Lyrica question
 

I am taking Lyrica, I started on 7 March one week at 100mg next week at 200 mg next week at 300 mg and I am now up to 400mg. The last few days my pain levels have dropped, I still have pain but it is better than it was. I add tramadol as and when I need it.

When I started taking the Lyrica I had really bad side effect, I felt drunk, then I felt spaced out, confused and cannot remember things – short term memory only. Although I am not as bad as I was when I started the Lyrica I still feel “drugged up” I have confusion and lack of concentration – brain fog. In other peoples experience do the side effects go away with time, how long might this take? I must try and get back to work but there is NO WAY I can feel like this. I certainly will not be increasing the dose because of the pain relief it gives but on the other hand I cannot tolerate these side effects for much longer. I need to get back to work but the way I am now I can’t even type properly!

Any experiences or thoughts to share out there?

I am sorry to hear you are having difficulty with a med that has helped others. This is something you should definetly discuss with your dr. I have tried Lyrica and it did not produce side effects, however it didn't do much good either.

Neurontin has worked well for me and it might be worth a try if you haven't already done so. These two compounds are related. Neurontin has produced some side effects in a few people similar to what you describe.

Take care:)

Your dosages look incredibly high!!!!
I took Lyrica 75mg twice daily for pain arising from PD (left side spasm). It worked for 4 months (Oct 06 - Feb 07) but I had fits of severe daytime drowsiness + I put on 28lbs in less than 2 months. I have changed to Amitriptyline 10mgs per 24 hrs taken at bedtime (11th April). So far this is working with no adverse effects.:)

I was on neurontin for two years, and then switched to Lyrica. I had side-effects very similar to what you describe, and they failed to go away even after three months, so I quit taking it. Then again, I have heard many other people say that they had great results from this med. It much depend a lot on your own personal chemistry. I was taking 300mg daily, so I don't really see what you're taking as a really high dose.

Like JackMana, I finally switched to amitriptylene, except that I take 100-150 mg of that at night before bed. It helps me sleep and keep on weight, but has no pain-relieving effect that I can tell.

Side Effects
 

Some people have the side effects that you describe and others do not. My experience has been that they do wear off if you do not discontinue and then start again, but unfortunately for me, I have developed a tolerance for Lyrica and the analgesic effects have diminishd even at 1500 mgs during the day and 750 mgs at night. (No physician will prescribe this dose, so I endure periods of agony when I run out until my next refill.) Physicians do NOT realise the scope of my pain. I have begun to consider suicide as an option.

Also, please be aware that if you try Neurontin that one of the side effects for *some* people can be suicidal depression. This happened to me. I came within a gnats butt to having myself admitted on three different occasions because of this and before I became aware that it was the drug causing it. Also, Neurontin causes B-12 deficiency which will make the PN pain worse.

I'm very blessed in that I began taking B-vitamin supplements about 30 days ago. Since then my PN pain has decreased to about 10% of what it was before I was put on Neurontin. I can sleep again. :)

Thanks all
 

for your responses. I seem to be adjusting to the Lyrica, the side effects are reducing and the confusion and brain fog much less so life is manageable again.

Thank you

As far as the lyrica doses being high... I am on Lyrica 450mg per day (150mg 3 times a day) and it doesn't seem that high to me, as far as what my Dr. has me on.

I am on amitriptyline as well, and have found some benefit.

Best wishes to you all! Lyrica has helped me with numbness, tingling and allodynia.

Lyrica
 

This can happen. Lyrica interacts with the GABA receptors in a very similar way to benzodiazepines and they are well known to cause memory issues and intoxicating effects.

I am on 600 mg of Lyrica a day and the side effects went away as time passed. I started on 75 mg twice and day and on up until I am at my current dosage which has been at this level now for about 6 months. In order to keep my burning neuropathic pain down, I have to take this dose. I know that it is not a common dosage, in fact it is rather rare from what I have seen. We have since added cymbalta to the mix to try to help a bit more since I am on the maximum daily dosage of Lyrica.
Sandi