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Lyrica & alcohol

By Guest | 45 posts, last post
Irfan Tariq, MD answered this Alcohol With Gabapentin Can Affect Your Nervous System Badly
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LMD4

Hello to everyone :-)

I've been on Gabapentin (Gralise), for a few years. The highest dose I've taken is 3,600 milligrams. Recently, the Gabapentin stopped working, and my physician added Lyrica. My physician is slowly weaning off Gabapentin, and adding Lyrica. I have several issues going on in my back - spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, lumbar spinal stenosis, degeneration, osteoporosis and a hernated disc at L5-S1. 

Recently, I've had a series of lumbar epidural block, for diagnostic purposes, which showed a pain generation at L5 S1. However, the physician is going to repeat the blocks in a controlled manner, to make sure it's really coming from L5 S1.

The plan of action is surgery or a spinal cord stimulator (SCS)? Does anyone have a SCS, and if so, why and is it working for you? I've done some research on SCS - they are VERY expensive ($20,000 to $60,000) :-), plus, there is a yearly maintenance fee. I've been dealing with neuropathy, a deep burning sensation for years, and it keeps progressing. Sometimes I get bladder or bowel retention :-|.

Any thoughts regarding the spinal stimulator would be appreciated!

 

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Guest

When I first started taking Lyrica I had a coupla drinks & got sick, terrible awful sick, within only a very short time. Tried it again a month or so later, same thing. Jump ahead 3+ years & I thought I'd try to have a drink again. Same thing happened. Feel so much better on the Lyrica that not drinking is worth it.
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VictorB

I just get drunk faster but then again I've always had a very high tolerance to alcohol so that's likely my saving grace. Hey, means I have to take in less alcohol so not really a bad thing in my case but I really just got lucky there. I do intend to lessen my drinking though, since I started drinking to get away from my physical pain for even a few hours and to sleep, which the Lyric will help manage a bit anyways. I tend to drink a lot less when my pain has been managed for a month or more because I no longer need the alcohol to get relief.
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Pam

Hi I am on lyrica 1,200mg daily. I find I am hooked on them. If I drink, I get drunk quicker, doesn't make me sick while drinking but the hangover is bad until I take the lyrica again.
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Guest

I'm an alcoholic and I take 600 mg a day and never get sick unless I drink way too much, but getting sick would happen anyway I think maybe Lurica actually just makes it feel like food poisoning it's a very violent vomiting. You have to test your own body that's all there is to it.
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Guest

iam taking elontrol can I have a glass can I haveoneglassof wine
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Guest

I take 200mg twice a day, have been for almost a year. I drink regularly, sometimes heavily. I have had no side effects, but, as others here have said, everyone is different.
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Guest

I just started taking lyrica in a switch from gabapentin. I take 600 mg a day and went out drink and it made me superman. I drank 12 beers and then had awesome sex and woke up with no hangover. Took my morning dose and was ready to drink again!!!!!! Lol
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Guest

I am on 450 mg of Lyrica per day. I had 6 drinks the other night and woke up extremely ill, also experiencing serious irritability, hostility and anxiety. These are not my regular traits. Do not drink on Lyrica!
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Guest

Lyrica works on the same receptors that alcohol does, and your doctor or psychiatrist should tell you that. BUT you don't suddenly lose all your faculties if you drink while on lyrica,
Common sense really dictates what you can and cannot do. If you rarely drink than yes, you'll probably become dizzy as you're combining two sedative like substances. If you're a regular drinker you'll notice a 'heavy' affect and should drink less in response.
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Guest

So glad to hear this. I just started Lyrica and I drink every day; like you 2-6 drinks. I don't get drunk, I'm just used to it. My concern is I will have withdrawal from alcohol which would just add another problem to the ones i already have. I'm taking it for nerve damage pain- which has been severe and debilitating. Thanks for the feedback.
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Guest

I take 200 milligrams 3 times aday. I pretty much drink every weekend. Sometimes I drink 15 beers. I don't experience any side effects other than memory loss but that is most likely due to sometimes drinking 15 beers. I do wake up we ith a pretty bad hangover. While I am drinking I never experience side effects.
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Guest

Except that you’re an alcoholic.
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Guest

should not cancel the effects, both have the same type of effect and that is why it can enhance side effects
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Guest

On 150 2 x day, belbuca 600 mcg 2 x day for aboit 6 mos. Drink occasionally, maybe little tired at most. To be safe, just avoid.
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