Pregabalin or gabapentin with ILD?

[momo17]

Does anyone have experience of taking pregabalin or gabapentin for fibromyalgia if they have SSc with interstitial lung disease? My doctor has just mentioned these as fibromyalgia meds but there are warnings about lung depression if you already have a condition. Just trying to weigh up the risks as have been unable to take duloxetine or nortriptyline as they gave me terrible ringing in left ear that I have been left with even after discontinuation. So now I still have pain and tinnitus to deal with! 🙈 Any advice appreciated

[CarolMcl]

Hi, I also have ILD, namely pneumonitis and fibrosis which was confirmed after a lung biopsy. I was prescribed gabapentin for nerve pain following the procedure

[momo17 in reply to CarolMcl]

Thank you carol. That’s good to know. If they use it after a lung procedure surely the risks are very minimal

[CarolMcl in reply to momo17]

I did ask and my respiratory consultant was more than happy that I take it

[momo17 in reply to CarolMcl]

That’s reassuring. Were you on it for any length of time?

[CarolMcl]

Probably just over three months. After the op it didn't go too well and ended up in hospital for just under 3 weeks. Started on oramorph for 4 weeks but I didnt want to continue with it being an opioid. Given tramadol but didn't agree with me, then onto gabapentin

[momo17 in reply to CarolMcl]

That’s really helpful, thank you. Sorry to hear you’d problems post op. I was offered tramadol too but sure I’d palpitations with it before n it never actually helped. Appreciate you replying. It’s difficult to know what’s best in these situations.

[CarolMcl in reply to momo17]

Your very welcome. It is very difficult especially when criteria and information for drugs change and unless professionals keep up to date then they're unaware of them. I questioned the use of methotrexate when I have ILD as apparently that can contribute to it. Turns out that's what was originally thought but new studies have changed that idea. My consultant knew about it but nurses at the rheumatology helpline didn't

[momo17 in reply to CarolMcl]

No same today. The doctor didn’t know about the lung depression thing. I’d got that info by googling!!

[CarolMcl]

Google not always a good thing as not always up to date. Try to stay on NHS sites but again sometimes these differ also

[momo17 in reply to CarolMcl]

Yeah sorry should’ve said nhs site via Google, thanks

[CarolMcl]

😁👍🏻