The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
I have Degenerative disc disease and 4 herniated disks. I have been down the road of dependence on Oxycontin and Duragesic. Those medicines worked great, however, they do not hold up as they claim. My doctor put me on Lyrica at 300mg a day and what a difference it has made! My mobility is much better as well as my mental outlook on life. This medicine seems to do the job. I like it and recommend it.
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My neurosurgeon prescribed Lyrica after a lumbar fusion at L5-S1 to control pain. It worked great and allowed me to sleep when no other medication helped. I started at a higher dose and then as I felt better and better I only took it at night. After about 4 months, I was ready to go back to work. I found myself unmotivated and disinterested. When I spoke to my GP about this, he made the connection between Lyrica and my general malaise, noting that it is also used for anxiety, which I did not have. After that, we worked to wean the dosage down and I stopped taking it after a few weeks.
My side effects included long time to wake up, general uncoordination upon waking, and some bouts of blurred vision. I did not experience weight gain.
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I had L3-L4 diskectomy in l988. Since '98 have had steady pain down left side, including hip. Have L5-S1 joined from birth. Finally went to a specialist in physical medicine and am on Lyrica 75mg 2 x day. I can WALK again! Feels like a miracle!
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The first time I used Lyrica I experienced an amazingly profound reaction; layers of depression and anxiety that had built up over several years melted away within minutes. That was years ago and I have since both weaned myself off the drug and restarted taking it again. One thing I rarely see mentioned is the terrifyingly bad withdrawal effect- missing more than one dose for me throws me into the absolute darkest pits of despair. Has anyone else experienced this? When I went off the drug the first time I felt like I had performed a miracle; so strong was the feeling that it took a long time for me to convince myself that things were bad enough to warrant going back on. It still helps, but nothing as miraculous as the first time.
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I have a bad lumbar disc L5-S1 in my low back which needs to be removed. I'm taking Lycria because it helps keep the pain from going down my leg. Lyrica works great. If it wasn't for Lyrica I wouldn't be walking.
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I have severe pain in my legs and chronic fatigue. Been going to doctors for over a year, have had 3 MRI's, and gallons of blood taken and tested. Yet nobody knows the source of these symptoms. Due for a muscle biopsy soon. While taking tramadol and hydrocodone had great results for energy and pain, I became dependent. I was prescribed Lyrica 50mg about 2 months ago and felt a little relief. Doctor raised the dosage and now I take 150mg 3 times a day and the results are amazing. I'm alert, energetic, and pain free. Have a little dizziness now and then, but this medicine is great.
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I really didn't notice much difference after 6 months on Lyrica - still had minor headaches, but apparently swelling went down (MRI). I DID notice the sleepiness at first, followed by insomnia and 30 lbs weight gain in that 6 months and swollen fingers and belly area.
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I have had a fusion of L4 and L5 in 2004 was doing fine until last year when I began to have pain in my low back and right leg accompanied with numbness and tingling down the leg. I also managed to severely rupture a few discs in my neck while stretching of all things. Was misdiagnosed by the surgeon who only fixed one of the ruptures with a fusion of C7. Off course this still left me with pain and numbness from my neck down both arms. About a month or so ago I switched to a spine and pain management doctor and he put me on the Lyrica (75mg 3x daily) and a Duragesic patch. These two drugs have worked wonders for my pain and Quality of life.
The only side effect is that my short term memory is a little sketchy and my mind doesn't want to shut down.
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My mother takes Lyrica for bulging disc pain - 450mg a day (150mg 3 times a day). Roughly she takes it every 6 hours. The pain relief is great, but sometimes struggles to get through those 6 hours before the next does. It has helped a lot.
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I began reporting my symptoms of peripheral neuropathy to my doctor in the 90's. My stroke in 2002 finally got my doctor's attention that my nerve pain was real. She dropped me as her patient and subsequent doctors ignored my pain complaints. In 2004 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia but my Neurologist said not to take Lyrica. Fortunately, I recently got a new Primary Care Physician and new Neurologist. Two weeks ago, my new PCP gave my samples of Lyrica. I am amazed at my improved ability to function already. I think of the years of being bedridden at age 36-41. I can't believe that I wasn't prescribed Lyrica, a decade ago. No side effects so far. I still have pain 24/7, but the relief due to Lyrica, is a miracle.
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I have been having pain for 5 months now after a bad dental experience. I thought it was my teeth that was causing all of my pain. I felt hopeless with no other options left. No dentists knew what to do. I went to my doctor and said I possibly have nerve damage from the numbing shot (I have permanent numbing too). This medicine has taken away my tingling feeling from the numbing (although it's still numb, it's not annoying). The shooting pain through my jaw is gone and my throbbing is gone too. WONDERFUL. I do feel a little dizzy and loopy but I'm so happy.
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I have been suffering from severe pudendal nerve damage pain and fibromyalgia for over 12 years. Vicodin, Percocet, Duragesic, Oxycontin, injections, you name it. Lyrica 75mg 2-3 x day has made the biggest difference in my life and pain in over 12 years. I can walk without a cane and I feel like doing things. There was some initial weight gain, but that seems to have leveled off. I've been amazed and very pleased.
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I have suffered with severe pain from neurofibromatosis. After the first day of taking Lyrica I felt wonderful. A bit sleepy and forgetful. I have not noticed an increase in
appetite but I have noticed food tastes better. I am also sleeping harder and it is hard to wake up. After 4 days I am so happy to have found this.
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This drug is a wonderful addition to the list of drugs available for use for my condition. The Chemical engineer of this drug is a genius. The drug has worked beautifully.
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This medicine is very effective for pain, but added unexpected benefit of substantive improvement in quality of sleep. Only side effect is dry mouth and funny taste in mouth. I've been on it for two weeks and actually lost one kilo. I'm 39 year old female.
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I had lamenectomy surgery in 2003 which was about 40% effective. I still have constant sharp pain in my left testicle, recurring burning pain in my left calf and lower back pain. For years after surgery I have had acupuncture, chiropractic care, physical therapy and medications. I have taken methadone, morphine and oxycodone for 4 years. Now I have been taking Lyrica for a year. For the first 6-7 months it was like a wonder drug. It worked as well as anything else aside from dry mouth, weight gain and blurred vision. Now it's not working so well. An MRI showed I have many broad based disc bulges, spondyliosis, stenosis and arthritis. Now looking at a fusion surgery. Lyrica has worked for me however it seems to be less effective than when I began taking it.
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For 18 months have had severe lumbar, butt and leg pain. Got spinal injections that helped some, but leg pain still was especially bad. Finally had back surgery, which helped the lower back, but not the pain in my hips and legs, which was intense. As usual, had physical therapy, massage, and finally acupuncture. Nothing worked. My doctor finally started me on Lyrica at 50 mg before bed, then 100, and finally at 200 mg before bedtime. It has reduced the pain about 70 percent. It also helps me sleep like a log, and the only side effects are some dizziness in the morning, but by around 10 AM that goes away. Great stuff!
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I used to take gabapentin for about 6 years or more and felt it to be helpful. My doctor wanted me to get lyrica for a while now. I can't tell you the difference between the two drugs. I was afraid to change drugs in case lyrica did not work for me. Within two weeks I felt so much better. My dosage is 75mg x 5 per day. I use this drug for nerve pain. I get this nerve pain that travels from the blade in my back and into my face and teeth. It is horrible. I have had rotator cuff surgery which helped with the tear but I probably have some scaring and pinching of certain nerves. No one knows which ones. Lyrica and gabapentin at least have given me the courage to start living again. Thank you.
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I have just started on this medication, it is hard to say if it is working for me yet. I do notice the dry mouth and yucky aftertaste. I have been dealing with an unknown condition for many years nobody can figure out what is wrong. I have been sleeping a bit better since I have been on Lyrica. I am also on about 14 other medications so not sure which one is doing what haha. It does help to see so many people. Have heard such great reviews of this treatment. It is hopeful for me to look for in the future.
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I was born with neurofibromatos and saw over 20 doctors in the last year with 4 MRI's. I have 1000's of little bumps on my back and one on my left side that is the size of a golf ball wrapped around my nerve and muscle. I finally went to a pain specialist and he put me on this drug. It's my 3rd day on it and I am taking 100 mg's now and in two more days will be on 150mg. So far this is amazing. I went golfing today and I had no pain in my swing. I can finally get back out in the course and have no pain in my back swing. I'm glad I have not read any negative comments about this drug. It really is a miracle.
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For the past 3 years I have been dealing with nerve pain left from shingles in my neck. I have tried EVERYTHING for this pain including injections and narcotics. Nothing really helped unless I was a zombie. I am allergic to a lot of medications including Tegretol and Neurontin. So when my neurologist suggested I try this medication I was VERY skeptical. I have been on this medicaton for a week now. I started on 25mg twice a day and felt some relief. I thought it was in my head. Now I am on 50mg twice a day and I can't believe the difference. I am relieved I can finally get my life back. I am a mother of 2. I did not realize how much the pain had taken over my life until now.
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I have 4 curves in my back. Several bulging discs, chronic pain, due to the discs, osteoporosis, lordosis and kyphosis, with spinal stenosis. Lyrica has been a miracle for me. I have been using a walker for 8 years. Yesterday I went across the street, came back to my house to get the garden hose, back across the street to water my neighbors plants, and lugged the hose back home. Suddenly I realized, I forgot my walker. I completely forgot it. I wake in the morning, pain free. I am walking now without the walker, it has also improved my mood. I used to cry a lot, because I could not do the "normal" things, people my age can do. I am 50 years old, and have been on disability for 8 years. I feel like a new person.
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I am diagnosed with a type of "Meralgia Peresthetica", a Neuropathic pain in my right leg. I also get pain "breakthrough" where pain attacks can reach up to 10 on a pain scale.
I started Lyrica last year, and now am on 225Mg twice a day and have the same amount of pain control as the Gabapentin, but at a much lower dose. My wife says that I am much more "aware" and "responsive" on Lyrica and my short term memory issues are not quite as severe, however still there. My weight gain has ceased, however I am having a tough time trying to lose all the weight I have gained.
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This medication has helped me to be able to do things that I did when I was younger. It has been a great help to me. I am so glad that my doctor ordered it for me.
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I JUST started using this drug 3 days ago. I have been suffering with horrible pain from a herniated disc over the past 2 months. Tried hydrocortisone shots in my back and the pain went away for 3-4 days. I've been on vicodin and skelaxin as well as Aleve twice a day. I've had to take my vicodin every 4 hours instead of every 6 hours because the pain has been so bad. Just in the last 48 hours, I've noticed such a difference with Lyrica. I keep waiting for the pain to be there, but it is NOT. I'm still titrating my way up on the dosage, but in another day or two, my maximum dose will be 50 mg 3 times a day. Currently, I'm taking 50 mg 2 times a day. It really works.
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This medication has made a tremendous difference in my life. My pain was due to arthritis and none of the drugs prescribed for this condition worked. After two weeks on Lyrica I feel like a different person and my back is back to normal.
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Started 75mg twice daily yesterday for nerve pain in my legs and fibromyalgia after back surgery two months ago. While it almost eradicates my pain the dizziness and high feeling are limiting what I can do.
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I was prescribed Lyrica for nerve pain as well as tingling/numbness/electricity feeling in my legs. Since I have been taking it (about 6 months now) these symptoms are all but gone. The only side effects I have are short term memory loss and concentration issues but I am able to work around these in most cases. Lyrica has been amazing for me.
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I have suffered with sciatica for years. I have done physical therapy out the wazzoo. I have had injections. Nothing helped till Lyrica. It took a little trial and error to find exactly the right dose for me, but my pain is managable without narcotics for the first time in many years.
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I think its great. I was skeptical when my doctor prescribed it to me, as it is so unfamiliar to me, especially as a pain medicine. I thought I had tried everything. It is for chronic back pain due to a severe spinal injury I suffered two years and 3 surgeries ago. My pain has been steadily decreasing since I started taking this medication four days ago. Thank Science.
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I have had pain in my back and leg going on 5 years, I was perscribed Lyrica Thursday, by Saturday I was feeling so much better. The only problem I have is the expence. I also have other medicine I have to take.
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I suffer from severe peripheral neuropathy. It is unusual in the sense that it is not diabetes caused, but is apparently idiopathic and hereditary. I have excellent relief from Lyrica with few side effects. I find myself nodding out occasionally at my computer or watching TV. I exercise more, drink more coffee, and allow more time for sleep. The more I take, the greater the relief. I take 400mg per day.
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I have been having pain in my wrists, hands and elbows for years due to waiting tables and hefting 100 pound trays on one hand. Lately, I was having more pain in those areas, and my hips have started really hurting me. My doctor and I ran tests, and by process of elimination we feel that I have chronic fatigue, which can contribute to a lot of the allergy/asthma symptoms, the pains and exhaustion. I started taking Lyrica and am up to 100mg 3 x daily. I feel great. Everything but my hip is better.
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Just started taking about 1 week ago for severe pain due to a having a bi-lateral masectomy (both breast removed) for breast cancer in 2006, with chemotherapy followed with reconstructive surgery. Couldn't sleep due to pain took hydrocodone daily which upset my stomach and I became dependant on it every night and morning due to severe pain. My life has changed for the better since I started taking Lyrica. Now able to move with very little pain and my son is so happy to have his mommy back.
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My husband had pain in his testicles for over a year, he saw two different urologists, was referred to a pain clinic and they could not help him. Our GP prescribed Lyrica and after two pills he is pain free. It is a God-send. I wish more doctors knew about this medicine.
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I have Rhuematoid Arthritis so I have joint and tendon pain just about everywhere but mainly in hands, wrists, forearms, legs and feet. I have been on Oxy ER 80mg 2x day and was still not getting full relief (4 out of 10) and having difficulty remembering. Doctor added Lyrica 75mg 2x day three months ago and the day after I felt euphoric. I felt no pain! After one week some pain came back but no peaks as before. Some weight gain. Want to get off of Oxy and try Lyrica or other non-narcotic drugs.
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My doctor prescribed this for me when I was dealing with pain from a fractured sternum. After dealing with the pain for over a year we tried this. Fantastic results. Required only 3 weeks of treatment and the pain resolved.
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leebyman1 said: 
Angel21 said: 
