Lyrica for Fibromyalgia User Reviews (Page 5)

• Trinity
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2022

"This medication is HORRIBLE! I wish I had never taken it. My doctor prescribed it for me a few years ago but I never picked it up. Recently, he prescribed it to me again for fibromyalgia and I reluctantly decided to try it. It only helped a tad bit with my chronic pain. The first couple weeks on it, I had really bad headaches daily. I got urinary retention. The worst part is that I’m already diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar 2 and borderline personality disorder. Lyrica made all of these worse. I have suicidal ideation daily. I’ve only been on these pills for about a month and a half but trying to get off them is hard. I’ve been through really bad Tramadol withdrawal but Lyrica is way worse because your body becomes dependent on it so quickly. Also, it made my vision blurry and my cognitive functions are a mess. I’m always forgetting things and have no sense of time. I’ve never been like this before. I feel so stupid and in a fog."

• Diana...
• February 2, 2013

"I have been on Lyrica for a week now, 150 mg only at night, and have not felt this good in three years. I am more active. I have not gained any weight yet, but hopefully, by being as active as I am now, I will lose weight."

• Monkey
• December 31, 2016

"I wanted to share my experience in combining Lyrica and Neurontin for neuropathy symptoms; I've had fibromyalgia for 25 years. Neurontin was effective, but only at 1800 mg/day, which left me drowsy (fell asleep anytime I wasn't moving). My MD switched me to Lyrica (75 mg), but when I got to 3 per day, I rapidly gained weight - 10 lbs in 2 weeks! As a med student, I knew the two meds worked in a similar way and were metabolized similarly. I decreased the Lyrica to 1 per day, which stopped the weight gain but didn't control the nerve pain, so I added back in one 300 mg Neurontin per day (both at bedtime, to minimize drowsiness) - still not enough pain control. I added another Neurontin, and that was optimal for me. I take it all at bedtime."

• Living
• March 31, 2008

"I have had FM for 20 years, been on morphine, antidepressants, Fentanyl patches - you name it, I have tried it, but thank the Lord for Lyrica which I started in March 2008. It has made my life worth getting up for in the morning. I can do things I was not able to do for so long."

• Sandymc
• May 22, 2017

"I have suffered from headaches for years with relief with Excedrin. However, I was taking up to 8 at the onset to keep it from becoming a migraine. I'm really surprised that the doctors didn't tell me about 'Excedrin abuse' since I told them that I was taking that much. However, when prescribed Lyrica for fibro pain, my headaches were gone to maybe 3 a week. So I highly recommend this for serious headache problems. It does help with fibro pain. But, weight gain and dry mouth are my biggest side effects, and it is to the extent that I almost want to go back to 8 Excedrin a day. Hope this helps someone!"

• LWSou...
• April 27, 2017

"My doctor prescribed Lyrica for fibromyalgia. As I am very sensitive to medication, I was prescribed 75 mg at bedtime each night. The first month, I did feel better taking Lyrica. However, after about 4 months, I began experiencing strange symptoms. I could not remember things. My brain was foggy. I wasn't myself, and my pain returned. It was a no-brainer, so I informed my doctor that I wanted off of this medication. I've been off Lyrica now for two months, and my brain is back to normal. It was very scary to even think how little I was taking and what an impact it made on me. I am taking apple cider vinegar with honey every morning, exercising a little each day, even if I don't want to, and resting when my body needs it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2019

"I was prescribed 50 mg Lyrica twice daily, and it helped slightly for a few days and then did absolutely nothing for my nerve pain/fibromyalgia. I'm sure it works great for some people, but for me, the only thing it did was give me panic attacks, make me extremely depressed, and altered my sense of taste. When I wanted to get off of it, I got a new script for a wean, and I had to phone Lyrica to try to get to their patient assistance department since it is so expensive, even with the savings card, and I should qualify for assistance. However, I never got through because their customer service insisted on interviewing me about my wean before they would put me through to patient assistance. I shouldn't have to go through three people to answer a yes or no question about assistance, especially when I don't feel comfortable giving them my health records over the phone."

• krism...
• April 11, 2013

"This medicine worked pretty well for me. I didn't realize how well it worked until I went off of it before getting pregnant. The thing I didn't like about it, though, was that it always made me feel like I was in a cloud. My thinking wasn't clear. I would get dizzy. I didn't notice too much of a weight gain, but there was some. In the end, I chose to try a different med (Savella) after my daughter was born and have been happier with that. Still works and fewer side effects."

• Murr
• June 14, 2017

"I started taking Lyrica 25 mg 2 weeks ago. I was sleepy day 1, took a nap. Next day, 25 mg felt well and energetic. I'm combining a low dose with a massage every 2 weeks. I'm interested in what others have to say about long-term use at a low dose."

• Big...
• May 16, 2017

"My doctor prescribed Lyrica for fibromyalgia, this was the worst medication I have ever taken! Within a few days, my anxiety levels were through the roof. I had other side effects too, but I can't recall what they were now - it's been a horrendous year."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2008

"I have had fibromyalgia for 12 years and have been on high doses of morphine, Duragesic patches, methadone, and many other narcotics. I am now on 225mg of Lyrica twice a day and low doses of Opana. I feel like a new person, never thought it would ever happen. I feel like I did years ago, and I am 63 now but am able to do most of the things I was able to do before the fibro hit me. I can't work my old job as an RN, but I can do most things. Some days are better than others, but this is a great drug."

• Jll
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2018

"I have rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. I have only been taking Lyrica, 75 mg twice a day, for a week. The first 4 days I felt 'spacey,' but that is going away. I immediately felt better. I have been on hydrocodone, then oxycodone. They were not helping much. My pain doctor did a cheek swab gene-drug reaction test. There were only two opiates that were compatible with my DNA. I've been on Nucynta, regular and ER, for maybe 5 months. Still taking it and EC naproxen, Plaquenil. It was helpful for some of the pain, but not the nerve and muscle pain. I don't have any side effects so far from Lyrica. I will update if anything changes. All I need to say is I feel 85% better. I also feel better mentally and feel like doing things I haven't been able to till now. I'm taking a free trial, it hasn't been submitted through insurance yet. There is a discount card on the website for $35 instead of insurance."

• Summe...
• October 20, 2016

"Works pretty well for the pain, but having severe side effects (involuntary muscular movement involving jerking of legs and difficulty speaking, urinary retention and inability to urinate, dramatic weight gain of 30 pounds so far)."

• Alicat
• January 10, 2016

"I started taking Lyrica about 8 months ago. In about 3 days, I had felt a significant change. It was working great for my fibro, but I also have spinal arthritis. It did nothing for that or my sciatica. Finally, I was bumped up to a high dose, but due to other things in life, I had to stop because of financial difficulties. I couldn't even afford copays. So I'm on gabapentin, and it barely works. If I could, I would get back on Lyrica! Thank you all for sharing your experiences!"

• Great...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2016

"Two attempts at treatment for fibromyalgia with Lyrica. Both had similar outcomes, in that the 'cure' was worse than the illness. Side effects were overwhelming from the onset: increased fatigue, terrifying anxiety, tremors. In addition, this drug's efficacy was zero. I received no positive effects from Lyrica and discontinued use. Side note: I need to learn about illnesses that affect me and medications that I take or are offered to me. Doctors may mean well, but I need to know how they affect me, not just what is printed in a package insert. And if a doc is not right for me, it's time to find her replacement."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2012

"I have only been diagnosed for about a year now. I have completely lost my life due to fibromyalgia pain. My doctor started me on Cymbalta, which worked for a while but then stopped, then put me on Lyrica without weaning me off Cymbalta. Withdrawals, hello. I had to start again and wean off while also taking Lyrica. The Lyrica seemed to help at first too, then wham, just like everything else, it stopped working, except on weight gain and brain fog. I was a zombie. So now I'm worsening day by day even though I try to stay active and have cut all caffeine, etc. because my doctors just don't believe pain medicines help and say there isn't much else they can do for me. I'm glad for the people it has helped."

• cat_b...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 26, 2013

"I started taking this at 150 mg twice a day with some relief of pain, no side effects. I've recently increased to 225 mg twice a day, which is the maximum dosage. I'm experiencing vertigo, sleepiness, and weight gain, but virtually no pain. My doctor feels the results outweigh the side effects, and I agree."

• TMarie
• June 4, 2016

"Lyrica has done a great job on my fibro pain, but I am trying to get off it primarily due to side effects. It has caused my metabolism to slow down, so I can't lose weight, chronic constipation, and terrible gas. I can't go around anymore farting everywhere I go. I'll live with the fibro pain."

• emily
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2015

"Lyrica did not work particularly well for me. I had previously taken Cymbalta 60 mg for 7/8 years and felt that it was no longer as effective, so my doctor prescribed Lyrica. I noticed a large amount of weight gain (which I would not have minded if it helped the pain!)-about 50 pounds over 6 months before it stabilized. After some time of taking the medication (9 months or a year, I forget), I was always complaining to my doctor about pain and fatigue being bad, so he switched me to Savella. I noticed a huge difference, and I lost the weight!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2012

"This medication left me unable to think coherently, and I had difficulty talking. It was like being around a drunk. I had to stop it after a month because I work in a school and was unable to converse adequately with parents, students, staff."

• Sherry...
• April 18, 2017

"Been on this Lyrica 200 mg for at least 2 yrs. I still have a lot of pain from having the disease of fibromyalgia and chronic pain along with arthritis. They raised it up to the highest dose and still hurt very much. I agree with the lady above, you do gain weight. Trying to hang in there! Hope they find something better for me and everyone else. Blessings to all."

• hope...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 23, 2013

"I have been taking it for about a year now, I only have one negative comment: the withdrawal is horrible. I have no pain, I sleep well, my bipolar disorder is under control. My feet do swell every so often, I think it is a very good medicine to try. I also take 200 mgs 3 times a day, the max dosage is 600 mg a day."

• grate...
• April 13, 2009

"I just started this medicine, and I have been suffering from fibromyalgia for 20 years. I took 75 mg the first night. The next day, I was really out of it (sleepy), but the insane pain was no longer there. On the second night, I took it again, and the next day I did not have any more side effects (sleepy), so I am very hopeful this will get even better with long-term use."

• ksmarti
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2013

"Hi. I have been on methotrexate, 10 pills once a week, and Enbrel injection, 50 mg once a week, and now added Lyrica, 50 mg 2 x a day. Told I have RA and fibromyalgia. But even with these great meds, I feel bad. From my waist to the bottom of my feet, I hurt so. I do see my legs are swelling so very large and skin gets tight, it hurts to walk. I don't know what else to do. I work and am on my feet all day. I go up and down the stairs at home, I try to get extra walks in going around the blocks. But it hurts too bad. I'm very tolerant to pain, but this is to the point of no return. I feel bad for my family that maybe I'm a burden. And if I feel this way now, how will I feel if I'd ever need someone to help me with everyday chores and hygiene. They may not see."

• foggy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2018

"Currently, I have been taking 75 mg twice a day of Lyrica. Not only do I have fibromyalgia, but I also have severe osteoarthritis in my spine and multiple bulged discs, cervical and lumbar. I had been treated in the past with gabapentin and experienced too many side effects, and it wasn't working, so my doctor started me on the Lyrica. I have no insurance, so I was able to get it through the Pfizer assistance program. Since I have been on it, there has not been any significant pain relief, I have gained 32 pounds in 4 months, and my memory has been terrible. I have struggled with concentration, and I will be talking with my doctor about getting off of this medication. There has to be a better option out there for me. It may work for some people, but in my case, I have not seen much benefit from it."