A warning about a drug called LYRICA

I took a drug called LYRICA. It nearly destroyed me and everyone else I know that took it. I have coworkers that have family and friends that are taking it. I asked them if they have certain issues. Everyone of them did. My doctor and pharmacist initially thought it was a great drug but have reconsidered that assessment.

Here is a thread/forum on it: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/youropinions.php?opinionid=12046&p=1

Here is a list of side effects that hit me and many others:
I started taking Lyrica 8 months ago, 75mg x2/day. It helped with siatic nerve pain and the doc upped it to 75mg tid then eventually up to 100mg tid. On the last dosage change I gained 2-3 inches of girth and my legs swelled up as did other extremities (20+ lbs in a few weeks).
The list:
1. Depression
2. Dazed and confused
3. Vivid dreams and not able to sleep for more than 4 hours
4. Blurred vision
5. Unable to get the correct words out and lose track of what you were saying midsentence
6. Digestive issues
7. Parched throat
8. Dizziness
9. Massive weight gain
10. Vertigo
I find myself having a daytime apnea or something worse. I will be sitting relaxed then nearly drop. Taking a stroll/walk helps to get things corrected.
My BP has been really low 40/? and 40 points higher than normal.
My ears ring and my guess is the vertigo is connected to this.

This drug also nearly killed my liver:
My liver score should have been around a forty, it was 220! I found out that you should not take Tylenol, codeine based meds, muscle relaxers and other meds.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/youropinions.php?opinionid=15994

I took a vicodine and had to force myself to stay upright and breath. There are also other interactions.

I have since backed off and away from this med and some of the side effects have subsided but I fear some will hang around for some time. My friends have noted that my personality is coming back (I’m not growling at everyone)
I managed to get the liver score way down but I still have swollen/painful joints, bloating, edema everywhere, cannot sleep correctly, parched throat/mouth/sinuses and a few other issues.

This drug is very dangerous and people should know,

What dosage? 75mg twice a day had moderate issues. 100mg tid hurt me badly.

Do you have midsentence/train of thought problems? If dry mouth, try biotene products found at CVS and Walgreens.

BTW, I ran into another coworker taking Lyrica. Her dosage was ramped up. She bought some new clothes a week ago that will no longer fit her. She has notable weight gain and is not nearly as mentally sharp as she was before. She has almost every symptom mentioned before. The threshold seems to be 300mg/day.

Scary,