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What Is Lyrica Used For?
Question: What is Lyrica used for? I had been taking Gabapetin for Neuropathy in my feet. I didn't think it was helping so he switched me to Lyrica, 50 mg twice a day. I also see a Podiatrist for Morton's Neuroma. My feet hurt so bad at night I can hardly walk. I can tell the difference in the neuropathy and the other ache and cramps in my feet. I am also a Type 2 Diabetic. I'm 61 years old, but feel much older. I have the same symptoms my mom had at 92, we never found relief for her. Am I doomed to have pain in my feet the rest of my life? I think maybe the Neurontin helped more than I thought sine they hurt so bad without it. Any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
LYRICA is used for pain control.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
I understand your query and concern.
Peripheral neuropathy is difficult to treat in diabetic individuals.
Lyrica is Pregabalin which is a new agent used to treat diabetic neuropathy.
This drug is superior to Neurotin/gabapentin in controlling your pain.But its effects are short lasting.
The neuropathic pain in your case is due to large fiber neuropathy.
You seem to be refractory to medical therapy .
Hence you are experiencing worsening symptoms over a time period.
Symptoms will be long lasting as long as you stick to this medical management.
In my opinion Surgical decompression through plantar approach is a mandate to control your Morton's neuroma.
This surgical procedure offers long lasting results and keeps you away from the side effects of drugs.
I advise you to consult your treating physician about the surgical management option to cure your morton's neuralgia.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you
LYRICA is used for pain control.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
I understand your query and concern.
Peripheral neuropathy is difficult to treat in diabetic individuals.
Lyrica is Pregabalin which is a new agent used to treat diabetic neuropathy.
This drug is superior to Neurotin/gabapentin in controlling your pain.But its effects are short lasting.
The neuropathic pain in your case is due to large fiber neuropathy.
You seem to be refractory to medical therapy .
Hence you are experiencing worsening symptoms over a time period.
Symptoms will be long lasting as long as you stick to this medical management.
In my opinion Surgical decompression through plantar approach is a mandate to control your Morton's neuroma.
This surgical procedure offers long lasting results and keeps you away from the side effects of drugs.
I advise you to consult your treating physician about the surgical management option to cure your morton's neuralgia.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thank you for your response but you use a lot of medical terms that only confuse me more. I can feel the tingle in my toes that I believe is the neuropathy. I don't know if the other pain is associated with the neuropathy or the morton's.
1. Are the shooting pains in my feet, the cramping & the tenderness when I walk associated with the neuropathy or the morton's? Even the side to side movement when I put on shoes is painful. When I read about neuropathy, it talks about numbness. My feet aren't numb, I feel every inch of them.
2. Are the symptoms I desciribe from the morton's? The podiatriest said he was trying to kill the nerve & gives me shots just below my 4th toe. He said it contained alcohol & was used to kill the nerve. He was doing that to avoid killing it through surgery. If he does have to kill it by surgery, will that stop the sharp pains in my feet.
3. Your comments:
You seem to be refractory to medical therapy .Hence you are experiencing worsening symptoms over a time period.Symptoms will be long lasting as long as you stick to this medical management.
Are you saying I should seek another form of treatment? If so, what do you recommend?
4. Again, your comment: This drug is superior to Neurotin/gabapentin in controlling your pain.But its effects are short lasting. Since the Lyrica doesn't help either, would you recommend going back to the Neurotin/gabapentin or staying with the Lyrica.
Thanks for the comments. XXXX
1. Are the shooting pains in my feet, the cramping & the tenderness when I walk associated with the neuropathy or the morton's? Even the side to side movement when I put on shoes is painful. When I read about neuropathy, it talks about numbness. My feet aren't numb, I feel every inch of them.
2. Are the symptoms I desciribe from the morton's? The podiatriest said he was trying to kill the nerve & gives me shots just below my 4th toe. He said it contained alcohol & was used to kill the nerve. He was doing that to avoid killing it through surgery. If he does have to kill it by surgery, will that stop the sharp pains in my feet.
3. Your comments:
You seem to be refractory to medical therapy .Hence you are experiencing worsening symptoms over a time period.Symptoms will be long lasting as long as you stick to this medical management.
Are you saying I should seek another form of treatment? If so, what do you recommend?
4. Again, your comment: This drug is superior to Neurotin/gabapentin in controlling your pain.But its effects are short lasting. Since the Lyrica doesn't help either, would you recommend going back to the Neurotin/gabapentin or staying with the Lyrica.
Thanks for the comments. XXXX
Brief Answer:
Decompressive nerve surgery is an alternative suitable treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
Good to have you back.
Let me clarify on one thing at the beginning,the so called shooting pain along with cramps and tenderness which you are currently experiencing is Morton's neuralgia.
This is a special type of peripheral compressive neuropathy.Hence you can use both terms interchangeably.
Neuropathy need not always present with numbness,especially morton's type.Hence it not a rule,to not name your condition as neuropathy.
Using alcohol injections can only be provide temporary relief,Surgery on that nerve can produce near long lasting relief.
I mean Lyrica is definitely superior to Gabapentin.You can switch off to Lyrica meanwhile even though its effects are short lasting because of its relative safety profile.
I mean you opt for decompressive nerve surgery now(this is the alternate treatment i am referring to) ,as you are not showing improvement on current drugs,lyrica or gabapentin.
Thank you.
Decompressive nerve surgery is an alternative suitable treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
Good to have you back.
Let me clarify on one thing at the beginning,the so called shooting pain along with cramps and tenderness which you are currently experiencing is Morton's neuralgia.
This is a special type of peripheral compressive neuropathy.Hence you can use both terms interchangeably.
Neuropathy need not always present with numbness,especially morton's type.Hence it not a rule,to not name your condition as neuropathy.
Using alcohol injections can only be provide temporary relief,Surgery on that nerve can produce near long lasting relief.
I mean Lyrica is definitely superior to Gabapentin.You can switch off to Lyrica meanwhile even though its effects are short lasting because of its relative safety profile.
I mean you opt for decompressive nerve surgery now(this is the alternate treatment i am referring to) ,as you are not showing improvement on current drugs,lyrica or gabapentin.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you, I have a better understanding now. I have one last question. Could the pain in my feet also cause discomfort in my knees? It seems like the more pain I have in my feet the more my knees hurt aswell.
Brief Answer:
Pain in both regions is related.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam.
I understand your concern.
Yes certainly the pain in the knee can be a direct manifestation of the motor neuropathy in the feet, since the nerve supply is common and in continuation of a large nerve fiber trunk.
Thank you
Pain in both regions is related.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Madam.
I understand your concern.
Yes certainly the pain in the knee can be a direct manifestation of the motor neuropathy in the feet, since the nerve supply is common and in continuation of a large nerve fiber trunk.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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