Side Effects of Lyrica

Lyrica is a prescription drug medicine used to treat Fibromyalgia and nerve pain due to Diabetes or Shingles. About a year ago, I developed nerve pain and irritation in the legs that appeared to be caused by a disc herniation. The pain was diffused and was not along a particular nerve. Instead, it occurred randomly in the feet and legs. I also had occasional numbness and tingling. Although my back pain improved, my nerves continued to be irritated for weeks after the disc herniated. I quit my job and mostly spent my time lying down on my back that was the only posture which relieved my pain. I did could not even do my daily chores at home.

After trying many NSAID pain-killers, cortisone and narcotic pain-killers, I did not see any improvement. Then my orthopedic prescribed Lyrica, 50mg thrice a day. Within a week of taking the drug, I started feeling better. My tingling and numbness were milder and the nerve pain had decreased by nearly 50%.

With a month of being on the medicine, my mobility improved and my activity levels improved. I could drive short distances, get the groceries, etc. I felt about 70% relieved.

But at the same time, I started experiencing some side-effects from the drug. The worst of Lyrica side-effects was blurriness of vision sometimes I would sense floaters occluding the eyes or I would see double. I frequently washed my eyes with water hoping it would relieve me, but that did not help. I always avoided driving within 4-5 hours of taking the medicine.

Lyrica's side-effects also included extreme dryness in the mouth. I always carried a bottle me wherever I went and drank plenty of water to counter the problem.

Another of Lyrica side-effects I encountered was weight gain. I gained about 10 lbs. in 3 months. And with my limited mobility and inability to exercise for weight-loss, I found it very difficult to shed the weight. I strictly stuck with a low-carb, low-fat diet to control the excess weight gain.

After 4 months of taking the drug, I was nearly 90% better with the nerve pain when I requested my doctor to adjust the dosage to control Lyrica's side-effects. He tapered the doses gradually and I completely got off the drug. Then, within a couple of weeks my vision improved and gradually I lost most the excess weight. Now my pain level is low although it does get severe occasionally. But I have been managing reasonably well with Acupuncture, Yoga and herbal medicines.