Pregabalin ?

[Suzysheep]

My dr wants to switch me over from gabapentin to pregabalin to see if it gives me better pain relief from my rectal/ coccyx pain.

What are people's experience of this??

Thanks

[Hidden]

it's a powerful but efficient drug, for me it was so strong it not only made the pain with touch disappear, it also made my tickle nerves completely numb!

I only used it for 8 months though. Don;t be worried by other people complaining about side effects, everything has side effects, even aspirin. Some people are more sensitive to medication while others are more tolerant.

Instead of demonising all medication, we should be grateful we at least have a choice when it comes to controlling pain. Remember that decades ago you'd just be left to suffer

[Suzysheep in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I'm very greatful we live in the modern age of medicine!!

Can I ask why you only used it for 8 months? Did it loose it's effect?

[Raybellene]

I'm on pregabalin and have found the side effects minimal and pain relief to be better than nortriptaline which I was on before. I was recommended these leaflets when I visited the pain clinic which has one on pregabalin: fpm.ac.uk/faculty-of-pain-m...

[Suzysheep in reply to Raybellene]

Thankyou for that... That's reassuring to know.

Xx

[Hidden]

I've just started Pregabalin. My GP said it is not a cure for the pain, but the aim is to make it manageable. If that's what is does for me I'll be happy! I do feel a bit spaced out sometimes, more forgetful and more hungry, but it is early days so I hope this will get better. Consultant also increased dose after surgery (had only been on a low dose for a week), so I'm hoping to go back on a lower dose soon. My nerve pain has improved, but I haven't been very active or driving for 4 weeks so that will reduce pain too. I'm going to stick with it, time will tell. Good luck with it.

Excellent resource for medications, thank you.

[Suzysheep]

Thanks,

I will try and wean down from the gabapentin slowly, then up the pregabalin slowly too.

I'm just dreading the side effects.... But if I get better pain relief, it will be worth it.

Xxx

[stuchris]

I have never taken pregabalin but I have anal and coccyx pain and found great relief with 600 mg gabapentin 5 times a day and tramadol 50mg 3 times a day.

[Elaine77c]

It has been a life-line for me, my pain went altogether for about 2-3 weeks at which point I thought it was a miracle drug, but it came back. Now taking 150mg in the morning and 75mg at night and it manages the pain quite well, topped up with tramadol and codydramol. Before I could not plan, but pregabalin at least makes me feel my baseline of pain is consistently a lot better than it was, so I know I will be able to do things, just have to assess when to take the extra pain killers and when to admit defeat i.e. accept there are some things I probably shouldn't push myself to do. I do wonder about the long-term use, especially as the pain clinic seems to have given up on finding the cause and are just dealing with the symptoms, so I could be on it forever.