Does Taking Lyrica Cause Stroke?

Posted on Fri, 22 May 2015

Question: I Have Had a Stroke in September. And I have Had Open heart Surgery Exactly one Year ago in September I had a Triple Bye Pass...I seemed to have got Better from that just Fine....But I seemed to get over Just Fine,...
But I Developed Neuropathy I am a Type 2 Diabetic .....I have been Doing therapy Since I was in the Hospital I am going two the hospital for Out Patient therapy Three times a weekend they are working my butt off very hard,,,,I mean it....I Keep adding Extra Exercises two there Exercises as soon as I feel that I Can do them....But now my Neupathy is bother so bad, I am in so much Pain and my feet are getting very red I am on Pain Medicine times a Day, I am on Nerautin three times a day 600 mg....I had a doctor before that gave me Nerautin three times a day1200 mg three times a day and it seemed to help me a lot more,,,But it did't melp me all the way...and she put me on Lyrica three time a day and then after a couple of Days after I was on Lyerica I Had this Stroke and It was a pretty Bad one...I am recovering from this stroke But but right now I am in So much pain....You Would not Believe it !! I really think I Had this Stroke Because of the Lyrica I will not take again,,,My Current Family Doctor Doesn't seem two know two much about Neuropathy so I am looking for a Doctor who does..... and I can't find one Yet in the Wheeling WV area...I saw where Think Dr XXXXXXX Corder Can do think so...I he can't where can I find a doctor that does.. I am in so much Pain...I think I will give Up my therapy till I can find one...Please help me....

Thank you
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Stroke due to Lyrica is unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX W Zervos,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

I have gone through your detailed medical history and I feel deeply concerned for you.
However,Lyrica causing stroke is very unlikely,that too with just 2 days of therapy.You being a case of coronary artery disease,already had a huge risk factor for stroke too.That might be the possible cause.

I can understand Diabetic neuropathic pain can be a very complicated situation to handle sometimes.However,best therapeutic steps are-
1)Strict control of blood sugar
2)Antineuralgic drugs like Neurontin(Gabapentin),Lyrica(Pregabalin),Amitriptyline or Duloxetine.(You can discuss with your neurologist to put you on trial of amitriptyline or duloxetine.Neurontin may be continued if you had a good response to it.)
3)Capsaicin patches for pain relief.
4)Massage therapy
5)Acupuncture

Usually,a combination of these medicines and alternative therapies like acupuncture and massage therapy are used for pain relief,universally.

Please discuss with your pain specialist or neurologist to develop a suitable treatment plan for you.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some follow up questions,I shall be glad to answer else,please close the thread-rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta