I have multi-level cervical degenerative disk disease, spinal canal cervical stenosis and cervical radiculopathy. I've had a pain level of 8 almost daily in the evenings for the last 6 mos. Dr recently switched me to Lyrica after being on Gabapentin for 5 yrs. I also had a spine injection over a week ago. Seemed to help at first but now the pain is returning. Lyrica has been helping somewhat although I haven't been taking it very long. Most of my internet research has shown people having bad experiences with Lyrica. After seeing about 7 Drs, I've reached my deductible on my insurance and am trying to decide whether to go with surgery or not.

Has anyone here had a good experience with Lyrica?

You could be the exception and have good results. I haven't read any positive reports here, I don't think. I deal with horrid back and spine issues going on 60 yrs and personally I would not attempt Lyrica. I took a drug back in the 80's for lower back pain and ended up in ER with stomach ulcer. That was the beginning of my path to work on healing more alternatively. I've done chiro work, acupuncture, massage, PT, learning good stretches for my issues and I would not do a back surgery unless an emergency. Hope that emergency never happens. I deal with a mess from a hip replacement...talk about complications....I ended up with too many. Good luck whatever you do.

Hi Lou Hart,
Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I am sorry you are challenged with these conditions. I hope you can find relief soon.

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Warmly,
DejaVu

I have taken both gabapentin and lyrica before and am still currently on gabapentin. I don't have any pain issues, I use them for off label anxiety and mood stabilization. It is mainly just a dependency at this point.

You should be aware that for some, the discontinuation syndrome from lyrica rivals benzodiazepine withdrawal. Some consider it worse. I have seen people's entire nervous system destabilized from discontinuing these drugs too quickly. For some people it takes over a year to recover from them. Others, get little withdrawal at all. Individual biochemistry plays a part, but also dosage and length of treatment are factors as well.

I have heard mixed things about it for various types of pain, but for most the effect is significantly diminished after a couple of months. I have heard more negative things than positive. The positives have largely been from people that enjoy the buzz from taking excessive dosages. This usually doesn't last too long though.

I would avoid them but hope you find something that works. Cheers.

I did not like the cognitive loss I experienced, but it helped greatly to reduce buzzing, pins & needles & shooting pains in my legs and arms from neuropathy.

That being said, I came off it preferring to cope with the symptoms over the side effects for now. Things have been ramping up symptom wise with winter coming and I am unlikely to take it again, but if things were to worsen greatly, I would consider a Lyrica return.