Gabapentin or Lyrica????
 

Hi,

I am currently on Gabapentin for my RSD, but my doctor advised that I could try Lyrica to see if it works better. Has anyone switched gabapentin for lyrica or vice versa? Has anyone tried both? If so, what are the differences? Which works better? Please help. Thanks.

Gabapentin or Lyrica
 

I have only taken gabapentin, but it definitely helps me a lot. I also have another neurological disorder that it helps so I get a double whammy of help. Anyway, I know that everyone is different so I can only tell you about my experience. My PM increased my dosage of gabapentin to 2400/daily, but I first started on 100 mg. many years ago. It does have some minor side effects for me, but I have decided they are easier to deal with than the pain.
I hope someone else can tell you about their experiences.

Lexie,

I have not tried Lyrica, but neurontin (gabapentin) is the mainstay medication for me. I have tolerated it well with minimal side effects, but the side effects profile can certainly vary with this drug.

I have tried Cymbalta, but it didn't help. Gabapentin, amitriptyline, trazodone and naproxen are my meds cocktail.

It is so very important to stress that what works for one, may or may not work for another. You and your doctors will need to experiment to find what works best for you.

Good luck!

I have tried gabapentin without success but I did not reach the high levels. I have been started on Lyrica and it's been wonderful for me. Definitely has decreased my pain level. Additionally, a couple of months after I was started on Lyrica, I got started on Ketamine nasal spray which also has been a definite pain reducer.

I am on 3600 mg of gabapentin per day. It's hard.

What side effects have you had from lyrica, if you don't mind me asking?

i couldnt take lyrica as it made me feel like i couldnt breathe and it felt like i was having a heart attack. I then went to neurontin and i could tolrate it. i currently take 1200 mg daily.

I started on lyrica. Got up to 500mg a day. For the $ I was spending, the reliefe was little or none. Switched to Gaba and I'm about 2400 mg a day. I noticed a difference.
Starting lyrica, I felt loopy. Kind of tired but had my wits about me. A few days were like that. The majority adjust to the side fx and or those who don't, its time for a switch. My doc likes me on Gaba rather than lyrica.
It is hard to pinpoint exactly what medication helps in what way when one is taking 4-5 medications at a time. That's the life.

I can't attribute any side effects to the Lyrica. I do get very tired and I often feel weak but I'm not sure if that's related to meds, time of the year or my crps.

I had terrible weight gain on Lyrica. I was on it a few years back for my nerve entrapment... prior to the surgery that caused my RSD. I absolutely refuse to go back on it!