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What Are The Side Effects Of Pregabalin?

Posted on Wed, 6 May 2015

Question: My mom is 64 years old and for last 5 years she was complaining about mild to moderate headache,but since last 2 years she is complaining episodic severe headache with left side face n neck pain more near TM joint also with burning sensation pain radiate to left hand with numbness n tingling sensation also some degree power loss. Visited 3-4 doctors they advised ct brain but was normal, diagnosed as Trigeminal Neuralgia n prescribed anti epileptic drugs pain intensity subsidies after medication but she experience houses,confusion n vertigo. Bt this episode remitted
Then finally visited pain clinic where advised cervical spine MRI report revealed disc protrusion betwn c6-7 they given an epidural inj.
Its been more than 20 days since mentioned procedure done,but still her complaints did not resolved completely, pain intensity far lower than earlier, but headache increases at day time with burning sensation n tingling in left hand. Pain in back of shoulder along with site of cervical epidural is not resolving currently she is on Pregabalin tab,tramadol tab sleep induced tab.
She is now complaint of swelling of hard palate n dry mouth with difficult in taking food,this is also episodic,but there is no obvious swelling,she is feeling of the same.
What could b the reason n permanent treatment

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Definitive surgery is needed on cervical spine to be symptom free.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I understand your query and concern.

Recurring headache on your mother's case is related to the uncorrected cervical disc protrusion.

Swelling of hard palate ,dry mouth could be due to the side effects of drugs like Pregabalin or Tramadol.

Headache and pain radiation power loss will worsen/recurs until the disc prolapse is surgically corrected.

Injected Epidural drugs have only short lasting effects.

The confusion and vertigo with antiepileptics will continue to subside slowly with time.

She can be largely symptom free only with surgery on prolapsed disc.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (22 hours later)

Thanks Dr. for ur prompt and detailed reply
Mam I have some queries... My moms age is 64 so I would like to know is it OK to go for surgery m worried about if any complications arises at later stage and whom to consult for surgery to a neurosurgeon??
Here is her MRI cervical spine report in exactly what written in it,kindly review once more & please excuse me to putting you in inconvenience

MRI impression... MRI Scan findings reveals broad based posterocentral disc protrusion with small bony spur seen at C3-4 level causing indentation upon the the thecal sac and mild narrowing of bilateral neural foramina

Its more than 20 days since epidual inj. But She still experiencing severe headache with burning sensation left side and numbness+ mild pain with tingling sensation in left hand.

Please review my query once more and kindly suggest me should I go for her surgery???
Once again thankyou Doctor for your valuable time.

Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you need to go for surgery sooner or later.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I understand your concern.

I have verified your mother's scan report.

There is bony spur which is causing the spinal cord compression.This even though mild now,will progress later causing severe symptoms.

Hence it is mandate to undergo surgery necessitating the spur removal.

Also its important to consider surgery for trigeminal neuralgia in your mother case since response through antiepileptic drugs is incomplete.

This is achieved through Microvascular decompression.

Consultation with an expert Neurosurgeon is must.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj