Pregabalin anyone?!

skinnylizzie
skinnylizzie Member Posts: 37
edited 19. Mar 2011, 13:48 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hello,
I'm beginning to feel like a pain now asking all these questions! :oops:

But...I just wondered if anyone has had any benefit or been on pregabalin?
I saw the GP today but she is reluctant to give me any more anti-inflammatries or pain relief because they might not mix with the etoricoxib, so instead she has suggested I go on a very low dose of pregabalin to try and break the exhaustion-pain-exhaustion-pain cycle that I'm in. I'm wondering how it can actually help with joint pain though because I read that it's for nerve pain...

Just wondered if any of you lovely people have had any experience with this drug? My Mum's on it for Fibromyalgia but she gets weird and wonderful dreams!
Still, if it helps one get a more refreshed sleep and can actually wake up feeling like one's been to sleep for more than 5 hours I guess it's worth a shot!! :lol:

thanks everyone xx

Comments

  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello skinnylizzie - please don't ever feel you need to apologise for asking questions! We're here to help if we can. :grin:

    I don't have any experience of pregabalin but I know there are other forum members who use it so I am sure someone will be along soon with helpful advice.

    Hope that it does help you.

    Thinking of you.

    Love Tilly xxx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Surely it's nerves that relay pain, that is how you know stuff hurts. It is immaterial where those nerves are situated. Your mum may have weird dreams but that does not mean that you will and you won't know if it works until you try. I haven't had the pleasure of making that drug's aquaintance as yet, but if your consultant thinks it would help then it's worth a go, yes? I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • zechariah
    zechariah Member Posts: 222
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    I am on Pregabalin, I am on 150mg twice a day, I was on a higher dose but didn't get on with them and so I started again but on 25mg twice a day and built up slower.
    My pain is lower and I believe it is because of the Pregabalin and not any of the others so much.

    I do still suffer side effects though with my words, it causes me to struggle to find words and it means people being patient when I stop talking to find the right word, my wife normally just finishes the sentence for me, but that is nothing new :)

    I know some people don't have any problems or side effects at all and are on a higher dose!

    It is really worth a try, good luck and I hope it helps

    Zec
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lizzie
    I am on the older drug gabapentin, they have helped a little, but the one you are on is supposed to be much better, they stop the pain signals form bouncing back from your brain.....well something like that.
    They do make you a bit not with at the beginning but that does ease off, they do say to take your first dose at bedtime.
    Good Luck with it, and let us know how you get on
    Love
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I don't take it, so I don't really have a right to answer this, but I think people react in different ways to medication. I know its hard, but if you can at least try the drug, you can give it up if it gives you bad dreams, but you never know it could help you. My Mum couldn't take many anti-biotics, but I can take most of them.
    Anyway, sorry to but in but, I hope you find some help for your pain, it's not good, lying in bed trying to sleep and feeling uncomfortable with pain. Amatriptylne works quite well for me. although the doc has just increased the dose, and I've been a bit dozy. Don't say it, I know, so theirs no change then!!! :grin: Love Sue
  • YORKYSUE
    YORKYSUE Member Posts: 35
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi im on 300mg twice a day it takes the edge off my pain , makes me feel muddled in my head but worth it cos now i can sleep in my bed was sat downstairs for 6 months cos the pain was so bad when i tried to sleep in bed hope it works for you take care.
  • minky67
    minky67 Member Posts: 2,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, Im also on pregabs. I have found them great, i had been on gabapentins but even at the highest dose they did nothing for me.
    Im on 200mg twice a day & im sleeping better for a start. my mobility is better (not great but better than a snails pace) & i feel human again.
    Im not painfree by a long shot & take a cocktail of other meds but this so far (3 yrs) is the best ive had.
    If i can manage a day ok & cope thats as good as it gets for me.
    Ive also got a box of 50mgs so i can top up on reallly bad days but i try not to as they can make you high & take a bit of getting used too but well worth it. You can take 200mg 3 x a day if you want the full dose but not in two hits.
    Hope they work for you as they have for me.
    debs
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lizzie,

    been on it 3 years in June and well i took ages to get to 300 2x a day but they staggered mine to 75 3x a day, then 200 in the morning 150 at might and then added in 75 mid day as well as that and then 300 in the morning but ages till I could do the 300 at night cs it does tend to send me on a bit of a head rush.

    For me it worked so well and still does though not quite as good, I forgive it anything really.

    It works on your brain and basically knocks out the pain receptors but that's worth a lot if you can take it ok.

    I found out recently it comes in 30's and 50's but I started on 75's and now have the 100's. If I take them late at night they do keep me awake for a wile and that's the only problem I have really it does seem to wire me up a bit.

    Good luck with them though and they have been incredible for me and hope they will for you... and be kind while you get used to them./ Cris x