Lyrica, Neurontin, hot flashes, pain and sleep - what a connection!

I recently posted a blog entry about the intricacies of hot flashes and sleep deprivation, and added a question to the sleep community about informing sleep deprived community members that they may be able to treat their hot flashes with medicine used for certain types of pain - Neurontin and Lyrica.

I don't think I need to talk about the intricate way pain is woven into the lives of those who suffer. Those of us who have suffered the joy of "our own little private summers" in the middle of the night will understand immediately how hot flashes can ruin a perfectly good night of sleep. I also blogged recently about pain's connection to sleep in a post called Lose sleep - feel more pain. What intrigued me however, was wondering how many of our community members were aware of the way these things may all be working together... and that there may be medication out there that can help all of these annoying symptoms.

I love tying subjects together, but I really had no idea how complicated, yet simple all of this could be - Whew!

Have you tried Lyrica or Neurontin for pain, hot flashes, Migraines or other health issue? Did it work for you, and would you recommend it to another community member?

Have your communities discussed these drugs and their multiple uses for pain and hot flashes? Do you think the subject is important enough to bring up within your communities, or is it just another way for us to spend money on medicines that won't help?