I have been taking Lyrica for about 10 years now and even with increased doses over the years (currently at 150 mg 3X day) it appear that either I have built up a tolerance or it is no longer working as well. At these higher doses side effects are worse than before, i.e. weight gain, tiredness, etc. Does our bodies build a tolerance to long-term Lyrica usage?
Pregabalin - Does the body build a tolerance for Lyrica?
Question posted by pwrnapper on 25 Dec 2016
Last updated on 28 February 2017
Answers
Windchimes123
28 Feb 2017
Hi pwrnapper (love it !),
Suzanne gave you right on advice.
I'm wondering if you gained weight first before it stopped working.
Perhaps an increase in body weight caused an increase in the dose needed?
I don't know if you are a female but could hormonal changes cause the change in effectiveness?
Why not talk to your doctor about possibly changing the dosing schedule of your previous dose.
Do you think taking two capsules for your second dose of the day and leave out the Night dose would make a difference?
May be you just need some fine tuning rather than an increase in your total daily dose.
Best wishes
:-)
pwrnapper
28 Feb 2017
Yes she did, wonderful advice just like you advice was. So you know my weight gain jumped up in the beginning by maybe 20 lbs and has been steadily rising since before and after an increased dose. Went from 150 mg 2 X day to 3X day about a year go with another 20 lbs. increase. Overall my weight has increased about 60 lbs total, I am NOT a female so those hormones don't effect it buy my Testosterone has dropped also below 200, tried T-replacement therapy with no help and nasty side effect. Doctor stopped it. Your idea of increasing the dose due to extra weight now (60 lbs) is a valid one, which I will discuss with my doctor about. I am concerned that even more weight might be added, like a tread mill effect, we shall see. But I do notice my neuropathy pain has increases over the past year or so and quite bad, spreading to my right leg now where it was only in my left. In my hands now too and Fibro symptoms has increased as well.
I have started taking pain meds to help control that plus various vitamin/mineral supplements.. Gets very frustrating and discouraging but I been told my condition is degenerative, just don't want to face it I guess.
suzanne66
28 Feb 2017
Lyrica (pregabalin) is used to control seizures and to treat fibromyalgia and to treat pain caused by nerve damage in people with diabetes, herpes zoster, or neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury.
Lyrica works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Lyrica also affects chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system.
A study in 2010 showed that there was no evidence to support the development of tolerance with Lyrica. More studies are required to confirm this.
You should talk with your doctor if you feel Lyrica is not working so well for you and you are experiencing unpleasant side effects. It may be time to change medicines.
pwrnapper
28 Feb 2017
Excellent advice all around Suzanne66. Definitely will be talking to my neurologist about my options. Thanks.
Related topics
lyrica, peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, pregabalin, dosage, tolerance, neuropathic pain
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