1. < Neuropathy

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

maryflorida | @maryflorida | May 10, 2020
In reply to @jimhd "@iceblue I started taking Lyrica in Nov., '15, and all was well for a few weeks,..." + (show)
@jimhd

@iceblue

I started taking Lyrica in Nov., '15, and all was well for a few weeks, but before I had moved up to the dosage goal, one day I went to town and I started feeling poorly. By lunch time I couldn't eat or drink because I was becoming disoriented. By the end of the day, on my way home, I couldn't complete a sentence. I'd say a few words but then I had no idea what I was going to say. By the time I got to the ER, I was incoherent, couldn't walk, had no memory and while I was in the ER cubicle I went tachycardic. I spent 2 or 3 nights in the hospital, and figured out that I was having a severe reaction to Lyrica. The bummer was that it was the first medication that had an effect on my sfn pain.

Most people don't react as badly as I, and it's really one of the better neuropathy meds. Don't be scared off because of my experience. I sure wish that I could have taken it.

Jim

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Last year since I couldn't tolerate Gabapentin, my rheumatologist prescribed Lyrica. One pill and I became so sick my husband took me to the ER. While there, I asked the doctor why I was so sick and his reply was, "Well, you took Lyrica, didn't you?" One pill was one too many for me!

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3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 10, 2020
In reply to @maryflorida "Last year since I couldn't tolerate Gabapentin, my rheumatologist prescribed Lyrica. One pill and I became..." + (show)
@maryflorida

Last year since I couldn't tolerate Gabapentin, my rheumatologist prescribed Lyrica. One pill and I became so sick my husband took me to the ER. While there, I asked the doctor why I was so sick and his reply was, "Well, you took Lyrica, didn't you?" One pill was one too many for me!

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Hi @maryflorida, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience with Lyrica. Are you able to tell us a little more about your diagnosis and why your rheumatologist prescribed Lyrica?

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maryflorida | @maryflorida | May 10, 2020

I think she prescribed Lyrica because I seem to have bad reactions to the other pain meds. After 10 years of off and on pain, the last three weeks I have been in much more pain. I asked my Primary Doctor to please run some tests on me, primarily skin biopsy to see if it is, in fact, small fiber neuropathy, not just a guess. He is sending me to a rheumatologist who didn't know what was wrong with me. She said she couldn' t help me. Should I just go to this new one, in case, and then ask for maybe a neurologist instead? I don't know whom to see. btw, my husband goes to Mayo since he had a kidney transplant last year, but AARP Medicare is not on their list I don't think.

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2 replies
maryflorida | @maryflorida | May 10, 2020

I don't know where to post my picture.. MaryFlorida..
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1 reply
dckuke | @dckuke | May 10, 2020
In reply to @maryflorida "I think she prescribed Lyrica because I seem to have bad reactions to the other pain..." + (show)
@maryflorida

I think she prescribed Lyrica because I seem to have bad reactions to the other pain meds. After 10 years of off and on pain, the last three weeks I have been in much more pain. I asked my Primary Doctor to please run some tests on me, primarily skin biopsy to see if it is, in fact, small fiber neuropathy, not just a guess. He is sending me to a rheumatologist who didn't know what was wrong with me. She said she couldn' t help me. Should I just go to this new one, in case, and then ask for maybe a neurologist instead? I don't know whom to see. btw, my husband goes to Mayo since he had a kidney transplant last year, but AARP Medicare is not on their list I don't think.

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Have neurologists helped with your peripheral neuropathy? I have neuropathy toes to thighs and in my hands and get by on Lyrica and Tramadol. A pain management doctor could only offer surgical implants to help with the legs and tested a pain med that I may have to resort to Nucynta (strong and expensive. The two neurologists that I saw only verified how bad my case is and suggested the exact same medication as our family doctor, podiatrist and pain management had written for me.

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2 replies
oldkarl | @oldkarl | May 10, 2020

I have had neuropathy in my limbs over the years. Lyrica has never done me any good. Tramadol and turmeric work better. Plain turmeric, 1/4 tsp in 6 oz of warm water works better. As for Lyrica, sneezing on a frog works better.

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2 replies
maryflorida | @maryflorida | May 10, 2020
In reply to @dckuke "Have neurologists helped with your peripheral neuropathy? I have neuropathy toes to thighs and in my..." + (show)
@dckuke

Have neurologists helped with your peripheral neuropathy? I have neuropathy toes to thighs and in my hands and get by on Lyrica and Tramadol. A pain management doctor could only offer surgical implants to help with the legs and tested a pain med that I may have to resort to Nucynta (strong and expensive. The two neurologists that I saw only verified how bad my case is and suggested the exact same medication as our family doctor, podiatrist and pain management had written for me.

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Did they diagnose it with skin fiber biopsies? None have been done for me... No, the neuropathy doctor said it was due to my kidneys leaking calcium. She prescribed another drug which made me sick too; my brother-in-law is a pharmacist and he said not to take things that make me sick.... I checked with a kidney doctor and he said my kidneys are fine. The only thing I can take without being sick is hydrocodone, but I hate taking it.

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maryflorida | @maryflorida | May 10, 2020
In reply to @oldkarl "I have had neuropathy in my limbs over the years. Lyrica has never done me any..." + (show)
@oldkarl

I have had neuropathy in my limbs over the years. Lyrica has never done me any good. Tramadol and turmeric work better. Plain turmeric, 1/4 tsp in 6 oz of warm water works better. As for Lyrica, sneezing on a frog works better.

Jump to this post

Ha! never tried sneezing on a frog yet! I'm on warfarin and my INR nurse does not want me to take turmeric. I am ok, sort of, with the hydrocodone, but since I don't have a solid diagnosis, I just want to know what the heck is wrong with me for sure. I do have all the symptoms of small fiber neuropathy and none of the ones for lupus, rheumatolic arthritis.. Did you have the skin biopsy?

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 10, 2020
In reply to @maryflorida "I don't know where to post my picture.. MaryFlorida.." + (show)
@maryflorida

I don't know where to post my picture.. MaryFlorida..

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Hi @maryflorida, You can edit your profile and add your picture. The how to steps are in the Getting Started on Connect guide link at the bottom left of every Connect screen in the footer area. Here's the direct link to the section with the how to steps:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/#add-edit-profile

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lioness | @lioness | May 10, 2020
In reply to @maryflorida "Last year since I couldn't tolerate Gabapentin, my rheumatologist prescribed Lyrica. One pill and I became..." + (show)
@maryflorida

Last year since I couldn't tolerate Gabapentin, my rheumatologist prescribed Lyrica. One pill and I became so sick my husband took me to the ER. While there, I asked the doctor why I was so sick and his reply was, "Well, you took Lyrica, didn't you?" One pill was one too many for me!

Jump to this post

@maryflorida Wow that is interesting Evidently you system coulde,nt tolerate this Different body systems work differently . What did he prescribe for your pain

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