Reply To: Experience with amitriptyline / tricyclic antidepressants?

Willem:

By all means, have your physician put you on a trial of Lyrica. I was taking 3600 mg of Gabapentin a day, and it did absolutely nothing for my pain. I was place on 450 mg of Lyrica daily, and it worked wonders. While it is true that Gabapentin and Lyrica are both anti-convulsants, they most definitely are not the same. I think insurance companies don’t like to see Lyrica prescribed (as opposed to Gabapentin) because Lyrica is much more expensive, as their is no generic version available at this time. With regard to the amitriptyline, it is a tricyclic anti-depressant which is used for pain. I would try the Lyrica first, and add the amitriptyline if necessary. Also, ask your physician to consider increasing the dosage and/or frequency of your IVIg. It’s all about finding the right combination of factors that help us fight this disease. Best wishes.