I was taking Lyrica and was still in pain, my doctor switched me to Gabapentin and at first I thought it was better. But a year and a half later I feel like the side effects are worse than the cure. What are your experiences with these drugs?
Lyrica vs. gabapentin. What are your thoughts?
Question posted by Savannity cats on 16 May 2014
Last updated on 1 March 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
57 Answers Page 4
Doubleqtx
16 March 2016
I tried Gabapentin since Lyrica was so expensive. Why does it have to be so expensive? After a month of taking it I started having Fibromyalgia nerve pains return with a revenge. After about a week of intense burning stabbing pains that pain med did not touch it I was ready to go to the ER. I remember I had a old bottle of Lyrica 100mg with a few days worth of pills left. These 100mg dosage was phased out during the early part of my treatment for a larger dose. After 5 days of taking one Lyrica during the day and the 2-300mg gabapentin at night the pain lost the burning. I am waiting on a response from my doctor on what I should do but I say bring back the Lyrica. I am on a fixed income and my medical insurance does not include RX coverage only a savings program from OptiumRx; which don't get me started on them. No known side effects on taking the Lyrica as yet and frankly all the medicines I am taking will eventually tax my organs anyway. Relief allowed me to type this response.
Kasn
24 Feb 2018
I also take Lyrica and it cost is very expensive. Since I went on Medicare a little over a year ago, the cost has put me very quickly in “ the doughnut hole” for prescription coverage. I read that in 2019 Lyrica is supposed to come out with a generic form.
lizardlace
8 Feb 2016
I have been on both and neither of them helped with the pain. I had awful side effects with both of them
Ste73
13 Dec 2015
i have been taking Pregabalin (Lyrica) as a pain killer for a few years now, i suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy and Pregabalin work great for me. Recently my prescription was given to me wrong, the Chemist incorrectly gave me Gabapentin instead of Pregabalin and it did not agree with me at all, i simply took them as normal thinking they must have been just another brand of Pregabalin. How wrong i was, I suffered unbearable bowel pains, there was absolutely no pain relief what so ever for my Neuropathy, i had no energy, lost my appetite and suffered rapid weight loss, after a week of this i managed to get an appointment with a doctor who then pointed out that i had been given the wrong pills at the chemists.
Gabapentin made me seriously ill, i would personally avoid them, Pregabalin however are the complete opposite for me, i even call them my 'happy pills', if i dont have them, i am in too much pain and simply cannot function without them,
Barbara933
31 July 2018
Lyrica in particular, you have to be weaned off of. I would suspect that your gastric problems were withdrawal from Lyrica.
cindy-59
18 Oct 2018
Yes I agree with Barbara. Your problems could have very well been from going off Lyrica cold turkey (even though you went on another similar medication). I had the same thing happen to me when I decided I wanted to stop taking it. After researching what was going on with me I found out that Lyrica has to be tapered off slowly. I am now completely off Lyrica and I am almost off Cymbalta. I was taking them for chronic nerve pain; but they caused me to experience anxiety, confusion and depression. I felt like I was in a fog and very tired all the time. I was very forgetful; I had a hard time to spell and put sentences together. I sweat terribly; even in the winter time and was just sitting and doing nothing. I had hearing loss and blurry vision. My hair and teeth were ruined. I gained over 80 pounds and I was miserable. I believe these types of medications messes with our metabolism. Almost every horrible side effect is gone and there were many more than I've listed here.
These medications took 10+ years away from me. I will soon be healthy again and ready to make up the many years that I've missed spending time with my children and grandchildren. There is a list of 'Natural Remedies' on Google that has helped me tremendously. I am starting to feel like 'me' again. I will never take another medication that affects my brain and body like these types of medications. Cindy
seeana
7 Dec 2015
I have intense itching over most of my body it is linked to nerve pain,Lyric helped greatly for a while but have to keep increasing it now on 200 mg morning and night but now very sleepy and dizzy all the time, in fact I can nod off anywhere which can be quite dangerous and have had a couple of scares already.
I really am at the end of my tether and rarely go out any more as I also have extreme sun sensitivity caused by Prednisolone the nerve problem then started when I came off this steroid so damned if do and damned if don't.
I would really appreciate any idea's out there.
trishsh03
14 April 2015
I have taken gabapentin and I have taken Lyrica. Both are in the same family. Gabapentin did very little to help my fibromyalgia pain, while Lyrica did help I gained weight, I've lost a lot of my eye sight! So my eye specialist said is it really worth going completely blind over pain relief! I choose to completely stay away from that family of drugs. Yes I'm in severe pain but I'd like to be able to see what I'm doing and watch my children grow up verses being blind and not knowing how long the pain relief will last. Beware of all of the side effects of the medications you are taking because the bad may out weigh the good!
nicolaxoxo
7 Dec 2015
Hi, just curious did your eye doctor explain why these drugs might affect your eyesight?
7527
3 June 2016
I tried Lyrica for about six months. Stopped because vision was getting more and more blurry. Lyrica had as a side effect "blurry vision". No problem with weight gain.
Barbara933
14 Oct 2018
I don't know if they really know why these drugs cause blurred vision, one answer I saw was that they thought it interfeared with the neuron transmitter of the optic nerve. Which to me makes sense, we are using it to control neuro pain, but meds can't always select which nerves it wants to effect.
Dbtc2
22 Dec 2014
I've been on Gabapentin for several years, yet my neuropathy which sometimes just feels like a giant nail somewhere in my feet; to a thousand needles hitting at once - causing shaking in my entire leg - to Hot spots on my feet (usually the very same location) it just would not ease up much. I went to a Chiropractor and had them hook up a Tense unit to my feet - thinking if it was good for the nerves in my back, it should work on my feet. The treatment (almost from day one) has been tremendous (I'm still on the Med's) and my pain reduced over 90%. I'm not Medically inclined at all so try it if you wish - but for me, it's been working and my BS normally goes between 200 and 300 even with avoiding most Carbs.
nattygksmokey
22 Dec 2014
I have tried both gabapentin and lyrica and terrible side effects one that is helpful is amitriptyline it depends on what is your most troublesome symptoms they is other options can ask you doctor
nattygksmokey
22 Dec 2014
I just remembered many years ago I was tried on carbamizipine and that helped me you other options are cymbalta
bowlin1967
26 Dec 2015
I have not been able to use a TENS unit as my skin will not tolerate it, but myo facial massage therapy has been a Godsend to me. I take a combo of Lyrica, Cymbalta and Tirinizine for relief.
Portsofcall
5 Aug 2016
The problem I worry about with amitryptyline is the study that if you take it for more than 3 years it causes non reversible dementia. Not something I want.
usm92
30 Jan 2018
I've been on carbamazepine but my newest neurologist took me off it due to it causing bone marrow suppression. He has me on Cymbalta 60 a day and Lyrica 100 mg 3 times a day, which I think I need to increase. I have a pinched nerve in my back and have painful neuropathy in my feet. The Lyrica helps but causes weight gain and fluid retention unfortunately. Maybe he can go up on the Cymbalta. I see him in a month.
MedicationCounseling
21 May 2014
I have heard many instances of gabapentin's effectiveness reducing over time, and chemical tolerance occurs in the course of therapy with many drugs. Alternating dosage forms may help. If you experience pain in specific areas of your body, I suggest requesting that your doctor write a prescription for a compounded pain cream containing gabapentin. It's not available on the market, but compounding pharmacies specialize in creating dosage forms for specified uses. If you have questions about where to find a compounding pharmacy, contact me.
Portsofcall
4 Aug 2016
What is the formula for the cream?
musenangel7
8 Sep 2016
Where can I contact you?
Fragilexmom
18 May 2014
Hi Cats. I had side affects with Lyrica and Gabapentin. I'm now on a newer medication named Gralise 600 mg. It gives me the energy during the day and no sides so far. It is of the Gabapentin family.
Emeraldgirl
19 May 2014
Hello - Isn't Gralise Gabapentin?
Fragilexmom
19 May 2014
Let me say I was on Neurontin and now I'm on Gralise. My Dr said it works different than the other Gabapentin drugs.
Emeraldgirl
19 May 2014
Hello- I looked this drug up as it is not available in the UK where I live. The active ingredient is gabapentin but Gralise is intended to be taken once a day. Clearly this is working for you so all the best - Take care
nattygksmokey
26 May 2014
With the drugs its trial and error I tried both lyrica and gabapentin they helped me until I started having seizures I am now on cialorapam baclofen oxycontin paracetamol and amitriptyline and they help so so its the exhaustion that gets to me I take vitamin also and have Epsom salt baths I find it helpful I also do relaxation and yoga ive got pillow mist and temple balm with fibro its getting a balance that right for you and relaxation is important for us even a min a day feel free to ask me anything we all in the same boat Natalie x
PattieLennon
7 Feb 2016
I'm glad you mentioned that. I'm allergic to Neurontin.
I've been trying to find a low-cost generic version of Lyrica because Lytica is so damned expensive. I had a friend who's a nurse who suggested gabapentin, but I struggle so much with my weight, the last thing in the world I want is something that makes me gain even more.
whatdoc
5 May 2016
I tried Lyrica for several months I gained 20lbs in the first month, became totally confused. It did not help the pain, I believe this med has complicated my condition. My brother also tried lyrica and had same problems he said that he felt like a zombie.
Notaquack
11 June 2016
Gralise is a brand name gabapentin, which may have a slight molecular difference or none at all... I do not know, but I do know that it is extremely expensive and not covered by most insurance because insurers insist that patients should take the standard, far less expensive version, which is just gabapentin. I am happy for you if you have found relief with this drug, it's been my experience that most patients do not respond differently to the 2 versions of the same drug.
Robert Dinse
21 July 2016
Gralise is an extended release version of gabapentin.
Gazw1982
1 May 2018
Gralise is Gabapentin just a generic name I'm a pharmacist in the uk & it's branded differently but yeah it's just another name for Gabapentin
Shari Lynn
15 Nov 2018
Probably because I'd extended release so the Medicine is more even in your body so it doesn't sap your energy. When I switched my tramadol to tramadol er, I was really shocked by how much more it cost. I like it a lot better but I suspect i will have to switch back when I get in medicare.
Boy an i looking forward to being a senior citizen?
I think affordable health care should do something about the price of drugs. Oh sorry I probably wasn't supposed to say that.
Hnicolap
18 Sep 2019
I think Gralise is an extended release form of gabapentin, gabapentin is the generic for neurontin. I’m surprised gralise reacts differently for you than gabapentin, I wonder why then it is not prescribed instead of gabapentin more often.
CoolMommaDuck
18 May 2014
Hi Cats,
I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder and have been on both Gabapentin and Lyrica for neurapathy pain, which anyone who has had it can tell you that narcotics at ANY dose doesn't really touch. Gabapentin helped once my dose was high enough (for me >=1200mg). I didn't like the grogginess, although it got better after a couple weeks, I stayed tired all the time. I was having problems dropping things, which I blamed on my disease, but I noticed when I switched to Lyrica that I didn't have anywhere near the problem as I had before. Recently I have noticed I don't crave sugar as much either. I seem to be doing well on the Lyrica, it works for the pain and haven't had any trouble with side effects. I am awake during the day and can sleep at night.
Also, I am taking vitamin D supplements 5000 IU +, and have been amazed at how much it has helped with depression/ anxiety and PAIN!
Good Luck, MommaDuck
KirkfieldCMTpatient
19 Jan 2018
Thank you for your comments, i am a person with CMT too, and currently regressing it seems. I was initially given Lyrica with hydromorphone to assist in additional pain. I was given an amount in excess of normal guidelines of 600mg/day. Due to concern over toxicity, as i was told, i was first placed on a voluntary reduction plan, in attempt to bring me to 600. I have been suffering throughout this, but i was accepting the plan. I was at my doctor's today where i was transfered to using this Gabapentin(900 to start, with my discretion to go to 1800). After reading your letter, plus others, i am convinced that i am in regression. I was already convinced my doctor was bullied by another doctor, so-called specialist doing a paper, to have my meds reduced. I was doing good, pains at acceptable levels, and due to this 600mg max, which i honestly think is too low, the benefits to me of a higher level was incredible.
Question Mr/Mrs MD, which is better, a patient on 600 mg Lyrica with 80 mg Hydromorphone or a patient at 1200 mg Lyrica with40mg of Hydromorphone. Personally i think the latter.
Lastly, if a patient requests a treatment proven to be successful with him, and is willing to accept the risk considering he has a good life now, should you say No?
I am hoping that this change for me works, as i do have the utmost faith in my doctor and pharmacist, who accepts my crap when my meds run out. I thank them both for their help. I will be reading this continually and will comment on my progression/regression.
Thank you to all who reads all my rambling - amazing what pain makes you do at times.
Cheers
KirkfieldCMTpatient
Leslie73
26 Jan 2018
Hi. I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and sjogrens syndrome. I take 600mg of gabapentin. I am in constant pain. It seemed to work for one week then I was in horrible pain the next. I am also very depressed for a while then I snap out of it. I crave the sugar too. Insurance won't pay for lyrica. Should I up the dose? Worried about the depression side effect.
ruth7155
15 Oct 2018
I'm not a sun worshiper so I started taking vitamin D a couple months ago. It has helped the depression and pain.
Emeraldgirl
17 May 2014
Hello - You don't state what side effects you are experiencing. Unfortunately there is no cure for Fibromyalgia (FM) and at best all we can hope for is an improvement of our symptoms. I have been on Lyrica and Gabapentin with no side effects other then weight gain. Lyrica is a newer version of Gabapentin. Personally they helped initially then their effects stopped working until the dose was increased then it worked again. This was true for both drugs and I had many dose increases. I now am no longer on either of them. There are other drugs used to treat FM, perhaps you could try one of these - Take care
hankmac
17 May 2014
I worked up to a dose of 900 mg of Gabapentin 3x/day for about 6 months. I did have a side effect of some weight gain (sugar craving!!) but that was it. Unfortunately it never really helped my myofascial pain or fibro. I switched to Lyrica 300 mg/day a few months ago. Only side effect is constipation. However, it really is working for me so that side effect can be dealt with. I am thrilled at how well Lyrica is working!!!
Adashak
15 Feb 2015
Can you please tell me what else there is and what they are called?
Eileen1147
15 Aug 2015
I also have Fibro, are you taking anything to replace the lyrics and gab?
TedDavid
22 Feb 2016
Lyrica is NOT gabapentin, it is pregabalin, another drug in the same pharmaceutical family, used to treat similar conditions.
Portsofcall
4 Aug 2016
How did you get past the dizziness and sedation from the neuron tin? I can't get past one capsule.
OneAvacal
31 Aug 2016
Oh please be careful with Lyrica. The withdrawal is pure hell. I am in my 3rd week of sweats and nausea from having to go from 600 mg per day to 0, after 2 years on it. I have the sweats, body aches, insomnia (one hour of sleep last nite), nausea. My doctors never warned me about it. I came here to see if gabapentin was the same type of drug and I am looking for those side effects or withdrawal facts. You are right, I didn't see an answer to your question either but wanted to warn you about lyrica. It destroyed my health coverage and I had to stop it because of $200 - $300 copays. They just let me quit cold. Then they tried to prescribe something for side effects - with all the side effects that should have been conditions in my records - insomnia, body aches, all the things I named at first and much more. It is a terrible terrible drug to try to quit.
Rrdexter
21 Sep 2016
What other drugs?
Cara Morelli
20 June 2017
What medication are you speaking about trying it's not in your comments. Thank you Cara I have fibromyalgia
Lockep
17 Aug 2017
Side effects on Lyrica & Gabapentin were excessive weight gain. I gained 40 lbs in 3 months. I believe most was fluid but not certain.
Also. When trying to quit these meds I had horrific withdrawals.
These last 3 months where I was bedridden. Felt like I had the flu... Co start pain... Sweating, nausea depression.
I thought I was going to die !!!
ayannello2005
23 Sep 2017
I also live with FM (symptomatic since late '80s), and want to thank @OneAvacal (2016) for the candid nature of her post RE: withdrawal symptoms coming off Lyrica.
As if the list of possible side-effects associated with this drug weren't enough to scare you away, now we have this. /
Gabapenten has done pretty well by me, although it's contributed to @ 30 lbs +. Still, small price. / Much more functional with than w/o it. See no need to switch to Lyrica, with its riskier side effects and horror story withdrawal tales. #thanksnothanks
Barbara933
22 Jan 2018
Other drugs that help with the neuropathy that I know about are Cymbalta, and Savella. Both of these are in the anti-depressant family.
dazy770
13 May 2018
Hi, I was on gabapentin for several yrs. With increased pain to the point that o could barely move around. Bad side affects like pain and blurred vision. Switched to Lyrica and within two days the pain was gone. Seems the more gabapentin I took the worse my pain got
I've heard this from other people too.
tj_1159
16 May 2014
I'm on gabapentin no side effects at all. Been on it for 8 months now, it is helping with my nerve damage in right foot/ankle. My Dr. has up my dose twice so far. I have a nerve disease called RSD/CRPS, gabapentin has been great on my foot. I have extreme skin sensitivity on my foot I couldn't touch my foot at all before I started on gab. now I can touch my foot & massages it now. It dosen't take all the pain away but nothing can do that with this disease.
kaismama
16 May 2014
I had too many side effects with lyrica, been on gabapentin with no side effects and it does help.
masterkunz
19 Nov 2014
I take maximum dose of gab. 3600mg day 3 doses 1200mg each. Very little help with neuropathy
nicolaxoxo
7 Dec 2015
There is a supplement called benfotiamine that helps with neuropathy in my feet. I take Dr. Best Brand in also has lipolic acid. There are studies done on this but the brand I use is cheaper than the brand in the study. With benfotiamine, the sustained increase of Thiamine Pyrophosphate (TPP) and the resulting activation of the enzyme transketolase in the system can produce beneficial effects on general nerve health, sciatica, neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, polyneuropathy, peripheral neuropathy (PN), shingles, herpes zoster, fibromyalgia, general ageing, other nerve conditions, vascular health, blood pressure and coronary health for diabetics and non-diabetics alike.
Barbara933
30 July 2016
For me the acid in this product made it so I couldn't take it. I have reflux, achalasia etc. I do think it was beneficial.
Frankie sur
2 April 2017
Gabipenten didnt help me lyrics made me actually SEE people and have conversation with imaginary people I talked to my young children who actually are adults and my husband couldn't find me for 3 hours because I was hiding inside my car in the garage playing hide and go seek with my imaginary children!!! I was out of my mind sleep walking eating in my sleep be warned I felt ok I thought BUT My MIND IS LUCKY TO BE half way back
Frankie sur
2 April 2017
Gabipenten didnt help me lyrics made me actually SEE people and have conversation with imaginary people I talked to my young children who actually are adults and my husband couldn't find me for 3 hours because I was hiding inside my car in the garage playing hide and go seek with my imaginary children!!! I was out of my mind sleep walking eating in my sleep be warned I felt ok I thought BUT My MIND IS LUCKY TO BE half way back
Bigwink
1 Dec 2017
I have to take Lyrica 150mg 3 times a day plus gabapentin 800 mg 4 times a day just to help me with my PN. It's gotten so bad that I'm about to ask my doctor for more gabapentin so I don't lose my mind with the pins and needles. Can someone please tell me what can help me. PLEASE
coffeejams53
22 Jan 2018
I have CRPS bilateral knees after implant surgery. Benfotiamine (purchased thru my hospital pharmacy) did NOTHING for decreasing pain when I took it with gabapentin (300 mg 3x/day). I tried it for 6 months with no further relief so I stopped buying the Benfotiamine. Tramadol ER - extended release - 300 mg tablets 1/day) with the gabapentin has given me great relief. Prior to this, I was bedridden for 3 months. The Tramadol gave me my life back. Mild narcotic and enough to take the edge off so stronger narcotic - like oxycodone - wasn't needed.
Skyking747
31 July 2018
Same here. Lyrica seemed to work as did the Gabapentin but with Lyrica I was dizzy, foggy, sleeping all the time, and wobbly kneed... even 12 hours later.
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lyrica, pain, fibromyalgia, gabapentin, side effect, neuropathic pain
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