Linda, thank you so much for sharing your story of what you went through & also how Lyrica was the reason for so many problems! I think I'm going to forward your reply to my Mom. She needs to read this. I really appreciate you saying there's hope for my Mother. But, right now, I believe she's blindly walking straight into a hornet's nest. And, I can't even stop her! She has a mind of her own. She's a very strong, independent woman who thoroughly believes she's the Mother & I'm the daughter; that I really shouldn't be telling her how to conduct her business. So, I have to bite my tongue most of the time. She, of course, deserves the respect so I don't force any of what I've been hearing about Lyrica on her. When the time is right I open my mouth, but carefully. I thank you, too, for all the info about capsicum cream, Dynafreeze & Superior Source B-12. I told Mom recently she may be deficient in B-12, she had the symptoms, so she got a B-12 shot. She doesn't want regular B-12 shots though. I had suggested to her the use of sublingual B-12 but she didn't go for it. She doesn't want to put something under her tongue for some reason. And, it's no big deal. I told her the pills are very small & they melt very quickly. Still, she doesn't want to take it. As we age we don't absorb B-12 from food as easily so it makes sense to supplement. I've really tried to help her with the info I have. Unfortunately, I think she's going to have to suffer some more before she takes the bull by the horns. She doesn't know what she's in for. And, it hurts me so much that my hands are tied.
Linda, it was great to read your tooth pain is almost completely gone & only a couple seconds of pain a month. Any pain is terrible, but I'm glad it passes quickly. And, it was great to read the trigeminal pain will definitely, finally go away within 3-5 years. And, the fact that you're not on any meds now is great news! Thank you for sharing your good news with me. But, what you went through was really unbelievable to me. And, the fact that you can't even sue is horrible. There should be at least 1 dentist who could testify on your behalf! And, I can't understand why the first dentist couldn't tell you had an infection. And, then, the endontist doing 4 root canals & not seeing the infection is absolutely unbelievable! Just the fact that your nerve was nicked & damaged is proof that you have reason to sue & should be able to get a dentist to testify on your behalf. Also, the fact you didn't have any pain before dental work. And, the findings of the Oregon neurosurgeon is another reason why you should be able to get a dentist to testify for you. You did say you tried to sue but the lawyer wouldn't take your case. I hope you can find a lawyer who will. I really believe there's hope for you to sue. And, I can't believe you were soaked for $7,000 even after Federal Blue Cross paid. I'm really sorry. You've GOT to be able to sue! I really hope & believe you'll find the right attorney.
It was great to read you have a sister who's there for you. I believe her that you almost didn't make it with what you've been through. Your family & friends really suffered along with you. I can't believe your internist for 20 years wouldn't take you off Lyrica even when you begged him! What a blessing it must have been to find the 2nd neurologist who finally took you off it. But, I'm very sorry you had horrific withdrawals. So many doctors & so many tests while having horrific & traumatic withdrawals--even while taking Tripetal! What a relief when you found acupuncture helped!
Thank you, again, Linda for sharing the horror you've been through. I look forward to seeing that test by the Oregon neurosurgeon you said you would send. If my Mom doesn't get off Lyrica I know she's in for trouble. You've made it clear that Lyrica is very dangerous and I believe you entirely. You may have spared my Mom a horrific future with this drug by writing about your experience. I pray she receives the truth you've stated. Much peace & many blessings to you.
Linda said:
There is hope for your mother. I had a crown on a painless chip tooth which started the problem with a new dentist. Pain continues after permanent crown for two months. I asked for an antibiotic and dentist said no just Aleeve. Actually I had an infection the whole time and nerve was nicked or damaged. . After the first of 4 root canals by a unhonest edontist, pain was excruciating and continued. I went on Lyrica which is the biggest money maker drug right now.
I did not research it. I had to take it once I got to work because I could not drive on it. The good new is that my tooth pain is almostly completely gone.
I got several diagnosis - trigeminal neuralgia type 2, left dental pain, atypical face pain, and trigeminal neuropathic pain. My new doctor- neurosurgeon at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Suni Patel told me that it takes a long time for the dental nerve to heal anywhere from 3 to 5 years,
but the pain in my case will go away. I only have a few seconds of pain a couple times a month now. My nerve healed a little over 2 years from injury. He said the nerve was nicked. I do not take any meds now. I wish my old internist would have told me about capsicum creame which you can buy over the counter. Last summer when I went through withdrawal, I used this cream and it really works- applied above lip. Use gloves to apply or soap so you don't transfer it to your eyes.
Also, I use Dynafreeze from Footsmart.com which a lot stronger than Biofreeze. She should have her B-12 level check - I took Superior Source B-12 5,000mcg under the tongue which is equal to B-12 shot. This help the nerve to heal. You can get a Rx for a stronger capsicum cream.
On Lyrica my vision got very blurred and have to get new glasses every 6 months. Ever since being on that drugs I have had severed dry eyes which I am still dealing with. The blurred vision had clear. During the withdrawal I got vitreous detachment of one eye. Family and coworker told me that I was so out of it on that drug and not myself. My sister saw and helped me this past year. She said she did not think I was going to make it, she worried a lot about me. She said she will now research every pill before she puts in her mouth. I did not research until I started withdrawal. I am furious with my old doctor. If he had only told me about the cream, I would have not gone through this ordeal for 2 years. Or he could have tried a less potent drug.
In my case I did not have any tooth pain prior to dental work. Some people have dental pain first then have dental work. I will send you later a test by neurosurgeon in Oregon which can assist you by your symptoms. His test said I had trigeminal neuropathic pain which is injury to nerve like my mine from crown infection 2 months untreated, and unecessay root canal. I tried to sue but no lawyer would take the case because it is hard to prove unless you can find a dentist to testify in your behalf - which is almost impossible. I spent over $7,000 out of pocket after federal blue cross paid for treatment the last 2 year.
My internist for the past 20 years put me on this drug, and refused to take me off even though I called and begged him four times. So I went to the second neurologist I saw during that year, and he agree to take me off.
Accupunture actually help a lot and insurance will pay for some treatment.
I was put on Trileptal the same week I withdrew from Lyrica and almost had a seizure because there was not enough Trileptal in my systems. I would advised a slow withdrawal. Doctors go by what the drug company tell them - a minimum of one week for Lyrica and you must temporary take another antiseizure med so you don't have a seizure. Then you withdraw from that short-term drug. This is what my neurologist did. He used Trileptal for 2 months. However, even on this I still had a traumatic and horrific withdrawal from Lycrica. Many trips to ER, I saw a new internist, new cardiologist, urologist, dermatologist., new dentist, new neurologist, eye doctor, and neurosurgeon last sumner. I had MRI (2), ultrasound of kidneys, cystoscopy,
nerve conduction test, numerous eye exams, biospy of skin due to 2 different rashes during withdrawal, nuclear medicine scan of my heart, and a lot of blood work. Now I am in good health except the burning skin sensation. These problems were caused by Lyrica treatment and withdrawal. Trileptal did not help these symptoms I was suffering from Lyrica withdrawal.