hi,

i'm new here.

i was taking lyrica for 6 days now and i would like to ask if its normal that i feel dizzy? thanks

Yep, according to my doc it is normal... Thats why he told me to take it at night... Before I feel dizzy, I will be sleeping deeply...

Are UTI's a side effect of Lyrica? My gosh! Maybe that explains it! I've had one after another after another for over a year and I can't seem to get away from them. I've never had so many in my life! I'm on prednisone daily at a low dose for my neuropathy but I wouldn't think that would cause it when it didn't before. Unfortunate because the Lyrica works better for me than Neurontin in that I don't gain weight but what does the most good for me is Trileptal. I know that because if I miss a dose of that or am even late with it by a couple of hours, my feet light right up with burning. I feel like I could easily go off the Lyrica and not miss it, to be honest. Maybe I'll tell my neurologist that I want to discontinue it. Neurontin was horrible for me---my legs swelled up like stovepipes and my lungs got fluid in them. Won't touch that stuff again.

I'm taking huge amounts of cranberry capsules and drinking so much water that I feel like a sponge and I'm getting sick of water. Even with that, it's a constant battle with the UTI's. I never thought I'd say that because I like water better than anything else to drink. I've never liked soda or juices or milk that much.

Hey everybody I was wondering if anybody has ever had an allergict reaction to Lyrica 75mg and Peanuts. Friday night I had taken my Lyrica at about 8:30 and then went out to dinner with my fiancee and I was eating a bunch of peanuts about 20 or 25 mins later my head started to get really foggy and I was having a really hard time focusing in on what people were talking about and then I got really really dizzy and was seeing black spots and had to lay down in the booth of the restaurant so that my head would stop spinning. It took from 9pm to about 2 in the morning for my head to stop spinning I also was very sick to my stomach and had a headache. If this has happen to anybody else please let me know.

I've been taking Lyrica since DX. in 2008. It was helping some of the pain, but have since had a drop in efficacy (sp?). Side effects: dizziness, extreme fatigue, irritability, and extreme weight gain. I'm on so many meds now I don't even know what is causing the constipation but I do believe Lyrica is one.You have to drink lots and LOTS of water to counteract it. I have also noticed kidney pain and sometimes a strong urine; again... in need of hydration. You have to let your doctor know of the side effects immediately and don't let them brush you off about it. The last thing anyone needs is kidney issues on top of this disease. Take care of yourself.

Also, exercise! I know its tough but even a little will help both the constipation and the UT issues. Hang in there!

I have just a short comment...

Lyrica is excreted whole (not metabolized in the liver) and hence requires good hydration and kidney functions. It is a good idea to drink alot of water during the day so it can leave the body properly.

Great advice MrsD !!!! Take lots of water because, some of the side effects are due to dryness.... so...

I took ONE 75 mg capsule. Had anterior C6/7 fusion last October with coincident RSD/CRPS1. Have had 2 stellate ganglion injections that left me so ill I couldn't leave bed for some weeks. Tried Lyrica. Had immediate allergic rxn and sensitivity. Swollen lips, closing throat, suicidal ideation, inability to walk, a hallucinatory experience- my husband had to babysit me for the day- ended up in the OR for an EPI and for IV benzos to "turn it off". I must fall in the 2% who don't do well on it- but I was told by my doc's nurse never to take it again, nor should I take Neurontin.
I can't take anti-depressants for the same reason (indentical response) and I get through my day on oral dilaudid- which, ironically, helps my pain and allows me to think far more clearly.

Love and luck to all.

MDH

My husband has been on lyrica for about 6 months. It was helping the burning pain and tingling for neuropathy but isn't working anymore so they want to up his dose. He has become paranaoid, thinking I am out to control him, he has become violently angry , losing hair, dangerous weight gain, swelling, fluid retention.....the worst part is that the effect on his brain makes him in denial that it is the drug so he is increasing it. I am considering leaving before he hurts me. Be careful- it is a dangerous drug for some people.

Gdadnoni, Welcome to NT; I'm sorry it had to be under such circumstances.

These are rare, but serious side effects (if Lyrica is, in fact, the cause). Regardless, YOU need to contact his doctor(s) IMMEDIATELY, and report these symptoms and your concerns/fears.

Doc