Lyrica, Small nerve neuropathy & side effects...
 

Hello Everyone
I started taking lyrica 10 days ago for small nerve neuropathy. Pins and needles, tingling, stabbing, electric-like feeings and burning pain in my legs, feet, arms, hands and face. I am only on 50mgs a day because of side effects, Jitteriness, lightheaded, spacey feelings and some anxiety and now weight gain!. Im slowly trying to get up to 75 a day and some... I have already gained 4 or 5 lbs. ( Right now its ok because I am thin). My stomache feels bloated and is distended. I am afraid I may be retaining water and am wondern if this could become serious. So far no swelling in my hands or feet, as I know I am on a low dose.
Is anyone else taking lyrica and what dose are you on? How long did it take for your weight gain. Does the weight gain stop after a while or do you keep gaining weight? So far I do not have an increased appetite and still eat the same, but still gained weight in a short time!
Also, I have read on other sites people are reporting hair loss and teeth problems. Has anyone heard or had any of these side effects?? Sorry for all the questions, but I am concerned about the risks of this medication. Any suggestions or input would be appreciated!! Thanks!:(

Hi Marie sorry to hear about all of this I am also on lyrica now for 1 yr for nerve neuropathy from my neck down both arms to hands and down to my waist, My dosage is 450mg a day I started out on a very low dose and went up over 4 months to get to this dosage it started to help almost right away. I am not gaining weight but nor am I losing even after being on a diet of only 800 cal a day for the last few mnths I also take cymbalta witch can make you gain aswell. The side effects of the lyrica were bad at first I did't know if I would be able to stay on them but the awful feelings left after about 3mos Im glad I stayed with it because the benefit has been exellent. I hope you do well because I know this pain is awful and debillatating . I hope I have been of some help.

I have small fiber neuropathy and awful pain all over. I started lyrica originally and after a few weeks stopped because at the time, I thought it was causing involuntary muscle jerks all over my body. I switched, and have been taking gabapentin for the last 4 months, up at 2700mg. I am now weaning off of it because it does not help. I am about to re-try lyrica, the muscle jerks have continued throughout so clearly not from the original doses of lyrica. I did not experience other bad symptoms, and did not gain weight on either drug, tho they both warned of it. my mother is on lyrica and swears by it. She did not gain weight and is at the 300mg level. She has taken it for several years. I am worried about side effects but if it will alleviate some pain, I plan to really try to tough it out for a few months before giving up. My doctor said try to fight through side effects for a while before deciding its not right.

I'm just about to give Lyrica a try. I was on Gabapentin for a while and it made all of my joints ache terribly and it also made my mood very dark. I switched to Elavil and after just two weeks I had terrible ringing in my ear, didn't know what I was doing and felt stoned and tired. I quickly stopped. So, my Neurologist is sending a script for Lyrica. I'm not sure I even want to try it. I know Gabapentin was helping my SFN a bit, but none have worked well enough to put up with the terrible side effects. I just started on supplements and I'm exercising again in hopes of taking control of this more naturally. It's extremely frustrating, but a few posts on this message board have given me some hope.

Not sure that helps you much, but just thought I'd chime in since Lyrica is my potential next drug of choice.

Lyrica
 

im on lyrica 300 mg aday. I didnt know you could take 450 aday

im on 300 mg and have decreased pain by 80% without any side effects

To Marie, I had a similar problem with needles and tingling in my toes, especially the outer toes. My PCN said it was nerve damage and prescribed Lyrica. This med gave me nightmares as a side effect. He then sent me to a sports medicine specialist who switched and put me on neuronton. Did not help either. Saw a podiatrist and said I had plantar fasciitis . Bought so many shoe inserts for lots of money. Even saw a PT which proved useless. Nothing has helped, I am feeling so depressed and defeated and helpless.

If you have plantar fasciitis, supplements are not likely to work for you.

This link has some very useful information with ice treatments, and stretches:
http://northcoastfootcare.com/pages/...Fasciitis.html

I had this many years ago (a spur was found in my heel too). But with proper shoe support and rest, and the salonpas patches on my heel, it did resolve on its own. I had it for 2 yrs before it finally quieted down. I still have the spur too.

If you did receive any fluoroquinolone antibiotic, these are known to damage tendons as well. The mechanism of this is not elucidated yet. But it is thought to be due to DNA damage.

spoke to soon maybe, started having serious side effects after 1 mo. on 300mg Lyrica, started feeling like a zombie , dull headaches, depression and anxiety. Dropped back to 150mg, without much trouble , for a week. Then wondered how much benefit that was. tried to stop it to see, then went into terrible withdrawl pains, headaches, stomach problems, anixity and nerves shot. Started back on 75mg per day helped some, going to try 75mg every other day, am scared to death about how to get completely clear again. They don't tell you how addicted you could get in a short time ,4 mo. altoghter for me. Still I wish I was one of those it helped

Edmund Uk
 

I have been taking Lyrica for several years for PN?. Male 84 . Also I have the cream made from the hottest Chilli. My feet are very painful, sometimes unbearable. Doc upped the Lyrica but hasn't seemed to help. I'd try anything to ease the pain in my Tootsies! Regards to all sufferers, hope he pain eases for you!