I decided to give lyrica another try, I took 150 mg this morning, it was like stuffing my head with cotton, hopefully it will stabalize at some point. Still hasn't lessened the pain.

the lightening shocks in the legs are the worse! Luckily I only get them a couple times a week... I have never found anything that takes away the burning pain, for me opiates have never helped. It makes it so you don't really care about the pain, but it is still there.

I was one of those people whom Lyrica was a disaster, had bad side effects, brain fog , depression and no relief. Had a bad time in withdrawl. but would try it again , just don't stay on it too long if it doesn't help.

My experience with Lyrica was one of torment and despair. I was told that it was not effective for me because I was not taking enough and to keep increasing the dose. I did and eventually my eyeballs exploded (err, well, it felt like it anyway) so I had to discontinue it and I am glad I did.

That said, I wouldn't advise against trying it as it does work for some.

I am off Lyrica, as it did nothing for the pain, and only gave me side effects, blurred vision and brain fog. I went up to 450mg a day, and no reduction in pain. I had the same effect with gabapentin.

Hi Folks,
Thanks for all your replies. A lot of you have experienced or are experiencing the side effects that I am afraid of.

I have however said to my doctors that I will try Lyrica starting September 8th. I am very, very worried about taking it but I feel I have to try it even though I'd rather not. On the other hand I won't know how it is until I try.

If anyone has any tips, I'd appreciate hearing them.
Cheers Mel

I took Lyrica for over 10 years for nerve pain from brain tumour surgery. At the time I started taking it I was desperate and wanted to end it all. So I thank the makers of this drug for helping me to cope as it did help me with my pain. However I found long term I started to have side effects that were just unacceptable and I wanted to decrease & or stop it. This is when I struck major problems. The pain of withdrawal far out weighed the benefit of taking it. But I feel after surviving withdrawal I can now handle living with the nerve pain I was trying to escape in the first place!

Hi Aussiedebbie,
I suffer from the same type of awful symptoms you do. I take 300 mgs of Lyrica 150 twice a day. I also find the Lyrica does not help with the stinging burning pain. I was up to 350 mgs but I have weaned down to 300 mgs. I take Tramadol approx 75 mgs almost everyday but it doesnt help for that kind of pain either. I am beside myself with this pain caused by idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I started taking Trileptal 150 2xday while Im weaning off of Lyrica..dont think its helping.. I am struggling to find a med-combo that will help with this buzzing, stabbing burning pain I get on my legs, feet, arms and hands, among other places like torso ad back :(
Do you have pain all over? The Lyrica S/E are tolerable, no weight gain, I've been taking Lyrica for 19 mos. Do you take anything for your pain now that you are off the the lyrica, Please let me know how your doing with your burning pain and what your taking now. Thanks

Hi Marie, your tramadol dose is very low , 75mg wouldn't touch strong burning pain. Im on 400mg and after years of good pain control the burning has returned so will have to find a new combo myself

Hi Marie,

Thank you for asking how I'm doing. :). Nice to meet you. We do seem to share similar experience. However, my pain has always only been in the feet only. I'm praying it stays that way, can't imagine this pain all over. I read here how others are suffering much, much worse than me, and I often cry just imagining it, and out of empathy for them.

Like you, I didn't gain weight, thank goodness!

I'm still taking Lyrica every day, I've never tried stopping. I take the same as you, 150mg's twice daily. It does nothing for the burning and stinging, but it totally stops the electric shock type pain. I've yet to be diagnosed. Have had all the tests, nerve studies, MRI, etc. but they can't seem to work out what's wrong.

I take more Tramadol than you, usually 150mg's twice daily, more/double on bad days, or on special occasions when I know I'll be walking, or standing, a bit.

I'm so sorry to hear you are suffering so badly with little relief. Perhaps try double or more Tramadol and see if that helps. As Jon mentioned, it's more like the pain still exists but you don't care. I think that's how I experience it, for the pain never leaves, it just becomes more tolerable.

I also take B12, Alpha Lipoic Acid, C, E, among others. Honestly don't know if all those are helping, but they say nerves take ages to repair so I'll stick with it.

This year I decided to try a gluten-free diet, which has fixed a few of my other problems (like dry eyes) but it doesn't seem to have had any effect on the pain levels. However, it's only been 6 months, so I'll keep at it.

I'm sorry that I can't help or advise you about pain relief while coming off Lyrica because I've not stopped taking it. To be honest, from the stories I read here I'm petrified of trying to go off it, and fear the day my Doctor suggests I try.

I truly hope you and your Doctors can find the best pain medications for you. Keep in mind that you most likely won't get 100% relief. Expect to find a level of comfort whereby you can function adequately, and the pain is bare able. Any more than that is bonus. I truly hope you do better.

Warm hugs