Lyrica and Pain: 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."

• Anonymous
• May 19, 2008

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "My doctor prescribed me Lyrica for my social anxiety after having tried numerous other more conventional meds over the last 15 years, i.e., Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Xanax, etc. The list goes on and on, and finally (for me) this really, really works quite well. It stabilizes my feelings of anxiety as well as relieves stress-related pain. I feel like a different person, able to take on life rather than hide and let it pass by. Thanks."

• Lil...
• February 3, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "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."

• sti...
• November 25, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "I decided to give Lyrica a second chance after surgery for cord compression at C4-C6 didn’t relieve pain and actually aggravated things. New herniation above and below the level of injury and surgery. Continued cervical myelopathy diagnosis. I’ve been tested and should have known better as I metabolize medicine differently. Lyrica hasn’t helped with pain at all. I am in a stupor most of the day and I am so hungry. I’ve gained 15 lbs that I couldn’t afford. I wake up every night with severe pins and needles, pain, rigidity, and the worst migraines & head pains. Moodiness and depression have cloaked me. I’m weaning off today. I thought surgery would eliminate the need for medications but pain has increased. A scary side effect is my legs go completely numb and I feel my legs have been less reliable since starting the medication. I have an extruded disc and nerve root compression in L5-S1, the medication has me feeling weaker, inebriated, confused, and sad."

• Fat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2014

For Fibromyalgia "Taking Lyrica relieves my fibromyalgia symptoms literally in days, and the pain relief from that is amazing. Unfortunately, I can't sleep. I get red, sore eyes, water retention, constipation, irritated bladder, passing water much more frequently. Pelvic pain, sore gums, cramps, excess wind, bloated stomach, runny nose. These side effects occur as quickly as the pain from fibromyalgia goes."

• Mam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2013

For Neuralgia "After suffering from horrible post-herpetic neuralgia in the trigeminal nerves on the left side of my face, I went to a neurologist who put me on Lyrica. A small dose of 50 mg each night keeps my symptoms under control. I tried adding a morning dose, but it made me giggle at inappropriate times, so I went back to only taking it at night. For over two years, my pain has been controlled well. One night I forgot to take my medicine, and the next day I had a painful attack. I'll never forget it again! I'm so thankful for this medicine. There are so many other medicines that I tried and could not take, but this one works great for me."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I was started on this medication by an emergency department doctor as I was taken to the hospital with numbness down my left side. Turns out a twenty-year-old fracture in C2 and C3 in my spinal cord has fused together and is pinching a nerve. Been sent for a CAT scan, will report back. 75 mg Lyrica twice daily. Pain, nausea, gone, anxiety, mood swings (PTSD) gone. The numbness is still there but bearable. I love this stuff so far. No side effects whatsoever so far 3 days in. Will report back later if anything changes."

• law...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2015

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "I had pain shooting throughout my body for a week. One day it would be in my legs, then my torso, then my arm, my throat, my ear, and then shingles surfaced on my torso-right side. I took an antiviral for the shingles and Neurontin for pain. The blisters were painful, and they went away in a couple of weeks, but the pain remained, and I took Neurontin in high doses with Tylenol so I could sleep, but my right leg hurt all the time. I couldn't walk up/down stairs on that leg or sleep on either side without pain, and I am a side sleeper, so I was miserable. A neurologist was skeptical that the cause was shingles but prescribed Lyrica, and it was magic! 75 mg once a day, and the pain is 95% gone, 6 months later, it still works."

• emi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2015

For Fibromyalgia "Lyrica did not work particularly well for me. I had previously taken Cymbalta 60 mg for 7/8 years and felt that it was no longer as effective, so my doctor prescribed Lyrica. I noticed a large amount of weight gain (which I would not have minded if it helped the pain!)-about 50 pounds over 6 months before it stabilized. After some time of taking the medication (9 months or a year, I forget), I was always complaining to my doctor about pain and fatigue being bad, so he switched me to Savella. I noticed a huge difference, and I lost the weight!"

• ksm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on methotrexate, 10 pills once a week, and Enbrel injection, 50 mg once a week, and now added Lyrica, 50 mg 2 x a day. Told I have RA and fibromyalgia. But even with these great meds, I feel bad. From my waist to the bottom of my feet, I hurt so. I do see my legs are swelling so very large and skin gets tight, it hurts to walk. I don't know what else to do. I work and am on my feet all day. I go up and down the stairs at home, I try to get extra walks in going around the blocks. But it hurts too bad. I'm very tolerant to pain, but this is to the point of no return. I feel bad for my family that maybe I'm a burden. And if I feel this way now, how will I feel if I'd ever need someone to help me with everyday chores and hygiene. They may not see."

• Red...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 12, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I was originally prescribed name brand Lyrica specifically for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and fibromyalgia combination issues. Someone decided to change me to Pregabalin generic. This generic did not work well for me. I couldn't figure out why my pain was coming back and my mental state was being altered, and figured it out. The generic compounds messed me all up. Who changed my specific insurance-approved prescription? I need my original prescription back so I can live a normal life again."

• 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."

• Eme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I have fibromyalgia and developed horrific back/sciatic pain last year. I started taking Lyrica about 3 months ago and within a week, I could walk properly. I could sleep, I could exercise, and I thought it had fixed everything. Then my elbow started hurting. I just thought I'd strained it at the gym. The pain became excruciating. Then it hit the other arm until 3 days ago when it got so bad, I couldn't move my arms properly. It felt like my arms were inflamed from my shoulders to my fingertips. I stopped taking it 2 days ago and the arm pain is starting to go. But the back pain is starting to come back. I also have had no idea what day it is for the last 3 weeks, which I thought was stress but suspect is the Lyrica."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "Taking Lyrica hasn't helped my fibromyalgia symptoms at all, and even though I'm on a starter dose of 75 mg once per day, the side effects are terrible! I tremble so badly it appears as if I have Parkinson's disease. I can't handwrite at all, let alone many other daily functions. It has affected my thinking terribly and makes my mind race, and my thoughts are very jumbled, which makes me feel extremely anxious. Plus, when talking, my speech is very shaky sounding and very fast and slurry. I also have a lot of trouble urinating. I find it extremely difficult to empty my bladder, and at times it's very painful. I was already taking sleeping tablets (Temazepam), but Lyrica has made getting to sleep even worse. My chest and nose both feel congested."

• App...
• April 17, 2016

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "The needle standing pain was bad, but then I developed this feeling like I dipped my lower legs and feet in frying oil. It all is getting worse. It has really been tough, especially at night trying to sleep."

• Ano...
• October 3, 2020

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "I got shingles almost 3 weeks ago in my scalp and face and in my left ear. Pain excruciating and numbness on the left side. I was misdiagnosed as having psoriasis until I went to the hospital almost 3 weeks later, as I could not stand the pain in my head any longer, all on the left side. There, they put me on Lyrica 25 mg 3 times daily. It had helped but I am still in a lot of pain. I may have to get the dose increased."

• Chr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "Well, at 45 years old and having a very profitable restaurant and tavern, I was diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D). If you don't know what it is - very simple, your arteries are filling with plaque and shutting down blood flow, usually to lower extremities. Lost my left leg 2 years ago and have been taking Lyrica 150 mg 3 times a day. I don't experience neuropathy like I was. There were times I would scream as the pain was intolerable. I also take Cymbalta, they work together for depression, that and anxiety. I had never thought of myself as depressed, or let alone take meds for it, but I do now. Trying to keep my right leg has had a major effect on my health, outlook on life, and just wanting to see my 1st grandchild hit kindergarten. My grandchild was born 7/11/17, and I missed that too. So overall, with Lyrica, I have had an excellent experience. Insurance paid all but $5.00."

• Dia...
• November 17, 2010

For Fibromyalgia "Went from 75 mg to 150 mg, but because of side effects of being nearly stoned during the day, the doctor put me on 100 mg, but I had side effects such as short memory problems, achiness in the middle of the night, and no pain relief. I am going to try another medication. Hope this helps."

• Dus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "Lyrica is one of the greatest mistakes I have made with my health. Upon taking, my feet and legs became really swollen, and my feet became so painful that even my sheet touching my feet was unbearable. I had to come off slowly, and the swelling is now completely gone. However, I still have pain in my legs and feet. I have been completely off Lyrica for four days, and I continue to improve, though my pain level in my legs and feet as the result of Lyrica is still a 6/10. While taking Lyrica, my pain was a 9/10."

• Cha...
• October 9, 2017

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "This is one of the worst medications ever. It does not help, I end up in tears. I am hurting so bad. I drop things, don't even notice, can't open things like I used to. The pain is unbearable, I just think this is a rubbish medication."

• Duk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "I had severe burning and pain in my feet and ankles. After taking 50 mg twice a day, the pain and burning decreased greatly. Now I don't take it anymore due to the price, it costs me $15.50 a pill, which I can't afford. My insurance took out $1,300 for 180 pills out of my prescription cap. If I ordered any more, I would go into the donut hole. I NEED HELP PAYING FOR THIS PILL THAT I CAN'T AFFORD. I NEED SOMETHING THAT WORKS???"

• Win...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "I was put on 50 mg 3x daily for CRPS caused after ACL surgery. I was fully able to do PT but still had nerve pain. My doctor increased slowly to 100 mg 3x a day. I noticed within 3 months I gained 30 pounds. My period stopped altogether. I had horrible brain fog. Very bad dry mouth. Headache. I noticed after two weeks of taking the 100 mg 3x daily that I started swelling in my legs and hands. My feet and hands became very painful and swollen. And my nerve pain seemed to get way worse. My ACL knee started to swell and become very stiff and hurt. I stopped taking this medicine literally 3 days ago and started taking CBD (I thought this stuff was a joke), but it has helped my intense electrical nerve pain through my whole body. And has helped the pain in my hands and feet. Waiting to see if the swelling and other issues go away once it’s completely out of my system. This medication had horrible side effects on my body, just hoping I can reverse it!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "I have been on this drug Lyrica since the first week of December. Initially, I took 75 mg x2 a day. I had gamma knife treatment back in the summer for a meningioma compressing the trigeminal nerve. All was okay pain-wise until December when the consultant recommended this drug. The pain is steadily getting worse even though I have increased the dosage to 15 g x2. I wake up in the early hours in agony, having to take cocodamol as well. No help. I’m just going to stop taking it. I would say the pain is getting worse since I’ve been on Lyrica."

• Spa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "My doctor prescribed 75 mg twice daily. At first, I felt mild lightheadedness and dizziness but tolerated it much better than I thought I would. However, 2 months in, I gained 30 lbs! I voluntarily reduced my dose to once daily, and the weight gain stopped. However, pain is now more noticeable, and my restless legs got worse. Last night, I decided that mild weight gain is better than pain and restless legs, so I'll continue at my prescribed dosage."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "I'm taking Lyrica for nerve pain in my neck, going into my shoulder and down my arm. It's very sore. I've been taking Lyrica for only 2 weeks, I'm on the low dose of 25 mg. I got no relief, so my doctor told me to take 2, 3 times a day, and I only started that yesterday. I'm finding today that I have loads of energy. Would that be the tablets?"