I've been taking Lyrica (units various forms, e.g., Neurontin, Lyrica, etc.; all are pregabalin-based) since 3/1996 from having moderate to severe damage, impingement and/or herniated discs and/or vertebrae in the following locations: L2—4, inclusive; T4—7, inclusive; C2—6, inclusive, and stenosis of the sacrum, S2 & S3, and coccyxgeal ("tailbone") regions.
The pain accompanying this damage was searingly suicidal which was precisely how I described my pain. Aside from the graphics — which are typically presented to patients prior to each appointment; 1 = ? to 10 = ? — are laughable, at best and ineffectually disrespectful of the patient's condition, at worst.
In answer to your question, BlueMonkey, while I cannot reply as to the professionalism of your Aunt's Personal Care Physician (PCP), I am able to reply with regard to my individual experience — not a standard by which ALL should assign themselves — insofaras I am a 6' 9" 350lb. white male; make adjustments, accordingly.
In the 20 +/- years that I have taken pregabalin (Lyrica for at least 10), there have been many occasions when I was either unable to have prescribed in time, have filled in time, forgotten, lost or have had someone steal my medicine. On each occasion — which would last one week, or more — I have NEVER felt withdrawal from Lyrica, a craving for Lyrica, or a need to replace Lyrica with another pregabalin substitute.
As to the matter of prescribing Lyrica for "back pain," there is insufficient information provided. In regards to my — individual case — I can say that if the pain is in relation to muscle spasms/cramping (something that our muscles often innately do when a given region of the spine feels, for lack of a better word, "threatened,") Soma (a muscle relaxer) is, for me, a better alternative. If, however, your Aunt's nervous system is "misfiring," and sending false neurological pain signals to a region of her back, then, in my experience s/he is correct in prescribing Lyrica.
In regards to your question about Lyrica possibly being classified a benzodiazepine, please know that it is an entirely different pharmacological drug group.
As I mentioned before, Bluemonkey, Lyrica is "Pregabalin" which, along with cornstarch, talc (why on EARTH one needs to add pulverized/powdered STONE as a filler is beyond me) and lactose monohydrate, as inactive ingredients, in the form your Aunt is taking, should not be habit forming. As with all things in life, I: 1) MONITOR, observe if the dosage is calming your Aunt's neurological "firestorms," as I describe them, and request that her PCP increase/decrease your Aunt's dosage, accordingly; 2) MODERATE: the amount your Aunt has been prescribed was done for a reason by a highly-educated professional. While I realize it is tempting to pull out the "Charlatan-o-Meter" (I'm stealing THAT ONE, BTW ?, as even I want to on occasion) it's important that your Aunt WRITE one page of BULLETIZED notes BEFORE she visits her PCP, or ANY medical professional, for that matter, BlueMonkey. Output is ONLY as good as the INPUT. MOST physicians have only 15 MINUTES allowed for EACH PATIENT.
Bear in mind that, in addition to patient appointments, your Aunt's PCP may make hospital rounds, meet with (Lyrica) pharmacology ? sales people, attend practice meetings (it is, after all, a business), hospital board meetings and, yes, MANY also TEACH! So, BlueMonkey, work with your Aunt to prepare her for her next "INPUT" PCP appointment/"doctor's visit."
Lastly, please accept my heartfelt sympathy over the loss of your cousin, Josh. I also take 80mg of Oxycontin and 30mg of Oxycodone (which ARE addictive substances and MAY be abused). I don't judge others, just myself, and have seen and read about many people, mostly young, dying the abuse of Fentany, Opana, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, and their ilk. Their really isn't much one can do when their medication is pilfered (pun unintended). I keep mine in a safe and recommend others do the same. It's not foolproof, because nothing really is BlueMonkey; it simply adds another layer of deterrence which, depending on the age of the person who is NOT supposed to have the drug, may be all that is needed. I will add Josh to my prayers, when I pray for the people I know who succumbed to temptation and, like a slippery slope, harmed themselves and grieved others who loved them dearly.
I apologize, BlueMonkey, for this very long and, most certainly, boring reply. Hopefully, it helped you, and your Aunt. Best to you!
