Don't mess with your meds
 

I suggested switching from Lyrica to Topomax because I had gained weight.

I went upto 100mg of Topomax and still had earache, cheek pain and a host of side effects. These included mood swings, being introverted, anger, intolerance, hand and feet numbness/pain and fatigue.

I am now tapering off Lyrica 25mg a week, and I am now at 50mg. At this point 2 years post injury I have experienced what lies beneath the medication. This is dreadful electric shock like stabbing pain in my jaw, earache, cheek pain, tooth ache, nasal pain - what is known as Trigeminal Neuralgia.

I am now moving back to Lyrica which definately works on the pain, so hopefully all will settle down before Christmas. A Lesson learned!

Many of us need to try different meds to find what works best. Yes, meds can be a big problem. But, everybody responds differently. For some, no meds help.

I am sorry to hear of your bad experience and glad you found improvements.

Are you certain that some of what your experiencing isn't Lyrica Withdrawal Syndrome? I came off Lyrica - and it was a nightmare. If you search the threads, you'll find that it's a hot topic at NT.

I experience the "electric shock" pain. Sometimes it feels like a lightening bolt is shooting out of my index finger. My doctor attributes this to the nerve damage in my unstable neck.

Anyway, hang in there. I'm sorry that you are suffering so much.

No Hockey I have been off Lyrica for 3 to 4 months. The doctors tell me I have trigeminal neuralgia - clearly evidenced by the fact that pain is reduced by anticonvulsants and cymbalta. Lyrica is the best medication for me along with minimal Cymbalta dose.

That's a tough diagnosis, on top of everything else. My best to you.

On top of this, I had 3 collapses last year and had an appointment with my Consultant today. I was trying to say that these collapses may be down to Cymbalta, but he still wouldn't rule out epilepsy even though all my tests are clear. He kept referring to seizures.

At least I have no formal diagnosis of epilepsy and I can now drive, but if it happens again I will be stopped from driving until such a time as I see a Neurologist.

Lyrica didn't seem to help my nerve pain. I take the old standby, Tegretol, which also controls my TBI-induced seizures. Having demonstrated that they can be controlled, I'm allowed to drive, again, as long as I take my meds.

Just to update you all, things are settling down for me again.

I am back on 150mg Lyrica, with 30mg Cymbalta and this has taken control of my Neuropathic pain. After a lot of dreadful pain and feeling lousy, with medication this is over!

I am also back driving (gradually) but I don't think there will be any problems. I just have to behave as though I have epilepsy, even though I haven't been diagnosed with this.

So not to push myself, no alcohol and to reduce TV/overstimulation. Thankfully haven't had to take any time off work, I have had my work moved closer to home and hopefully this with continue long term.

My neurologist said that even though I had seizures, I did not have epilepsy. There is a difference between trauma induced seizures and epilepsy. I have dealt with this for 40 years. Please do not get stuck on the epilepsy issue.

When was your last collapse ?

Last collapse was a year ago, so I am legally cleared to drive, I am not expecting anymore collapses.

I have been on Topomax and mostly Lyrica for a year so this confuses things, as both are anticonvulsants. Also Cymbalta - which can cause your blood pressure to drop and collapse.

Ultimately until I see a Neurologist nobody will truely know what has happened to me medically.