For me, #1 is of utmost importance. i was hit by a car while I was on Lyrica for two weeks. It was a pretty low dose. I thought i was OK on it but once I got off of it I realized how different I was. I believe my reaction time was slowed so i was not able to react as quickly in a high traffic stress situation. I immediately got off of Lyrica. Lyrica is essentially a more potent, better absorbed version of Gabapentin. For me, Lyrica felt a lot different as compared to Gabapentin. I really felt like a completely different, numb person on it. I can't say if it really helped with my nerve symptoms because i was not on long enough and was obeying a very strict diet that minimizes nerve pain. I certainly was able to sleep at night that's for sure. I had a hard time waking as well.

Cymbalta made me IMMEDIATELY suicidal.

I believe I am very sensitive to medications, I am very aware of my physiological state. Some people actually are able to just roll with a drug better. It depends who you are really.