Does Lyrica build up in the system and start working over a period of time or is it more a fast acting medication kinda like ibuprofen?

Hi Marty, long time no see!

Your question should really be: Does Lyrica actually work?

Two new studies show that it is rather disappointing.

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/nm/pf...o-pain-studies

Lyrica from what I've seen here works (if it is going to work) right off. What tends to happen is that it stops working and people end up getting huge doses...which eventually stop working altogether, and then you have a difficult discontinuance.

So you will need to think about benefit vs risk... as Lyrica can have significant CNS depressant actions, weight gain, and edema. It is very difficult to discontinue as well.

I must point out that, on the rare occasions that I have used Lyrica short term at 100 or 150 mg / day, it has worked well for me without weight gain.

David

I started using Lyrica in January with excellent results of which I am now seeing maximum benefit except weight gain. I feel a lot more swollen, my clothes don't fit and I am trying to lose weight on the Cambridge Diet.
My brain has lost a lot of the fog with Lyrica and I also don't 'Lose' words in the same way that I did with Gabapentin.

Wow funny you bring this point up because it was the talk of the town when I started on it some 7 years ago. I'm slowly going off it however. I'm down to half doses with no change in pain. I'm thinking without any studying on the facts that it really isn't helping me any. I'm going go off all drugs and use tramadol when I have flar-ups only (like once a week at max so I don't build up a tolerance to it) and see if my quality of life changes. I just have to find out.

Back to my question however, the reason why I wanted to know if it builds up in your system is to know how fast to reduce the amount.

It doesn't build up much and is not metabolized...it is excreted by the kidneys only. A rather short half life too.

But it alters how nerves work....and a sudden withdrawal doesn't allow for adjustment easily. Some people need a longer taper than others.

I think you should Google "lyrica taper" for details.

mrsD I'm amazed you are still here after so long. My hat goes off to you!

So am I! LOL

In fact I thought about it when I almost fainted the other day,
from too much sun/heat. I thought my time was up in fact.

As far as the Lyrica goes....it is very strange that Pfizer would tank its own product, releasing ineffectiveness results before the patent is even up. Makes me a bit suspicious that there are hidden PROBLEMS Pfizer intends to distance from that we don't know about. Like the rotting of the teeth, some posters have claimed here from time to time. Lyrica is scheduled to go off patent in late 2013 or so.

It certainly was promoted heavily, and was the "cat's meow" for
quite a while!