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DougC
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Posted: Thu May 14th, 2009 02:50 am |
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Anyone taking Lyrica? I was placed on Lyrica first week of Apr to combat the neuropathy in my feet/legs.
Questions:
Does Lyrica reverse neuropathy; or, only treat the pain associated with neuropathy?
Has anyone experienced weight gain? I've gain roughly 15 pds in 45 days. I'm pretty sure Lyrica caused it. Now, whether the weight gain is the result of Lyrica, hypothyroid, and dex combined, I don't know.
High blood pressure anyone? I've NEVER had high blood pressure until Lyrica. My blood pressure has gone from the 120s to the 160s.
Despite exercising daily, these past 45 days on lyrica have been interesting to say the least.
Anyone else experiencing this sort of thing?
PS: Lyrica works on the pain like no other...truly amazing. However, the side-effects make it questionable for me. The pain in my feet is pretty bad....not sure what to expect or do about it if not on Lyrica.
Would love some input
TIA
Doug
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Posted: Wed May 20th, 2009 05:58 pm |
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Hi Doug,
The director of the HCI Myeloma Program says that, in his experience, lyrica only helps with painful neuropathy and not with numbness and tingling. He notes that the hypothyroid and especially the dex are more likely to cause weight gain than lyrica.
Take care,
Chat Moderator
Myeloma Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute
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DougC
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Posted: Thu May 21st, 2009 02:46 am |
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Thank you K; and, please thank the Director as well.
Bestest to all of you
Doug
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liz
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Posted: Tue Jun 30th, 2009 04:54 pm |
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My husband has severe pain in his hands and feet due to neuropathy from treatments. He was taking (2) 600 mg pills of Gabapentin 3 times a day.
This was a big dose and the Dr. was concerned about that so We tried to switch to Lyrica last month to see if it would be better. It really helped him sleep but it didn't control the pain at all, so he is back on the Gabapentin.
We saw a neruologist last week and he wanted my husband to try a brand new drug, Savella, hoping it woud help. After 3 days, the pain was unbearable so he is off that one too.
I don't know if the neuropathy pain is common, but after 1 year of treatment, my hubby has no more bone pain, but feels like his hands and feet are on fire all the time. This has been a huge trial.
I don't know much about the gabapentin except that his Dr. was hoping the Lyrica would be better....
We just keep trying.
Good luck.
Liz
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DougC
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Posted: Wed Jul 1st, 2009 01:54 am |
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Liz - thank you for sharing your insight. Lyrica really did wonders for the pain in my feet. However, the other side-effects really bothered me. For my hands, I've found the puddy hospitals sell for physical theropy works great. I squeeze that stuff every day. It has made my hands strong and really has helped with the cramping and stabbing pain I was getting in my hands and finger tips.
Not sure what causes so much pain with neuropathy. Sure wish they could find a cure for that lovely side-effect.
Wish you all the best in your search
Doug
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liz
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Posted: Wed Jul 1st, 2009 04:52 pm |
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Thanks for the suggestion. We will try that one. He needs something to do with his hands besides "wringing" them all the time. I hope it will work.
Liz
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Posted: Wed Jul 1st, 2009 08:51 pm |
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Hi liz,
Could you tell us more about the treatment your husband has had for his myeloma? Has he had treatment with thalidomide or velcade? If you could give us these details we can perhaps make a recommendation about the neuropathy. We just need to know what treatment he's had.
Thanks,
Myeloma Chat Moderator
Huntsman Cancer Institute
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liz
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Posted: Tue Jul 7th, 2009 07:27 pm |
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My husband has had treatment with Thalidomide/Dexamethasone (4 cycles), then switched to Velcade/Doxil (8 cycles) ...
He was tested by the neurologist and has severe damage in both his hands and feet. He said it was probably permanent.
We tried Lyrica,
The neurologist wants us to try Savella or Imipramine, but one at a time. The Savella seemed to increase the pain.
He has not tried Imipramine yet.
He is taking Gabapentin (600 mg. 3 x a day) and about 10 Percocet every day to control the pain.
His myeloma has totally relapsed at this point, so I don't know what to do about the nerve damage. We are trying to figure out our next step.
Any suggestions about how to handle neuropathy would be helpful.
Thanks,
Liz
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Posted: Fri Jul 10th, 2009 04:03 pm |
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Actually, with this history, it would not be wise of us to give advice on how to handle his current condition without seeing him in our clinic to find out just what is going on with his myeloma and neuropathy. We are happy to help if you would ever like to come to Huntsman Cancer Institute and see one of our myeloma specialists.
Myeloma Chat Moderator
Huntsman Cancer Institute
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liz
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Posted: Sun Aug 16th, 2009 04:34 pm |
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Hi Doug.
My husband's pain with neuropathy just vanished... It is like his hands and feet worked through some sort of process. Maybe they are just dead now. He is still on Gabapentin, but nothing else for neuropathy. He has twitching and jerking which is driving him crazy, but otherwise the burning hands issue is not his major issue anymore. Is Lyrica still working well for you?
LizLast edited on Sun Aug 16th, 2009 04:34 pm by liz
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DougC
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Posted: Sun Aug 16th, 2009 10:20 pm |
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Hi Liz - the Lyrica does great for the pain, but the numbness is still there. I'm hoping now that I'm off the Chemo, the pain and numbness will both go away....time will tell.
I'm glad your husband has had success with losing the pain in his feet...that's good news for sure
Hope all else is going well.....I wish you both continued success!
DougC
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denesepete
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Posted: Tue Aug 18th, 2009 02:34 pm |
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Hey Doug and Liz
My husband is on Thalidomide and his neuropathy is definately getting worse in his feet--more numbness and tingling than actual pain at this point. It does mess up his balance some so we worry about that. His hands have begun tinglining now too--we'll try the puddy squeeze thing. I also am going to try a foot massage in the evenngs to see if that will make any difference (who doesn't love a foot massage). Keep me posted on what works (or doesn't for you guys) As usual Doug, you are our pioneer for this stuff.
denese P
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jazzmom
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Posted: Wed Aug 19th, 2009 06:51 pm |
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I hope there comes a day when the drug that is taken to treat a problem stops creating more problems with side effects. All of your experiences help others. I pray for better medicines to keep coming. Doug you are instrumental in helping us all, caregivers and fighters. THanks
Last edited on Wed Aug 19th, 2009 06:59 pm by jazzmom
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