Lyrica

carkris
carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
My neurologist wants me to try lyrica. I have neuropathy, it is similar to neurontin which I did not tolerate. wonder has anyone used it?

Comments

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #2
    I think
    I think Re used it about year ago and it her made lymphedema worse. I learn about it on this board and never used because of lymphedema while was suggested by several doctors. Later my lymphedema therapist gave me a paper, which confirmed that fact. I still have a free sample
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    #3
    Cakris, I was on Lyrica for
    Cakris, I was on Lyrica for about 8 months, I started on a 50mg dose BID and moved all the way up to a 100mg dose TID. It worked for my neuropathy but the dizzy side effects were intense. It alleviated the pain and gave me relief, however; it's very expensive and I ran into issues there. I'm considering going back on it, my neurologist is the one that prescribed it so I'm going to check with my oncologist to see if it's ok beings I'm back on chemo. All in all, considering the side effects, it still worked and the side effects were manageable considering the relief it gave me. All my best to you and feel free to PM me.
    Miles of Love,
    ~Kari
    PS. My neuropathy is pretty severe (Taxol got me) that's why the dose kept going up in order to see the benefits.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #4
    pinkkari09 said:

    Cakris, I was on Lyrica for
    Cakris, I was on Lyrica for about 8 months, I started on a 50mg dose BID and moved all the way up to a 100mg dose TID. It worked for my neuropathy but the dizzy side effects were intense. It alleviated the pain and gave me relief, however; it's very expensive and I ran into issues there. I'm considering going back on it, my neurologist is the one that prescribed it so I'm going to check with my oncologist to see if it's ok beings I'm back on chemo. All in all, considering the side effects, it still worked and the side effects were manageable considering the relief it gave me. All my best to you and feel free to PM me.
    Miles of Love,
    ~Kari
    PS. My neuropathy is pretty severe (Taxol got me) that's why the dose kept going up in order to see the benefits.

    kari I remember as I had the
    kari I remember as I had the option of not doing the last chemo because of the neuropathy and posted about that. and you answered. I wonder if lyrica worsens lymphadema or can make you have it? I am going to start at 25mg since neurontin was a fail. and go up on it as well.
    Neurontin made me severely irritable and depressed, and bladder leakage. and lyrica has similar side effects but not always. I am in pain especially when I work. Plus causing weakness in the lower extremities. all this makes being on your feet for hours really difficult. I also have it in my hands but its not as limiting. Working means alot to me, and this has caused me to be really depressed.
    anyway, dont want to sound cranky, Kari how is the new chemo going?
    NF how is the week going?
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #5
    carkris said:

    kari I remember as I had the
    kari I remember as I had the option of not doing the last chemo because of the neuropathy and posted about that. and you answered. I wonder if lyrica worsens lymphadema or can make you have it? I am going to start at 25mg since neurontin was a fail. and go up on it as well.
    Neurontin made me severely irritable and depressed, and bladder leakage. and lyrica has similar side effects but not always. I am in pain especially when I work. Plus causing weakness in the lower extremities. all this makes being on your feet for hours really difficult. I also have it in my hands but its not as limiting. Working means alot to me, and this has caused me to be really depressed.
    anyway, dont want to sound cranky, Kari how is the new chemo going?
    NF how is the week going?

    I have an NP friend who
    I have an NP friend who takes lyrica for her MS pain and neuropathy. She says it really helps but she had to stop taking it at work (we work 24 hr shifts) because she had issues with confusion. She still takes it on her days off as it really helps her. Remember though, we are all so different. But don't give up as there are many meds out there and many reputable pain specialists. And I understand your feeling about work completely!
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #6
    CypressCynthia said:

    I have an NP friend who
    I have an NP friend who takes lyrica for her MS pain and neuropathy. She says it really helps but she had to stop taking it at work (we work 24 hr shifts) because she had issues with confusion. She still takes it on her days off as it really helps her. Remember though, we are all so different. But don't give up as there are many meds out there and many reputable pain specialists. And I understand your feeling about work completely!

    Penny I have no experience
    Penny I have no experience with Lyrica but I'm praying that whatever you decide for your body is a help rather than a hindrance. Hang in there those patients need you. Lots of Hugs.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #7
    natly15 said:

    Penny I have no experience
    Penny I have no experience with Lyrica but I'm praying that whatever you decide for your body is a help rather than a hindrance. Hang in there those patients need you. Lots of Hugs.

    thanks everyone, I have to
    thanks everyone, I have to admit, that I think about mama g and it worries me too. I cant have confusion at work either, but glad you told me. It also can cause weight gain, that will make three drugs that cause that yay!!!
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #8
    LYRICA
    Hi thought I would chime in, New Flower is correct for me the Lyrica caused the swelling I have in my lymphedema arm to increase which caused the pain to increase as well. I too tend to be a bit dizzy normally and it made me much dizzier so it did not work for me. I have also used neurontin for the neuropathy in my arm and hand with little success. My onco finally put me on of all things Paxil which is an anti depressant (nope not a depressed gal but it does help) and it did the trick. Here is a short paragraph from Livestrong that explains it better.

    "Other Antidepressants

    Other antidepressants that may be used as medical treatment for neuropathy include Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Paxil and Celexa. Cymbalta, Paxil and Celexa are in a group of antidepressants called SSNRIs (selective serotonin and norephinephrine reuptake inhibitors). This medicine type is used to treat depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Wellbutrin is a mood elevator, but it is also prescribed for the treatment of pain. The American Diabetes Association reported that in 2004, the FDA approved duloxetine, an SSNRI, and pregabalin specifically for the treatment of pain associated with peripheral neuropathy."

    Also below is the link that will take you directly to the Livestrong article that you may find interesting.

    Medical Treatments for Neuropathy


    I sincerely hope you find something that will work well for you! Wishing you well!

    RE
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #9
    Fibromyalgia
    My rheumatologist said that if my fibromyalgia became severe, he might prescribe it. After reading what everyone had to say - I'm leery of it. But, if it works, then it's a wonderful. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Marilynn
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #10
    RE said:

    LYRICA
    Hi thought I would chime in, New Flower is correct for me the Lyrica caused the swelling I have in my lymphedema arm to increase which caused the pain to increase as well. I too tend to be a bit dizzy normally and it made me much dizzier so it did not work for me. I have also used neurontin for the neuropathy in my arm and hand with little success. My onco finally put me on of all things Paxil which is an anti depressant (nope not a depressed gal but it does help) and it did the trick. Here is a short paragraph from Livestrong that explains it better.

    "Other Antidepressants

    Other antidepressants that may be used as medical treatment for neuropathy include Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Paxil and Celexa. Cymbalta, Paxil and Celexa are in a group of antidepressants called SSNRIs (selective serotonin and norephinephrine reuptake inhibitors). This medicine type is used to treat depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Wellbutrin is a mood elevator, but it is also prescribed for the treatment of pain. The American Diabetes Association reported that in 2004, the FDA approved duloxetine, an SSNRI, and pregabalin specifically for the treatment of pain associated with peripheral neuropathy."

    Also below is the link that will take you directly to the Livestrong article that you may find interesting.

    Medical Treatments for Neuropathy


    I sincerely hope you find something that will work well for you! Wishing you well!

    RE

    Penny
    Thank you for asking. Today is Thursday, just one more day, I think I am going to make it. I wish I could work reduced hours.
    As far as anti-depressants please be careful because Tamoxifen is not compatible with most of antidepressants.

    Hugs to everyone
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #11
    mgm42 said:

    Fibromyalgia
    My rheumatologist said that if my fibromyalgia became severe, he might prescribe it. After reading what everyone had to say - I'm leery of it. But, if it works, then it's a wonderful. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Marilynn

    Marilynn
    Please let us know how are you doing.
    I need to see rheumatologist as well. Sometime I feel like I need a full-time medical assistant to do my appointments, watch for test results, and work with insurance. I know as long as I am with NED no complaints.

    Have a nice weekend everyone,
    New Flower
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #12
    New Flower said:

    Marilynn
    Please let us know how are you doing.
    I need to see rheumatologist as well. Sometime I feel like I need a full-time medical assistant to do my appointments, watch for test results, and work with insurance. I know as long as I am with NED no complaints.

    Have a nice weekend everyone,
    New Flower

    yes I take lexapro, but that
    yes I take lexapro, but that does not help the neuropathy, cant handle cymbalta, it made me too jazzed up. I did have issues with dizziness but that is better. i wonder if changing the antidepressant would help, but I hate rocking the boat when its working for me. I am a person with anxiety issues, so it really helps. when I got diagnosed again I said write the script. I take a tiny dose. (it is compatable with tamoxifen). I dont (knock on wood) have issues with lymphedema yet, dont want to push that either. thanks for the Link Re How are you feeling?
    as an aside so happy Chen got good news just made my day!!!!I have been in a funk lately and that was just great news!!!! always happy when a sister does well!!!!

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