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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Crazy Horse on July 28, 2006, at 11:07:06
My GP gave me a script of Lyrica for my chronic neck and back pain..dose is low, 150 mgs a day. I have noticed: pain has reduced some from maybe a 7 to a 5, my sleep has improved most definitely..this is what i am most grateful for. No more early morning wakening from my EMSAM..i take 50 mgs. at bedtime.
I have been reading some interesting information about Lyrica. Some claim Lyrica at higher doses, 600 mg + acts as a mild stimulant. Also claims of it being pro-social at higher doses. Some go as high as 1200 mgs. a day with very posiive results. Also read it can be a potent antidepressant, superior sleep med, and has a pro gabanergic effect at higher doses. I'm going to talk to my doc about increasing my dose..it's worth a try anyway. BTW, adding Lyrica has helpd reduce my anxiety some already as i was able to reduce my Klonopin from 3 mg. a day to 2 mg. per day, without any problems. Lyrica gives me hope of an improved quality of life.
Monte
Posted by Tom Twilight on July 28, 2006, at 13:26:36
In reply to Doc gives me a prescription for LYRICA..Questions., posted by Crazy Horse on July 28, 2006, at 11:07:06
I'm afraid my experience with Lyrica was quite negative.
At first it had a good pro-social affect and helped anxiety.
Unfortunatly the benefits soon faded.
If anything it gave me more insomniaTollerance soon built up :(
Had really high hopes for this med
Posted by Colleen D. on July 28, 2006, at 20:55:58
In reply to Re: Doc gives me a prescription for LYRICA..Questions., posted by Tom Twilight on July 28, 2006, at 13:26:36
a trial? Are there great difference in the way the two drugs work that indicate that Lyrica might work for nerve pain, depression, anxiety and SP for me?
Colleen
Posted by Crazy Horse on July 28, 2006, at 23:48:32
In reply to If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYRICA, posted by Colleen D. on July 28, 2006, at 20:55:58
> a trial? Are there great difference in the way the two drugs work that indicate that Lyrica might work for nerve pain, depression, anxiety and SP for me?
>
> ColleenI felt nothing on high dose neurontin for about one full year. Lyrica at 500 mgs. WOW, do i feel better! Pain is reduced ( i have chronic neck and back pain/damage) i feel energized, less depressed and much more social. BUT, it's early, the question is , is this going to last or fizzle out like so many meds have done for me before? It's too early to say..but i hope and pray that it does last because i like the way it makes me feel. :) Give it a try.
Monte
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2006, at 11:59:30
In reply to Re: If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYRICA, posted by Crazy Horse on July 28, 2006, at 23:48:32
I think Jakeman takes it too. Love phillipa hope it continues to work for you.
Posted by Crazy Horse on July 29, 2006, at 13:41:38
In reply to Re: If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYRICA » Crazy Horse, posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2006, at 11:59:30
> I think Jakeman takes it too. Love phillipa hope it continues to work for you.
Me too, because i'm feeling great..2 days now! :)
Love, Monte
Posted by yxibow on August 1, 2006, at 19:31:32
In reply to If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYRICA, posted by Colleen D. on July 28, 2006, at 20:55:58
> a trial? Are there great difference in the way the two drugs work that indicate that Lyrica might work for nerve pain, depression, anxiety and SP for me?
>
> ColleenThey work slightly differently but they are just a molecule apart. However, at least for me, Lyrica caused blurred vision, which is a known, but small side effect. Hopefully you will not experience this. I think Lyrica offers more for pain management than Neurontin, but that's just an amateurs guess.
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 1, 2006, at 20:28:22
In reply to If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYRICA, posted by Colleen D. on July 28, 2006, at 20:55:58
> a trial? Are there great difference in the way the two drugs work that indicate that Lyrica might work for nerve pain, depression, anxiety and SP for me?
>
> ColleenColleen,
I just read at Medscape that Lyrica is 3 to 10 times more potent as a GABA analogue than neurontin, and has no known med interactions (this was written in 2005).Lyrica stabilizes electrical energy in the brain, thus reducing over stimulation of electrical signals in the brain. It (at 600 mgs.) mimics GABA action, acting as natural 'nerve calming agent.' High dose(600 mgs.) can cause significant improvement for depression, GAD and social anxiety. I'm on 600 mgs now and my improvement has been SIGNIFICANT for 6 straight days now, with no side effects! :)
Monte
P.S. I did titrate up to 600 mgs. over 3 weeks..so if you try it, be patient and initially it may make you drowsy..low dose = sedation, high dose = energy.
Posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2006, at 20:34:23
In reply to Re: If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYR » Colleen D., posted by yxibow on August 1, 2006, at 19:31:32
My pdoc said it was like topamax helped headaches was she wrong? Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on August 3, 2006, at 0:04:18
In reply to Re: If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYR » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2006, at 20:34:23
> My pdoc said it was like topamax helped headaches was she wrong? Love Phillipa
Its current approved usage is for adjunctive epilepsy therapy, diabetic nerve pain, and pain associated with shingles.
From what I can see on non peer reviewed information it is being tried for fibromyalgia and migraines, so perhaps thats what she meant about headaches. There are no official trials for these conditions.
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 3, 2006, at 9:14:14
In reply to Re: If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYR » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2006, at 20:34:23
> My pdoc said it was like topamax helped headaches was she wrong? Love Phillipa
yes, Lyrica (pregabalin) is used 'off label' for depression, GAD, and social anxiety. It is an anti-epileptic that is excellent for multiple illnesses; diabetic peripheral neuropathy, chronic pain issues, GAD, depression and social phobia (the studies show that for depression, GAD, and social phobia, doses need to be higher, in the 600 mg. range. Lyrica is 3-10 times stronger as a gabanergic analogue than neurontin. Low dose lyrica=sedation, high dose=significant improvent for depression, GAD, and social anxiety.
Lyrica stabilizes electrical energy inthe brain, thus reducing over stimulation of electrical signals in the brain. It mimics GABA action, acting as a natural 'nerve calming agent.'
I have had 7 VERY GOOD DAYS in a row of Lyrica at 600 mgs. Mood is elevated, i have had no anxiety, i feel motivated, pro-social, and am able to really enjoy life. I just hope and pray it continues to work this well for me.
Monte
Posted by mayzee on August 3, 2006, at 10:31:39
In reply to Re: If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYR, posted by Crazy Horse on August 3, 2006, at 9:14:14
> I have had 7 VERY GOOD DAYS in a row of Lyrica at 600 mgs. Mood is elevated, i have had no anxiety, i feel motivated, pro-social, and am able to really enjoy life. I just hope and pray it continues to work this well for me.
>
Wow, it it so nice to hear your positive reports! I really feel good when I read them. Thanks for sharing your experience. I hope so much that this continues for you!!! I don't pray, but I'm sending positive & good intentions to you. Thanks & good luck! --mayzee
Posted by Questionmark on August 4, 2006, at 13:25:13
In reply to Re: If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYR, posted by Crazy Horse on August 3, 2006, at 9:14:14
> "... I have had 7 VERY GOOD DAYS in a row of Lyrica at 600 mgs. Mood is elevated, i have had no anxiety, i feel motivated, pro-social, and am able to really enjoy life. I just hope and pray it continues to work this well for me."
Does anyone know if any withdrawal symptoms occur after discontinuing daily use of Lyrica (after 7 days of use or, say, 30 days of use)?
I was wondering because it sounds as if taking it either every once in awhile or most of the time for one to six or so days, and then taking a short break to eradicate tolerance, would be the way to go. Would this allow people to sustain the benefits every time they took it while preventing tolerance?
Posted by yxibow on August 4, 2006, at 23:40:22
In reply to Re: If Neurontin didn't help me, should I give LYR, posted by Questionmark on August 4, 2006, at 13:25:13
> > "... I have had 7 VERY GOOD DAYS in a row of Lyrica at 600 mgs. Mood is elevated, i have had no anxiety, i feel motivated, pro-social, and am able to really enjoy life. I just hope and pray it continues to work this well for me."
>
>
> Does anyone know if any withdrawal symptoms occur after discontinuing daily use of Lyrica (after 7 days of use or, say, 30 days of use)?
> I was wondering because it sounds as if taking it either every once in awhile or most of the time for one to six or so days, and then taking a short break to eradicate tolerance, would be the way to go. Would this allow people to sustain the benefits every time they took it while preventing tolerance?
Well Lyrica fits as the only medication I know of recent usage that is in C-V (federal, not state manipulation of Sudafed, etc.) They were going to slap it with a C-IV, but it appeared as C-V, which, is basically the least likely to "cause addiction" or "habitution" or however one wishes to describe these things. With any AED (anti-epileptic drug) its always a good idea to taper off of it if you've been taking it for a sufficient amount of time. If you take Lyrica for 7 days and it isn't for you, I doubt much has built up.If its discontinued after several months, that's probably when your doctor should discuss about dropping off a few pills on a schedule taper, as any AED has the potentiation of causing a seizure, however infinitessimal, in a vacuum (total dump) of the medication.
This is the end of the thread.
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