1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Medication frustration

Posted , 2 users are following.

lisa52101
lisa52101

So it's been a while since I last posted on here and I'm really hoping I can get some advice. Has anyone been prescribed both Pregabalin (Lyrica) and Gabapentin at the same time. My rheumy prescribed both meds for me almost two yrs ago. Now I know they are very similar meds and my gp went back and forth for three months with the rheumatologist before allow the script to go through. Every time I see a new dr for something I have to explain how I came to be on both and things settle down again. Now my regular dr has retired and my local health authority has raised this as an issue again. I've been told there is a years wait to see the rheumatologist at my local hospital where they specialise in both fibromyalgia and EDS. To add to all this my peripheral pain has been exacerbated due to a c7 disc prolapse. Any help on this would be really helpful. Thanks in advance.

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure lisa52101

    Posted

    I know exactly what you mean. I could never understand why the staff can't send our records on when a dr has retired. Have you requested your records. They may charge you.

    here in the US the records are kept on computer.mhowever not all dr in ins programs communicate with docs in other medical ins programs. So it's like a mess trying to get patient records from one to another. 

    I had had to pay for a copy of my MRI on disc to take to another dr outside the med system the cat scans were taken. 

    If if you can get thru to patient support in the system they should be able to get your records as long as you sign a consent order for them to be sent to you.

    Lyrica & gabapentin is usually for nerve pain similar to nuerorotin for like FM. EDS they are similar that also work well to relieve nerve pain, however, again, it is going through the dosage adjustments titrate to a higher to get relief, but not cause too many adverse side effects that makes working with the dosage adjustments difficult until you find the right level. 

    I take cymbalta for FM It is also similar and the dosage has been titraitated up with no side effects. Then after two years had to quit due to side effects raising my blood pressure to high.

    What dosage of Lyrica are you on? I was on the max amt 600 mil. It was great at first then began to suffer serious migraines as well as from Gab

    it's good that you can take these meds without the side effects. They are similiar perhaps up the level of one and try it for awhile. Or Cymbalta it was great it's like killing two birds with one stone  pain and depression.

     

    • lisa52101
      lisa52101 hope4cure

      Posted

      Hi hope4cure. Unfortunately I'm in the uk and whilst I can request my medical notes I would need to go to each hospital,( I'm currently under 4) and my GP all of which would charge me individually and because my records are so extensive I would only be able to view each at the respective hospital. That makes cross referencing really difficult as well as expensive. I'm currently taking 150mg twice a day of the Lyrica and that was the first of the two meds I began taking. I had some relief but not total relief and so after 3yrs on that the gabapentin was added and I'm on 300mg, 3times a day. I'm getting so much more relief from this combined approach and I can't see why if it's working and I have no side effects why there should've such a problem with taking them both. I was warned by my last GP that this may become an issue but he's only been gone 2wks and all hells been let loose. So frustrating.

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure lisa52101

    Posted

    Hi LIsa,

     I typed a whole other paragraph to you and it disappeared so please forgive me for not retyping it. Tired will try later.

    • lisa52101
      lisa52101 hope4cure

      Posted

      That's ok, I'm calling it a night too. It's now 4.40am sleep well.

  • kaz_40
    kaz_40 lisa52101

    Posted

    Hi Lisa I cant help meds wise hun as unable to take meds due to severe alergic reactions. That is so disgusting how long you have to wait to see a rheumatologist. would you be able to pay to see one privately as you would be seen much quicker? I dont  know it should be an issue for you being on pregablin and Gabapentin unless its because with them being similar the local authority dont think you need to be on both.Hope you can get this sorted out soon soory to hear about your disc prolapse been their with that so you have my every sympathy. take care sending you a big hug.xx
    • lisa52101
      lisa52101 kaz_40

      Posted

      Hi Kaz, sorry I should have replied sooner. I could see a rheumatologist sooner but orthopaedics want me to see a particular dr which means I have to wait longer. I could get an appointment within a couple of mths but there is one at my local hospital who specialises in both fibro and EDS. Also I have just noticed I made a mistake in my original post, it should have said a C5 prolapsed disc to go with the T3. The meds are clearly unusual though because nobody has been able to help me further. Just another awkward thing to add to the many I suppose. By the way, the antibiotic I was on has been confirmed as causing an anaphylaxis reaction when I was rushed into hospital. Take care hon xx
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.