13 Responses to “Lyrica Side Effects Poll and Discussion”
Reta Russell Hougton on
August 16th, 2008 11:34 pm
I just increased my Lyrica to 150 a day (50 mg x 3) from 50 mg. I was on 50 mg for a week. I feel terrible. I feel like I am 100 years old. If I fall asleep my back hurts so badly when I wake up. I put heat on it and it helps me start feeling normal. Yesterday, day 1 at the new dose and dose 2 and 3 that day, my feet started itching about two hours after taking the Lyrica. The itching settled down after I put some cortisol cream. I am really not that sure that it is really worth the trouble.
I am a retired pharmacist and I also take Lyrica. I have only experienced weight gain as a side effect. In my own case, I have had moderate to severe depression/mood disorder for several years and Lyrica has made me a new woman. I feel completely normalized. I have been on it for 2 months. I suggest(as long as you and your doctor have ruled out allergy, which I doubt) that you give it a little time.
I was taking 50mg in the AM for about 30 days and was doing pretty good but pain broke through by early PM. I increased another 50 mg at bedtime and for about 2wks did ok. Then it seemed like the bottom dropped out and I was having night time pain again even though I was taking Ambien CR and an other homopathic sleep aid. I was getting up feeling like someone beat me with a baseball bat and didn’t miss a spot. My fibro pain had been somewhat managable with ibuprofen on my “good days” but now no effects at all on pain management either the Lyrica or ibuprofen.
I also gained 10# in three weeks and have had several road rage moments that were difficult to get under control. My ADD has been acute and I have developed an addiction to computer games that seem to help me keep focused for more than 5 minutes.
I had what I thought was a heart attack because I could not breath and the least amount of exertion gives me extreme fatigue and difficulty breathing and profused sweating.
I concure with Rita R. I am very disappointed in a medication that is designed for pain management and in fact created more pain than I have ever had after prolong time of taking the drug,and only confirms to me that if the side affects create more issues than you have w/o the drug you are better off not taking it and finding more body friendly solutions to manage the pain.
I was put on Lyrica for pain from a herniated disc, although I have had four other surgeries within the past year and am still in a lot of pain from my other injuries as well. During the short time I was on Lyrica, I felt like life was being drained from me. I felt like I was awake, yet in a coma. I had marked drowsiness, yet couldn’t sleep for the pain I still had. I had a lack of muscle coordination, my fingers and hands swelled, I couldn’t think straight, it made me weak as a kitten and I could barely move from the bed to the couch. I couldn’t drive for fear of being arrested, nor could I walk a straight line or even function in any normal capacity. I was numb everywhere EXCEPT where I hurt. I was even numb from urinating and wasn’t sure I could control my bladder function. An itchy rash developed on my shoulders and I just felt like crap. Lyrica made me feel worse than I did before I started taking it (which was pretty bad), but when I went off of it, I became a very angry individual. And I didn’t care that I was so angry. Lyrica made me act like an individual no one even recognized. This stuff is awful!!!
Hi – all sufferers: I was given Lyrica to replace Morphine Sulfate (timed release) for Diabetic Neuropathy – foot pain, now present for 2 years.
I am at 225mg Lyrica – and I am losing my mind !
I agree with everything Ted said, but the physical lack of balance is a really bad side effect. Yes, I really think I am losing my mind – the Morphine was never like this, and killed the pain very well. If I can manage it -Yes! it’s getting that bad – I will call my Doctor, and the other Doctor who helped find Lyrica for my regular Doctor. Difficult to get (very !) here in Canada, even tho’ it’s legal – extremely expensive, and not on my Drug Plan. I will report further, if I can, because: I am very afraid that these murderous symptoms might be permanent brain damage – we’ll find out after I withdraw from this worst drug I’ve ever taken.
John, age 67, Type 1 Diabetic since 1976.
Today is my third attempt to come down off Lyrica (for Fibromyalgia and pain), without losing my mind. Ive taken it on and off for a year now and each time its awful how bad the sidee effects are WHEN TRYING TO STOP TAKING IT. Upon gaining 15 lb I swore this morning was my last dose. This afternoon, a mere 12 hours since my last Lyrica pill, I am angry as hell , sweating all over,RED SORE EYES, (from the Lyrica also), ….. and in twice as much pain as usual and soo much more distress.
This pill definitely did me more harm than good. BUT I WILL SURVIVE!
JUST A WARNING FROM ONE CARING PERSON TO ANOTHER,
BE CAREFUL TAKING LYRICA.
The back pain is your KIDNEYS hurting! Lyrica made my kidneys stop working.
AND it will make your THYROID GLAND stop working!
Vision problems – worsening eyesight, which is permanent – is another problem. People have suffered detached corneas from taking Lyrica!
HOW DID THIS STUFF GET APPROVED BY THE FDA??????
My good friend was 150 mg twice a day for a few months…He gained 50 pounds, got chronic back pain, and said his heart was acting funny…
He stopped taking lyrica and said he was happier than he’d ever been. He killed himself 3 weeks later. He was 46.
I started taking Lyrica three days ago and it has reduced my muscle pain considerably. I have inflammatory myopathy since march 2008 with constant muscle ache particularly in my arms, hands, neck and shoulders. The problem I see is that Lyrica makes me drowsy and hard to focus or accomplish simple household tasks or care if I accomplish any task. Hopefully this side effect will dimnish as my body adjusts to the Lyrica.
I just increased my Lyrica to 150 a day (50 mg x 3) from 50 mg. I was on 50 mg for a week. I feel terrible. I feel like I am 100 years old. If I fall asleep my back hurts so badly when I wake up. I put heat on it and it helps me start feeling normal. Yesterday, day 1 at the new dose and dose 2 and 3 that day, my feet started itching about two hours after taking the Lyrica. The itching settled down after I put some cortisol cream. I am really not that sure that it is really worth the trouble.
I am a retired pharmacist and I also take Lyrica. I have only experienced weight gain as a side effect. In my own case, I have had moderate to severe depression/mood disorder for several years and Lyrica has made me a new woman. I feel completely normalized. I have been on it for 2 months. I suggest(as long as you and your doctor have ruled out allergy, which I doubt) that you give it a little time.
I was taking 50mg in the AM for about 30 days and was doing pretty good but pain broke through by early PM. I increased another 50 mg at bedtime and for about 2wks did ok. Then it seemed like the bottom dropped out and I was having night time pain again even though I was taking Ambien CR and an other homopathic sleep aid. I was getting up feeling like someone beat me with a baseball bat and didn’t miss a spot. My fibro pain had been somewhat managable with ibuprofen on my “good days” but now no effects at all on pain management either the Lyrica or ibuprofen.
I also gained 10# in three weeks and have had several road rage moments that were difficult to get under control. My ADD has been acute and I have developed an addiction to computer games that seem to help me keep focused for more than 5 minutes.
I had what I thought was a heart attack because I could not breath and the least amount of exertion gives me extreme fatigue and difficulty breathing and profused sweating.
I concure with Rita R. I am very disappointed in a medication that is designed for pain management and in fact created more pain than I have ever had after prolong time of taking the drug,and only confirms to me that if the side affects create more issues than you have w/o the drug you are better off not taking it and finding more body friendly solutions to manage the pain.
I was put on Lyrica for pain from a herniated disc, although I have had four other surgeries within the past year and am still in a lot of pain from my other injuries as well. During the short time I was on Lyrica, I felt like life was being drained from me. I felt like I was awake, yet in a coma. I had marked drowsiness, yet couldn’t sleep for the pain I still had. I had a lack of muscle coordination, my fingers and hands swelled, I couldn’t think straight, it made me weak as a kitten and I could barely move from the bed to the couch. I couldn’t drive for fear of being arrested, nor could I walk a straight line or even function in any normal capacity. I was numb everywhere EXCEPT where I hurt. I was even numb from urinating and wasn’t sure I could control my bladder function. An itchy rash developed on my shoulders and I just felt like crap. Lyrica made me feel worse than I did before I started taking it (which was pretty bad), but when I went off of it, I became a very angry individual. And I didn’t care that I was so angry. Lyrica made me act like an individual no one even recognized. This stuff is awful!!!
Hi – all sufferers: I was given Lyrica to replace Morphine Sulfate (timed release) for Diabetic Neuropathy – foot pain, now present for 2 years.
I am at 225mg Lyrica – and I am losing my mind !
I agree with everything Ted said, but the physical lack of balance is a really bad side effect. Yes, I really think I am losing my mind – the Morphine was never like this, and killed the pain very well. If I can manage it -Yes! it’s getting that bad – I will call my Doctor, and the other Doctor who helped find Lyrica for my regular Doctor. Difficult to get (very !) here in Canada, even tho’ it’s legal – extremely expensive, and not on my Drug Plan. I will report further, if I can, because: I am very afraid that these murderous symptoms might be permanent brain damage – we’ll find out after I withdraw from this worst drug I’ve ever taken.
John, age 67, Type 1 Diabetic since 1976.
Today is my third attempt to come down off Lyrica (for Fibromyalgia and pain), without losing my mind. Ive taken it on and off for a year now and each time its awful how bad the sidee effects are WHEN TRYING TO STOP TAKING IT. Upon gaining 15 lb I swore this morning was my last dose. This afternoon, a mere 12 hours since my last Lyrica pill, I am angry as hell , sweating all over,RED SORE EYES, (from the Lyrica also), ….. and in twice as much pain as usual and soo much more distress.
This pill definitely did me more harm than good. BUT I WILL SURVIVE!
JUST A WARNING FROM ONE CARING PERSON TO ANOTHER,
BE CAREFUL TAKING LYRICA.
THANK YOU
it is the worse drug ever it makes me feel like im going to die when don’t take it how can i stop.
The back pain is your KIDNEYS hurting! Lyrica made my kidneys stop working.
AND it will make your THYROID GLAND stop working!
Vision problems – worsening eyesight, which is permanent – is another problem. People have suffered detached corneas from taking Lyrica!
HOW DID THIS STUFF GET APPROVED BY THE FDA??????
Report your reactions to FDA’s MedWatch program. Here is the link.
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/
By reporting the side effects, you will be helping others! People are having car wrecks while being treated with Lyrica!
My good friend was 150 mg twice a day for a few months…He gained 50 pounds, got chronic back pain, and said his heart was acting funny…
He stopped taking lyrica and said he was happier than he’d ever been. He killed himself 3 weeks later. He was 46.
Any good feed back out there?
I started taking Lyrica three days ago and it has reduced my muscle pain considerably. I have inflammatory myopathy since march 2008 with constant muscle ache particularly in my arms, hands, neck and shoulders. The problem I see is that Lyrica makes me drowsy and hard to focus or accomplish simple household tasks or care if I accomplish any task. Hopefully this side effect will dimnish as my body adjusts to the Lyrica.