Lyrica is not a good drug. I don't know anyone who has had long term success with it. The next they will try is Gabapentin and it is NOT a good drug either. Very very hard to get off of.

I have run the gamut of pain medications with varying degrees of success. Some work better than others but the ones that work better also have more side effects. It's a real crap shoot. Besides - we know that opiates wreak havoc on our vital organs and long term use is a recipe for disaster.

I have now settled on a new regime that I'm hoping will make a big difference but I have had to open my mind wide to accept new thinking. I am doing that now.

My regime now includes a lower dosage of hydromorhphone and vaporizing medical cannabis for breakthrough pain. As I learn to control the pain with medical cannabis, my hope is I will get off the hydromorphone completely. It works instantly and reduces so me really significant pain very quickly into a very pleasant, relaxed, calm, greatly reduced or pain free state.

WARNING - if you are interested in trying the medical cannabis route - do your HOMEWORK first. Before you ask your GP you need to be well informed because they are not. They know very little. They won't admit it - but beware. My doctor actually admitted I taught him more in 10 minutes than he ever knew. Sad, very sad considering he is always up on the newest pharmaceuticals.

The system is very flawed so if you go in knowing nothing, you will get nothing in return except an empty wallet and no relief. When you are new to this you need guidance, patience and knowledge. As much as possible that you can learn from reliable sources. I was brought up to believe and trust doctors but as in most other things these days, it is not wise to apply that principal across the board any longer. There are thousands of doctors and "clinics" and "legal growers" that care little for the patient and are in it for the money and believe me - they are making money hand over fist preying on people like us who know nothing about the laws or about what the drug can do. Do not go blindly into this. Do your homework!!!

For those with chronic pain and who live in a province/state/country where it is legal please leave all you think you know behind and learn the science and regulations. remove the stigma and stereotype from your mind. Concentrate on possibilities that just might help you. The work and fight is worth the result because it does treat pain without a doubt. I have never gone near it all my life and now that I have educated myself and use the plant, I am able to achieve almost complete pain relief.

I am a total believer. If you live in Ontario or even in Canada feel free to ask me about it. I'm happy to help because it has changed my life totally for the good and it just may do the same for you.

Vitamins for women over 50 and a thyroid supplement with iodine and tyrosine really helped me. I also have food allergies. If I stay away from milk, eggs, wheat bread, and SUGAR, I have more energy.

I have been on levothyroxine for 10 years but recently added iodine and tyrosine. Also Selenium is useful. I order them online from a large discount pharmacy. I'm not going to mention names because some are from Canada, UK and Australia. The added supplements are helping my pain and energy.

Synthroid is a hypothyroid medication

Gabapentin is good...makes you woozy AT FIRST! But then levels off after about 2 weeks...it has helped me ALOT...