Anyone take Lyrica for fibromyalgia and pain?

@jakedduck1 , I certainly can see your side of the questions concerning the use of Lyrica. I read where the use of this drug prevents new brain circuitry from forming, as a side effect of relief from pain. That does bother me. I am 66 years old, but am an avid lifelong learner. I don't want anything to prevent my brain from functioning propetly! But I have a quandary. If I do not have pain relief with this wretched condition, I have no real quality of life. I have family members who kind of like having me around. And I love them to bits! So, I take the lowest dosage possible on much of my nedication. I am in pain right now. But I would rather hurt and have the option of having pain relief than not to have it at all. Does that make any sense?

You sound like a candidate for Genesight testing. Information at info@assurexhealth.com. It's a gene test that tells you what drugs will work for you. Depression, anxiety drugs, stimulants, ie Wellbutrin etal. Also what pain drugs will work based on your genes. You ask them for a list of docs close to you who preform this service and go to one who does, they take a cheek swab and in about 2 weeks you have your results back. It alerts you to drug interactions you could have as well as what drugs in 3 or 4 classes will work for you based on how you metabolize them. It's new and it's nothing short of a miracle for folks who need meds like Cymbalta and Wellbutrin. Quit guessing because that's all you and your doc are doing and find out what will work for you. That website is info@assurexhealth.com. get there number and call them and ask them to email you a list of docs near you. Doctors can register for free and all it takes for them is a fifteen minute phone call. If your doc doesn't do it see one who does. Get your info and take it back to the doctor you have and like. When they see the info, they will come around. Good luck, do it!!!

You sound like a candidate for Genesight testing. Information at info@assurexhealth.com. It's a gene test that tells you what drugs will work for you. Depression, anxiety drugs, stimulants, ie Wellbutrin etal. Also what pain drugs will work based on your genes. You ask them for a list of docs close to you who preform this service and go to one who does, they take a cheek swab and in about 2 weeks you have your results back. It alerts you to drug interactions you could have as well as what drugs in 3 or 4 classes will work for you based on how you metabolize them. It's new and it's nothing short of a miracle for folks who need meds like Cymbalta and Wellbutrin. Quit guessing because that's all you and your doc are doing and find out what will work for you. That website is info@assurexhealth.com. get there number and call them and ask them to email you a list of docs near you. Doctors can register for free and all it takes for them is a fifteen minute phone call. If your doc doesn't do it see one who does. Get your info and take it back to the doctor you have and like. When they see the info, they will come around. Good luck, do it!!!

@mamacita

Hi mam,
I can certainly relate to anyone in pain. I understand why sometimes they will do anything and take whatever for relief. I took Lyrica in 2005 when it first came out for its original purpose as an anti-convulsant. Nothing was helping my Focal seizures so I chanched it. I rarely am will to take a newly released drug. There were no side effect warnings for muscle or nerve problems at that time. The reaction I had was extremely rare. They have since added a muscle reaction warning.
My best friends sister like many people does very well on it. My best friend was hospitalized and doctors gave her a 50/50% chance.
I believe it’s a very risky medication. Because I refuse to take it I added it to my allergy list. Most of my life I have taken drugs that have been around over 50 years and one over a hundred years. Far more research has been done and I believe they are safer. For some conditions you don’t have that option.
Best of luck everyone.

Hi there,@jakedduck1! Thank you for your kind and thoughtful response. I agree wholeheartedly that medicines must be researched thoroughly before we can ingest them. We must indeed look at the pros and cons of all of our actions, whether it is medicine related or not. Alcohol works pretty well for pain relief, but I didn't want that as an option as there is a young teenager watching me. Not a great choice on even a short term basis. No one gets up one morning and says "I'm going to
be an addict!"
For now, I have chosen to stay on Lyrica. That may change I keep an open mind and will still be looking into other options that have lesser side effects. Good talking to you!

@mamacita

Did your doctor offer you Lyricas precursor Neurontin/Gabapentin prIor to trying Lyrica? Seems to have fewer and less serious side effects. What is so dangerous for patients is Pharmaceutical companies claiming drugs help or cure conditions not approved for those conditions by the FDA. Pfizer was sued for this. Hope they’re not doing this to Lyrica.
Since doctors don’t research these off label uses and don’t seem to be affected by the lawsuits yet are apparently able to give these drugs to us for whatever condition they want.
Beware people!

@wsh66

I’ve known about this awhile now but never called insurance company to check for coverage. Did your insurance pay for it?

Yes I'm on Medicare and if you're on any kind of government insurance Medicare or Medicaid they will pay 100% of the cost. Not all insurance pays 100% but the cost is on a sliding fee scale. I thought I was going to have to pay $150 for the test but I thought that would have been cheap at twice the price for the benefits that I received. The gene site company makes it their business to call people before they process the swabs to make sure they know what they'll have to pay. They didn't call me and so far I haven't been asked to pay a dime.

I was given Neurontin for pain and I found it to be about as useful as the tits on a boar pig.

@wsh66

I was on the max dose of Neurontin and it didn’t help me either.

Thanks for the insurance info. I have Medicare and supplement so guess I’m set. I interested in it for Seizure meds that might not have so less sexual side effects. Although my Neurologist thinks changing will do more harm than good. Easy for him to say.
Thanks for the info!!!