Update: I stopped taking Lyrica after switching to Tegretol, a seizure medicine I had taken previously for 25 years. My neurologist agreed that it’s not a first-line neuropathy drug, but there was no reason not to try it. I still have pain, but it doesn’t burn as much, just dull. We increased my dose yesterday from 200 mg twice a day, to 300 mg twice a day. Off Lyrica, my mind has cleared up, and I don’t feel like I’m going to have a car accident. I’m starting to feel like myself mentally.
Also, I’ve been referred to the Dysautonomia Clinic in Birmingham, Al.. I’m lucky to live less than 2 hours away from UAB. I will have testing and treatment there for all these frustrating autonomic symptoms, which seem to constantly get worse.