Thinking of switching from Lyrica to Gabapentin. (I mean when u get right down to it aren't these like a molecule off from being the same drug) I'm actually currently prescribed both and I'm concerned that this may be over medicating and I'm also concerned with the whopping price of lyrica and see a insurance change in my future.. Anyone with opinions, advice, etc would be appreciated
Thinking of switching from Lyrica to gabapentin?
Question posted by Shebopback on 9 June 2014
Last updated on 18 December 2018 by Dayeisme
10 Answers
I know this is a very old post but I wanted to add my experience with these drugs for anyone who may come looking after me.
First though, I wanted to say thank you to all of you that responded and shared your experiences.
Ok, I have nerve damage in my neck as well as a couple of bad discs. I had one fusion c-5&6 and have been putting off the suggested fusion on c4&5 and 6&7. I am waiting on a call from the surgeon to discuss going ahead with it. Anyway, also have fibromyalgia, sciatic and back pain and RLS.
I had been on Gabapentin for 8 years and my only problem was being tired a lot. A friend suggested Lyrica, saying how great it does for them. So I switched. I'm a bit amped up all of the time especially in the evening and it has also put my RLS into overdrive. I am lucky to sleep 4 hours at night. I can hardly sit still, I feel as if I’m going to jump out of my skin! I don’t recommend the lyrica for anyone who has RLS.
I’m going Back to the Gabapentin!
Thanks! I hope You all find what eases your pain.
I have fibromyalgia. Also a GFR of 39 (low kidney function)
Began gabapentin in 2009. LOVED it. But of course over the years the dose crept up.
I started at 100 mgs twice a day (or so) ended up at 1400 a day. Then it seemed to not be working as well, so I was switched to Lyrica, 100 mgs twice a day, now 150 twice a day for past year.
Lyrica managed my symptoms (felt like my body was being filled with helium, chronic pain, etc)
But the past two months my feet have swollen so badly I bought a size larger shoe and my feet are so swollen I can barely walk.
I have some old gabapentin and I decided to try 300mgs (I stopped the lyrica for 24 hrs first) I want to see if it makes any difference over the weekend, plan to call my dr Monday morn.
So for fibro control, if you can manage the side-effects, I choose Lyrica.
I also take 2 Tylenol extended relief for arthritis twice a day for oseteo. I cannot take any NSAIDS w'my kidney function.
I actually found in the past that the less gabapentin I took, the better it controlled my pain. It's not time released and I liked to take smaller doses through-out the day rather than one or two big doses, as that causes sleepiness all day.
I'm not a doctor, just giving you what happened to me when I took them. So, because my feet are so badly swollen, I hope I can go back to Gabapentin w/o a problem. I did have some swelling at times before with the gabapentin, but nothing as severe as this with the Lyrica
Monday note: Have appt with dr on Wed, so far I'm happy. Lost 6 lbs water weight over the weekend and ankle/foot swelling is gone. Resumed Gabapentin at 300 mgs 3x day. I'll see how the dr wishes to adjust on Wed. The lyrica manages the pain MUCH better, but I don't think I can handle the swelling, it made my feet VERY painful.
I was on gabapentin for two and half years 9x300 mg per day for severe nerve damage and the doctor has changed me to lyrica but I would definitely agree with gabapentin if you have nerve damage good luck in the future regards billy
I have spondyloarthritis. I am on Gaba for over 3 years. I do love it over nothing. My thing is if I miss a days dose (I.e. I have not picked up my rx on x) I get really gloomy. I heard this could be a side effect, but yuck. Wonder if I request lyrica, would I would get depressed ?
i take abilify with my prozac... it has done wonders, no lyrica(bad)... try prozac and add abilify to it..u will b happy u did...
I was on lyrica for a long time and it worked great. But before I lost my insurance my doctor switched me to gabapentin because it costs a lot less. Lyrica worked way better than the gabapentin does for my nerve pain. I take 600mg 3 times a day and the time through out the night until I take my next dose is horrible. Lyrica did cause me to gain weight too. I certainly didn't like that! I hope this helps.
Thanks for all your responses. I guess I'll discuss it with my PCP. I just couldn't believe the price on lyrica. I have several bulging discs and sciatic pain, I also have RLS.
Hi! I know this thread is very old, but I was hoping to find some answers with you! Were you successfully switched from lyrica to gabapentin? I'm on lyrica and I'm miserable from the weight gain. I want to stop taking it but I can't get past how awful I felt when I tried a few months ago. I added you a friend if you want to private message me. Please help!
I'm going through the same as you. (Tried to stop the lyrica cold and the pain was horrid) Sounds like you're taking a lot at one time (600 mgs) I don't know what the cause of your nerve pain is, so I'm sure that makes a diff. .
ANYWAY, keep in mind that lyrica is time released and gabapentin is not. You might try to break up your doses more through-out the day for now until you can ask your dr if you can get a time-released gabapentin, I heard they make it now.
Hello Shebopback,
I took the max dose of gabapentin and it did nothing for me, and now I am trying lyrica again for the second time. A lot of people get relief from gabapentin so I suggest you give it a try as it is less expensive and many insurances don't cover lyrica. My pain management doctor told me the gaba and lyrica both would work in a few days; however, my rheumy said it would take up to 4 months to know if lyrica would work or not. I wish you the best,
pamee.
I'm on Gabapentin for nerve pain, been on it for 9 months now & it has work good for me. I was never on Lyrica but heard some people can't take lyrica, put on gabapentin work fine for them. I have burning/sensitive pain in my right foot, I couldn't even touch my foot was put on gabapentin & even in a month time my foot was better. Today after being on it for 9 months with my dose increased a few times it dosen't take all the pain away but nothing will I have a nerve disease.
I have severe nerve damage as well through getting stabbed through my side of my stomach' mostly my thighs and severe depression my doctor has taken me of my 2700mg per day and gave me pregabalin 2 x 75 mg a day and I'm in agony I think for nerve damage gabapentin is the one good luck in the future I need to phone my doctor tomorrow as I'm in to much pain I don't know why he has gave me pregabalin in the first place regards billy'
Actually there are some people here who are on both. I think that is totally wasteful since gabapentin has a high max dose. I had to stop lyrica because of side effects and I currently take gabapentin which I think works better. Gabapentin isn't an inferior med. Just older and in generic so it's cheaper.
gabapentin is low quality compared to lyrica which is better you should not be taking both at the same time... in my experience gabapentin didn't work near as good Lyrica. I had to take gabapentin for 3 months before qualifying on my insurance for lyrica and it had no effect.
nerve and muscle painnpain
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