I started taking Lyrica about 2 weeks ago, and am gradually increasing my dosage. I have noticed no changes in my pain whatsoever, as I have been in almost constant pain for the last week. The doc says “it takes time to get in your system” but I swear that I do not seem to get any relief from anything besides the tricyclic anti-depressants. (the trouble is finding one that i can tolerate that doesn’t change me into a completely different person or that I can function on at work) Has anyone else with type II had any luck with Lyrica? I just can’t see continuing to take it just so I can turn around and wean myself off of it in a few weeks b/c the doc FINALLY beleivs me. I also feel as though trying anything besides tricyclic anti depressants is almost pointless. (not to mention it is extremely exhausting going on and coming off of all of these meds that don’t even help the pain)
I have what would be labeled type 2, and lyrica did not help me much if it all.
Nothing I tried has worked, but if tricyclic’s work for you have you tired a very low dose? I felt like a zombie on Amitriptaline at the normal dose… So I started real low and went up…. And while that didn’t help me in the end I was at least able to tolerate it. I have seen some literature people have expereinced pain relief from as little as 10MG Amitriptaline
I also have type II TN or perhaps neuropathy. Lyrica works for me most of the time (I don't get 100% relief but the pain is very tolerable). When I added antidepressants, I stareted feeling even better. I was switched to Lyrica from Neurontin, which I suspect was making my pain worse, and I could tell the difference pretty quickly - within a day or two of the change to be honest! Everyone's body is different but my uneducated guess is that with Lyrica two weeks is enough time to be to tell if the drug is doing something or not. Hope this helps.
Lyrica only helped me with the lightning strikes, as for the ATN pain it did nothing at all. I finally had a glycerine rhizotomy and that stopped the lightning strikes, then I switched off Lyrica to Celexia for depression (but used it for pain)
and that worked on the getting rid of the ear and tooth pain. When I did have tooth pain I took my migraine pills (narcotics) and that did the trick, except I was exhausted all the time from the narcotics
Thanks for taking the time to reply, ya’ll. Much appreciated. Joe, I do take about 75 mg of Disepramine every night at bedtime, because that is the only time of day and dosage that I can tolerate of it. If it weren’t for that med, I would be in much, much more pain. Disepramine was a substitute for Nortryptiline, as it left a horrible, untolerable taste in my mouth. I was hysterical prior to finding either of these two meds, and on the verge of being fired from my job b/c of my inabiliity to focus due to the pain. (I had been training at a new job) Dispramine seems to decrease the frequency of what used to be almost constance dull pain.
I think we’re right, Oldriska. It just seems like SOME sort of change would have happened at this point. I’m calling my neurologist momentarily to talk to them about how they would like for me to proceed with coming off of it.
Crashgirl, lightning strikes are precisely what I have not seen any change in. I do have the lightnint strikes a narcotic med is all that will touch it. And I am soooo sooo tired of feeling tired AND i’ve noticed that I am irritable after they wear off.
Again, thank you all for responding. I hope that this finds you all having a virtually pain free day. It’s a fairly mild pain day around my way.
Thats crap, they need to do something else...are they expecting you to be in pain for weeks?? Oh wait , who am I kidding, I have a doctor that did just that to me last week.....
When I went to Dr. Lim at Hopkins he stated that you should get some relief right off the bat with the anti-seizure drugs. I was only on 50 mg twice a day and I got some relief. I couldnt take it for long though because I was so dizzy on it....I have terrible reactions to most meds.
I think you should have seen some difference in the lightning strikes. but I am not surprised that you havent seen a change with the ATN, I didnt either.
It just sucks that there are so few neurologists or Doctors out there that actually help with this.
I guess they are, since I’ve been in pain for years? lol (no biggie, right?) Sometimes I think they think it’s no big deal b/c i don’t throw a big enough fit. I am not one to “freak out” on them, and I somehow manage to stay calm most of the time, regardless. (there have been a few occasions where this wasn’t the case though…in the very beginning before I found any relief, and once when they had me on time release Gralise b/c I fell into a very deep and scary depression) I have only been up to 50 mg.of Lyrica 3 times a day for about 3 days now, so maybe I’ll see more change with the lightnint strikes soon. I wish all of these doctors had to take all of these different meds before prescribing them sometimes. While I know that they are just doing their job the best they can, it still seems that they (like everyone else) have no idea how difficult it is to be on a psychological/physical rollercoaster all the time going from one med to the other. I’ve debated on going to other doctors that I have seen suggested in my area on this website. Perhaps I will…I’ve yet to decide. It sounds like, on here, that many docs are about the same as mine as far as having any answers. It’s all a guessing game it seems.
It is a guessing game , but the doctors listed here are most likely to understand the disorder. It was a neurosurgeon on here that gave me my life back, so I am more prone to seek out like thinking Doctors.
I have an issue now with my neck and back that were aggravated by the surgery, the doctors in my area think I have MS, which is crap, because my MRI showed nothing, so long story short..I got a referral for a neurologist from my Neurosurgeon , I live in Delaware and my Neurosurgeon is in NY, but he found me someone in Baltimore...its worth the drive to me to go to someone who understands what we have been through instead of someone who doesnt have a clue and is just throwing darts at the issue and hoping one hits the mark
Wendy
Ash said:
:) I guess they are, since I've been in pain for years? lol (no biggie, right?) Sometimes I think they think it's no big deal b/c i don't throw a big enough fit. I am not one to "freak out" on them, and I somehow manage to stay calm most of the time, regardless. (there have been a few occasions where this wasn't the case though...in the very beginning before I found any relief, and once when they had me on time release Gralise b/c I fell into a very deep and scary depression) I have only been up to 50 mg.of Lyrica 3 times a day for about 3 days now, so maybe I'll see more change with the lightnint strikes soon. I wish all of these doctors had to take all of these different meds before prescribing them sometimes. While I know that they are just doing their job the best they can, it still seems that they (like everyone else) have no idea how difficult it is to be on a psychological/physical rollercoaster all the time going from one med to the other. I've debated on going to other doctors that I have seen suggested in my area on this website. Perhaps I will...I've yet to decide. It sounds like, on here, that many docs are about the same as mine as far as having any answers. It's all a guessing game it seems.
Trileptal curbs my pain I tried Lyrica for along with the trileptal but it was too much. Lyrica made me foggy and weak, but it works. I have pain thru-out my body which I beleive is psychosomatic. I take 600 mg of trileptal three times a day. I have very few triggers.
Crashgirl, this may sound cheesy but your story is inspiring. Going into the new year I believe I will try an alternate route. I want my life back. Period.
Candy, I’ve heard a few folks say that Lyrica made them feel that way. It has yet to really give me too much of that sort of feeling. I feel a wee bit foggy, though, so I suppose we’ll see if I can tolerate it as the dosage increases. I’ve also heard trileptal mentioned quite a few times on this site. I’ll look in to it. Thanks!
It's been years since I tried Lyrica, I vagely remember not liking it for some reason and only a little relief in pain when combined with other meds. Gabapentin and Klonopin (clonazapam) seem the best so far for me, but in the winter when I have to increase my dose of Gabpentin (Neurontin) It makes it really hard to function, memory loss and unclear thinking. Kelly
The last couple of years had been the worst for TN1, TN2 and Fibromyalgia. Now I take Trileptal and Lyrica with good success. I don't feel dopey or drugged but I do really stupid stuff. Most of time it is funny but others it is really frustrating. I personally have to trade the crazy stuff for the pain for a while and plan to start reducing meds if I can go 30 days without face pain (per the Drs recommendation). This plan has worked before and hopefully it will again. The face pain and the Fibro are much better so I don't know if it is one or the other or the combination that works for the pain.
I so hope you find relief soon! It was the information posted on this site and reading the experiences of others that enabled me to advocate for myself with Drs!
Not at all cheesy, I appreciate what you said...if I can make one person on here feel better then its worth it!
Keep at it, dont give up, and if a doctor seems "off" then get out. I called the doctor back on friday that keeps saying I have MS and basically gave him the thanks but no thanks speech. I dont want to burn bridges, but I also dont want someone to screw me up.
Wendy
Ash said:
Crashgirl, this may sound cheesy but your story is inspiring. Going into the new year I believe I will try an alternate route. I want my life back. Period.
Candy, I've heard a few folks say that Lyrica made them feel that way. It has yet to really give me too much of that sort of feeling. I feel a wee bit foggy, though, so I suppose we'll see if I can tolerate it as the dosage increases. I've also heard trileptal mentioned quite a few times on this site. I'll look in to it. Thanks!
I guess they are, since I’ve been in pain for years? lol (no biggie, right?) Sometimes I think they think it’s no big deal b/c i don’t throw a big enough fit. I am not one to “freak out” on them, and I somehow manage to stay calm most of the time, regardless. (there have been a few occasions where this wasn’t the case though…in the very beginning before I found any relief, and once when they had me on time release Gralise b/c I fell into a very deep and scary depression) I have only been up to 50 mg.of Lyrica 3 times a day for about 3 days now, so maybe I’ll see more change with the lightnint strikes soon. I wish all of these doctors had to take all of these different meds before prescribing them sometimes. While I know that they are just doing their job the best they can, it still seems that they (like everyone else) have no idea how difficult it is to be on a psychological/physical rollercoaster all the time going from one med to the other. I’ve debated on going to other doctors that I have seen suggested in my area on this website. Perhaps I will…I’ve yet to decide. It sounds like, on here, that many docs are about the same as mine as far as having any answers. It’s all a guessing game it seems.