Lyrica and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• bra...
• April 14, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "With Lyrica, although some of the fibromyalgia pain was reduced, I found myself with increased depression and water weight gain, which only made the fibromyalgia worse. Discontinued after 60 days and nearly 20 lbs. Depression lightened, however, the weight has been hard to lose, having so much pain from the fibro. Baclofen has been one medicine that has 'helped' with minimal side effects. Please come up with something without the side effects!"

• Kdi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "I have back pain from facet joint synovial cyst thoracic spine. I had an injury a year ago. Tried everything, and nothing helped. Neurosurgeon suggested surgery (endoscopic). I have nerve pain and also bone pain. I had been on Lyrica 150 for two months, which I know is not a huge dose, but for me, it is because I am really skinny. It helped a little for nerve pain and nothing for bone pain, back pain, only this radiating pain, but it made me depressed, and when I was on it, I was like a zombie with memory loss. It didn't do much for me."

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2022

For Neuropathic Pain "Was prescribed Lyrica for nerve pain from a spinal injury. About 3 weeks later, I had issues with depression and thoughts about suicide. Pay attention to how you feel and don't dismiss it if you start feeling 'down.'"

• Sui...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 16, 2022

For Neuropathic Pain "Causes suicidal thoughts! I've been on this for 10 years, I have gone from 75 mg to 600 mg a day. I can confirm that the drug causes suicidal thoughts and depression. I literally spend two hours a day thinking of ways I can end my life. I am aware that it's the drug, so I am aware not to act on it. No previous history of depression or mental illness. It's definitely the medication. Be very careful. The drug works wonders for nerve pain. It also causes impotence and no more sex drive, gone. This is a genuine review, and I warn all parents, especially to inform your kids about the possibility of this symptom. The suicidal thoughts are intrusive and feel totally justified in my mind, but I can tell that it's just the medication, others may not realize this."

• fit...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 14, 2022

For Neuralgia "It's not a miracle drug for me. It doesn't help the actual problem area (chronic lower back pain, the right side of my lower back), but it stops the pain from radiating to my legs. I have been taking this for over 5 years with little to no side effects, but my doctor recently titrated me up too quickly in order to steer me away from Tylenol. When my doctor told me he was increasing it, I asked him if it was still OK because I am on other meds that interact with Lyrica, and he said yes. Well, the jump from 200 mg per day to 300 mg has not gone well. I feel so doped up. I feel like I've been hit by a truck, I want to fall asleep right here at my desk. Being so tired is making me feel stupid, moody, and irritable. Be careful with this one, and demand that your doctor titrate you slowly."

• Dow...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "Been on Lyrica for 6 months or so, and I did get quite a bit of relief from it. I have had peripheral neuropathy now for 12 or 13 years and have been on all kinds of meds. I take methadone 10 mg 4 times a day and was on Lyrica 150 mg 3 times a day. I could not tolerate this drug very well at 450 mg a day, as it made me swell up in my feet. So now I take two 150 mg. And now my swelling is gone, but I am back to having dark thoughts and feelings of dread. Depressed, I don't know whether to hang in there because it does help with the pain or maybe get changed to something else."

• Dow...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "Been on Lyrica for 6 months or so, and I did get quite a bit of relief from it. I have had peripheral neuropathy now for 12 or 13 years and have been on all kinds of meds. I take methadone 10 mg 4 times a day and was on Lyrica 150 mg 3 times a day. I could not tolerate this drug very well at 450 mg a day, as it made me swell up in my feet. So now I take two 150 mg. And now my swelling is gone, but I am back to having dark thoughts and feelings of dread. Depressed, I don't know whether to hang in there because it does help with the pain or maybe get changed to something else."

• Her...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2018

"Had horrid back pain due to collapsed disks and 14 areas of severe stenosis. Pre-surgeries on Neurontin, works for some, but negatives outweigh positives. After 3 back surgeries in a year, tried Lyrica, I thought Neurontin was bad, Lyrica was 100x worse for me. I had never had a depressed day in my life until Lyrica. Extremely dark thoughts, twitching, no sleep, sweating, gas, heart racing, all for little to no benefit. I hope it works for some people, but my suggestion is tread carefully. The makers understate the serious side effects. I generally have few Rxs I can’t take, but these GABA meds are not for me."

• Csh...
• August 11, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in April 2011. I started taking Lyrica beginning with a starter pack for one month by taking 75 mg once a day for week 1. Week 2 and 3 increased to 75 mg twice a day. Week 4 was the starting point of what was going to be my prescription of 150 mg twice a day. It seemed to give some relief, but I honestly had more bad days than good. My doctor decided to try me with a drug called Namenda (used for Alzheimer's) along with the Lyrica. It helped a little. Swelling, depression, and severe weight gain have been side effects. Cymbalta was then added for depression and pain. I still feel less energetic but not so depressed. 29 lbs were gained within 3 months."

• Cri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "This didn't really change the pain levels, but what it did do was make me gain weight substantially. This led to me getting depressed, which made the fibro flare up again. I stopped taking it."

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "I had spinal fusion several years ago and since have suffered pain. Recently, my feet started tingling painfully with loss of feeling. Lyrica has been a lifesaver for these problems."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2009

For Pain "Blackouts, mood changes, depression."