Breathing Problems with Lyrica
 

I started taking Lyrica the end of January. Within about twenty minutes after my first dose I was having slight difficulty breathing, tightness in my chest, and, later, coughing. I continued taking it another couple days hoping the side effects would go away but they were getting worse so I discontinued it. Now, more than four months later, I am still having difficulty breathing and coughing. I am working with a pulmonolgist to find out what's going on. Has anyone else experienced lung problems as a result of taking Lyrica?

I am about to start Lyrica. what does your doc say and what does the pulmonologist say? Do they think it was an allergic reaction?

My neurologist and the pharmacist just told me to stop taking it. I haven't talked to my neurologist recently. My PCP did a chest x-ray and it came back normal so he referred me to the pulmonologist.
My pulmonologist did some breathing tests and ABGs but those were pretty good too. He put me on some nasal sprays for congestion in my nose but that has had limited benefit. Most recently, he ordered a special CT of my lungs to check for damage to the lining of them, etc. I am still waiting on those results.

Breathing issues are a reaction at times
 

Web up 'Lyrica Prescribing Information'. Under section 5, adverse reactions it does list 'dyspnea' as a common reaction....that means difficulty breathing. And, stopping the medication is definitely recomended. It's better to be safe than sorry? - j

I have heard and read
 

of the shortness of breath with Lyrica.

But those events typically end when the drug is withdrawn.

I wonder: Do you take statins for cholesterol, as well?

A friend of mine received a letter about a week ago, not sure from whom, but they are sending them out to patients who take Lyrica. My friend doesn't take Lyrica but her husband does and has for a long time. And she did say that for some time now he has had some difficulty breathing.

And what is this letter about?

I searched for a "letter" on Google. Could not find one listed either from Pfizer or FDA.

I did find some statements about using Lyrica in patients with
congestive heart failure, or other weaknesses of the heart.
Seems Lyrica can make that worse.

I could not find any PubMed papers on dyspnea and Lyrica.

You can read some of the serious MedWatch reports made on Lyrica here:
http://www.patientsville.com/medication/lyrica.htm

You can have an allergic reaction to almost anything and experience shortness of breath at that time. But yes, once the allergen is out of your system the breathing problems go away. I initially thought I was having an allergic reaction and that is why I stopped taking the Lyrica. It was more than an allergic reaction since the lung problems are continuing four and a half months later.
No, I do not take statins. My cholesterol has always been very good so I've never had to take medicine for that.

Thanks for this info. Can you get more info on his symptoms and what the letter said? I will do some searching to see if I can find anything but it'd be great if you could post more about it here.