Pregabalin and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• Ann...
• March 9, 2021

Pregabalin 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."

• Too...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 16, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and degenerative disc diseases, plus arthritis. I was on gabapentin and tramadol. Neither helped. I then tried Lyrica. I've been on it for just about 2 years, 300mg twice a day. I started experiencing memory loss about 7 months in. I have more of what I would describe as blank moments which is a bit scary and frustrating. I also gained 65 lbs the first year which has its own side effects! However, it controlled my pain, a feeling similar to having overall body pain like when having the flu. Because the 'memory loss' was bothering me, I asked the doctor to go off it. I began tapering off and the pain came back. I was left to choose between two evils; disabling pain, or being fat and forgetful. I went back on Lyrica. Sure the side effects suck. I write a lot of things down, set reminder alarms, have family remind me of stuff, and buy stylish big-size clothes. Life goes on!"

• Vas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "On Lyrica, you will have trouble finding words, memory problems, energy boosts, anger. Who knows in the long term what happens, but I guess I will lose all my memory. But it is a very good and effective drug but has a crazy fast tolerance, so you constantly need to adjust it in order to get the kick. If I forgot to write something else, it's probably because of Lyrica."

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

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "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."

• Cub...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 16, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started taking pregabalin for post-surgical nerve pain. But I noticed right away that it almost eliminated my anxiety, social anxiety, and depression. I take 150mg three times a day and have almost no anxiety issues anymore. There is a downside, though, it makes me feel like I lost 30 IQ points while on it. Memory takes a big hit as well. It slows down cognitive abilities a little bit. Withdrawal from Lyrica after stopping cold turkey a few times, due to insurance issues, is horrible. I like Lyrica, and I think it's a good trade-off for not being miserable every day with anxiety."

• Pix...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2020

For Pain "I had hip joint pain (undiagnosed at the time). This drug, pregabalin, ruined my life. I gained a massive amount of weight, suffered extreme aphasia, shaking, memory loss, and more. It works at the start because it makes you high (precisely the reason they were allegedly using it to replace opioids). The withdrawal was the worst thing I ever experienced. I hallucinated, had depersonalization, derealization, restless limbs, insomnia-and it lasted for months. I now have severe chronic facial pain that started when I stopped Lyrica. Note that no scientific studies have been done on withdrawal and long-term effects. Even today, specialists dismiss the idea that it is addictive. Studies have shown that it’s no more effective than a placebo. Please join the Facebook group called Lyrica Survivors for support. I have had my comment refused because science is “generalizing.”"

• Rus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I've been on Lyrica for 4 years for nerve pain down my right arm due to nerve impingement at C7/T1. I'm one of those lucky people with minimal side effects. Can get a little forgetful (use phone calendar reminders), and hard to get up in the morning initially, but otherwise no issues. Also helped keep the migraines under control due to cervical headaches triggering a migraine. Was bed bound 4 out of 7 days. Now one migraine a month."

• mam...
• September 1, 2015

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was having terrible pain with sciatica. At times, I was in so much pain just walking in a shopping centre I just had to stop. Also, driving the car, my leg was in so much pain I had to lift it up with my hand to ease the pain. No medication I had taken stopped the pain, which was unbearable, and I couldn't sleep at night. My doctor prescribed Lyrica, and at first, I did not like it because it made my feet puffy, however, I went back on it with the prescribed dose of 150mg twice a day. Now I have to try to recall the pain because I have no sciatic pain at all with this drug. It also had the side effect of making me a bit 'dreamy,' which I rather like, but I do forget names and things I am saying, which I do not like. Can't have it all though!"

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2013

Pregabalin for Postherpetic Neuralgia "I had shingles for two and a half weeks, then experienced severe nerve pain after the sores began to heal. My doctor originally prescribed Vicodin, then switched me to Lyrica in anticipation of my return to work. Lyrica was very effective at reducing the severity of the pain, but it caused me to be very drowsy. I slept for 14 hours a night, and had difficulty concentrating during the day. I would also have trouble remembering things I had done while taking Lyrica. I had to discontinue using it."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I had a spinal surgery fusion and now have a large rod in my spine with screws, etc. I was reluctant due to the negative side effects I had been told about. But I decided to give it a chance and tried it for myself. I had pain relief for the first two days (which could have been a coincidence). Then my back pain has been severe since starting it two weeks ago. I realized that Lyrica is making me severely constipated, and if I am constipated, that flares my back pain up (lower back pain). I have also experienced short-term memory loss, I crashed my car because I was vacant. I can’t remember what I did 30 seconds ago, and I’ve been making mistakes at work. I’m sure this medicine works wonders for some people, but I don’t think I can take it. Very disappointing, as I thought it might be the answer."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2016

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with FM 3 years ago. Tried gabapentin, Cymbalta, muscle relaxers, and opiates. Doc finally had me give me Lyrica (after I had to try everything else first). At first, it worked. I did feel 'high,' but that slowly went away. After approx. 2 weeks of 75mg a day, I had horrible side effects... feeling depressed, like people were talking about me or didn't like me, had no memory, or wasn't able to concentrate, but what finally got me to stop was I had thoughts of driving my car off of a hill that I drive down daily. I may suffer from pain so intensely that I cry all the time, can't leave my home at times, or feel blue because of it, but I had never thought of taking my own life. I stopped immediately despite my doc's orders."

• Plu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "This medicine, Lyrica, helped with severe hip pain immediately. However, I couldn’t increase the dosage because of side effects of flu-like symptoms and green pus sinus drainage. Slowly turning into sinus pain and severe pressure. My legs swelled up like balloons and gained over 10 lbs in 1 month. My body was retaining water even though I was taking a water pill. I started to forget my English. Insomnia, depression, severe mood swings, weird headaches, it felt like parts of my brain were missing. Major mid-back pain. Felt like a senile person. Stopped taking medication. In 4 days, my swollen body is back to normal. No mid-back pain, mind cleared. Some balance troubles. Insomnia. Sinuses almost normal. Memory better, no unpleasant headaches or mood swings. But very bad heartburn at night."

• Jay...
• June 20, 2015

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Lyrica works. Unfortunately, I am on the verge of discontinuing use because of significant side effects. The most troubling for me are the eye disorders (conjunctivitis and blurred vision), and the dementia. I am 53 years old and I have trouble remembering elementary words! It's very embarrassing. I also have a significant taste disorder... many things taste like 'burnt garlic' to me... that's the best way I can describe it. Finally, I have facial bloating, weight gain, and dizziness. I have been on the maximum dose of Lyrica for chronic pain due to degenerative disc disease in my neck. I was willing to endure the weight and dizziness, but the eye, memory and taste problems are intolerable. Too bad, because Lyrica really helps pain."

• Jay...
• June 20, 2015

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Lyrica works. Unfortunately, I am on the verge of discontinuing use because of significant side effects. The most troubling for me are the eye disorders (conjunctivitis and blurred vision), and the dementia. I am 53 years old and I have trouble remembering elementary words! It's very embarrassing. I also have a significant taste disorder... many things taste like 'burnt garlic' to me... that's the best way I can describe it. Finally, I have facial bloating, weight gain, and dizziness. I have been on the maximum dose of Lyrica for chronic pain due to degenerative disc disease in my neck. I was willing to endure the weight and dizziness, but the eye, memory and taste problems are intolerable. Too bad, because Lyrica really helps pain."

• Kat...
• April 11, 2017

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I have had chronic pain from spinal stenosis for over 25 years: neck, shoulders, and lower back. I was on Lyrica 150 mg twice a day a couple of years ago, and truthfully, I cannot remember why I stopped taking it. Since the 'war on pain meds,' my doctor asked me to try it again. I took it for 2 weeks, then I started getting blurred vision, confusion, memory loss, and I would be standing in a store, and twice my husband had to catch me because I was just falling over. I felt sick inside, instead of my quality of life improving, it went downhill. I will never take this so-called medication again. I will live with the 10 to 15 pain level somehow if I have to spend the rest of my life just sitting still or in bed. I also got to the point where I was severely depressed. Do NOT take this drug."

• Pho...
• July 23, 2015

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "Pain reduction with memory loss. I've been on Lyrica 4 years and take 450 mg a day for fibromyalgia, migraines, and nerve damage. Also on Fentanyl pain patch, Norco, and Flexeril daily for herniated discs C3-C7, T3, L1. Lyrica significantly improves my pain and migraine recurrence; however, it is likely the cause of memory loss and slower thought process. I teach high school and college courses, am the parent of five young adults, and am the sole breadwinner and insurance provider. I intend to reduce my Lyrica and pray I can manage increased pain better than memory loss or dementia, two common side effects of Lyrica. Female, 53 years. Check Pfizer patient assistance programs on the web to defray costs. I got free Lyrica when needed. No weight gain."

• bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2025

For Migraine Prevention "I had not even considered taking pregabalin for migraine prophylaxis until I had a different GP than my usual GP suggest it, and I am so glad I tried it. I started it 40 days ago, and I haven't had a migraine since commencing it. I am on 25 mg twice a day, so a very low dose. I was previously having 1-2 migraines a week, each lasting 2-3 days and 8/10 searing pain that left me incapacitated. I had previously tried beta blockers, calcium channel blocker (verapamil), antidepressants, pizotifen, triptans, opioids, steroids, NSAIDs... the list goes on. Prior to pregabalin, I was using daily aspirin with good success, however, I developed an allergy to it and had to cease use. My main side effects have been some short-term memory issues and brain fog, and some tiredness. No weight gain for me."

• Dja...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 12, 2017

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I've had 6 spine surgeries in 5 years. I suffer from neuropathy and nerve pain to severe levels. With this new trend, by an insensitive Congress, to take away opioids, I couldn't imagine being without Lyrica. The only side effect is memory loss, only short-term memory. I don't mind. If you suffered my pain, you wouldn't either. I've never felt high and taken it for 5 years. 75 mg x 3 daily. I'm grateful for it. I would suffer so bad without it."

• Dja...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 12, 2017

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I've had 6 spine surgeries in 5 years. I suffer from neuropathy and nerve pain to severe levels. With this new trend, by an insensitive Congress, to take away opioids, I couldn't imagine being without Lyrica. The only side effect is memory loss, only short-term memory. I don't mind. If you suffered my pain, you wouldn't either. I've never felt high and taken it for 5 years. 75 mg x 3 daily. I'm grateful for it. I would suffer so bad without it."

• Out...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2016

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "My heart goes out to anyone who has the kind of pain that necessitates taking this drug, and if it has helped you, I am glad to hear that. It did nothing for me except give me insomnia, make me forgetful, and increase my neuropathy pain and burning. I already have difficulty sleeping because of neuropathy and L5 compression agony. This pill made it worse. I took 50 mg at bedtime for about a week. The doctor said it takes a while to get into the system. I'm not waiting that long. It's not working, I don't like it, and I don't trust it."

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

Pregabalin 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."

• Ric...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 2, 2022

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Terrible, this med. Caused 20 different things to me, including shaking hands, impotence, bad balance, forgetfulness, memory loss, dizziness, weight gain, bad eyesight, among other things. When I was trying to get off of it, I had real bad anxiety. As far as I’m concerned, it is poison. I was on it for 8 months but didn’t realize that it was causing all of these problems until I got off of it, and all of the problems went away. I actually thought that I was getting to the end of my life."

• Ric...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 2, 2022

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Terrible, this med. Caused 20 different things to me, including shaking hands, impotence, bad balance, forgetfulness, memory loss, dizziness, weight gain, bad eyesight, among other things. When I was trying to get off of it, I had real bad anxiety. As far as I’m concerned, it is poison. I was on it for 8 months but didn’t realize that it was causing all of these problems until I got off of it, and all of the problems went away. I actually thought that I was getting to the end of my life."

• Lou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 25, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "I suffer from trigeminal neuralgia. I suffer from electric shock-like pains in my face that can last up to 2 hours. I was prescribed Lyrica 75 mg twice a day. Did not work. The doctor then increased it to 150 mg, then 300 mg twice a day. I hate the side effects of feeling tired and forgetful, but the medication has helped me up until recently. The pain has returned with a vengeance, and I'm on the maximum dosage already. Nothing helps now."

• LWS...
• April 27, 2017

Pregabalin 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."