I started taking 2 100 mg of Lyrica (formerly just taking 1 pill at dinnertime) on Thurs. I am experiencing severe dizzy spells about 2 hours after taking the pill. I am taking one at lunchtime and one at dinner time now. The dizzy spells are really knocking me for a loop. Really glad I am not driving when one hits. However, I have to go back to work on Monday, so I'm afraid to take the lunchtime one on Monday. Anyone else have this problem with Lyrica? Will this side effect go away as I build it in my system?
Speaking only for myself, I can tell u that the side effects of Lyrica will go away, as did the side effects of Tegretol for me. That is to say, the most annoying side effects. I still have some equilibrium problems at times but nothing that serious. I can generally tell if I have too much in my blood stream that causes double vision so then I will cut back.
After a long time on regular Tylenol, I changed to Tylenol XR (extended release) & the Lyrica was added. When my dr asked if it helped I could only answer with "That's the million dollar question" & he agreed. It's so hard to tell if the pain is just at a lower level on its' own or, if indeed, it was the medicine. Since the cost was so high he advised me to just quit taking it. Soon after stopping it, it did get worse. I tested this twice so I know now it does help me. I control the amount I take which is anywhere from 150 mg up to 450 mg per da.
Sandra, I was getting the dizzy spells on only 150mg per day!! They did subside a little, but started again yesterday when I went back to taking 2 - 75mg, one at lunch and 1 at dinner. I am just so darn sensitive to pill side effects. I decided not to take the lunchtime dose on the days that I work as I am having a hard enough time figuring out complicated accounting entries now anyway. I keep telling my boss that I cannot do the same kind of work that I used to and that I am willing to take a cut in pay and be in a lessor position. He won't listen and just insists that I do my job. The stress really flares my pain level and I can hardly function by the time I get home from work. Sorry, didn't mean to go on and on about my job. Sometimes you just have to vent.
Hi, D McGinnis — I've tried the full gamut of anti seizure meds once Tegretol began to cause a yellowing in my skin. Neurontin is the only med I can take that will allow me to continue working part time from home doing high-end graphic design work. Lyrica gave my eyesight a run for its money and it scared me into discontinuing the med. For some people this is a wonder drug, for me it is not.
My boss (or client, I should say) also still expects the high level of design I've done in the past and will not accept me "missing things" as is common during pain attacks. I found a way to step back to part time and have soft deadlines and it works for the both of us. I really don't think others understand what a monster we deal with and how meds for the nerves = to meds that effect our brains! It is so frustrating. Now when he says something about a missed item, I say to myself that he just doesn't know what he doesn't know.
Take care!
LyndaS
Lynda - what a great attitude toward your boss! I will try saying that same line to myself too. I tried neurontin for about a month, but I think I increased it too fast and ended up in a severe depression, so stopped the pills. That is when I went on the Lyrica. However, I am thinking of discussing with my next doc, a retry of the neurontin at the lowest dose and staying on the Lyrica at the same time. Guess, I am getting desperate for pain relief. Lyrica worked at first - or so I thought - but then the pain has been building for over 2 weeks now. Like I said, it is so much worse on the days that I work. I put in 10 hour days and my boss tries to keep me late too on the days that I do work. Then, he also calls me on the days that I am off. He really just doesn't get it. He has a benign brain tumor (has had it for 7 years) and his meds make him very erratic and aggressive sometimes. I try to feel sorry for him, but I'm a little self centered right now with this pain.
Also forgot to mention that the Lyrica is messing with my eyesight too!! Hate the double vision. However, my ATN has moved into my eye area also, causing alot of tearing, burning, aching, so feel the eyesight thing is minor compared to the ATN eye stuff.
Oh, D, you are in a tight spot and my heart goes out to you! I'd be self centered too with TN pain getting bigger and bigger! The number one rule w/ TN is pain control. It must be sought after with due diligence and persistence, because our lives depend on this pain being controlled. Don't give up. It takes a while to hit your "sweet spot." And even then it comes with a boatload of side effects…but you get to choose which side effects you can handle, or not.
When TN happened to me, I started on 2 meds. They did not do the trick, so in came #3 med. Now I utilize up to 7 meds for this pain and rotate a few of them. Neurontin and Tramodol are the main stay. But with Neurontin if I take more than 1200 p/day my joints swell and I can hardly walk without hip pain. There is a sweet spot for you though and if you journal what med does what when you take it, this will help you and your doc to move you onto the next step in pain control. I will say that with all of the meds I utilize, if I did not exercise on my elliptical at home and have camomile and sleepy time tea a few times a day, I would not have adequate pain control during the end of my cycle (when the nerve gets worse!). Also, having botox to my scalp has been a help in keeping the pain under wrap, but it's very temporary. The botox is used for migraine, so it's a lot of injections in a crown disbursement and hurts like hell! You know it's bad when strong pain meds don't stave off the injection pain! But this too, is temporary. You will be in my daily prayers (TN has brought me more time to pray!). Keep me posted of your progress, okay?
Sincerely,
LyndaS
Hi, I'm to on Lyrica and I do suffer from dizzy spells.I'm unable to drive at all at the moment due to dizzy spells and blurred vision etc from the meds.I am told that this will get better in time and I must admit that I am a lot better than I was. I know what you mean though that it hits you a couple of hours after taking it and it hits you like a brick.
I only take my meds twice a day so it might be worth while asking your GP if this would be possible!
Good luck with it and I hope work goes okay for you on Mon!
You guys are so great! It is so reassuring to hear that people are actually gaining control of the pain. I had not thought of keeping a journal so I could talk to the doc better about what is going on. I'm going to start one today. My problem has actually been that the doctors transfer me to someone else after just one or two visits, instead of working with me to find the right meds. Hopefully, this new doc will work with me on this problem. I saw my regular (just a PA internist) yesterday and she had no clue as to meds or TN. She actually got a bit short with me and asked if all I wanted was prescriptions. I told her "NO". I just wanted to get some blood work done to be sure that the meds that I was taking aren't having some effect on my system as a whole. I did all the blood work this morning, but think I will change primary care physicians. She had never heard of TN and acted like I was making it all up. Geez - the medical community continues to amaze me at times.
I take Tegretol and Lycia — I take (3) 100mg of Lyrica a day. My Dr. did tell me that dizzy spells were the major side effect. I'm so sorry that you are dealing with a that. I have yet to notice, but I work from home and I'm sitting most of the day. Hang in there. Lyrica has really helped with the burning pain I feel. Find a good Neurologist that knows what they are talking about and what drugs to try. Good luck to you!!!