Vision problems with lyrica

[calluna]

I am getting blurred vision, and I think it is caused by the Lyrica that I am taking.

At the moment I am on 125mg, I am due to take it up to 150mg tomorrow. I am feeling a certain amount of help with the pain already. Until now I had not identified any side effects other than dizziness and drowsiness; these have only become a issue since I went up to 125mg, and I hope that these might decrease with time. Except now I am getting blurred vision and this is more of a problem. At the moment, I consider that I am not safe to drive while my vision is blurred.

I am wondering what to do - I would like to continue increasing the dose and see what pain relief I can get. Then I could consider the cost/benefit - how much pain relief? - is it worth putting up with the blurred vision? At the moment my information is not complete, I don't know how much pain relief I could get with this drug.

But am I risking my vision? Will my sight recover when I stop taking Lyrica? Might this be affected by how long I take the drug after the blurring appears? Will the blurring get worse as I take the dose up? And is the blurring likely to decrease with time, as with the drowsiness and dizziness?

[Amanda]

Calluna

I cannot say whether you may be possibly affecting your eyesight longterm and would definitely suggest you consult with your doctor about this.
Lyrica is a strange medication, some people can take it no problem and others are like you and notice huge side effects like dizziness and feeling drowsy.
I couldnt take it at all...every one of us are different.
I dont think that you should drive if you feel unsafe and not in control.
I hope that you can get some answers from your GP or Pharmacist.

[calluna]

Thankyou Amanda. I think I will have a word with the pharmacist in the morning - that is a very good idea, thankyou! - it is very difficult getting an appointment to see a doctor on a Monday morning, but I will be able to get through to the pharmacist. If he/she thinks I should see a doctor, then that will help me get past the receptionist! I will not be driving until the blurred vision has gone, don't worry.

I would not call my side effects huge - a bit of dizziness and drowsiness is a small price to pay for pain relief, I think. But I do not want to risk my sight.

[janetm2]

Calluna,
I have had similar issues (dizziness and blurred vision) trying to ramp up on gabapentin and I was able to call the doctor's office and the receptionist spoke with the doctor and called me back with the guidance on how to proceed. I had to just stay at the one level for a few days and then continue ramping up again. I had the same problem with amitriyptolene and just went back to my normal dose because the affects were too much. I only had the blurred vision a few days (once each as noted and then again today so I am going to do what I did before) and so far no real long term problems.... see next statement:

I should clarify I really have not been on these drugs long enough to know about long term as others on the site so please look to them for that info, sorry guess the pains are keeping me from thinking straight.

I hope you are doing better soon and get a quick answer and will be able to get pain relief.

Janet

[nyt]

I had to get glasses and then when I went off of the Lyrica I put the glasses in my desk drawer. I Good luc am using my glasses agin now because the combination of Lortab and Lidocaiine patches gives me blurred vision (only when I try to read). At some point when I am able to decrease both drugs that the glasses will be put back into the drawer. Good luck.

[A's Mommy]

Dear Callulana
I truly hope you can continue the Lyrica. I had significant pain relief on the Lyrica at 300 mg, but my side effects were so horrible that I had to stop and go back to 150mg, which I honestly do not think does a dent in my pain, but I guess I am too afraid right now to go off it. I had such blurred vision on the 300 mg that I could not see 5 feet past my face and I still get a tad bit of blurred vision with the current dosage, but it is not bad enough as with the 300 mg dosage. I feel safe drivign at 150. However, I can't really sit long enough to drive much, so there's the conundrum!

Please keep us posted.

God bless,

A's Mommy

[Karyn]

I have had similar issues (dizziness and blurred vision) trying to ramp up on gabapentin

I had these side effects (and many others) with Neurontin (a/k/a Gabapentin), too. Even with a "low dose". After weaning off of it, ALL of my side effects went away after a couple of months.
Best wishes for finding something more tolerable, Calluna!
Warmest of regards,
Karyn

[calluna]

I've spoken with the pharmacist today. As the blurring went away yesterday evening when it was coming up to the time for the next dose, she suggested waiting and seeing if the same happened today - and to contact the doctor if it wasn't improving. I did have some blurring this morning, but by 4pm it had gone. So that's an improvement on yesterday. Hopefully tomorrow will be better still. Once this side effect has gone away, I shall take the dose up again.

I don't want to give up on this med, I would really like to find something that is more help than tramadol.

[carolynm]

Calluna,

I discontinued the Lyrica due to the same troubles and am now trying Neurontin. At only 200 mg I had the dizziness and vision disturbances this morning (took it last night). Will try only 100 mg tonight. How are you doing?

cari

[christi]

About vision problems ....I notice my vision gets bad after focusing on the computer or reading for a while. It takes maybe 15 minutes for my eyes to re-adjust to distance vision (never had this issue before taking these drugs!). I take only 100 mg gabapentin and 10 mg amitriptyline. This combo, btw, works pretty well for me. At one point I was up to 1200 mg gaba, but it didn't seem to do much. In combination it seems to help.