My Mom (84) with diabetes says Lyrica is her miracle drug. I'm not so sure. What are your experiences with it?

I, too, have neuropathy in both legs, along with severe RLS. Lyrica proved to be highly effective for both; however, I developed edema so bad I could hardly walk. As a result I am unable to continue taking Lyrica, much to my dismay. :(

Does your mother have dementia? If not trust her opinion. it really is her decission.

I have been on Lyrica for many years, and have also reached the highest dose. I have severe neuropathies in the left leg, and the shoulder down to the fingertips. I also have RLS, RDS, and carpal tunnel on the same side. Now it has started on the right side. I also have COPD with Emphysema, Scleroderma,
A-Fib, and a Pacemaker. Although I take many pills including pain pills, I feel that Lyrica has helped me a lot. My husband with arthritis has just recently started taking a small dose at a time, and it is also a help to him. Although, everyone can't take it those that do are very satisfied.

I have a friend with severe neuropathy from chemo who swears by it.

My husband takes it for his neuropathy and says it is better than a pain pill. But it is expensive.

Thank you all so much for your advice. Mom does not have dementia but is a little bit of a pill junkie. In this case I will trust her judgement. Thanks again.

Pregabalin (Lyrica) is pretty good stuff - we use it for neuropathic pain if gabapentin (Neurontin) kinda works but has bothersome side effects. Medicaid requires people to fail on Neurontin before covering it since Lyrica costs quite a bit more. Both those drugs require high doses in some people, and most people who need them tolerate them, many with no side effects at all. It is non-narcotic so should not be addictive and you can eventually wean it off after the pain settles down. Neurontin actually worked way better than Cymbalta for my mom's leg pain post-op, with zero side effects and a very reasonable dose, and I really kicked myself for no being more assertive about trying it when she first obviously (to me) had the neuropathic pain (color changes, tender/touchy, negative DVT study and x-ray, clinically no cellulitis either).

Of course, I was tried on it for a migraine preventive, and I GOT headaches and fluid retention. Like any other drug, YMMV.

Ads on tv say that some people with a drug or alcohol problem may misuse Lyrica.

I have severe painful burning neuropathy from the waist down - 5 years now. Lyrica is a miracle drug for me that allows me to function, although it doesn't take all the pain away. It gives me the ability to have a more normal life again.

I took Lyrica in combination with Cymbalta for Fibromyalgia. When I took it, there was no generic for Cymbalta and still is none for Lyrica. Did it help me? Not really. It wasn’t worth the $400 a month we had to pay for it. But everyone is different.