Posted by john51 on July 22, 2008, at 14:15:26
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) as good as Lyrica?, posted by dcruik518 on July 22, 2008, at 11:44:24
> Well, most of you seem to be speculating. I've actually been on both and Lyrica is better. Since it's more potent and passes the blood brain barrier more readily, it's as if you are able to take something like neuronin and get effectively treated but at a much lower dose so you experience far fewer side effects. Another nice thing is that it lasts about 3 hours longer than neurontin. It's also more "stable" at higher doses; in other words, unlike neurontin which actually begins to metabolize itself the higher you go with the dose, with lyrica you are able to maintain a steady blood consistent with the dose you are taking. In my experience, the drugs feels essentially the same as Neurontin, it just works better. The main problem with it is that it is way too expensive at this point, and probably the majority of insurance companies won't pay for it.
> ~DRC
>THANK YOU DRC!!
I think that your response to this question has been the most informative and the most "realistic"....I'm not sure if that is the best word for what I am trying to say here, but I mean that in regard to your information about Lyrica probably being the "BETTER" drug it is UNFORTUANTELY, at least at this time, TOO EXPENSIVE!!! This was my reason for starting this thread from the very beginning....you see, my pain doc wanted to prescribe Lyrica for me but I HAD TO ask him for SOMETHING that is available as a GENERIC.....WHY?? Well, WHY ELSE?? Because of THE COST!!!!! Even with my Medicare Drug Coverage...I cannot afford to be on a drug like Lyrica...ESPECIALLY if it WORKS BETTER...because, if I am on it, I will eventually reach the Medicare Part D "COVERAGE GAP" and would have to pay FULL RETAIL PRICE for the drug!!! That is why they prescribed the Neurontin for me.....and, by the way, it never helped me that much...so I 86'd IT TOO!!!It is a SHAME that people with REAL MEDICAL NEEDS CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE MEDICATIONS THAT CAN ACTUALLY HELP THEM BECAUSE OF OUR CURRENT FLAWED SYSTEM!!!
Thanks again DRC!!! And...Thank you all for ALL your contributions to this post and to ALL the Threads on this site. I have really learned a LOT here!!!
john51
poster:john51
thread:839971
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080718/msgs/841447.html