Hi All, I posted this in the back problems board and thought it is equally appropriate on this board...afterall my pain is the result of some form arthritis. Lyrica has worked so well for me I had to share it with you all. I am currently undiagnosed but the doctor's suspect reiter's/reactive arthritis at this point, but the result is severe non-stoppable pain for the last 2.5 months that includes sharp lower back pain and hip pain, buttocks/sit bone pain, sciatic like pain that shoots into my legs, sensitivity in the bottom of my feet, broad aches across upper back, shoulders and neck that keeps me from being able to lie in one position in bed for more than a few minutes at a time, and spine-pressure sensitivity, so I cross the gamit pain wise. While the doctors are working on my diagnosis they gave me Lyrica to help with the pain and it is literally a miracle worker...it's like the pain volume dial has been turned down 90% and only after 3 days! From what the brochure says it reduces the electrical activity of damaged nerves. Finally I can sleep in bed in comfort as if I didn't have this horrible disease, I can make it through the day without constantly being reminded by pain that there's a terrible disease to worry about. Anyhow if you're suffering from similar regular daily pain, ask your doctor about this drug...and no I don't work for the drug company or anything like that...I just feel so much better that I wanted to share the good info:angel:

hi adam, and welcome to this board! my rheumy put me on lyrica back in oct 2007. i am currently taking 150mg x 3 a day. now he never recommended it before for back problems (which i have plenty), but put me on it for my fibromyalgia. there is alot wrong with me and going back 40 yrs with my problems. i really cannot tell if the lyrica is working or not, maybe because i am on alot of other pills (i absolutely hate pills!!). i am so glad it is helping you though...daily pain is hard to live with.....hope you stay feeling better.

bevann

Bevann26, thanks for the kind comments and I hope you'll find a solution to your pain. Not too get off the subject too much but when you say your pain goes back 40 years it reminds me of something that's been on my mind the last few weeks and I wanted to share it with you. One thing I've learned from this experience and the experience of my father and his chronic pain is not to trust or stay "loyal" to one doctor. My first rheumy coincidentally was my Dad's rheumy, and he suffered from chronic leg and lower back pain from his 60's through his 80's...he stayed "loyal" to the same rheumy the whole time despite complaining to me how she wasn't helping him with this horrible daily pain and wasn't good at returning his calls when his pain was really bad. I tried to get him to try new doctors but he refused. Well while she was the kindest, best listening doctor during my initial visit and one subsequent visit, she did nothing to help me with my pain, and as a matter of fact she aggrevated it by prescribing physical therapy based on aa osteoarthritis diagnosis which was wrong...I later found out that the mild OA I have is completely normal for my age (40) and would not be causing all the pain I have. After a month or so of suffering I literally was crying in pain on a Sunday (several weeks ago) and was considering going to the ER, but held off until Monday to call my rheumy for help...I left a message with no return, called again on Wednesday with no return. After another week of waiting/suffering I gave up on her, and on my own tracked down a spine specialist, who then led me to another rheumy who at least cured a good chunk of my pain with Lyrica in one day while she worked on a diagnosis. Can you believe that I could have been releived of pain over a month ago if my original rheumy just did her job!! Anyhow, you may have already tried different doctors, but if you haven't I hope you do, and I hope you can find some relief soon.

thanks for the dr. tip...i have walked out on 2 diabetic docs, so i don't mind doing that.
my rheumy was referred to me by my ortho doc who i love. he said he is the best in the area.
it's funny because every doc i have been to asks if i like him (he has no personality at all, i noticed it and alot of the docs have too) but, they all say he is the best...i see him 1 x monthly...he is my pain doc also.
i never had to call him for an emergency visit til 2 wks ago...i got in at 1pm, he gave me a complete ckup and an injection in a main muscle that controls whole are of pain i had. so, i know he is good with getting in there w/out a problem.
are you on any other meds, or just lyrica? what dose are you on, i'm just curious.......hope the lyrica keeps helping you! bevann

My dr put me on it a month ago...it has helped my neuropathy pain and my RA pain greatly. I am on 150mg once a day, sometimes every other day. It did cause some swelling in my fingers but nothing major and i do sleep better.