Coping with nerve damage and what to do?
 

I have been on Lyrica Cv 50mg. 3x a day for about a month now. The first dose in the morning seems to make me really dizzy, unsteady, difficulty concentrating, some confusion. Dry mouth all day. However it is helping with the burning and tingling in my legs and back. My legs are still weak and can't stand for long or sit. My feet seem to still have problems with feeling and balance is way off. The pain has lessoned some. It does get better as the day goes on. 2nd & 3rd dose don't seem to give me this problem. I have herniated Discs @ S1- L5. I was put on the Lyrica for the nerve damage which has gotten worse over the years. This has been going on for ten yrs. Do I continue to take this medication or work it out? I am also concerned about my back and legs. If I don't have the surgery, what are my chances of being unable to walk? I'm already half way there. Called the doctor,now am waiting for a call back. I really don't mind if I get the weight gain, I need it! Lost weight due to being on Duregesic patch a long time ago and can't seem to gain it back. Does anyone have any ideas on how to gain weight. I have tryed Ensure 3 X a day. Didn't help. I'm eating 3 meals a day and in between. Sleep seems to be my only option when I'm feeling the effects of this medication. Any advice would be nice. Thanks.

Hey I am from MI but live in FL now. Anyhow did you hear back from your doctor? Did you increase Lyrica lately or has this always been the side effect? Maybe the dose is too much for you or it was increased too quick? Have you tried neurontin or other meds? I could not tolerate Lyrica but everyone is different.
I had to gain a lot of weight. Ensure plus I would get. Also eat at least 6 times a day. Can you tolerate certain foods better then others? Things like granola,nut butters,dense breads,healthy oils can help as well. Do you have an underlying bowel or nutrient issues or is it from the med you lost weight? A nutritionist can really help as well.
Hang in there

Sorry it took so long to get back. Yes, I heard from the doctor and he lowered my med to 2 pills a day until I adjust, then to move it up to 3 a day. I have tryed the ensue plus for nine months 3X a day and no help. I already had a colonoscopy and that came back normal. I might try out a nutritionist to see what they can come up with. At this point I feel as if I run in a marathon everyday. My legs still hurt and it is hard to stand for a period of time. My hips hurt and can't take my weight of my body and my legs. I only weigh 90 lbs and NEED to put weight on. Thank you for responding to what I wrote.

I think one who cannot gain weight should look to hyperthyroid issues, first thing. Certainly there are people who are genetically efficient in processing carbs and other fattening foods well.

But increased thyroid activity can lead also to weight loss issues.
This revved up metabolism eventually burns out the heart and other organs. So it needs to be looked for and corrected if present.

Severe or chronic diarrhea or fast transit of food thru the GI tract can also lead to weight loss issues.

Doctor G did a test and I'm going thru menopause and I think you are right. I have asked if it could be hyperthyroid and he says all my levels look good. Maybe I should go into an ENT. Not sure. I do know my D levels are low and I take vitamin D and D-400 twice a day, and vitamins. What should I do? Push my doctor harder? I have always been a small person, but not 90 lbs ! I would like to see 120 lbs and I would be spitten happy. I just feel so down in the dumps lately. It is summer time and I can't do alot and I spend most of my days in my house or in bed. Thank you for responding.

What is your test result for the D?

To raise, you need approx 1000IU D3 for every 10 ng you need to raise. D2 on RX doesn'ts work. If you are using that I suggest you switch. Your target according to the new research should be 50ng. D3 is the active form and only available OTC.

So for example if you tested at 20 you would need 3000IU D3 daily. (this is for US testing range figures).

I will have to look it up in my recent medical tests online, I will get back on that. I'm interested to know myself. Should I also find out about my TSH and FSH and any others? Thanks!

Yes, for sure. If your doctor is following the .1-5 scale for thyroid instead of the NEW .1-3 scale for TSH... you may be hypo to some extent and need supplements of thyroid hormone if you are testing between 3 and 5.

B12 should be 400 or above.

See if you have MCV in the CBC section. Elevated MCV indicates low B12 activity in the body.

Elevated ferritin is problematic. Any antibody tests and ANA etc.
HbA1C and fasting glucose.

Glenn is more versed with the complex antibody tests than I am.

MrsD, thank you. This is what I found. Looks like I need to go back and look again. Darn.

Vitamin D 25 Level, 25-OH Vitamin D total - 22ng/mL.
25-OH Vitamin D3 -22ng/mL. Calcium Lvl total- 9.4 mg/dL.
TSH FT4 if indicated- 1.95 U/mL
FSH - 12.2 mIU/mL
Lutenizing Hormone-(LH)- 26.8 mIU/mL
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - 1.48 mcU/mL
Totel Protein level - 6.9 g/dL
MCV - 92.9 fL
MCHC - 33.7 g/dL
MCH - 31.3 pg
Hgb - 14.4 g/dL
HCT - 42.8%
WBC - 8.17 x 10^3/uL
RDW - 13.2%
RBC - 4.6 x 10^6/uL
MPV - 7.8 PL
Platelet - 275 x 10^3/uL
Potassium Lvl - 4.3 mmd/L
Total protein - 6.4 g/dL
Creatinine - 0.58 mg/dL
Glucose Lvl - 82 mg/dL
CO2 - 31 mmol/L
Antibody Screen interp - Negative
AST - 14 lU/L
ALT - 10 lU/L
Could not find Ferritin or B12, HbA1C and glucouse. Hmmm I guess I'll have to look some more. I don't know what any of this means. I'm lost for sure.Thanks for all the info. Have a great holiday weekend . I also take Veville Dot 0.1mg in a patch form for the menapause. I think it is a hormone, not sure. It helps with the severe hot flashes and night sweats.

A1C and B12 are not on there. Your D is low so 3000IU D3 a day until you retest in 3 mons is a good idea. The amount in your calcium is not sufficient. Forget the RX version if you are taking it.

The glucose is there, and in the normal range.

Fixing the D may help reduce some of the pain. But it will not get rid of all of it. D does hope people with chronic pain, in studies.

If your issues are mostly compressive, then as long as that continues you will have nerve issues. You might try Lidoderm patches on your back, if you haven't already. They work pretty well. You'll need to put them on the lower back on each side for at least 7 days in a row, to see if they start blocking the pain.
Those need an RX from your doctor.

Your other tests seem in the normal range to me. If you don't have any hand/arm issues or generalized skin burning, your nerve issues may be just due to the spinal issues.