I know people have talked about it before, but I can't remember what was said. Is anyone on this and what can you tell me about it? I was told it's non-narcotic, but I'd like to know all I can.
I've been on it for over a year and it's worked wonders for me. It is an antineuropathic, in other words it specifically targets nerve pain. It was originally developed for neuropathy in diabetics, but the use has been expanded to other types of nerve pain.
As for how it works, according to the Lyrica website, it "works by reducing the number of “extra” electrical signals that are sent out from damaged nerves in your body. By calming the extra electrical signals in your nerves, LYRICA can help you become more comfortable. That’s why LYRICA is able to give many people relief."
When I tried to increase the dose too quickly, I found it made me tired and spacey. But slowly increasing it did the trick, and it has made a huge difference.
There is no generic and it is expensive, so it may be worthwhile to check if your insurance covers it and what your co-pay would be.
I also use Lyrica for PN in my feet. They were burning all of the time and I have had success taking Lyrica and like Innerglow I had to start at 25mg and work up. I am now at 75mg.I used it for a month for two than switched to gabapentin because of the cost. I did not find that it really helped much and made me feel ill however, I have heard of it helping a lot of people. Do they think you have neuropathy? No, I'm just researching some things so I can be prepared when I go see my doctor. I'm really starting to feel good with the MTX and Humira, my energy levels are really up. I still have pain, it's not excrutiating anymore, but I would like to see what options I have that are non-narcotic. I'm scared to death of those, and I'm allergic to hydrocodone.If you're looking for a general pain-killer, as opposed to something for nerve pain, you could try Tramadol/Ultracet. It's considered less addictive than hydrocodone and it works pretty well.Thanks, I'm going to look into that. I appreciate all the help guys, thanks a lot!I take Lyrica also for some nerve damage in one leg caused by some surgery years ago. It make a huge difference for me.
I kind of doubt your doctor would prescribe it though for general pain. I take Tramadol and muscle relaxers for pain and they help a lot. If you haven't already tried these options you might want to ask about them.
Good Luck.
Well, in all honesty, I really would rather not take anything. Between the Humira, MTX, Zyrtec, birth control, blah blah blah, I'd rather not have something extra to pay for and take. But if I did (I take advil 2 or 3 times a day right now), I'd rather it be something to take here and there when it's bad, than something I have to take every day and build it up in my system.Lyrica is something you have to take daily.....and when you don't; you know it! (At least that's been my experience)
Tramodal & Flexiril are both medications I take as needed. Some people take Tramodal around the clock to head off the pain; but I don't do that. I work in a job where I need to have my wits about me and when I'm on these medications I am not comfortable working or even driving for that matter. I also think these work better for me because I don't take too much of them. I think once you get too use to anything it won't work as well.
I too take a great deal of Advil/IUB during the daytime hours. I've been fortunate enough that this does help me through most days.