I started taking Lyrica the end of January. Within about twenty minutes after my first dose I was having slight difficulty breathing, tightness in my chest, and, later, coughing. I continued taking it another couple days hoping the side effects would go away but they were getting worse so I discontinued it. Now, more than four months later, I am still having difficulty breathing and coughing. I am working with a pulmonolgist to find out what's going on. Has anyone else experienced lung problems as a result of taking Lyrica?

I am about to start Lyrica. what does your doc say and what does the pulmonologist say? Do they think it was an allergic reaction?

My neurologist and the pharmacist just told me to stop taking it. I haven't talked to my neurologist recently. My PCP did a chest x-ray and it came back normal so he referred me to the pulmonologist.
My pulmonologist did some breathing tests and ABGs but those were pretty good too. He put me on some nasal sprays for congestion in my nose but that has had limited benefit. Most recently, he ordered a special CT of my lungs to check for damage to the lining of them, etc. I am still waiting on those results.

Web up 'Lyrica Prescribing Information'. Under section 5, adverse reactions it does list 'dyspnea' as a common reaction....that means difficulty breathing. And, stopping the medication is definitely recomended. It's better to be safe than sorry? - j

of the shortness of breath with Lyrica.

But those events typically end when the drug is withdrawn.

I wonder: Do you take statins for cholesterol, as well?

A friend of mine received a letter about a week ago, not sure from whom, but they are sending them out to patients who take Lyrica. My friend doesn't take Lyrica but her husband does and has for a long time. And she did say that for some time now he has had some difficulty breathing.

You can have an allergic reaction to almost anything and experience shortness of breath at that time. But yes, once the allergen is out of your system the breathing problems go away. I initially thought I was having an allergic reaction and that is why I stopped taking the Lyrica. It was more than an allergic reaction since the lung problems are continuing four and a half months later.
No, I do not take statins. My cholesterol has always been very good so I've never had to take medicine for that.

I took Lyrica for 2 1/2 mos and quit because of joint and muscle pain associated with it. However, when I started back Triathlon training (after my back pain got better) I noticed a new onset of chest pain/tightness which would cause me to have to stop. It would get better after 1-2 min. but I could only push so hard, otherwise I would have to stop again. My EKG and Chest X-ray were normal. I have NEVER had chest pain with any exercise and not history of heart disease in my family. I am fit and trim and this is totally new. My MD has me scheduled for a nuclear stress test in 2 wks (had one 3 yrs ago because of palpitations and it was all normal). I have always felt it was my lungs, not my heart. Now, after reading these threads and others problems with breathing I feel sure is is my lungs and it is all because of the Lyrica. Unfortunately, it is still quite bad and I quit Lyrica 1 month ago. But note, it is only with exercise that I experience it. Eric G.

I was on 150mg 2 x daily for a couple weeks and jsut couldn;t stand it anymore. I couldn't take deep breaths adn was out of breath all the time and the cdoctor told me to stop but I am still having the trouble. Although I take deep breaths I still can't breath correct and get out of breath. I can't even eat with out panting and becoming breathless. He put me on pednisone and it aggravated the breathing problem so I had to stop it.
I am going to see my family doctor and see if he can tell me why this is happening and if my lungs are preminitly damaged or what.

I found that the breahting is harder through my naose then my mouth.
It is like I am breathing in short fast puffs and at times my lungs feel the need to push all the air out as much as it can and fill them seep. I never had this problem before the lyrica.