Anyone take Lyrica for fibromyalgia and pain?

Posted by mmak @mmak, Jul 19, 2018

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few weeks back after a long journey of pain and uncertainty for 29 years. It looks like I also suffer from social anxiety disorder(this I just see from the symptoms I have, not yet diagnosed). Now my Doctor has prescribed Lyrica, I have been reading up on its reviews and most of them are very scary, has anyone used it before or are using it, please advise on it.

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50mg twice a day i've been taking it for a month or two now, it's honestly helped the pain in my body a lot. i also take non stimulant adhd medication i kinda noticed my pain was very well managed after i started taking the combination of the two? but anyways i also got terrified after reading up on lyrica and the side effects (health anxiety takeover) but i think im fine

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I am taking lyrica & it has helped a lot with horrible muscle aching but i also have gained weight. But i am on a lot of medications so i cant say its the lyrica that caused the weight gain. Also, since i still have flareups & i also have migraines, it is difficult to do much exercise because i dont feel the best.

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Profile picture for mmak @mmak

Thank you for your response, I'm also seeing a psychiatrist but only started, seeing him for the 2nd time today. I haven't started on the lyrica, will do so beginning of next week, I got some exercises from the doctor, will also try yoga and medication.

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@mmak learning yoga, meditation and mindfulness were game changers for me!

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I have been using it for years it has made me gain 60 lb and it makes you want to eat like everything but it works wonderful when you're in such pain and I don't know what to do right now I'm in the middle of being fat or being healthy I don't know I'm beside myself

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Profile picture for Jen, Alumna Mentor @sandytoes14

@mmak I too have fibromyalgia. I am presently on Lyrica for the overactive nerves and pain in my muscles. I have been on Lyrica two different times. The first time I had no side effects, I took 200 mg daily. I'm talking the same doseage now but I have gained 20 lbs over 3 months. As @JustinMcClanahan stated, medications affect each person differently. If you get reviews from those who had "bad" experiences please keep that in mind. Give it a fair try. I could probably bet that your anxiety may influence the reviews you get. Do you have an appointment to see a doctor for the anxiety?

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@sandytoes14 same thing happened to me I was on it for like 7 years and I gained 60 lbs that stuff is great for nerve pain but it makes you fat my doctor would not believe me it was the Lyrica I just got off it again I could just feel myself like a pin pushing at my the bloating and everything going away then I had a really bad episode with my bro and out of take 150 mg

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Profile picture for jba @jba

I am taking Lyrica for fibromyalgia and back pain. I recently discovered it can cause weight gain. Can anyone else comment on this? I need to know how to lose weight now. I've gained 10 lbs that I don't want and isn't good for me. The dose of Lyrica I'm on is 75mg three times a day. I took Gabapentin 9 years ago before my back surgery (L4/L5 fusion). My doctor tells me that Lyrica (Pregabalin) is stronger than Gabapentin. I'm not sure about that. I'm also unsure about what the optimum dosage for me should be (questions to ask dr.). I take enough meds as it is and don't want continual dose increases or new meds. I also have CFS. Ah, there is another question: what is CFS/ME? Any comments on any of this would be most welcome. Thanks in advance.

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@jba I take 150 mg one times a day I've been on it for God eight years I gained 60 lb it does make you gain weight and I'm getting off

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Namaste everyone,
I’ve been reading through everyone’s experiences of taking Pregablin. Yes, I did start gaining weight when I first started taking it, but then I adjusted my diet and started doing more movement through yoga and walking to keep my muscles and bones toned. It does hurt now when I exercise, but in the long run, it keeps my body healthy and helps me manage and maintain my weight. The Pregablin, also reduces the neuropathic pain and pains and needles from my fibromyalgia, but when my lumbosacral spondylosis with radiculopathy pain kicks off and radiates from my lumbar and sacral discs, yoga stretches for my spine and breathing exercises are the only things that get me through that tough time.

Everyone’s experience is different, and Pregablin affects each of us in very different ways. I wish you all comfort and blessings. XX

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Profile picture for maritwelker @maritwelker

@mmak learning yoga, meditation and mindfulness were game changers for me!

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@maritwelker
Namaste,
The same for me, I would not be able to manage all of the symptoms such as muscle spasms, pins and needles, electric shock and sharp neurophatic pain and chroinc fatigue without practising yoga, meditation and mindfulness. I also do Qigong that nourishes my soul, people need to be open to the reality that our bodies and minds can help to soothe our symptoms when other interventions fail.

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Profile picture for mmak @mmak

Hi Justin, thank you for your response, yes apart from the orthopedic specialist I'm seeing a psychiatrist, I have only seen him once, going again today, so I will talk to him about the social anxiety and lyrica. I have not yet started on the lyrica so I really do not know how it will affect me, but the best thing will be for me to start it and see, hope it helps.

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@mmak I see a Therapist for cptsd, anxiety and depression. My doctor just diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. I have Hashimoto’s/hypothyroidism. Now I see a psychiatrist for anxiety and sorts. But if you’re not getting help for your mental health ,medication won’t work. Just my thoughts. It took me years to find a therapist I could trust. But anyways. I researched my symptoms, talked to family about history, I was right. Wishing you luck

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