I did have some bad effects from Lyrica but I am highly sensitive/allergic to meds so don't go by me LOL but I do always recommend to do a lot of research on risk verses benefits. Good luck finding something to safely help :)

Arm, neck and shoulder pain can be caused by TMJ which is one of the many perks associated with Fibromyalgia. You should see your dentist for an assessment. You may be clenching and or grinding without being aware of it. Being in chronic pain causes a lot of peripheral issues. A bite splint can be made to put your jaw in a neutral position while you sleep. In the interim, try moist heat to see if that helps. Arnica gel (Amazon) is helpful too.

I have never used Lyrica but I do know that it is known for significant
weight gain. Some people don't have a problem with it and others pack on the pounds. Doctors don't seem to be proactive about this issue. They seem to feel that if the drug works, weight gain is just fine. I'd give it a try and if you notice weight gain is an issue, call or go and see your doctor.

Good luck and take care.

Wow 600m of Gabapentin. I'm on 100 (1 pill at night) currently and when the doc told me to double up because I was in pain during the day it made me feel awful, discombobulated and everything. I was given lyrics for another situation yrs ago and it was def too strong and I was given tramadol which gave me hallucinations and is now in my record as something I'm allergic too. Perhaps I'm jus sensitive to mess. All in all I do hope you starvto feel better soon. Sorry in advance for typos. I couldn't sleep and decided to jump in here and am trying to see and write lol

Lyrica made me feel drunk for over a month, then it went away, but it still made me very sleepy, and just like gabapentin I had to keep increasing the strength to get any pain reduction in my nerve pain, but along with that came such severe constipation and pressure in my head. I couldn't get rid of those 2 severe side effects for me, oh and once the med start wearing off it made my nerve pain 3x worse than not taking any meds at all. Then I would take more meds and it would help for a few hours, but I couldn't handle the pressure in my head and tiredness, so now I don't take anything. My uncle takes it for MS and nerve pain, and he loves it. I hope you get some relief.

I was on Lyrica for only a month during which I gained over 20 lbs and my hands were swollen and it didn't do anything to actually reduce my symptoms. The doctor took me off it as soon as I showed her my hands. The worst part about that weight gain was that it was right around my brother's wedding and the dress I planned to wear for the ceremony fit me one week but by the night before I couldn't zip it up and had to resort to a dress I completely hated only because it was the only thing I had available to me at the last minute that would fit me. That was when I called the doctor and said "you've got to get me off this".

Mind you though, I've not found any drug that's done much to help any of my symptoms and I've had side effects from just about all of them. I know some people have found Lyrica to be helpful, but I've also seen many more comments here from people who tried it but quickly came to realize it was not the right medication for them. It's hard to judge how it will do for you until you try it.

Hi Nancy I was prescribed Lyrica last year. It was not effective for my fibromyalgia pain relief. I did not have any side effects. I only took it for 1 month. Everybody is different and react to medicine differently. I hope you find relief. I am still searching for a medicine to help ease my pain. I was gabapentin 600mg 3x/day and cymbalta and still in Lots pain. I wish you the best.

Thank you all for your comments. I guess I'll never know what it does for me if I don't give it the ol' college try! Hoping I don't gain weight as I'm currently trying to lose weight, but we shall see. Take care and Happy New Year, everyone!

Warning: be careful, very careful, not to gain weight. I've been using Lyrica for about four years, and it made me sleepy, and I gained, 50 llbs. It does take care of all my neuropathy pain, well, most of it. Good luck with it. It's a great drug for pain. Whenever I forget, the pain comes right back.

The pain you describe can also be from cervical spondylosis. The fibro heightens the pain. This is one of the issues I have. Had a scan of head, neck, upper back, and shoulders. The thinning of the space between the vertebrae, when you position yourself in certain poses, can pinch and inflame the nerves. Not saying this is what you have, but it couldn't hurt o rule that out as a possibility.

The last rheumy I had prescribed Lyrica, but I am adverse to taking it due to all the side effects and warnings. I have found taking a gram a day of distilled MSM has helped with the inflammation I also experience.

I loved lyrica for the pain relief but i gained 40 lbs in one month so didnt stay on it.

It has been worth it for me. I'm 38 with two young children. I'm on 1500 mg./day. I've maybe gained 8-10 lbs. this year, but I haven't been exercising or eating the best. It has helped me so much with pain, sleep and energy with my two. I don't know how hard it will be to ever go off, but as of now, it's saved my quality of life. Good luck and prayers.

Thanks, JAC! I'm so glad to hear it has helped you - esp. with kids. I just have a dog and feel guilty for never feeling well enough to walk the guy. I have lost almost 20 pounds due to lack of an appetite from other meds I'm on. Im hoping I keep that lack of appetite while on the Lyrica. Hoping I don't have to keep taking Tramadol for the horrible unrelenting body aches. I don't do anything but try to get through a very busy and stressful job and then go right home to get in bed and take pain meds. I frequently cancel my therapy appts. because I constantly feel like I have the flu. I also just ordered Freshly for the first time to see if eating better helps. Can't hurt, right? Here's to a much better 2017! Prayers for all of you. Take care.