Pregabalin and Swelling: What Users Say

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2020

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I recently had a rib resection due to a bone disease and was put onto Lyrica. The first two days in hospital, my feet swelled, and my mouth was like a desert, and I was having nightmares. After my first night at home, being on Lyrica for a total of 8 days, I will never take Lyrica again. I had the most horrific hallucinations, lost all balance, couldn't be reasoned with, and couldn't sleep for 72 hours even after stopping it, and also losing all my peripheral vision for that time. My saving grace being my husband who got me to medical help as fast as possible. It took about 1 minute of talking to an emergency doctor to know what was happening."

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

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "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."

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

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "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."

• tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 9, 2013

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I have a lot of nerve damage, pinched nerves, sciatic nerve damage, restless leg syndrome from head to toe, and nothing worked for these. The nerve damage got so bad, I spoke to my doctor about it and he prescribed Lyrica, which took care of all the nerve damage. At first, probably the first 2 months, the only side effect I had was a little swelling of my hands. Lyrica was a wonder miracle for me. The doctor had me on it for over 3 years with no problems, then my insurance refuses to pay for it now because a 30-day supply is $900. They wanted to give me Neurontin, which I am allergic to. Now all the nerve pain is back and worse. I want the Lyrica back and would recommend it to anyone."

• C B...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2014

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was only on this for 45 days with absolutely no pain for most of that time. I was prescribed the medicine by a doctor in Thailand in 2008, and it worked almost immediately. I had a bit of puffiness in the face, but no real issues. I weaned myself off over a 10-day period with no issues. Wonderful for those it works for. Spinal stenosis with laminectomy 3 years prior. Anyone with back pain should try it. Told a friend with the same problems about it for years. She is now on Lyrica and she says it has given her a new life. She says she should have asked the doctor about it 6 years ago."

• Poi...
• July 28, 2016

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I took Lyrica for 8-9 months, then around the 5th month unknowingly it was Lyrica doing all kinds of bodily function damage, feeling unwell, swelling, cramping, kidneys, liver, and bladder hurt. Then I realized I no longer want to be poisoned, so I stopped taking it and it is hellish trying to get off. Wouldn't let my dog take it! Stay away from it! It's pure poison to your body and BRAIN as well. Very low functioning! It needs to be taken off the market!"

• 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."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2014

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I too progressed from Gabapentin to Lyrica, 100 mg 3 times a day. I have chemically induced neuropathy from 6 months of chemo. My hands and feet are numb, tingling, like they are asleep. Lyrica is supposed to be an advanced form of Gabapentin, though I have seen little difference. I have increased appetite and some swelling in my hands and ankles. I continue using Lyrica because I need something for the hot shooting pain. This was the last medication prescribed for my neuropathy."

• Sun...
• October 20, 2016

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I was prescribed Lyrica 4 days ago to help with my fibromyalgia. I am to take 1 pill at bedtime for 5 days, then increase my dose to 1 in the morning as well. I've been taking it at night and experienced involuntary tremors, muscle spasms, twitching of my fingers, arms, and legs. The twitching is scary! It's involuntary, I have no control of my body when this happens. My leg started twitching, and it stuck straight up, waking me from a deep sleep! The twitching and tremors linger all day. Lyrica caused severe swelling in my feet, ankles, and legs. It's very uncomfortable. I also experienced loss of balance, dizziness, blurred vision, and ulcer sores on my tongue and in my mouth. I felt far better before taking this medicine. Needless to say, I'm no longer taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2017

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "Where to start with this drug? I refer to it as 'The Devil's drug.' It was horrible, could not function, swelling of my hands, legs, and feet. My cognitive thinking was nonexistent, voice slurred, sounded drunk. Could not function at all and could not get off this stuff fast enough. Just listen to the commercial on TV and all the side effects they throw in at the end. I would never take this again."

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

Pregabalin 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!"

• msp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2017

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Been taking Lyrica for 4 months now for carpal tunnel and neuropathy in hands and feet. It is no good. It has not stopped the pain at all, makes me so dizzy I am afraid to drive my car, legs swell like balloons, and have gained over 30 pounds in 3 months. A clinical research study was recently done in Australia on Lyrica (for Acute and Chronic Sciatica), and the findings stated it had the same effect as the research subjects getting placebos or sugar pills. The makers have racked in 3 billion dollars on it. I told my doctor it isn't working, but he still prescribes it to me, finding another doctor this week. I just got a month's supply, 90 pills 3 times a day, 150 mg at a cost of $1,111.19. Biggest drug ripoff in history."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2017

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed Lyrica for post-shoulder surgery with continuing nerve pain radiating down the arm. Lyrica caused me to gain 20 lb, slurred speech, and blurred vision. I had edema in my ankles too. Since I would only take it two times a day, I would have rebound nerve pain that encouraged me to take more Lyrica. After my doctor advised me about the weight gain, I decided to take myself off of it. It took 10 days to withdraw from the drug, but I'm glad I did. I'm a clinical pharmacist and advised all on Lyrica to be aware of all the adverse effects of this drug."

• hop...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 23, 2013

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have been taking it for about a year now, I only have one negative comment: the withdrawal is horrible. I have no pain, I sleep well, my bipolar disorder is under control. My feet do swell every so often, I think it is a very good medicine to try. I also take 200 mgs 3 times a day, the max dosage is 600 mg a day."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2016

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have been taking Lyrica for 6 weeks. The first 5 weeks I took 50 mg twice daily. Literally, at the 5-week mark, I had significant improvement. My pain was at a consistent pain level of an 8/9 before starting and now a 5/6. I would like to note I had no side effects at this dose. My doctor increased my dose to 100 mg twice daily a week ago and now I have side effects: headaches that last all day, every day, whereas before I did have chronic headaches that came and went during the day from fibro. Also, my fingers and face are very puffy to the point of being uncomfortable. And the worst part is the chronic dry mouth. I have to keep a water bottle on hand to sip on constantly! (Having a chronic dry mouth puts you at a higher risk of cavities.) And weight gain."

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

Pregabalin 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."

• ksu...
• August 2, 2009

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was 14, and I have taken a myriad of medications to help with the pain. Lyrica, although it does help with the pain, the side effects are just too much for me. I have been on it for over 2 years now, and the water retention and weight gain is great. I weaned down and stopped taking it a week ago, and have already lost 10 lbs, and the edema in my legs is gone. If I could take the Lyrica without the weight gain and water retention, I would in a heartbeat. Hopefully, something else will work well for me."

• Gma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2012

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2005, along with arthritis throughout and mixed connective tissue disease. Because of a bone marrow disorder, I have severe osteoporosis. I've been on Neurontin, morphine, and Vicodin for 7 years, and though it did help some, it didn't take away the pain from fibromyalgia. 5 weeks ago, we changed from Neurontin to Lyrica, and I had immediate relief. I'm angry that I wasted away 5 years of my life in pain that could have been alleviated had I changed meds earlier. I did put on 7 pounds in the first month and have peripheral edema, so I joined the YMCA to exercise and lose the fluid retained."

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

Pregabalin 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."

• Gsu...
• February 15, 2017

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "I didn't experience any side effects at 50 mg 2x per day. After my knee replacement surgery, I started taking 100 mg 3x per day. Almost right away I noticed vision blurriness and mental fog. After about a month, I started noticing weight gain and swelling in my ankles, legs, feet, and my hands are puffy. I have been on it 7 weeks now and have already gained 10 pounds. The swelling in my feet is nearly intolerable."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2020

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I have 2 herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and then found out I have scoliosis. On top of all of that, I've been taking pregabalin for about 6 months and have had no relief. I'm going to have to tell my doctor to increase it, and my feet are also swelling and tingly all the time. It makes it very hard to walk, sometimes I feel like I'm going to fall."

• CCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2018

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "After taking gabapentin and still feeling sore and fatigued, I began Lyrica. I have gained 20 lbs. I eat salads and go to the gym every other day. Some days, I even hit a yoga class on top of the gym. This drug causes me to have significant depression inclinations, makes me stutter my words, makes my hands shake, and caused me to gain 20 lbs in less than a month. I am 35 and have never gained weight like this. I will say that it reduces tingling in hands and feet... but also caused my hands and feet to swell. I would not recommend it unless you have no other option. The side effects did not outweigh the benefits for me."

• Puf...
• September 13, 2010

Pregabalin for Peripheral Neuropathy "It is difficult to rate this medication. I have all forms of neuropathy, very painful, and Lyrica has been the best so far at eliminating pain, allowing me to overcome the insomnia from the neuropathy and opiate medication, even at very small doses. I take 50 mg once daily before bed, and it works. The problem is the side effects, the worst being that after three days, my eyesight is so degraded that I cannot drive, I cannot read anything on the television 6 feet away, there is some eye pain, and my eyes seem dry and burning. Eye problems can be serious: wandering eye, crossed eyes, and most commonly blurred vision. It also causes peripheral edema in my legs and feet."

• Der...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2016

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Only one 75 mg dose took me out of the most severe pain from Dercum's III, a rare genetic disorder. I would still be on this medication except I had face swelling from it. I wish I wasn't one of the few to suffer from this side effect and could still be on this medication. But there are very many other people that can be helped by it, and I wish you all to be free from pain."

• blu...
• November 10, 2009

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have been dealing with fibromyalgia for many years, and my doctor was so excited when Lyrica came out, like it was going to be the cure or something; but it did not help my FMS at all. Not to mention, I had horrific fluid retention! I couldn't wear normal shoes, my hands so swollen I couldn't get my wedding ring on. The swelling lasted for a while even after I discontinued the medication."