Why would something like lyrica be prescribed rather than plaquenil?

[Paleosooze]

What's the difference in what they do? I've seen lots of talk on here about plaquenil, not so much about gabapentin or lyrica. My GP prescribed me gabapentin, but it made me feel a lot worse, so he's now thinking lyrica. Seeing prof k this afternoon so will be having this discussion with him, but would like to get it straight in my head as to whether they're good for different things, or is it just that different ones work better for different people.

My most bothersome symptoms are: chronic fatigue (though I sleep badly so that makes things worse), muscle and joint pain (I've been diagnosed with fibro), cognitive/memory problems (will be talking with Prof K as to whether clopidogrel is enough for me).

Thanks

Susie

[laserlight]

If I've understood you correctly Susie, you "sleep badly" and you seem to have highlighted it as something that you suffered from prior to all the other unfortunate symptoms you mention. You have my sympathy.

You might consider looking into Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). You could ask your GP or 'Prof K' to refer you to a Sleep Disorders Clinic. I used to fall asleep whenever I was passively listening to or watching something I wasn't actively involved in. TV, somebody talking, being a passenger in a vehicle driven by someone else and many other sometimes quite embarrassing situations. The sleep clinic totally changed my life. It may be an avenue for you to explore. Can't hurt, can it?

Take a look at the links below and see if the symptoms fit you. If they do, take action!

nhs.uk/Conditions/Sleep-apn...

patient.co.uk/health/obstru...

[Paleosooze]

Thank you both

Prof K was lovely. He reassured me that it's not normal to have such bad memory problems and has arranged for an MRI of my brain to see if I have small lesions. This will happen in the next couple of weeks. I'm then going to see him again at the end of May. He didn't want to try any other meds until after that, as I might need to change from clopidogrel if the MRI does show lesions and as I'm so sensitive to meds, it doesn't seem a good idea doing to much swapping of things at once. Only had 8 tubes of blood taken this time it's weird though to have a doctor take me seriously at long last...

[Paleosooze]

24th. My sister's seeing him on 17th as well. I think he finds the family link interesting

[Coppernob in reply to Paleosooze]

I'm going on 17th. We should try to coordinate our appts so we could all meet up and have a party :-).

Know what you mean about 'only' 8 tubes of blood - 13 for me last time!

[SueLovett]

So pleased you had a good appointment although I don't think there could be such a thing as a bad appointment with MK.

Your symptoms are so like mine, I am pleased that he is sending you for MRI as then you will know what you are dealing with.

Shame your appointment is 24th as I am there next week 3rd.

Let us know how things go.

[Paleosooze in reply to SueLovett]

Thanks Sue

[SueLovett]

Typical, never mind maybe next time x