When (and if) to stop nerve meds

[aliclement]

I've been on Lyrica for about 2 years, and I have been toying with the idea of weaning off. I still have nerve pain, but it is not as bad as it used to be, so I am wondering if I could tolerate it without the medication. It does help me sleep, but it also makes it hard to concentrate. I was wondering who else has gone off Lyrica or Neurotin, what made you decide to stop, and what happened when you did.

[qhcrazy]

I was on Lyrica for a very short while. It didn't agree with me, and so I just told my Dr. that I didn't wish to be on it anymore. Soooooooo, I stopped taking it and although I'm uncomfortable most of the time, at least I'm not in a "fog" and I don't feel dizzy or anything. For me, the Lyrica did absolutely nothing to help with all the pain and discomfort. so, I just suck it up and go about my day, and usually if I'm busy enough, I don't concentrate so much on how uncomfortable I am. Good luck, I hope your pain level isn't too bad.

[Day]

I worry about when I should get off all this stuff all the time, and it's only been three months since my last surgery.
So since I'm a newbie to the elite group of SCT surviors I really can't offer any advice.

However I can relate to wanting to get out of the medication fog! I home-school our 7 yr old (good thing he's not 17) so he does not notice Mom's occasional "Med-Moments". ;D Hey we could call them "M&M's" and celebrate the moments by popping the wonderful colored candy called "M&M's"....Oh, wait...I'm trying to lose weight that probably won't help.

I did try to go for about two weeks without anything since I was doing so well (about 5wks ago). Big mistake for me. Now I'm on even more stuff. But hey everyone's different and your a wonderful 2yrs away from your last surgery.

Well hopefully someone out there has some meaningful advice. ;D

Peace
Day

[Tmasgio]

I was on the following meds after surgery

Cymbalta,Neurontin,Tramadol,Soma,Prilosec

I also switched to Baclofen and then Tinzanadine.

I currently take no medication and I do have pain but the plus side is that I am not dizzy or tired. My sex drive is back. Also, some of these drugs increased weight gain as a side effect. This is my challenge now as I went from 203lbs to 235lbs. This is alot in a year and a half but just another challenge I need to overcome.

I am in no way advocating getting rid of drugs because they do help others tremendously but for me they were not worth the little benefit I was getting from them. If they do find a drug to help me out with all of the stiffness in my right legs and back I will certainly give it a go but until then I have exhausted the medication possibilities.

Tony

[Joel]

Well, I've been on neurontin and then Lyrica for 12 years now. The times I've gone off were for just a few days here and there when I've forgotten my pills and gone out of town. The pain was just too much, and it always felt so much better to be on them. So, I'd say try it--wean off, then see. If it gets to be too much, you can always get back on. For me, it doesn't affect me at all, other than to help my feet not hurt, so I see no reason to put myself through the daily discomfort.
Joel