Hi Kathy,

My PCP placed me on Lyrica 2 weeks ago. The first dosage of 75mg twice daily did not not work. He has now doubled the dosage to 150mg twice daily and I'm in my 3rd day without any change. I am having some side effects of dizziness, confusion, and sleepyness. I'll give it a couple more days then check back with him. I hope Lyrica helps you kathy...........Marilyn

I'm supposed to take lyrica, but I feel dizzy and "off" in just one day of use. I don't take it unless I'm having a bad flare that my other meds aren't giving me enough relief with.

It's very triggering for me to feel that I'm not in complete control of my surroundings/actions/sleep, etc., as I have a young boy to care for and now help with my grandson.

I swore that I'd use what I needed for better pain control when my daughters "grew up", but I then became guardian of my nephew so I really have put off doing what I need to do for me. It's taking it's toll as well...dealing with some level of discomfort at all times.

I wish you well and hope you let us know how it goes.

KD

I took Lyrica twice and both times had trouble with side effects. It causes weight gain and can cause increased anxiety. I'm now off of it and won't go back on it. I had to keep increasing the dose to get so-so pain relief.

Take care, Ellena

I have thoracic outlet syndrome which includes (for me) the type of pain you are discussing, plus neck, shoulder, arm, hand and some other neuro symptoms.

The reason I am writing is about Lyrica.

Within three months of taking Lyrica I developed high blood sugar of 500 (normal is 100 or less) and after 6 months I gained 50 lbs. out of eating almost nothing. I stopped it, lost 60 lbs. immediately, but I am now diabetic, as I believe, a direct result of Lyrica.

I have to test twice a day, take meds, eat differently, etc. For 47 years I had perfect blood sugar, and then within 3 months, the side effect listed by Lyrica happened to me. I now find that I am far from alone in those that have developed diabetes, but the doctors won't admit it, for obvious reasons.

Also, Lyrica did nothing for my nerve condition.

So be careful, take your blood sugar faithfully via blood work, as well as liver, which also went with raised enzymes - and watch to see if you have any weight gain.

God bless you in your search for a cure for TN.

Hi....i Started With Lyrica But Stopped Taking It After A Month (too Expensive) And Started Taking "gababentin" (a Neurontin) I've Been Taking It For About 1 1/2 Years...it Calms My Nerve Some...my Biggest Complant Is Weight Gain...i've Gain About 30 Pounds...i'm Going To Go To A New Neurologist To See If Theres Something Else I Can Take...i Keep Hoping All Of This Will Just Go Away...the Things I've Read About Tn, It Sounds Like It Can Last Years And Someday It Just Might Go Away...i Keep Praying And Hoping For That...

I started with what seemed like a sensitive tooth, but have never had dental issues EVER, other than the usual occasional fillings. Then it disappeared on its own.

The next event, about two years later in May 2006, occurred while eating. It felt like my jaw had unhinged, a lightning bolt was zapping me, and I had some swelling. Off to the ER, they diagnosed a parotid gland obstruction, but nothing showed on MRI. So, they shot me full of IV Dilaudid and sent me home with Vicodin and orders to suck sour hard candy.

After some bouts over this past year, but no swelling whatsoever, I had an excruciating episode on December 23rd, 2007. Back to the ER (oh joy!), where I was given IM Dilaudid, diagnosed with TN, prescribed Lyrica and Vicodin.

For me, Lyrica is a wonder drug! But, alas, it isn't covered by my insurance. My GP put me on Neurontin instead. Didn't work and the side effects were hideous.

So....the final upshot is that I have been represcribed the Lyrica, which we are paying for out of pocket (ouch!), but I feel great!

Good luck and painfree wishes!
__________________

Hi, I have Neuralgia but mine affected the ear and back of the throat. This is what I took and my 'HORRIBLE' pain Is GONE----The Lyrica didn't work for me.-------------------------------------------------------------
the SERENITY AND ANTI_FLAM was $1999 each bottle.
ENT Doctor "AMAZED" (Glossopharygneal Neuralgia)PAIN FREE IN 4 days
The name of the Herbs I took I got at the "HEALTH FOOD STORE" in OKC One is: "SERENITY" BY GAIA HERBS . The herbs included are:Skullcap herb 60 mgt--Passionflower vine 60 mgt--Kava Kava rhizome 60 mgt--Chalomile flowers 45 mgt--Wild Oats milky seed 27 mgt--Hops Strobile 24 mgt--Mugwart herb 15 mgt--Peppermint leaf 9 mgt. (1 PILL 3 TIMES A DAY with a small amount of warm water)

The other one is: "ANTI-FLAM" BY Crystal Star
Break the pain-spasm cycle with a releiving blend of 18 whole herbs. GOTUKOLA HERB for nerve pain---WHITE WILLOW BARK for releif--GINGER as a catakyst--JAMAICAN DOGWOOD for pain control---------------------------WHITE WILLOW Bk-------JAMAICAN DOGWOOD Bk-------ST.JOHNS WORT Lf-------WHITE PINE Bk------ECHINACEA a. Rt-------GOTU KOLA Hrb----DEVILS CLAW Rt------RED CLOVER Blsm----TURMERIC Rt. ext.------LICORICE Rt.----- BURDOCK Rt----MEADOWSWEET Hrb.----- ALFALFA lf.-----CHAMOMILE Blsm.----- DANDELINE Rt.----GINGER Rt.---- UVA URIS Lf.----BROMELAIN (2 PILLS 3 TIMES A DAY)

I am currently on Lyrica as well. I am taking 150mg 3x a day. It works 'so-so' and I'm not that happy with it. I have 3 young children and I don't like how sleepy Lyrica makes me feel. On the + though, I haven't gained any weight on this one. YAY!!! I gained about 50+ pounds on gabapentin... I have in fact, lost 26pounds since new years. (I got a part time job!) Anyways, I have been diagnosed for 2 years now, and getting very frustrated with it all. At least my friends and family don't think 'it's all in my head' anymore... It's like if people can't physically see that something is wrong, they don't want to believe it's true. Wow, I'm rambling. lol

Lyrica has been nothing short of a miracle for me. Good luck!