Lyrica Blackout While Driving

I remember getting into the car and and driving in my neighborhood. Later I briefly woke up when I drove off the road onto the sidewalk and the emergency crew was there. Later, didn't know that I was in the hospital for 4 hours. They called it synope. I was asked to use a reduced amount completely. I could have been killed!

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Did they say it was definitely caused by the Lyrica? It is possible, but it can also be caused by many things.

Syncope just describes a temporary loss of consciousness.

If you have been advised to stop taking it, then you should definitely do so.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Lyrica/­

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Syncope_(medicine)/­

Do you have any specific questions?

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As a nurse who was prescribed this medication in the past. It is my recommendation to stop taking it now. This is a very common side effect. For me, it caused completly memory blocks. I will not and do not advice my patients to take this unsafe medication. The risk are just too great. Enough isn't know about the long-term risk of this drug. PLEASE take care if you continue with the prescription.

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Fibrobabe's input is a bit scary in my humble opinion. Certainly, she is correct that if you have a new symptom after starting ANY new medication you should contact your physician (not nurse) ASAP. Her general disdain for Lyrica is unfounded. As a board-certified neurologist, I have prescribed this drug many times for valid reasons and feel it can be quite helpful and is generally well-tolerated.

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Neurodoc is correct, for most of the people that use, the medication is quite helpful and any serious problems caused by it are very rare.

They put me on it, at one time and while it didn't help with my pain, I suffered no ill effects and there are man other posts on here by people that have used it successfully.

There are always risks associated with any medication and, especially when you first start taking something, that is why you are warned to not drive or operate heavy machinery, until you know what its effects on you are.

When people ignore this warning, it has resulted in many DUI charges, because under the influence charges are not just restricted to alcohol, but can include anything that impairs someone's ability to drive safely, including their prescription medications.

However, declaring it unsafe, due to a personal bad experience and telling everyone to stay away from it is not actually practical.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Lyrica/­

I'm always sorry to hear of anyone that suffers ill effects from something, but medications can affect everyone differently.

Are there any other comments?

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Great advice. I was given Neurontin and had the 'blank spaces' in memory, as I called them. I was grading papers and wrote an entire paragraph on a student's paper (which had nothing to do with the paper, btw). When I 'came around' it was like I had just blinked and that paragraph was there. Another time I changed lanes without knowing, and the next day I almost rear ended a whole line of cars. It was like I blinked and there they all were, at a dead stop in front of me, ad I was still going 30ish mph. My young son was in the car with me, both times. I had no idea that drug could cause that type of reaction. Over the week that all of this took place, it started adding up that I had started that new drug and had just gotten up to the maximum dose. I researched it, saw it was a side effect and discontinued it immediately, before I hurt myself or someone else! A year later my Neurologist wanted to put me on Lyrica. I was too scared to try it. I was finally forced to take medical leave from work Bc of my pain. I got on Lyrica after Occipital Nerve Decompression on the back of my head an had absolutely NO Neurological side effects, similar to those that I had on Neurontin! I was pleasantly surprised! I just had nerve decompression surgery on the anterior nerves in my head three weeks ago, and am on Lyrica again for nerve pain as I'm healing. I just got up to the full dose (3 - 50mg pills/day) and I'm experiencing the confusion, difficulty thinking, speaking, etc. I'm on way less meds overall, this time around on Lyrica, so I think that has something to do with it - I just can see the difference more between being unmedicated and being medicated. Hoping and praying that these two surgeries and this stint on Lyrica will be the end of my severe pain! Lyrica is a great drug - works WELL for specific nerve pain. My forehead felt raw, constantly on fire, burning, like the skin was being ripped off, all day long. I was taking more Percocet, which didn't really even help! I've been in Lyrica for one week and within 4-5 days I began to feel a difference in those nerves! They are still burning/tingling, I still 'feel' it, but it isn't PAIN now, thank goodness!!!! Love my docs and my Neurologists! So thankful to FINALLY find one that listened to my specific comaints an diagnosed from the PATIENT'S point of view, not the preconceived idea that chronic headaches are just something we 'have to live with and medicate for'. Thank you to my amazing dr's and all of he amazing healthcare professionals that seek the CURE not just the medicinal 'fix'!! I hope you are one of these drs!!:)

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Yes I will add something. My Buddy was in a wreck after blacking out while on this drug . he followed the recommendations . He took it for 2 weeks before the wreck and never had anything else happen from the drug. Then with out warning he wakes up in the Hospital and was written tickets. He doesn't even remember what happened. This dangerous even life threatening side effect should be listed with the rest and its not. I feel this should fall under unforeseen medical emergency that caused the wreck not negligence. I think he should sue the manufacturer of the drug. For not warning people that with out warning you can black out and die in a crash or kill others too. not everyone is complaining about this drug and not following the recommendations. I wonder what the company is going to do to protect consumers from more death or damage and false charges?

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I recently got a DUI while taking Lyrica. I am scared it just isn't me. I wonder if any one has any info on this. Does anyone have any info on something like this

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Re: Verwon (# 4)

Which drug company are you working for?
nice job placing yourself in a persons shoes that suffered a loss/NOT!

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I was taking fentenyl and oxycodone for my chronic pain, 3 months ago I blacked out on it and drove, got in alot of trouble not to mention a dui. I have never ever been in any trouble my whole life. What can I do?? Help

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