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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by schleprock on December 5, 2012, at 22:57:51
I've been on 50mg 3x\day Lyrica for about the past 2 or 3 months. I think I've come to the conclusion that it's been making me feel worse, starting probably within the last few weeks. It's not a question of having developed a tolerance towards it, but of it causing in me some sort of agitation (possibly the same sort of agitation that I can see leading towards Lyrica's much publicized suicidal behavior.)
So has anyone here had any issues stopping Lyrica? Their capsules, so I don't have much flexability. The only start I can really make is dropping to 50mg 2x a day. So what would be a good tapering schedule? I also have about 14 or 15 25mg pills. And a question of equal importance: what side effects should I expect.
Posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2012, at 0:04:48
In reply to Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users?, posted by schleprock on December 5, 2012, at 22:57:51
Try the archieves as at one time a lot of babblers were on lyrica but I believe much higher doses. I'm sorry you are having a bad time. Phillipa
Posted by neuroscience on December 6, 2012, at 0:35:19
In reply to Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users?, posted by schleprock on December 5, 2012, at 22:57:51
> I've been on 50mg 3x\day Lyrica for about the past 2 or 3 months. I think I've come to the conclusion that it's been making me feel worse, starting probably within the last few weeks. It's not a question of having developed a tolerance towards it, but of it causing in me some sort of agitation (possibly the same sort of agitation that I can see leading towards Lyrica's much publicized suicidal behavior.)
>
> So has anyone here had any issues stopping Lyrica? Their capsules, so I don't have much flexability. The only start I can really make is dropping to 50mg 2x a day. So what would be a good tapering schedule? I also have about 14 or 15 25mg pills. And a question of equal importance: what side effects should I expect.Maybe it's akathisia. I wish they'd make some new drugs without that side-effect by now... but no.
I don't expect much good from Pfizer anyway, they seem like an evil company.
Posted by SLS on December 6, 2012, at 6:53:51
In reply to Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users?, posted by schleprock on December 5, 2012, at 22:57:51
Lyrica and Neurontin both make me feel much worse beginning by the end of week 1. I get a nice boost in mood during the first 3 days, but then deteriorate rapidly thereafter. Not only that, but this worsened state persisted for weeks after discontinuing these two drugs. Because of this, I am avoiding any drug that binds to and inhibits the alpha-2-delta subunit of the calcium channel.
- Scott
Posted by ChicagoKat on December 6, 2012, at 10:58:45
In reply to Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users?, posted by schleprock on December 5, 2012, at 22:57:51
> I've been on 50mg 3x\day Lyrica for about the past 2 or 3 months. I think I've come to the conclusion that it's been making me feel worse, starting probably within the last few weeks. It's not a question of having developed a tolerance towards it, but of it causing in me some sort of agitation (possibly the same sort of agitation that I can see leading towards Lyrica's much publicized suicidal behavior.)
>
> So has anyone here had any issues stopping Lyrica? Their capsules, so I don't have much flexability. The only start I can really make is dropping to 50mg 2x a day. So what would be a good tapering schedule? I also have about 14 or 15 25mg pills. And a question of equal importance: what side effects should I expect.Hi Schlep,
I'm with you as far as Lyrica side effects. It made me feel worse...both my depression and anxiety got worse. And it actually made me feel psychotic at times. Long story short it made me crazy(er). I talked to my pdoc, and what we did was start me on Neurontin and just stop the Lyrica cold turkey. I had no withdrawal symptoms from the Lyrica, probably b/c I had the Neurontin on board. And Neurontin is a wonderful drug! It helped my anxiety very well, and there were no adverse side effects at all. In fact, it seemed there were no side effects period. :) Only problem is I am developing tolerance to it. But even so, I recommend you try Neurontin and stop the Lyrica. Good luck,
Kat
Posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2012, at 20:35:50
In reply to Re: Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users? » schleprock, posted by SLS on December 6, 2012, at 6:53:51
The three day blip Phillipa
Posted by SLS on December 7, 2012, at 21:45:51
In reply to Re: Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2012, at 20:35:50
> The three day blip Phillipa
Exactly.
I wish I understood it better.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2012, at 23:36:23
In reply to Re: Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on December 7, 2012, at 21:45:51
Hope, anticipation, and then slowly spiral down. The blip. Phillipa
Posted by AlexCanada on December 8, 2012, at 20:21:13
In reply to Re: Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users? » schleprock, posted by SLS on December 6, 2012, at 6:53:51
This is so true! I could never figure out why either. When first starting gabapentin it can be remarkable for my severe melancholic depression. I'd feel more emotion, some cognitive restoration, world feels brighter, more positive mood, but days after it just fades away and ends up not doing much good or just making me feel very dull and intellectually compromised, not to mention very sleepy.
But the initial effect is absolutely remarkable and allows me to be able to feel alive for at least an evening and possibly a few days.
What meds might be similar? Or what may this indicate as a good alternative for me? I have strong cognitive issues, poor memory, slow thought process (and I am young, this all started in my late teens), poor drive motivation and capacity to enjoy anything, low energy, low appetite, non social. I miss my creative and intellectual self.
I'm on Selegiline 12.5mg, + bit valium + tiny ritalin + 480mg ginkgo biloba. valium ironically helps me slightly with my cognition and it's usually best for me to keep taking it daily. if i go too long without it i become extremely dysphoric and so difficult to think it's unbelievable. It becomes hell.
Something which gaba does remarkably helps my overall wellbeing initially. What might that be and how may that lead to something similar? It's such a puzzle.
> Lyrica and Neurontin both make me feel much worse beginning by the end of week 1. I get a nice boost in mood during the first 3 days, but then deteriorate rapidly thereafter. Not only that, but this worsened state persisted for weeks after discontinuing these two drugs. Because of this, I am avoiding any drug that binds to and inhibits the alpha-2-delta subunit of the calcium channel.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by brynb on December 16, 2012, at 9:51:51
In reply to Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users?, posted by schleprock on December 5, 2012, at 22:57:51
Lyrica and Neurontin are very strange meds.
I initially had a sliver of success with Neurontin, but really, it made me euphoric--almost intoxicated--and within a week I was immune to it. Eventually, it gave me full-blown mania (along with edema) so that was it for me. Seeing that Lyrica is quite similar, I imagine one can have all kinds of crazy side effects, too.
Just my two cents.
Posted by Phillipa on December 16, 2012, at 20:12:56
In reply to Re: Hey! Any ex-Lyrica users?, posted by brynb on December 16, 2012, at 9:51:51
I've read of edema with lyrica don't blame you. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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