lyrica vs gabapentin

hello ladies and gents,
what a sigh of relief, just got back from my dr. appt. and got my pain meds that i have been out of for a week. i talked to him about lyrica that my other dr. wanted me to try before i moved and i could not believe what he told me.
for those of you who have tried gabapentin and have not had good results listen up!!!!!
he told me that lyrica is twice the strengh and half the dose of gabapentin, which means it is the same it is just another why that the rx people are trying to get more money.
so it just goes to show to becareful and research your meds. i guess it goes without saying that he is a dr. that is not a fan of rx but he is helping me so
just thought i would pass the gossip around.

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I smile through fibro

I have heard it said before that lyrica is just a glorified version os neurontin. It is sickening what the drug companies do to us at times. It is smart that you do your research.

Hugs, Karen

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  Moderator-Depression and fibromyalgia

I tried Lyrica and couldn't tolerate it. I seem to be able to tolerate Neurontin better. My rheumy had told me that Neurontin was the predecessor to Lyrica - but like all of these drugs, what works for one person, doesn't necessarily work for another.

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Still learning how to manage my Fibromylagia, and all the lovely gifts it brings.   

hmmpphh odd there. I took Neurontin years ago for my bipolar. I had the great side effect of suicidal tendencies. NO one told me that could happen. One day just fine. The next I was in the ICU and had no clue why. I had swallowed enough pills to kill an elephant. I wasn't suicidal. I am now on lyraca and it doesn't do that to me. I looked up both for ingredients and they are not the same. I love lyrica for my good days but it isnt high enough yet for my bad days. rxlist.com is great for med info.

I for one, do not believe that neurontin and lyrica are exactly the same. I have tried neurontin and it does not work for me. Lyrica works wonders however.

Just thought I'd share.

Lindaloo

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Moderator Chronic Pain

I found it interesting that my insurance does Not cover Lyrica.

I tried samples of it though, didn't make a difference for me so I stick with Gabapentin. I've been on Gaba for over 2 yrs and I guess it does the job. When I started taking it I wasn't near a Fibro dx. I started out 300mg to 600 to 900 then up to 1200mg a day. Then a few months later I got frustrated and cut back and for the last few months I take 600mg. Yes, my doc knew what I was doing.

BTW, one of the 2 pain clinic docs I saw said that Lyrica would take care of all my probs.(AAAhhh,say no more bozo)She said thats why it was made. SAY WHAT! I guess she didn't quite hear me when I told her I tried it and I've been on Gaba. at the time.

Bink

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Lori  

Since we all go to different doctors, have different pain tolerances, different drug tolerances, and have different bodies (BTW-anyone want to switch with me?) I think this falls into the old standby of "what works for you might not work for me." I would desperately like to at least TRY Lyrica and see if it helps ME feel any better. I'm on a high dose of Neurontin-2400mg a day (I take 600mg 4 times a day). FYI-I didn't start that high, but that's what I'm taking now. I have been on this does for 2 weeks and guess what? I feel absolutely zero pain relief. I do, however, feel very sleepy. LOL

Anyway, MY doctor told me that Lyrica is very SIMILAR to Neurontin, but there's "something else" in there that's supposed to work better. He would like for me to try it, I would like to try, but these d**** drug companies won't let me try it...cause it's too expensive. So, I sit here, in pain, suffering, and miserable. What am I supposed to do?

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FINALLY dxd with fibro on 06/13/08

I am so tired of the insurance companies playing God. They were trying to refuse my aqua therapy because they did not see it as necessary. I fought and won. Just more stress on all of us that we surely do not need.
Angeline