my doctor did the same as Frog Lady's did.

I quit Lyrica. I tapered down from 300 mg over 5 weeks. Then another two weeks of absolute HELL.

I've suffered from fibromyalgia for nearly 18 years. I was on Lyrica for 13 months. After the initial loopiness and scary leg swelling, I started working out and the leg swelling disappeared. I got strong again and felt almost normal. It was wonderful until I got a lung infection and became very depressed and suicidal.

I'm thinking, "I'm not suicidal..." so I checked my meds, and sure enough, Lyrica has suicidal thoughts listed as well as infections. I was also experiencing blurred vision as well. That was 6 MONTHS AGO!!!

Since then, I've lost my income and become basically un-functional. Homelessness is just around the corner. My doctors think I may have a brain tumor or cyst. Just before I started tapering off, I started getting headaches. They've gotten worse. I'm poor so approval for an MRI is taking weeks. I may die first.

(FDA approval was delayed because Lyrica causes tumors in mice. Pfizer convinced them that was just because of high doses.)

To taper off, I took Soma - a muscle relaxer. It really helped until I ran out. By then, I was bedridden and of no mind to manage to get a refill so I suffered through the last two weeks.

If anyone hears of a lawsuit, let me know. I'd like to join in. Lyrica is extremely addictive - even after the free sample period. It only works for a few people. I read an estimate that only 15% will be helped - but nearly everyone who tries it will get hooked and have to suffer the withdrawals. If you go cold turkey, your brain could swell - this has been documented.

Shame of Pfizer. Shame on the FDA. The advent of Lyrica is nothing short of criminal abuse of the already suffering.

I wish I'd never heard of it. I would advise everyone to avoid this poison at all costs.

i am coming off 600mg of lyrica 1st week 300mg,but was sick to days and missed it got suicidal thoughts,crying for two days i could not believe this .today i start 75mg 2 times a day im nervous,petrified more like it.

i completely agree with you, and pfizer has being doing too much of this bulls** lately. are they also the makers of slurroquel. anyways harleygirl and pfizer i completely agree this drug is the worst.

and for that guy that said hey lyrica is like baby aspirin. don't start there guy. i mean for one, the longer you're on lyrica, the more the lyrica demon possesses you, and also the more you're withdrawals are gonna feel like the spawn of hell.

there's only a select few drugs out there, that can make the withdrawal from lyrica, somewhat pleasant and they are some antidepressants, savella possibly, topamax(another AED), valium, xanax. and quite possibly a few other AEDs besides trileptal or tegretol(both are extremely depressing)

i got so depressed going off lyrica, i didnt want to kill myself, but literally felt like a zombie dead person.

PS B vitamins and magnesium chloride may be a little helpful too.

Hey Nancy, I am Tracy and been on Lyrica and it was 600mg and did not work but I gained 30 pounds!! I have nerve damage and take methadone and OPANA. Feel better.

Hi Tracy, Keith here. I have been taking lyrica since 2008 and am weening my self off finally. Its funny you mentioned weight gain because ive gained about 40 lbs I used to weigh 210 and that was during the holidays seems like no matter what I keep buying 2x shirts.. I get vicious headaches if I just stop taking it but it takes me about a week to stop taking it in gradual does downs

Hi All,

I also gained weight with Lyrica, 70lbs. I had to go off it within 3 months of taking it. At that point I had only gained like 20lbs but even after I got off of it, and I just stopped because it was not very long that I was taking it, the weight still kept coming. I also am hypothyroid my doctor thought I had to get that reevaluated which I did and I was on a dose of synthroid that was to low. So between the lyrica and the thyroid forget it I balloned like a hippo I was so upset.

Last April I started to worked out, had my synthroid increased, changed how I was eating, I hate the word diet, and have lost 45 of those horrible 70lbs so far. I feel so much better. I had gotten so out of shape I just horrible and I made my RSD worse,I think. Just holding all that weight I'm only 5' 2".

Goodluck to all.


Gabbycakes

Hi there - my name is Jenna. I am 24 and in a very desperate state as I suffer from severe pain due to my Neuropathy (been a type 1 diabetic for nearly five years). I take 600mg Lyrica per day and find it gives me a bit of relief but terrible side effects. I get headaches, nausea, muscle spasms, tearfulness, constipation, aching body, flu-like symptoms, and practically spend all afternoon lying down and sleep as much as possible. I have NO energy whatsoever and feel like my body has been kidnapped!! I have been on Lyrica for about 4 months now and have lost my appetite too. (Dropped from 51kgs - 44.5kgs) Can anyone relate to these syptoms? I am wanting so desperately to wean myself off Lyrica but am worried I'll need it too much. Any advise would be good.