Does Anyone Taking Lyrica Have Memory Loss? (Page 6) (Top voted first)

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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Martha , thank you for your comforting words , if my memory serves me correctly ..John 11..5 Now Jesus loved Martha .............God Bless .

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I've read all 205 of your posts as I cried through most of them. I started taking lyrica In 2005 when it was approved for fibromyalgia, and I am still taking it 10 years later. I am scared out of my mind thinking about staying on it and also about withdrawing from it and the nerve pain that will be inevitable. At first it did help my pain, and every time I've gone to my dr about a new symptom, which would actually have been a new side effect he told me it was my fibromyalgia. I was taking Valium at the time so all my problems was blamed on this, my husband thought I was losing my mind ( looks like I was ). I was detoxed off the Valium and was told by several drs that it was what was causing all my memory loss. I also believe I have blackouts while awake, my children and husband and parents have all told me things I said or did that I don't remember and is way out of character. Even my dog complains. Just kidding. I haven't told anyone this, but thoughts of suicide run through my mind at times over the littlest thing and this is completely out of character, I couldn't even imagine doing such a thing. I hope all the best for all of you and you will all be in my prayers, that is when I can remember to pray. Just kidding, I have to laugh to keep from crying.

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I was on Lyrica for a few months at about 100g during that time I did not notice any physical or mental problems, but people at work did. I was working in a hospital. They said my speech was slurred, my walking was staggering down the halls and at home I would fall out of bed and be unable to get up. Also I would forget where a chart was. Because of that they sent me for a blood alcohol level because they thought I was drunk. Their evaluation came back negative. Another effect I know is I forgot how to drive my car. I got myself off it cold turkey. After 8 years, I still have difficultly remembering, finding the right words to say and overall, short memory loss, which will never come back. Thank you, Lyrica!

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I initially took Cymbalta and gabapentin. that combination was deadly. Brain dead. made bad decisions.
Now on Lyrica 75 mg up to three times a day and hydrocodone 5mg/375 mg apap.
The word problem does not go away, at least has not for me. Recently quit taking Elavil 25 mg tid, for depression and helps with pain, but it seemed to sedate me too, and feel brighter since stopping that. It did help some with depression but so far doing fine.
Want to try medical marijuana as I heard it is better without getting high and less side effects. Florida having another election on it next November.
Chronic pain is not fun. My son is rude and insulting about my medications and calls me a druggie. He is a drug addict, and I have little contact with him. Just learned how to block his cell calls and texts. Stress does make pain worse in my experience.
Also too

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I have been taking lyrica 450 mg for 10 years for fibromyalgia nerve pain. It does help with the pain, but after reading all of the side effects, my dr kept saying was because of my fibro, but I now know is the lyrica. My memory is so so bad, I have my family repeat things to me over and over, I have to write everything down. I no longer go out in public because I feel like a bumbling i****. I completely isolate myself except from my family because I can't seem to talk or think, and if I do it's with great effort and not for long. I was involved with my children/grandchildren's lives and involved in my community and now I just sit at home like a vegetable. I am 52 and have always been active. So so many side effects and I am so angry we have all been mislead! I have spent $60,000 on my teeth having them redone, and I just made an app for two root canals next week?? We feel bad enough with all the pain were already experiencing, but Pfizer had to release lyrica with all the side effects, that have ruined so many lives. We need to all stand together against them. Sorry hope I'm not rambling, but I guess y'all would understand. Lol. Bless everyone, I wish you all well!

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Beffyrn , My Son was a very gifted student before taking Lyrica , once his dose hit 75mg x 4 per day it was an instant change in his mental ability , he now has been off Lyrica for 5 years , is 22 years of age and still struggles to lean and constantly laments the days when he could learn very easily even the most complex mathematics , Lyrica has destroyed his ability to retain knowledge and process very complex information and very little has improved in 5 years , Lyrica permanently damages the brain , i have no doubt of that .and this drug has devastated my sons life , his income earning potential and thereby his socio economic position in society , lyrica has left him on the bottom of the ladder ..... ....

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I was started on Lyrica in 2012 and within a few weeks was no longer working full time. I had significant word finding difficulties, balance problems (ataxia), concentration issues, and a semi-euphoria. I took the drug at 300 mg a day and when I finally connected the dots - that Lyrica was an awful drug for me, I weaned off but it wasn't easy. And like many others who've posted here, I 100% believe it causes permanent changes in brain function. I've since been diagnosed with an Ataxic Disorder - I didn't have that as a symptom pre-Lyrica. Nasty nasty drug.

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Hi Jules , thanks for your comment , now that you mention it my sons over all motivation took a nose dive after taking Lyrica and still has not recovered after five years , he is 22 years of age now and still has all his side effect as though he was still taking Lyrica also while he was taking it his hair started falling out by the hand full .

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I took Lyrica after my spinal surgery. It blocked the neuropathic pain, but caused much forgetfulness. Specifically, I could not recall the words for things, people or ideas. I know that I know an answer to a problem, but cannot summon it from the fog. It's a very particular kind of cognitive impairment. My surgeon told me that this is a known possible side effect of the drug.

It has been a year since I stopped taking it and although things are much better, some of the effects still persist. Words are my profession, and I always had a bankable memory, so it really smarts to be wrestling with this part of the recovery, over a year after the surgery. I have a friend who had a similar experience and said it took her two years to feel as if she was back in her own skin again and remembering things. She recommended engaging in enjoyable hobbies that would help reinvigorate the memory, like practicing a musical instrument, singing, or writing.

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I was changed from Neurontin to Lyrica by my pain doc--he said because "Lyrica has fewer side effects." !! I was on the highest dose recommended (can't remember the dose...go figure) for approx 1 year. I also had brain fog, pronounced short term memory loss, difficulty finding words, weight gain, and hearing loss. I was switched back to Neurontin at a whopping dose and taken off if Lyrica for more than 3 years now, and have improved somewhat, but still have noticeable continued symptoms.
I know that some people with neuropathic pain find that Lyrica has "saved their lives," and I would hate to take this medication from them--but I can't think of ANY medication that has caused continued cognitive impairment after discontinuing the drug. Obviously, this isn't an isolated occurrence. I'd hate for ANYONE else to go through what I'm still experiencing.
Please post if you know of any hearing loss after taking Lyrica.

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i would not call it continued cognitive impairment, from my sons experience it is permanent brain damage .

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I have weened myself off Lyrica with the help of my doctor. I experienced memory loss, changes in attitude and behavior. All, of which were NOT positive!! This medication is to be feared!! The FDA needs to check out this drug and it's long term effects!!

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Hi Jennifer , sounds like you have rocked his corrupt little left wing money making belief system , because you have told him things he does not wont to believe that we who have been effected by Lyrica know as fact ...

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Hello all,

It has been a while since I last posted to this forum. I have a breather from my regular work and family commitments today, so I will share a little of the more substantial reply I have promised Nick. I apologise for any who find my explanations too dumbed-down. I am also typing into a tiny window on a phone; apologies for the poor formatting.

Lyrica does a very good job of turning down the volume on the pain arising from damaged or inflamed nerves. It does this by partially blocking the calcium ion pathways that allow electrical signals to travel across the nervous system.

Unfortunately, this is part of the same mechanism that lets your synapses fire in your brain. The 'blocking effect' makes it seem as if a constellation of neural connections have been disrupted. Over time, if you are not using and reusing neural pathways you have established through learning, they fade. This may partially explain why the effect of forgetfulness can persist after ceasing Lyrica.

So I decided I must rebuild my neural pathways after taking this stuff. The way that we use or don't use our brains restructures them over time, whether or not there are meds involved. Brains are very plastic, and this is why people who have terrible head injuries and lose certain functions as a result, can sometimes regain those functions learning to use different parts of the brain in patterning therapy. So rebuilding is more than possible at any age, especially so for the younger ones.

Your nervous system governs so much... autonomic nerve function, sensory input; your brain, your organs, your muscles, all rely on electrical cues. All those functions can go awry with damage or inflammation to nerves, or when managing these conditions with a nerve blocker. Loss of cognitive function due to nerve blocking meds (most noticeable in speech but not restricted to it) is also distressing.

So after ceasing this medication, I made sure I was daily challenging myself with new information and tasks, just to rebuild those functions. I also included some supplements in my daily diet: acetyl L-carnitine, N-Acetyl Cysteine, L-Glutamine (powdered, not caps, so I could control the dose); and I made sure to take probiotics and multivitamins. I drink these foul tasting powders in a nice yogurt smoothie each morning.

Some of you may recognise the first three supplements I mentioned as body builders' favourites. They are useful for building muscle because of the way they increase the electrical activity along the calcium ion pathways. The muscle becomes more responsive. But for the same reason, over time these supps can also have a nootropic effect for those who are working out their brains. Memory improves, signals fire faster.

The first indication I had that these supplements were having a positive effect was the change in my speech: where I had been a little lost for words after Lyrica, I was now starting to recall information again, and joining in with spurts and stutters (don't laugh, it's true!). This eventually transitioned over several months to a wordiness I had previously enjoyed. If I forgot to take them for a week I would feel less alert, but nothing like before the supps.

The other side effect, not so pleasant, but welcomed as a sign that things were firing up again: following spinal surgery, my left foot and leg had been most painful. Lyrica had relieved it. But a year and a half later, I could feel the previously inflamed root nerve humming painfully once more, thanks to the improved activity caused by the supplements. After a couple of weeks this faded as the body readjusted to the new 'volume'.

I had also grown chubby while taking this med, but my muscle tone is improving and exercise is actually having an effect for the first time since ditching the nerve blocker and adding supps. There are lists of nice flow on effects that arise from improved fitness and memory, but this is already too long a reply. You get the gist.

Some part of my experience may be of benefit to those who've already ceased this medication, or will do so when their recoveries are in hand. Good luck. However, those of you with chronic nerve pain and no other alternatives may decide after weighing up your options, that you don't mind the side effects and prefer the relief of meds. I wish you all the best, too.

Do write back over the next year and let me know what signs of change and improvement you notice with inclusion of the supplements, additional intellectual stimulation (useless taking those supps if you don't challenge your brain at the same time!), and exercise. I would be happy to know someone had benefited from my postop experience and research.

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Nick-been reading your posts and listening to others but have you tried medical cannibas for your son?
I'm just curious because I know it has helped many people- just depends but to try it a few times for your son- it might help. Just thoughts. To everyone- I'm in the boat with you. Sending prayers your way and for everyone.

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Thats a good idea , have an MRI before starting Lyrica will conclusively prove in a court of law the brain damage it causes ....

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Yeh, if you can handle drunken behavior, falls, and slurred speech from Lyrica. Even if you stop the drug some of the side effects still remain like a slight lack of balance. I can't ride a bike, not even one of those tricycles at the beach for adults, because I can't balance myself. Heaven help me if a cop pulls me over and wants to have me to walk pigeon toed, because I would fail. After 2-3 steps I fall over and my last date for taking Lyrica was in March, 2007. Lost job, June 30th, because of the effects of Lyrica. I very happy with my Tylenol #3 with codiene. It takes the edge off. Maybe Lyrica works fine for you. I don't know your frequency or dosage. If it is a small amount you may be OK, but for most of us here and in other chat rooms we have a serious problem with Lyrica.

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Hi! I just read your post and wanted respond. I take 150 mgs daily of Lyrica. Everything you described is happening to me! I didn't imagine that it could be the Lyrica (apart from the hyperactivity part). I have hepatitis C also, and thought that the memory and speech problem was due to the famous "brain fog" that goes with HepC. I 'd really like to wish you the best with this! You have helped me.

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Jennifer- if u just found out about everything don't freak out just yet. I just figured it out a week ago by reading her blog as well. Hang in there. I went to my dr right away and lowered the dose. It looks like it may be a 50% shot that the effects will go away after the medicine is gone. That is only my opinion on everything I have read to this point.
You are not alone though. I'm sure you have read a lot on this page and you are freakjng out- don't. Visit with your dr and family and tell them what is going on. I waited 8 months before I told my family- I waited to long. Don't make the same mistake I did- tell your dr right away. Good luck.

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Thanks! I live in Italy and it's really difficult to see the same neurologist twice if you are on the government health service. I talked to my husband already this afternoon and he agrees with you in that I should see a neurologist in the group of Drs. that prescribed Lyrica, ask them to go down on the dosage and not freak out! I appreciate your help!

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