Lyrica for Fibromyalgia User Reviews

• Bec...
• March 20, 2021

"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2005, and looking back, I am sure that I was suffering symptoms of fibromyalgia as a child. I have been diagnosed with dysthymia and have had a couple of major depressive disorders. I have chronic back pain, which I asked for more review of for over 10 years. Finally, I got a doctor to take an X-ray and found I have levoscoliosis and arthritis in my spine. I have taken multiple drugs, sometimes 3 at a time, and have tried everything. I just got off Cymbalta and gabapentin. I could not go for walks without taking Vicodin and 800 Motrin. I was tired all the time and unable to sleep. Then my doctor gave me Lyrica, and now at 60, I am finally able to live my life with just taking Motrin to help with my walks. I have energy, I sleep at night, and I am not depressed all the time. This is huge. If you are considering trying this option, I recommend it."

• Phi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2014

"The best way to describe how well Lyrica works for me is to say, 'I'm young again! I'm a 50-year-old who has suffered with fibromyalgia for many years. Every morning on waking, I would just lay in bed dreading the pain and discomfort of something as simple as getting up and out of bed. I was prescribed Cymbalta, Celebrex, and Tramadol which help, but nothing works as well as Lyrica. I am able to get more done now without slowing down. Like I said before, I feel years younger. I have read that Lyrica poses an abuse warning, but what I experience isn't really euphoria (high) as one might experience with opiates. I experience relief of pain and maybe 'light on my feet' and actually stronger muscles but not the euphoria of opiates."

• 1ha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2020

"This medication Lyrica is an absolute miracle drug. I've been taking for only 2 weeks, however, but my fibromyalgia pain that has haunted me for 12 years is absolutely GONE!!! I'm a little nervous about the weight gain, but we shall see, I guess."

• Tia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2014

"It's like a miracle. I've had almost no side effects and significant pain relief and much better sleep already. I felt a bit lightheaded at first but that is decreasing, and a bit sleepy, also decreasing. It's the first time I've actually felt nearly normal in years."

• d b...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2019

"Had horrible fibromyalgia pain constantly, so never slept. I was missing work and also had to drop my two best shifts as a bartender. I lost lots of money and was in constant pain around the clock. I saw a neurologist, and she prescribed Lyrica at 50 mg a day, and it worked for me instantly, 100%! I'm now on my third week of using it, and I feel better now than I have in the last 6 years. Lyrica has been a huge game-changer. The only side effect I had was it gave me tons of energy the first week. I literally cleaned my whole house for the first time in 3 years. I am thrilled beyond words. I still haven't had to up my dose. I am praying it stays this way. The only problem is the price, so I'm praying a generic surfaces quickly."

• Nik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 22, 2014

"I couldn't remember the last time I had a 'good' day since being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia until 2010 when I was first told about Lyrica by an emergency doctor. The symptoms and pain had gotten so bad that I drove myself to a Baylor emergency room. Physically and mentally I just felt defeated. I was so stressed out that I developed an ulcer, and my potassium/magnesium levels were so low, they admitted me several times for as long as a week each time. Bags of blood had to be given, and IV fluids were necessary. Ugh... I was a hot mess. I don't recall the doctor who introduced me to Lyrica because I was in and out a few times, but all I can say is a BIG thank you. I've been on Lyrica 300mg a day since 2010. I can get what I need done and function like a normal woman."

• CSa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

"The first time I took it, I became a little dizzy, but I haven't had that problem since. This is an absolute miracle drug. I have fibromyalgia, and there are days when moving hurts to the point of tears. I also have severe back pain for which I was on narcotics, and at age 20, I'd rather not take them. Lyrica gives me energy, and I'm able to be a mom, play with my 2 babies, and get things done. So thankful for this medication! It is very expensive, especially without insurance ($568 for 60 pills that are 75mg), but with my insurance and a savings card, I only pay $4."

• G-M...
• January 29, 2013

"This is my first ever review on this site, but felt it was necessary. I have Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis, and I am only 21 years old. I have been on Lyrica for about 2 months, best 2 months of my life. I have tried every medicine you could think of, minus painkillers. I am no longer constantly fatigued, anxiety and paranoia. Pain levels drastically dropped, for the first time in my life, I actually have thoughts racing through my brain. Not one single panic attack, the list goes on. I know a lot of people want to hear this, I have LOST weight like crazy, and have the same sex drive. Try this before ANY antidepressant. Talking is sometimes harder for me, small price to pay though. I couldn't be happier with my life."

• Kre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2019

"Lyrica is the worst medication I've ever taken. I took it about 10 years ago or more. I swelled up and gained 90 pounds. I went to doctor after doctor. Even put me in the hospital for 4 days. Lost 32 pounds. All they wanted to do is put me on diuretics. But that just caused rebound swelling so it didn't stop the problem. Nobody would tell me why I was so swollen. I couldn't even wear shoes. My ankles were even oozing. Finally, one day I was sitting in a chair watching TV (all I could do) and saw a commercial about Lyrica and for side effects it said 'slight swelling of feet and hands'. I had already asked doctors if it could be any of my meds. Of course, it was always no. I quit taking it and the swelling gradually went away. The Lyrica had caused really bad edema. But it took me another year to get the 90 pounds off of me. Overall, it stole 3 years of my life. Talked to many that went through the same thing."

• Pai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 22, 2017

"I started this drug ten years ago and gave rave reviews then so would like to again. I was able to manage my FM through diet, exercise, and adequate sleep through most of my 20s. One day I pushed myself too hard at work, and I got to what I call 'final stage'. Half an hour after getting a shot of Dilaudid in the ER, I was still crying and writhing. The doctor came in and sat down looking worried. 'There's probably nothing more you can do for me.' I said, 'No, there's not.' She sent me home with maximum doses of every painkiller on the planet, nothing got rid of the deep burning aching pain. It hurt to stand, sit, walk, lie down. I lay in bed for days not knowing what to do. I tried Lyrica. That pain has been gone ever since. I got my life back."

• Dow...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2014

"I have been on Lyrica for 2 1/2 weeks now. I take 1 x 75mg capsule morning & night. I suffer from back, buttock, leg & feet pain from a 360-degree double spinal fusion of L4-L5 & L5 & S1 done 20 years ago. Nerve pain is now ruining my life. However, since being on this medicine, my pain is now around a 2-3 out of 10 from being anywhere between 5-9. The only real side effect I am having is feeling 'high' 24 hrs a day. Supposedly, this will go away in time. I also feel uplifted and it has helped with my depression. I do feel a bit aggressive at times too. I have been keeping a close check on my weight too but nothing has changed. My normal weight is 75 kgs and I'm fit & strong as I workout in the gym regularly which helps control back pain."

• Loo...
• June 22, 2017

"I've been suffering from 24/7 muscle pain (chronic upper body tension, spasms, muscle pain, headaches, etc.) every day for 8 years. I started Lyrica 3 weeks ago at 50 mg 2x a day. Other than a little fuzzy fibro brain, which is not uncommon for me, I've had no major side effects at all. I bumped it up to 50 mg in the a.m. At the 2-week mark, I wasn't feeling much better, so I bumped the dose another 25 mg a day in the a.m. for a total of 75 mg a day. Oh my God ... I haven't felt this good in years!! It's been about a week now, and I don't want to jinx it, but, honestly, Lyrica is life-changing for me ... and I haven't gained a single pound!"

• Kat...
• August 16, 2014

"It works best for me, better than narcotic pain relievers, and better than Neurontin (pregabalin), which I'm amazed isn't on this list, as it is very similar to Lyrica. I have no side effects with the medication, and I take it for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Hopefully this will help someone, it was well worth trying for me."

• Mik...
• May 9, 2015

"Being a survivor of Spinal Cord Injury 'Lyrica' has literally been a lifesaver for me. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure if I would be able to live a normal life without it. Now, to the downside of 'Lyrica'. Who can afford it? A 30-day supply for me is $500 a month. I am disabled and because Pfizer got greedy and paid off a superior court judge, we cannot obtain the generic version of the drug. That said, whose best interest is in mind, I ask? The people or the man? The sad thing is that I know this will never be seen by the people that all know I'm right and need the help like me but must suffer and live without medication that can change a person's quality of life. Thank you for allowing me to share. And if even one sees this. The riteone"

• Okg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 6, 2014

"I was taking Xanax to calm the muscle spasms and Tylenol 3 for severe pain. This combination worked, but I was terrified of addiction. Now taking 75 mg Lyrica 3x a day. Pain almost gone after two days, but I'm dizzy, falling down, sleeping in a stupor for 18 hours a day, weight gain 7 lbs a month for 5 straight months, can't remember vocabulary, feel dumb down."

• Lil...
• February 3, 2013

"I hate to write this comment, but it has to be done. I have been on Lyrica for 5 years. I now take 150mg 3x a day. At first, this was a dream medicine for me. It relieved the aches and body spasms almost instantly. I could sleep at night and woke up pain-free, able to live a somewhat normal life. I did, however, gain 40 lbs. I am now experiencing severe depression, and I feel it is due to the Lyrica. I ran out once and experienced the worst withdrawal symptoms. I felt like I was dying, and the pain was severe. This medicine is wonderful, but getting off of it is very hard."

• aca...
• May 13, 2017

"It's sad when people write a drug off because their experience was negative. With nerve pain of any kind, there are different levels of pain in which the body can get to. Sometimes I have muscle spasms with and without pain, in my face, my legs, my back, neck, and shoulders, and my eyes too. I even vomit as a result of severe pain. My vision is blurred, my breathing and anxiety levels are greatly affected. Lyrica makes most of this go away. Please understand not all meds suit every individual, so you have to try different things till one works for you. I also took Lyrica in pregnancy and have a healthy chubby little baby boy, 100% okay. This med gave me part of my life back. Living with pain is crucifying, but living with Lyrica is a solution!!! For me, anyway."

• fbc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2014

"I was prescribed Lyrica (pregabalin) about 6 months ago. I was so shocked by the feelings of unreality it initially caused that I quickly stopped taking it. My fibromyalgia got so bad at the end of the year that I decided to try it again. I take low doses, 25 mg 2x a day, sometimes a 50 mg. The effect sets in within hours. My fibromyalgia pain is almost completely gone. A late evening dose allows me to sleep longer. I do feel strange when I take it, and my intellectual capacity is quite affected, but the lack of distraction by the pain and better social interaction with increased confidence levels makes up for that. I have to make sure that authorities and decision-making bodies are aware of my reduced competence."

• Old...
• July 29, 2014

"Lyrica gave me back enough life to work part-time again. Tried many other medicines to treat my fibromyalgia symptoms, and few had much positive effect. However, I found that Tramadol works for the muscle pain, and Lyrica allows me the strength and energy to move once the pain is managed. Trazodone helps with the quality sleep issue."

• Nan...
• August 16, 2014

"I was practically bedridden when I finally got diagnosed with fibromyalgia. After prescribing all the usual medications, with no relief, Lyrica was added and gradually increased to my current level of 400mg daily. I was able to break the bed-to-sofa-to-bed routine and start moderate exercise. While I am nowhere near my former physical self, the level of relief is remarkable. I had some problems getting Lyrica because it was so expensive, and I really suffered while I didn't have it. Currently, I am getting my prescription through the VA, but we are moving and a new VA doctor may not be willing to jump through all the hoops necessary for me. I know my current doctor had to fight for me."

• Hel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 22, 2019

"I have been on this for more than 15 years. I have only very slowly increased the dose over this time, and I have found it to be very effective at reducing the, all the time, low to medium level pain. It doesn't always cover the high end, less frequent, pain, but I can cope with that. No painkiller is going to stop all pain. I can work and function. Without it, I am unable to do the things I love."

• Het...
• June 1, 2014

"I have just started on Lyrica 75 mg. Taking it once in the night. It seems to be working. My pain is down a bit, and I am able to do a lot more work than before. Also, don't get as tired as before. Just got back from visiting Turkey, and the week I spent there was hectic. Lots and lots of walking. Don't think I would have been able to do it without this medication. I have fibromyalgia since the last 2 and a half years and had shied away from this medication because of the side effects. However, I was in so much pain a month ago that I finally decided to give it a try. I don't regret it and am hoping that the effect of the medicine will last. And I'll have a normal life again."

• mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2014

"I have had fibromyalgia for as long as I can remember. The pain was so bad 6 months ago from too much stress that I wasn't sleeping, which made it worse. I had to quit my job, and I would just lay in bed and cry, moving my heating pad all around my body. It was a nightmare. I wanted my life back. I found a doctor to do all the tests and diagnose me. I tried gabapentin first, and did nothing for me, and I was a zombie, so we switched to Lyrica. I take 300mg a day. It's not perfect all the time. Some days I am back in pain. And three days before my period, I'm in a lot of pain. It has also helped my anxiety and insomnia. For me, the dizziness went away after a month. And the other side effects are minimal."

• Pop...
• December 12, 2013

"I have had fibromyalgia for years, but the last 3 years have been a nightmare. I ache all day, and at night when you are supposed to get into bed and relax, you can't because it feels like you are a car engine that's been started up and can't be turned off. Your body feels active, and you can't relax. I find my teeth are clenched, or my hand, or my foot. So, had enough three weeks ago, took to my bed for three days crying and feeling depressed. I take tramadol every day, venlafaxine for anxiety, none of which take the pain away. So went to the doctor, she said to give this...all I can say is at present, I have been on it for three weeks, I now remember what a good night's sleep is. I can switch the engine off and actually properly relax, it's wonderful."

• wes...
• February 26, 2008

"I have suffered a very long time to the point where my bones ached so bad that it brought me to a complete halt in life. My mother also suffers as well as my daughter who is showing many of the symptoms that I had at her age. I have been on Lyrica for ten days now and cannot believe the difference it has made. I hope that this med can improve others' lives as well as it has mine, because fibromyalgia is a horrible thing to have to live with. No side effects so far. Here's hoping it is for you."