Side Effects

There's a new commercial touting the benefits of a drug called LYRICA and how it helps those suffering from Fibromyalgia.
I'm sure it does.
I've tried the drug.

For years, my 65 pound Shepard -mix dog, Sammy and I used to run together. For the first mile ( our usual route took us 3-4 miles but he was good for 8) I'd have a heck of a time keeping up. No matter what 'control' device I used with Sam he paid no heed - he was out of the house and rarin' to go. Too many years of me hanging on wreaked havoc with my back.

Now, I wouldn't have traded any of those runs on country roads or through the woods, but I do have to pay the pain piper.

So, after a summer of physical therapy appointments for hip pain I finally saw a neurologist. The root of the trouble, the L4/L5 disc in my back. It's a very common trouble spot. As the doctor explained, since the hip is a large joint, the brain thinks that's where the pain is originating.

Be that as it may, I needed relief. By now I was having tingling down my leg. So the doctor prescribed Lyrica. It works by blocking the nerve impulse to the brain - if the pain message can't get through you say, AHHH.

Did it work? Like a charm. But it had a side effect or two. At the dose prescribed I was a bit fuzzy - and some unwanted pounds started creeping on.

Now, I'd read the fine print on the enclosed packaging paper. But to get the skinny on it I went to the blogs. Yes, there are blogs or message boards for just about every treatment. Lo and behold, I had plenty of company.

Luckily I was able to stop taking the medication and remain mostly pain free.

The 'moral' of the story. Know the side effects a new medication can cause. Tell your doctor if you develop any of those side effects so you can work out a plan. And yes, those boards can be of help, but remember, they are personal experience and may not apply to your life.

As for the dog - well, he's 14 and his own aches and pains keep him from running with me. But there are days when he still tears down the driveway and sprints to the next house. Now that's an attitude I hope I always have!

And what about you? Have you ever been prescribed a medication that had an unwanted side effect? What did you do? Was your doctor responsive? Please, share your experiences.