Good News...Bad News...

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2006
Good News...Bad News...
2
Wed, 06-20-2007 - 3:13pm

Hi Everybody! Well, I saw my pdoc yesterday and she thinks the reason I am cycling so much is because of a medication called Lyrica. It is for postherpetic neuralgia (nerve damage from shingles) or diabetic neuropathy. I use it for the nerve damage from shingles. I also tried Nuerontin for the same issue and it made me crazy. So, long story short my pdoc wants me to start tapering off of the Lyrica and be completely off of it by next Tuesday. It's kind of like....live in pain and be sane or live without pain and be completely nutty!!! What a choice, huh? She did test my lithium levels and they were low which means she could increase it if she wants too, but she wants to see if getting off the Lyrica will do the trick. I don't know what I'll do about the shingle pain without any treatment. I guess I'll just have to live with it. I feel physically feel like hell today. I'm hoping I'm not coming down with a cold. Maybe it is from cutting the dose of Lyrica down to half. ANyway, keep your fingers crossed that this will work.

Take Care,

Jena

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
Wed, 06-20-2007 - 3:34pm

It's kind of a bummer you have to give up your pain meds because the side fx are causing bp problems, but aren't there other things that can be done for pain of any type? For instance, I am having gall bladder problems, and when they get bad, I take Vicodan. I use it sparingly because I don't feel so good when I take it, but at least it takes the pain away and doesn't seem to cause me to cycle. Maybe you should go to a pain specialist. Maybe he could figure out something that could be done for you.

Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 06-20-2007 - 10:38pm

Jena,


I'm sorry to hear that Lyrica may be the cause of your problems, for you and for me.