Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2017

"I was prescribed Lyrica for post-shoulder surgery with continuing nerve pain radiating down the arm. Lyrica caused me to gain 20 lb, slurred speech, and blurred vision. I had edema in my ankles too. Since I would only take it two times a day, I would have rebound nerve pain that encouraged me to take more Lyrica. After my doctor advised me about the weight gain, I decided to take myself off of it. It took 10 days to withdraw from the drug, but I'm glad I did. I'm a clinical pharmacist and advised all on Lyrica to be aware of all the adverse effects of this drug."

• Zop...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 21, 2017

"My whole body would be on fire without Lyrica. My sensory neuropathy is so bad I wouldn't be able to eat most foods without terrible reflux pain that would burn my throat and face. It does cause fatigue (builds up slowly), but it's a trade-off for quality of life. I have none without it. Lyrica has been the only drug that works for my small fiber neuropathy that didn't suddenly stop working for me. I've had to increase the dosage over the years. I currently take 350 mg a day, targeting 400 mg."

• Con...
• March 14, 2016

"I had cervical fusion at C4-5, 5-6, 6-7. After my surgery, coming out of the operating room, no one could touch my skin. I had loss of sense of feeling in the right arm, left hand, and right shoulder. It was on fire, pins and needles severe, also on the back right side of my tongue and throat. In the hospital, they started giving me Lyrica 75 mg, 3 times per day, that just took the edge off. Then I went to the pain doctor, and it was increased to 150 mg, 3 times a day. I had such relief to the point I could touch my skin. It has worked so great that when it is time for my next dose, I begin to feel the pins and needles severe and the fire on my shoulders and hands. Amazingly, it takes away that feeling as long as I take it every 6 hours. The problem I have had is weight gain."

• Anonymous
• May 11, 2016

"I've had problems with my feet burning for several years. Every year, it was worse than the year before. It got to the point that I couldn't stand anything on my feet. Lyrica helped a lot, with much less frequency and severity of burning. Finally, some relief. Unfortunately, I had to discontinue because of side effects. I had almost all side effects listed in the info sheet. Most I could have tolerated, but the ones I couldn't were weight gain, confusion, and fast progressing blurred vision. Also, I had severe clinical depression over 18 years ago until I received the correct antidepressant. I've had no depression since. However, the Lyrica caused it to return, although not as severe. It also caused anger flare-ups, very unlike me."

• bro...
• December 12, 2013

"50 mg twice a day was tolerable but didn't do much for central cord syndrome pain. 75 mg three times a day isn't helping with pain so far, makes me dizzy and puts me to sleep most of the day. I got leg spasms at night after not taking it. Walking around a little stopped the spasms. I'd like to give it a better try, but the side effects prevent me from functioning."

• Nut...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2015

"I have taken Lyrica for several years now, and it has helped me so much with nerve pain. I used to take 200 mgs twice a day for spinal and cervical stenosis, scoliosis (spinal fusion), and cervical and lumbar spondylosis. I put on over 10 lbs in weight when I first started taking it, but with correct food choices, I lost what I had put on and more. I did at first have an increased balance problem. I now take 200 mgs of Lyrica 3 times a day because I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I take metformin 500 mg twice a day, and I've got neuropathy pain. I have no side effects with Lyrica now. The other pain meds I am on are a 500 mg Fentanyl patch, Arcoxia, and Quinine for leg cramps. I live in the UK and get my pain medication free."

• Aly...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 26, 2019

"I’ve been on Lyrica for about a year now. Have gradually increased the dose to 200 mg 3 x day. Benefits: Reduced painful “zingers” which I’d get down my fingers; calmed the waves of pain up and down my legs and feet, especially at night; reduced the pain in my toes and fingers. Issues: Legs, arms, hand, and feet feel like they’re badly sunburned all the time. Constipation, gas, distention. Disassociation. Insomnia and trouble with concentration."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2024

"Tried this on and off for about a year and wasn’t sure how well it worked. For me, it kind of numbs the brain sensation and also numbs thought patterns, unfortunately. So, came off it and the pain ramped up to an incredible level. Taking 300 mg a day seems about right for efficacy, all reports of going above this show no improvement. This is far better than dangerous opioids and now seems to really help. The side effects are tough, but who wants constant pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2022

"Worst drug I have ever taken. I spent many, many months reviewing this drug and saw mixed reviews, but became more and more desperate to find something to help my nerve pain from chemo and bulging discs in my neck. Worst decision ever! I have had many different drugs that have caused side effects due to having to have chemo, etc. This is by far the worst. I realize everyone is different and reacts differently to drugs, but Lyrica is so terrible. DON'T TAKE IT! So many side effects, and even though I was only on it for 5 weeks, the withdrawal symptoms were shocking and no pain relief at all."

• che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2015

"I've been on 75 mg, 2x/day for 2 months. The difference is night and day! I have RA, nerve damage from a pretty bad accident, herniated discs, and veins are dying. I'm a mess. Tried everything, but Lyrica has been the one that worked. Not completely, but they may bump up the dosage, I'm told. Trying for 2 more months 'til I see my GP again. Lucky my insurance pays, otherwise, I'd never be able to afford it."

• DMA...
• September 10, 2017

"This drug, in combination with other pharmaceutical products, took the pain away which I was getting from an L3/4 - L4/5 disc protrusion. The pain was horrific, which made me collapse twice and taken to the hospital via ambulance. However, I am now dealing with the side effects of the drug, which, going by the list, I have probably 25-30% of these. I have, in the last few days, finally got to not taking this drug at all and am coping on over-the-counter pain relief. But I am still experiencing major dizziness, coordination issues, and confusion. This is majorly impacting my day-to-day life and stopping me from walking my dogs just a very short distance and even holding a conversation. Not happy with the side effects."

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2017

"I have sciatica, and I've been taking this medication (150 mg per day) for several weeks and have very few side effects except for blurred vision (close up, though my long-distance vision is fine). Which is a challenge, as my job requires quite a bit of computer work. I am wondering if this will last as long as I am on this medication."

• Old...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2017

"On narcotics, muscle relaxers for neuropathic pain from inoperable herniated discs, arthritis in back. Narcotics cut in half by doctor and prescribed Lyrica, 75 mg once at night, then 75 mg am and pm and on until taking 150 mg am, pm. Nothing. Today, an additional 75 mg to be added midday. Decided to check here before taking more. Wow. I have had left hand/arm jerks where my arm just flies up, once throwing my iPad mini across the room, another time scattering nuts everywhere while chopping them. I now realize this condition started with Lyrica and gets worse with increased dosage. I am going to slowly stop this drug because a) it does nothing for pain, and b) what has it done to my brain?"

• LMo...
• September 1, 2015

"I was prescribed Lyrica for a pinched nerve in my elbow after a dislocation. The pain made physical therapy intolerable. With just one dose of 75 mg of Lyrica, I could bend my elbow without wincing. Absolutely marvelous. Unfortunately, there were 2 side effects that made me stop taking it. The first one was that I fell asleep almost immediately after taking it for about 2 hours, and my brain felt very foggy after I woke up. The second issue was a slight tightness in the chest and feeling a little out of breath. Not severe, but enough to let me know that I couldn't take it again. Made me sad because it really worked."

• CMR...
• January 26, 2016

"Like many others, my pain doctor had me on gabapentin first, then after several months without relief, switched me to Lyrica. Without a generic version available, it can cost a small fortune depending on your insurance. Without any insurance, 100 mg capsules 3X daily, 90 pills will cost upward of $600! With my Part D, and not qualifying for 'Extra Help' through the state, I'm now paying $140 for a 2-week supply, $280 monthly. That's a car payment! I have no idea what to do once the free samples run out, it's a very good medication but unaffordable. If your doctor tells you gabapentin (Neurontin) works the same, chemically there's no difference, that just isn't true. It may be similar, but Lyrica works much better with significantly fewer mg's."

• Nom...
• November 5, 2015

"Horrible medicine. I had a nerve injury, and this medication only made things worse. Mental and emotional side effects were substantial, and I had no history of depression or mood changes before taking Lyrica. Since I stopped taking it, I feel like myself again and feel like I am handling pain better because I am not feeling depressed by my medication. I am so relieved I am not taking Lyrica. I would not recommend it to anyone. The side effects completely outweigh the minimal benefits."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2022

"Horrible experience, this drug Lyrica almost made me lose my mind. I was prescribed this back in the spring of 2021 for chronic pain in my neck and shoulders at a low dose. Was on it less than a week when the side effects kicked in-night terrors that made it impossible to sleep, severe anxiety including panic attacks, severe restlessness, paranoia, and abnormal strange thought processes. I stopped the medication after speaking to my doctor around the 2-week mark, but the side effects took another 2-3 weeks to fully disappear. At one point, I remember sitting on the bed, rocking back and forth, humming to myself, unable to get a grip on anything that was happening. Thankfully, I felt like myself again after a few weeks, but at the time, I felt like the med had permanently changed my brain. From what I've heard, this experience is VERY rare, but I feel like it's important to get it out there as a warning nonetheless."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2017

"I was given Lyrica 3 years ago for back pain from a herniated disk. The pain down my legs at night was horrific. The pain in my legs went, but I put on 12 kg. I did not eat more, in fact, I ate less because of my weight gain. The doctor refused to believe that Lyrica was the cause of the gain. Now, 2 years later, I have been given Lyrica again because no other drugs worked. When will the doctor listen and learn about side effects?"

• Flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2019

"I had hip replacement a month ago and was told that I had 'fallen foot' after by the surgeon. He did say I was only the third person to whom this had happened. Nowhere in literature given was this condition even mentioned, so off I went on the internet to find out. On returning home, with a splint in my shoe, I experienced a classic feeling in my feet like 100 bees or stinging nettles keeping me awake. Hip was great, by the way. My GP called at my request and prescribed Lyrica, tiny dose. I'm 77, and a week later I am on two 25 mg mornings, two 25 mg evenings, and it’s become manageable, not so intense. So yes, it’s helped me."

• Qui...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2015

"Due to a toxic neuropathy that causes an excess of electrical conduction through my peripheral nervous system and results in neuralgic pain, especially in my legs, arms, hands, feet, torso, and face, I have been taking 450 mg a day. It worked for a couple of years, but now my body's tolerance has reduced its pain-killing effect. I don't want to increase the dosage, and my neurologist seems at a loss as to what to prescribe."

• Dav...
• August 31, 2013

"I simply could not go on without Lyrica. I have a peripheral neuropathy known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. I experience numbness, pinching, burning, tightness, and severe pain in my feet and lower extremities. I have had to stop driving. The condition has caused a wasting of the muscles in my legs, which has led to problems with walking and balance. It is a progressive condition, which I'm led to believe will one day cause similar symptoms in my hands and arms. As soon as I assume a horizontal position (as in going to bed), all the above symptoms return, and I find that the Lyrica cannot control these very well. I take the maximum dose of 600 mg spread out over 24 hrs."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

"I had needles and pins from back, stenosis, disc bulging, so was given Lyrica. Only took it 2 1/2 days as it made me feel terrible. Felt like a zombie, couldn't think straight, slurred words, tripped easily. My husband said I wasn't acting right, got irritated and angry very easily, which I don't usually do. This was on 50 mg, and then I was going to 75 mg. I stopped today and won't take it again. Not worth it to me."

• DBB...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 7, 2020

"I developed peripheral neuropathy in 2010 after an adverse reaction due to long-term administration of both oral and intravenous Flagyl to treat two back-to-back occurrences of diverticulitis. I was in unbearable pain, and there would be nights I would soak my feet in a bucket of water with ice in it. I was literally in tears. Gabapentin did nothing. I could not sleep with covers or even sheets over my feet. It took a month or so to build up to 450 mg of Lyrica/day, but it was a life-saver. I never suffered any side effects."

• rcb...
• June 25, 2015

"My husband was prescribed Lyrica for neuropathic pain. He has been in pain with low back issues since 2005. He has had shots, surgeries, a stim unit implant. The pain continues to increase. The Lyrica, within three days, made him completely crazy. Couldn't sleep, very emotional. Started weaning right away. He had side effects all the way to cold and flu-like symptoms. This Lyrica is horrible, the worst medicine he has ever taken, and now we're stuck for $100.00."

• Wee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 2, 2017

"I started taking Lyrica for trigger spots (burning, painful hot spots throughout my back) plus lower back pain. I began taking 150 mg 2x a day. It was wonderful, no more daily nagging pain. However, the side effects started to outweigh the pain relief. I had to start taking water pills because of the water retention, my memory and cognitive thinking were really affected. On three separate occasions, I was sent home from work because I was so drowsy I kept falling asleep. I was staggering, slurring my speech. My supervisor thought I had been drinking. It was very embarrassing. If I did not have all these side effects, I would have stayed on these meds, but it was getting out of control-my weight has skyrocketed also. I'm weaning off. Pain is back."