I have had diabetic neuropathy for a few years, however according to my neurologist it's reversing which nearly knocked him over because he's never seen it happen in any of his patients before. This is hard for me to talk about because of what the Neurontin did to me, I mean the Lyrica was psychologically damaging just as Cymbalta was I became very suicidal on Lyrica and Cymbalta but the Neurontin nearly killed me and I'm only learning now that I wasn't just in ketoacidosis, I was in either metabolic or lactic acidosis which according to some recent research I've done is exactly what happened to me a little over 2 years ago, I'd been on the starting small dose of neurontin for a few weeks and it made me so tired and sick all the time, I was forgetting things and could barely get out of bed to see the doctor who prescribed me the medication, but I did go I told them what was going on and they lowered the daily dose but upped the nightly dose but when I tried to explain that I just didn't feel right that something was wrong they ignored me completely, with in 24 to 48 hours I was laying on my bedroom floor literally dying, the medication had severely dehydrated me and yes I was drinking massive amounts of water, I woke up my heart was pounding I was so sick to my stomach and I had a horrible headache, when I finally threw up I got much worse I really thought I was going to have a heart attack or a stroke. I was lucky to live through it, especially with out having a massive heart attack, my sodium and potassium levels had dropped so low the doctors were very scared and told me if I hadn't have gotten to the hospital when I had I would have been dead. I wasn't allowed to eat for several days because there was next to no water in my body at all, I could hardly breathe I felt like I could feel my body shutting down and dying. The next day it hurt just to breathe, my whole body hurt so bad from going through what it had because of that medication that even my family who saw what I went through and how hard I had to fight just to survive were surprised that I lived. I had to take huge doses of potassium while I was in the icu and was talked with about changing my doctors and never taking the medication again, which at the time I was on tramadol as well which that caused issues with my heart murmur so they told me to stop that as well. But the main culprit was the neurontin. For a little over 3 weeks I had badly blurred vision because of what had happened, it did go away eventually and my eye sight is fine now but it was still a very scary ordeal for me. I think these days especially because of the economy that doctors look for the bigger pay out for prescribing a medication then what's best and safest for their patient. I've been doing a lot of research lately because of something a specialist said to me this past week and I'm not liking what I'm seeing, in some cases yes it can help some people, however neurontin and several other medications including anticonvulsants that doctors are using to help treat nerve pain as a whole, not just neuropathy, are in consideration for being recalled because of how dangerous these medications are especially when they don't know what the effects of long term use are in these patients. I may not be a doctor or have a medical degree, but that was on a website a real doctor had put up to inform people. I was even told by the specialist I had seen this past week that he hasn't even researched a medication he was trying to give me and I really felt like he was trying to push it on me by saying if it were them they'd be begging for it. The same specialist also said that nerve conduction study's and emg's are bogus, which obviously I don't believe him other wise there would have been no basis for the carpal tunnel release operations I've had. At this point until doctors can not only be honest with me but do the research and understand fully what it is their giving me then why should I trust them? I trust certain ones but lately it seems like I'm being yanked around when they can't even do the research to back themselves up, if your a doctor it's your responsibility to know what your giving to a patient and essentially our lives are in your hands, if you don't feel right and your on neurontin I strongly urge you to seek medical attention and request that medical professionals or a hospital do blood work immediately to check your sodium, electrolytes, potassium etc., like I said I'm not a doctor but speaking from what I went through it's not something to be ignored even if it's just your gut feeling that something isn't right if you at least get the tests done at least you'll know and make sure your doctor checks them frequently.

Hi, I am new here and I am trying to post in the forum
about Lyrica, but I don't see a "New Thread" option

I am having horrible problems. I just started taking, for the first time,
50mg. of Lyrica last night and my urination has immediately DROPPED
by over 80% !! I drank about 5 large glasses if water this morning and
hardly anything is coming out 4 hours later.

I'm terrified my kidneys have been damaged by the Lyrica.
I stopped taking it. Extreme danger seems to be indicated.
I only took it one time ...50 mg. that's all!

I never had this problem with neurontin.
I pray to God my kidney function will come back.

Joe

Hello everyone,
I have PN along with BPH and started on neurotin for the PN over a year ago, then switched to Lyrica 75mg three times aday 6 months ago. When I started taking 100 mg of Tramadol two times a day it really has helped in the pain control department. One side effect is constipation, have to drink plenty of water and take fiber pills, but am able to sleep real well at night and that has been a big help. I remember staying up most of the night pecking at the keyboard and cussing the burning pain in my feet, hopefully those kind of nights are long gone. Seems there is some kind of pay off concerning any mediciation we take. Wishing you the best

Jospeh...I remember reading another post here about someone that had the same kidney problem. They went off and they lost the water weight and kidney's went back to normal. If I find the thread I will forward to you. Don't think you damaged permanently but you were smart to call doc. Don't panic yet give time for water to make it's way through your system.

Laurie... I am so happy you are losing weight that is great! The lyrica worked great for me. It helped me turn the corner pain wise. And now that I am off I can tell it helped my nerves. Originally the doc told me to give it 3 months for it to help the nerves and I gave it 5 and glad I did. Like Lanny it helped me sleep through the night and once we can get back to more normal sleep patterns the better the body feels and heals.

I do miss it but I gained 30 lbs and want to try to lose it. Plus I had surgery so I am hoping in the long run that will help my nerves and TOS. Maybe once I lose the weight and get on a routine exercise program I may try it again if I need it. Be careful to monitor liver and glucose on this med though.

.... with either Topomax or Neurontin?? When I was on Topomax, I was still trying to manage the pain and teach first grade. I was taking grade level meeting minutes and literally couldn't spell the word read!!! Obviously not great for a teacher. Now I wouldn't feel great about feeling stupid as I already feel my memory weakening with age, but since I'm homebound, at least I wouldn't have people watching me feel stupid. The shakes and nausea weren't fun either though.

Has anyone heard of a case were someone did respond to one anticonvulsant well even if they had a previously horrible experience with a sister drug??

I would so love to lessen my pain and lower my narcotics, and if I'm really lucky, find a reason to live.

Thanks for any other info,
Suzanne

I took Lyrica and had relief for only about a month. I had none of the side effects that Neurontin caused me, which included dyslexic speech, walking sideways and constant brain fog.

Hi all,
My friend has been on Lyrica for 8 weeks now for pain in her feet. Her major side effect is strange forming of her words, and slurred speech. Is this normal?? Im worried about her.

Yes that is very common. I have been On Lyrica for a year and a half. I have had a hard time speaking, my memory is horrible. I have gained weight and I am always hungry. When I first got on it my leg would jerk and my head would shake. It has been very frustrating. I am sure your friend is frustrated as well.

Hi there; I'm new here, but just had to comment. I just went off Lyrica after being on it for 5-6 months. I also had trouble with putting the wrong words in the wrong place while speaking. I recently started swelling in my feet, ankles, and legs so bad, I decided to go off of it; I also gained 15 lbs within a week. Within a few days, the swelling was gone & the weight also dropped off. This was about my only route to take, as I'm already somewhat overweight & can't exercise due to all my chronic pains. I've also read, although rarely, about people who tolerate Lyrica well. I just couldn't stand having my normally small ankles look so huge, and was very uncomfortable with the extra weight. Hope this helps! Chlobert

Just wanted to bump this up. In case anyone didnt catch it. The FDA this past week approved it for on label use for FM. Not sure if I really care. Does anyone else have the same reaction?