Lyrica and Brain Fog: What Users Say

• Ann...
• March 9, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "Taking Lyrica for almost 2 weeks now at 50mg 3x per day and have had no change in how much pain I’m in. Doctor prescribed this without even looking at me. The side effects are so intense, and there are too many drug interactions that come along with it. I have had the worst brain fog, I forget the most simple words, and you lose the ability to speak properly. Always drowsy and dizzy, feeling of being drunk or high. More pain is also a side effect I seem to have. Definitely would not recommend this drug to anyone."

• Sne...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 7, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "Beware of this drug. I’ve taken it for over 12 years now and have been tapering off it for well over a year and a half. Withdrawal from this drug can be a life-altering, career-destroying experience. The anxiety and depression can be extreme. Horrible brain fog, severe insomnia, paranoia, severe mood swings, and anger that approaches rage. My research indicates that severe withdrawal is fairly uncommon, but there is no way to know if you’ll be a victim. And the after-effects can last for years, trying the patience of loved ones, your employer, doctors, and friends. If you are considering going on Lyrica or have been on it for only a short time, consider stopping as soon as you can. But beware - even short-term exposure can lead to nasty, long-lasting withdrawals. I’ve read one person's account of only taking it for two weeks, and she still spent a year in withdrawal."

• myf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 21, 2014

For Neuropathic Pain "Started taking Lyrica due to nerve damage suffered during surgery, 75mg twice a day. It provided relief for about 3 weeks, before pain returned. Have now been on 150mg twice a day for about 8 weeks - no pain, but the side effects are horrendous: dizziness, brain fog, and worst of all is incontinence. So I now have to decide whether to reduce the dose and go back to having pain but no side effects, or be pain-free but incontinent and out of it."

• Aud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I have had neuropathic spine pain since 1984. I have a triple S curve, had 6 spine surgeries, and have an implanted pain relief system for low back pain. Nothing worked; opioids almost led to death. 2 months ago, I began Lyrica (100mg, 3x/day). At the beginning, my brain felt 'foggy', walking was unstable, and total urinary incontinence (some bowel incontinence). To say I was shocked at how the Lyrica relieved my spine pain is an understatement! I read all the horror stories but decided to give it time. This is the first time since the early eighties I have had NO pain! The side effects are gone."

• Anonymous
• June 28, 2016

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "The nerve pain became so unbearable that it forced me to take Lyrica despite the bad reviews and long list of negative side effects. I was told by many that it worked a lot better than Neurontin with less drastic negative effects. Well, it has eased my pain some, but the side effects have taken my life from me. I'm dizzy at times, my head is always foggy and not clear thinking, I have depression, anger outbursts I've never had before, daily nausea, and am so tired that I can sleep all day and night long and can barely function. Unfortunately, the alternative medications have even worse negative side effects, so what are we supposed to do in order to have some normalcy?"

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 26, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "I have been very fortunate that Lyrica works so well for me. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago with fibromyalgia. After I had my second child at 29, some of my chronic pain changed. A year later, I was diagnosed, and I am so glad they put me on Lyrica. I started at 150 mg daily, but it made me very tired and unfocused, so they dropped it back to 100 mg per day. I've been at 100 mg per day for over a year now. I used to have bad flare-ups that would incapacitate me about twice weekly, plus the daily pain. On Lyrica, my daily pain averages maybe a 2 on a pain scale of 1-10 versus my old average of a 6. Instead of 2 or more flare-ups per week, I maybe get 2 a month. I have 2 children under the age of 10 that I need to be able to care for and spend time with, and not feel it's a burden. Lyrica gives me this. I'm also able to jog again, something I haven't been able to do since high school. It makes me feel good, and I'm steadily losing weight. I'm not saying this is for everyone, but it's been a miracle for me."

• Zev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 9, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I have nerve damage in my arms, I can't use them without fatigue. I have tried everything for the pain, nothing works well except for Lyrica. I take 150 mg twice a day, and now the pain is so manageable that I get my life back. If you have really bad nerve pain that makes you feel depressed and debilitated, give the medication a go! I have had a few side effects like memory fog, but the pain relief is worth it!"

• LYR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2023

For Neuropathic Pain "I get horrible pain in my neck due to a pinched nerve, and Lyrica really helped the pain. However, I didn't realize what it was doing to me. Brain fog like never before, I lost all interest in everything. I had a very demanding job that was affected, and I ended up losing the best job I ever had."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I have been taking Lyrica for 3 days now after trying every pain med for the last 7 years. Unreal. I am able to walk better, and my pain has diminished to about a 2 or 3. I was only a little foggy on the second morning, but besides that, I have had no bad side effects at all. I tried Neurontin years ago, but after the second day, I could not function, so anyone with nerve pain should give this a try. It sure has helped me."

• Mek...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 1, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "Lyrica is great at taking away my pain due to fibromyalgia. However, the side effects from the medication and from detoxing are not worth it! I am 25 and took Lyrica for at least 6 years. I experienced severe brain fog, difficulty breathing, cognitive difficulties, and others while on this medication. I thought they were all due to my conditions, but after truly reflecting on my journey, Lyrica surely hurt me more than it helped me. I have been off the medication for about 3 weeks now. I did some research and learned that my detox period would be both difficult and long because, one, I took the medication for several years, I took a high dosage, and I stopped the medication cold turkey. It's getting easier for sure. The creator on my side!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I was put on Lyrica by my anesthetist for postoperative pain control following a revision of a Dupuy metal-on-metal hip. It has certainly helped the pain in this and the other hip and reduced the muscle spasms I was experiencing. However, side effects have increased with use, and I have severe visual disturbance, foggy mind, and forgetfulness. I was on 150mg three times a day and tried to stop. Big mistake - severe cold turkey with shaking, nausea, and panic attacks. Now trying to come off slowly but really struggling with the side effects."

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2011

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was prescribed Neurontin for anxiety and panic, but it made me a zombie. I am now taking Lyrica and it is amazing! No more anxiety or panic and my mood is greatly improved. Neurontin was like whiskey, hit hard and had a 'hangover', Lyrica is like a fine wine, subtle and mellow and doesn't have the zombie effect. DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL WITH IT. This was only a reference. I am taking 75mg at night and 50 in the morning. I also don't need the antidepressants anymore."

• Juw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I was just diagnosed with fibromyalgia. After taking the first dose, my hands and feet swelled up, and I couldn't bend my fingers. If I tried, the pain was intense. Then I started to stagger. I wobbled when I tried to stand still. My mind fogged up. I felt drunk and hungry. I got a sandwich, and it slipped off of my plate to the floor, and I picked it up and continued to eat, at least a couple of times. Everything I ate that night tasted so good. I was so sleepy. When I got up in the morning, there were things in places that should never have been. (i.e., TV remote in the bathroom, food on the floor near my bed, and other things misplaced.) I felt like I had a hangover. NEVER AGAIN. I had the same experience with gabapentin. Just say no!"

• LWS...
• April 27, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "My doctor prescribed Lyrica for fibromyalgia. As I am very sensitive to medication, I was prescribed 75 mg at bedtime each night. The first month, I did feel better taking Lyrica. However, after about 4 months, I began experiencing strange symptoms. I could not remember things. My brain was foggy. I wasn't myself, and my pain returned. It was a no-brainer, so I informed my doctor that I wanted off of this medication. I've been off Lyrica now for two months, and my brain is back to normal. It was very scary to even think how little I was taking and what an impact it made on me. I am taking apple cider vinegar with honey every morning, exercising a little each day, even if I don't want to, and resting when my body needs it."

• P W...
• September 21, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed Lyrica for small fiber neuropathy pain. I will say it did offer relief from the pain, but the side effects were just too great and at times dangerous. You should not be driving a car on this stuff. I was in an accident because I was slow to react in a high-stress traffic situation. You will eventually begin to feel quite unlike yourself. Zombie-like. You will say to yourself, I don't feel like me anymore, I feel like something is controlling me. If you're someone who can stay home all the time and has very little work demands or family life, this may be helpful to you. Understand that the zombie-like feeling and slowed reaction time will be an issue. Gabapentin was a safer choice in my opinion, even with side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "I have only been diagnosed for about a year now. I have completely lost my life due to fibromyalgia pain. My doctor started me on Cymbalta, which worked for a while but then stopped, then put me on Lyrica without weaning me off Cymbalta. Withdrawals, hello. I had to start again and wean off while also taking Lyrica. The Lyrica seemed to help at first too, then wham, just like everything else, it stopped working, except on weight gain and brain fog. I was a zombie. So now I'm worsening day by day even though I try to stay active and have cut all caffeine, etc. because my doctors just don't believe pain medicines help and say there isn't much else they can do for me. I'm glad for the people it has helped."

• BAH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2014

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I did not feel it was helping all that well with the pain. [lower, middle back and rib] I went from 25 mg to 75, 150, then 225 mg. I found I was tired and lethargic. I had a dry mouth and throat constantly, and my vision was hard to focus, jumpy. I had stopped and restarted after 4 months, still the same. Breathing is harder, so I've noticed this time. I have stopped for good!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "This medication left me unable to think coherently, and I had difficulty talking. It was like being around a drunk. I had to stop it after a month because I work in a school and was unable to converse adequately with parents, students, staff."

• LMo...
• September 1, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed Lyrica for a pinched nerve in my elbow after a dislocation. The pain made physical therapy intolerable. With just one dose of 75 mg of Lyrica, I could bend my elbow without wincing. Absolutely marvelous. Unfortunately, there were 2 side effects that made me stop taking it. The first one was that I fell asleep almost immediately after taking it for about 2 hours, and my brain felt very foggy after I woke up. The second issue was a slight tightness in the chest and feeling a little out of breath. Not severe, but enough to let me know that I couldn't take it again. Made me sad because it really worked."

• hat...
• October 29, 2015

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "I developed shingles in my face, scalp, and eye in 2005. The initial pain was treated with gabapentin, which didn't work very well. The doc wouldn't prescribe anything stronger. In fact, she hardly recognized that shingles pain was significant. My PHN kicked in when the rash disappeared. I've still got it. I monitored the internet for PHN meds, and when Lyrica came out, I notified my new doc immediately. He started me out at 100 mg three times a day, and when that was only modestly effective, he kicked it up to 150 mg X 3. It works very nicely. However, there are side effects. My weight gain has been significant. Brain fog happens. I get double vision on an irregular basis. I feel tired. Now my liver values are increasing."

• Con...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 28, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "Took 100 mg Lyrica over 10 years for fibromyalgia. Definitely helped with pain in the beginning, but side effects were not worth it in the end. Gained 50+ lbs from when I began meds and when I stopped. Severe swelling of feet, hands, brain fog, memory loss, and speech/language flow change. After being off Lyrica for 1+ year, I have a hard time remembering something I was about to say 2 seconds ago. I forget simple words like coffee, bicycle, elevator, and can't think of them till I describe what I am thinking of to my kids, and they look at me like I have 10 heads when they figure out what I am trying to say. After taking meds for 10+ years, once I stopped, the immediate difference in my brain fog was night and day. Although I can't prove it, I know my memory and language capabilities will never be the same, but I never realized how much brain fog the drug was causing until I stopped taking it. Please listen and just manage the pain, because memory and language issues are not something you can recover."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "I had needles and pins from back, stenosis, disc bulging, so was given Lyrica. Only took it 2 1/2 days as it made me feel terrible. Felt like a zombie, couldn't think straight, slurred words, tripped easily. My husband said I wasn't acting right, got irritated and angry very easily, which I don't usually do. This was on 50 mg, and then I was going to 75 mg. I stopped today and won't take it again. Not worth it to me."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "I had needles and pins from back, stenosis, disc bulging, so was given Lyrica. Only took it 2 1/2 days as it made me feel terrible. Felt like a zombie, couldn't think straight, slurred words, tripped easily. My husband said I wasn't acting right, got irritated and angry very easily, which I don't usually do. This was on 50 mg, and then I was going to 75 mg. I stopped today and won't take it again. Not worth it to me."

• Mum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "Was put on Lyrica for recurring hip pain (and lower back pain). By one month, I was on 2x75mg morning and night. Greatly reduced the pain, but I felt like I was constantly forgetful and would have brain fog constantly. Have gained just a little weight, but can't do much with my hip anyway. The one thing that made my doctor decrease the dose back to one a night very quickly was that I became depressive. Unfortunately, I would prefer to deal with the pain and find something else than feel that way. It is effective for pain relief (I found), but unfortunately I suffered some of the bad side effects."

• get...
• November 22, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I was taking 50 mg Lyrica every 2 hrs or sooner each day; while it did seem like I had more energy and could work a little longer before resting, the pain never stopped or lightened up. Lyrica amitriptyline did help me sleep better. I quit taking Lyrica and started taking gabapentin 300 mg 3 X per day and the pain lessened a lot, and sleep is better and some of the brain fog is gone."