Anyone take Lyrica for fibromyalgia and pain?

Posted by mmak @mmak, Jul 19, 2018

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a few weeks back after a long journey of pain and uncertainty for 29 years. It looks like I also suffer from social anxiety disorder(this I just see from the symptoms I have, not yet diagnosed). Now my Doctor has prescribed Lyrica, I have been reading up on its reviews and most of them are very scary, has anyone used it before or are using it, please advise on it.

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I TOOK LYRICA ABOUT 14 YEARS AGO. ONE OF THE FIRST PRECAUTIONS WAS BLURRED VISION AND AFTER 9 MONTHS I FOUND MYSELF DRIVING TO THE RIGHT OFF THE ROAD. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES I CHECKED MY EYES AND FOUND MY RIGHT EYE WAS ALMOST BLIND. MY EYE DOC LOOKED INTO MY EYE AND FOUND THE NERVES HAD SWOLLEN UP AND WERE STOPPING THE BLOOD FLOW INTO THE EYE. LYRICA WORKS ON THE NERVES. I NOW HAVE PERMANATE BLINDNESS IN MY RIGHT EYE. WITH MY GLASSES THE BEST THE EYE DOC CAN DO IS GIVE ME 80/20. WHAT YOU CAN SEE AT 80 FEET I HAVE TO BE AT 20 FEET TO SEE THE SAME THING WITH MY RIGHT EYE.

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I know this is an older post but I'm replying to remember the name of this drug. I couldn't remember it until I found this discussion! I tried Lyrica for maybe 3 weeks but asked my doctor to take me off it. She had wanted to try it for chronic pain of CFS/ME. It was horrible. I slurred words, I couldn't focus, I kept forgetting appointments and what people said to me. I was in such a terrible stupor on it.

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Profile picture for kathychamblin @kathychamblin

I am using Lyrica (Pregabalin) and don’t find side effects bothersome. I think you will find it worthwhile

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Can you share what dose of Lyrica you are taking?

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Profile picture for michellerog1 @michellerog1

I have been taking Lyrica 75mg twice per day for 3 months for chronic pain in my thigh, groin and hip.I can only walk on crutches and can't sit but have to lay down. I take loads of pills for my blood (warfarin due to Aortic valve replacement + clopiwin due to 5 strokes) for anxiety (urbanol) for depression (cillift) etc. I am terrified of what Lyrica can do to me and tried to reduce the dosage by not taking my evening dose. 2 hours later I was screaming with pain. How can I get off this please? I have been to 5 different doctors - in the beginning they say they will fix me and in the end they say - stay on Lyrica. I am in so much pain but they can't up my dose cos of kidneys and I don't want them too. I am allergic to so many things from aspirin, penicillin, ibuprofen, codeine etc so there is very little they can give me. BUT I can't stand the pain! Any suggestions please???

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I took Lyrica years sho. Results were that it were as if I were in a fog. As I was driving home, a great fog surrounded me in sunny Florida. I was scared & had to talk myself home/you can do this, just straight ahead. When home, I threw it out & never took it again. Gabapentin 3 times a day really help me now. I also took Cymbalta and it was horrible to get off of. Plus it didn’t help.

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I love Lyrica. I switch back-and-forth between that and gabapentin every year or two when they stop feeling as effective. I take three pills that are 200 mg each. Only taking one in the morning and taking two at night helped with the brain fog. Good luck!

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Profile picture for Jessica @jmenassaka

I love Lyrica. I switch back-and-forth between that and gabapentin every year or two when they stop feeling as effective. I take three pills that are 200 mg each. Only taking one in the morning and taking two at night helped with the brain fog. Good luck!

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I am taking Lyrica for fibromyalgia and back pain. I recently discovered it can cause weight gain. Can anyone else comment on this? I need to know how to lose weight now. I've gained 10 lbs that I don't want and isn't good for me. The dose of Lyrica I'm on is 75mg three times a day. I took Gabapentin 9 years ago before my back surgery (L4/L5 fusion). My doctor tells me that Lyrica (Pregabalin) is stronger than Gabapentin. I'm not sure about that. I'm also unsure about what the optimum dosage for me should be (questions to ask dr.). I take enough meds as it is and don't want continual dose increases or new meds. I also have CFS. Ah, there is another question: what is CFS/ME? Any comments on any of this would be most welcome. Thanks in advance.

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Yes. Made me gain 35 lbs in one yest, but l have no choice. I have to work

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I've been taking Lyrica (pregabalin) for years now. I take one 75mg up to 3x a day. If I'm having a flare day, I take 2 at once and go back to bed. Be careful, I have to take it AFTER I drive to work or home as it sometimes makes me drowsy with just one (DEFINITELY
with two). That's the only kinda bad thing I have found. Note- I also have social anxiety. I can't stand crowds, the mall, concerts, or even driving on big highways or in larger towns and cities. Yes, sometimes even to my large regional medical center. Six floors, three wings, 7 parking lots, thousands of people. Yikes! I'm with you!

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Yes I've taken it. It did start helping with pain management. But I had to stop taking it because it made me shake all over.
Same with its sister drug Lyrica or prevailing. But I dont think my reaction is typical.
Couldn't take LDN low dose Naltrexone either. Its good for so many things I was sad I had to stop. My reaction to it was, I think, is atypical and it was different from taking Lyrica or Gabapentin.

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I have used a low dose (25mg) from time to time and no issues.

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