Pros- it actually does work to some extent for nerve pain
- you know you need this drug when you put up with the side effects and for some that can be life saving or buy you time until you can learn alternative coping mechanisms
Cons- long term it messes with just about all of your body and makes coming off it very hard.
I believe the drug company has made the ultimate drug from their point of view. It does have benefit where nothing else works. Once you are on it, you believe you cannot live without it. The long term side effects are not good but it is very difficult to withdraw from in the long term.
So weigh up your life expectations. At the time I started this drug I wasn't expected to live very long so withdrawal wasn't an issue. The universe has other plans and I have been surviving the nerve damage from a spinal tumour for over 16 years. I now think long term and know my life will be better without this drug. I have learnt to cope.