Pregabalin

Description

Side effects

(Don't be unduly alarmed. All drugs cause side effects for some patients)

Warnings

(These are standard cautions but may not apply in your case)

Comments

Remember - RSD/CRPS is rooted in the nervous system. The discovery that epilepsy drugs may have beneficial effects for RSD patients does not imply that they have epilepsy.

Properly done Western style acupuncture is far superior to both gaba (gabapentin/neurotin) & pregaba (pregabalin/Lyrica) for people who have spinal nerve injuries and RSD affecting legs. So is properly designed stretching & exercise routines. Both gaba & pregaba cause issues with stability & gait and reduce one's awareness of oneself & one's surroundings. This only leads to further pain and vicious cramps. Personal experience, and that of one other patient I know, pregaba actually increases neuropathic pain! It seems to be reducing blood flow to areas affected by damaged nerves. "Freezing" sensation in legs is a common intermittent problem for me, as is shooting, burning, gripping pain & cramp. Pregaba increased all these nasty sensations at above 75mg (3x25mg) a day. Pfizer's new claim is that pregaba is what they thought gabapentin was(!) Interesting! My advice - if you have nerve damage or RSD affecting lower torso & legs then
avoid gaba & pregaba. Gerard - Essex, UK

I have been taking Pregabelin (Lyrica) for a number of weeks now, along with Tramadol. I am very aware that when I take a full dose of both drugs together, 100Mg / 150Mg tramadol and 150Mg of Pregabelin. I feel a very strange almost "spaced out" feeling. I certainly feel very unsteady on my feet and find it difficult to walk a few yards without having to hold on to something to steady myself.
If I reduce the pregabelin to 75Mg it is a bit better. I would be interested to hear from anyone with similar experiences when using both drugs. Andy - Taunton, Somerset, UK

Like Andy frmm Taunton I had been given Tramadol on top of the highest dose of Pregabalin and had the same symptoms. I have now come off of Tramadol and am seeking a new pain killer to take over from it. I was so bad at the start of taking both drugs I could not move from a chair or open my eyes without a feeling my brain was swimming, I have had chronic in my elbows for 6 years and have forgotten what a pain free life is, if anyone has any ideas about an other pain killer please let me know. MSB - UK

I have been taking Lyrica for 3 months now and find it amazingly effective. I have had RSDS/CRPS for two and half years and had constant pain in both my hands. Work was out, as were many daily routines and it was only when my Consutant prescibed the 'new' drug Lyrica, that I had the first painfree day for over 2 years. I expected the effects to diminish over the weeks but to my amazement, it is still as effective as when I started. I do have side effects (dizziness, unsteady and feeling slightly 'drunk', which led me to avoid all alcholic drink ) but these are minor to me, compared to the pain relief. Helen - Skerries, Co Dublin, Ireland

I have been taking this drug a few weeks now. It certainly controls the pain and allows freer movement of my hand and fingers. I too have noticed a slight tendency to feel 'spaced out' which is quite nice really, so no complaints there, BUT, yesterday I fell over in the kitchen. My husband came rushing to help me and asked what had happened, and I didn't know. One minute walking towards the fridge, next minute on the deck with a big bruise to show for it. I have never fallen over in my life before, so am wondering about the pregabalin. Maria - Chelmsford, Essex, England

I have been taking pregablin (75mg bds) for one week now. This is to replace the Gabapentin that Iam on to see if it will be more successful. I am to increase my dose by double (to 150mg bds). At the moment I feel on edge and really irritable. My wife says now I know what it is like to have PMT! I am concerned that this is a side effect of the Pregablin. Anyone experienced this? Gary - Hockley, Essex, UK