believed this to be a "mild" medication (as described by my Neurologist). However, I then began to experience the above side effects, most alarmingly psychopathological symptoms. I did not feel like myself, felt irritable, easily agitated, and ready to "snap" at slight provocation. I threatened and nearly injured my loved one, became despondent and suicidal necessitating psychiatric hospitalization. This drug is very DANGEROUS, and should be withdraw by the FDA. PS- I am 60 years old and have never exhibited any behavioral or psychiatric pathology prior to taking Lyrica. | M | 60 | 2.5 months | 9/12/2009 | 3 | Fibromyalgia and neuropathy in feet | Extreme weight gain, fogginess, short term memory loss, irritable, fatigue, drunk-like feeling at first | I was prescribed Lyrica about a year ago. I started on 50mg. twice a day then up to 150mg. twice a day. I felt very strange, almost drunk but with much more intensity. I've gained 20+ lbs. and I'm sure that's not helping with the pain in my feet OR my fibromyalgia aching. Lyrica helped with my pain but my feet began to worsen so I was increased to 225mg. twice a day. After a few months, my feet began hurting again. I was sent to ANOTHER neurologist and he's now weaning me off the Lyrica and has prescribed Savella. The withdrawals from Lyrica are the worse thing I think I've ever been through. I got down to 225mg. once a day but my mood was terrible. I was unable to sleep much and not good when I did sleep. The headaches are unbearable and I wanted to cry all the time. My thinking became very unrational. I'm back at 150mg. twice a day just to give myself and those around me a break. Overall, Lyrica worked at first but gradually stopped even with an increase in mgs.. I've been on alot of medications since most doctors have no idea what to do with fibromyalgia patients but I have to say these are the worse withdrawal symptoms of any drug I've had to wean from. I'm not sure what other side effects I've had from this drug now that I've read alot of these reviews but I want off this stuff now!! | F | 50 | 1 years | 9/11/2009 | 4 | fibromyaglia | Extreme sleepiness at first, I stayed close to home for a while. I little brief numbness at first, but that passed. I still feel really loopy and sleepy at times, but it is better. My pain is much, much better. Gained only 5 pounds, but I'm a small person. | I found it to be very helpful, my pain is reduced and I'm going to continue it. I'm hoping the sleepiness will pass as I am on it longer. It also helped with my anxiety. My dh takes it for migraines and is very happy with it. I'm sleeping so much better too. I wake up feeling good most days. Still some days where I'm achy, but I'm taking a lot less pain medication, and some days none. | F | 45 | 2 months | 9/9/2009 | 3 | nerve damage | i started taking lyrica about 5 months ago due to nerve damage and panic attacks.it helped me for a couple of months now im very scared that its making matters worse.im having tingiling in my arms and legs again and when i go too sleep i try to wake up and feel like im being suffocated.it is really been scary.i take 75 mg twice a day and iam going to call my doctor and try to get off of it.and its costing me 155.00 a month,i dont recommend this to anyone i feel really nervous and its making panic attacks worse. | F | 43 | 5 months | 9/9/2009 | 1 | fibormyalgia | addictive, memory loss, concentration loss | F | 29 | 9 months | 9/9/2009 | 3 | Burning sensations. | Creeping malaise. Word searching. Fatigue. Rash left arm, shortness of breath. | I began taking 50 mg. capsules twice a day about 4 weeks ago for undiagnosed burning sensations, mostly in my feet. At about the 2 week point I started having mild episodes of dizziness (or feeling momentarily intoxicated). These episodes have increased in both severity and frequency to the point where the feeling is now continuous. Additionally I noticed a rash on my left bicep, and had difficulty breathing under exhertion during weeks 2 and 3. The prescribing Dr. told me it might make me a little sleepy, but made no mention of watching for allergic reactions, and certainly no mention of perpetual dizziness and out-of-body experiences. I put a call in to the Dr.'s office today to ask about tapering, but no response yet. I've experienced the unpleasant withdrawl from SSRI drugs before, but LYRICA has those drugs beat by a mile. I feel like the life is being sucked out of my body; like my brain is moving 3 steps behind; and like I'm stoned. This stuff has proven to be an awful, beastly thing. I'll take the parathesias back. Why didn't anyone warn me about this demon in a capsule!!! Ahhhhh!!!!! Caveat Emptor | M | 44 | 4 weeks | 9/8/2009 | 3 | Chronic back/leg pain & spasm | Weight gain, ankle swelling, foggy brain. | I have chronic back & leg pain and severe spasm & leg twitching for over 30 years. I wan on baclofen for spasm and neuropantin for over 5 years. My nuerologist recommended Lyrica to replace neurontin. For about 3 weeks, I felt really good. Pain was reduced significantly and I felt really great. I was also able to sleep deeper. However, few serious side effects kicked in. I've gained about 10-15 pound in within 6 month. I work out regulary at the gym but it didn't help at all. My ankle started to be swelling all the time. Finally, after about 1 year, I had to stop taking the lyrica. My weight gain made my back and leg pain worth. It's been about 5 month since I stopped taking it but I still can't loose my weight. | M | 48 | 1 years | 9/7/2009 | 1 | fybromyalgia | have not taken it for a year and still have side affects from taken it i now sometimes can not remember things i get lost in a fog and i get scared to drive so if you take it you will be sorry deal with the pain stop eating red meat drink green tea it helps not to eat red meat . | M | 42 | 3 months | 9/5/2009 | 1 | Disc protusion, nerve pain | Feeling very drunk, hyped-up, blurred vision, slurring words, dropping things | 3 days ago my doctor prescribed one 75mg tablet twice a day. The lst tablet I took at night, so didn't feel any side-effects. After taking my 2nd tablet the next morning I felt high, vision was blurry and when my husband arrived home that afternoon he thought I was drunk as I was dropping things and slurring my words, on the plus side I felt good!! Took tablet number 3 that night and had the best night's sleep I've had in years (I usually waking up 3 or 4 times a night but don't think I woke up once) In the morning took 4th tablet and again felt high, vision more blurry, talking very fast and increase in appetite. With all of these side effects, the pain that I am taking it for has hardly been helped at all. Have decided to stop taking this drug as these side-effects are too disturbing, only thing I will miss is the good night's sleep!! | F | 56 | 2 days | 9/5/2009 | 3 | Fibromyalgia | Dizziness, brain fog, mood swings, crying for no reason, irritability, sleepyness. | This drug *worked* for my Fibro pain. After one week at 150mg per day the pain was nearly gone. After another week at 300mg per day there was no pain. Unfortunately, the side effects were awful. I felt high all the time, I couldn't remember anything - I was constantly searching for the right words. The brain fog was even worse than my fibro fog. When the mood swings kicked in, I had to call my rheumatologist and ask to be put on something different. In short: It works, but the side effects aren't worth it. | F | 1 months | 9/3/2009 | 1 | MS | extreme twitching of shoulders/arms, felt completely drugged and out of reality, insomnia | I was put on this drug during a prednisone taper for burning pain from MS. After the 3 week prednisone taper, I stopped the 50 mg of Lyrica and completely quit sleep. I'd go for 4 days/nights without sleep and would then sleep for 2 hours and the cycle would repeat. I then tried to reinstate the Lyrica (50 mg) reading it helped with sleep but would still get only 2-4 hours/night. Doctor then added Ambien (same results) and Lunesta (same results). After being on for 2 months and having extreme twitching/insomnia, I tried to stop again. Went into horrific insomnia. Not sleeping for 5 nights and then sleep 2 hours. After 2 months of this, doctor put on Remeron which slowly helped to get 4-5 hours of sleep. Currently withdrawing from the Remeron. Prior to this nightmare, I always slept well and soundly. Evil drug. | F | 42 | 2 months | 9/3/2009 | 1 | Fibromayalgie | My doc gave it to me for my neck pain and during first 5 weeks everything seems ok. But then sudden side effects like terrible joint pain especially at neck and pelvic, hipoglisemi attacks, heart and stomach problems and serious anxiety appeared. My doc said to cut of it within a week. It's almost one week that I couldnt take the drug but I still have Awful withodrawal effects like serious headache even do not concentrate on anything. I wish I couldnt use this POISON and hope it goes from my body soon.. | Never use this drug, it should be banned | F | 33 | 2 months | 8/25/2009 | 3 | Shingles | drowsiness, dizziness, blurred/double vision, loss of appetite, headache, mood swings/depression, nausea | It has helped with the nerve pain but the side effects are terrible! I'm still taking it right now and can't wait to get off of it! | F | 24 | 10 days | 8/23/2009 | 5 | epileptic siezures | increased appetite but it's OK Maybe a little light headed | I sleep good and wake up clear headed and ready to go(all new for me)I took it for a few weeks then switched to a generic because I don't have insurance for brands but the generic made me drugged. I'm back on Lyrica now for a week and will find a way to pay for it($300 per month)It's given me a life, now I can find a job. My wife likes me better. | M | 62 | 7 days | 8/22/2009 | 4 | Fibromyalgia, GAD | eye twitching, slightly blurred vision, increased tendency to fall asleep, feeling "high", poor balance, water retention, decreased urination, gas, weight gain | This is a powerful drug that has a lot of side effects but so far I'm really pleased. I've been on Lyrica for about two weeks, one week on 75 mg and the next on 150 mg. I also take .5 mg of Flexeril at night to help me sleep. In spite of the side effects, it has gotten rid of persistent excruciating back pain, tingling and weakness in hands, anxiety depression and severe insomnia. I'm able to do most of what I used to do: sewing, playing the piano, cleaning, cooking, artwork, hoisting granchildren, etc. I was a pretty busy person involved with many things before I was felled by fibro and pretty much incapacitated. It has also worked wonder on my anxiety disorder and feel much less stressed out. I had been reluctant to even go to a doctor with fibro, since the first Rheum doc told me 5 years ago I needed to pursue an "aerobic exercise program", which made it worse. I did a lot of "other" treatments: I am on the Paelolithic diet and take B-12, Magnesium and Fish oil, which helped a little but not enough. I also tried Guaifenesin (worked a little, then built up a tolerance and then it caused severe urethritis), Ativan (same problem), Soma (a complete waste of a drug) and months of PT (did almost nothing). I knew that my mother probably had Fibromyalgia/GAD and it scared me that I could up an invalid like her. New doc doc said the gold standard for fibro drugs is now Lyrica. I gained 5 lbs but it's just water. I'd rather be fat and pain free than skinny and in | F | 57 | 14 days | 8/22/2009 | 1 | fibromyalgia | It did help with the pain when I first started taking it. However the side effects I have experienced are worse than the Fibromyalgia pain. I gained 30lbs. while taking this med. It caused me to suffer with unbearable anxiety, nervousness, upper back pain, fever, chills, headaches, persistent sore throat, nausea, and sometimes vomitting. Trying to get off this med. is so difficult because my side effect symptoms get worse when I skip a dose or two. | Taking 150mg. daily. Was taking twice daily as prescribed by my doctor. Will soon be off this medicine, hopefully! | F | 42 | 18 months | 8/22/2009 | 2 | facial neuropathy | side effects were worse than my symptoms-headache, severe nausea, sleeplessness | F | 59 | 2 months | 8/20/2009 | 4 | Fibro & chronic back pain | Initially a little fuzzy headed but after a couple of days it went away. Increased appetite. | I'll have to say at 75mg twice daily, my pain has subsided tremendously! For the last 18 years I have taken Lortab 10 mg. six times daily. Now I only take maybe 2 Lortab and that's only to get off of it gradually. For me this seems too good to be true. I'm hoping that I don't experience any of the side effects that I'm reading about. I'm expecting weight gain but I'm ready to fight that. | F | 62 | 7 days | 8/19/2009 | 4 | pain | Felt high/weird in the beginning but after a while I got used it. I do not have pain any longer because of Lyrica. I do not have problems with memory loss or weight gain none of that. I take 50mg in morning and 50mg in afternoon and that is it. It helps me with job performance. I eventually hope to gradually taper off to see what happens, I would prefer to be drug free. Another thing,it helps alot with anxiety, which works out good for me. If your thinking of taking this medicine give it a chance, take small dose for a while. Beware of the withdraw that is associated with this drug meaning, taper off over a few month period. Good luck I know I'll need it. | M | 42 | 7 months | 8/18/2009 | 5 | Ortho pain for 5+ years | Changed the taste of food -- bad taste in mouth. Substantially DECREASED appetite. | The medicine has been a miracle for me. I had been in almost constant pain for 5+ years and had 3 surgeries in the past 4 years, 16 surgeries in the past 30 years due to a terrible car accident. Within 24 hours of starting Lyrica, I am pain free. I am a little sore at the site of my last surgery 7 weeks ago, but nothing compared to what I have been experiencing, and no pain in the rest of my body. I feel like I can have a life again. I have been on Vicodin for 5 years and 1 week, taking as many as 8 a day. I recently was prescribed Narco to take in conjunction with Vicodin when I needed something stronger. Since starting Lyrica I have taken 4 Vicodin. I am thankful that, so far, I have not had any side effect that would make me stop taking this medicine. | F | 52 | 5 days | 8/17/2009 | 1 | Ruptured L5S1 disk | Blurred vision, tremors, short-term memory loss, insomnia | Absolutely hated this medicine. It did nothing for my back pain but I had terrible hand trembling. I'm now on neurontin which when taken with Celebrex has made me pain-free! | F | 44 | 9 weeks | 8/17/2009 | 2 | Diabetic Neuropathy | Swelling in ankle (left side), massive weight gain, dizziness, fuzziness, blurry vision, foggy headed, memory loss, trouble speaking. | I was on Gapapentin for neuropathy, after experiencing heavy swelling from that drug, doctor put me on Lyrica. 50mg a day at first then up to 100. Once on the 100, noticed ankle swelling and serious fogginess of memory. I have great difficulty talking at times to the point others notice it and point it out. Not as sleepy as I used to be though I can still easily sleep 12-15 hours a day. Always extremely hungry so I've packed on quite a few pounds, gone from 160 to 180 quite easily in just a few months. I find it almost to be worse than the symptoms it's attempting to treat. | F | 32 | 2 months | 8/16/2009 | 1 | Nerve Pain - Multiple Sclerosis | Swelling/Weight Gain, High Blood Pressure, Yeast Infection, Extreme Sleepiness/Passing out and falling, Headache, Difficulty Falling Asleep, Increased Number of Hypnogogic Attacks, Severe Leg Pain, Grey Rings Around the Iris of my Eyes, Anxiety, Short-Term Memory Loss | My Doctor prescribed Lyrica, for my Multiple Sclerosis, in hopes that it would ease some of my severe nerve pain. I was very optimistic and even prepared to live with the side effects that many people complain of, as my pain is so bad, that I would literally give an arm or a leg, for relief. After taking the med for one week, I have not had ANY pain relief. I have, however, experienced many side effects, some of which are not acceptable (or, at least, not acceptable, considering the fact that I am still in pain). Here are the side effects that I can think of (one of which, is Short-Term memory loss - imagine that!): Swelling/Weight Gain, High Blood Pressure, Yeast Infection, Extreme Sleepiness/Passing out and falling, Headache, Difficulty Falling Asleep, Increased Number of Hypnogogic Attacks, Severe Leg Pain, Grey Rings Around the Iris of my Eyes, Anxiety and Short-Term Memory Loss. I know what my Doctor is going to say - "You need to stick with it, a while longer, and also, I'm going to increase your dose". Well, no thank you! That's how so many people end up taking 600mg/day and are still hurting! This medication is not for me. You may decide to try it, out of desperation, but just remember - be very watchful, for side effects - some of them are quite serious and should not be taken lightly. | M | 39 | 7 days | 8/13/2009 | 1 | neuropathy,fibromyalia, | immediate weight gain,was on 75mg BID for several years with only this one side effect. Dr. increased to 150mg TID. Slept through 6 months of my life. Higher than a kite most of the time. Family even called pain clinic,thought I was abusing my pain meds.Severe brain fog, memory loss,involuntary body movements,dry mouth,Do not recommend this drug in higher doses.Went back down to 75mg. Some return of symptoms but will live with it rather than deal with the side effects. | F | 43 | 3 years | 8/11/2009 | 2 | fibro | Extreme sleppyness - slept for 16 hours! "Zonked" feeling. Speech: could not think of words I knew to say. Slurred speech. Hands so puffy, could not put wedding rings on. Swollen eyelids. Dry mouth. Crying easily & often. Feel as if I could fall, pass out, esp after getting up from sitting. Can't imagine driving while taking this! | Pain? What pain???!!You'll sleep right through it! PLEASE GO TO FDA MEDWATCH! All the side effects I've read so far are listed there. (Looks like I might have an allergic reaction.) Never been high, but I guess this is what it feels like - not going to stay on this RX. Hope it helps someone out there, please just keep an eye on possible weird side effects! | F | 45 | 7 days | 8/9/2009 | 4 | Fibromyalgia/neuropathy | CONSTIPATION. --> weight gain. "foggy"/lose train of thought easily. dry eyes. | I began taking Lyrica to qualm constant all-over body aches and pains after having MRIs on head and back (to check for slipped disc, MS), many trips to the lab for blood draws (to check: TSH, Free T-4, Vit. D, Mono, Lymes, FSH, etc.), and increasing frustration - as I am an Exercise Physiologist and Personal Trainer who could barely wake up, let alone make it through the day...and FORGET exercise! OUCH! and WAY too tired! Lyrica allowed me to do some mild-moderate training for a short-course triathlon, as the pain was much less (and when fatigue was under control (most days)). I am currently taking 150mg BID but am now experiencing awful constipation (have been since the beginning--have NEVER had problem before) despite a diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Constipation definitely accounts for probably all of the weight I've gained while taking Lyrica - unfortunate, but true - ew. When it's been "a few days", then I am even more tired and sick to my stomach and feverish and get crabby - wouldn't you?!?! I'm sick of taking laxatives to remedy, as I fear it is going to destroy my body's ability to do the work itself. Recently, I went to a Pharmacology In-Service and learned a little about how some pain medications cause "inhibition of perastalsis of the intestines", meaning - your intestines don't do the job that they are supposed to in ELMINATING feces. Ugh. Now what?! | F | 24 | 3 months | 8/5/2009 | 2 | Had nerve problems after back surg | I had what I can only describe as "brain shocks". | F | 43 | 5 days | 8/5/2009 | 4 | chronic back pain after laminectomy | slight feeling of floating -- a bit high. | did not want opiates - needed pain relief. Lyrica works. Only take 75mg before bed each night, which helps sleep but does not interfere with my daytime activities | F | 52 | 1 years | 8/4/2009 | 4 | Paresthesia/body burn and sting | I have a problem sleeping at night. Mild memory loss. Slight weight gain. | Lyrica is a miracle for me.I would have lost my mind if my neurologist had not started me on Lyrica. I take 75-150 mg per day. Before Lyrica my body had burning and stinging skin sensations. I felt like I was on fire. I have gained 3 pounds in two months and have a problem sleeping at night. I have mild memory loss, but is dealing with it. Benefits out weigh the side effects. So far, I am satisfied with the results. | F | 61 | 2 months | 7/31/2009 | 1 | Nerve damage | swelling of legs, nausea, loss of balance, strange gait, loss of vision (can't focus, can't see at night, tingling in arms and legs, can't think straight | F | 49 | 7/31/2009 | 1 | Restless Legs | Cant sleep, slight disorientation, constipation, frequent urination | Beware this drug is very potent. This one could take you for a ride that is not enjoyable. I was told to take it before bed but the problem is that it wouldnt allow me to sleep. I would describe it as one foot in and one foot out of sleep. One evening after taking lyrica I was half in and half out of sleep and I thought my wife was calling me out of distress yet I could not open my eyes and get up to help. I felt trapped in my own body. It turns out that she wasnt even calling me in the first place. Very weird drug so I would not recommend. I never had a chance to fully evaluate the effects on RLS because it created more issues than it helped. | M | 30 | 5 days | 7/28/2009 | 5 | PHN | word loss, brain fog, weight gain | A lifesaver. Neurontin didn't touch the nerve pain (I have it on left trunk, front to back right along the bra line). Finally went from primary care doc to neurologist who prescribed Lyrica. PAIN RELIEF!! Now I have good days and some not so good days, but nothing like before when the pain was shooting and sharp 24/7 and nothing would touch it. The weight gain was a drag - my appetite was like pot munchies. After 2 years and 30 pounds of weight gain, I quit sugar and have lost 15 pounds in 3 months, and no longer have food cravings. The interference with normal thinking persists, but I have learned to do things differently and more carefully (ie read word by word rather than speed reading). Lyrica has been a life saver for me. I am on 400 mg/day. Anything less brings back pain w/a vengence. | M | 58 | 2 years | 7/26/2009 | 1 | back/nerve issues/pain | Fast weight gain although I was very careful to choose my diet, I still put on 8 pounds in one month. Another of my Dr's patients put on 80 pounds very rapidly. I had no extra hunger pangs or cravings to warrent the extra unwanted poundage. | Lyrica did help with the pain I had, it seemed to work in about 5 days after taking Lyrica. I thought Lyrica was my miracle drug and was so grateful for it. I had little or no pain the three weeks I took it, with no other visable known side effects, until I went to the Dr. and got weighed.. That was it, no more Lyrica. I have problems with loosing any weight, and I just could not put more weight on. I didnot have hunger pangs or cravings to warrent the extra weight gain. After stopping Lyrica, I lost the 8 pounds fairly easily, not changing my diet or exercising more. If some of the nasty side effects could be curbed, then Lyrica just may be a miracle drug. I hope that some of the side effects can be eliminated, and until that time happens, I will not be taking Lyrica, nor will I recommend it to anybody. | F | 59 | 3 weeks | 7/25/2009 | 2 | Fibromyalgia | Numbness in face and tingling in body, visual blurriness | I tried this after trying Cymbalta and Savella. I have this tingling 'pins & needles' numbness in my face and numbness in my left leg and foot, which is more widespread than what I experienced with Cymbalta and Savella. I am noticing that my vision is blurry too, it effects me a lot when I drive. I am only on 50 mg a day and I am so worried about gaining weight as I am already around 265 lbs, most of it from taking medications. It does help with the pain a great deal but after reading about so many other side effects I am just not willing to trade the problem of pain for the other problems that come with this drug. I've only been on it 2 days and I am backing off of it right now! | F | 48 | 2 days | 7/24/2009 | 3 | Failed Cervical Spinal Fusion | Fatigue, mental "fogginess", dizziness, cataplexy, nausea. | I have tried to tolerate this medication several times in the past 4 years, without success. My reason for trying so many times is a desire to stop taking narcotics. Initially, the pain relief was impressive; much better than Oxycodone! This effect waned, however, within 1 week. The highest dose I ever achieved was 50mg three times daily, but quickly had to back-off to 50mg at bedtime due to frightening cataplexy-like symptoms (example: a sudden sound could cause me to "go limp" all over to the degree of collapse). It saddens me that I am unable to tolerate Lyrica; the fatigue, fogginess, and nausea are far worse than what I experience with opiates. On the other hand, I hate the way Oxycodone seems to change my personality. I feel trapped. | F | 45 | 7 days | 7/23/2009 | 1 | Herniated disc, degenerative disc | High/zoned out,25lb fast weight gain,very swollen legs, fingers,fainting,did things I don't remember, hair loss | Of course it ends pain. So does drinking a 5th of vodka, but I don't think people should do that either. I bought a $250 camera and don't remember it. My legs looked SO big. Was stiff. My face was puffy. The 25lbs I worked a year to get off and keep off was back on in less than 2 months. I did't connect why my hair was coming out in handfulls until this site. It ruined my long, pretty hair. I fainted in a waiting room and in my kitchen in front of kids. Busted my head and knee up on the tile floor. Didn't feel it coming on at all. Scary! Had withdrawls for 3 days. I wish I had read this site before taking it. Don't do it! | F | 39 | 11 months | 7/23/2009 | 4 | Anxiety | Weight gain (10+ lbs in first 3 weeks), dizziness, mild tiredness, brain fog. | Has completely removed anxiety. Nothing worked for last 25 years and I have taken EVERYTHING. Taking 600 mgs. at the moment. Missing word syndrome is problematic. | M | 40 | 30 days | 7/22/2009 | 2 | Sternotomy pain and neuropathy | Brain fog (very troubling), short term memory loss (very debilitating), trouble concentrating and articulating, rapid weight gain (10 lbs), blurred vision. | Side effects are definitely NOT worth the use of this med. (just my 2 cents worth) | M | 54 | 2 months | 7/22/2009 | 5 | neuropathic pain in legs | Loss of mental acuity - some difficulty in formulating a sentence - knowing what I want to say but unable to come up with the words. The physiotherapist explained that as Lyrica affects the nerve endings for muscle function, thus it also affects every other function of the nerves, such as relaying thought messages. | I found Lyrica excellent. It keeps a lid on the neuropathic pain in the legs which was as a result of back surgery. (No leg pain prior to back surgery.) It allows me to sleep and function during the day. | F | 48 | 4 weeks | 7/21/2009 | 3 | Numbness, burning, tingling | TOTAL LOSS OF LIBIDO, ABILITY TO ORGASM. | I have only been on Lyrica for 5 days. Gabapentin did not work for me. I was on 3,200 mg. close to the max of 3,600mg and it would wear off after 4 hours causing my scalp and face to tingle and burn. Apparently it has a half life of 6 hours. So my Dr. switched me to Lyrica which I could tell a big difference. Tried to have sex with my significant other and I know my body it was like a switch was turned off and could not achieve orgasm. I developed the numbing, tingling and burning after being on Seroquel 600mg. for severe insomnia and depression. | F | 47 | 5 days | 7/21/2009 | 1 | To assist with neck pain | Nausea, always hungry, feel VERY drunk. After two days on 100mg 3x daily it caused chest pain, numb and tingling and cold sensation all over, act/feel VERY drunk, foggy thoughts, depression, mood swings, extremity pain, can't sleep but sleepy all time, and also caused bp to go from 120/80 to 177/106 after about 5th dose, passed out in ER waiting room with increased heart rate also. | check with doctor on strength and really make sure that dr knows you have sensitivity to meds. NOT worth the side effects. | F | 64 | 2 days | 7/20/2009 | 1 | Back pain from Severe Spinal Stenos | The pain relief was moderate. Side effects however were completely intolerable. Loss of libido, loss of orgasm , loss of hair. No medication is worth these side effects. | M | 74 | 30 days | 7/20/2009 | 1 | neuropathy in legs | extreme loss of memory,weight gain, extreme swelling of feet and ankles, elevated pain levels, hair loss, severe hopelessness and sadness, sexual disfunction | Led my doctor to misdiagnois me with Cushings syndrome, depression, etc. I am beginning to wonder if I would still be alive if I would have not just finally pretended to take this med. and actually threw it away! I got my life back, after losing 2.5 years of it, to this med. Just thankful I figured this out before it was too late! Does NOT work. HORRIBLE side effects. I want my lost 2.5 years of life back and ALL the money spent on medical bills and medicine that I did not need!! I am never going to get these years with my family back. This is the saddest part. Hope this NEVER happens to anybody else. | F | 47 | 2 years | 7/19/2009 | 5 | Post-surg L4-L5-S1 pain down legs | I have a dry mouth and some confusion. I've lost 12 pounds. | I had spinal surgery 3/9/09 and 5/18/09 and was prescribed and took my first 50 mg Lyrica 6/9/09 at 9:00 p.m. I could barely walk or sleep the pain was so bad to that point. When I woke up the next morning, I rolled over, sat up, got out of bed, walked to the bathroom - all to the amazement of myself and spouse. The pain has been extremely well-managed since that time. Weight loss is probably due to increased mobility. I will probably wean off of it in the next month or so. I explain to people about my confusion - using the wrong word or forgetting my conversation - as a medication side effect; people are very understanding and helpful. I recommend people try it. Not everyone is a candidate for every medication. I have suggested this for my 79-year-old mother for pain from similar surgery and shoulder pain. If the doctor prescribes it, we will monitor her for symptoms listed by others here. | F | 54 | 39 days | 7/18/2009 | 4 | Facial neuropathy | Initially I was very dizzy and had difficulty walking.I did not drive or do anything requiring good dexterity for two weeks. I had friend drive me. After 2-3 wks the side effects subsided and now there are none. | After trying alot of other meds for nerve pain like neurontin, etc. this is the best drug so far. I take a small dose, 25mg 4 times per day. It has helped the neuropathy even at a small dose. When I increase the dose too much, I get too dizzy. | F | 56 | 1 years | 7/18/2009 | 3 | nerve pain from failed c-spine surg | Gained 25lbs.Brain fog,short term memory loss and difficulty concentrating.Forget words when conversing.Need coffee to stay awake during the day.Balance problems.Loss of orgasm. | I take 75mg Lyrica in am,75mg in afternoon and 150 mg at bedtime.It has helped my pain but at a cost.Hopefully in the future, posterior fusion surgery will make it possible to go off the drug. | F | 57 | 2 years | 7/17/2009 | 1 | Fibromyalgia, herniated discs | Felt like I was in another dimension...pain seemed worse. Had tingling sensations from pelvis to feet and in hands. Tremors of hands and fasciculations. | Tingling (vibration-like) sensations continue, as well as tremors and fasciculations. Drug seemed to trigger them and they seem to be getting worse. Thought I might have developed Neuromyotonia (Isaac's syndrome). Could drug have caused an antibody response? I noticed many others had same reaction. This needs to be investigated by the FDA! | F | 59 | 7 days | 7/17/2009 | 4 | neuropathy/fibromyalgia | Initially, it helped with the neuropathy pain quite a bit but I always felt confused and foggy. I have gained 7 lbs in the last few weeks since starting it and have been having quite a bit of muscle pain in areas that never hurt before. | It seems like a trade off-my leg pain is better and I can move more than I did but the increased muscle pain in my back and arms feel like I have a severe case of arthritis. I cut back to just 50 mg a day and really have not seen too much improvement. Maybe the weight gain,all around my middle, has an effect on the increased achy/arthritic sensation. Will try for a bit longer then will talk with my Doc about alternative treatment if not improved. | F | 56 | 2 weeks | 7/15/2009 | 1 | neurological pain | Diarreah, blured vision, swollen eyes lids, nausea. This stuff is poison it should never be sold or prescribed by the criminal doctors who experiment all these poisons on the unsuspecting atient on behalf of the criminal pharmaceutical companies who pay bribes to doctors and governments in order to sell their poisons. I will never use it again. | It's a deadly poison don't take it, have physiotherapy instead. | M | 40 | 5 years | 7/13/2009 | 2 | Nerve pain in leg from my back | I am a physical therapist who was started on 50 mg 2xday for nerve pain in leg. After 2 weeks developed arthritic pain in my hands, elbow and pain in both feet. 2 months later got severe chest pain while exercising but EKG and MD say its not my heart. Chest feels like brohchitis and worsens with exercise only since starting Lyrica and I have exercised for years. | My leg pain was better than it had been in past 2 years but quit taking it when I read in the drug book it can cause arthralgia(joint pain), myalgia(muscle pain) and chest pain. Foot pain and hand/elbow joint pain improving but chest still bothersome. Otherwise, I am totally healthy and on no meds. | M | 50 | 3 months | 7/12/2009 | 1 | Fibromyalgia | Extreme swelling of fingers, lower half of legs and feet. Considerable weight gain in a short amount of time. Hungry more often. More hair loss than usual. Skin, nose, eyes, and mouth often excessively dry. More tired than I was before - I just want to sleep all the time. Brain fog and memory is worse than before I started taking it. | Like others I've read in this site, started out good. The fibromyalgia pain was still there, but not as bad. I also slept well, at first. My dr started me out on 2-50mg per day. But that made me SOOOOO tired. So I cut it down to 1 pill at bedtime. I was doing ok with it until recently. Now I have all of these side effects that I see most other people are describing in here and the side effects are as bad as having the fibromyalgia. I can barely get my shoes on my feet because they are so swelled. My rings are now hard to get off because my fingers are so swelled. I proudly lost 30 pounds in 2004 and now just in the last few months I've gained 30+ pounds! I'm having more brain fog and memory loss than usual. My sleep is more off than usual, hence being tired all of the time. The good part was that it took away my severe menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea symptoms every month (something I had to deal with since age 11). But I cannot take these side effects either, so I don't know what I'll do now, but I definitely have to talk to my dr about going off of the Lyrica. | F | 38 | 11 months | 7/12/2009 | 5 | Fibromyalgia | Extremely blurred eyes, swollen fingers, extreme dry mouth, stuttering, a loss for words, hair loss in the beginning of treatment, increased appetite, but maintaining weight with exercise, A "fog" feeling a lot of the time. | This medication is a godsend to me!! My pain was horrible for years, to the point where I could no longer work. I was a mess! Although I have many symptoms, it allows me to live. I was not living before taking Lyrica. To the individual who states there is no such thing as Fibromyalgia....you need to live in my shoes for a few days! You are a very narrow minded individual! | F | 40 | 1.5 years | 7/8/2009 | 1 | Chronic Neck Pain | Being "high" and loopy. Tired. Swelling in ankles. Bloated stomach and gassy. Tingling sensations in legs. | I wouldn't recommend going on this medication. It scared me when it made me foggy and loopy and changed my personality like I was not myself. This happened very soon after taking the medication. It helped the pain, but only to the point were it made it a duller pain not taking the pain away. | F | 43 | 4 days | 7/7/2009 | 4 | Fibromyalgia | Achieved relief, but had excessive side effect of weight gain. | Being Osteo-Arthritic, added weight created more problems than the Lyrica was solving. It helped with pain relief, but weight gain was more than I could handle. Had to quit Lyrica. On the above scale with regard to pain only, I would have to rate Lyrica as a 4 satisfied. | M | 73 | 1 months | 7/6/2009 | 4 | C5-prolapse, muscle spasms/pain | Taking 75-100mg Morning and 125-175mg at night. Lower doses were not as effective. Drowsy all the time - if it wasn't for coffee I'd be horizontal, concentration and memory loss, forgetting words and sentences dry up! Mood swings, some small amount of weight gain (but I'm less active due to illness). Apetite varies from day to day | I found lyrica helpfull in stopping pain from muscle spasms and nerve comrpession, I was having awful neck and head aches which were debilitating at best and did the job where drugs like codeine and steroids had not helped (the constipation from taking codeine was also a reason for stopping). Getting a good nights sleep has helped me cope with my symptoms and although i agree that Lyrica has some very undesirable side effects - I would not swap for a lesser effective drug at the moment, all drugs have side effects(even herbals). I would recommend that you explain what you are taking and let your family read up on Lyrica, my OH was very frustrated with me at first and we argued constantly due to my forgettfullness and lack of concentration, he's now more tolerant as he knows it is out of my control and he helps me remember things I've said (visa versa). I am looking forward to coming off Lyrica after I've had my operation to remove the offending disc in my neck in a few weeks, I am concerned at stopping suddenly - there seems to be little info on coming off Lyrica! | F | 37 | 5 months | 7/5/2009 | 2 | syringomyelia from car accident | extreme sleepiness, loss of mental acuity, balance problems, twitching, constipation | I'm on 250mg/day (staggered into 3 doses). For the first few months it seemed to be a miracle drug - not eliminating my pain, but making enough of a dent for life to be bearable. In the last couple of months, though, the brain fog and sleepiness has gotten so much worse. From 2 hours after taking a dose until 6 hours after I just. can't. think. I could deal with the balance, twitching, and constipation, but I'd rather be in constant pain than lose my intelligence, and as I *have* to be able to drive, the sleepiness is dangerous! | F | 31 | 10 months | 7/5/2009 | 5 | burning rash | none | from a severe burning rash in the groin and buttocks so bad i could bareley sit down to relief of pain that enabled me to recover from the rash with reasonable comfort | M | 64 | 2 months | 7/4/2009 | 3 | Pain shooting down arms and legs | I feel sleepy all the time, but the pain is gone. A little weight gain. Only been on Lyrica for 1 month. It has completely wiped out my sex drive. | M | 46 | 1 months | 7/4/2009 | 1 | Fibromyalgia | Weight gain of 120 lbs., Lethargic all the time-using caffeine to stay awake, sometimes so tired I have slept over 24 hours, on 450 mg. that is 225 mg. two times a day. Have to use gum if liquid is not near by to help with sever dry mouth, muscles cramping all over my body for hours, pain so bad I scream while crying, finally contacted ALS website and went on magnesium of 2400 mg. a day to stop cramps, it worked but my doctor is worried about my heart, yet it did not bother any doctors when I almost kicked one in the face while he was trying to examine me because sever muscle cramps started all over my body and I was crying and screaming in pain. Swelling of feet and hands, many new medical problems and no doctor seems to be keeping up with the Lyrica drug issues. We really need better medical information for the patient and doctors must READ. This I believe will come once we have more government control | After two days when I began on 50 mg twice a day it took away pain in all 18 trigger points. Now 2 years later it is another story. I was amazed and told the doctor I had at the time that yes drug worked for now, but this has happened to me before with other drugs. Now being up to 450 mg a day. I even started calling Pfizer they told me that my weight gain should not be that much, but the foreign pharmacist at Pfizer did not even ask how long I had been on Lyrica. | F | 61 | 2 years | 7/2/2009 | 3 | fibromyalgia | weight gain, difficulty with concentration;blurry vision; hair loss.hungry ALL the time.pelvic pain | increased dosage from 50 mg day to 100 mg a day 4 months ago. had been on 50 mg a day previously for 2 years. Hair loss is significant. reduced dosage back to 50 mg a day see rheumy in 2 weeks. | F | 46 | 3 years | 6/29/2009 | 1 | CRPS/RDS | Agression,anxiety, manic | I am posting this about my son, this medicine is bad. I always know when he is on it, he becomes a different person, agressive, angry, manic. I can not convince him that there is something wrong, he does not see it. | 6/28/2009 | 2 | fibromyalgia | I was initially taking 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg.at night. For two wks. I felt great.Greatly reduced pain. Great sleep for once and mood elevated. Felt like I had been drinking too much by the afternoon though and was afraid to drive etc. Pain started to return and noticed my thought process was confused. My dr. suggested reducing the amount by one pill(50mg) in the morning since sleep was most beneficial to me and that still seemed to be working. I have now reduced to just taking 100mg. at night. I notice a numb feeling in some of my limbs at times, just slightly but enough to take notice of and the tingling or pins and needles that others have mentioned. I will probably continue taking for a few more weeks till I reevaluate with my dr. | This is a very potent drug with a lot of side effects for a lot of people it seems. I don't dwell on my pain the same as I did before taking this drug. I do sleep better. My blood pressure is considerably lower by at least 10 points and I did gain at bit of weight but have lost it. | F | 61 | 10 weeks | 6/27/2009 | 2 | pudendal nerve entrapment | I find myself not able to finish a sentence - can't recall the word I want to say next. Quick weight gain (now 20 lbs)- most of it is in my abdomen. Have fluid retention. Very constipating drug. Slight problems with imbalance. When I sit down at the end of the day, I almost immediately fall asleep and begin to dream. Wake up frequently and start to talk about the dream; using only two or three indistinguishable words, then I am fully awake and don't remember the dream or what I was trying to say. (This sleep/dream/awake cycle goes on until I get up and go to bed). I find myself doing simple things wrong, then immediately know it was incorrect (example: Today I used the car lock button on my car keys to turn off the tv set, then immediately knew I should be using the tv control to turn it off). Have a tremendous amount of bloating and flatulence. Feet swell occasionally. Have cramps in both feet at the same time in the balls and toes. Have to take deep breaths occasionally to get en | I am taking lyrica 200 mg three times daily - built the dosage up gradually during the first 15 weeks to get to the 600mg daily. I also take 60 mg. of cymbalta twice a day. I've been on both medications for six months. I have had chronic pelvic pain with sitting for seven years and finally received a diagnosis of pudendal nerve entrapment. I have tried numeroous prescribed medications without any success in alleiviating the pain. The lyrica has only taken a small edge off the pain - bringing the pain level from a 9 to an 8. All the side effects are too many for one drug - I've never taken a drug and had this many side effect! In August I see the specialist who is in another state to see if he will try a different medication for the pain from the nerve damage. | F | 64 | 6 months | 6/26/2009 | 2 | Back surgeries---in constant pain | Felt drunk--could not stand up, mind in high gear, sleepy all the time, restlessness, cloudy mind, felt like I had no control. | Can't say I wouldn't recommend it due to it affecting people in different ways, only that it did not help me. | F | 59 | 2 months | 6/25/2009 | 1 | pain in hands and feet | Increased energy, Twitching, swelling in hands and feet, overwhelming sense of wellness, Anxiety | DON'T TAKE IT. I felt great at first - I cleaned house - lots of energy- but it was really messing with my brain in thought processes. At first, I was telling my doctor that this was the drug for me --wow -that was a mistake. Please be careful. | F | 54 | 3 months | 6/20/2009 | 4 | Myelopathy and Neuropathy | A CURE FOR NARCOTIC ADDICTION (i.e., prescription pain killers). Some short-term memory loss, weight gain, and a little drowsiness. | Took 75mg twice a day for pain, tingling sensations, and spasms in my legs. Shortly, everything went away after my first couple of doses, except for a little tingling and a few spasms, periodically. This drug immediately took away the need for the pain killers--without any withdrawals. I was on the pain medicine for almost 1.5 years. Through much prayer, I'm miraculously being healed. No longer need the Lyrica or pain killers! Couldn't walk without assistance at first, but now cruising toward normal ambulance! | M | 49 | 2 months | 6/19/2009 | 4 | Lumbar spinal stenosis--pain | A slight "loopy" feeling, at times. Some drowsiness effects, counteracted with coffee, while at work. Forgetfulness, at times. | I'm a 55 year old male, working in a sedentary occupation, and I have been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, secondary to arthritis of the spine. I also have bulging discs, and a major herniation in the thoracic vertebrae. Osteophytes in my lower back impinge on the nerve roots, causing significant pain. My medications include Tylenol SR, Advil, Soma, Flexeril, and Ultram, which is a synthetic narcotic developed in Germany. I have had nerve ablations in the lumbar region, and also steroid injections. The beneficial effects of these last an average of six month. I was calling my primary care doc for refills of Ultram, which were refilled. At the last appointment, my doc suggested Lyrica, subsequent to seeing in the chart, that the pain clinic has prescribed this drug, at some point earlier. I must say I was in pronounced, sharp pain since last Saturday, after sitting in a portable chair, watching my children play a soccer match. Muscle spasms set in. I called my boss, Monday morning, and reported a sick day. Today, I had trouble moving off the bed. I showered, and got dressed, with my wife helping me with my socks. I caught the train to work, in pain. I was pretty miserable. I gobbled three 25 mg Lyrica late in the afternoon, and the relief came in about 45 minutes, thereafter. I was able to move, without the shooting, and sharp, pain sensations. I may try to be more compliant, on the basis of this success, today. | M | 55 | 1 months | 6/16/2009 | 1 | burning in arms | Within hours of starting Lyrica, I experienced NEW BURNING in my face (cheeks, nose, ears, around eyes, and under chin/throat) and legs (feet, shins, calves, inner & outer thighs, buttocks, genital area). Even though I stopped Lyrica 4 1/2 months ago, these side-effects have continued and are worse. Additional, gastro-intestinal side-effects included bloating, irregularity, intermittent sharp pain etc, which ceased when I stopped using Lyrica - except five months later I have almost constant low-level nausea, which may be a manifestation of burning on the 'inside'. Lyrica has made a condition which was limited to my hands & arms now spread to almost my entire body. It has made a condition which I tolerated for 10 years 100x worse. | I have had burning in my hands & arms for 10 years, which began as RSI from computer use. I have tried many approaches to deal with this, without positive result. I used Advil to dull the pain. In January, a rhuematologist put me on Lyrica (150mg) for 'idiopathic autonomic peripheral neuropathy'. Within hours, I felt new burning in OTHER parts of my body, such as face and legs. I reported this but was told to stay on the drug. When I saw the doctor 2 weeks later and spoke of these continuing side effects she said she had never heard of them before and to keep taking it: that night I found this website and quit immediately. All side effects disppeared for one week and then returned... It has been nearly five months now and I have almost constant burning in my legs, feet and face, accompanied by low-level nausea. It is not going away, but on the contrary, it is getting more intense. This drug has done something terrible to my brain and body. Instead of turning nerves off, it has turned them on. How do I undo what it has done to my nervous system? And - do I have any legal recourse? A few months ago, I noticed a listing on this site for joining a lawsuit but the listing disappeared: I would surely join one if I could. | F | 54 | 14 days | 6/14/2009 | 1 | Total confusion and even leg weakness and uncontrolled hand shaking. A very frightening experience. Would much rather be in some pain than to ever experience these side effects again. After stopping it was three or four days before seeing gradual improvement | M | 72 | 30 days | 6/13/2009 | 3 | fibromyalgia | 20+ weight gain, dizziness, brain fog, memory - short and long term, buzzed feeling, tired @ 3 pm; can't stay awake at work; "spaced out" once stopped at red light and suddenly just took my foot off the brake! scary side effects. out of body feeling; blurred vision and a tendency to use alcohol and caffeine to extreme | I had pain relief within days and was so grateful, as nothing else was even coming close to pain relief. the side effects seemed like an ok price to pay. however, the weight gain,bloat, brain fog, memory problems are extreme for me. I missed a dose last week (forgot!) and felt like i had the flu. how does one get off this? I miss feeling like myself. | F | 55 | 6 months | 6/10/2009 | 3 | peripehal neourapathy | Did not know others were having what I am experiencing..weight gain, memory loss. My pain is just as bad as the beginning of taking 75m/2x a day. Do not sleep, pain still wakes me up. I hope one day there will be some drug to help with the extreme pain associated with PN. Lyrica has not been helpful to me, has only added side affects that I did not realize were side affects until reading this website. | F | 74 | 1 years | 6/5/2009 | 5 | Diabetic Pain in legs | None that I can tell exept good ones. | Wonder drug. I can now sleep at night and have felt better both emotionally and physically than I have in many years. Helped my depression better than anything else I have ever tried. | M | 58 | 9 months | 5/30/2009 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
