LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

Well, due to my major nerve damage from my saga of blown disc that materialized last Labor Day, I am on Lyrica. Taking it since July 18. Low dose at 50mg each pill. Was supposed to work up to 3 pills a day and more if I needed it. I have never gotten past 2 pills or 100mg per day.

Getting the Lyrica was another story on its own. My insurance did not want to pay for it and my doctor had to go back and argue for me. So, after a $90 copay for one month's worth of pills (at 3 pills a day), I was able to begin the new drug.

The good news is that it DOES help my knee/leg even in the smaller doses, however, I am now suffering from continual Charlie horses and cramps in hands and feet every day.

Anyone else suffering from the cramps or any other major side effects?

My physical therapist said I should wean back down to one pill a day and see if that has any effect on my knee. I was hoping to tolerate this med at least long enough to give my LONG nerve more chance to heal. Looks like that plan is changing.

I am only taking my night dose starting tonight and will see how I do. Changed from the Neurontin/gabapentin as it was fogging up my thinking after so long on it.

Thanks for any thoughts anyone may have.

Re: LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

Sorry for the unpleasant side effects Steph, I didn't take this when I read the potential list of side effects after my chemo although my Onc did prescribe it for me, hopefully someone else can give you some suggestions to help you remain on it.

Re: LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

Hello Stephanie,
I take 75mg a night because radiation either burnt a shoulder nerve or pinched it. It's helped me. what about magnesium (I think) for the cramps?
take care
love sarah
any chance you'll be in my neck of the woods soon?

Re: LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

Tricia - yes, the possible side effects list IS long, but it is for most all drugs, and I had to give it a try.

Sarah - Sorry you have that long-standing pinched nerve problem. I have been taking extra magnesiun and potassium since my cramps first appeared. Did not seem to matter as the cramps and Charlie horses just got worse the past couple of weeks.
I drink orange juice and eat lots of fruit as it is in season and my favorite time of the year!

Wish I could say I WILL be in your neck of the woods, but we have chosen some new "woods" to visit this fall - the coast of Maine. Maybe 2014 to France if all goes well in the meantime.

Re: LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

Oh, Steph... Still? So sorry.

Paul had tried Lyrica for neuropathy pain (causing severe limping and sleepless nights) but he cannot tolerate it.

He is taking L-Carnitine 500 mg (2x a day, on empty stomach), Co-Enzyme Q-10 -- 150 mg 2 x a day and Alpha Lipoic Acid 300 mg -- 2 x a day. And he can now sleep through the night and is limping less...

He is also taking B-12 (3,000 sublingual), B6 and ??? more B's. The B's are for nerve damage.

I hope you try these simple supplements and that make a world of difference for you, as others have mentioned remarkable results with that combo above, and the Bs...

Your travels sound grand. May you enjoy, surrounded by love and good health!!

Love,
Andi

Re: LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

Hello,
sounds good Andi, will check that out. I used to take co-enzyme Q10 daily but have gone off vitamins - too many pills!
Stephanie you made me laugh about the side effects. I have a friend with firbro myaglia and I told her to ask her doctor about Lyrica because it said it was the number one drug for that. she replied she wouldn't take it too many side effects so I asked her which ones bothered her, she couldn't name one. I laughed because I said during my illnesses I've taken so many drugs with side effects which have often included death!!! so I tend to take the warnings with a grain of salt unless I feel one of them - trying not to be a hypochondriac about that! after all I live in a country of hypochondriacs! but they're healthy and live long lives.
love sarah
A plus stephanie

Re: LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

I overheard a chemo nurse yesterday, saying that low calcium can cause cramps, too. I have slightly low calcium and have been having some leg cramps. And was on lyrica for my neck pain but it did not help quickly or enough so wound up w/epidural in April, instead. Any Anthem would not pay either - so I came out of pocket for a week's worth and then friends gave me another week's worth. I effin' hate the insurance companies!!!!! But I think big pharma controls them, too, so they are all idiots.
Well, good morning :-) Hope you feel better soon!!!

Re: LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

I tried Lyrica and was flat after two pills. It is said that time helps with tolerance.

More oncos are leaning toward Neurotin at my clinic, so I may start that together with this new cream that isn't on the market yet, I just got it directly from the company. I'll let you all know.

Karen

Re: LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

Dear Friends -
Thanks for all your comments. Now that I am taking the one 50mg pill at bedtime the cramps have subsided. Yet, I do not have any substantial increase in bothersome pains or aches in my knee!

I have taken Neurontin/gabopenten for months and it did not help as much as this low dose of Lyrica does now. My physiatrist who prescribed and fought the insurance for me knows that this low dose is where I am at for now, and seemed ok with it.

Lyrica is a drug that you work up to a prescribed dose (if you CAN!) and then wean down slowly.

I had labs not long ago and my calcium level was very good. The only time my calcium was ever on the low side was when I was taking Zometa on a regular (monthly) basis.

Re: LYRICA - anyone of you taking it?
 

Hi Stephanie,

I just wanted to share that I take a mix of 400mg magnesium and 300mg potassium and this helps me enormously with the cramps. Anyone on TDM-1 should be on this mix, since TDM-1 affects potassium levels and potassium and magnesium need to be balanced and taken together. Good luck with the cramping.

Fern