My doctor is talking about trying Lyrica as an alternative to Tegretol to try and reduce my side effects. Has anyone used it and was it successful? I don’t want to go from bad to worse?
I use use Lyrica due to inability to use the other other medications. It’s main liver and kidney issues but a few have also given allergic reactions. To give you the short answer yes the Lyrica does help. Most likely not the best to answer right now as my pain is very much out of control. So I really hope so others will answer this too.
Lyrica seems to have a hit or miss as most medications on controlling the pain. I have also been told and read Lyrica seems to work best if taken with another medication. Yes Lyrica does have lower side effects but that is not to say there is none. One draw back is this medication is extermly pricey and some insurance companies will not cover it. I pay half for mine and this last month was over two hundred bucks. So think carefully before deciding to switch. Have you’ve given your self time to adjust to the current medication, can you afford Lyrica will insurance cover it, is there another medication you can try, did you taper up slowly to your current dosage?
If I was able to yes I would use another medication just because the cost is much and my current insurance plan does not like Lyrica (it’s always fun to get into a fight with your insurance company over the phone each time you pick up your prescribtions). Right now I can not answer on how well the drug is controlling the pain as I’m in a really bad place with pain control for my tn right now.
I know this was not too helpful but I hope it gave you something to think on at lest.
It made me like I felt drunk at work…had to leave my job because of this and stop working…
I wrote up on here…a big list …in over 2 years …compiled what people worked for their pain. Let me know if you would like me to post that for you,
There is the top 4… Then there are others, combos, topical meds, etc… Trial and trial!
I was put on Lyrica when other meds 'stopped' working. It worked well for me to start with then not so good. I had second MVD so came off Lyrica but very slowly as had very bad side effects from that inc. depression, panic attacks, etc. I am now on them again as pain has come back but even with amitripyline not working too good. I find the worse side effects of being on this medication to be forgetfullness and not being able to remember how to spell things!!!
I think it is all trial and error to find meds that help you. Good luck and I hope you feel painfree soon.
Thanks everyone. Certainly some information I can work with. I don't think I'm ready to trade where I am for Lyrica just yet. But I know it may be an option. Warm regards all. Sandy
After a MVD in 2010, my pain did not change. I was increasing my dosage of Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) and I was looking for something better. My Neurologist gave me some Lyrica samples and I was able to cut my dosage of Trileptal 50%. My insurance wouldn't cover Lyrica, and it would cost me $456 for 150 tabs ($12/day). After a couple weeks, the Lyrica was not helping as much and my Neurologist prescribed Dilantin in its place.
Dilantin and Trileptal are still the mix that works best for me when I have pain. I'm pain free and med free, as long as I watch my diet. I have to avoid processed sugar in any form, or my pain returns. Trileptal, Neurontin and Lyrical are all Sodium blockers: side effects - drowsy, dizzy, dbl-vision, balance. Dilantin is a Gama-agonists: side effects - require blood tests, liver damage.
Everyone is different, and hopefully, your Neurologist will work with you to find relief.
My mom uses Lyrica with Tegratol. Lyrica at first made her dizzy and loopy, but it helps subside her pain. It's expensive if insurance won't pay for it. Kaiser does not like to prescribe it, due to it's costliness. When my mom was solely on Teg, she had major pain & spikes over 45 seconds, introducing Teg with Lyrical has helped her - now she can go for like 2-4 days without any spikes (of course the dragon always lets her know he's there-shes never gone 1 day without her electrocution tingles). We're noticing when she messes up her dosages, she experiences spikes the next day or two (her spikes don't really go more than 30 seconds or so, she suspects anyway, she's not completely certain on timing on her spikes). She doesn't feel the dizziness as much as when she first started taking it. We're pretty new to TN, so we're monitoring everything, and keeping records of everything.