there are many types of medications that can be used to control pain besides lyrica or vicodan. anti depressants such as elevil (amitriptylene), wellbutrin etc. anti convulsents such as topamax, neurontin and lyrica as well as narcotics such as vicodan and methadone. Quite often combinations of the above are used. if the vicodan doesnt work for you at a higher dose or you want to try something milder first but perhaps more effective for nerve pain such as wellbutrin or elevil do a little research and speak up for yourself. In the end it is you who will have to live with the pain and side effects not the doctor.