Will Neurontin Work as Well as Lyrica for Fibromyalgia?

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I am on 600mg of Lyrica, spread out over 3 doses per day, and I can attest to the fact that without it, I would not be able to move. I feel like I have no pain, aches, strain, or shooting tension pains like I used to. I did gain a bit of weight with the Lyrica, but with a little regular exercise, which for me is walking, some light weight training, and regular stretching with gentle yoga moves, it is coming off just fine. I do have a bit of blurry vision, but compared to the pain relief I have gotten, that side effect is a small price to pay for getting my life back thru the use of Lyrica.
I know many patients will try Lyrica and then go off of it due to the weight gain, which always hits the middle tummy area, but with a regular exercise routine, rest assured it will come off. I have encouraged friends to stick with it as the effectiveness of this medication absolutely outweighs the side effects. And we all need regular exercise anyway….so this is a big motivator to do it !
One thing I’d like to bring to people’s attention is that if you cannot budge the weight off, ask your doctor to test you for TSH, electrolytes, blood sugar, etc. as Lyrica has been known to slow-down metabolism and cause thyroid problems. Without the thryroid functioning properly, your weight will continue to gain or be stubborn to lose. So please get those checked before you give up Lyrica.
Good Luck !

MAc of CA 8:08AM January 03, 2011

I have just started Lyrica, so I don't know whether it will work or not. I have taken Neurontin when I had back surgery; it did very well but didn't seem to work fast enough to handle my pain. To Catrina of KY: I've been taking hydrocodone and carisoprodol (SOMA) for about eight years. Hydrocodone runs its course. I'm going to have to go to something else because hydrocodone doesn't seem to work any more. There is no one miracle cure. I think you just have to keep changing and trying new things to find what works. A miracle pill would be worth anything I had to pay!!

Linda of GA 4:31PM June 23, 2010

Lyrica is actually a combination of two drugs (one being neurontin) - it is also considered a controlled substance (unlike neurontin). I just started taking it 4 days ago on the free sample they offer to new patients and for me it's a magic pill! I have arachnoid scarring and lots of other problems (DDD, severe scarring, encased S1, herniations, etc...) But, this drug has been a god send! Although I still have back pain, my neuro pain is about 80 gone.. My problem is my insurance company is denying it. I may call Pfizer, as some one suggested above, to see if I can get some help (with my Dr's help) with a prescription filled... Please, do not do what I did - I had heard so many horror stories regarding this medicine, I refused to take it. I finally gave in when I had to buy a cane to walk. I have had NO REACTIONS with this medicine. I don't even feel loopy or groggy - I feel NORMAL!! (I say that with a smile because the pain has lessened so much I DO almost feel normal!!) A Dr told me to try it - there is no other way to know if your body is going to accept it. If you feel crappy after taking it for a couple of days, you can stop... but you will never know unless you try. Now, if we could just get the FDA to approve this medication for all nerve pain!

mummy3 of KY 3:11PM June 15, 2010

I've had neurontin and now lyrica . the neurontin kind of made me feel high. it helped with my restless leg,but it did nithing for my pain. the lyrica has helped a little. I wish that they would give me some hydrocodone and send me on my way. i really don't even know if that would help, but it has got to be better than these nerve pills that they keep prescribing.

catrina of KY 9:39PM April 20, 2010

If you tried Lyrica and it worked but your insurance won't pay for it you have two options you could try.
First, ask your doctor to write a letter explaining that there are no generic or other medications similar to Lyrica (as gabapentin) that will control your symptoms.
Second, contact the Lyrica drug maker (is it Pfizer?) and apply for their "Patient Assistance Program. Your doctor's office will usually help with this, and the paperwork. Normally when insurance won't pay for a medication drug companies will provide it free, really FREE. It would be worth it to ask.
A good pharmacist will talk to you about how all your meds work together and tell you if any of them will be a problem combined with the others. If they don't go to another pharmacy in the same chain, and don't go on "old people's day"! You could also try calling the nursline number on the back of your insurance card.
I've talked to several people who tried Lyrica and didn't like it, so I'm glad it worked for you, but if you can't get it don't be dismayed. Neurontin (or the generic gabapentin), Topamax (or the generic Toprimate) and Elavil (or the generic amitriptyline) have all been used successfully for years by many with both IC and Fibro. Don't give up, you'll find the right combination.

Deborah of NC 10:21PM March 09, 2010

I was recently diagnosed with fibronyalgia(4 months) though iv'e suffered for over a year after a fall down stairs at home.
last night 1/10//2010 and boy was I ever groggy the next a.m. My RA Doc has tried me on several different meds to no avail. I have even been frowned upon at work which by the way I don't think I'll be able to do too much longer. I pray that this neurontin will ease my pain and allow me to begin living a normal life again. Iv'e started a journal to chronicle my pain and hopefully help others understand my daily battle. I wish others understood just a little.I am fortunate to have a loving christian husband and supportive children and friends. I am going to really try and stick with this new med and hopefully it will work.By the way it's doubly hard working in the medical profession for 25 years as a nurse. I feel very helpless.

Gloria Warren of AR 10:05AM February 11, 2010

I have taken everything from Tegretol and am now trying the neurontin. I have no effect from any meds I have tried. I think the pros think they should work which they may for some, but I have yet to get relief from any meds with my experience. I've had this condition since my early twenties. The only thing that has ever worked was I finally received the MVD surgery. It kept me pain free for approximately 14 years but now it is back with a vengeance and I'am now 44. While this condition is torture to the head, I'am very sad to think me or anyone will have to live the rest of their life like this. I'am unable to speak, drink, eat, and can't even think about brushing my teeth,(which I do), but it is a total torture session which I dread every day.

kauthement of AR 11:08AM January 22, 2010

I have spent the past 7 years in severe pain both in body and in my head. I have been to dr after dr and finally found a ra who is helping with my fibromyligia pain and other audio immune issues. I have a GI who is dealing with my huge ulcer and barrets esophagus and other issues. My internist is helping me with my dead thyroid. I have been trying lyricia after trying many others but my insurance will not cover it telling me I have to go with gabapentin. I take well over 16 different medications every day just to keep going. HOW can i find out how gabapentin will react with each one of them. some are over the counter and herbal that my doctors have advised I use and they are helping.
I would love for my insurance company one person from there to live in my body one day!
Any suggestions on where to go to find out how drugs might react with each other?

sandi ramirez of TX 11:54PM August 26, 2009

I have a spinal cord disease that causes pains similar to Fibromyalgia, along with a host of other symptoms, called Arachnoiditis.
For over a year, my right thigh felt like a blowtorch was applied to it constantly. None of the traditional meds worked, but neurontin cooled the fires and eased the pain.
However, after a year, I was denied access because in my state, it is considered an anti-seizure medicine, and it wasn't prescribed to me for seizures. Never mind that it was the only thing that worked, the strict rules must be followed.
Well, the burning came back, though not as bad.
The advice of all the dozens of pain specialists?
Learn to live with it.

Rei of MA 11:35AM August 20, 2009

A lot of people with fibromyalgia take Neurontin for fibromyalgia, or its generic form, gabapentin. As with all fibro treatments, it works for some but not all. In clinical trials, it had a greater risk of side effects than was found later with Lyrica. However, the much lower cost makes it appealing for a lot of people. Be familiar with the side effects, but know that this treatment works for a lot of us!

Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide to Fibromyalgia of WA 6:14PM August 19, 2009