I like Lyrica better than
Neurontin.
I take 50 mg before bed.
Helps with nighttime pain.

I've been taking Lyrica (a lot of it) for several months- I'm up to 450 mg/day. It does seem to leave me less dopey than Neurontin.

Before Lyrica, I was on Neurontin for years, with an escalating dose and attendant side effects, but decreasing relief. Initially, Lyrica made things a lot better, but I'm on the cusp of switching again, this time to Cymbalta. The burning sensation in my legs, feet, and, uh, crotch, has become intolerable.

I've been on Cymbalta in the past, and it worked well for the pain, but it really aggravated my bladder issues. This time around, I've contacted my urologist to see if there's something he can do for me to make Cymbalta work this time around.

Doug

Sorry to hijack a bit, but I have been concidering changing from Paxil to Cymbalta for my anxiety and depression, and am wondering about your bladder problems with it, Doug. Were the serious?

I have less bladder problems, since starting LDN and I'd hate to mess that up, with Cymbalta. It helping with burning sensations is a great plus, IMO.

I know that you have to watch your liver enzymes while on Cymbalta, but I intend to take milk thistle to help with that possible problem.

Thanks.

Sally,
I was only on Cymbalta for 9 days. During that time I had to start cathing again as I lost the sensation to empty my bladder. I do not suffer from incontinence but retention.

Wannabe,
Thanks for this article. I had someone call me asking for information on this drug today. They have been on it for about 6 months and it seemed to work initially but is not seeming to be effective now for them.

I was on Cymbalta - 30 mg in the morning for 30 days. I loved it. It did not do anything as far as bladder is concerned. Everything was good except that I could not sleep. I really wish I could have taken this drug. I even tried 20mg. It still helped with the pain and spasticity, but I still could not sleep.

I would have to recommend that anyone with burning pain or spasticity, at least give it a try. It is expensive, so maybe just ask for a couple of weeks or long enough to see if you can take it, and if so then get more. I am very drug sensitive, so it is not surprising that I could not sleep. Also, I have sleep problems anyway.

Virginia

I noticed a lessening of pain within the first couple of days. I just could not sleep while on it even with Ambien.

As I was scrolling down the list of forums to get here, a post in Chronic Pain caught my eye. It was on side effects of Lyrica.

So I thought I'd copy a link here in case anyone wants to read about people's experience there with it.

http://forums.braintalk2.org/showthread.php?t=1260