Lyrica for severe cervical foraminal stenosis with Radiculopathy

Posted by pkraft12 @pkraft12, Jul 23, 2023

I have c4- c7 severe foraminal stenosis and have associated radiculopathy. I had a Cervical ESI Monday and have had some relief so far. My physician wanted me on 25 Lyrica twice a day. I have not taken it because I am very reluctant to take it. Has anyone been on this and did it help without making you mentally screwed up? I am only on Day 6 post injection so I am praying the sterioids have not fully kicked in so I wont need anything. I am taking only Celebrex 100 mg bid.

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I have severe degenerative disc disease and ended up with surgery twice last year. I do have a pain management doctor too. I have never gotten any relief from Lyrica or most muscle relaxers. My doctor has me taking the Lyrica before bed though I’m also supposed to take one in the morning. You likely know that Lyrica is supposed to relieve nerve pain but often there are other physical problems (stenosis) that it won’t touch If my doctor had only given me this drug I would have changed doctors I think. And it does cause fuzzy thinking but that wears off pretty quickly. I’m glad to hear you got some relief from the epidural. Did the department have you schedule the next one right away. For me they have brought such relief I could have cried lol except for one time. I’ve probably have had about 5-7 of them. Did your MRI report show any problems with your discs? Like height loss or bulging? Is there any compression on the cord or Thecal sac (membrane around the cord itself)? What is the longer term plan?

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Hi. Sorry for your issues. I do have some radiculopathy as well. I take gabapentin which is not a controlled substance . Lyrica is a controlled substance .
I try to only take the gabapentin at night, unless I am on a day off because it does make me tired. I wish you good luck. If you haven’t tried gabapentin, maybe give that a try. I tried the Lyrica and I didn’t feel like it worked as well for me as the gabapentin. Sometimes you have to try different things to see what fits you best. Good luck.

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I tried Gaba and it made me totally despondent woke up hysterical. I dont do well with meds for some reason. I haven't trued the Lyrica do far my radiating pain is better since the ESI so I am waiting it out.

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Years ago, it was announced that Celebrex could cause Cancer. Is it still true?

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Years ago a doctor gave me Lyrica for pain. She didn't tell me to not take it if I was taking valium or a sleeping pill. It knocked me out so well, that I didn't hear the fire department breaking windows and doors next door. Stopped taking it.

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What is a cervical ESI? Just learned I have flattened bulging disks and stenosis and bone spurs in my cervical spine causing relentless pain. I hope your pain relief continues.

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Its a steroid injection in the epidural space that is responsible for the pain. My first one was c6-c7 but I will need others.

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@pkraft12

Its a steroid injection in the epidural space that is responsible for the pain. My first one was c6-c7 but I will need others.

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Thank you for the info. I had a steroid injection in my lumbar spine and it made my pain worse. Plus I couldn’t sleep more than 20 minutes at a time, was shaky, hot, confused nauseated with stomach ache for 5 weeks after. No more steroid for me. A third opinion doctor determined most of my pain is not my spine but my hip is bone on bone. Having it replaced in a month. Two doctors when I said my hip hurt never looked at it. Thank goodness the third one did!

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