I've been on it for nearly 5 years now. Helps the horrid electric type pains for def. Yes weight gain is a pain but seems to have plateaued. Not helped due to lack of activity due to co ex health issues.
It does cause issues with eyes. They are dry and I have to use artificial tears and heavier gel lubricants as if let them 'grate' for too long then get eye infection. So hence always have a chloramphenicol eye drop in.

I found that made me very sleepy in the beginning and then every time doe adjusted would go through it again. Took time to adjust. Memory, yes I have issues with memory now and cannot same for sure if Lyrica because on several meds. I also take Effexor low dose twice a day for its nerve pain properties but it may also help with the depression probs that others of you have experienced. I have never experienced this. I do feel very fed up at times but not like some of you have explained in posts.


Hope this is helpful.
Hx

I've tried both Neurontin and Lyrica and am currently on Neurontin.

Lyrica is supposed to be easier on the body and have less side effects, however it dramatically increased my seizures (I also have epilepsy), so I had to come off of it after a few weeks. It was a rare reaction known as paradoxical (sp ? ) as Lyrica is also used to treat seizures, but alas, it happend to me. I was never able to get up to a high enough dose to achieve any sort of results pain wise, so I can't comment on that aspect of it.

I am currently on Neurontin. I find that it helps with the allodynia aspect of my RSD/CRPS pain and my seizures, but I can only tolerate it at relatively low doses (1200 mg/day) without having major side effects.

Don't be afraid to try the Lyrica though--- it may turn out to be a great med for you, and if it isn't, you can always go off it !

:) L2L