• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for fibromyalgia)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Advice & Tips: I took Lyrica for about 6 mons it really helped but the main side effect there is for it i got it was the weight gain within that six months i gained about 50lbs. So i decited i wasnt going to deal with that on top of everything else im going threw so we stoped it and now i have tried all kind of diffrent meds.

Cost: < $25 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Major (for pain)
• Side effects

  Severe (for Overall) (walking problems, somnolence, trouble holding things in left hand, balance problems)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 225 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: It caused me to act "drunk"with major unsteadiness,worsened weakness and tremor on my left side, too bad, because it was very effective for anxiety

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: walking problems, somnolence, balance problems, trouble holding things in left hand

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for pain)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (walking problems, somnolence)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 150 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: definitely walking worse

Cost: $25-49 monthly

Side effects: walking problems, somnolence, balance problems, trouble holding things in left hand

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for pain, numbness and tingling, skin crawling)
• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for diabetic neuropathy)
• Side effects

  Severe (for Overall) (weight gain, swelling of extremities)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Very hard to take

Dosage: 200 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: Be prepared for weight gain, and edema of the extremities. Both were severe in my case. However to be fair I was also on Abilify which causes weight gain as well. Because my pain and skin crawling/pins and needles sensations were so much worse when we tried to stop Lyrica. I reluctantly went back on it although at a reduced dosage. The weight gain is so severe that I am ashamed to go out of the house. THe edema is so severe that I cannot wear any of my shoes. I have to wear 'wrap around' slippers when I go out.

Cost: $25-49 monthly

Side effects: weight gain, swelling of extremities

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for fibromyalgia)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 200 mg Daily

Cost: $50-99 monthly

• Effectiveness

  None (for epilepsy)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), problems with focusing eyes)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 100 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: It showed no improvement of seizure control. Unfortunately strong withdrawals.

Side effects: excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence), problems with focusing eyes

• Effectiveness

  None (for fibromyalgia)
• Side effects

  Moderate (for Overall) (pressure headaches)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 100 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: This medicine has not helped me but I have been told by other FM patients that this has worked for them. So good luck if you are interested in trying it. I hope it works for you!

Side effects: pressure headaches

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for fibromyalgia)
• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for muscle pain)
• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for pain in shoulder(s))
• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for neck pain)
• Side effects

  Severe (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Very hard to take

Dosage: 225 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: this medicine is very expensive because i don't have insurance any longer. it also makes me dizzy, unbalanced, memory problems, fatigue, and sleep. I needed the sleep after suffering with insomnia for 3 years. My body appreciate the rest, and i feel a lot better because of the sleep. the lyrica also help with my pain, when it is severe is gets it to a moderate to slight pain level. that may not seem like much, but believe me when you are constantly hurting with pain all day long that's a hugh accomplishment. i guess you have to take the good with the bad, because this dizziness, and forgetfulness, and falling into things gets to be annoying.

Cost: $100-199 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for muscle pain)
• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for pain in shoulder(s))
• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for neck pain)
• Side effects

  Severe (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Very hard to take

Dosage: 450 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: It took almost three months, but after I received the steriod pak in June 2010 the lyrica started affecting me. I started going to sleep within 30 minutes after taking it. I continued to sleep for 4 to 6 hours each time I take it which is twice a day (mornings and nights). Thank God I finally got some sleep. My body still hurts, but I have been able to stand and walk at least 15 minutes before the pain gets severe. I have been drowinsy for three years, but was not getting any sleep, and the quality of sleep have been poor. I feel lest fatigue, and more rested. Not able to plan anything because I am sleeping alot now during the day, and usually I am up around 3 a.m. until 7 - 9 a.m. before sleep overtake me again. I should not be complaining after not sleeping but 2-4 hours for the pass three years. I would rate my overall pain as moderate, and still need other pain meds to relieve the pain between my two doses of lyrica. My balance is off, and I am having more headaches. I am eating junk food, and gaining weight. And, the worse thing is the dizziness, which prevents me from driving. I am going to request another medication. Maybe, Topomax. Still researching it.

Cost: $100-199 monthly

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for fibromyalgia)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (dizziness, brain fog, weight gain, tiredness, daytime sleepiness)
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 50 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I have recently tried to get off Lyrica and it coincided with a terrible relapse of pain, weakness and total exhaustion. (we won't mention the worst job stress I've every had, which is better now thank God). Lyrica reduces the numbness/tingling/pins & needles feelings in hands, arms & feet, so that's a good thing. slightly difficult to concentrate sometimes, and loose my balance a bit.

Cost: $50-99 monthly

Side effects: tiredness, daytime sleepiness, dizziness, weight gain, brain fog

• Effectiveness

  None (for fibromyalgia)
• Side effects

  Severe (for Overall) (blurry vision)
• Adherence

  Usually
• Burden

  Somewhat hard to take

Dosage: 450 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: It at the onset was wonderful. But the effect waned over time and I gained about 35 pounds and my vision became very blurry. Upon stopping I quickly lost the weight but my vision has remained terribly blurry

Cost: $200+ monthly

Side effects: blurry vision

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for nerve pain (neuralgia))
• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for whole body ache)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (nerve pain (neuralgia), moodiness)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 600 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: Prior to the Lyrica, I was taking Gabapentin. I felt the Gabapentin was making me as miserable as the MS. My doc switched me to Lyrica and what a difference! I didn't realize just how sick the Gabapentin was making me feel. The Lyrica helped with the cold burning sensation the Lhirmeets symptom, and the tingling in my hands. I started to feel human again and had energy back! I am now on the 600mg which is the highest dose my doc prefers to prescribe. I am having more break through recently, but I am also in the midst of a relapse. Lets see how it does when and if we get this relapse under control. Even with the slight break through I don't know what I would do without my Lyrica!!!

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: moodiness, nerve pain (neuralgia)

• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for nerve pain (neuralgia))
• Effectiveness

  Moderate (for whole body ache)
• Side effects

  Mild (for Overall) (moodiness)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 300 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I was originally taking gabapentin for the burning/pain in my right leg, and right hand. I did not like the way gabapentin made me feel, and I didn't like the side effects, that were supposed to wear off, but I didn't feel like it did. I started on Lyrica at the 50mg. 2x's a day, am and pm. I did start to notice a slight difference, but after a short time I upped my dose, (doc's permission to experiment) to 100 mg 2x's a day. I definitely noticed a difference! The only side effect I really noticed was it was affecting my moods. I was going through some stressful events and it made me more edgy and easier to anger. That seems to have passed. I feel more energetic and it has also helped with my spacisity. I love taking Lyrica, it has made such a difference for me!

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: moodiness, nerve pain (neuralgia)

• Effectiveness

  Slight (for nerve pain (neuralgia))
• Effectiveness

  Slight (for whole body ache)
• Side effects

  None (for Overall)
• Adherence

  Always
• Burden

  Not at all hard to take

Dosage: 300 mg Daily

Advice & Tips: I began taking Lyrica to replace the treatment of gabapentin. I am not on a full dose yet, am starting out low to adjust my body to it to avoid side effects, so I have only noticed a slight difference so far.

Cost: < $25 monthly

Side effects: moodiness, nerve pain (neuralgia)