@albeit.....Sorry if I sounded too negative about Lyrica. All any of us have are our own experiences, really. We can read until we are blind, but nothing written by another speaks for our own self. Each body is different.

So sorry to hear about the pain you are forced to endure. Pain is a funny thing. We all hate it, but we own it. It is very shared, yet very personal.

I was on cymbalta, lyrica, gabapentin, methotrexate, neurontin, prozac....all while searching for that magic remedy....to no avail. I've come to realize that for me there is no magic. I've had a large cerebellar stroke, resulting in many deficits plus constant migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia (doesn't everyone?lol, very real, and becoming quite common ) thoracic outlet, aneurysm, blood clots, neuropathy in hands and feet, shoulder and back. Had about 18 surgeries, including aneurysm repair and both knees replaced. I am now 60 and the only surgery I will agree to is whatever is needed to save my life.

I am on pain meds, moderate dosage, with ten day breaks between scripts to reset my drug addled brain, lol. Having had injections, therapy of all types, used electric impulse gadget, vitamin therapies, diet makeovers, chiropractics....and the only thing that seems to allow me a bit of normalcy is narcotics, which is far from normal...go figure!. So, as with most who use them, I endure the pain shame game at the pharmacies, with each new doctor I am forced to see, and am very private about my use...except speaking in an anonymous venue, like this forum.

Chronic pain requires that we try and try again until we stumble upon something that works for us. So, as you can see, I'm not against drugs...just the ones that give me black eyes and confusion😭 I sure do hope my list of maladies hasn't bored you to tears. Just wanted you to know you're in...ummmm....good company? Yes! Good company. While you find your way to at least minimal comfort, this place is as good as any to blow off steam and bounce things off of.