I have nerve pain and my Dr. just prescribed Lyrica. I was wondering how long is it before I will notice any relief from the pain?
How long does it take for Lyrica to take effect for nerve pain?
Question posted by sharonleipfert on 5 May 2010
Last updated on 25 January 2022
This question has also been asked and answered here: How long does it take for Lyrica to work?
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21 Answers Page 2
Joan3348
1 Nov 2016
I've was on Lyrica for quite some time. Lyrica is a joke! It doesn't work at all. All it did for me is make me gain a tremendous amount of weight. It's not worth putting drugs that don't work in your body. I'm very disappointed with Lyrica and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
bobbijo28655
8 Dec 2011
When I'm in pain, and take Lyrica , it takes less than 30 minutes
yellowlorry
18 July 2017
I also had that effect on my first dose of 75mg, and working well more than a year later. Combined with codeine phosphate for bone pain, it has given me a new life
Stryker786
6 May 2010
Similar to its prescursor Neurontin, Lyrica takes time to bind fully to the correct receptors in the human body and to spread to all nerves. Effects can be seen in 2-4 weeks on average, but a medicine, most particularly psychoactives, is rarely considered a failed trial until 8 weeks have passed.
One would hope that you would be in the group that gets the pain relief benefits much sooner rather than later. Just be sure to take the correct dosage daily, and take it as and when directed to otherwise unexpected issues may arise.
And as a secret surprise, the active ingredient in Lyrica, pregabalin, has the very fun side effect of limiting the natural release of a 3 main neuro-transmitters, each of which have their own part in creating the sensation of "pain" and sending them to your nerves. Less "painful" neurotransmitters, less pain? One can only hope and pray.
snowgoer68
6 May 2010
Hi Stryker786. Why do you think the lyrica was the most helpful medicine in 14 years for my severe crushing burning phantom pain and after 5 weeks it just quit. My doctor increased to 600mg and still nothing. I am so bummed as it really helped. I will take one here and there and it helps so much. Wish it didn't quit so soon. I read here that one guy was on 4800mg and why do so many people gain tons of weight, most I read say they have eaten less and exercised more. That equation seems impossible but ya never know. Thanks
yellowlorry
18 July 2017
I was in such pain that I wanted to die. I took a pregabalyn 75mg tablet on top of my usual 30mg of codeine phosphate. I fell asleep for one hour, and when I woke up my pain had gone. I have never been so happy I got my life back that had been taken from me so, the drug can and did have immediate effect. My GP had said to me that the drug was not meant to work like that, but clearly I have been very lucky. If you excersize daily, I go for cycle runs, and go to the gym 3 times a week. It helps a little with the weight gain but at 49, I expect that to happen. I think that a 45 minute morning jog may be the only answer, and not just a few trips to the gym. Diet doesn't seem to make much difference, although I could only eat at most 2 small bowls of soup when I was in excruciating pain, I can eat 3 meals a day with relief.
snowgoer68
6 May 2010
Lyrica-started in mid DEC-was a miracle for my crushing,burning, non stop phantom pain. Click on my name to read my story. Very Very long road/ The lyrica helped almost within a day and was such a relief but by the end of Jan, I was in screaming pain again that I have suffered 14 years from since my above knee amputation. My back also hurts to the point I cant turn over in bed or hardly transfer to my wheelchair and its probably from being 100% wc bound for 20 out of 29 years. I have tried 30 different meds and will finally have a spinal cord stimulator trial in June. I am now bedridden from the pain. I am so burned out. I got up to 600mg lyrica and it did nothing. I was so bummed that I only got a short time of relief. I just don't understand it
good luck
Juboi
20 May 2017
Hey that's really awful I'm sorry this going through such a bad experience. Have you considered trying medical cannabis? I have Neve pain and it's been helping more than most medications. Good luck.
abfab2222
15 Dec 2017
Have you tried Mirror therapy, in some instances the phantom limb pain will go away instantly.
mitchell1273
23 Sep 2020
What is mirror therapy?
abfab2222
23 Sep 2020
Mirror therapy is a known therapy using a mirror "box". It works by tricking brain to send signal that the pain in limb is not there anymore so the pain stops. I guess the phantom pain is caused by the brain remembering the last thing that was affecting the limb before it was amputated and in many cases that feeling was severe pain. If you go on Youtube and search for "phantom limb pain mirror therapy" you can find some videos on the subject. Hope it helps!
kathleen newman
6 May 2010
i had back pain and nerve pain for 8 years after surgery. recently hospitalized for depression from taking vikodine all these years for pain.. i was put on 100 mg lyrica 3 times a day and after one week i was pain free and could finaly walk a mile at least. i am a little hyper, appointment with doctor tomorrow.
Watchful48
15 June 2018
Hi Kathleen! Sorry to hear about your problem. No one knows what pain a person is suffering unless they are them. I have DDD herniated discs no meds worked so Dr gave me fentanyl patch and oxycontin and fell on my face in apartment. Just got home from hospital yesterday and have to seethe Dr next week. In more pain now cause hospital took me off that medicine...
Shelli newland
25 Oct 2019
Did you quit your pain meds after starting Lyrica ?
christineATU
5 May 2010
I read several reviews from people prescribed Lyrica. From what I got, you should start feeling relief soon. Almost every response indicated weight gain, water retention and dizziness as the worst part of Lyrica. It got an overall rating of 7.3 out of 10.
It really depends on how it works for YOU. Good luck and hope you get that pain relief!
Chris
Joan3348
4 Feb 2017
I've taken it for several years and finally realized why I was gaining so much weight by narrowing it down. It was the Lyrica. Don't even start it. Not only will you wait and wait for it to work, no matter what the dose is, you will NEVER get relief. I'm not only speaking for myself. I've known several people who have experienced the same issues. Of course, it's always a choice someone has to make but I wish someone would have been there for me to tell me about this drug long ago. I'm still trying to lose over 50 pounds and I'm not an overeater.
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- Lyrica uses and safety info
- Lyrica prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lyrica (detailed)
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