Hi I really dont have Idea which one is better I wanna hear from people about their opinion on which of the this 2 meds are better from their experience.

I've had better results with gabapentin,,, the lyrica did nothing for me...

That said,,, even the gaba is starting to fail for me now.
ed

i tried both...stuck with lyrica...everybodys different

I take Lyrica, got nasty side effects from gabapentin

I've not had any luck with either one of them. I started out with Neurontin (gabapentin) during inpatient rehab and still had a lot of pain. The doctors thought it was just pain from the surgery and gave me more oxycontin, which made me stupid or knocked me out. I was put on gabapentin (generic Neurontin) when I was discharged and it gave me a terrible rash. So, after a fight with insurance, I was put back on Neurontin, but I never did get any relief. Next, came Lyrica, which didn't work for the nerve pain and made me forgetful and cloudy headed. The doctors said that would wear off, but it never did and I finally said no more. Well, a few months later and the nerve pain was so bad that I told the doctors I had to have something. So, right now I'm taking Lyrica again with effexor and elavil. They thought this combination should give me some relief, but I've been on them for about a month now and there is no improvement, in fact, I think it's worse. I would like to drop the drugs, because I never have liked taking medications and they're not working anyway, but the pain is so bad that I would take anything if it would give me some relief. Long story..... I guess I could have just stopped after my first sentence.

Hey bro I understand you I have been with this pain for 1 year already and nothing is helping me.My doctor swich me to lyrica I am doing 300mg a day and its not working so good.This wendsday I have a appoinment with him and I think that he is gona raise the dosage of the lyrica to 600mg a day.I hope they find something that could relax the pain a little and I will be happy.Youst keep looking may be you will find something good or try a better doctor.

Lyrica is the only one I've tried. Bad side effects, so I quit taking it and just cowboyed up.

Joe

I take Neurontin (gabapentin sp?) daily, but my dosage is 300mg morning, 300 mg afternoon, and 900 mg at night. Does this seem high to anyone? For the most part it seems to work, and then there are days when the burning sensation is off the pain scale. I also take 50 mg /day of Baclofen. Elavil too. And I have only been out of rehab since July of last year.

Dove

I suffered with nerve pain for years, it was so bad at times it made me scream out.

18 months ago I was told about Gabapentine by my Spinal Consultant who explained all about it, how to take it and the maximum I could take.

I started on one 300mg capsule on the 1st day, two 300mg the 2nd day then three 300mg capsule the 3rd day. My pain went almost immediately, so I stayed on three 300mg for 3 months.

I guess I struck lucky, as its worked for me and I've had no side effects. If the pain comes back, which it sometimes does at night, I increase my dose to 2 capsules in the morning 1 at lunch time and 2 capsules in the evening.

My Consultant told me not to exceed 8 capsules a day and if I wanted to come off them to do it slowly, gadually decreasing the dose.

I hope my experience has helped, but as we're all different its impossible for it to work for everyone.

I'm have just been bumped up to 800mg 3 times a day,,, with 600mg of ibuprofen as a booster,, also 3 times a day. I have heard of higher dosages being prescribed for regular use.

The ibuprofen ( Motrim) is supposed to enhance the effect of the gaba. None of the above is doing much, so I may drop back to my previous dosage after I give this one a month or so.

ed

the highest dose with gabapentin is 3600 mg a day and if you gona take lyrica the highest dosage is 600mg a day you shouldent go over that percentage.

I took Neurontin and had no luck. I now take 200mg's of Lyrica 3 times a day. I have few side effects (confusion, lethargy sp?) and have significant pain relief for my neuropathic bouts. If I miss a dose by mistake, I certainly am reminded by the pain that creeps in and triggers my memory. Been taking the drug over 1 year.

I am doing lyrica and it haves a been more relief than the gabapentin

I have had FAR better results with Lyrica.
That being said, I take a LOT of meds and have several doctors (yes, they all know each other and all that I am taking, just a lot of specialists) and I CONSTANTLY hear something like, "hmmmm... that surprises me, I really expected that to do much better" or "wow, that is working far better than I thought it would"... these are always followed with the hasty expression of "everything works differently on everyone, s-why we had to try it first" or something like that.

I've been on lyrca since September having been on gabapentin for several years.

I thought it was managing to control the pain better until I had a really bad week and ever since have been struggling to control the pain and still be able to think in a straight line.

what work better for you then the lyrica or the gabapentin?

i've been on both lyrica and lortab... at first lyrica seemed to help.. but lortab does wonders for me.

What's lortab??? Haven't heard of it.
ed

I googled it is Vicodin - Hydrocodone APAP - Dosage - Side Effects - Drug Interactions

QUOTE (cubanito_016 @ Feb 20 2009, 12:00 AM)

Hi I really dont have Idea which one is better I wanna hear from people about their opinion on which of the this 2 meds are better from their experience.

Hi,

I'm on Neurontin (Gabapentin) and have been for a few years now. I can't take the generic Gabapentin variants, nor Lyrica as, in the UK, Lyrica contain Lactose monohydrate and Gelatin (and the generic variants of Gabapentin contain Lactose or have nut allergy warnings etc).

I can certainly tell when I've missed a dose of Gabapentin - the neuropatic pain is absolute hell! (For me, it feels like I've got teams of hedgehogs playing hedgehog football with a hedgehog football! Also, I get electric shock type sensations and intense burning, searing pain.) I am on 3x 800mg of Gabapentin daily. My GP and I worked slowly up to this dose and gave each dose level time to see if it was working or not and, if it was having some effect, what, if any side effects I was having. Despite the dose of Gabapentin I'm on, I've not had any negative side effects and can only say that I have really benefited from being on the Gabapentin.

As well as the Neurontin (Gabapentin), I am on Fentanyl patches (known as "Durogesic DTrans" in the UK - 100mcg/hr patch strength) and 10-20mg of Oramorph (up to four hourly) for 'breakthrough' pain. (What I term 'breakthrough pain' for me is pain beyond that which I can normally cope with or worse than 'usual' for me).

Different people respond differently to different medications and, it also depends what other medications (if any) you are taking as to how your body will react to whatever medication you are prescribed.

Some people swear by Gabapentin, some swear by Lyrica - I've heard people on each side of the matter saying they prefer one or the other or they have fewer side effects from one or the other. The only way you will know, providing both are suitable for you, is to try them yourself and see. Hopefully one or the other will help.


Carbamazepine and phenytoin (both unlicensed applications) may be useful for shooting or stabbing pain, but adverse effects are common. Oxcarbazepine (also unlicensed indication) is an alternative to carbamazepine. Lamotrigine (unlicensed indication) has also been used instead of Gabapentin. Carbamazepine is usually only used under close specialist guidance.


I hope you find something which helps your pain with the minimal side effects.


Best wishes,

Cat
>v,,^<

I have used both, be very careful with Lyrica. It made me want to kill myself. Confirmed by Doctor as a side effect.

Neurontin made me tired and affected my memory anmd i felt like a snail, slooooooooooow motion....it was hard withdrawl when i quit too.....Lyica help 50/50 or so and i only take when needed...doesn't affect my brain and no side effects if i run out.....when it works it works great, when it doesn't, its no big deal.....this is just my experience, but Lyrica is my only successful med for nerve pain, and my nerve pain is normally at about an 8

I was on neurontin for a year or so - and it earnt me the nickname "Goldfish" at work - my memory was absolutely shot. I used to have to make myself notes to carry with me when I went into another room so I'd know why I'd gone in there. Withdrawal was hell - but my doctor didn't tell me to decrease the dose gradually - he just told me to stop taking them. It was not an enjoyable week (lived off tinned rice pudding).
It did however make a significant improvement to the pain level.

Now I'm on Lyrica and diclofenac sodium (the diclo because - get this for irony - I've "broken" my back again! Got an unstable joint that is causing great discomfort) both on maximum doses... and so long as I don't forget to take my next dose on time 90% of my day I'm in a low enough pain to carry on the good life. The lyrica on its own worked so much better on the neruopathic pain for me - and my memory is slowly returning. Side effects include - I now bruise like a peach and have put on weight (agh no boobs!!!)
But yes - there will be one very unpleasant fight if I have to give up the lyrica. I'm just hoping that the effectiveness doesn't wear off.

After a year and a half using narcotics only to control my symptoms I was placed on Lyrica. I've been on it for about a month and have had great results. I'm actually amazed when I forget a dose or run out on a weekend (it's happened twice...still getting use to being mindful of such things) how quickly the symptoms come back. Pain/spasms are there in a hurry! I take it twice a day and usually have breakthrough about 1-2 hours before my dose is due, but I'm wary of going up on the dose due to reported side effects. I would say the only side effects I have experienced is a bit of swelling in my hands and feet. Admittedly, it does chill out my mind a bit, too.

If you are not keen on having the higher dose have you considered having a word with your doctor about something for the break away pain OR having the dose in smaller tablets - i.e. same dose but in four tablets rather than two. Sounds a mite strange but my GP did this with me and it seemed to reduce the amount of break through I had.

I agree with Clara, I split my Lyrica into 3 doses and had a far better relief than with taking it twice a day, also if you find that it's always worse at a particular time of day try just upping the one dose before, for example if your pain seems worse at night increase your evening dose slightly.

I'm on Gabapentin (900 mg per day) they put me on it slowly and it has made me confused. first time i took it i put my trousers on inside out and burnt breakfast! but that has eased off a little though i am still confused however it has ment that i dont need as much codine which a bonus the way i look at it. good luck with it. stay stong

lyrica!

lyrica definately

i tried gabapentin and it just spaced me out and i couldn't function. My neuro suggested lyrica and it has been brill. it has reduced my neuropathic pain, i am going to discuss with gp if i can have a little more. I agree that when you miss a dose symptoms come back quickly.

I know I shouldn't, but reading your post Angel made me laugh... I had visions of you putting your trousers on inside out... Sorry about that. I hope you're ok now?

I really haven't noticed the side effects metioned for both drugs,, and I have used both in the past. One or the other will probably work pretty well for most of us.

I didn't notice any dimming of the mental processes,,, but, then, I've never been accused of being the sharpest knife in the drawer anyway. Add that to my advancing years and who knows where to place any blame.

I've not put my pants on inside out , yet,,, an odd tshirt on occasion, maybe.
ed

i don't do well with most medications, i guess my system's not cut out for powerful drugs so I've weaned off the lyrica, and yes my nerve pain has increased significantly, but I am managing it on my own well enough. massage helps in hands and feet. exercise helps with burning/heavy legs. Nights are difficult, I admit, a Tylenol PM does the trick for me so I can sleep through the discomfort.

my experience with lyrica was bad. severe moodiness and irritability as well as mental fogginess- i kept mixing up the pronunciation of words, and the order of words in my sentences. bad memory, too. i seriously started to suspect trauma to my head in addition to the sci from my accident...!

there are always trade offs..

Lyrcra .. yupI'm in a "fuzzy" world!!

It really is a case of trying one .. then the other if it doesn't work!

Where is your pain and what causes it?

oh and i also blame lyrica for its incredible ability to thin hair..

My pain is really bad and I have been on Gabapentin since my rehab release date (Sept '08). I am now on 600 mg 4x a day and it still does nothing. My neurologist now wants to increase my dose to 800 mg 4x a day and he wants me to take Lyrica along with it.

After reading this thread, I am scared that the combination of the two might have bad side affects. Gabapentin has given me acne and made my skin real sensitive. If they get worse, I am eliminating the Gabapentin because it does nothing anyways. As for the Lyrica, I have yet to take it because my insurance is putting up a fight to pay for it.

Gotta love medicare!!!

Hi
A consulatnt once put me on both Lyrica and NEUROTONIN and I was told by another consultant that 'theres no point taking both drugs due to the way the act on system one would cancel out the other so only one of the drugs would work. I was told not to take both and take one of the drugs. I take Lyrica 200 x 3 times daily. Didnt like neurotonin anyhow and my GP didnt even want me to have it at all !

Found Gabapentin helps real well. Never used lyrica so can't comment on it..

I just found this site and I am amazed there all this time and all the years I have been in pain (more now then then in the beginning) I was sure there was no help!
I do take Neurontin or the Generic 300 Mg which does little good but helps with the spasms but the nerve pain is excruciating. it is located in my groin area and makes it difficult to focus on anything but.

I can get relief from the Real Neurontin but my insurance will not pay for it so am stuck,with a almost useless generic. Has anyone been successful fighting the Insurance companies?

I have not heard about any problems with using Neurotin and Lyrica together. When I first tried Neurotin I tried it to 900mg with some relief but it was not great. Then I tried Lyrica and use it to this day in the 300mg level. On the advice of the pain clinic here, I did use both drugs together although I did not find too much extra relief with both going. I also use fentanyl, amytriptaline and hydromorph contin. I did retry Neurotin up into the 3500 mg area but I did not get any extra relief and gave that drug up.

Neurotin and lyrica are developed by the same company so they are sister drugs. Neurotin supposidly acts to dampen the nerve signals comming from the sensory area. I don't like to say damaged area because it is typically not the damage area where the pain comes from. Rather something like a foot "feels" the pain as a result of an injury to the nerve. The damage area may be a pinched, or cut nerve in the spinal cord, yet the pain is coming from your foot. Lyrica instead acts to dampen the signal in the brain area. Our nerves send the signal up to receptors in the brain and lyrica acts to block that area. For some people it is best to block the area where the signal is coming from. For some where the signal is being received and for some, both area's. You can only try the different drugs and see what works for you. Both drugs will probably give you a sleepy or buzzed feeling for up to a couple of months. Some people give up a trial of the drug because of the sleepyness before their bodies can get use to the drug. Eventually it fades for most people although it may cause you not to sleep quite as well as you would like. I did notice a little of the sleepyness come in when I tried both drugs together but it was much less than when I first tried Neurotin.

I'm interested by Bagpusses reply
I started off with Gabapentin and took 300mg a day. I had a few side effects and wondered if Lyicra would be better. I tried it and was really ill and couldnt get out of bed or open my eyes. I switched back to Gabapentin but it still didnt do anything for the pain, i had a second go with Lyicra and was violently sick. What i didnt know was it had lactose in it (i have a severe lactose allergy, i am actually suprized that i didnt end up in Hospital) Now all that now makes sence.

I am still taking Gabapentin 1800mg and its just about helping, i realise when i have forgotten to take them as i feel all wobbly and shaky. I guess i will carry on taking it until i find something better.

Why do people put lactose in medicine, is it jsut to bulk it out?

i was taking gatopatern watever watevr but at a doge of 600mg 3x day it worked but about 2weeks later i was back atthat going crazy stage so i found this doc saying to lyrica n so im currently taking it and it dose work better
lyrica is to treat fibromiagela(over active nerves)

he also said lyrica is 10x stronger

i going with lrica


oh yeah it has been helping but theres no real cure u know for the spinal cords with injury like OURS.


yeah were a club!!!!!

can anyone tell me if they have experienced severe pain from taking lyrica [pregabalin] the side affects are the worse i've ever exierienced on any drugs even worse than my morphine patches at least they help my pain! i had an accident 5yrs ago & am awaiting surgery, i wont go into great detail but as the years have gone by ive been suffering with really bad nerve pain in my left arm my dr decided to use lyrica i'm on 150mg twice a day to be honest i just want to stop the drug appart from the fact it dont seem to be helping it has caused severe pain in my right arm my good arm that i have never had problems with before appart from the occasional slight pins & needles if putting to much preasure on it! the pain is strange like nothing ive ever experienced before its like pins & needles but try to imagine it 20 times worse with a cramping feeling so bad it wakes you up crying with the pain & makes you want to scream inside my dr says i have to come off slowly but with no explanation & i'm worried that this pain will not go away even when i stop it no one seems to be able to tell me one way or the other can anyone help me!! has anyone experienced this with lyrica?????