Sorry to post this as a new thread but I just didn't want it to get lost in the replies on lyrica. Also I tried to post a reply to a PM from Shelley but I am not sure if it go through. Shelley - please let me know if you received it. I am not computer literate. Also, I got you mixed up with Gambles who said she is a first grade teacher - sorry. Brain fog - so much pain today.
Anyway - you said you did lyrica for 5 months before it helped. Is that correct? Did you notice a slow improvement each month or especially in the first month. I took 500 mg for a month and the Dr. discontinued it because it had no effec at all on the pain. What was your experienc?? Did you see a difference in the first month or did it take longer. Maybe I'll try it again. Also, I am polymorphic and metablized meds rapidly. None work for me at the high doses. There is a local neuro. willing to go to 1200 lyrica but now I am on Namenda so I'll have to wait to see if that works first.
I'd be curious about your time frame for lyrica to work. Also, did you get my PM reply?
Anyone else on high doses of lyrica? (1200)
I took 3600 mg of neurontin and that didn't touch the pain --no side effects.
Thanks,
Sydney

I cannot imagine a neuro giving you 500mg let alone willing to give you 1200mg of this medication. This just boggles my mind. I have been on Lyrica for PN since April 15, 2006. I had immediate relief at 50mg three times a day. The dose was upped to 100mg twice a day, and then to my dose now of 150mg twice a day. If Lyrica did not give you any relief at 500mg, my opinion is that it will not be a good drug for you to take and I can't not imagine taking 1200mg ! Good luck in finding something to ease your pain.

Hi Sydney,

Thank you so much for your PM. I got it and will talk to Dr. Bonlie in the next week.

In terms of the Lyrica. I started it in august of 2006 and stayed on until end of December.

I saw result right away in terms of the pain and the muscles calming down. I was at the following dosages.

50mg at bed time and 50 twice a day throughout the day. The doc told me to titrate up slowly over several week and to make sure that I was on the Lyrica for atleast 3 months to give it time to work at calming the nerves.

But I did feel results right away in terms of less pain, being able to sleep and my range of motion as the nerves calmed down and the muscle spasms decreased.

I am now off the lyrica after 5 months and 30 lbs. I wish i was still taking it but the weight gain and the other potential health risks outweighed the pain gain. I miss it though and those nerves are again inflammed and acting up.

I have to say however that I have never heard of taking such a high dosgae of Lyrica. I would be worried about your glucose levels and your liver. The drug is still so new and they impact still to be seen long term. I thought I had read that the highest dosage for Lyrica was 300mg in a day. But I could be wrong.

Be careful and best of luck.

Be careful of how much milligrams you let a doctor give you. I've been reading some of your post and I was a Pharmacy Tech for many years and I cant believe how much over the legal safe limit some of you are being prescribed by doctors.Get yourselfs a medicine book and it will tell you the safe legal limits to take.Be careful, sometimes a doctor just wants to shut you up and just because neurontin can go up to 3600mg. dont mean Lyrica can also, actually the safe limit is 600mg. Tammy 72

Re Lyrica,
I am a 58 yr old PD sufferer who was prescribed Lyrica (90gm daily) for muscle spasm/pain in October 06. Although initially the symptons improved I put on 28lbs in 2 months & after 5 months other benefits were wearing off. I also became drowsy 30 mins after each dose. My alternative started 1 week ago is Amitripyline (10gm daily taken last thing). Pain & spasm are already improving, I don't feel drowsy in the day & I'm starting to lose weight!!!!!
I hope this is of use to you,
Angela

I have to agree, man thats allot........

I got relief from my foot neuropathy right away with Lyrica but I have developed a tolerance for it. I can not find a doc that will prescribe more than 300 mg twice a day, but I am taking 1,500mg in AM and 750 mg in PM. I run out of meds alot and I endure the terrible pain until the next refill. What state is the doc located in that prescribes the higher dose that tou mentioned? Would he do a phone consultation and call in a scrip for someone in WV?

I have read up on Lyrica, and while the max reccomended dose is 300mg x 2, there is a case of an accidental overdose of 8,000mg of Lyrica and no negative effects were noted.

Yes, I know several people taking the much higher doses. Also, getting your blood levels checked often is very important! If the Doctor is NOT calling for this to be done around every 3 months, it is up to US to remind them!

Also, I have never heard of Lyrica working or being used for spasms I thought it was only for nerve pain. (I could be wrong) Typically Baclofen and Zanaflex would be more beneficial for spasticity. Of course, not for everyone.

Electrocuted, have they tried anything else for your pain? Maybe you would be better off on some sort of Narcotic? I mean, if it's as bad as you describe Best of luck though, finding something!

I had to go to the ER once when I was out of Lyrica and the pain was causing me to be near suicidal. the ER docs prescribed a couple days worth of Lyrica, and they also prescribed a couple days worth of hydrocodone (Vicodin). The hydrocodone seemed to work quite well, but like Lyrica, I know that this medication also developes a tolerance quickly.