In studies of Lyrica’s effectiveness for fibromyalgia and shingles pain, participants have reported sleeping better while taking Lyrica.
On his RevolutionHealth blog, sleep specialist Steve Poceta wrote:
Lyrica has been shown to improve sleep in certain patients who have pain, such as fibromyalgia and shingles pain. However, it is also important to assess the effect of a drug on the sleep of normal sleepers, because the sleep of patient groups is by definition already abnormal.
Dr. Poceta also describes the stages of sleep and how different drugs target different areas. Although I had trouble summarizing his points, the explanation isn’t hard to read or understand. I recommend reading it.
For anecdotal evidence, a reader told me that since starting Lyrica in January, her migraines have gone from 3 or 4 times a week to about once a month. Her insurance won’t cover it, even after having her doctor appeal the first decision.
She spends $100 a month on the drug, although she just found a pharmacy that carries it for $72. Proof that shopping around is valuable!
I have been on lyrica for 3 months. I was taking 150 mg at bed time.
My pain is nerve problems from back injury. Dr. upped it to 2 times a day. Iit worked great for sleeping pain . I hope it helps during the day. I’m real sleepy today.
Waiting to go to pain management clinic. I don’t know what they will do.
After trying over 25 different medications, I’ve been on Lyrica for 6 weeks now. Rather to my surpsie, within a few days, it vastly reduced my chronic daily headache pain and pain of fibromyalgia. I was at 150 but a few days ago ramped up to 225. I am hoping for total pain elimination so I can have a normal life!
Interesting how mixed your experiences are. I’m so happy for those of you that it has helped — and am pulling for everyone still trying to find relief.
Kerrie
I’ve been on Lyrica for a few weeks. Let me tell you – if I have to, I will pay for this out of my own pocket as long as I possibly can. It has helped my fibro pain, & my sleep. This is the best I have felt for a L-o-o-o-ng time. I actually cleaned the bathroom AND did errands today! Very rare!
I have been on free samples from my Dr. & it helps my pain. My Dr. left & my new Dr. won’t give them out. I paid over $100. Can’t get them anymore! WHAAAA!!
I had an increase in my cdh on this med. and no help with sleep.
I tried Lyrica for a couple of months. I didn’t notice any difference in sleep quality (I’m a pretty good sleeper already), nor any drowsiness during the day.
Alas, it also had no effect on my CDH.
I will say, since I tend to have a hard time staying awake, Lyrica just made it impossible to stay awake.