Lyrica Prescription Medicine review

I have fibromyalgia.  I was diagnosed in 1992 or 1993 (it is hard to remember back that far), and at that point, had already been "sick" for over a year.  The good news is that my doctor diagnosed me very quickly and did not have the mindset (as many doctors do -- even to this day) that "it was all in my head."  Fibromyalgia is real, and those of us suffering with it every day know that all too well.

Over the years since I was diagnosed, I have gone to many different types of doctors.  I have been to an internal medicine doctor (the doctor who ended up diagnosing me), a rheumatologist recommended to me by my general practitioner (which turned out to be a total waste of my time, by the way), psychologists (I have had two major mental breakdowns since I was diagnosed, most due to stress and depression brought on by constantly being in pain), more than one neurologist (I think I have been to three now), and of course my general practitioner (who is, for the most part, the one who treats me in my day-to-day life).  The first neurologist I visited, probably about four or five years ago now I think, had a fairly short, but very good conversation with me about my fibromyalgia, and then made the suggestion that I try this new medicine that was out there and being used for fibromyalgia -- Lyrica.  In fact, his words to me were, "Okay, how would you like to start feeling better?"  Guess what my answer was?

At that point in time, there were no commercials praising the medicine, and it wasn't yet "approved" for use for fibromyalgia, but my neurologist knew that they were having good success using it for that illness.  So, I tried it.  AND IT WORKED!  Amazing!

Wow -- did it work!  At first, it helped take away probably 50% of my day-to-day pain.  That lasted for a few years.  About a year ago, I felt like maybe it was not working as well anymore as it did in the beginning.  So I asked my doctor (general practitioner) about stopping the Lyrica.  He agreed that I could try if I wanted to, but he thought I would be sorry.  And he was right!  It only took a day or two to figure out that it absolutely worked.  I was in so much pain right away!  So, back on the Lyrica.

I should mention that I had one annoying side effect with the Lyrica -- it caused me to gain weight.  They tell you in the literature that this is one of the possible side effects, and it is the one that "got" me.  I ended up gaining about 30 pounds very quickly after starting the Lyrica.  In fact, the weight gain is why I wanted to try and stop the Lyrica -- hoping that I would lose some of the weight.  But, it is just not worth it.  If I have to choose between weight gain or constant pain -- I will take the weight gain every time.

I should also mention that I have talked with people who have tried the Lyrica and found out that it does not work for them.  I have a cousin who was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and because Lyrica was recently "approved for use with fibromyalgia," her doctor prescribed it for her right away.  I am not sure how long she took the Lyrica or if she even took it long enough to give it a chance, but according to her, she could not live with the side effects that it gave her compared to the amount of relief it might (or, I suppose, might not) have been giving her.  I do believe that, in my opinion only, she really did not give the Lyrica a chance to really work for her.

Occasionally, I will have a "bad day" and it usually turns out to be because I forgot to take my Lyrica.  I have had days when, about late morning, I really start to feel physically sick -- kind of dizzy, lethargic, and pain in my extremities.  It actually feels like I am getting the flu.  That is what fibromyalgia feels like for the most part.  If this happens, and I am not too sick to think of it, I will realize that I forgot to take my medicine (including the Lyrica) that particular morning.  Anytime I get out of my morning routine, those are the times I tend to forget to take my meds.  As soon as I catch up on the next dose that evening, I'll be back to "normal" the following day.  I have had holidays and special events ruined for me because I forgot to take my Lyrica.  Whatever you do, make sure to make it a routine to take your medicine at the same time every day.  I find that this is the only way that it works for me.  Otherwise, it is just to easy to forget!

You'll never catch me without my Lyrica!!  Because of several recent incidents where I have forgotten to make my Lyrica, I am starting to carry a couple of them with me in my purse so that if I realize I have forgotten, I can take it immediately!