I am at the point of having to make a decision about my job. I am on 600 mg lyrica and started lamictal. I am a zombie in the morning, exactly 1 1/2 hours of taking my meds and the zombie state lasting 3 hours. I do accounting and it's all I can do to type, talk on the phone due to dizziness, drowsiness and plain stoned out. My doctor will provide me a note to support my decision to only work afternoons. It's hard to admit that I have become "disabled" due to meds. If my meds wear off in their effectiveness, MVD is the next step for me. Has anyone else gone through this adjustment? I have worked for 25 years now and finding it hard to "let go". I have lost some credibility in my position and that's hard to take.

Hi, Trish (I saw your intro post) and welcome,

I'm wondering if you've tried Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) at all. I've heard of a few people who've gone to it from Tegretol and found it actually had better pain control with much milder side effects. Might keep you working. I've not heard many TNers who had success with Lyrica - a few, but not as many and not as good as Trileptal. There's also Neurontin, which is often what people start on with TN these days, though Tegretol is still considered the "gold standard." Or have you asked your doctor about taking smaller doses more often? Maybe leveling out the side effects. There's a thread on Lyrica further down in this forum - check that out.

And if you're considering MVD, do read Ella's MVD Diary as well as the Newcomer's and Useful Sites sticky threads at the top of the forum. Ella's from Ontario and I can have her get in touch with you if you like. There are a couple of Canadian TN websites as well.

I had Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain, not classic TN, and was not doing much work when it happened so it was a matter of cleaning up a small mess that I'd made trying to work with the pain and I haven't been gainfully employed since. But I can relate as I don't want to be unemployed or retired or whatever, but feel I can't really go back for other health reasons now. But before you throw in the towel, read the stickies above and get Striking Back (the Face Pain Handbook - 2nd edition) if you don't already have it and check out all your options. There are lots of meds out there to try - - or, if you're a good candidate for MVD, that may give you your life back - definitely talk to Ella about it.

Best to you and keep after the docs to help you find a way to function.

Jean

Hi Jean
Thanks for your reply. I do have a copy of "Striking Back" which is my bible. I did mention to the neurologist that I am zombied out in the mornings after taking lyrica and that it was losing it's effectiveness. He just added lamictal to my meds and told me to continue the lyrica. The cold is a killer for me and supercedes any medication I am on. I have tried tegretol and that lost it's effectiveness. I haven't tried the other meds you mentioned however. I also saw my GP and mentioned about my zombie period and instead of changing meds, said he would write me a note supporting my decision to work 1/2 days if I needed one. I am now on reduced work hours and go in when I am sane again. This is around 11 am if I take my lyrica and lamictal at 6 am. I guess this is a good compromise for me till I see the neurolgist again for a follow up. I will suggest the other meds at that time and see what he thinks.
Thanks again

I too am on 600mgs of Lyrica and I also take 600mgs of Tegretol. I am in a stupor most of the the time. My ankles are swollen to three times their normal size. On top of this I am still in pain most of the time, Both my Neuro and GP are aware of this ans just brush it off as not important.
I am new here and looking for some moral support. Thank you.
Maryln

Hello all,

Chamfab, how long have you been on the Lyrica, out of curiosity? Is the drowsiness not something that goes away then?

I found that the doctor I started seeing at the walk in clinic (now my "family doctor") gave me whatever I suggested to him for meds (my knowlege coming from this site and links herefrom). "You know doc, I hear neurontin is a good one"

I had to go off tegretol after 6 weeks b/c of an allergic rash, but for the 1st week on it I was whacked out. Then when I started neurontin (generic-gabapentin) it was the same thing, but eventually I felt normal again.

I saw a neurologist today and he didnt' say squat about my meds. It was a near 3 month wait to see him and a complete waste of time as I'm now referred on to a neurosurgeon. Work on your family doctor and don't take no for an answer. But...if you do switch meds... watch out, the period between the tegretol and the neurontin kicking in was brutal.

Maryln!! Keep your chin, up; and your ankles too!!! You should find lots of help and support around here!

Hi Everyone, Hope your Holidays are as joyful as possible. I do not go on line often. My sight is blurry and it is frustrating sometimes. Anyhow I just wanted to update and make some corrections concerning my last post "ZOMBIE TOO." I was wrong about the amount of Lyrica I was on. The Doc had told me to double my dose and I thought I was already on 300mgs a day. Actually I was only on 150mgs, so when I doubled it I was taking 300mgs. I could not tolerate that much. I dropped back to 150mgs and 600mgs of Tegretol. I still have pain and swollen ankles, but I am living with it. I could not even watch tv on that much Lyrica. Hoping this episode will pass soon. I think the cool weather brought it on.

Bless you all and hope you we all are pain free someday soon.

maryln