Lyrica for Fibromyalgia?

Question

My doctor just put me on Lyrica for my fibromyalgia.... The problem is I don't have insurance and it cost me almost $400 a month. I was wondering if anyone else with fibromyalgia is on Lyrica and how it was working for them. If it works I will stay with it but if it doesn't then I will ask him to write me something else. Another problem is it takes at least a week to work. I want the pain to stop now! Please let me know. Thanks!

Answer 1

Here is a link http://drugcardamerica.com/index.aspx?affid=265&agent=1&rxgrp=SAS265&affguid={b7e6c94d-8b80-4605-8155-29578bee9673} to a free drug card that may help. I have clients with insurance that tell me some of their medication is cheaper with this card than the co-pay through their insurance. Since it is free it certainly doesn't hurt to try. Try it with several different pharmacies to find the one with the best price.

Answer 2

I've been taking Lyrica for about 9 months for pain in my legs.
I have been seeing dr. after dr. trying to get a valid diagnosis- (one being fybromalagia !)
I take Lyrica 3 times a day at 75mg. It started really working after a few weeks at the higher dose. Without it I can not sleep or even walk thru the store without pain.
I am trying to find something else to take tho, I am gaining weight like crazy and always bloated. I get dizzy and have trouble talking and concentrating . I tell the doctors I am getting fat and stupid- but when the med stops the pain they keep giving me it.
Lyrica is supposed to treat Neuropathy or diabetic nerve pain. I had my legs tested and no neuropathy so I am not sure what road to take next.
I also take a pain medication during the day.
Without insurance I dont think I would pay the money for it.
I would ask for the cheaper pain meds until they could get me an actual diagnosis (Fybromalagia basically means the doc is saying, "You say you hurt, we cant find out why- so you have this made up illness and here is something to take that gives me kickbacks")
Most docs just give women anti-depressants when they say they are in pain. Fight for the truth!!!

Answer 3

If you experience Fibromyalgia fog, where you can't think straight, this drug will affect it even more. You will find it very difficult to remember things. In the long run it may not be as beneficial as the doctors claim. I have tried it and I have Fibromyalgia. I'm like you I don't have insurance, so first off it was too expensive, second I did the like the side effects.

I prefer using a painkiller such as Tramadol. It works quickly and it costs less. I also find that taking a hot bath with 2c. of epsom salts for 30 minutes pulls the lactic acid from the muscles and gives me instant relief. You may want to try this because lactic acid is one of the biggest problems with Fibromyalgia.

If you have any questions please let me know,
Billie77

Answer 4

You will have to give it more than a week. I took topamax which is in the same class and these drugs take about a month to get used to the side effects like slowed thinking, tingling, etc. I had a love/hate relationship with topamax. I hated the side effects, but it was a very good pain killer. I never even took so much as a tynenol while on it. Neurotin is another similar anticonvulsant drug. One different drug that some people say works well is Cymbalta, but I haven't tried it yet.

Answer 5

I have seen amazing results for the symptoms of fibromyalgia with a high quality mangosteen supplement. Major dosing with mangosteen juice would cost you half what you are paying for the drug, and the juice has no side effects. I have seen pharmaceutical drugs have an effect on the pain of fibromyalgia over time, but they do little for the "fibro-fog". Mangosteen juice can help with that as well. Let me know if you would like more information.

Answer 6

call the doctor's office and explain. they can do 2 things: call your insurance company and have the med covered at a lower copay or give you samples.