Problems with Pregabalin

[Brightman]

My new GP prescribed me Pregabalin 3 weeks ago for nerve pain in my thighs, which I have said since my PCa diagnosis in 2016. I did complain about it to my RO and MO after radiation and chemo ended in 2017. But they put me on Brufen which had little impact, so just put up with it. Since SBRT radiation on my new met on my T10 vertebrae at the end of March the nerve pain seems to have increased. Since beginning Pregabalin I have become breatheless during exercise etc. The Pregabalin has helped considerably with my nerve pain. However, the breathlessness is impacting considerably. My pharmacist daughter says this can be a side effect from this drug, especially some one like me who has pulmonary fibrosis. My GP sent me for a CT pulmonary angiogram this morning. The radiologist said there were no clots. I am waiting for the GP to call me. Can any of you wise people tell me your thoughts about what your experiences are with any of this? Could it be the radiation or Pregabalin or just my pulmonary fibrosis getting worse?

[tango65]

Pregabalin is causing your respiratory problems since you have previous lung pathology.

fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-a...

[Brightman in reply to tango65]

Thanks for your reply. I had read the article you have posted before I rang my GP this morning. He didn’t seem to accept that Pregabalin could be the problem. He rang this afternoon and the said that the CT I was able to have quickly after his first call ( thank goodness) showed no clots. So he said to stop Pregabalin and he will review things when he sees me next Thursday. He said he would consider prescribing something else for my nerve pain then. ( Any suggestions?) Hopefully my breathlessness will have improved by then.

[Hidden]

Hey guy ! My dx was 3-2015.... 2 yrs of heavy antibiotics for constant UTI’s plus Lupron and tak-700( stopping adrenal t) 3 t over six years now . Started prolia over 2 yrs ago. Now all joints are degrading into pain. Left rib fractured pains all over. My gp prescribed me Celebrex and gabatin. I read the side effects. Stroke and heart attack for one the other violent behavior and possible suicidal thinking. No thanks , my hands and feet are numb and burning . My arms from the shoulders down go painfully numb at night , or just sitting down on the couch. I need a fix. Once we start the drugs we are still screwed..

[MateoBeach]

Radiation induced nerve root or plexopathy is very difficult to manage. Trental 300 mg 3X/day plus Vitamin E 1000 IU/ day has been shown to help, but it is slow. Suggest getting a spine MRI with contrast of the area (lumbosacral) to see if there is mechanical compression of the nerve root. If so, an epidural injection will prove it by relieving the pain. Permanent solution would be micro-decompression surgery if your lungs and status are okay for general anesthesia. Otherwise periodic epidural shots can be helpful.