www.Rxlist.com - has this, under Lyrica side effects:
http://fdb.rxlist.com/drugs/drug-939...me=Lyrica+Oral

Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, unsteadiness, fatigue, swollen arms/legs, increased appetite, weight gain, nausea, dry mouth or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

What it doesn't say, is that these symptoms may occur- initially,
but usually subside and cease, after anywhere from 1-4 weeks.
Dependant on severity - stopping too soon could be that you don't give the med a chance to work - or do not increase dosages to achieve optimum results.
Titration should be in 50 mg increments with a schedule of increases every 4-8 days dependant on your ability to 'level' off with the s/e. Not until 300-450 mgs/day are achieved do most of us have positive results. I am at 600 mgs day in 3 divided doses. Three doses/day, rather than 2- are optimum.
Once your system is used to the med 24/7, it can be of sinificant value in treatment of neuropathic symptoms. Combined along with a pain med, like Tramadol (and others) - best results can be achieved.

...for all the responses. I am going to keep on with the Lyrica although the side effects are unpleasant. I hope that the side effects will diminish over time. I feel that I have to "give this a go” as I have heard that this medication gives good results.

clearer. BobB did raise some good points. My own instance was while my PN was progressing, I'd be rx'ed an tranquilizer to help me thru a few family situations. I was totally fogged out on one pill for three days...not enuf to get any benefit, but the s/e's were bad enuf to warrant concern.

W/neuro meds, tho, it DOES take several weeks to feel the effects both good and bad. They are absolutely [once on them for 2 weeks] are NOT something you just STOP! tho....

I'm finding that all out BIG-Time w/a post-cancer treatment...It's one of those meds that has every s/e listed on at least one of my existing meds and then some! In my case, it's become which doc do I call when a new s/e pops up?

In the end, give it a try, unless things seem sort of 'life threatening'...read the meds' fine prints and call your doc w/the questions of 'IS THIS NORMAL?' as often as you need it. As before those phone calls are far cheaper than ER trips! Only YOU know how bad or strange things are for YOU!

Super good thoughts for the duration tho.... - j

Thanks for your post, I hope that I will be able to do what you did next time I see either my GP or the neuro. Great stuff!

Your welcome just remember that you are paying them to work for you.
good luck with next appointment,
Brian

I have always used GP's to help treat my cluster headaches for 40+ years. in May the headaches changed, increased and some neuo signs began to worry me (tingling fingers, numb lips and head etc...) so I went to see what is supposed to be the best neuro clinic in my area. OMG! I sat in the waiting room for 58 minutes, then after ebing hurried back to an exam room, I sat there for 60 more minutes, no doctor, no nurse, no anybody. By the time the DR came in I was more than angry (but I held my tounge and curbed my outrage) the meeting only lasted 28 lousy minutes, and was interupted 4 times by some idiot intern knocking on the door and asking questions about some other patient. So i get about a half of an exam from the diatracted dr, and I'm thinking "what a load of crap" and what a waste of my time and money and i realized why I use gP's. as far as I am concerned I would rather die a miserable death from a headache than see another neurologist, what a frustrating, irritating, lousy experience that was.

It is nice you have a good gp but I have seen 4 new internists through this switching from an old one and they just refer me out. The only good thing of my last one was she writes referals easy as it is a smaller office and I know the nurse.

Hi Lupin,
Sorry you had a less than happy experience.

With PN you have to rule out a lot before you get to the diagnosis.

Here is my experience just to show you how its not a 1 shot deal..

First I was given an MRI to test for MS and stroke. (it was clear)
I was also given blood tests as they wanted to make sure I didn't have Myastenia Gravis. (I don't)

Then they gave me my first EMG.. which showed I have a demyelinating with secondary axonal loss.
So they sent me to Mayo.

At mayo I was given a full body CT scan, and 6 vials of blood were drawn.
I had another EMG.

They found nothing wrong other than my EMG.
I was told to come back if my damage progressed.

I didn't want to drive out of state, so I went to another neuro..
She just did a spinal tap.
And I have another EMG tomorrow.

She may be doing a nerve biopsy.

However, at least I know what they are looking for.. because we know the damage type because of the EMG.

I think your neuro is just going on with testing to see what could potentially be abnormal since you have had normals in the peripheral system, he/she is checking the central nervous system next.
Which makes sense.

I wish you luck with testing.
Its the least fun part of everything, and lots of us wait a while to have some sort of track to follow.

I would really give it a lot of thought and seek some other opinions before I would consent to a nerve biopsy. It does permanent damage because the section of nerve is cut out and many people have reported long term or even permanent pain as a result. At the least that area will be permanently numb. Unless vasculitis is suspected it will usually only confirm that you have PN rather than to find a cause. Your emg has already confirmed that you have PN so think long and hard on this one. Early in my search for a cause I was referred by a neuro for a nerve biopsy. After researching it and talking to a few people on the old board I decided not to go ahead with it and am glad that i didnt.

They have better ways now then a nerve biopsy. It certainly can cause permanent damage, etc. and at the least it can be permanently numb.

I know that a person with CMT does not ever need one and should not have one. A skin biopsy is a non invasive way to go if needed; at least for CMT.