Most drug plans have an appeal process by which a doctor's note stating the neccessity of the drug is sent to the company. Check into it. If you cant get it that way, try going directly to the company.

some insurance companies wont' pay for lyrica unless you have already tried neuronitn first and it didn't work. that's how my insurance is. i tried neurontin first, but i had really bad side effects from it so i had to stop after only 4 days. i'm now waiting to get my lyrica. they are supposed to be the same type of medicine and work in a very similar way but are just slightly different.
my doctor said that since i had a bad reaction to neurontin, i am likely to have a bad reaction to lyrica but it could still work, so i'm trying it. i think its supposed to be a while before these kick in and start to work though. and the doctor has to keep upping your dose as your body adjusts to the medicine so that you can get to a dose that actually works. (and for neurontin, this is a much much higher dose than it is with lyrica)

I hated Neurontin. I was a zombie on it. One day, I wore two different coloured shoes out of the house and didn't notice. I went off it immediately after that.

On top of all that, Neurontin did NOT take my pain away at all.

the nuertron helped me a lot at first but now need to see if dr. will up the dosage. I had no side effects myself but everyone is different. marilyn

I took Lyrica for a little less than a month. It helped with the pain but it caused weight gain so I ditched it.

I now take Neurontin (a month into it) and it's working well - just about as well as the Lyrica did as far as the pain.

I had a break in between the two drugs, but I believe the efficacy is the same. Plus, Neurontin is a heck of a lot cheaper.

I didn't go from lyrica to neurontin, but I was on neurontin for about a month and had to go off of it b/c it made me very very angry. It worked awesome for my sleep tho.

TC N Hugs Judy

Sorry to say that for me, Neurontin did a number on my stomach. I had to go on Nexium to clear that up. I DO know it has worked for some however. Just wanted you to know of the potential stomach effects (GERD, heartburn, nausea). But I know others who have not experienced this. I have sort of a 'weak' stomach.

Now, the Neurontin was years ago - a good 4 or 5 when I went off it.

I was put on Lyrica a couple summers ago. I experiences weight gain immediately, I think it was water. But I had that effect with Neurontin too. Worse than that ('cause to me, I wished it would help the pain, more than worry about the weight) I was tired, dizzy and felt unsafe driving.

I AM NOT trying to scare you Witcha. I'm more trying to give you my experience. Many have taken both meds with none of these problems.

Just want you to know and there may be an adjustment period for you.

I wish you luck with the Neurontin. If you need to talk after you're on it for a while, please let us know how you're doing!

love and hugs,
Morus

ive took neurotin and it really helped pain in my legs . but the lycira helps the thobbing pain that i got at least once or twice a week.. hoping the lyicra keeps working.

Neurontin didn't work for me at all. Due to no insurance I was told to do water therapy, physical therapy, pyschiatrist, antidepressants, and neruontin and told to learn how to deal with it.

I saw your plight for info, and I had to speak up. I switched from Neurontin to Lyrica 2 months ago and it has helped the tingling in my feet which was really bothering me. I think it has even helped with pain and you can tell when it wears off. So I think I am a believer. However, the down side is my copay for Neurontin was $5.00, and for the Lyrica it is $30.00. Something to think about. I really don't notice too much difference with the side effects. What doesn't have them any more? I hope that helps. Good luck!