Lyrica in TMJ SUPPORT Forum

Lyrica

Author	Comment
Elaine2004	Lyrica	Lead	[-]
Posts: 2777 (03/25/08 12:54:44) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : medications Remove this ad I know some are on Lyrica. I think Ken was one, Carol, and who? I am seriously thinking about asking my PM about this med. Is it like Neurontin or a different type? Also did anybody have any bad side effects to begin with. I know when I tried Cymbalta and topamax, those were the two worst things I have ever tried. Did not agree with me at all. I have seen it advertised on TV for fibromyalgia so if it helps with all over body pain, maybe it would help me? Any ideas? Thanks, Elaine
FPDChief	Lyrica	#1	[-]
Posts: 815 (03/25/08 20:29:54) Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Elaine, it was a neurologist who put me on Lyrica after I tried Methadone and had too many side effects. It is a similar drug to Neurontin. He commented that Lyrica has less side effects and you wouldn't have to take as much each day. Downside - it is more expensive, of course. He started me on a low dose, but I can't remember if it was 50 mg 3 times a day or 75 mg 2 times a day. I built up to 75 mg 3 times a day. I initially experienced the side effect of gaining weight but was able to win the battle there. It just made me hungrier. I didn't notice that it was helping for a while; I just woke up one morning realizing that my face pain was gone. A few months ago I attempted to increase the dose to 100 mg 3 times a day (which is the "normal" dose) and had to go back to the 75s when I realized that it was affecting my cognitive functioning big time (I wanted to try the increase to see if it would help reduce the pain in other parts of my body). I, too, had serious problems with Topamax, but never tried Cymbalta. I recently changed my anti-d from Prozac to Celexa. Sunday was my first day of just Celexa 40 mg. I like how it makes me feel mentally/emotionally, but my TMJ has been acting up since I reduced/stopped the Prozac. I'm hoping that once my body has more Celexa in it that it will calm down. A couple of other pointers about Lyrica. It must be taken 3 times a day, approximately 8 hours apart. Once enough of the med has gotten into your system, this regiment is important. If I miss a dose, I start to feel it after a few hours. Also, I recently tried to wean off of it just to see if it was really working (I've done so many changes the past two years). Anyway, bad news. My face hurt like crazy for 3 days and that was just after slowly reducing the dose for a few days. Ouch! Thankfully, it started working soon. I would highly recommend Lyrica. God bless... Carol
Elaine2004		#2	[-]
Posts: 2777 (03/26/08 23:29:39) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Carol, I guess if I got through the side effects of Neurontin, Lyrica would be easier, right? I was taking Neurontin three times a day but I cut myself back just to see if I could get by with less. Less didn't seem to make much difference so I stuck with it. If I was going to get a headaches I got one regardless of the dosage. Which makes me wonder why I am taking it at all? I wonder if Lyrica would help me with the all over body pain. These back fusions have done a number on me. I think I will mention it to my PM and see what he thinks. I wonder how Ken is doing with it. He hasn't posted in awhile. How are you doing with the Celexa? Elaine
Elaine2004		#3	[-]
Posts: 2777 (04/14/08 17:56:46) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Carol, I did get a prescription for Lyrica. 50mg. tabs. I hope it helps with the all over the body type pain. I am totally miserable. I have to do the three month mail in prescription so will be awhile before I get it back in the mail. I will let you know how I do. Sure hope it doesn't make me sick to my stomach. I hate that feeling worse than anything. Elaine
FPDChief		#4	[-]
Posts: 815 (04/14/08 19:31:29) Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Elaine, I don't think I was ever sick to my stomach. I was hungrier but that's it. 50 mg. 3 times a day is just a starting dose. Did he say to start one a day for a couple of days and then slowly build it up to 3 times per day? Later your doctor should increase the dose to at least 75 mg. 3 times a day. 75 is considered the lowest "workable" dose and 100 is considered the "best" dose according to all that I've read. Watch for any weight increase and don't be surprised if you have a little trouble thinking. If you start out slow, it should get better. I didn't notice any other side effect, thank God! I truly hope this helps you. God bless... Carol
Elaine2004		#5	[-]
Posts: 2777 (04/14/08 22:51:46) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Carol, Yes, he is starting me out on a lower dose and then increase. I will be glad to change some of my meds to see if my pain improves. I think I am at a point where I have developed some immunity to all of it. I was suppose to take the Neurontin three times a day but I got to where I was only taking it at bedtime. What happens if you don't take the Lyrica three times a day? Would a smaller dose work or no? I already have trouble with my thinking so I shouldn't notice a difference there. Seriously I hope I don't have a problem with it. Which affected your thinking worse? The Neurontin or Lyrica? If I remember right you took Neurontin too. Or am I messed up already with my "thinking"? Elaine
feelines		#6	[-]
Posts: 1878 (05/21/08 13:35:04) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Elaine, how are you doing with the Lyrica? Carol, where are you and how are you? I so don't want to get into a medication regimen but neurontin or Lyrica was suggested to me and if I could choose between the two I would choose Lyrica. I don't want to go on it, because it sounds like once you start you can't stop without the pain returning. I don't need any more trouble with my cognitive functioning either. Maybe I should just try a flexeril now and then to calm down my muscle spasm/myofascial business when it gets into too much of a tizzy. I certainly wouldn't want to take flexeril on a regular basis. I took it one time and it dried me out so much and made me not want to get out of bed or anything but it did relax everything and I felt better for awhile afterwards...
Elaine2004		#7	[-]
Posts: 2777 (05/21/08 16:23:54) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Feelines, I still haven't started the Lyrica. I am using up the rest of the Neurontin before I start the Lyrica. I was originally put on the Neurontin for nerve pain in my back, after my fusions. I asked the PM about the all over body pain and he thought Lyrica would be good for me to try. Of course I told him about the advertisements I saw on TV. All of it is so dang expensive. I don't know how people without prescription drug coverage survive. I think I would have to go without if I didn't have coverage. The dentist I am seeing suggested a muscle relaxer and I hate those things. When I asked the PM doctor about muscle relaxers, his comment was, "it relaxes the brain and puts you to sleep". That is the luck I had with them too and I hate that so I refuse to take them. I will let you know when I start the Lyrica. I definitely am going to take it at bedtime to begin with and see how I do. If it makes me too groggy the next day, I won't be taking it very long. I am sure I have to get used to it but I sure don't want to be in a fog. I wonder where Carol is too. I hope she is doing ok. Elaine
ginnic		#8	[-]
Posts: 460 (05/21/08 18:21:02) Member I Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I believe Lyrica is in the same type of drug class as Neurontin. I had tried Neurontin several years back, it didn't help with my pain at all (which probably wasn't nerve pain at all) and it made me feel and act like a zombie. I realized it was affecting my cognitive functioning and that scared me with my job........no thanks! Each person needs to find their own comfort zone, of course. Yes, as Felines says, Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) does make your mouth dry and sometimes icky tasting (I use those TicTac candies). I have taken it for several years on and off and if I need to, I do take it. It really doesn't seem to make me sleepy much, so for me that isn't an issue. Ginni
suse	Lrica	#9	[-]
Member Posts: 3 (05/22/08 17:21:09) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I tried Lyrica for another form of neuralgia, (I'm a stroke survivor and have lots.) it didn't work for me then; I wonder if it would for my jaw? I still have to be evaluated, but I'm not sure if I can stand the pain for as long as I have to wait for an appointment. I've been more aware of my posture, and living on ibuprofen and my heating pad!! suse
feelines		#10	[-]
Posts: 1878 (05/23/08 10:16:27) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad Suse, it's nice to hear from you again. I'm glad you survived your stroke. I thought that I was having small strokes, but doctors shirked me off about it. A neurologist did finally diagnose thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and refer me to physical therapy which was helpful. I'm nowhere near ready to submit to taking Lyrica but am wondering about it just in case that time should come. Keep in touch and let us know how things go....
eakthekat		#11	[-]
Posts: 515 (06/05/08 13:56:56) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I took Lyrica for a few days. It made me so sick to my stomach that I couldn't stand it. I also used neurontin, but it made me so dizzy that I couldn't drive. I couldn't stand either one of them, but then again I have weird reactions to medications. Just my 2 cents..... ~Tecee~
eakthekat		#12	[-]
Posts: 515 (06/05/08 13:58:03) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts
eakthekat	Lyrica Vs Neurontin	#13	[-]
Posts: 515 (06/05/08 14:04:34) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I couldn't take either one of them. Lyrica made me so very sick to my stomach and Neurontin made me dizzy to the point that I was unable to drive. Just my 2 cents!!!! ~Tecee~
Elaine2004		#14	[-]
Posts: 2777 (06/08/08 14:21:13) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I still haven't gotten up enough nerve to try the Lyrica. I have a few Neurontin left so trying to use them up before I start. I hope the Lyrica doesn't make me sick. I am hoping it will help with the all over body pain. I think I am asking for a miracle? I have started getting the electric shock pain in my back again so hopefully the Lyrica will help with nerve pain. So far the only two meds that have made me deathly ill, were Cymbalta and Topamax. Being that sick makes me real leary of trying something new. I will let you know what happens. Elaine
Michelle Denise	I am on Lyrica	#15	[-]
Posts: 6585 (06/24/08 21:45:16) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Dear Elaine, I switched from Topamax to Lyrica a few weeks ago. I am now on 75 mg twice a day. I am hoping maybe I can increase it to 100 mg. soon. I feel better on it than on the Topamax. The Topamas I think was making me real draggy and depressed. I also had trouble finding words and that is getting better. Although, at first I felt pretty foggy on it, but that seems to be clearing up now. I have had less side effects with the Lyrica than with the Neurontin. I think you might be surprised by the Lyrica. As a person who has taken Neurontin, Topamax and Lyrica. I think it is worth you giving it a try. Sincerely, Michelle
Elaine2004		#16	[-]
Posts: 2777 (06/24/08 23:01:56) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Michelle, Well I finally started on the Lyrica. I have just been taking 50mg. at night for the last five days. I was suppose to increase after four days but thought I would try to get used to this dose before going up. It sure does knock me out at night. It didn't make me sick feeling so that is good! I think I will take the second dose at 5AM. That is when my husband leaves for work and then I go back to bed. Hopefully by 8 or 9 I will be able to get up without feeling groggy. I know some of these medications can really make you feel depressed and crappy feeling. Does the Lyrica make you tired? Elaine
feelines		#17	[-]
Posts: 1878 (06/24/08 23:03:15) Senior Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I can't afford to have trouble with words. I'm becoming a medical transcriptionist....
Michelle Denise	Elaine and Feeliness	#18	[-]
Posts: 6585 (06/25/08 09:54:12) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Dear Elaine, I think the Lyrica makes me much less tired compared to the Topamax. I feel I am getting a little bit of my energy back. Although, I do have break through pain, so I might have to increase the dosage. Feeliness I understand you can't have any trouble with words. I felt I had no choice when I was on the Topamax until I could find a different medication. Love, Michelle
Michelle Denise	How is it going on the Lyrica?	#19	[-]
Posts: 6585 (07/05/08 20:39:11) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Elaine, I know you started the Lyrica and wondered if you were having any problems with it? I have not noticed any except that maybe I am a bit more hungry than I was before on the Topamax, but I still managed to lose two pounds when I went to the doctor. I don't think she was too impressed but my husband was very impressed. Michelle
Elaine2004		#20	[-]
Posts: 2777 (07/05/08 23:47:52) Senior Member * Moderator * Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Remove this ad Michelle, I am still only taking it at night. I know I should have increased by now but so much going on that I don't want to take the chance of being tired. Hopefully all my company will slow down so I can think straight. I have to see my PM on Monday. Not looking forward to the drive. Elaine

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