Lyrica Lawsuit (Page 10)

Does anyone know if there is an ongoing lawsuit against the company who puts out Lyrica? I am a mess from it. Do we have a leg to stand on when it comes to the side effects they found out from people like us? I am a long termer. I have been taking 900 mg since 2005. Is there anyone representing us? Thank you

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I have just started taking this drug as i have severe back pain caused by bulging disc's. i've only been on it 2 weeks and i get the feeling of being high, dry mouth, fatigue and dizziness. After reading everyone's comments i feel i wont to stop taking it but on the other hand i'm enjoying being pain free.What do i do???

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ok, i havent been on lyrica ffor very long...about 2 months. but i have gained a good deal of weight since being on it, and i am always feeling drunk. i have not tried to commit suicide but i have done things i normally would not do and it is quite dangerous. i am not going to be taking lyrica anymore. and i am glad i have seen all of your comments and all of the other blogs i have seen in the past few days, i might be getting off it b4 it is too late. i have been definantly not feeling like my self since taking it, i feel drunk all the time and very slow mentally and it isnt even helping my fibro myalgia pain at all. i am only 25 and have 2 kids to take care of, i cant be llike that.

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D-gen, I'd vastly prefer to be dependent on prescription narcotics for pain. For me, the side effects are fewer and more predictable and acceptable than the damage done to my body by Lyrica.

I've actually been told over and over by doctors that drugs like Lyrica, Neurontin and Klonipin are NOT addictive! I've taken all three and vocally disagree! It's just that there is no stigma attached to the use of these drugs, like there is to prescription narcotics. I'll take my stigma, thank you.

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My mother was on Lyrica for about three months. She said that it really made her feel weird. Suddenly her brain basically exploded with a hemorrhagic stroke and she died. Texas

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Went in for surgery today - operation was cancelled - had to have a DREZ lesion operation - they changed their minds - had to have a spinal cord stimulator - changed their minds - now they say i am a phsyco - i am a drug addict - all i drink is Lyrica 300mg a day - I cut it down to 150mg in the morning - i don't even have Aspro - or nothing - my system is drug free - they want to test my blood and urine for drug abuse - welcome and test what you want - i tell you all Lyrica is the worst drug i have ever had - HOW CAN WE STOP THIS CRAP - I need your input and your faith - please help - I see the phsycologist on 26th Oct - what must i tell him - only the truth - my employer is scared to admit that all this was caused by pulmonary TB because he must pay me for the rest of my life - who cares about money if i can't do what i used to do - give me my life back without pain and i will enjoy it - love you all - enjoy what you can - Regards - Shanedon

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Texas,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I wish there was more that I could say, beyond assuring you and all others who post here that we will eventually gather enough friends like us who have suffered personally from this drug, or watched a loved one suffer or die.

Please check out the Lyrica Survivors group if you are a Facebook user. Next time I'm lucky enough to have a good, energetic day, I am going to write a letter to the public advocates at the TV stations and begin the process of finding as many stations as I can find, not just in my own state, but everywhere, and send them the letter, including links to this forum and the Facebook group.

As loudly as our bodies scream and our souls grieve, we will eventually find a voice that will be as powerful as the pain.

Courage and better days to all of you,

Vicki

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ok Lyrica - you win - leave me out of this crap - my wife has got a good life insurance - who cares anyway - bye for ever - send regards to my kids - i am signing off - webmail will be discontinued - enjoy - Shanedon

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After being on Lyrica 18 months, I developed severe unexplained diarrhea, chronic systemic inflammation, chronic exhaustion. I almost died from dehydration several times, and eventually had a GI bleed. I had symptoms of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases and tumors, but fancy tests kept coming out negative. We finally determined that Lyrica had caused extensive scarring of my colon, along with damage to my hepatic duct. I have permanent organ damage from Lyrica, and would like to join any lawsuit against Lyrica!!!

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I am 44 ys old andI have been on Lyrica since fall 2008, following my first back surgery. I started out at only 50 mg but am now taking 200 md daily. I have tried to wean myself down/off the drug several times, but the nerve pain in my legs leads me back. I have been complaining about the side effects since the beginning. The first is the swelling in my legs; one leg is worse than the other and the prescribing Dr. keeps saying it is not the Lyrica. Another Dr. finally told me that it was most likely from Lyrica and that it can make one leg swell more because of injury. Next is the headaches. I used to get an occasional migraine, but for the past 1 1/2 years I have been getting terrible migraines all the time. Sometimes they last for days. I also have blurred vision and trouble with the arrangement of words and caveties. I am reading through the back posts to this discussion to see what other problems this drug has been causing. I am so thankful that I found this site and that I am not going crazy.

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Jane:

I think we all are so thankful to have found this site. i felt for so long it was all in my head. the doctors didn't to make any conections to my symptoms. Please watch the swelling. mine started in the right foot. it started by coming and going and then feb 2009 it was just swollen all the time. My doctors answer was to put me on a fluid pill. he gave me 12 months worth of refils and no follow ups. I took the fluid pill until the swelling spread to both legs. I have developed Lymphedema and have to wear compression garments on both legs everyday. please watch the swelling does not get too bad. if you listen to the lyrica ads on tv the warning used to be swelling of the hands an feet may occur,,, then it was swelling of the hands and feet occur... and the one i just listened to states swelling of the hands feet and legs.

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Want justice... File a RICO lawsuit against Pfizer and your doctor.

Chances of winning a lawsuit have gone up significantly since Pfizer was convicted of racketeering by a Federal court in early 2010. Since RICO plaintiffs are entitled to triple damages, and their lawyers entitled to triple legal fees, it will be far easier to find a lawyer willing to take a case against Pfizer on contingency. (While RICO may be easy to win, qualifying a case as a RICO violation is difficult, unless the company has already been convicted of a criminal act, and Pfizer has.

You will also have an excellent case against your doctor, especially if your doctor was taking kickbacks (aka consultant's fees) from Pfizer. Statistically speaking, doctors are far more likely to prescribe Pfizer drugs if they are getting money, free trips and/or other "benefits" from Pfizer. Pfizer evidentially learned a lot about marketing strategies from the tobacco industry, and juries will likely notice. Like the Tobacco Institute, Pfizer overstated the benefits of their drugs, deliberately suppressed reports of negative side effects, and bought off the watchdogs, and on a grand scale.

It is becoming clear now that Pfizer has systematically gamed the "evidence based medicine" system used by many HMOs. Almost every pain organization in the country is funded in part by Pfizer and staffed in part by doctors on Pfizer's payroll, flooding the medical industry with Pharma propaganda. It has become nearly impossible to find objective and accurate information on pain management. Even worse, Pfizer has not only misrepresented the effectiveness of it's drugs, it has funded studies designed to discredit other safer alternatives, like opiates. It is routine now for FM doctors to refuse prescribing opiates to FM sufferers for whom it as always worked in the past, with the line, "Studies have proven opiates to be ineffective against FM pain."

What they don't tell you is the main study they're quoting was funded in part by Pfizer and conducted by Dr. Lesley Arnold, who is a member of Pfizer's speakers bureau, and also a paid consultant for the company. In comparison, the Tobacco Institute's claim that cigarettes don't cause cancer has more credibility.

Pfizer has also convinced a number of FM doctors that Flexeril, a non-narcotic muscle relaxant, is to likely to be abused by patients and should be withheld from patients, even though it's commonly prescribed for people with simple back pain. It's a diabolically simple strategy. Increase the pain FM victims are in until they are desperate enough to try anything, even Lyrica.

Pfizer has also convinced many FM doctors that anyone in chronic pain must be in chronic depression too, and that the depression is making the pain worse, so taking an antidepressant like Lyrica is the appropriate treatment. I've heard a doctor tell a patient, "I can't work with you unless you admit you suffer from depression."

What really is depressing is how corrupt the medical industry has become. Pfizer's RICO conviction is only the tip of the iceberg. Lyrica may well prove to be Pfizer's biggest and most costly mistake. Considering Pfizer has already paid over $2 billion in fines, the biggest fine in US history, we could be talking about a lot of money.

What is certain is that FM victims can't count on the government for support. The fine was a fraction of Pfizer's total profits for the drugs in question, leaving Pfizer with billions in ill gotten profits and making the fine merely another acceptable business expense.

It will be up to the victims of FM to sue Pfizer and their doctors, if any justice, or competent medical help, is to be achieved.

If you've suffered from negative side effects from Lyrica, sue for compensation. A few well publicized RICO lawsuits by FM victims against Pfizer and their doctors could open a floodgate of lawsuits that could change the medical industry far more than the government ever will. It won't be easy, but living with FM isn't easy either.

For more information:

Advertising & Marketing Review, a Colorado trade publication has been running a series of articles on corruption in the medical industry (admarketreview.com). For more information see "Big Pharma Adopting Tobacco Industry Tactics" and "Pfizer Guilty of Racketeering: The Corruption and Failure of Evidence Based Medicine."

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I was taking Lyrica from aug 2007 through march 2009. I had suicidal tendencys from Nov 2008 through March 2009. This was the worst medication that I have ever been on for my Fibromyalgia. Lyrica took away 1 1/2 yrs of my life. I don't think this drug should have ever been intriduced for people with Fibromyalgia. I won't deny the first 6 months. that I was on was great. Then it went south, I gained 30lbs on this med, which made my muscles hurt even more. My skin had alot of issues. I wish the drug company would have tested this for 2 or more years. I would like to know more about this lawsuit please.

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I only took Lyrica for about 4-6 months but it destroyed my life. I had period of total memory loss in which my then S/O didn't believe me. He thought I was losing my mind and I was, from this drug! My doctor at the time doubled my dosage after the first month and spoke about how much he liked this drug himself. If anyone has an attorney in KY, please email me with their info. I consider this a drug, not a medication. There is a difference.

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I've been unable to find a lawyer who is currently targeting Pfizer with a class action lawsuit over Lyrica, but it's probably just a matter of time before there is. However, there's no reason you can't find a local lawyer willing to take your case. Also, you might try one of the services advertising to connect lawyers with Paxil victims. Some of these companies will refer you to a local lawyer who specializes in suits against doctors and drug companies.

Hope you feel better.

gemorris

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To Gemorris - Thank you for a very informative post. A little more hope shows up every day. I clicked on the admarketreview link, and found that they have a link to and organization called the Pain Relief Network -- it's on the left hand side, a small black and white banner that says Pain Kills. I struggle daily with disabling pain -- hard to say which is the worst of the side effects of Lyrica, but I know that when I have adequate pain control, I have the freedom to do the most creative work I've ever done, and when the pain is not under control, I have no interest in it at all. I wept at the knowledge that there's an organization that will advocate for my right to live pain free, which is my right to live the fullest and most satisfying life I can, without the tyranny of the pHARMaceutical monster which wants to eat us all alive so a few people can get very rich. We all deserve this right.

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I hate to tell you but the Pain Relief Network has been put out of business by the government.

Last year, Reynolds, who believes a federal crackdown on prescription painkillers has left chronic pain patients needlessly suffering, paid for a highway billboard sign supporting a prominent pain doctor on trial.

Weeks after it went up, Reynolds said she got a subpoena from a federal grand jury seeking, among other things, documents related to her ad. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the subpoena, which also asks for Reynolds’ communications with numerous lawyers, patients, the Schneiders and their relatives along with financial and telephone records and an advocacy video she made.

Reynolds’ initial refusal to turn over the materials cost her and her nonprofit group $39,400 in fines before the money ran out. Faced with imminent jailing, she gave prosecutors the documents weeks before the Schneiders’ summer trial began.

Reynolds has been reduced to poverty. The Pain Relief Network is effectively out of business. Only news PRN supporters are allowed to talk about is posted on the PRN site now.

She has appealed the fines, but her appeal has been sealed, and she is under a gag order not to talk about the case. As a member of the press, I am unable to provide any meaningful coverage of this event.

I keep running her ad on my site “lest we forget.”

All I can suggest is that you write your congressman asking for a full investigation about this, and if you can, donate money to Siobhan Reynolds, God knows she needs it.

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Forgot to mention, the Pain Relief network was founded and run by Siobhan Reynolds.

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Gemorris,

Thanks for the info.

Quoting your post #191, this is exactly what has happened to me:

Even worse, Pfizer has not only misrepresented the effectiveness of it's drugs, it has funded studies designed to discredit other safer alternatives, like opiates. It is routine now for FM doctors to refuse prescribing opiates to FM sufferers for whom it as always worked in the past, with the line, Studies have proven opiates to be ineffective against FM pain.

I know what Lyrica and Savella have done to me, and I have done some reading about how much safer and more effective opiates are, and my outrage simply grows.

If I can scrape up any money out of my personal finances for any cause, I will surely send it to Ms. Reynolds, and I will disseminate this information, which is new to me, to the best of my ability.

Does anyone have a spare, thinking, functional brain I can borrow for a while so that I can accomplish this? (rhetorical question)

The frustration grows today. Thanks for the information.

Best Regards and Better Health to all of you,

Vicki

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The next time a doctor uses the opiates don't help pain argument, just say:

Those studies were funded by a company convicted of racketeering for it's drug marketing practices. Do you know of any study supporting your position that was not funded by racketeers?

Also, part of the problem here is with the FDA approval process for secondary uses of drugs. Getting drug's initial approval to treat a specific condition takes years and costs a fortune. Once a drug has been approved, it's fairly easy to get it approved for another, sometimes only a few months testing is required. Unfortunately, this isn't a long enough time to see what the long term consequences are. To make matters worse, FM victims usually have multiple chemical sensitivity, meaning they are likely to have much stronger negative reactions to drugs than average people. Drugs for FM should have more testing than drugs for the general population, not less.

Sadly, a lot of software products get better testing than secondary use drugs. And many software companies do a far better job of tracking complaints about their products than drug companies do.

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Gemorris,

Thanks again for all the info. The great article you wrote for admarketreview got me really thinking. I've been double-whammy'ed by Pfizer, as I had taken Neurontin some time ago, after they pushed it HARD at the fibro clinic in Seattle, the same clinic where I more recently got that line about opiates not being effective against FM pain. Also, I didn't know about the triple damages for RICO plaintiffs. Heck, I never even realized that Neurontin was a Pfizer drug. I'd imagine that might make a suit look far more palatable, especially in my case where there would be five defendants, including three prescribers who gave me Neurontin and one who gave me Lyrica, all of them large enough practices that they are likely to have been courted by Pfizer.

I'm starting tomorrow with the local low-income legal advocacy organization, just to see if I can find someone with a brain that works, to give me an idea about whether I have a viable case.

I think you have made a great contribution to the cause that has brought together this group of suffering people, and I am deeply grateful.

Vicki

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