4 replies to this topic

[MiMi205]

I’ve been a lurker for awhile and learned lots, but I/we have a Spinal Cord Injury problem and need help.
Has anyone had problems taking Lyrica (sp)…anyone been successful in dealing with the side effects? I write for my 52 y/o husband, a C 5/6 incomplete for 35 years. He has managed on Baclofen only until 1 year ago when the nerve pain and depression became too much. He was put on Lyrica but wants to quit it completely because of what he calls the “lyrica wave.” He is on a low dose, refused to ramp it up because of this 'wave' that I don't understand.
Sorry I haven’t been more detailed but he manages his own meds-he has now agreed to let me help.
Thanks much

[Smileyblue]

I don't take Lyrica as it makes me VERY depressed.. That's the only side effect that I can remember.. But then again, I was only on it for a couple of days when I decided it wasn't for me.. Different meds affect people differently though, so I'm not sure what he means by the "wave"..

Oh, and welcome to the site.. ;-)

[1positivethinker]

I HATE HATE HATE lyrica!!!!! I took it and it was a horrible horrible medication....I was extremely irritable, dizzy, didn't know up from down, gained a bunch of weight, swelled up really bad....it was rediculous!

[BalancedInteger]

Hello Mimi. I've been taking Lyrica for over a year now, and I have to say that I've had none of the adverse side effects that others are talking about here. It works well for me, but everyone will respond to meds differently. If it bothers him that much, you can try gabapentin instead. It's cheaper and works almost as well, though I'm afraid to say that your husband may suffer from side effects from that medication, too.

I hope your husband can find relief with something out there.

[ajl338]

I had the stuff for 5 months it made me really bad, I was lethargic etc. I had routine blood tests done as part of something else and it had done funny things to my blood counts. It made me fuzzy, dizzy , brused and depressed because my head wouldnt think straight.

There is a simular drug called gabapentin which is the older version of pregaberlin/lycra i know a lot of people have less side effects from it (strange as it is an older drug) It might be worth asking the GP to give that a trail run.

I do have one issue with it if i forget to take it i end up all over the place about 3 hours later, i have lots of energy but nowhere to channel it so i am bouncing off the walls, being cross with the world in general but it sorts itself out within about an hour for taking it but i cant mix it with a big amount of sugar or caffine

ann