Pfizer Lyrica Review

Lyrica is a great pain medication for fibromyalgia. I have used Lyrica since December of 2007 and I have found that it helps me out with a lot of my nerve pain associated with diabetes's. I also take Lyrica for seizures and since being on Lyrica my seizures have subsided completely. I did notice a little water fluid build up in my feet and hands when I first started taking Lyrica, but your doctor can put you on a fluid pill to help with this or your doctor my decrease your dosage. For those people that really don't understand what Fibromyalgia is, I can explain it medically which I will do later but let me put it in layman's terms. Fibromyalgia is just a word associated with pain. Doctors will call your condition Fibromyalgia if you have pain and they don't know whats causing it and why you are having pain. Basically if a doctor says you have Fibromyalgia then they probably don't know why you are in pain and what is causing your pain. Now onto the medical definition of Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is widespread pain in the muscles and soft tissues above and below the waist and on both sides of the body. On June 21, 2007; Lyrica (Preglabin) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Previously Preglabin was prescribed for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia's and as an additional therapy for adults with partial onset seizures. According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects between 2 to 4 percent of the population. Lyrica is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that causes seizures. Lyrica also affects chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system. While taking Lyrica you may have thoughts of suicide. You need to have regular check-ups with your doctor. You should call your doctor right away if you have any new symptoms or symptoms begin to worsen such as:

• mood or behavioral changes
• depression
• anxiety
• or if you feel agitated
• hostile
• restless
• hyperactive (physical or mental)
• or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself or others

If taking Lyrica for seizures you should keep taking this medication even if you feel fine. Stopping Lyrica abruptly may cause an increase in seizure activity. Stopping Lyrica abruptly without your doctors consent may cause withdrawals. Symptoms of withdrawals can include:

• headache
• sleep problems
• nausea
• diarreah

You should carry around a medical ID bracelet or ID card stating you are taking Lyrica in-case of an emergency.

Some of the side effects that I have experienced since being on Lyrica is:

• fatigue
• blurred vision
• sudden convulsions (little jerks of the hand or leg)
• dry mouth
• impaired speach
• weight gain due to fluid build-up in the body
• impaired reaction time
• dizziness
• an increase in my appetite
• loss of balance (coordination)
• problems concentrating
• some joint and muscle pain

Though I did have these side effects I have continued taking Lyrica and most if not all of these side effects have subsided.

Get emergency medical help if you any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• hives
• impaired breathing
• swelling of
  • your face
  • lips
  • tongue
  • or throat

Contact your doctor if you have any of these serious side effects

• muscle pain
• weakness
• or tenderness (especially if you have a fever or have had a fever and feel tired)

*While taking Lyrica you should avoid alcohol. Alcohol can increase the side effects of Lyrica.*

Lyrica can cause sleepiness and taking these other medicines may add to the sleepiness caused by Lyrica:

• cold or allergy medications
• narcotic pain medicines
• sleeping pills
• muscle relaxers
• medicines for seizures
• and depression and anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Lyrica.

*You should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery or any activity that requires you to be alert and awake while taking Lyrica until you know how Lyrica will affect you. As Lyrica may impair your thinking and reaction time.

Known medical side effects of Lyrica other than those I have experienced are:

• constipation
  • stomach pain
• blurred vision
• dizziness or drowsiness
  • anxiety
• loss of balance or coordination
• problems with memory or concentration
• dry mouth
• increased appetite; &
• muscle or joint pain

Lyrica is a great medication for people suffering from wide spread pain and do not like to take strong narcotics. This medicine has been a blessing to me. If you suffer from diabetic pain, nerve pain, or wide spread pain for unkown reasons, you should talk to your doctor and see if Lyrica is right for you.

Do you think you have Fibromyalgia? Take this self-assessment test to find out and discuss the results with your doctor.

1. Do you have a lot of pain in certain areas of your body? If you so do you lack any obvious signs of damage such as bruising or swelling?
2. Is your overall body pain severe?
3. Do you have trouble sleeping 3 or more nights a week?
4. Do you feel exhausted more than half of the time or more?
5. Do people often come to you and say you look sick?
6. Do you stay away or turn down social events rather than go out and risk feeling achy and tired?
7. Do you ever think or wonder if your pain will ever go away or if you will feel like this forever?
8. Are you always losing or forgetting things?
9. Do you have so much mental confusion that you wonder if it could be an early onset of Alzheimer's?
10. Do you have trouble finding any real pattern to your pain? Cause some days it's really bad and other days it's not.
11. Have you started to feel down about your pain and fatigue?
12. Are you wondering if depression could be the underlying problem?
13. Do you have widespread pain in all four quadrants of your body?(below waist, above waist, right side, and left side of your body)
14. Has this pain lasted for more than 3 months?
15. Have you ever been examined by a doctor for fibromyalgia?

If you answered yes to most of these questions then you should talk to your doctor about Fibromyalgia and is Lyrica is right for you.

***This information is my opinion and based on my continued use of Lyrica. This is not a diagnosis and does not make up for seeking qualified help from a trained and licensed medical examiner.***