Introduction

Understanding Diabetic Nerve
Pain & Symptoms

Diagnosing Diabetic Nerve Pain

Treating Diabetic Nerve Pain

Relieving Diabetic Nerve Pain
With LYRICA

Talking to Your Doctor

DPN Pain Assessment Checklist

LYRICA ANSWERS: Helping You
Get the Most From Treatment

Finding Pain Relief With LYRICA

How to Take LYRICA

Understanding Potential
Side Effects

Managing Your Condition

Partnering With Your Doctor

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Diagnosing Diabetic Nerve Pain

Tell your doctor about your symptoms

Diabetic nerve pain, or painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, is known mostly for a shooting, burning, pins and needles pain in the feet and hands. But many people who have these symptoms don’t realize their pain is caused by diabetes. If you have diabetes and pain in your feet and hands, it may not be caused by your age, weight, poor circulation, or old sports injury. It may be diabetic nerve pain—a specific type of pain caused by uncontrolled blood sugar over time or fluctuating blood sugar levels.

Ask your doctor if you have diabetic nerve pain

Only a doctor can diagnose diabetic nerve pain. So at your next appointment, ask your doctor if the pain in your feet and hands could be nerve damage caused by diabetes. Tell your doctor how your pain impacts your daily life.

How your doctor may diagnose diabetic nerve pain

Your doctor may perform an exam or some tests to determine the cause of your pain. Here are some of the things your doctor may do:

Assess your symptoms as part of a physical exam. Your doctor may check your blood pressure, heart rate, muscle strength, reflexes, and sensitivity to touch, temperature, and vibration
Perform a comprehensive foot exam, assessing the skin, muscles, bones, circulation, and feeling in your feet
Conduct a monofilament test. This involves touching your foot with a piece of nylon (similar to a bristle on a hairbrush) to test sensitivity and determine the extent of nerve damage

You don’t have to suffer through diabetic nerve pain

Treatments are available, so make treating your pain a priority. Don’t let diabetic nerve pain hold you back.

On the next page, you will learn how to create a treatment plan for diabetic nerve pain. Find out how LYRICA can be a part of your treatment plan.

Learn more: Treating Diabetic Nerve Pain

LYRICA is indicated to treat fibromyalgia, diabetic nerve pain, and pain after shingles. LYRICA is also indicated to treat partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy who take 1 or more drugs for seizures.

Important Safety Information

LYRICA is not for everyone. LYRICA may cause serious, even life threatening, allergic reactions. Stop taking LYRICA and call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a serious allergic reaction. Some signs are swelling of your face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue, throat or neck or if you have any trouble breathing, or have a rash, hives or blisters.

Drugs used to treat seizures increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. LYRICA may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, do not stop LYRICA without first talking to your doctor.

LYRICA may cause swelling of your hands, legs and feet, which can be serious for people with heart problems. LYRICA may cause dizziness and sleepiness. You should not drive or work with machines until you know how LYRICA affects you. Also, tell your doctor right away about muscle pain or problems along with feeling sick and feverish, or any changes in your eyesight including blurry vision or if you have any kidney problems or get dialysis.

Some of the most common side effects of LYRICA are dizziness, blurry vision, weight gain, sleepiness, trouble concentrating, swelling of your hands and feet, dry mouth, and feeling "high." If you have diabetes, tell your doctor about any skin sores.

You may have a higher chance for swelling and hives if you are also taking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors so tell your doctor if you are taking these medications. You may have a higher chance of swelling of your hands or feet or gaining weight if you are also taking certain diabetes medicines. Do not drink alcohol while on LYRICA. You may have a higher chance for dizziness and sleepiness if you take LYRICA with alcohol, narcotic pain medicines, or medicines for anxiety.

Before you start LYRICA, tell your doctor if you are planning to father a child, or if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you have had a drug or alcohol problem, you may be more likely to misuse LYRICA.

In studies, a specific type of blood vessel tumor was seen in mice, but not in rats. The meaning of these findings in humans is not known.

Do not stop taking LYRICA without talking to your doctor. If you stop suddenly you may have headaches, nausea, diarrhea or trouble sleeping and if you have epilepsy, you may have seizures more often.

View the Medication Guide

View the Full Prescribing Information

The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.