Does Anyone Taking Lyrica Have Memory Loss? (Page 5)
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I have been on Lyrica for about 8 months now and I am having fantastic results. My dr is trying to increase my dosage and I have been doing it in 50 mg increments. I am up 100 more now in a month, for a total dosage of 400mg. I find that I have very bad recall and loss of my vocabulary during conversation. It eventually goes away, but I was wondering if anyone else has this? If it keeps up, I just may have to drop back down 50mg until I get used to it? That seemed to work that last time I had to raise it.BTW, I have nerve pain in my ribcage. (not caused by shingles)

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I was taking Lyrica for 7 years and while it helped with Fibromyalgia pain, it definitely rewires the nervous system and brain in an undesirable way. Memory loss, anxiety, sleeping problems, etc. are a big problem. It has taken me six months to taper off the drug and I am currently experiencing lethargy, lack of motivation and anxiety. I would seek IV Ketamine treatments (worked for me) and natural substances or Low Dose Naltrexone with a gluten free diet and meditation, low impact exercise, etc. instead.

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I didn't even check the side effects of Lyrica before using them. I had been in so much pain for so long from sciatica that I needed relief. My memory is going to s***, I've gained weight and cannot lose it although I jog and work out regularly. The one thing that worries me most is that I struggle with anxiety and depression. I realized that my anxiety has greatly increased. What is worse is that the depression has become more dark, I have caught myself thinking of death. Thinking how more at peace i would feel if i could just close my eyes and not wake up. So from what I have read, all of this is probably related to my taking Lyrica.

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Thank you. I feel a mess too. This was NEVER me. I've been on it for a long time 600mg day

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Yes I have memory problems i was on Lyrica for two years i got off it about 2 months ago I'm loosing my hair and my teeth I'm a wreck can't do anything now stay so depressed and irritated all time my husband can't stand being around me and I can't be around him my marriage is not good, I fall all time my balance is very bad about 2 months after I was on it they diagnosed me with Parkinsons i had know symptoms of Parkinson's except my mouth jerked some and I had a small hand was shaking after I started the Lyrica my eyes are worse I'm a mess.sure hope we can get help

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Hey Travel gal, I am a chronic pain patient & wife & I am hoping to do some RV'ing in the future. I take Soma & some of the others. Was curious if you had any experience being "on the road", away from your regular doctor but STILL needing "monthly meds". Not sure how this website works or if you will get this msg. THANKS! -Greg

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Yes, I have horrible memory loss with 75 mg 2x day for last 7 months / medicine worked very well until this past month . I called my spine Dr who I have seen for years and called her office to set up a facet block and couldn't remember her name at all !!! I asked the receptionist to please help me by reading off the Dr's names in the office for me as I would recognize name if I heard it ... I just started crying ...,,, one day a few weeks ago I wanted to drop off something at my daughters home-got to end of my street , and just sat there because I couldn't remember how to get there.. Again I had a meltdown!!! I couldn't remember which way to turn ..,,,I said a prayer just to first calm down ........Within a few minutes I put the pieces together and it came back to me - several times thru every day in my home talking to family, I stop right on the middle and forget totally what I was saying or asking ....I could go on and on with this side effect, amongst others . I am seeing PC Dr on 2/3 to have him start to ween me off totally... it's sad because the medicine helped. Just know I believe it's the Lyrica and I've heard the memory loss does not always clear up. It's not a chance I want to take . I also feel like I have Alzheimer's, knowing I don't ....
I can't cope with this anymore. I hope all the best for you and that you and your Dr can work it out ....One last thing- I have gained 40lbs taking lyrica.....I have major back problems . Don't need to gain weight .....

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I've been taking Lyrica for 12yrs and have noticed loss of memory I.E can't remember what i ate yesterday going of in a day dream, forgetting names of things not being able to spell the simplest of words, not being able to complete a sentence slurring of words as if i'm drunk.I've had a head M.I.R and nothing showed up but the consultant i saw did think it could be the medication i,m on. On top of the lyrica 500mg i'm taking Pizotifen 1.5mg & Pizotifen 0.5mg for migrains.Arcoxia 90mg.Amitriptyline 25mg.Clonazepan 500mg and finally Paracetamol 500mg 2 upto 4times a day and i'm still in pain.Going to my doctor in 2 day time to comfrount her about the amount of meds i'm on and ask to come off of lyrica after reading a report on lyrica linking it to brain synopsis not regrowing plus i don't think it's working any more.If there's anyone out there with medical training who can give me advise i'd be greatful.

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Hi guys
Nearly a full year on lyrica 200mg x2 daily.
as i have said before they work wonders for my neuropathic pain in my lower spine which travels round to the groin area in bad days. And yes they definetly relax me when im worried to go outside, but now i find it easy. But i DONT remember words halfway through sentences!! #EMBARASSING.
My parents think i am takin street drugs which is horrible as i only seek gp help.
On bad days i can wake up and take 15-20 mins to place myself, struggling to remember the previous day or what film i watched the night before!! As i have said before always keep toppped up bcoz if u miss a day it can be horrific with panic attacks and confusion and fear! Keep safe guys dont run out!!
Tommy

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I have had a double back fusion and take 75 mg 2xday Lyrica for nerve pain( for 6 months now ) and have severe memory loss all day -my hands jerk when I try to text or write, and have gained 40lbs...I also take Beriq now to help weight loss (10 mg 2xday) and after 2 weeks no weight loss..I wear fentanyl patches for severe pain for many years with no problems. My psychiatrist has just started me on Cymbalta about 3 months ago for depression and constant crying - it has helped a great bit !(30 mg) 1 time a day, Also xanax 0.25 - milligrams 2x day as needed for anxiety-and lastly and antavorstatin 10mg 1x day ..... I am so angry about lyrica and need to come off because of severe memory loss and severe weight gain , which doesn't help my back Does anyone have positive words to offer or helpful words .

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I am on 600mg of Lyrica a day and have been for a few years. I changed from gabapentin as this was causing severe cramp reactions in my arms. I am also on 80mg of duloxetine but I really think the Lyrica has wrecked my brain. My damage is following a rear ender car crash. His brakes failed at high speed and he smashed both cars in. I was fit before this and I feel that I am in mourning for myself as they took my life away. I'm not the same person. A

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I have been taking this med for several months now for damage to my T9 vertebrae caused by cancer and subsequent radiation to my spine. Lyrica WORKS but....their are LOTS of side effects. Weight gain..yes very fast. Cognition and memory problems...Yes, I cannot remember the names of things in mid sentence....I feel like isolating myself a bit now because of embarrassment. BUT...I don't have the constant and horrific nerve pain all over my lower extremities. I am 42 years old and have the body and stamina of a person 25 years my senior.

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I have been taking this med for several months now for damage to my T9 vertebrae caused by cancer and subsequent radiation to my spine. Lyrica WORKS but....their are LOTS of side effects. Weight gain..yes very fast. Cognition and memory problems...Yes, I cannot remember the names of things in mid sentence....I feel like isolating myself a bit now because of embarrassment. BUT...I don't have the constant and horrific nerve pain all over my lower extremities. I am 42 years old and have the body and stamina of a person 25 years my senior.

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Hello, I've been on it for 2 months now.. only 100mg a day and I am struggling with my memory and focus. It is very much affecting my work and day to day functioning.
I am on for sciatica.. so hopefully it heals and I can get off it.

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I have neuropathy in my leg as a result of surgery; my leg is mostly dead numb in large areas. I take up to 5 mg pain meds but only 2-3 times/day (percocet). When paid get really bad, I take 1/2 Lyrica capsule 37.5 mg. It works so well on nerve pain. If I take a whole pill or take it for a couple days, I can't recall the most common words possible; like the names of my cats, or like the thing outside the front door you walk on (porch). It's ridiculous, but full memory returns after months of no Lyrica.

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I was getting migraines daily also, but it wasn't until I was prescribed Plavix for another reason that the migraines stopped. Interesting

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Yes, Lyrica can and generally does cause memory problems. I suppose the degree of severity depends upon individual circumstances. I use Lyrica to help abate my chronic migraine. I was taking 100mg a day, but slowly cut back to 25 mg, exactly because of memory issues. Yes, I have a headache every single day, but most days, it is tolerable. The memory issues it caused were not tolerable, especially when I learned it could become a permanent state. No thank you! Nexium causes memory problems too. I have been slowly reducing that med, and substituting a cocktail of drugs in its place. Not being able to remember is a frightening and disabling side effect, especially when one, in mid-sentence, is at a loss for your next word....or, you cannot recall the movie you saw last week- at all!

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I've been on Lyrica for 5 years for my Fibromyalgia and it works very well for this kind of all over pain. It doesn't work as well for my pinched nerve pain in my lumbar spine, for that I take Gabapentin. I never gained weight on Lyrica but I've gained almost 40 pounds since I started Gabapentin so I'm planning on cutting down my doses to 2 600mg pills a day instead of 3 and yes you can take both Lyrica and Gabapentin together.

Many Chronic Pain Patients are prescribed Gabapentin at night to help them sleep. Everyone reacts differently to medications, that's why I hope that everyone here has a wonderful doctor who they see on a regular basis for their pain issues and general health. A good Doctor makes all of the difference in the world but they are getting harder and harder to come by and have less time to spend with their patients.

The Doctors that I know really want to be able to spend more time with their patients but the healthcare changes and mandates has them seeing twice as many patients and care has ultimately suffered in many offices, you're lucky to see a doctor for more than 5-10 minutes, it used to be 15-30 minutes. You can't hardly be an effective doctor when you have to end your visit with your patient after only 5-10 minutes, it's a big concern.

Many good Doctors that I know have retired early in their forties and fifties, this seems really young to me but they aren't happy and didn't want to spend the money to become compliant. More people are insured now which is a good thing but the level of service and quality of that office visit has certainly suffered. It is my hope that this is improved soon.

My short term memory wasn't good before I was on any medications because of my Fibro Fog and my Ehlers Danlos (EDS) diagnosis. So I can't say that Lyrica made it any worse. I own and manage a very successful company and I have found that writing stuff down helps me a lot. Sometimes I lose words mid-sentence and I have to pause longer than I want to, I forget where I'm going.... but again I was doing all of those things from Fibro Fog before all of these medication were being taken and I can't say my memory is any worse, I take three 100mg Lyrica per day. Maybe at higher doses it would be worse.

I'm on what I call a Chronic Pain Cocktail for the rest of my life, however I've been on the same dose of Narcotics/Muscle Relaxants for almost 7 years. I don't have an addictive personality or issues with addiction which helps but I also do "Drug Free Holidays" each month and I really think this has helped me, I don't take Narcotics on the weekends which helps to reset my pain receptors. I take 2-3 days off together from Narcotics, these are the days that I supplement with herbal Kratom, which has been a great green alternative to pain meds, not a cure all but it helps with anxiety issues, pain and low energy.

Anyways, that's just my take on Lyrica, I personally like Lyrica but it's not for everyone. Please remember that most people that are happy/satisfied with a medication are usually not on this type of chat board raving about how good it works, they just don't think about it because it works for them. So this chat website that we all love is skewed more towards the people that aren't happy with a medication, as long as you know that then you can look at each complaint and medication objectively.

I have seen so many lives greatly improved from Lyrica and just a few who couldn't tolerate taking Lyrica and one person who was allergic to Lyrica. I personally wouldn't be scared of it, the people that we see that have a slight loss of short term memory that discontinue Lyrica, their memory improves as long as they're treating their Fibromyalgia with something else. Narcotics and muscle relaxers can also give you short term memory loss so sometimes it's not Lyrica by itself but the combination of all of the meds that you're taking. Gotta go!

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Hi, I was reading your post and you said that Carisoprodol also known as Soma was banned. It's actually never been banned, it just moved up to a Class IV medication since it has the potential for abuse. The placement of carisoprodol into Schedule IV was effective January 11, 2012. It was never banned and there is nothing on the horizon for banning this very effective medication. Some Doctors chose to quit writing scripts for it when it became a Class IV (about the least restrictive classification), Writing this script requires your doctor to have a DEA license and many doctors don't have a DEA license by choice, they just don't write those type of scripts. Soma is among one of the most effective muscular pain medications, it's still very popular. I'm not sure why you think that it's banned but it's prescribed daily in our office to chronic pain patients, I myself have been on Soma for almost 7 years. I take up to 3 per day and then at night I prefer Flexeril to sleep. If it really helped you and your doctor just doesn't want to prescribe it to you anymore (does he/she have a good reason, were you compliant when you took them before?) Well anyway there are still plenty of Doctor who legitimately prescribe this muscle relaxer, we have found that Chronic Pain Patients take less Narcotics when they are on Soma which is a good thing.

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Best pain reliever I recommend it,yes it has side effects,memory loss,blurred vision,talk too much the lot,but what wonderful pain relief,I have been taking it for years,no weight gain though so that's a bonus. I take 225 mgs twice a day.

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Hey I had a couple personal questions for you regarding lyrica. If you would be okay with speaking to me briefly? I would really appreciate your help.

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