Lyrica, the label scared the heck out of me

[JRS11]

and I am a pharma rep. Not sure I want to even try this medication. I have other options to try first but wondering what anyone's experience is, the label is about the worst I have ever seen.

Thanks

[KBear]

I took Lyrica for 4+ years and it was a great drug for me. I was prescribed it for a numb thumb and some other carpal tunnel issues. I was kept on it because of my back. I never really noticed with my back it helping, but I also didn't have nerve damage in my spine. It did work wonderfully for the carpal tunnel, taking away the deep bone pain and giving me feeling in my thumb. Nothing else worked for that pain, not even Vicodin. There are quite a few on here who take or have taken Lyrica or the closely related Neurontin and had good results. It does take a couple of days to get used to and you may have side effects for a few days, but then your body will adjust.

[JRS11]

I took Lyrica for 4+ years and it was a great drug for me. I was prescribed it for a numb thumb and some other carpal tunnel issues. I was kept on it because of my back. I never really noticed with my back it helping, but I also didn't have nerve damage in my spine. It did work wonderfully for the carpal tunnel, taking away the deep bone pain and giving me feeling in my thumb. Nothing else worked for that pain, not even Vicodin. There are quite a few on here who take or have taken Lyrica or the closely related Neurontin and had good results. It does take a couple of days to get used to and you may have side effects for a few days, but then your body will adjust.

Thanks for your reply. My nerve damage is in my back, it may work but the label I have to think about. There is another approach I can try first and a surgical method that may fix the problem, not temporary but fix as it is spacers for the facet/foramen region. I am not sure what to do but I know I can take two injections to see if the spacers may have a chance but the pain center recommended doing both at the same time, not a good recommendation as then I would not know what was helping (assuming one was).

Thank you again

[Cindylou]

Yes, I would try one then the other, only so you can (hopefully) discover which is helping, like you said. Lyrica was a great drug for me too. I didn't like it mainly because of the weight gain factor, but I have to say, it was a Godsend in terms of calming the nerve pain in my legs and feet after my 3 lumbar adr's. What do you mean by "the label?" All drugs come with risks, as you well know, just as any surgery comes with it's own set of risks, but and a big but, is what are you willing to live with? It all boils down to that. What is your quality of life status? How bad does it have to get before I do something about it? That's typically one of the questions I ask myself before intervention of any kind, even an injection. I hope you get the answers and relief you deserve! Good luck, Cindylou

[Justin]

and I am a pharma rep. Not sure I want to even try this medication. I have other options to try first but wondering what anyone's experience is, the label is about the worst I have ever seen.

Thanks

On medications they have to list every adverse event, even if it is extremely rare. Also, some labels spell out how many patients (or what percentage) experienced the side effects listed. Lyrica, in my opinion, is a very safe medication. Some patients complain of diarrhea, constipation and weight gain. Most of the time it comes down to a risk / benefit ratio -- is taking a given medication "worth the risk" to take advantage of the implied relief the medication claims?

Just an FYI: many patients pop acetaminophen like candy. They don't realize that acetaminophen is the leading cause of acute liver failure. This is an over-the-counter medication (OTC).

Thus, I would put your mind to rest that Lyrica's side effect profile is actually benign compared to many other drugs (both prescription only and OTC).

[JRS11]

Yes, I would try one then the other, only so you can (hopefully) discover which is helping, like you said. Lyrica was a great drug for me too. I didn't like it mainly because of the weight gain factor, but I have to say, it was a Godsend in terms of calming the nerve pain in my legs and feet after my 3 lumbar adr's. What do you mean by "the label?" All drugs come with risks, as you well know, just as any surgery comes with it's own set of risks, but and a big but, is what are you willing to live with? It all boils down to that. What is your quality of life status? How bad does it have to get before I do something about it? That's typically one of the questions I ask myself before intervention of any kind, even an injection. I hope you get the answers and relief you deserve! Good luck, Cindylou

Thanks for your reply Cindy. Being a drug rep I have seen many labels, but the loss of memory a few other things really stood out for me, but I will read more. I intend to start with the shots (I think they are facet shots, blocks) if these do not help and indicate where to go next then I will seriously consider lyrica, I have it here and the scheduled to use it by.

Thanks again

[JRS11]

On medications they have to list every adverse event, even if it is extremely rare. Also, some labels spell out how many patients (or what percentage) experienced the side effects listed. Lyrica, in my opinion, is a very safe medication. Some patients complain of diarrhea, constipation and weight gain. Most of the time it comes down to a risk / benefit ratio -- is taking a given medication "worth the risk" to take advantage of the implied relief the medication claims?

Just an FYI: many patients pop acetaminophen like candy. They don't realize that acetaminophen is the leading cause of acute liver failure. This is an over-the-counter medication (OTC).

Thus, I would put your mind to rest that Lyrica's side effect profile is actually benign compared to many other drugs (both prescription only and OTC).

Thanks Justin, and yes, I am aware of much of this....I just need to do more research first......and I will and i appreciate your continued assistance.

[Gilbert P]

Hi

I also was going to take Lyrica until I read all the side affects and decides that I can deal with the pain Now I wonder If I should give it a try since my pain is over the top

Gil

Oh

[KBear]

Honestly, out of all the medications I was on (Hydrocodone, Kadian (time release morphine), Zanaflex, Cymbalta & Lyrica), I had the least side effects from the Lyrica. I quit it cold turkey, no issues, my thumb just went numb again.... had to get steroid injections in it. It also takes a couple of weeks for the Lyrica to build up in your system and really work. So if you are getting injections in the next couple of days, you could start the Lyrica and know which one was helping (as injections should be pretty immediate relief, or within a week at the most).