Lyrica and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ivo...
• December 8, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "I take Lyrica primarily for non-diabetic polyneuropathy. The bottoms of my feet felt like they were on fire before. I could not walk. Now, though painful, I take long daily walks. I can only tolerate the lowest dose three times daily, maybe four times if the doctor allowed it. An increased dose made me too drowsy. I find it helpful for fibromyalgia too, but I could only choose one category. I still have too much pain."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "Lyrica has helped reduce my nerve pain so much. I have a pinched nerve in my lower back (L5) that caused me so much sciatic pain in my left leg. It was difficult to sit/drive, and I have a sit-down job. I first took gabapentin 600 mg 3 times a day with no relief at all. I have been taking 50 mg of Lyrica 2 times a day for about a month now, and the pain has been greatly reduced. I noticed an improvement after 1-2 weeks. It has to build up in your system. The only downside that I've noticed so far, other than the price, is drowsiness and forgetfulness. After insurance, I have to pay $108/month. To me, it's worth the reduction of pain. I hope they come up with a generic version soon. I highly recommend you try it if nothing else helps."

• pau...
• May 27, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "I have taken Lyrica since 2007 and managed to lower the dosage to 100 mg. It's what allows me to live a normal life. I associate the mood changes and somnolence with the amount of pain I feel more than with the drug itself. Fortunately, I can get it cheaper than in the beginning. I hope the generic comes soon!"

• She...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 28, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "I've been on Lyrica for 12 years, and it still works great for me. I'm on 300 mg 2x a day. Side effects are craving sweets, sleepiness, can't find words sometimes, and short-term memory is off sometimes. My neuropathy in hands and feet/legs is so much better on this drug. I almost don't believe the people who say it doesn't work, because it does very well. It helps with opiate withdrawal as well. Lyrica has a severe withdrawal, though. I've just been so pleased with the pain decrease from Lyrica."

• Lif...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "Got my life back. I used to feel like I was getting stabbed all over and took ages to get up and walk. Due to this medication, I've been able to move and exercise and gradually build up my strength again. The downside is brain fog, but I had that already, so hey ho. The first few weeks were bad, and I felt drunk, but glad I got through that and have been getting better gradually."

• sar...
• July 12, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "For the past year, I have suffered pain in the calf of my leg, which travels up through my thigh, hips, and back. On walking, it becomes extreme, and I have to sit down, awaiting an MRI scan on my spine. Physiotherapist says stenosis of the spine and that I have a slight curve in my spine. After reading reviews, I decided to try these tablets. I have only taken them for two nights (1 x 75mg cap), supposed to take 2 daily, but I feel I can't wake up in the mornings and have to force myself to get out of bed. For a couple of hours afterward, I still feel groggy and lightheaded throughout the day. I don't know whether to persevere with them. I have to say slight improvement with being able to walk with a little less pain. I live in Scotland, so my prescription is free for this drug."

• bea...
• September 14, 2011

For Fibromyalgia "I have had fibromyalgia for 4 years now, and recently my doctor put me on Lyrica and Cymbalta. The Lyrica is a true lifesaver, it really helps with the pain. But it has a lot of side effects. Cons - feeling like a zombie, shakes, sick to my stomach, itching, blurry eyes, drowsiness. Pros - my pain is almost all gone, happy mood, and I can move freely with barely any pain. And I feel like I'm on cloud nine and can't wait to go to sleep. Overall, Lyrica has really helped me a lot. I have tried the generic gabapentin and Savella. They do not work! I'm so happy that I found this website for all the people who have aches and pains as well as I. Thank you."

• Any...
• May 14, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "The worst thing you can possibly do is take this twice a day. Following a relapse of neuromyelitis optica, my dose was upped from 75 to 150 mg to be taken as 75 twice a day. I've been extremely sleepy and so drowsy that I was almost deferring from school. No one should ever prescribe or dispense this as b.d."

• Anonymous
• September 25, 2008

For Fibromyalgia "My doctor calls my Lyrica use a sprint. Week 1 was 50 mg, week 2 - 100 mg, the next 4 weeks were 150 mg in the evening. Now we are working our way up to doing the same thing for the second dose in the morning. I must admit I am glad she is doing it this way. The first weekend after I started taking it was the first weekend I actually wanted to do something, like move when I did not have to. I've adjusted slowly to the drowsiness and confusion to where it is not nearly as bad as when I first started taking it. There has been weight gain, but I am slowly getting to the point of wanting to get back into that gym. Thank you, Lyrica."

• Med...
• April 6, 2012

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "Very mixed results. Had a severe attack of shingles on the face and scalp (3 weeks in, most of the hair on one side of my head was literally gone). I refused morphine (in hindsight, I should have taken it), but I did take Percocet, which helped the internal pain but not the nerve pain in the skin. For that, they gave me Neurontin, but I could not tolerate it due to extreme drowsiness, loss of appetite, loss of concentration, and dry mouth (before I could chew food, it was too dry to swallow it). Tried Lyrica 75 mg 3 times daily. The first dose seemed to really work, but the effect declined significantly so that the fifth dose had no effect. During the fourth week, he increased to 100 mg 3 times daily. The second dose helped, then effects declined."

• JTL...
• November 5, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I have suffered from progressive neuropathy over the last 5 years to where it finally became intolerable, particularly in my feet and legs, and starting to spread to my arms and even my face. I now have a doctor who has prescribed Lyrica for me for the last 4 months. At a starting dose of 75 mgs twice daily, there was noticeable relief. Still hurting, however, my dosage was increased to 300 mgs twice daily, which has successfully reduced the pain so that I am able to function at a higher level than I have experienced in years with minor side effects, the most annoying of which is sleepiness. I am grateful and relieved to have been introduced to Lyrica and to have insurance that will cover it as it is obscenely expensive."

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

For Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome "I've found this medication to be helpful in calming down the sharp pains I feel throughout my body. I notice that at the site of my initial injury (foot), I still have constant pain, but the pain has decreased. I also notice that if I'm stressed, the medication seems to not work as well, so I don't know if I need the dosage increased, but there is a major difference in how much pain I feel. I do not like the side effects, but which would I rather have - sharp pains or side effects? For me, they're headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, odd stomach upsets initially after taking the medication, unfocused attention, euphoria, and that 'high' feeling. I don't get all of these side effects each time I take it, but it can be any of them."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "I started on Lyrica 150 mg twice a day. I am 68 years old and could not tolerate the side effects. The medication did relieve the pain of fibromyalgia and helped me sleep at night. However, it gave me instant dementia. My short-term memory was gone. The doctor reduced the dosage to 75 mg two times a day. I could only take it at night because of drowsiness. It also caused blurred vision. Dementia continued, and I was forced to stop the medication. It works for the pain, but the side effects are bad."

• mal...
• September 25, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Just started Lyrica 75 mg twice a day yesterday. My first dose, I felt extremely drunk and could not function. I took my second dose at bedtime and slept through the night and woke up refreshed! I had no aches or pain. My third dose, this morning, again feeling a little drunk and off balance, but again, I feel good. I can actually sit still at work without having to move around and try to be comfortable. I am going to stick with this medication and hope that the side effects go away in a couple of days."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2008

For Fibromyalgia "Have had fibromyalgia for 10 years. Started Lyrica in October 2007, taking 75 mg at night and 50 mg in the morning (otherwise too drowsy during the day). Works great with 80% less pain. I sleep great and have less pain upon waking. Have to watch my salt intake, otherwise, I get water retention. Watch my weight closely. I am 5'7" and 123 lbs. I started running and can be active again."

• JC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I have herpes zoster, and my Dr. prescribes Lyrica for the nerve endings. I took the capsules 1 day (2 days ago), and after I woke up the next morning, I was completely disoriented, nauseous, and vomiting, sleepy, drowsy, forgetful, having uncontrollable shakes in hands and fingers. I thought it would get better soon if I did not take it again. My husband took me to work, where I slept the whole time. I had a dry nose and mouth, couldn't eat or drink, muscle stiffness, drunk feeling, and walked abnormally. I stopped taking it and feel better today. Could have a shake for breakfast."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2011

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "Got shingles on my scalp and face, was treated with Valtrex, Neurontin, and pain medicine. I have repeatedly had bouts of shingles for the last 15 months, resulting in PHN. I now take Lyrica, 1 at 8 am, 1 at 3 pm, and 3 at bedtime. This dose was gradually increased over time. Although very fatigued, I am 50% better and am able to function better. The initial drowsiness subsided after a couple of months. Do still have a bit of brain fog, not sure if it's the Lyrica or lack of sleep."

• Daz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "I have only taken Lyrica for 5 days now. Didn't notice anything at all until today. I was sitting at my desk working, and I started feeling sleepy but didn't fall asleep. I would just stare at the computer. While doing so, I noticed I could not remember how to do my job. I literally sat there for 40 minutes looking at one project and could not figure out what to do. Upon standing, I felt off balance, and my head felt clouded. While speaking to my boss, I couldn't seem to find the right words to say. I went home and went right to sleep. Slept like a baby for 2 solid hours. When I awoke, I felt groggy with a little of the cloudy head feeling. The memory loss is what scared me the most. No matter what I did, I could not figure out what to do. I only read one other post about the memory loss. This must not be a common side effect. I did take Gabapentin one time, and it had a similar effect."

• Daz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "I have only taken Lyrica for 5 days now. Didn't notice anything at all until today. I was sitting at my desk working, and I started feeling sleepy but didn't fall asleep. I would just stare at the computer. While doing so, I noticed I could not remember how to do my job. I literally sat there for 40 minutes looking at one project and could not figure out what to do. Upon standing, I felt off balance, and my head felt clouded. While speaking to my boss, I couldn't seem to find the right words to say. I went home and went right to sleep. Slept like a baby for 2 solid hours. When I awoke, I felt groggy with a little of the cloudy head feeling. The memory loss is what scared me the most. No matter what I did, I could not figure out what to do. I only read one other post about the memory loss. This must not be a common side effect. I did take Gabapentin one time, and it had a similar effect."

• Anonymous
• February 17, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "Have been taking methadone, Zanaflex, and Mobic for quite a while for both fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Tried Neurontin, but it knocked me flat, finally switched to Lyrica, but I am so medicine sensitive that I can only take 25 mg in the a.m. and 50 mg at night. It is helping, however, I become groggy and have gained 20 lbs. The weight gain doesn't help the fibromyalgia, but the pain is unbearable, so I will take it."

• Kka...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2018

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Doesn’t help at all. I’ve been taking it for over a year along with gabapentin. Various dosages. Makes me groggy and unable to actually think sometimes. I’d stop taking them, but don’t know what else to do. There really aren’t many options. All big pharma hype! Advertising all over doctors' offices."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I took a moderate dose for several months in 2016, and it worked wonderfully, with no side effects. I returned to the drug in 2021 at a lower dose than before, but it now makes me feel like I am drunk, running into walls, tripping over my own feet, feeling stoned. All other drugs I take have not changed, so it would not be a drug interaction. My doctor and I are unable to discover why my reaction should have changed, especially at a lower dose. We're working at getting me the correct dose."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I took a moderate dose for several months in 2016, and it worked wonderfully, with no side effects. I returned to the drug in 2021 at a lower dose than before, but it now makes me feel like I am drunk, running into walls, tripping over my own feet, feeling stoned. All other drugs I take have not changed, so it would not be a drug interaction. My doctor and I are unable to discover why my reaction should have changed, especially at a lower dose. We're working at getting me the correct dose."

• roa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2016

For Neuralgia "In April/May of 2011, my right foot kept falling asleep over a 3-day period, and I had a tingling sensation creep across my groin. After 3 days of my right foot falling asleep and the tingling sensation creeping across my waist, I was numb from the waist down for 2 weeks. Since then, my feet fell asleep and never woke up. I finally got on Lyrica, and it has helped some with the tingling sensations, but it has me feeling oh so stoned. Thankfully, I get my Lyrica through the county health department, and it doesn't cost me."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2009

For Fibromyalgia "I am 37 with multiple illnesses, fibromyalgia, diabetes, arthritis, and schizophrenia being the top 4. My doctor put me on 300 mg of Lyrica 3 times a day. Initially, it stopped my severe symptoms of fibromyalgia. I began to have sleeplessness, which became 3 hours of sleep every other night. My legs from knee down began to tingle, then it felt like worms crawling in them. I had fuzzy vision, and then 60 voices came out in my head, very loud and clear. My doctor refused to stop Lyrica, I stopped taking it, and within a month, the side effects disappeared."