Lyrica for Chronic pain? Side effects?

Hi everyone... I am new to this forum. First joined Crohn's Disease forum in 2010. Long story short, I have had a difficult two years. First diagnosed with Crohn's and Crohn's arthritis at 40... After many trips to the Mayo and local doctors, they were able to find a drug to work for the Crohn's.. Humira. Mayo could not figure out how to help my arthritis and chronic pain. Rheumy put me on Arava for joint inflammation. Drs agreed that I have a rare severe case of Crohn's in my joints and they are at a loss as to how to treat the constant pain.

Primary dr sent me to pain clinic.. he told me that I am at the end of my road... that he had one idea and after that I would have to live with my pain. They cannot put me on nsaids due to crohn's, narcotics are too addicting and they really don't want to use them anymore for chronic pain. He mentioned Fentanyl but I can't live on that. He mentioned Butran but said that would stop working after year and I am only 42. He said acupuncture wouldn't work and is not covered by my insurance. His only option was Lyrica... he said he is not sure if I now have Fibro or if I just have chronic pain.

The problem is that Lyrica is making me feel stupid. I can't remember things, I am messing my words up. It takes me forever to get a sentence out. I have already been sitting here for 45 minutes trying to type this. I have to correct words and sentences... I am always feeling like I am hungover. I am only on 50mg twice a day. He is talking about increasing it but I don't think I can handle it.

Does anyone have any experience with this?
(mods.. I am going to cross post in Fibromyalgia.. if this is not okay please delete. I just really need help)

Hi June, Kathy here, I am just a little confused, your doctor must know fentanyl is a narcotic, so as far as dependency fentanly is one of the stronger narcotic meds out there.

June when your Dr started you on Lyrica did he begin with 25mg 2 times a day for a week and then raise the mg to 50?? I am just wondering if you eased into it it might not have had such an effect. I am just easing off of Lyrica I'm at 50mg as well right now and I find myself taking forever to do the simplist task. I am actually weening myself off of Lyrica and Cymbalta at the same time. If you can try to start at a lower dose and then every week increase until you are at the prescribed amount.

Kathy.. this is not the first , but second time I have been offered Fentanyl but nothing else. My husband and I just looked at each other. It confuses me that they will offer me such a strong narcotic. It boggles the mind. I have not been offered neurontin but will bring this up at my next pain clinic appt which is next week.

Grandmaroses.. no he did not. He started at 50mg once a day and then five days later, moved to 2x a day... I have not increased to three times a day because like you....it is taking me a long time to get sentences out...I am using wrong words... feel really stupid.
I have been in pain for two years....this has brought me some relief.. I hate there are side effects...maybe neurontin will be different.

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42 yo...mom to three wonderful kids, and wife to an amazing , supportive husband of 20 years..
Diagnosed with Crohn's March 2010- Mayo Confirmed May 2010
currently disabled due to Crohn's
Humira,Arava, Lyrica, Vivelle, Propranolol, Dexilant, Promethazine, Ambien

Junerainbow- I am a bit confused about why the Dr will give you Fentanyl patches but won't give you pain medication? Fentanyl is extremely addictive. I agree that you should ask about Neurontin, I was not able to take it, but many others are and have great success with it. I have been taking Lyrica for over a year now and it helps a bit with my groin/leg pain, but does nothing for my back problems. I've never had any side effects from it, except that it seems like my blood sugar drops a little after taking it. I am so sorry that you have those side effects, that must drive you crazy. I hope you can get some relief soon! Also, welcome to the CP forum, you will love it here!

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Current: DDD L4-S1, Arthritis L4-S1, Facet Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis, Vulvodynia, Restless Leg Syndrome, Bi-polar, IBS, Fibromyalgia, PTSD. In past 6 months have had epidurals, facet blocks and radiofrequency ablation.
Past: Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. 3 laparoscopies, 2 cystoscopies, total hysterectomy, appendix & gallbladder removal.

Hi June, unfortunately there are side effects to everything it seems. My lyrica is 25mg capsule so going from 25mg 2 times a day up to 75mg 2 times a day for a 150mg total was an easy transition however I was only on the 150mg for 2 weeks and then I made the choice to reduce beck down and then I will be off of them. After all my medication was purchased I looked at our budget and we can not afford lyrica and cymbalta and others so I am weaning myself off.

I am happy this medication works for some people but it is not for me. Maybe its not the lyrica causing the brain fog maybe its just FM? I have never been on Fentanyl but if everyone says its addictive I believe them, its really hard to find something that works for the pain and we can be a bit more sensitive to meds as well. Hopefully you will find something soon.

Hopefully this post makes sense as I have reread it twice and I keep forgetting what I am writing about. grrrrrrrr

junerainbow,