Drug Ratings for LYRICAAverage Rating: 2.8 (1073 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR LYRICA | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 5 | Migraines | First few days of starting it I was a bit out of it, tired. That went away after a few days. A bit of weight gain. I haven't noticed any other side affects. | This has really worked for my headaches. I am taking 300mg 2 times a day along with zanaflex at night. Also am on Celexa for depression (this was started after taking Lyrica, but I don't believe my depression is because of Lyrica.) I have numerous health issues that have gotten worse recently. I have tried countless things for my headaches and nothing but this has helped. I still get an occasional headache, but nothing like I used to have. | F | 33 | 1 years | 2/19/2008 | 1 | PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY | EXTREME WEIGHT gain of 100 Pounds in less than one Year. NAUSEA | I cannot believe I gained 100 pounds using LYRICA but I did. Unless you have EXTREME medical problems I would stay away from LYRICA. | M | 38 | 14 months | 2/19/2008 | 4 | Fibromyalgia | Taking 150 mg a day. In first 3 days a headache. It took a week to feel relief but when it happened it felt like a miracle. My pain is decrease by 80%. I am a little foggy but that was a side effect i already had from the fibro. I can move and exercise again. However, It has been such a short period that I am keeping my fingers crossed that it continues without many side effects or that and increase of pain will return like with other meds that worked for me in the beginning. A little weight gain. | F | 38 | 3 days | 2/18/2008 | 3 | Fibro | The "mild" side effects I have noticed are: dry mouth, bleeding gums, sore chest, blurry vision,nausea. The more severe side effects for me are: falling asleep at work (I teach, so Not good), rapid weight gain (I gained 5 pounds last week), food is consuming my thoughts (I think about food ALL of the time, so much that it is interfering with my daily life functioning), and I have had strange thoughts of not wanting to live. | On the positive side, I feel better physically than I have in a long time, I am sleeping well(once I fall asleep), and my mood is better. I have been taking Lyrica for ~ 6 weeks. I was on 25 mg. for the first two weeks. I was started on a low dose due to just getting off lots of powerful drugs for multiple surgeries. Then I went up to 50 mg. taken at night. That was when the mild side effects started. After being on 50 mg. for ~2 weeks, I noticed the more severe side effects starting. The side effects have really scared me. I am going to call my Dr. this am to see what he thinks. | F | 34 | 6 weeks | 2/18/2008 | 2 | FIBROMY. | TERRIBLE ITCHING ALL OVER--- SWOLLEN HANDS, FEET/LEGS/ANKLES, AND FACE | IT HELPED MY CONDITION AT FIRST. THE PAIN SUBSIDED, BUT I FELT STRANGE!! THE STRANGE MENTAL SENSATION LEFT SO DID THE PAIN RELIEF. THEN TERRIBLE ITCHING BEGAN.(I ALSO STARTED CYMBALTA AT THE SAME TIME.) I WOULD ADVISE ANYONE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT TAKING THIS LYRICA DRUG!! THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE TOO MANY, NOT TO MENTION THAT IT IS SO EXPENSIVE! I SEE THE DR. TOMORROW, TO ASK FOR ANOTHER OPTION. | F | 65 | 2 months | 2/17/2008 | 3 | Fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy | I am Bipolar. While Lyrica was a magical drug as far as my pain was concerned, I had three frightening manic episodes and felt wired all the time. It kept me awake at night and frightened in the daytime. I was so disappointed that my brain reacted so horribly when body was practically pain free. | I think Dr.'s should be careful when prescribing this pill to patients with Bipolar or perhaps other mental illnesses. Mine kept pushing me to keep on it and I ended up with racing, very suicidal thoughts that could have taken me out and a doctor who was angry because it worked so well for my pain. I'm stopping Lyrica at this time. | F | 78 | 6 months | 2/16/2008 | 3 | Fibromyalgia | Swelling in knee, weight gain, hard time functioning | F | 56 | 2 days | 2/15/2008 | 1 | Fibromaylgia/Joint & Muscle Pain | The Very First Day I had Extreme Energy & Was So Happy, I thought this was the best thing ever. I have been on 35xmg twice a day before I knew it I started getting aggressive, I was mean, hateful, I cried all the time. Roadrage, I couldn't get along with anyone even the Dog. I started having Extreme High Anxiety! I got so bad I started a arguement with a Police Officer. I have gained 7 pounds in 8 days. I feel dizzy, out of it, tired. What happened with the Energy?? I want it back.. | I am 37 yo and have had Fibromaylgia/Cfs/Nerve Pain/Extreme Muscle Pain & Joint Pain for over 14 years. I was desperate to try anything. So I started out slow on Lyrica 35x twice a day. I had a burst of energy first day and thought I could do anything. But shortly after my world came crumbling down around me. Mind you I have only been on this drug for a total of 14 days. I had a mental breakdown during that time. I hate drugs because so many of them are bad for you. And the Side Effects are worse then the treatment. Please do not take this drug. It makes you so sleepy in the morning, so be careful if driving.. I don't want to lose my temper with my loved ones anymore, I had to get off of it. My Doctor said he had never heard of this side effect of this drug, I don't believe that. Read how many people lost their temper while on this...Its really sad, if anyone knows of any drugs for joint and muscle pain please let me know. DON"T TAKE LYRICA!!! GOD BLESS! PAMM | F | 37 | 14 days | 2/15/2008 | 4 | fibro | brain fog; sleepy all the time; difficulty waking up and staying awake; dry mouth; slight loss of balance (occassional) | Taking 150 mg x 2 right now with Lexapro. Beginning to wonder if it is too much because of wanting to sleep all the time. Scares me that I sleep so deeply because I don't hear anything. Skipped lyrica for a few days and noticed that I'm more alert and have more energy. But, skin sensitivity and sensation pain has increased right back to where it was prior to taking. It does help with my pain but hard to function. Thinking of having the doc decrease the dosage for the daytime. | F | 31 | 5 months | 2/14/2008 | 3 | nerve pain, burning, numb sensation | Sleepynes when first started . Confused whether the weight gain is due to lyrica or the prednizone I'm taking. Do have that I don't give a shit attitude, but thats good for me. Was always on the thin side, kinda enjoying being somewhat chubby, and food does taste better, can eat anything with zealous now! Will have to start cutting back on the night binging...nothing else to do...don't want to get real fat. Thats about it. | Started at 25 a day, now up to 300 per day along with Prednizone. Noticed alot of relief when upped to 250 mgs. better at 300mgs. although that did coincide with the prednizone which I'm taking 20 mgs a day now. A combination of these two drugs has helped alot. I do worry about coming off them. But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Not as much worried about the pain, but about the drug withdrawal. I did try to ween myself off the prednizone (stupid, but dr. didn't call me back and I was running out of them) and ran out of Lyrica at the same time, that was a disaster! Never was a pill taker, but they have helped me a great deal and right now thats whats most important! | F | 48 | 4 months | 2/14/2008 | 3 | Rheumatory Arthritis, Firbromyalgia | Dry mouth, constant thirst, bloated stomach and breasts, Pain on tops of my feet, hands and top of my legs. Very strange. The 1st few days I took the medicine, I experienced interupted sleep with, severe headaches, night sweats, nausea, and vomited 2X in my sleep 1 night-Dangerous side effect although the vomiting only happened once and nausea did subside after my 3rd day. Extreme appetite and weight gain. Bloating and water retention. Intermittent wooshing sounds and ringing in my ears. Occasional dizziness and trouble concentrating. Most adverse side effects are gradually subsiding as more time passes. Right now I am experiencing only the constant hunger, weight gain and bloating. Higher energy level with occasional sleepiness. I am still in pain and almost unable to work. I am hoping that with time-my pain will lessen with this drug. | Not a good drug for patients with Reynauds Phenomenon due to swelling of hands and feet which worsen the RP disorder. This drug has up and down adverse side effects. ie: Hyper one minute,sleepy the next. These non-narcotic pain drugs are a joke. Most people (and Drs) are not aware that this drug and drugs like it don't work,are adicting and dangerous and severe withrdrawl symptoms occur when the drugs are suddenly stopped. I have had RA, Fybro-M, Scleroderma, Reynauds Phen. for 9 years. I have tried every pain drug known to mankind. ONLY the opiate drugs work with no side effects and allow me to work and live a normal productive life. It is a grave injustice to those of us who are in need of opiate pain medications, who take them as prescribed and are forced to take drugs like this Lyrica (which are more dangerous and just as addicting as opiates). Because of the abuse of opiates by the drug addicts, my drs will no longer prescribe narcotics for my severe pain. Now my life has been | F | 44 | 1 weeks | 2/12/2008 | 1 | fibromyalgia | Taking 150 mg daily for past 10 days. Experiencing diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth and inability to orgasm. | I've had fibro for 20 years and have not taken medication for at least 10. I'm not getting any pain relief and am not willing to continue to have these side effects, so will probably quit the Lyrica and go back to self-management. | F | 40 | 25 days | 2/12/2008 | 5 | RSD and chronic pain | Mild nausea, constipation, urinary retention when increasing dose, a little tired and dizzy. | This medication has helped tremendously. I have RSD that affects my foot and ankle, and have been unable to walk more than a little bit at a time. The medication has reduced the pain significantly with relatively few side effects. | F | 34 | 45 days | 2/10/2008 | 1 | Fibromyalgia | Severe headache, Swollen glads, soar throught, light headed.... | I took (1) 25mg pill 3 days ago to start treatment for pain which needed to be stopped immediately. Glands became like golf balls and was unable to swallow, severe headache and light headed, caused my asthma to flare as it states "causes weezing and tightness of chest". From this experience, I am now fighting a throat infection caused by the lowering of my imune system, this drug is very dangerous !! | M | 38 | 1 days | 2/10/2008 | 4 | MS | The only side effect is I must take it early in the evening in order for the effects to wear off to be able to function the next day, but it take care of the pain. I have experienced some itching but a couple of asprin take of that. | Good to take at night but not for day time use. In my opinion should only be taken as needed. | F | 49 | 60 days | 2/8/2008 | 3 | Fibromyalgia | Wired, water weight gain, bloating of hands/face, dizzyness, stoned feeling, sleepiness, improper coginitive functioning, increased urination. | I take 75mg 2x daily and it really helps with the pain. I'm down from a 7/8 to a 2/3 pain-wise. I have more energy, lifted mood and feel pretty good while on the drug. But beware, if you miss a dose, the pain comes back worse than before you started lyrica. Side effects taper off after a few days, except water weight and bloating (face/hands) for me. Will stick with it for awhile. | F | 25 | 9 days | 2/7/2008 | 2 | Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia | Huge weight gain. Significant hair loss. | Lyrica was first prescribed for my neuropathy. That is why I have been on it so long. I was taking 100mg 3x daily for my neuropathy. Then it was increased by my neurologist to another 200mg added to the 300 daily I was already taking, for my FM. It did not help my neuropathy which is so bad now that I can't walk. And it did not help my FM symptoms at all. After taking this med for over a year, I finally asked to be switched to something else and have been taking Neurontin now for 1 week. In the week of being off Lyrica I have lost 5lbs. The only good thing I can say about Lyrica is that I was finally getting a good nights sleep. Keep in mind that this medicine IS helping a lot of people. | F | 52 | 1 years | 2/5/2008 | 3 | Fibro, Myofascial Pain, Carpal Tun | Can feel good things; controls acid reflux and lessens TMJ; hair seems straighter, premenstrual mood swings seem more severe; pain has gone from a whisper to an issue again after two increases in dosage (now 300mg/day) and now 2 mos.; can sleep soundly through the worst of pain and can be totally awake during the day with Lyrica | Wish I could go back to the first month on this stuff. Increases don't seem to affect pain, but my sleep/awake life is hugely improved beginning with the second week (first week, lots of fatigue). I don't get back in bed with the pain most days. Hope is always the most dangerous component of pain management. I've let it bite me again on this drug. | F | 48 | 2 months | 2/4/2008 | 3 | Spinal pain & arthritis | Weight Gain, (10 lbs in month), increased anxiety and some depression, alternating aggression and apathy. VERY upset gastro intestinally. major sleeplessness. Periods of dizziness and/or blurred vision. Sore spots on lips and tongue. | Started on 75 ml. Doubled the dose every two weeks until I hit 250. That is when the side effects really kicked in. | M | 44 | 3 months | 2/4/2008 | 5 | Fibromyalgia | a feeling of being able to do anything at the beginning of taking them also a bit of what i can only describe as weird fuzzy head which cleared pretty quickly | i feel this is a very good drug for fibro | F | 48 | 2 years | 1/30/2008 | 4 | Nerve Damage - car accidents | Hallucinations, red lights flashing when trying to close eyes to go to sleep at night. Gets some use to. High feeling (like being high on pot), good mood after taking the drug. Can not work, words bounce off pages when trying to read, can not drive while on drug. It's a drug which means there has to be side effects of some kind. I could not take neurontin. I also did not gain any weight. I am a petite sized person. Not a cure. | I take 200-400 mgs. a day (one pill). I have different dosages depending on my needs. I take the drug around 5:30 at night and it wears off around 10:30 the next morning. I have been on this drug since the fall of 2006. Over a year now. I think it is a very good drug for pain as it has helped me. I couldn't stand the pain from all the injuries to my body after several car accidents - resulting in permanent nerve damage. I am getting physically better (disks) back in place )healed, and will stop the drug by this spring. I will work out to build up my body, instead of using the drug as I can function more & more without it. I don't think it is a miracle drug - nothing is, but it helped me so much with nerve & disks pain not to mention ear pain from the nerve / neck area. The good thing is you can stop whenever you want to stop. The bad thing is you can not work (a job) while on this medication to loopy (high). DO NOT DRINK OR DRIVE ON THIS DRUG. | F | 56 | 1 years | 1/29/2008 | 3 | Diabetic Neuropathy | Not positvive this was a side effect, however after starting Lyrica, 2 middle fingers on hand became enflamed, extremely painful and would not bend. I could not make a fist. I took this for 1 1/2 yrs. After nerve pain in upper thighs went away & was able to get Diabetes under control - I went off the drug. Nerve pain has not come back AND my fingers are totally back to normal. Side effect?????? | F | 58 | 2 years | 1/29/2008 | 3 | migraines | I'm on 150 mg at bedtime and feel very groggy in the morning. It also makes me more tired the rest of the day. I'm pretty spacey & out of it which is uncharacteristic for me. | I just got up to 150 mg a week ago after tapering up from 50mg. I've still had bad migraines, but the last one didn't last as long. Hopefully this is the Lyrica kicking in. I'm sticking with it for now to see if it will decrease the number of migraines. Before Lyrica I was having weekly migraines that lasted 3-5 days. | F | 32 | 3 weeks | 1/29/2008 | 2 | fibromyalgia, they think?!?! | dizziness; headache; sleepiness; confusion; hungry ALL the time; blurred vision; itchy eyes | I have only been taking this for two weeks and am at 300 mg a day; I just don't feel like myself; Have not noticed any pain relief. I am hungry all the time. I will eat absolutely anything, so I am sure that I will gain a ton of weight. For the first two or three hours after taking the drug I am very dizzy and feel "drugged". I am calling doctor today to see what can be done but I am thinking of stopping this drug because it does not seem to be helping the pain anyway! | F | 39 | 2 weeks | 1/29/2008 | 1 | Interstitial cystitis | I am writing this on behalf of my wife who for the last 72 hours has not slept. She was on a 25 mg dosage of lyrica once a day for 33 days. She suffers from intense pain from interstitial cystitis and has an embedded morphine pump with pubivicaine. She is also on Oxycodone, Oxycontin and opium suppositories and has been for years with no side effects. The hallucinations began with her not knowing if it is morning or night time trying to make supper at 6:00 AM. I have stopped the Lyrica for 24 hours now but she is still hallucinating seeing people in the house two men in the kitchen and several children. She sees insets coming out of the toilet and walking around the house. I can't get her to sleep yet not even lie down. If she does not sleep tonight I will have to hospitalize her. I saw no improvement in her pain level. Since last night she has become increasingly paranoid. The hallucinations and paranoia I attribute to the lack of sleep. I have tried giving her Ambien 15 m | F | 73 | 33 days | 1/29/2008 | 3 | chronic headache | 50 mg at night. Been on it 2 weeks. Very tired, foggy, dizzy. Close my eyes and I fall asleep. Not quite feeling like you are connected to the earth. | I have headaches 24/7. Lyrica has helped the severity and has help me eliminate taking pain meds. I have to concentrate to function. All I want to do is nap. I sleep great at night..but don't wake up refreshed. Its like picking your poison...pain or constant grogginess. The doc wants to increase but if at this dosage I feel this crappy..I don't think I could function at a higher dose. DO THESE side effects wear off??? | F | 53 | 2 weeks | 1/28/2008 | 1 | Fibromyiliga | Have that fuzzy feeling all over. Can't think! Makes me feel like I have a ckip on my sholder. Hateful! | Took 75mg 1st night. Felt like a new person when I woke up. Couldn't wait until night to take another dose. Nightmares, felt weird, awfull. Hoped it would go away with time. Night 3.Night terrors. woke up angry to put it lightly. Couldn't think of a good thought if my life depended on it! I have had these side efects befor while taking Prozac. Not for me! increased pain where I didn't have it before. Tylenol is the only other meds. I am taking. I am very thankful that is helping some people. It needs to be tested further! | F | 54 | 3 days | 1/26/2008 | 2 | Nerve Pain | extreme sleeplessness, increased energy, then anxiety and depression, brain fog | I started with 75 mg, prescribed in the evening. For the first 3 nights, I slept hard and felt fine the next day (but no real change in the pain). On nights 4 and 5, I stayed awake ALL night. I called the doc who told me to move the dose to morning. I didn't take any for 3 days while I waited for the doc to call back. When I started the dose in the morning, I had extreme, almost super human, energy the first day. The second day I felt nothing. On day 3, 4 and 5, I started having anxiety which went into deep depression. I finally had to completely quit taking the medicine. I wish I could have waited it out to see if the side effects would stop, but I couldn't handle the depression. I have never had depression, so I know it was the drug. | F | 38 | 10 days | 1/24/2008 | 2 | Fibromyalgia | Weight gain, cravings for carbs and sweets, dizziness | I take 75mg each night. I'm not sure that I ever noticed a decrease in the pain I was having due to Lyrica. I've always been stick skinny but I've gained almost 20 pounds since starting this medicine, but I'm not sure if it can be attributed to just Lyrica. I'm a freshman in college, but I think my activity level has actually increased... just not on days I don't feel good. I'm also taking 30mg of Pamelor daily so that might be a part of it. | F | 18 | 7 months | 1/24/2008 | 5 | Peripheral Neuropathy | NONE | It help my Peripheral Neuropathy 100 percent no side effects. | F | 45 | 60 days | 1/22/2008 | 5 | Fibromyaglia | I took my first one last night and will post more later. 75mg x 1. Negative side effects were that I felt really high, dizzy but I never felt so good physically in such a long time. pain was gone and I felt like I was walking on air. Sleep really well and woke up refreshed. Then the meds seemed to wear off a bit by the afternoon 12-14 hours later and I started to feel tired and a bit of pain started coming back but still not as much as before. | Will keep trying it and will post more later. My doctor said I could take more if I found I needed to in a few weeks but I will contact him if it keeps on wearing off after 12-14 hours. Maybe it has to build up in your system - who knows. | F | 35 | 1 days | 1/22/2008 | 1 | Fibromyalgia | Well, I didn't DIE, I didn't have major organ failure, but other than that, you can pretty much check off every other ADR listed on the "adverse reactions" list. Nausea (esp. in middle of the night, causing aspiration injury 3x to my lungs), dizziness, disorientation (fell 5x in 3 days; major fall on a sidewalk nearly breaking my leg), weight gain, hair loss...pretty much all of them. | I quit it because I nearly died 3x after aspiration from vomiting in my sleep. Non-stop side effects, and never a moment of real pain relief. Would not take it again even if it was discovered to be the miracle cure for cancer. Stay away from this drug, seriously. | F | 44 | 3 weeks | 1/22/2008 | 4 | fibromyalgia pain/seizures | Rapid 20 lb weight gain, increased appetite, painful edema in legs, ankles, feet and hands, morning sleepiness - unable to get out of bed, daytime fatigue, loss of stamina/energy, cognitve problems and recent hair loss, shortness of breath/asthma-like symptoms. | This is such a shame. Lyrica has helped me so much with my fibro pain. My Dr. started me with 50mg 1x day, increasing to 100 mg 3x per day. It helped the pain immediately and controlled my minor seizures. I was able to get off hydrocodone, which I had been on for about 2 yrs. I got up to 50 mg 3x/day. But, I began putting on weight right away. Then the edema became a problem. My hands are so swollen right now I can hardly type. The swelling causes pain in my knees, ankles and feet. I discussed all this with my Dr. and he suggested slowly going off and trying another seizure med that probably wouldn't provide much pain relief. I opted to stay on Lyrica throught the holidays so I could "function" and enjoy myself. It's a trade off - do I stay on the Lyrica and be fat and swollen, etc, but pain free or do I go back to being in pain or dependent on narcotics? I am probably going to wean off the Lyrica because the side effects are too uncomfortable. I also feel that the | F | 44 | 5 months | 1/21/2008 | 3 | Fibroildmyalga | Hair loss when taking Lyrica with; Ultram, Rozerem, Zanaflex, Naproxen. | There is a spot in my upper back that is numb and it tingles and that has never happened before. This happened after I started to take Lyrica. | F | 21 | 3 months | 1/21/2008 | 3 | Headaches | Blurry vision, light headed, off balance, forgetting a lot. | I have been on Lyrica for almost a month. I have been dealing with HEADACHES for almost a year now. The doctors have tried everything. Lyrica is helping somewhat. I need to know if there is anyone else dealing with the pain I am going through. I am on alot of pain meds, migraine meds and Lyrica and I STILL GET THEM DAILY!!!!!! | F | 28 | 30 days | 1/17/2008 | 3 | fibromalgia, neuoropathy | Stomach queezy, constipation, not sleeping well, somewhat bloated feeling, extreme dry mouth and eyes (already had this but much worse), and a bit goofy feeling at times. | Dr. advised to stop neurontin and muscle relaxers, however, Lyrica does nothing to help with the "fibro headache," which I do suffer with a great deal. It's pain stemming from the numb spots at the top of my spine, which consumes head, mainly on the right side. My muscle relaxers do help with this headache, but am taking only 1/2 of what I used to take. I can't see much difference between neurontin and this. I do think I have a little more energy, but the stomach problems just don't seem worth it, and now that I find out it could be addictive, I don't need that! Plus, I'm not sleeping as deep as I was, so what is the point? I don't think I want to take this anymore. | F | 57 | 3 days | 1/17/2008 | 3 | trigeminal neuralgia, neuropathy | 1st day, very dizzy and slept alot. Hard to walk, felt like I was on ship. Cognitive issues, can't think clearly, can't find words. Feel rather out of it and "trippy". Emotions were crazy, laughed wildly at littlest thing, it was as if I had no cap on my emotions at all. Said some inappropriate things. | After talking to others on Lyrica, it seems best to start at lowest dose of 25mg, 1 or 2 times a day and then increase. Obviously, folks are having lots of bad side effects. My dose was 50mg - 2x to start. I have troubling walking at that dose, am going to restart at 25mg. Also take Norco - 4x daily. | F | 54 | 2 days | 1/16/2008 | 1 | Fibromyalgia constant chronic pain, | Life threatening insidious side effects! despair, depression worsened, suicide attempt due to increased depression and despair,terrible mental confusion, unable to complete thoughts or sentences, lost things,sleeplessness,panic attacks,increased anxiety,paranoia,increased pain after quitting the drug, pain where I did not have any ever before (hips and legs). BAD,BAD,BAD very scary drug.I have been off the drug two weeks and still feel horrible. I wanted to poison my dogs & cats, divorce my husband (whom I love dearly and have been happily married to for 25 years and drive my car into a tree to commit suicide.All of these thoughts were drug induced. Thank God my husband realized it was the drug, threw them out and saved my life. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!!And my hair is falling out!! | What a terrifying drug reaction! I was prescribed LYRICA for chronic pain of fibromyalgia and PTSD. I have been taking oxycodone for three years with no adverse side effects. Taking 75mg Lyrica twice a day caused me to lose control of my life. I became anxious, forgetful, lost things I would never lose, forgot to take my other drugs,mentally confused, forgot where I was driving to on the interstate,went to the wrong terminal to catch a flight although my husband dropped me at the right one,irritable, irrational. I became so completely depressed I wanted out of my body, my life, my home, my marriage, all of these thoughts are not ME. It felt very sane to me at the time to decide how to poison my dogs and cats because no one else could take care of them better than me. Since I knew I was driving my car into a tree to commit suicide it seemed logical to me to tell my husband horrible things that were not true so he would think less of me and not be so hurt by my suicide. What a horrible d | F | 55 | 30 days | 1/15/2008 | 4 | back pain, neuropathic pain | Just some tiredness, fitique | Before trying Lyrica I have tried several kinds of medicine with no help, and horrible side effects, finally a new doctor for my problem suggested Lyrica and I tried it, BINGO it brought me tremendous relief after using it about 10 days. As of today my husband got layed off his job, and the insurance was dropped, we now have no prescription plan, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY CASH FOR THIS DRUG, CAN YOU HELP OR KNOW ANYONE WHO CAN? | F | 56 | 10 days | 1/14/2008 | 4 | Rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain | low abdominal pain and cramping, mostly late at night. Some mild dizziness and confusion. | So far I am liking this drug very much. I've only been on it a few days, starting at 50mg 1x a day, upping it 2 days ago to 2X a day. Since going to the 100mg./day dose, I've had some abdominal cramping and mild dizziness, but nothing too bad yet. I've been able to sleep very well with this drug, it stopped chronic deep cramping pain in my ankles and hands within 2 days, and doesn't make me throw up or sleep the day away like most of the other drugs I've tried! Pain has gone from 7-8 range down to a 2-3, except for a little pain when walking that's probably due to joint damage, nothing much I can do there, but the Lyrica seems to help that better than Tylenol #3 (the only pain reliever I can take without vomiting and migraines). | M | 46 | 5 days | 1/13/2008 | 4 | SPMS + FMS | F | 56 | 3 months | 1/13/2008 | 1 | Nerve Injury in Surgery | All seven dwarves running round; Sleepy, Dizzy, Blurry, Stupid, Happy & Doc. Took 75 mgs 1st nite & had to run to store for granbaby cough med & it kicked in on the way & was like the back end of an old acid trip - couldn't focus eyes, burnt out head, but euphoric & buzzy. Figured that might be cuz I was tired so took next a.m. & had to cancel P.T. appt. cuz I couldn't see to drive. Stopped taking. | M | 53 | 1 days | 1/13/2008 | 1 | Fibromyalgia | runs of racing heartbeat from 122 bpm to 290 bpm lasting from 10 seconds to over 1 minute. noticed small runs for only a few seconds on days 3-5 and on day 6 had more than a dozen runs noted above. Also on day 6 fingers so swollen my usually loose rings wouldn't budge. | racing heartbeat not listed as a side effect, but my doctor said he wasn't surprised. | F | 51 | 6 days | 1/13/2008 | 1 | Neuropathy in feet | Weight gain, edema in feet and lower legs, brain fog (couldn't remember names, dates), feet hurt worse after increasing dosage, fatigue. | Seemed to work a little at first, increased dosage to 100mg twice a day, edema started after increasing dosage, put on Lasix for edema, brain fog really bad at times, hair is thinning, decided to get off of this bad drug, did so slowly, however, bad withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, insomnia, diaharrea and headaches. Would definitely NOT recommend this medication to anyone! It should have been tested for a longer period of time. I am going to make sure all my doctors are aware of these side effects and withdrawal symptoms and hope it is taken off the market until more testing is done. | F | 58 | 18 months | 1/13/2008 | 4 | Fibro. | VERY hyper-active! No pain in joints, but my back still hurts alot. I like it so far. Racing pulse, as well. | Please email if you are having the same side effects. | F | 38 | 2 days | 1/12/2008 | 1 | Fibromyalgia and Erythromyalgia | BAD BAD BAD!!! LOOPY and clumsy and rash and just high anxiety. Neurotin was just as bad for me!!! If you are drug sensitive - this is NOT the drug for you. And believe me it is NOT the cure for Fibromyalgia. It is just the FDA's way of selling another drug. | F | 45 | 3 weeks | 1/12/2008 | 5 | Fibromyalgia | Constipation which was a relief since I've had chronic diarrhea since gallbaldder removal five years ago | Was having severe leg and foot pain ( like being in a meat grinder) whenever trying to walk for exercise. Always had to stop. Pain has gone from a 10 to a 1. Not experiencing any bad side effects like others I have read. I actually have more energy now and feel like getting out to do things. This drug may not be for everyone, I can't take strong meds like Percocet but it has been my "wonder drug". | F | 35 | 3 months | 1/10/2008 | 1 | pain in arms and shoulders | abnormal fatigue, very slow reaction, dizziness ... had almost all side effects described, in addition felt pressure and tension on entire head | * at dose 2 x 50 mg pain raised from 6 up to 8, in peaks 9, crying loudly * at dose 2 x 75 mg pain decreasing down to 3, in hands and feet to 2 * electrical and burning sensation in neck, shoulder, arms and back apparent stronger * stopped taking Lyrica because of bloated face, fingers, lower legs and articular, asthma like symptoms, sleep-wake-cycle of 12 hours and immobilization of entire brain and body | M | 53 | 20 days | 1/10/2008 | 1 | anxiety/backpain | My palms would get very blotchy and red and then it would disappear. It was very frightening. | F | 52 | 1 days | 1/10/2008 | 1 | neuropathy, pain | (This entry describes my 89-year-old mother's experience ith Lyrica.) SEVERE MEMORY LOSS, "brain fog," interchanging words, decreased mental and verbal competency, slowed down to 10% of normal mental acuity | I'm convinced this is a "fashion drug," currently in vogue because it's new and being aggressively promoted. My elderly (89)mother, always sharp as a tack, became a slow, bumbling, semi-verbal invalid while on Lyrica. The steady 6-month decline was appalling - and there was even a mysterious facial rash, to boot. I'm grateful to everyone who wrote to this website with their "brain fog" experiences. That allowed me to research ALL my mother's meds (12 of 'em) and determine that Lyrica, the most recent addition, was the culprit behind her rapid decline. The first day she went off Lyrica, she called me and I realized she was baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! :) She was her ol' sharp self. I'm grateful that I won't have to take over her financial and medical affair, after all. | F | 89 | 10 days | 1/9/2008 | 4 | degeneritive disk and leg pain | sleepness, confusion, some weight gain | The benifit I get from lyrica at 150 mg helps. So i will just deal with the side effects, they are not that bad to me. | M | 32 | 2 months | 1/8/2008 | 3 | fybromalygia | First day, 3x's day @ 50 mg. each for a week. Woke up feeling dizzy during night to use bathroom. This morning head little off key. | Was on cymbalta for 1 month first before give lyrica. Cymbalta helped in a week with pain and depression from fatigue. First time in years felt like myself and could laugh and stay awake. Also diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, on CPAP for 1 month also. Sleep so much better. Still on both drugs for now, hoping to go off cymbalta. Don't care to take pills but if lyrica helps overall pain I'll be happy. Worried about side effects, especially weight, so going to do yoga, pilates and swim. | F | 52 | 1 days | 1/8/2008 | 2 | Fibromyalgia | Outrageous headache. Felt like head in a vice. Increased depression. | The first 3 days it was good, so I thought. I was taking 75 mg 2 x a day. The frist 3 days I was up and feeling pretty good and making dinner and having thoughts of doing things again. By the 4th day I was in bed all day with a horrid headache and feeling as depressed as I was before I started. I had high hopes that this was going to work for me and I am dissapointed. | F | 45 | 6 days | 1/5/2008 | 5 | Fibromyalgia | I realized the first day that I cannot take it before bed as it keeps me awake a little. Other than that, NO side effects at all. | I am very happy with this medication. My doctor had to fight with my insurance as I needed to try so many other drugs before approving Lyrica. Nothing else has worked for my pain. The doctor gave me samples of 50 mg and 75 mg and after a couple of days, just 50 mg helped tremendously. I have been on it for almost two weeks now and it is like night and day. I cannot forget to take it or my pain comes back full force though. Finally a medication for fibromyalgia!! | F | 37 | 2 weeks | 1/4/2008 | 1 | Fibromyalgia | I have blurred vision,Severe Anxiety,Gas,Dizzy,Stoned,Extreme Weight Gain in first week,Sores on tongue,Muscle spasms,loss of feeling of bladder,memory loss,agression | I had lost 86 pounds in 13 months and then in Nov 2007 I began Lyrica. In the first 7 days I gained back 10 pounds and became super mean and feeling of despair. I would rather be in pain than to suffer the side effects of this medication! | F | 43 | 2 months | 1/4/2008 | 3 | possible Fybromyalgia, nerve damage | 1st day nausea I threw up the first night. It took 5-7 days to feel some pain relief. I went through the next week great, being able to do physical therapy 3 x's. Then like a light switch I woke up in pain all over and remained in lots of pain for 3-4 days. Luckily I snapped back out of it. I did notice the second week I started twitching under my left eye. It seems to be subsiding. I think my doctor will increase my does since he started me on the lowest 50mg 3x daily. | I had 2 back surgeries in September which resulted in a damaged nerve. I have consistent numbness in some areas and pain in others. I've also gone through boughts of nausea from time to time so after all the gull bladder tests they realized I may have fibromyalgia. I went off Cymbalta to go on the Lyrica. Day one being off I Cymbalta I felt horrible with the worst sciatica in weeks. But then Lyrica did start kicking in eventually. | M | 32 | 1 months | 1/2/2008 | 4 | Fybromyalgia | Blurred vision, headache, some confusion | I have been taking 50mg. twice a day for about 3 weeks. Noticed immediate pain relief but the side effects are bothersome. Anything higher than 50mg.(for me)made me feel like I was on another planet.I also feel hungry most of the time and do NOT want to gain any weight.My PMP says to give it a real chance and I will. I have also noticed a lessening of the anxiety some FMS patients have-I still have to take Lunesta at night to sleep. Any pain relief from FMS is a blessing so we'll see. | F | 3 weeks | 1/1/2008 | 1 | Fibromyalgia | Blurred vision, unable to think clearly, loss of appetite, insomnia. | Neuro told me to take before bed, the following afternoon driving home from work after a day of really not knowing where I was or what I was doing, I almost collided with an eighteen wheeler. | F | 34 | 2 days | 1/1/2008 | 1 | Peripheral Neuropathy | Over 20lbs of water weight gained in 10 months. It just got worse and worse. till my feet looked like balloons. My face also bloated up.I was tired alot also. | It seemed to help my foot pain.I still had jabbing pains up to 30-40 times a day. But that was alot less then before I started Lyrica.My whole foot still remains numb.And now I'm back to very bad pain again. Since I've stopped taking it for the past 7 days my other foot is starting to go numb.But I've lost 8-Lbs of water in the past week. The water weight was just to much on me. I hope to find something soon to help. | F | 42 | 10 months | 1/1/2008 | 5 | fibromyalgia | first few days I had a few incidents of short term memory loss, and confusion. That was at 75mg twice daily. I now take 150mg twice daily. | I am astounded at the decrease in Fibro pain and episodes. I have a grave concern however as I have gained 75 pounds in the 7 months I have been taking Lyrica. I have read that the sudden weight gain may be the result of a combination of drugs I am taking. I need to research this. I take cymbalta and other meds for different problems. I will write again when I get clarity of the combinations. | F | 64 | 7 months | 12/31/2007 |