Neurontin vs. Lyrica

[Faith]

Has anyone who has taken Neurontin and switched to Lyrica seen a big enough improvement to warrant the change to Lyrica? I currently take 2400 mg daily of Neurontin and my doctor is thinking of maybe switching me to Lyrica because it is a linear drug (you increase the dose you should get increased effect) whereas Neurontin kind of levels off and it is her experience that after getting up to as high a dose as I am on Lyrica would be more beneficial than incresing Neurontin again. I am leary of Lyricas side effects and don't have many on Neurontin, but also am not getting great relief on Neurontin.

Also has anyone taken Neurontin four times a day? Sometimes I think I would benefit from a fourth dose a day as I feel the meds wearing off. I currently take 800mg three times a day.

[GraceUnderFire]

Hi Faith,

Remember, this is just my experience and people all seem to react differently I switched to Lyrica from Neurontin. The amount of pain relief even on a small dose was HUGELY better than the neurontin. Unfortunately, I was not able to stay on it, but IMHO, it would not hurt to give it a try.

Also, I take Neurontin 800mgs 4x a day and have been - except for my Lyrica trial - for over 2 years.

I hope you find a good combination and you get some relief soon!!

Blessings,
Grace

[Robyn]

I am currently on 1200mg of Neurontin Every 6HR/3xday.

When I was on a little lesser dose, I too felt it was wearing off before the next dose was due and allowing break thru burning.

But once the increase to 1200mg, 3x day, it is holding burning back pretty good as long as I limited sitting time, sit on my good side or use a pool noodle home made seat coushion that kepts my off the nerve area.

I am saving the Lyrica for when no dose, no matter how high, of the Neurontin doesn't work anymore.

Lastly, Lyrica is going to cost allot more than the Neurontin.

Hope this helps.

Robyn

[Faith]

Thanks for the input Grace and Robyn. I know everyone's experiences are so different.

Has anyone experienced more weight gain on Lyrica than Neurontin? The side effects are what is keeping me from Lryica. I don't have any side effects really on Neurontin.

My doctor wont go higher than 3600 mg on Neurontin, but really doesn't think I will benefit much more by increasing since I am already at a high dose of 2400mg. I'm kind of like you Robyn. I wanted to save Lyrica for the "last straw". Robyn, I saw in your signature you are waiting for consult on a pulsed radio frequency in January. What exactly is that? I think my pain management doc mentioned something along those lines, but didn't get a lot of info.

[Robyn]

Hello Faith,

Your the second person to ask me about "Pulsed Radio Frequency".

I was surprised not to see it listed on the forum under Other Treatments.

I was just researching PN and ran across a few very shorts published articles on PubMed. The one says that the sucess rate has been very high, with long term results of 6 months or more of no pain.

Both my old (been with him for all 7.5 years) Pain Management doctor and thr new pain management facilty I just started using in October, do this work. My old pain doctor doesn't want to do it on me because it is outside of his "comfort zone", due to him not doing it on a regular basis. He minced no words and let me know if I could find someone who does it on the PN all the time, to hire them. This is a procedure that if not done correctly can really cause even more pain, but if done correctly, can really help. He also said that eventually, the nerve will need to be treated again. Other than that, since he didn't do the work, I did not ask for the "laypersons" explaination of how this works.

I just got my appt today, Jan 7th, for the consult with my new pain management doctor. Hopefully I will know more in a few weeks. If so, and it is helpful info, I will pass along. If not good news, I'll need to change my "tag".....................lol

Take care,
Robyn

[Violet M]

Robyn, over the years several people have posted regarding their experience with PRF. I can't remember ever reading of anyone who had good results with it for PN but that doesn't mean it won't work for you. Do you remember how many people were mentioned in the pubmed research article?

[donstore]

I just started lyrica 10 days ago and pain relief was significant and immediate. Outside of pleasant spaciness for 2-3 days at first, no negative side effects so far.