Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain User Reviews (Page 3)

• Jac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2015

"This is intended as a warning about sudden cessation of long-term Lyrica use. I've been taking 75mg twice daily of Lyrica for severe pain resulting from crush fractures in my spine. I started to feel a slight benefit from the drug a few weeks after beginning to take it, but it wasn't until I started swimming that my long-standing pain completely disappeared. I never missed a dose until a few days ago, I just ran out, had to wait until the next day, effectively missing two doses. I went through an incredibly harrowing experience in that time without the drug... it wasn't psychological, I could almost physically feel the chemistry in my brain and body going totally haywire. It was extremely alarming, nothing can describe how nasty it was."

• Zev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 9, 2016

"I have nerve damage in my arms, I can't use them without fatigue. I have tried everything for the pain, nothing works well except for Lyrica. I take 150 mg twice a day, and now the pain is so manageable that I get my life back. If you have really bad nerve pain that makes you feel depressed and debilitated, give the medication a go! I have had a few side effects like memory fog, but the pain relief is worth it!"

• Zim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

"Lyrica is a game changer for me. I have been in pain for over 10 years and had back surgery to remove a disk with a fusion. This was okay for accommodating the injury, however, I was left with nerve damage from degeneration that affects my lower back, legs, and hips. Now, I no longer find myself looking for another Percocet. Some drowsiness is a tolerable side effect, especially since I haven't had a full night of restful sleep in years."

• lou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2019

"Recently commenced on Lyrica 25 mg am/50 mg pm. - It is for nerve pain. Although I am experiencing side effects, drowsiness, slight dizziness, vomiting, to name a few, my pain has reduced significantly so far."

• gho...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 27, 2014

"I have severe neuropathy, and I take a cocktail of pain medicines. This medicine is a very important link to fight pain so I can still go to work. It is addictive and hard to kick, but I don't plan on kicking it anytime soon as I need to badly."

• blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2019

"I wanted this to work for my pelvic nerve pain. Sadly, I could not take it as I got headaches 24/7, felt wired and tired at the same time. Then, on the 4th day, insomnia and was awake the entire night. (never had insomnia in my life) Constant gas, bubbling farts that I've never had. And you can't stop it. Lol. Abnormal thoughts. Constant crying fits while on Lyrica. But most importantly, I didn't feel it doing anything for my pain. Had tried gabapentin before and, while it didn't work for my pain either, I had none of these effects."

• DDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2019

"Will never use again. Felt like I was drugged. Couldn't keep eyes open. Blurry vision. Knocked me out and slept from 7 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Glad I didn't have to go to work! Woke up still groggy and with a major headache! How are people supposed to function on this?"

• Jud...
• January 12, 2015

"The pain in my right thigh was almost unbearable. It was all I thought of, day and night. I only slept at most 2 hours at a time before the pain would awaken me. After a week on Lyrica (75mg twice a day), there was tremendous relief, but I still had pain. Then I was put on 150 mg twice a day, and it was like a miracle. The pain was totally gone in a few days. I also take it for fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy. But the meralgia paresthetica saw the most dramatic improvement. No noticeable side effects, except a little dizziness the first few mornings."

• Cpa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2019

"Lyrica did not work for my neuropathy, even at max dose. It can make you very, very irritable (angry), and withdrawal can be challenging. Would advise to not start in the first place. It is worse than the disease itself."

• Plu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

"This medicine, Lyrica, helped with severe hip pain immediately. However, I couldn’t increase the dosage because of side effects of flu-like symptoms and green pus sinus drainage. Slowly turning into sinus pain and severe pressure. My legs swelled up like balloons and gained over 10 lbs in 1 month. My body was retaining water even though I was taking a water pill. I started to forget my English. Insomnia, depression, severe mood swings, weird headaches, it felt like parts of my brain were missing. Major mid-back pain. Felt like a senile person. Stopped taking medication. In 4 days, my swollen body is back to normal. No mid-back pain, mind cleared. Some balance troubles. Insomnia. Sinuses almost normal. Memory better, no unpleasant headaches or mood swings. But very bad heartburn at night."

• Jay...
• June 20, 2015

"Lyrica works. Unfortunately, I am on the verge of discontinuing use because of significant side effects. The most troubling for me are the eye disorders (conjunctivitis and blurred vision), and the dementia. I am 53 years old and I have trouble remembering elementary words! It's very embarrassing. I also have a significant taste disorder... many things taste like 'burnt garlic' to me... that's the best way I can describe it. Finally, I have facial bloating, weight gain, and dizziness. I have been on the maximum dose of Lyrica for chronic pain due to degenerative disc disease in my neck. I was willing to endure the weight and dizziness, but the eye, memory and taste problems are intolerable. Too bad, because Lyrica really helps pain."

• vot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2024

"I was prescribed Lyrica for peripheral neuropathy. It took my pain from a chronic 6/7 every day to a 2. I haven't experienced any negative side effects and was only drowsy for the first few days of taking the medicine. I am prescribed 100 mg twice a day. The burning, pins and needles, and electric shocks or pricks have nearly stopped. I can still tell where my nerve damage begins and ends, but the pain for the areas affected has decreased very significantly."

• Kat...
• April 11, 2017

"I have had chronic pain from spinal stenosis for over 25 years: neck, shoulders, and lower back. I was on Lyrica 150 mg twice a day a couple of years ago, and truthfully, I cannot remember why I stopped taking it. Since the 'war on pain meds,' my doctor asked me to try it again. I took it for 2 weeks, then I started getting blurred vision, confusion, memory loss, and I would be standing in a store, and twice my husband had to catch me because I was just falling over. I felt sick inside, instead of my quality of life improving, it went downhill. I will never take this so-called medication again. I will live with the 10 to 15 pain level somehow if I have to spend the rest of my life just sitting still or in bed. I also got to the point where I was severely depressed. Do NOT take this drug."

• LYR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2023

"I get horrible pain in my neck due to a pinched nerve, and Lyrica really helped the pain. However, I didn't realize what it was doing to me. Brain fog like never before, I lost all interest in everything. I had a very demanding job that was affected, and I ended up losing the best job I ever had."

• gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2018

"Lyrica is a game changer. I feel like myself again. I’ve been in constant fibromyalgia pain for the past decade. I was afraid to try Lyrica or the other similar drugs for fear of side effects, instead opting for tramadol, which only took the edge off. I wish I had tried this first! I haven’t experienced any side effects. I still experience your normal age or workout-related pain, but all the weird, intense roving pain is gone. The best thing is my skin no longer hurts."

• Nig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2017

"Had a motorcycle accident at the age of 15. Had no problems until I reached 40 years old. Started feeling pains and aches in my legs. That progressed for the next 10 years. Started to be unable to lift heavy things without causing strain in the back. Eventually was unable to sit down or lay down comfortably. Had tried several types of pain-relieving medications, but they caused more symptoms like stomach problems. Had over 500 Xylocaine needles injected into my spine and butt bone. Had to get those needles at least every 2 weeks. Period. I am no longer in an area where the service is available. My doctor put me on Lyrica, and it is like a miracle medication. It is not only taking away my pain, but it's also giving me energy and motivation."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2019

"I’ve started the generic form of Lyrica 2 days ago. I’m on 100 mg 3 times a day. I have peripheral neuropathy, and my Dr. said this would help me. I did notice extreme fatigue after taking it, I literally fell asleep sitting up. I also had flu-like symptoms. Just took the morning dose and hoping I don’t feel sick again today. I hope and pray this medication gives me my life back. Numbness and tingling in my feet, legs, arms, and fingers, I’ve been this way over a year now!"

• Pjs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2019

"I was prescribed Lyrica at a dose of 75 mg a day for neuropathic pain and chronic daily migraine, which seemed to help with the pain. But I had an anxious feeling like nerves were charged. My doctor upped my dosage to 150 mg in the morning and 75 mg at bedtime to be upped to 150 mg if tolerated. My first day at 150 mg felt like my nerves were super charged. I was tired and fatigued, walking around like a zombie, unable to think properly. I was also emotional. It was awful. I continued the next day with the same result. I am going to discontinue 150 mg and get off this medication as soon as possible. It may work for some people, but not for me."

• Ste...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 14, 2014

"I was working at a plant nursery and watered the plants every day. I stood in water with Converse All Stars on for about 3 hours. My feet went numb, which was normal for me. When I got in the shower that night to thaw my feet out, they started hurting and black blisters developed. Neurontin did not help much, but the Lyrica took all pain out with no side effects other than feeling a little tired. It saved me from total misery. It is the best medicine I have ever taken."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2016

"I have been taking Lyrica for 3 days now after trying every pain med for the last 7 years. Unreal. I am able to walk better, and my pain has diminished to about a 2 or 3. I was only a little foggy on the second morning, but besides that, I have had no bad side effects at all. I tried Neurontin years ago, but after the second day, I could not function, so anyone with nerve pain should give this a try. It sure has helped me."

• Dan...
• May 24, 2013

"I've had multiple spinal surgeries, and have been on methadone for about 5 years. Additionally, I've had issues with anxiety, depression, mood stability, and just being miserable most of the time. I also recently learned that I have thoracic outlet syndrome. Lyrica helped immediately with all of my pain; with the numbness from thoracic outlet syndrome, and it has a surprisingly positive psychological effect. Due to other meds, or psychological issues, I have trouble focusing, making decisions, carrying on conversation, and moving forward with decisions. Lyrica somehow makes all these issues just go away. It also makes my tinnitus (ringing in the ears) much less annoying. BUT...I had to stop taking due to side effects, fatigue."

• JR ...
• October 21, 2015

"I recently had back surgery for spinal stenosis. I was having leg pain, and the pain in my leg was worse than before surgery. After surgery, I was also experiencing new pain of stabbing, electrical sensations in addition to the pain I previously had. I was prescribed Neurontin, and the doctor kept raising the dose with no difference in my pain. I heard of similar experiences and was switched to Lyrica, and it made a huge difference. I was in so much pain day after day. I switched to Lyrica, and I have had nearly full relief of the pain I was having. I can't even describe how much this medication has helped me. If you find yourself in the same experience, there is hope. Keep communicating with your surgeon and try Lyrica."

• Sne...
• September 2, 2015

"I feel the need to warn everybody about the side effects and how difficult it can be to get off this drug. I've been on it for approximately 8 years before the side effects really started kicking in. It began as morning anxiety attacks, severe GI upset, mood swings, and low to mid-level depression. I tried changing the schedule from twice a day to three times a day. It helped at first, but about two months later my body began anticipating the new schedule and the side effects would start kicking in about an hour before the next dose. It's taken me 8 months to get the dosage down from 225 mg a day to 75 mg a day, and every step down has been sheer hell. Every step down leads to a period of depression, and it gets worse the closer you get to zero."

• Tam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2013

"Been taking since September. I take 50ml x3 at night although prescription says 3 a day. Sleep like a baby, no pain still, and wake up refreshed. At first, it might make you feel a little drunk in the morning, just silly, nothing bad. Still working and a lifesaver! I needed to update on the free prescription, it's Pfizer's website and go to the patient prescription program. Fill out the info along with required things, mail it, in 2 weeks you get a letter if accepted, then prescription comes by FedEx! You have to call close to running out each month so that Pfizer can FedEx your refill! Got mine paid for a year! Otherwise, it's $400 for 90 pills. I get 50ml free from Pfizer, a 90-day supply! Thank you, Pfizer!"

• RNi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 7, 2018

"Lyrica is very effective for the radiculopathy (nerve pain that radiates into the lower extremities) I suffer as a result of multiple back issues. The key to minimizing side effects is to start on the lowest dose possible. I've noticed many doctors start at the max or even higher, even if you're new to the medicine. This is why so many people have so many side effects. I have few, if any, side effects, and it's the only thing that works for my leg pain. I could barely sit without it, the pain was unbelievable. Now it's manageable. If this medicine is something you and your doctor are considering, ask to start at the lowest dose and only increase it if you're not getting relief. Many of the posters I see here with severe side effects are on 300-600 mg a day when the max recommended dose is 300 mg a day. Of course, I don't blame patients for not knowing this. They should be able to trust their doctor. This medication can be so very helpful if used and prescribed correctly."