I have taken Lyrica before. It really help my neuropathy pain, but it caused a great deal of swelling in my legs and ankles. I was on the lowest dose at the time...thinking it was maybe 150mg. at the time. But not sure...(I have slept since then and memory goes after sleeping..JK!!!) I did not have any drunk syptoms but for the swelling I loved not having pain. It really helped.

I have been taking 100mg twice a day for a couple of years. I don't get the drunk feeling and I haven't noticed any abnormal swelling. It does help with my neuropathy pain in my feet.

I took it for a few months about 4 years for sciatic pain. I slept very soundly and it helped the sciatic pain.

My neurologist just gave me a script for it for my neuropathy pain but I have yet to get it filled, after reading all the warnings that were in the little booklet that came with it and the online warnings it has me worried.
Especially the part about having suicidal thoughts and people committing suicide on it. Plus the risk of depression, the last thing I need on top of all my illness is depression. I was also worried about the hangover effects the next day, that happens to me with a lot of sleep or pain meds.
I am taking prednisone to try to keep the swelling down in my feet and ankles etc so the thought of something making that worse is not a happy thought.

I had to stop taking it because of dizziness. I even gave it another try about a month later to be sure that the Lyrica is what caused it. It was not a minor issue, which I would have just dealt with. I later discovered that dizziness is one of its most common side effects.

I don't take it but am writing about all of you with neuropathy pain. Have any of you tried Alpha Lipoic Acid? I've been told that it works wonders, I take it daily as a preventative.

I forgot to mention that my knee pain is from a damaged nerve and would be classed as neuropathy. (I am still a little "drunk.")

I am taking 75mg; if it were 150mg, I don't think I could function. :) It has caused me to dream a lot, but I can't remember any of them when I wake up.

I noticed that dizziness is the second on a long list of side effects, tiredness being first. I have not been dizzy; just off balance, literally.

RC, with your situation, I don't blame you for being extra cautious. Suicide is 'way beyond a side effect, I think.

Never heard of Alpha Lipoic Acid; I googled and found Alpha Lipotic Acid. Guess it is the same thing, or a typo.

I appreciate all your replies. Since it doesn't make me sick at my stomach, I can handle the drunk feeling which has gotten less each day, although I've had more pain today than in quite a while.

BTW, I am a tee-totaler, so I am assuming what drunk feels like. LOL

Sue

I took it for a while and it help in the beginning but it did make me drunk and want to snack more .I gained wait and made me more depressed and I did have suicidal thought .It begin not to work for me it was not worth the side effects.Every one is different.

I just want to say thanks for starting this thread it is really what I needed to help me decide if I felt adding one more med to my long list would be worth it, at this point in time I do not think so, not with these kinds of side effects.
Some of the other heavy duty meds I am on are worrisome enough!
Glad to hear from everyone!

RC, glad this has been a help to you. Today I'm still a little drunk, but sobering up more each day.

Of course, meds react differently to each of us. I'll stick with this a while and see what happens.

Sue

I don't know why you couldn't find anything on it Sue, when I just googled it a dozen pages showed up. As a diabetic I am concerned about peripheral neuropathy, the article I attached is informative about how it works.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alpha Lipoic Acid

lynn_d, my mistake; you are right. It was my typo, my excuse is that I am in an altered state right now. Plus I think the gremlins have rearranged the keys on my keyboard.

Sorry.

Sue

I just saw my primary care doc and talked to him about the lyrica that the neuro doc had given me a scrip for he was happy I had not started it he agreed at this point in time with all my other meds lets not introduce another one that could have negative effects.

It could always be added at a later date if needed.
again this thread was very helpful and I did mention in general the various side effects to my doctor too. He said that was a very good way to get an idea of possible reactions.

No need to apologize, Sue, I just wanted you to have the right info, in case it would help. I take Alpha Lipoic Acid Sustain, 300mg.

RC, you did the right thing to talk to your doctor about Lyrica, or any other med.

Today I am almost sober {{gwi:1472708}},and have done some housework that needed doing, with only some low back pain that was bearable.

As I said I will stay with it unless it makes me sick.

Sue