I'd like to add something to this thread about definitions and labeling of drugs.

Basically the FDA approves drugs to be used for certain purposes and this is based on studies presented to the panel there.
Anticonvulsants were initially approved for seizure control.

But their use has generalized into other categories now as well.

In this case, Lyrica was originally approved for seizures. (Pfizer tried to get an approval for anxiety use, but couldn't get their studies to show what the FDA wanted.) Instead they recently obtained approval for Fibromyaglia (pain). I am reading that an additional approval will be most likely be coming for anxiety after all..but we have to wait and see this time.

So as it stands now Lyrica is an anticonvulsant, but it is most commonly given for pain control. Many doctors prescribe it for nerve pain (off label) and also now for Fibro (approved). Approval basically results in insurance companies paying for the treatment with a diagnosis. The FDA has approved Lyrica for neuropathic pain associated with Diabetes. (it does not at this time have a global anti pain approval however.)

Many drugs may be used off label for other purposes.
For example, benzodiazepines like Klonopin and Valium may be used for seizure patients. Valium is commonly given after a seizure ends, in the post ictal phase. But Valium is approved for anxiety.
Further, chronic anxiety may lead to depression, according to some psychologists we know who took care of my son at one time. So treating anxiety may diminish the appearance of depression in some patients. Reducing pain may also reduce the depression that may accompany chronic pain. In in a very round about way, Lyrica may reduce depression, without having direct effects on the depression itself, but on its development.

So the bottom line is that drugs today are not all black and white and easily categorized. We use the rules in US from the FDA and insurance companies to get payment, but past that, drugs may have multiple actions and different people may use them for many purposes, other than their approval category.
In other words, many gray areas exist in actual treatment settings.

This thread has brought up many examples, of how we look at drugs. And as far as discussion goes, it is very interesting to read the responses.

Hi, I started having problems about 12 years ago and the last 5 have been awful. The worst is not knowing what the hell is wrong with me or what causes it. I've had problems with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, stiffness and severe fatigue. After all these years I'm fairly sure it's Fibromyalgia. I've suspected Lupos, Arthritus, or just being crazy amongst other things in the past. I was in the Army and eventually was kicked out in 2004 after 13 years because of my medical problems. I do receive benefits.

Anyway, I have been taking Gabapentin for about 2 years. I just got a persciption for Lyrica today. I'm supposed to stop my 1200mg 3xday and start my Lyrica (don't have my dosage available now) tomorrow. I hope it helps. I never noticed much improvement with the Gabapentin, only some mild but bad side effects.

I also take Tramadol 50mg 3xday, Celebrex 200mg 1xday, Hydrocodone 10mg 3xday, and Cymbalta 60mg 2xday.

I would like to talk to other people who have had similar problems and to people with advise. I understand that Fibromyalgia is more common amoung women than men. That's good for me because I like to talk to women more than men anyway.

I have also been reading about Low Dose Naltrexon and it's benefits for my symptoms. Has anyone tried it or know anything about it?

Hi there davelikesfish, and welcome to NeuroTalk.

Sorry that I can't answer any of your questions, but I did see that you were enquiring about LDN and there is a thread on our multiple Sclerosis Forum that's dedicated to LDN.

Although you're enquiring for totally different reasons, I wondered if some of the long term LDN users on that forum might be able to assist in your enquiries. Many have been taking LDN for some time, so don't be afraid to ask them about it.

Here's the link for you:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread71392.html

You might check out this thread to learn a bit about lyrica... IMHO it should be banned the side effects I had were horrible and was on it 2 weeks one "it takes a week for your brain to adjust to it" and the other getting off it.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread122847.html

davelikesfish


quote your words

'The worst is not knowing what the hell is wrong with me or what causes it. I've had problems with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, stiffness and severe fatigue' end quote


well i understand what you said there dear friend.........my thoughts and empathy go out to you....

...Welcome to Neurotalk...i'm sorry for your ailments that brought you here though................

David

I have fibermyalga. My dr put me on 225mg of Lyrica twice a day. I just received a certified letter today from my insurance company saying they are no longer paying for Lyrica. I have a script of Neurotin and my pharmacist says they are the same thing but Neurotin does not even come close to relieving my pain the way Lyrica does. Does anyone else know if they are truly the same drug????

My pharmacist told me that Gabapentin and Lyrica were the exact same ingredients...does anyone know if thats true?

Gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are NOT the same ingredients. Lyrica was designed as a more potent successor to gabapentin. Check out the chemical compositions:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabapentin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pregabalin

Gabapentin and Neurontin are the same, and
Pregabalin and Lyrica are the same,
generic and trade names, respectively.

HTH,

Doc

I have found Amitrypaline to be very helpful for pain, and nerve pain, and find it mentioned on more and more places I search for information on neuropathic pain. I find 25 mgs of Amitryptaline to be even better than taking 22.5 mgs of Oxycodone (1 and 1/2 of a 15 mg tablet). It does make me sleepy and I do use 50 mgs at bedtime for sleep and am finally getting 4-5 hours of sleep at a time, I'm up for an hour or so, then back to deep sleep for another 2 hours. Bliss! I haven't gained (or lost) any weight.

As far as Gabapentin, Cymbalta and Lyrica go - I see a pharmacist for Wellness Counseling. She is a homeopathic practitioner and also knows a great deal regarding herbs, and supplements. She tells me that these 3 meds, along with Savella now ,are prescribed mostly because they scramble the nerve pain signals, which I can see that they do, along with a lot of other brain signals. She said it is VERY important to only take 1 of these medications at a time. Gabapentin has been around for awhile and if you've been on it you will see just how it scrambles your brain. Cymbalta and Lyrica are equally as bad as side effects go - mostly because your brain doesn't know what to do with them, and the effects can be cumulative and quite horrible. I know your pain is out of control so it's a tough
decision of which to try. As long as price is not a factor I would suggest Cymbalta or Savella - only one at a time though! I hope you can get to where you can function better - life was not meant to be lived in bed!