???? Lyrica for nerve pain - Neuropathy Message Board

scbmxmom · 04-20-2006, 09:58 AM

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this particular board. I'm usually on the back problem board. I had a fusion (L3/L4) and have been having pain going through my hip and down my leg before the surgery and now after. I was taking Neurontin (1800 mg) a day. Yesterday my doctor switched me to Lyrica 150 mg twice a day. Since takin it I have been sooooo sleepy.

Yesterday I slept off on on from 3

oPM until 7:00AM this morining. Today it is taking all I have to keep my eyes open. Does anyone have experiences they can share about taking Lyrica?

mondaymorning · 04-22-2006, 02:50 PM

When my doctor changed me to Lyrica I had similiar experiences in the beginning with sleepiness, but I only started with 50mg 2x day. So I can imagine with the 150mg 2x day you must really be sleepy. It took me about 2 weeks to get over the big tiredness. My doctor put me on 50mg to start for 1 month then increased it to 75mg 2x day. Just to get accustomed to the drug. I'm due to increase again. It hasn't helped much yet for my pain but I'm hoping once we get to the whatever mg? it may help.
I hope it helps you with your pain as my wife has back problems and her pain meds do nothing for her pain.

scbmxmom · 04-23-2006, 07:19 AM

mondaymorning
Thanks for the response!! I'm starting to adjust to the sleepiness. At first I didn't think it was helping much but now it is helping. I don't notice where it is any different than the Neurontin other than I only have to take it twice a day instead of three. My doctor said it has less side effects. I don't know if it's the meds. or just me but I do have a HUGE appetite. I can't get full. I hope that goes away because I can't afford anymore weight gain. I've already gained 30lbs since all this.

I start PT next week so hopefully that will help. Again, thanks!!

justfine · 04-23-2006, 02:17 PM

When I was taking Lyrica I fell asleep at the dinner table while eating. Family got a big laugh from it. but yes made me very tried.

Sharon/B · 05-03-2006, 03:01 PM

Hi
Am new to this and have only posted once on the pain site but decided to look here today. I started taking Lyrica 5 days ago at only 25mg a day. I asked for the very lowest dose as the Neurontin which I tried 3 years ago made me feel so bad I had to stop taking it at once. I felt a bit sleepy the last few days but otherwise alright. The bit question is whether it will have any effect on my nerve pain, wait and see until the dose is higher but I am going to do that very slowly. Good to hear of other people's experiences. Good luck to you. My nerve pain is mostly lower back but on bad days spreads down my legs to my feet and have had times when I can't even bear to have the ****t ontop of me at night. Am at a bit better place at the moment after the GP prescribed stronger pain medications (am on 3 different ones) and am now trying out the Lyrica.

Hope you get a good result and know that there are more of us out here in the same situation.
Sharon