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Pregabalin for Pain User Reviews

Brand names: Lyrica, Lyrica CR

Pregabalin has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 from a total of 161 reviews for the off-label treatment of Pain. 57% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 26% reported a negative experience.

Pregabalin rating summary

6.6 average rating out of 10

161 ratings from 166 user reviews.

Compare all 1458 medications used in the treatment of Pain.

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24%
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15%
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7%
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Reviews for Pregabalin

  • Aurora
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 21, 2019

"I was prescribed 25mg of this for nerve pain I had been struggling with for 8 weeks. I did all my research and looked at side effects/symptom stories. I was quite apprehensive about taking this but couldn't suffer my back pain/nerve pain/sciatica any longer. I took a 50mg dose of this at night and in the morning the pain was gone. Took one more dose of 50mg the next night. The pain has healed. I had no side effects as read from others. I will not hesitate to use this drug again if needed. Don't take into mind all the stories and symptoms you read. It is worth a try and I am glad I went ahead and used it."

10 / 10
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240 Report
  • Chickie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 8, 2019

"I have been having major back pain for over 6 years. I have been on numerous narcotics (hydrocodone, tramadol, codeine). Then my doctor gave me a script for pregabalin (Lyrica). It sat in my cupboard as I was scared to take it due to the many horrible reviews. Then one day I decided to try it. Wow! 3 days on it and I take anywhere from 100mg to 150mg daily. The first 2 days I was tired, almost zombie-like and could not keep my eyes open. But now I feel great, no pain, and no need for strong painkillers (which is huge as I have been taking codeine for 5 years). My mood has improved as well. Dare I say I feel happy again? I know it has only been a few days, but so far, pregabalin has changed my life for the better."

10 / 10
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129 Report
  • Donny...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 14, 2014

"I have had severe pain to the point I have lost my ability to walk and need to use a wheelchair for the past seven years. My Dr. (last year) put me on Lyrica and it saved my life! I had been put on every type of painkiller and I needed a lot of them. Now I have lower doses of my pain medicines and I feel tons better! Anyone who is looking into this medication, PLEASE at least try it, take it as you're told to by your Dr. and give it four weeks to fully work its magic. I almost asked my Dr. to take me off it three weeks into taking it, but my wife told me to give it one more week and BOOM! She was right. It's not like anything you have ever tried! My only problem with it is it needs time to work. It's worth the wait!"

10 / 10
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179 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Saz
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 23, 2020

"Given this pregabalin after several other meds failed to rid me of my agonising pain of 4 bulging discs (sitting on root nerves in my lower back, can’t lay down, can’t sleep, can’t cope!). For me, pregabalin is a miracle cure for now. I must admit I’ve read the bad reviews, but it's not the case for me. I never thought I’d be free of this agony while waiting for back surgery. If I gain weight or anything similar, I’ll take it to be pain-free (first time in a year)."

10 / 10
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77 Report
  • Lou
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 12, 2018

"The last year I've been so crippled with anxiety and tension headaches, lots of pain (I have ME/fibro) and I've not wanted to live much longer. I was put on pregabalin for my bad anxiety and pain (which was behind my eyes and all over my scalp and temples), painkillers had been doing nothing. Since taking the pregabalin I feel absolutely amazing, the pain has vanished and the anxiety and I want to go out there and live again."

10 / 10
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102 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • debra...
  • January 21, 2010

Lyrica (pregabalin) "I have 4 curves in my back. Several bulging discs, chronic pain due to the discs, osteoporosis, lordosis, and kyphosis, with spinal stenosis. Lyrica has been a miracle for me. I have been using a walker for 8 years. Yesterday I went across the street, came back to my house to get the garden hose, back across the street to water my neighbor's plants, and lugged the hose back home. Suddenly, I realized I forgot my walker. I completely forgot it. I wake in the morning pain-free. I am walking now without the walker, it has also improved my mood. I used to cry a lot because I could not do the 'normal' things people my age can do. I am 50 years old and have been on disability for 8 years. I feel like a new person."

10 / 10
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177 Report
  • Hoffa...
  • November 22, 2019

"I've had really bad years on opiates for pain. My wife died taking tramadol. I suffered so dreadfully until, with much hesitation, I tried Lyrica, 75mg twice daily. The results were very good. My fibromyalgic symptoms decreased substantially. It helps with my PTSD and I am less anxious."

8 / 10
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76 Report

More FAQ

  • Kimmy
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 13, 2024

"I had a slipped disc resulting in very painful sciatic nerve pain. I couldn’t sleep and everything triggered the pain. I was miserable. Big doses of codeine, ibuprofen, and paracetamol. Nothing worked. I was beside myself. Took pregabalin. First couple of days I noticed absolutely nothing, and on the third day, wow, goodbye pain. With each increased dose, my life became livable. Terrible reviews online and research that it doesn’t work on sciatica any better than placebo! Couldn’t believe my eyes. It worked on me. I’m so thankful."

10 / 10
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15 Report
  • Pixel
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 28, 2020

"I had hip joint pain (undiagnosed at the time). This drug, pregabalin, ruined my life. I gained a massive amount of weight, suffered extreme aphasia, shaking, memory loss, and more. It works at the start because it makes you high (precisely the reason they were allegedly using it to replace opioids). The withdrawal was the worst thing I ever experienced. I hallucinated, had depersonalization, derealization, restless limbs, insomnia-and it lasted for months. I now have severe chronic facial pain that started when I stopped Lyrica. Note that no scientific studies have been done on withdrawal and long-term effects. Even today, specialists dismiss the idea that it is addictive. Studies have shown that it’s no more effective than a placebo. Please join the Facebook group called Lyrica Survivors for support. I have had my comment refused because science is “generalizing.”"

1 / 10
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65 Report
  • barney...
  • March 15, 2015

"Been suffering with low back pain worse in the buttocks and sometimes hips. Numbness, tingling in both legs. Underwent a laminotomy for spinal compression due to synovial cyst and facet joint disease. Have a couple of herniated discs, but left alone in surgery...felt I would recover from this on its own as I have very mild degenerative disc disease. Since taking Lyrica for only 3 days at a low dose, my pain has subsided enough so I could actually leave my home to go out to dinner. Pain went from about '10' at its worst down to about a '2-3'. I would say try it as it may work for you. Side effects are less than gabapentin."

8 / 10
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116 Report
  • Libby...
  • May 28, 2016

"I've been on 75 mg twice a day for three months, which took the edge off my sciatica but did little for lower back pain. A week ago, my dosage increased to 150mg twice a day, and my back pain is good, and sciatica is gone. Additionally, my general anxiety is eased. There's no worsening of my depression symptoms (I manage depression/anxiety with Effexor). Aside from mild sedation, I've had a great result from Lyrica so far. Hope it continues working this well! :)"

8 / 10
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105 Report
  • Betty
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 3, 2019

"This tablet has given my life back. I have Chiari malformation and suffer with pain all over my body - electrical feeling pain. It would be constant and make me feel exhausted. I really didn't want to take medication, and reading the reviews for pregabalin online are horrifying. But I was desperate for even a day with no pain. After a few days, I felt relieved. I felt normal again, they've been amazing for me. Other than being tired, I've had no side effects, but I was tired before from all the pain I was in. You never know how something will make you feel until you've given it a try."

10 / 10
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70 Report
  • Blubobr
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 15, 2020

"I had swollen discs in my neck from falling off a ladder. Incredible pain. I contemplated suicide to stop the pain. I took a heap of Advil in one day with no help. Steroid injections and a chiropractor did nothing. After 3 weeks of Lyrica at 200 mg a day, the pain was gone. There were definite side effects of dizziness and blurred vision, but it was worth it."

10 / 10
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63 Report
  • Educa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 13, 2017

"This medication is first-line treatment in chronic pain. Its pharmacological side effects are quite similar to benzodiazepines. Side effects include acute cognitive impairment, significant motor control reduction, loss of swift reflexes, inability to concentrate, etc. Anyone who studied pharmacology knows that benzodiazepines are far more addictive physically and mentally, and the withdrawal can be LETHAL, via seizure and death, as compared to opioids/opiates, where it will not kill, but the withdrawal will be highly uncomfortable. So Lyrica, gabapentin, and the other drugs that fall into the category, at least the way I lay them out as 'gaba-nergic' like side effect drugs. These drugs are MORE DANGEROUS THAN OPIOIDS. This is objective."

1 / 10
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85 Report
  • Nicol...
  • June 18, 2013

"I've been taking Pregabalin for approximately 4 weeks. I started on 1 x 30mg capsule twice daily, but I found that taking 2 x 30mg at a time eased my pain better. My doctor then changed the prescription to 50mg twice daily. As a painkiller, it is fantastic. I've never known a painkiller like it. However, one bad side effect is my swollen feet. I fear that I will have to change to something else if it continues to make my feet swell because it is extremely uncomfortable. Another side effect is the feeling of being drunk. It does help me to sleep. I haven't slept this well in years, though I wake up feeling groggy. I could live with all these side effects if I could overcome the swollen feet."

8 / 10
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105 Report
  • BethAnn
  • October 9, 2017

"Wow love this med....been in a lot if pain and nothing helped. I was on gabapentin, baclofen, Topamax, percocet...nothing gave me relief. I still have pain but it has been knocked down some and it does help me sleep. I have fibromyalgia, small fiber neuropathy, scoliosis, osteoarthritis, collapsed discs, disc disease."

10 / 10
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70 Report
  • KyRho
  • February 14, 2012

"Lyrica has saved my life, just wish I'd have started taking it sooner and it would have saved my marriage. My pain is completely controlled, and I am no longer taking antidepressants. I didn't realize it helped with GAD, but it does. I actually feel human again and interact with others. It does have some side effects, can't concentrate, and a drunk feeling but compared to the pain I was enduring, these side effects are worth it to me."

10 / 10
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106 Report
  • TALLY...
  • July 4, 2011

Lyrica (pregabalin) "Truly liberating to know that Lyrica helps alleviate my chronic pain. For over 30 years, my very misunderstood condition has been mistreated, and I myself much maligned. Using high dose opiates became my way to deal with it as they worked to a degree. BUT 3 years ago, Lyrica helped change my life. IF ONLY IT WAS AROUND A LONG TIME AGO. Lyrica works."

10 / 10
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105 Report
  • wwl...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 17, 2017

"I am a nurse, so needless to say, I have back pain like so many of us, but the nasty burning, shooting kind of pain radiates from my thoracic spine out around my ribs. I am awaiting more testing as I am still figuring out what is wrong, but I was put on Lyrica about 3 weeks ago, and I felt some relief within a few days after the dose was increased, resulting in more relief. The dose increased again with a good effect. I do notice that if I am late on a dose or miss a dose, I sure pay for it, it takes some time for the pain to come back under control. I say this as I write this at 5 AM, having not slept a wink. I'm currently on 150 mg twice daily. I'm gaining a belly, but I have not gotten on the scales. Initially, I felt giddy and absent-minded, but that has subsided even with dosage increases. I think it's a good drug choice for me. Here's hoping."

7 / 10
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65 Report
  • Penpens
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 31, 2013

"Just started Lyrica for extreme pain in my thoracic spine after a workplace injury causing a muscular ligamentous tear of my medial scapula. I tried every sort of pain medication available with absolutely no relief. My Dr. prescribed Lyrica for me a few days ago and about 4 hours after the first dose I noticed a change in my level of pain. Had massive side effects though such as vertigo, dizziness, light-headed, blurred vision, etc. I did have a fever though from an unrelated condition so I'm not sure whether it is related to the Lyrica. I have continued taking this medication with the hope that the side effects ease and the pain remains minimal. I'm worried about weight gain that others are talking about. I've just lost 25kg, don't want it back."

8 / 10
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89 Report
  • Kenneth
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 24, 2023

"Pregabalin was prescribed to me to help with residual pain from shingles. Not only was this medication effective with the residual pain from shingles but it helped with all kinds of other incidental pains and aches that my body had been going through. More specifically I was having serious pain in my hip if I twisted a certain way I even had X-rays done at the hospital, but when using this medication, I no longer have that serious pain in my hip. This is one of the best drugs ever!"

10 / 10
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17 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 17, 2011

"I'm forty and have degenerative disc disease in the spine for 7 lower discs and the usual joys of debilitating chronic pain, sciatica, and physical disability. An episode of severe pain and nerve issues recently meant I was signed off for 4 weeks to rest, however during this time my whole nervous and neurological pain got worse as well as physical collapse and spread to my face, hands, arms, and body functionality. The lowest point in five years thus far. I was put on Pregabalin 75mg, 2x a day and although the first week was strange with hyper elation, a foggy mind, and some humorous speech issues, but when it kicked in, the transformation was amazing. 3 months later, I'm far more stable and working full-time. Some back pain has returned with occasional sciatica."

9 / 10
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94 Report
  • Libs
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 10, 2020

"I’ve been taking Lyrica for sciatica - it’s made me gain fat around my belly rapidly, makes me twitch; and another weird side effect is it affects my speech mid-sentence sometimes - it’s like a sudden uncontrollable loud drawn-out ‘ahhh’ - and it’s weird. Has anyone else had this? It’s difficult to describe - like a twitch of the vocal cords. Anyway, I ideally want to get off this stuff - it works really well for pain after a buildup for about 4-6 weeks at 600 mg per day, but the side effects are not great. I’m a U.K. NHS patient and pay £9 per prescription, so ignore the insurance answers."

7 / 10
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44 Report
  • Lynn
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 17, 2020

"I have been taking pregabalin for almost two months, and my pain remains the same. I do not know what it is. Everything I use for pain does not work. Hydros, CBD gummies, gummies with marijuana in them (I have a medical marijuana card), InStaSlex, nothing. My doctors are doing nothing. Any suggestions appreciated."

1 / 10
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40 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 18, 2011

Lyrica (pregabalin) "I have taken 3 x 75mg, and amazed at how well Lyrica worked for me after only taking 1 pill. I feel like I can get comfortable for the first time in years. I have high hopes that this doesn't wear off and I can continue to feel so good. I feel like a miracle, really has helped my all over body pain that I live with for years."

9 / 10
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87 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.