confusion after taking lyrica for fibro for 4 days 75 mg daily
Does lyrica cause long term memory problems and confusion?
Question posted by jennyliz on 20 July 2010
Last updated on 22 January 2011
3 Answers
jk13
20 July 2010
I also had troubles taking Lyrica at the dosage that actually was effective for me. For me, 300mg seemed to take away some of the pain, but made me dizzy and sick. Lower dosages made me feel strange for the first two days, and then my system would adjust. Everyone reacts differently to these sorts of drugs. Regarding the long term effects of the drug, honestly I don't think that Lyrica has been on the market long enough for anyone to truly know what the long term effects are. Even Neurontin, the sister drug of Lyrica hasn't really been out all that long (1993, and Lyrica in 2004, according to Wikipedia under "anticonvulsant drugs"). It really is just something that has to go with a test of time, as it has nothing really to compare it to (the category gaba analogs in general). Benzos have been out since the 1950's, and therefore have studies regarding the long term use are available.
They use to (and still are) be used as anticonvulsant drugs like Lyrica, however, are obviously very different in actions. With benzos, there are some problems with memory, and learning, along with dependency, but the studies seem to show that these are very minimal problems, and the overall benefits outweigh the risks by far (my Grandma was on Valium for 30 years, and always won at bridge, to the point that people didn't like playing with her, all the way into her 90's. She passed away at 98). I know that benzos are not the same thing at all, but I can't help but feel that you could probably expect long term effects that would be similar (I have no basis for that statement, other that just a gut feeling, which really, you shouldn't trust). The only thing that you really can count on with long term use would be dependency, which also isn't a big deal, cause if your doctor tapers the drug slowly, then there won't be any major discomfort, other than possibly a returning of the original problems that it was used for. That's the one thing that really is the downside to all of the new and improved drugs on the market, there's no way of really knowing what the long term effects are without giving them the test of time.
I sincerely hope that this helps a bit, and good luck to you!
christineATU
20 July 2010
jk13... What a very thorough, well researched answer! Kudo's to you!
jk13
20 July 2010
haha - thanks, my answer being a fancy way of saying - I have no clue. But thanks nonetheless!
jennyliz
21 July 2010
dear jk13 thankyou so much for the time you spent researching same for me, so tierd of all the research myself, what with fibro-fog and meds. I also take 3 -1mg xanax with the lyrica at nite, still having alot of trouble sleeping, in the am. I take half aropax, been on same for years, have reduced from 1, over a 2 week period, been difficult, but did it.
Thank you so much for your time, take care
jennyliz
21 July 2010
thanks to all for your input, i sincerely appreciate it, been a great help. Take care all
christineATU
20 July 2010
I copied this information for you.
"Less serious Lyrica side effects may include":
*
dizziness or drowsiness, anxiety;
*
loss of balance or coordination;
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problems with memory or concentration;
*
dry mouth;
*
skin rash or itching;
*
constipation, stomach pain;
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increased appetite; or
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joint or muscle pain.
christineATU
20 July 2010
Call your doc and let him/her know about the side effects. I think your body may just need some time to adjust to the medication.
Best wishes to you and hope you feel better soon!
Chris
Inactive
20 July 2010
Excellent advice christine!
christineATU
20 July 2010
You should read my comment about the lady and her hubby getting dismissed by that pain clinic! She had asked can a regular doctor prescribe suboxone... you answered too
Inactive
20 July 2010
Hi jennyliz, I don't know about long term memory problems, but I do know Lyrica made me groggy, and felt slightly stoned on it. I had to discontinue this med after approximately 8 days.
Sure hope it works well for you, though. Perhaps your side effects will disappear after a few more days.
Wishing you the best,
sweetlemon
christineATU
20 July 2010
That's kind of what I was thinking too. Meds like these take time to reach full effect. Her body may just need some time to adjust.
sgtemt
24 July 2010
I have been on lyrica for about 2-3 months and just asked my doctor today to take me off due to poor balance (almost fell thru the shower curtain twice), blurred vision, sand confusion. I have short memory loss as well both short and long term but I'm not sure if it's the lyrica or some other meds I'm on.
new to the game
24 July 2010
Hi girls, Derek here. Aka new to the game. My doc just gave me Lyrica and I find my heart wants to come out of my chest around night time. Is that why you had to get off it sweetlemon? Im taking it for restless leg snyndrome that is in my elbows.
GYPSYSOUL1
17 Aug 2010
The grogginess associated with Lyrica should decrease or disappear once your body becomes accustomed to the drug. But other side effects, such as memory problems and blurred or double vision are likely to continue as long as you take the drug. These effects should end once it has been cleared from your system.
Inactive
17 Aug 2010
Hi Derek, I just felt stoned on Lyrica and had bad muscle cramping!
Hope your side effects go away.
sweetlemon
soulsofserenity
22 Jan 2011
I'm having a similar issue. I was on Lyrica for 2 months and couldn't stand the side effects anymore. I was unable to focus on daily tasks, remember any thing, couldn't drive, and I was still in pain, Once I stopped Lyrica I felt like I was still on it and a week later I started having my chronic migraines come back with more symptoms than I normally suffer with. Now its been three months and I still get confused here and there but I still can't focus or get my migraines back to how they were. Plus I still have short term memory loss. I saw an ER doctor for my migraines when the new symptoms where too much and he made a comment that Lyrica changed the way I get them now. I assumed it wouldn't last but it has. I'm seeing my doctors soon to try and figure this out. Hopefully it will eventually all go back to normal!
Inactive
22 Jan 2011
Hi soulofserenity,
Have you tried Topamax for migraines? It can cause major weight loss, so be forewarned about that. I had many bad side effects from it... including weight loss. But I hear it works great on migraines!
Best wishes,
soulsofserenity
22 Jan 2011
I'm on Inderal and it was working great before so I'm going in on Thursday to see if an increase will help me. I was on Topamax but got no relief from it. My doctor believes my ateris in my head are swelling up since my hands and feet do from my fibro. After a week of being on Inderal I stopped having migraines all together. They just can't put me on a high dose because my blood pressure is normal and it could become too low. I have to try alternative mediation for my fibromylagia because I've tried so many other medications and all I got was side effects and no relief. Now after Lyrica I'm scared to try anything but I don't want to be in pain anymore either.
Inactive
22 Jan 2011
soulofserenity,
I know just what you mean, I too am afraid to try any other meds now.
Neurontin gave me an allergic reaction, now what??? It is almost getting comical... if it were not so painful !!!
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- Lyrica uses and safety info
- Lyrica prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lyrica (detailed)
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