Lyrica
 

Ive got a quick question for the board... I seen my Dr today because I had a mild flare due to the weather here in Houston... He checked me over and all is good..Whew! :) Anyhoo, he put me on Lyrica 75 mgs... Im already on 3200 mgs of Neurontin and 10 mgs of Lexapro a day.. Is it normal for Lyrica to be combined with Neutontin? The Neurontin does do the trick for me, Ive never had a problem with it at all... But doc thought it was a good idea to start the Lyrica as well.. Just curious thats all!

-Heidi

The other day my doc said that he would not combine the two because of the sleepiness but that was it

Does anyone else on here know much about Lyrica? I took my first dose this last Friday night.. 75 mgs before bedtime.. Within 45 mins to an hr, I felt stoned! I totally hated this feeling, and am still having it! Will this subside after my body gets used to taking it? Like I said in my first post on this subject, I am already taking 3200 mgs of Neurontin... So, does anyone know if its normal to combine the two? Im guessing it is, or my Dr wouldnt have put me on it knowing I am on Neurontin.. Im just curious is all..

My hubby is on Lyrica - As far as I"m concerned (JMO...mind you) it is an off-shoot or same thing as Neurontin.

See....

Neurontin was involved with a HUGE class action lawsuit because it was being used for off label (unapproved FDA reasons) purposes. Many people became suicidal, had horrible mood swing (my hubby included) and committed suicide. The FDA got on their case and WOOSH - Within months Lyrica was out and on the market. I feel - again this is JMO - that it is the same thing or just slightly altered and the FDA has approved it for only 1 or 2 other conditions beyond what Neurontin is approved for. It was enough not to get Pfizer "into trouble".....

My hubby is on almost the lowest does of Lyrica possible....he was experiencing mood swings (although nothing compared to the Neurontin) - (BTW the med was TOTALLY against my wishes...) - When the moodswings were mentioned the put him on an anti-depressant.....Now one can argue - was/are the moodswings due to true depression due to his condition or caused by the meds....Honestly I really dont know....BUT the anti's have helped with his moods and he feels better (emotionally) compared to a few months ago.....SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....

As far as other side effects hubby said he had issues with his eyes feeling tight and feeling dizzy then he would get very tired. These side-effects have subsided though and he's adjusted to that.

I would check with others even if you have to call around to a few Dr's regarding mixing the two meds - I would think it would not be good for you - BUT - I'm not a Dr. :Dunno:

Hi,

Just FYI, there's a Lyrica thread right now here (NeuroTalk) on the "Medications" forum which might be of help and give additional info :)
all the best.

frank is on lyrica.....
 

75 mg three times a day...he has not had any adverse reactions except for the weight gain................but he is now on methadone, oxycodone, and zanaflex too..........unfortunatley nothing is doing anything for his pain.......

he had a catheter placed almost two weeks ago, giving him good shoulder relief (no relief for his elbow, forearm or hand tho) with roprivicane, but it became dislodged and will be replaced tomorrow morning at U of M hospital.......

he is being evaluated in three weeks for an scs ..........anyone know what that entails? they told us it was to see how he will react to being pain free????///// duhhhhh, first thing he would do would be jump up and down and say IT IS ABOUT TIME.......(altho i don't think he will be totally painfree) and i am shocked that he will even contemplate doing this procedure.........he is at the breaking point from the pain.

anyone know what the eval will be like? they told us it will be about three hours....................

thanks

Just taken off Lyrica
 

I was diagnosed with RSD 3 months ago after a 5 level lumbar laminectomy (my surgeon dismissed me when I went to him with my RSD pain, He said his surgery was successfull, and I had to go figure out my pain myself). Anyway, he was the first to put me on 75mg Lyrica twice daily. Yeah, first time I took it I was stoned for days. Over the next 3 months I was slowly increased to 200 mg twice daily, and I also gained 30-40 pounds. Yesterday I was taken off of it (cold turkey - hope this isnt a problem cause I know have a migraine) and put on Cymbalta. Hope this works better.

I was on Lyrica briefly to replace Neurotin then off
 

Lyrica and I did not agree. I take 1800 mg of neurotin for burning pain. my doctors wanted to switch me to Lyrica. I not only felt stoned. I could not remember basic things lilke which side of the road a stop sign is suppose to be on. I only drive a range of about two miles but it was dangerous. I despise the stuff. My husband is on it for an entirely different problelm, foot pain, and has had 6 near fatal accidents. Enough said. Becareful wiht it.

How fast did you work up to the 3200 mg of Neurontin, Heidi??

Did you have side effects from it at all?

Thanks.

I was started on 2400 mgs of Neurontin when I was first diagnosed with my RSD back in Aug, 06... I was upped to 3200 mgs in Dec... Last wk when I seen my Dr is when he put me on 75 mgs of Lyrica ONCE a day at bedtime... I am taking both the Nuerontin and the Lryrica...

I have NO side effects at all from the Neurontin... Ive heard alot of people have many side effects from it, so I suppose I should consider myself lucky?!? Last wk with my first dose of Lyrica I felt stoned.. That was the only day.. Since then Ive been just fine... I sleep really well though! lol Maybe that is why the Dr has me take it at night??

-Heidi

Thanks for replying Heidi.


I know many people have had strange side effects with Neurontin... I'm on 1800 mg right now, and I am working on increasing it. But, when I increased it suddenly a few weeks back I started having chest pain, and was dizzy. Whenever it is increased it makes me dizzy, and then the dizziness wears off. However, the chest pain made me a little leary... I know that's a rare side effect of the Neurontin.

Wow. You started at a HIGH dose, huh?! When I was first diagnosed I was started at 300 mg, but we started increasing it fairly quickly.

I know that if you are seeing benefits w/ it, that Drs. like to have you work up to the highest dose, which is 3200 mg.

I'm glad you are doing well with it.:cool:

IHH,
I've been on Neurontin for 3 years now, and I've definitely had a lot of side effects - metabolic changes, weight gain (not serious, but then again, who likes weight gain? :) ), dizziness, and sleep changes.

I've found that while my circulatory problems are constant, my pain isn't. In order to deal with that, I've been on as much as 3200 mg of Neurontin. Being young (like you, I'm only 21), I'm leary of becoming too used to my medicines. So, with my doctor's consent, I now modulate my doses for my pain. If I'm having a good week, I lessen my dose to as little as 300 mg per day (I don't usually get that low, but it happened, especially a few years ago). The trick is to only go up and down slowly - you can't go from 3200 one day to 300 the next.

hey

when I first got RSD I was started on 3200 whilst in hospital by my consultat. It made me feel awful and wasn't much use with the pain.... I also gained about 3 stone in 3 months (going from hockey player/ netball team/ muscisian to being stuck in bed/ using a frame)...

... the dr's took me off it and I went onto topomax which was ok - not amazingly useful though. Made me feel abit ming. had to come off it for some reason or other?

finally went on to Lyrica which made my muscle spasms much much worse...

came off it and have given up on anti epileptics - they just aren't overly effective for me (side effects aren't worth it generally).

Rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey, Rosie... just wondering what instruments you played? I played piano and cello. And a tenor recorder... now I haven't played in months, but I aim to try. I played a teeny bit on piano about a month ago, though... and boy, that was so hard. My fingers didn't want to move, and my piece sounded horrid, but hey- it was more than I had done in 3 months, and so I was proud. :) (when I told my physical therapist, he said to not fuss because it sounded blah, just remember that I wouldn't have done that a month before. So, that's what I have to try and do, just remember where I came from with the RSD, not what I could have done a year before, without RSD). It is hard, because I could play fairly well, and I played piano for 5 1/2 years. I had only played cello 8 months.


Anywho... are Topomax and Lyrica both anti-epileptics?

I think I'm seeing some benefit from Neurontin, so for the time being I'm staying on it.

Thanks.


How are you doing today, Rosie? :hug:

IHH,
I can't answer for Rosie, but I'll add my few "notes": I'm a flutist (flautist, if you want to be snooty), a pianist, play all of the recorders, and sing as a mezzo-soprano.

I've been really lucky - my RSD is in my leg, so I still get to play, although my musical theater career has gone out the window.

Seriously, though - I have at the least had the same sort of problem with walking. After 8 years of RSD, I can't tell you anything that will make you jump for joy, but I have learned that the absolute most important part of your treatment is keeping a positive attitude. Really - it's so important to focus on the things you are still able to do, and on each new stride you make. That sounds like a bunch of platitudes, I know. I'm sorry. Have you thought about trying to redirect your musical energies? Do you sing, for example? Have you thought about trying your hand at composition? Composition is great because it's a wonderful source of expression - I love it. :)

Nice to meet other musicians! And you are, even if you're not playing at the moment. :)

Hey! SO NICE to meet you and hear you're a musician...

Oh, neato! The recorders. Seems like no one plays them these days besides the 8 year olds learning them as a first instrument.

Well, I enjoyed music, but not as much as some people. I am very dissapointed I have lost my ability to play at this time, but I am more dissapointed that I am not able to write/ draw like I could before.

I stink at composing. My sister on the other hand... :p My sister is a big musician. She plays violin, piano, two of the recorders, organ, saxophone, flute... ;) She LOVES it.

I do love to sing! I don't have an awful voice, but it is not the greatest. I still sing. :) That is something I can do without my RSD arms and legs. LOL.

Thanks for the ideas. I know, I have to think of more positive things, and what I have accomplished and improved in. Exactly! That is what my great physical therapist always says. I know that I must be a hard one to work with when I am not improving much, or rapidly like his other patients. But I am an RSD patient, not a surgery or sport's injury patient. He knows that and he stays positive, which helps me a LOT. A little goes a long way. He always says when I say "I can't"- "Yes, you can. You've got this. You're gonna beat this". I wish I stayed so positive, but then again, I am the one in pain, not him. It's harder for me! Yup, very important to stay positive. You have helped me, because I am not feeling all that positive.

Thanks again, you are a sweetie! :hug:

My RSD is in both feet/legs and both hands/arms/shoulders.

Pain-free hugs to you. Thank you for cheering me up. :)

This might sound stupid, but....have you thought of switching mediums?
I mean, I don't know much about your case, but if holding a pencil becomes too painful.....what about finger painting?
I know that, for me, it's not always about doing something perfect. It's about doing SOMETHING, something that proves I'm still me - I'm myself, and I'm not defined by my RSD.

Hugs for you, too - your PT sounds like a wonderful source of encouragement. I'm glad you have someone like that in your corner. :)

Hey IHH and BB

Wow - great to meet more musical people!

I was grade 8 piano, grade 8 accordion, played the organ, the double bass (usually jazz or in jazz bands!), sang, sang with the girls choir, also learnt the euphonium, However, I also learnt recorders (all types... but with special emphasis on either tenor or bass - though it was never my fave and I was never that good at it).

I miss music alot.... especially the double bass - that was so soothing and it just fits with your mood, you get the most amazing jazz out of it, and then you can play something slow and sonorous and then switch to something high paced............... I just love the deep sound just welling up from inside the bass (mine was called Boris!) and you can sort of feel the music in your bones...

Unfortunatly because I'm in a wheelchair and other stuff I can't sing well anymore because I can't get into a good position for the breathing, etc... I now sound like a strangled cat if I sing.

Where you two sporty? Finger painting sounds great! one of my mates have very severe RSD and has started painting with her mouth, she holds the paintbrush between her lips and draws and paints etc...

Wow BB - a stage musical career would be soo awesome!! so sad you can't do it :( do you know what you'll do instead?...

I'm rubbish at composing - I can transpose but composing is abit beyond me!

You do have to stay positive with this and think how much you can achieve -it's great even playing a tiny bit... and things will improve.

Did you guys enjoy sports or handicrafts? I loved knitting and crotcheting and tried tapestry (but hated it!).... (are you getting the point that I'm not very good at sitting still yet?).

IHH - things are very horrible and hard atm - but I can't write about it yet... how are you my dear?

Take Care

Love

Rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Wow, frogga, you sound both talented and versatile! I'm sorry that you have so much trouble with music these days. I agree with you about the bass - it's never been my favorite, but I learned the basics in high school. One of my jobs in high school was teaching beginning music lessons, so I learned the basics of every instrument in the band and in the orchestra.

I was sporty - in addition to my onstage antics, I played softball and ran on the track and field team. For the first couple of years, I managed to at least continue with theater, but soon, all of it had to go. Nowadays, I'm a professional-level audience member! :)

I've discovered a love of academia that has begun to compensate for my loss of theater. I'm pursuing a degree in religion with an emphasis on religious conflict and peacemaking.

I'm planning to spend next year in Belfast before moving to New York City to finish my PhD (and go to the theater - a lot. :) )

So what about you? Future plans? Ideas?

I can't even maintain a tempo with my windshield wipers.

Is tempo the right word? You know, when you tap the steering wheel in time with them. Can't do it.

Tapping the table in time with the base drum? Not gonna happen.

I'm pretty good with air guitar as long as no one looks at my left hand to see how I'm doing with the chords.

Owell, 64 is probably too old to think about changing careers again, anyway...Vic

Hey BB

wow - religious and peace studies sounds awesome!!! it sounds really interesting! Belfast will be awesome!I love Ireland - it's brilliant!! I have only been to the south of ireland... it was pretty cool!

I also totally get the becoming versatile on every instrument. I was at boarding school and most of us would waste time by teaching each other how to use it, so I know the basics of most instruments... (but no percussion, digeridoos, oboes or bassoon)

Sports wise I did hockey, netball, sailing, swimming, discus and played girls rugby.

Oh well.....I'm studying psychology at the moment (I think it's the equivalent of your masters?) and am either going into clinical, forensic or health psychology. It all depends on what happens!!

Rxxxxxxxxxx