Hi, I took Lyrica for about a year, and initially,it did help, but it took at least a couple of weeks for it to start kicking in. I had to keep upping the dose, and was in a daze half of the time, also I put on a lot of weight, and because I can't exercise much, that didn't help. The pain started to break through, and I couldn't tolerate a higher dose, so had to come off it, but the last few months have been unbearable at times, burning and pins and needles and numbness, I'm sure you know how it feels, so I'm probably going to start taking them again---fat farm here I come!!!
Ambrosiawind - I experienced the same thing whenever I missed a dose and esp. when I discontinued the Lyrica. It did seem to work, but when not taken the pain seemed to be double the amt. it was to begin with. Now that i've been off of it for a while, the pain is tolerable without it.
haggis333 - You didn't mention what your dosage was or how long you have been on the medication. I agree with Ambrosia...Lyrica isn't for everyone and it's best to check with your doctor if it isn't helping with the pain.
Hope you can find something that will help you soon.
Hi haggis
i was put on lyrica 450mg/day after a flare up because i thought that my nortriptyline was not working (due to the flare) anyway as you can see i was on a very high dose of lyrica during the time that i was taking this i strongly felt that it was having no impact on my pain or symptoms. I was still experiencing shock sensations, tingling, burning, and muscle spasms. though they didnt feel as strong i was still having them on a daily basis. I saw a specialist for something unrelated and found out that i had neuropathic pain a spasms in an area i was unaware i was having them. the speciallist put me back on nortriptyline but upped my dose from 10mg a bedtime to 20mg. It wasn't until i was weaning off the lyrica that i realized it actually was working because the pain i experienced while coming off was too incredible for words.
maybe lyrica is not the best thing for you. You might want to talk with your doctor and discuss other options for treating neuropathic pain. something that i was learned is that when you are in a flare no matter what you are taking the symptoms and/or pain with increase.
I do not have an official Dx right now other than that of neuropathic pain i am awaiting an MRI and my neuro appt this month. My mother has fibro which is why i am in this forum.
what are your symptoms and are you dx'd
thanks and sorry you have no relief yet i know how frustrating this can be.