Lyrica for Fibromyalgia User Reviews (Page 5)

• Liv...
• March 31, 2008

"I have had FM for 20 years, been on morphine, antidepressants, Fentanyl patches - you name it, I have tried it, but thank the Lord for Lyrica which I started in March 2008. It has made my life worth getting up for in the morning. I can do things I was not able to do for so long."

• Sum...
• October 20, 2016

"Works pretty well for the pain, but having severe side effects (involuntary muscular movement involving jerking of legs and difficulty speaking, urinary retention and inability to urinate, dramatic weight gain of 30 pounds so far)."

• Jll...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2018

"I have rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. I have only been taking Lyrica, 75 mg twice a day, for a week. The first 4 days I felt 'spacey,' but that is going away. I immediately felt better. I have been on hydrocodone, then oxycodone. They were not helping much. My pain doctor did a cheek swab gene-drug reaction test. There were only two opiates that were compatible with my DNA. I've been on Nucynta, regular and ER, for maybe 5 months. Still taking it and EC naproxen, Plaquenil. It was helpful for some of the pain, but not the nerve and muscle pain. I don't have any side effects so far from Lyrica. I will update if anything changes. All I need to say is I feel 85% better. I also feel better mentally and feel like doing things I haven't been able to till now. I'm taking a free trial, it hasn't been submitted through insurance yet. There is a discount card on the website for $35 instead of insurance."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2008

"I have had fibromyalgia for 12 years and have been on high doses of morphine, Duragesic patches, methadone, and many other narcotics. I am now on 225mg of Lyrica twice a day and low doses of Opana. I feel like a new person, never thought it would ever happen. I feel like I did years ago, and I am 63 now but am able to do most of the things I was able to do before the fibro hit me. I can't work my old job as an RN, but I can do most things. Some days are better than others, but this is a great drug."

• Kel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2017

"I have been on Lyrica almost 2 1/2 years. When I first started it, I was really skinny, so weight gain didn't bother me, but now I have gained over 25 lbs, which is not good at all. I am going to go back to Gabapentin, which helped me get off morphine. My eyes are dry and blurry. I fart all the time, and I am fat! I was off of it the beginning of the year, and I was hurting, but side effects are too much."

• San...
• May 22, 2017

"I have suffered from headaches for years with relief with Excedrin. However, I was taking up to 8 at the onset to keep it from becoming a migraine. I'm really surprised that the doctors didn't tell me about 'Excedrin abuse' since I told them that I was taking that much. However, when prescribed Lyrica for fibro pain, my headaches were gone to maybe 3 a week. So I highly recommend this for serious headache problems. It does help with fibro pain. But, weight gain and dry mouth are my biggest side effects, and it is to the extent that I almost want to go back to 8 Excedrin a day. Hope this helps someone!"

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2015

"I've had fibromyalgia for about 30 years - I am 43. Endometriosis from ages 13-36, (a hysterectomy 'fixed' that); clinical depression from about 16, (break down at 28); anxiety disorder; insomnia and/or severely disturbed sleep cycles for 15-20 years. AND I've needed a cane to walk for the last 2-3 years. FMS and depression compete for the title of 'most debilitating.' I've tried almost everything, (Cymbalta was useless.) The last 2 months I've been taking slowly increased doses of Lyrica. Currently on 150 mg a day, (2× 75 mg,) with a view to 300-400 mg. I've had zero relief from pain, BUT nasty side effects. Almost no sleep. Worsened depression and anxiety. Terrible FMS type 'fog.' Flatulence! Cannot see this continuing or improving. (Available on PBS in Australia.)"

• Mon...
• December 31, 2016

"I wanted to share my experience in combining Lyrica and Neurontin for neuropathy symptoms; I've had fibromyalgia for 25 years. Neurontin was effective, but only at 1800 mg/day, which left me drowsy (fell asleep anytime I wasn't moving). My MD switched me to Lyrica (75 mg), but when I got to 3 per day, I rapidly gained weight - 10 lbs in 2 weeks! As a med student, I knew the two meds worked in a similar way and were metabolized similarly. I decreased the Lyrica to 1 per day, which stopped the weight gain but didn't control the nerve pain, so I added back in one 300 mg Neurontin per day (both at bedtime, to minimize drowsiness) - still not enough pain control. I added another Neurontin, and that was optimal for me. I take it all at bedtime."

• kri...
• April 11, 2013

"This medicine worked pretty well for me. I didn't realize how well it worked until I went off of it before getting pregnant. The thing I didn't like about it, though, was that it always made me feel like I was in a cloud. My thinking wasn't clear. I would get dizzy. I didn't notice too much of a weight gain, but there was some. In the end, I chose to try a different med (Savella) after my daughter was born and have been happier with that. Still works and fewer side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2012

"I have only been diagnosed for about a year now. I have completely lost my life due to fibromyalgia pain. My doctor started me on Cymbalta, which worked for a while but then stopped, then put me on Lyrica without weaning me off Cymbalta. Withdrawals, hello. I had to start again and wean off while also taking Lyrica. The Lyrica seemed to help at first too, then wham, just like everything else, it stopped working, except on weight gain and brain fog. I was a zombie. So now I'm worsening day by day even though I try to stay active and have cut all caffeine, etc. because my doctors just don't believe pain medicines help and say there isn't much else they can do for me. I'm glad for the people it has helped."

• cat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 26, 2013

"I started taking this at 150 mg twice a day with some relief of pain, no side effects. I've recently increased to 225 mg twice a day, which is the maximum dosage. I'm experiencing vertigo, sleepiness, and weight gain, but virtually no pain. My doctor feels the results outweigh the side effects, and I agree."

• Big...
• May 16, 2017

"My doctor prescribed Lyrica for fibromyalgia, this was the worst medication I have ever taken! Within a few days, my anxiety levels were through the roof. I had other side effects too, but I can't recall what they were now - it's been a horrendous year."

• gra...
• April 13, 2009

"I just started this medicine, and I have been suffering from fibromyalgia for 20 years. I took 75 mg the first night. The next day, I was really out of it (sleepy), but the insane pain was no longer there. On the second night, I took it again, and the next day I did not have any more side effects (sleepy), so I am very hopeful this will get even better with long-term use."

• fib...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 7, 2012

"Can't live without this! Lyrica is amazing. Had one doctor add in gabapentin to my cocktail, and it helped some, so he put me solely on gabapentin and off the Lyrica. It didn't take long before my pain levels started to spike. Now I am back on Lyrica 100 mg 2x day, and I am so much better!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2012

"This medication left me unable to think coherently, and I had difficulty talking. It was like being around a drunk. I had to stop it after a month because I work in a school and was unable to converse adequately with parents, students, staff."

• She...
• April 18, 2017

"Been on this Lyrica 200 mg for at least 2 yrs. I still have a lot of pain from having the disease of fibromyalgia and chronic pain along with arthritis. They raised it up to the highest dose and still hurt very much. I agree with the lady above, you do gain weight. Trying to hang in there! Hope they find something better for me and everyone else. Blessings to all."

• Ali...
• January 10, 2016

"I started taking Lyrica about 8 months ago. In about 3 days, I had felt a significant change. It was working great for my fibro, but I also have spinal arthritis. It did nothing for that or my sciatica. Finally, I was bumped up to a high dose, but due to other things in life, I had to stop because of financial difficulties. I couldn't even afford copays. So I'm on gabapentin, and it barely works. If I could, I would get back on Lyrica! Thank you all for sharing your experiences!"

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2016

"Two attempts at treatment for fibromyalgia with Lyrica. Both had similar outcomes, in that the 'cure' was worse than the illness. Side effects were overwhelming from the onset: increased fatigue, terrifying anxiety, tremors. In addition, this drug's efficacy was zero. I received no positive effects from Lyrica and discontinued use. Side note: I need to learn about illnesses that affect me and medications that I take or are offered to me. Doctors may mean well, but I need to know how they affect me, not just what is printed in a package insert. And if a doc is not right for me, it's time to find her replacement."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2017

"My own experience was awful. I did not gain weight, but I had been suffering with depression because of all the pain I was in. My doctor prescribed these, which in my opinion she should have never done, especially when I was very down at the time. I've never experienced such thoughts in my life, the only time I got a break from my own thoughts was when I was sleeping. If you are feeling down at all while taking these, my advice: go see your doctor ASAP. Do not continue with these, not advisable to anyone with depression."

• hop...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 23, 2013

"I have been taking it for about a year now, I only have one negative comment: the withdrawal is horrible. I have no pain, I sleep well, my bipolar disorder is under control. My feet do swell every so often, I think it is a very good medicine to try. I also take 200 mgs 3 times a day, the max dosage is 600 mg a day."

• Kha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2019

"I’m a mess. I have several issues medically: CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) in my left limbs. My arm, wrist, and fingers are nonfunctional due to a carpal tunnel procedure, it went untreated, so it spread to my leg and foot, Fibro, as well as degenerative disc disease. My mobility is 200 ft, it is the furthest I can walk. I have a new PCP. I’m on a Fentanyl transdermal patch, 25 mcg, for the last 4 years. I just started Lyrica. My issue is gaining weight. It’s already a struggle to walk, and I can’t carry extra weight, else, I won’t be able to walk. I’m prescribed 50 mg, 3x a day. I just wanted to know about weight gain. I appreciate any feedback."

• TMa...
• June 4, 2016

"Lyrica has done a great job on my fibro pain, but I am trying to get off it primarily due to side effects. It has caused my metabolism to slow down, so I can't lose weight, chronic constipation, and terrible gas. I can't go around anymore farting everywhere I go. I'll live with the fibro pain."

• emi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2015

"Lyrica did not work particularly well for me. I had previously taken Cymbalta 60 mg for 7/8 years and felt that it was no longer as effective, so my doctor prescribed Lyrica. I noticed a large amount of weight gain (which I would not have minded if it helped the pain!)-about 50 pounds over 6 months before it stabilized. After some time of taking the medication (9 months or a year, I forget), I was always complaining to my doctor about pain and fatigue being bad, so he switched me to Savella. I noticed a huge difference, and I lost the weight!"

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2008

"I have an entrapped nerve in my leg causing shooting nerve pain in my foot. Lyrica has really helped stop the pain. It was so bad I couldn't sleep at night. However, I am gaining weight and having some difficulty in concentrating."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2019

"I was prescribed 50 mg Lyrica twice daily, and it helped slightly for a few days and then did absolutely nothing for my nerve pain/fibromyalgia. I'm sure it works great for some people, but for me, the only thing it did was give me panic attacks, make me extremely depressed, and altered my sense of taste. When I wanted to get off of it, I got a new script for a wean, and I had to phone Lyrica to try to get to their patient assistance department since it is so expensive, even with the savings card, and I should qualify for assistance. However, I never got through because their customer service insisted on interviewing me about my wean before they would put me through to patient assistance. I shouldn't have to go through three people to answer a yes or no question about assistance, especially when I don't feel comfortable giving them my health records over the phone."