I am currently taking 450mg of Lyrica for Fibromyalgia. It does not seem to be working however. I am in so much pain. Not like typical pain, but pain where it hurts to be touched, can't take showers because the beating of the water hurts, wearing clothes hurts. Then there is the sheer exhaustion. Not being sleepy, but feeling like I am always one step away of passing out because I am so exhausted, even though all I have done for the day is wake up and maybe take a bath (which for me takes forever because of the exhaustion and pain).

Is 450mg of Lyrica a low dose for Fibro? Does this sound like Fibro? I have so many other symptoms that go with either Fibro and/or MS. I was dx with "possible MS" over two years ago and am wondering if there is more to my pain and other symptoms than Fibro.

Please if anyone has any experience with Lyrica, I would like to hear it. Also any other thoughts/ideas/comments would be greatly appreciated.

M

Here's an article that might be of interest to you...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/he...YKtsXaYcK+Q6lQ

I'm sorry you are in so much pain. does your dr. know?

Interesting article. Weight gain definitely a factor. Sleepiness and dizziness, not so sure of since I have insomnia. Pain relief definitely not and that is working in conjunction with Cymbalta 90mg.

They give me Lyrica also for another vantage point. I have seizures and they figure "why not kill two birds with one stone". But I am on another anti-seizure medicine and would love to get off of the Lyrica. It just doesn't seem to be helping.

My doc is aware of how much pain I am in and every time I call or bring it up, he just raises my dosage of Lyrica.

What to do???

M

You most definitely have FMS, I can assure you as a person who has had it for well over 10 years. It is highly unlikely, I mean extremely unlikely that you have MS...drs. frequently misdiagnos MS for FMS. Most docs don't have a clue about FMS. I attended a seminar on Sat., 1/19 given by a chiropractor who claims to have discovered the cause of FMS and that he can not "cure" but arrest the condition in most people (80% of FMS sufferers are female and 18% commit suicide according to this doc yesterday.) Much of what he had to say made great sense, and I went to the seminar highly skeptical, having been the chiropractic route without success in the past.
I cannot answer you questions regarding Lyrica, but it was discussed at the seminar briefly. Those who tried it were pretty much like you...very little relief from their pain.
I recommend that you find a Pain Specialist - the specialty is anestesiology. As you know, you will need a referral from your PCP if you're in an HMO. I also recommend that you get into a PPO if that is a possibility, which provides you great latitude regarding the docs that you can see.
A doctor who specializes in pain management is generally the only doctor that will understand you condition and treat it as best as possible in my experience. Good luck and feel free to write.
Today is my first day on this site and you were the first post I came across. I actually signed up to get help for my Narcolepsy.

Welcome to NeuroTalk slowhandfan

I'm curious as to why you feel it is "extremely unlikely" hurtsobad doesn't have MS?

I have MS without a doubt. I have had the kind of pain that hurtsobad is describing, usually when I am having a relapse. I am aware of some being diagnosed with fibro who have gone on to also be diagnosed with MS - unfortunately, some can have both.

Hurtsobad, I am using Lyrica or rather I was using Lyrica for pain, different than your having. I thought it was helping but in my case the pain gets worse or better no matter if I take the Lyrica.

You are correct, some people can have both FMS and MS. There is certainly no harm done if hurtsobad gets checked out for MS. I'm just stating that the expert at the seminar that I attended yesterday said that MS is the most misdiagnosed disease for people w/FMS.
Also, from a personal perspective, a have a friend with MS, and pain is not among her symptoms. She LOOKS like she's in pain, but she says that she is not.

Thanks for responding!

MS does cause pain - for some. Not everyone with MS will have pain but many do, it's called neuropathic pain (nerve pain). I am glad your friend isn't dealing with pain.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/sit...ourcebook_pain