Lyrica - Looking for Patient Experiences

Posted by iceblue @iceblue, Mar 12, 2020

I saw my doctor today, and was reminded again how lucky I was to (recently) land on his patient list. The visit was all about the side effects I had recently developed with Gabapentin - prescribed to treat SFN. He was quite concerned, and has switched me over to Lyrica effective immediately. I've done some research and it appears to have a shorter list of side effects, but I would be interested to know what people's actual experiences were/are - both good and bad.

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@dckuke

Yes, CBD helps me cope with pain. I take CBD sublingually--one type fast action and longer lasts longer. I have the awful pricking, burning sometimes in fingers, thighs to toes, and. the only thing I have found that helps Is CBD ointment. I have tried several brands, but they often add herbs that irritate the skin. I have settled on Mitchell's Ointment, which stops the worst of the burning almost immediately and last 6 hours or more. One tip. Try to put on a couple hours before socks and shoes--cuts down some friction. If you are not as sensitive I recommend Lazarus Ointment that is cheaper and 50% more CBD--and you may qualify for discounts. Good Luck.

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Where do I get that?

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Online for all of these: Mitchell's Medicinals' Ointment, Lazarus Naturals, which offers substantial discounts for Vets and those who have difficulty affording it. I also use Hemplucid Water Soluble sublingual liquid that works almost immediately and bypasses digestive system and liver and quickly moves to the blood system. Only vaping works faster, but I do not trust its safety with COPD--even water soluble. Best of luck. If you are using full spectrum CBD sublingually from any of the well-known national brands.

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DAY FIVE UPDATE:

The pain in my feet was reduced by about 75% starting the day after I started taking Lyrica. I still top-up with OTC meds, but require much less. I am extremely happy to report that my nightmares and other terrible night time experiences disappeared the very first night and have not returned. My ability to think clearly seems to be improved.

Completely unexpected: I get a specific pain in my feet that has made me believe I have arthritis in my feet - but maybe it's SFN. Anyway - the morning after my first Lyrica dosage I got out of bed and walked, not hobbled, to the bathroom. This is HUGE!!! This pain happens any time I stay still for periods of time, and while it has not completely disappeared throughout the day - it is much improved.

In addition, I noticed that the rest of my body just feels 'better'. In fact, I had not fully realized how much my body hurt, how stiff I felt. I thought I was experiencing 'getting old'. I told my Hubby that I felt like the Tin Man who didn't know how rusty he was until someone oiled his joints! Also a miracle is that the relief from that rusty, all over body pain lifted a dark cloud that I also didn't really appreciate the weight of. This leaves me to wonder: Was I a bit depressed?

Tonight I increase my dosage to 75 mg/day. I'm praying that dosage deals with the last bit of pain and does not introduce any unacceptable side effects. Wish me luck!

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Wish you the best—I still have serious pain- but without Lyrica, it is unmanageable. Good lick.

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@dckuke

Wish you the best—I still have serious pain- but without Lyrica, it is unmanageable. Good lick.

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@dckuke - Would you be willing to share how long you've been taking it and what your dosage is?

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@dckuke

Wish you the best—I still have serious pain- but without Lyrica, it is unmanageable. Good lick.

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@dcduke, your CBD has very little THC that is why you can get it online. Are cannabis products legal in your state? Maybe a more potent CBD product would help your pain more.

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PA has medicinal THC. I use full spectrum CBD, which has only trace THC, well under government standards. Three doctors suggested and I agreed that marijuana would be good for me and good to fight going from tramadol to a stronger opioid. Currently, tests cannot identify how long one has gone without using--in case of accident, traffic stops... I tried mj over 50 years ago, out of the US. I liked it too much--and have not used it since.

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I have been taking Lyrica for about 4 years and take 225mg twice daily. For me, it wears off quite a bit before the 12 hours and above 12 pain is intense.

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gotcha! mostly gave me munchies. I purchased some strong CBD/THC products but have not needed them as yet. I also have a non THC roll on and salve which help with hand and hip pain.

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Hi iceblue, thanks for sharing on PN and gabapentin. I had progressive PN in both feet. Have been on very high dosage 3000 mg per day of gabapentin. Concerned over memory loss and unclear thinking. Do you have these symptoms, and what other negative effects does gabapentin have on you? Thanks, Terry

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