I might never get Lyrica - Neuropathy Message Board

ATallOne · 08-31-2006, 10:27 AM

Hi Everyone

My doctor prescribed me Lyrica recently which I was excited about after reading all of your threads. Imagine the possibility of reducing the pain in my feet. Well wouldn't you know it. My insurance company won't even budge. So the bottom line is if I want it I will have to pay $192.00 per refill. I just don't have that kind of money. So my doctor prescribed me Pamelor instead. Also known as Nortriptyline, I have been on it about a week now and have mixed feelings so far. Have any of you ever experienced Myclonic Jerks. You'll be sleeping and all of a sudden you will be jerked harshly awake. Well I suffer from that but as of late it has been three fold. I feel like Regan in the Exorcists. Your whole body just jerks or thrashes you awake. Don't ask me why. And I'm not sure if the new med is making it worse or not. Well I wish you all better days ahead. Chin Up.

Mark

don'tlikecold · 08-31-2006, 11:24 AM

Hi Mark,

I'm not sure what is going on but my insurance company suddenly said my $3 co-pay for Rx no longer applies to Lyrica. I only have to pay $22 so I am fortunate, but I don't understand why insurance companies are doing this.

If you can't afford to pay for the prescription, ask your doctor if he can ask the drug rep for free samples. My doctor has plenty of them but since my co-pay is so low, I refused them. At that time, he/she can ask the rep if there is an indigent program. If so, it just takes a simple form that the doctor completes and you can get the meds for free.

It might even be better if you tried free samples first to see if Lyrica will work for you.

Good luck,
Susan

thylantyr · 08-31-2006, 03:16 PM

Also known as Nortriptyline, I have been on it about a week now and have mixed feelings so far

That drug didn't help my friend in pain treatment.

Vicodin + Neurontin + Morphine is the current regiment.

SarahNina · 08-31-2006, 03:32 PM

My insurance company denied Lyrica for me also. My doctors all said that the drug composition is EXTREMELY close to Neurontin and that I should take that instead. I'm still hoping that Lyrica will be approved for me at some point, but after several appeals I've decided to stop fighting it for a while.

Petesmom · 08-31-2006, 08:33 PM

I am fortunate that my insurance pays for it, at least for now. I also like the benefits of the drug itself, it has been a Godsend for me. However, I cannot deal with the side effects. I also take Pamelor at night before bed. Between the two of them I am severely constipated (we're talking once a week here), forcing myself to urinate, even upon awakening in the morning, dry throat, wierd vision, feels like I'm wearing someone elses glasses. The worst part is that I have packed on the pounds in very little time.

I saw the neuro the other day, and told him I researched and found another drug whose side effect was weight loss. It's Topomax. My sister-in-law takes it for prevention of migraines. He allowed me to take it, but thinks it won't be as effective as the Lyrica for the pain. It's a slow starting up and weaning off process. He's keeping me on the Pamelor.

If anyone has any experience with Topomax I would love to hear about it.

Be Well,
Jill