Hi Patti,
I hope this plan works out for you. It is great that your neuro is taking
such an interest in your pain. Some of the neuros you hear about don't seem
to care very much.
I have been taking Lyrica for about a year. It has done pretty well for me.
My legs are in much less pain than they were before starting it. I was
taking tegratal and switched right away to Lyrica with no problems. I
tried cymbalta a few months ago. I found I had to take it in the morning.
When I took it at night I was awake most of the night and felt that my heart
was racing. When I switched to mornings I had no problems. Unfortunately
it caused such dry mouth I couldn't stand it. I think because I already
have dry mouth from the bladder meds and this just made it unbearable. Hope
this helps.
Lynn in RI (cool and sunny)
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "tmic-list-at-eskimo.com" <tmic-list@eskimo.com>
Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 10:09 PM
Subject: [TMIC] Lots to chat about
I've been checking in to see what's going on too!
I had my annual neuro appt last week and have to say he sure is interested
in the amount of pain I deal with. Last year my Neuro gave me samples of
Lyrica that I never took due to various posts from others and the cost
that I will incur if I can't get samples. So this is the route he would
like me to take:
1. replace my 2400mg of daily gabapenton with 75mg twice daily
2. increase 60mg Cymbalta to 90mg for 2 weeks, then to 120mg daily
3. increase Baclofen from 10mg every 6 hours to to every 4 to 5 hrs
4. Take 5mg Valium if needed on a rare basis
I know this is a lot of changes, however, I'm going to do them one step at
a time.
I decided to take the plunge and try the Lyrica immediately. Literally!
My Neuro assured me again that I could switch from the gabapentin to the
Lyrica without any effects so I did it that evening and the change went
fine. I had a slight headache for about 1/2 hour for the first 3 doses
and that was the only side effect. I just went thru the big weather
change from 90 degrees to a 50 degree with rain and tolerated it better
than I could have imagined. I'm not out of pain, but I'm not ready to cut
my leg off either.
I have taken the Baclofen often than at 6 hours twice and it helps to know
that I can take them as soon as my back muscles start to spasm. That is a
big relief.
Now, specifically for those of you who take Cymbalta....Is ther a time of
day to take it that works better for you? I asked my Neuro if it mattered
and his answer was not unless it keeps you awake. I don't have trouble
falling asleep, just staying asleep. I wonder if the Cymbalta is the
culprit.
My Neuro also wrote me an RX for a walker so I can walk distances without
the muscle spasms. I paid attention to the questions and answers recently
so I think I have that covered.
Does anyone have any suggestions or comments on my news?
Patti - Michigan
