What is the major difference between pregabalin and gabapentin?

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I don't feel an euphoric effects from PreGabalin. Possibly in higher doses, but mine works as is. I understand that gabaPentin is being used to enhance the evvects of certain other and possibly illicit other drugs.

I was on Gabapentin for awhile but its efficacy was doubtful. Then on this forum I read of the connection to the drug and mental decline and I requested to be switched to pregabalin. I still have the full initial bottle untaken for fear of any side effects that I’m reading about in this forum.
My neuropathy symptoms are numb feet and tingling fingertips but the flashes of pain are relatively rare and pass quickly. At this point, what I don’t need is yet another medication with possible side effects. TBC.

My one pain doc said he wouldn't prescribe it preferring instead to use Cymbalta. I take it with the only significant side effect being ED. I would guess PreGabalin would have similar side effects as GabaPentin. So you won't know until you try it. I had the same issue with GabaPentin, but it wasn't very effective.

On Pregabalin awful red rash on face, itching with dry mouth and a cough. Difficulty swallowing and swollen lips. Have restless legs but do manage some sleep dont know what to do next?

Both are simlar in that they are derivatives of the basic amino acid gamma aminobutyric acid aka GABA. The chemical difference is the nature of the amino moiety. IIRC it takes around 2 hours for the effects of Pregabalin to set in. I've taken both and Gabapentin was ineffective. PreGabalin does nothing for nerve pain, but helps control neuropathic chest pain and infernal whole body itching. Without it I'd be considerably more miserable than I am now so it's my friend for life. When I initially looked up side effects I thought that I'd never take that, but you won't know until you try it.

Lyrica absolutely relieves pain of neuropathy in my feet but I have reduced my Lyrica dosing from 400mg daily to only 100mg. I have been taking LDN- Low Dose naltrexone for the past four years and I have hardly any pain at all in my feet but I do have numbness and stiffness that I have not found any solution for except exercise & PT.

@solobeee1 ~ I'm picking up a prescription for LDN on Monday. My PCP, who put me on Lyrica in 2023, thinks it might actually help the neuropathy in my feet. Unfortunately, can't take it just yet. I have to be off all NSAIDS because I'm getting my first epidural for spinal stenosis this Thursday morning. I'm praying it relieves the back and sciatic pain long enough for me to consult with a neurosurgeon. But as soon as I'm allowed, I'll give the LDN a try! Lyrica has been pretty helpful, but it's decreasing in effectiveness. What it does do is make me really sleepy at the wrong times, with brain fog and dry mouth. I've really heard nothing but good things about LDN. My dosage is a 1.5mg capsule. I have some numbness in my feet, but can't tell what's being caused by the neuropathy as opposed to my back issues with all of my nerves getting scrunched.

@brennankb55
Since recovering from trigeminal neuralgia last year I learned that depending on diet, our nerves can loose insulation. The older we are, the faster this insulation loss. B12 makes nerve insulation. Stomach acid extracts B12 from animal protein. Older people have less acid so become deficient. Seniors eat less animal protein. Best to take B12 supplement.
METHYLCOBALAMIN.
No pain since. Alcohol reduces absorbtion because it dulls the billions of micro villi lining the small intestine.