Tapering off Lyrica gave me panic, nausea, extreme anxiety

Hello @cdcc and welcome to Mayo Connect.

I'm so sorry to hear of the side effects that you were having with Lyrica - I can certainly understand your wanting to go off of it. While I have never taken this med myself, I know from other discussions how important it is to follow a tapering off schedule It is best to allow your doctor to help you develop a plan to taper off this type of med.

I am going to invite @johnbishop and @jimhd to this discussion as they are also volunteer mentors with Mayo Connect and discuss a lot of problems with neuropathy, chronic pain and other nerve disorders. Perhaps they can add to this discussion if they have known of others who have taken this med.

I would also invite you to read the discussion on Trigeminal nerve pain. Many of the members have used Lyrica or other drugs. Here is the link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/trigeminal-neuralgia-2273cc/?pg=9#comment-80086.

I am glad to hear that you have an appointment with a psychiatrist to discuss the problems you are having with the withdrawal process.

Will you keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing?

Teresa

Hi, @cdcc, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds like you have been through a lot. I am a moderator here, but taking off that hat, I can identify with having neuralgia following shingles. It was scary since I knew that for some people, the itching/pain is permanent--my husband worked with someone like that. I took gabapentin, and the problem finally disappeared about two months after the shingles went away.

We have many members here who have had real struggles with tapering off various medications. I'm tagging here a few members who have talked about issues like that or who have been on Lyrica specifically: @parus, @sam65, @pcm1957, @thedinnymurph, @ujeeniack @gailb and @confused1955 may have something to say.

That sounds like a wise decision to make an appointment with a psychiatrist. Is your appointment soon?

Hello @cdcc, Teresa (@hopeful33250) is right. It is best to work with your doctor to taper off of Lyrica (pregabalin). Tapering off too quickly can be life threatening with the side effects worse than the original pain/symptoms. I have no medical training or knowledge but know of others that had difficulty tapering off of lyrica and gabapentin and it must be done slowly. The best suggestion I have to work with your doctor to get off of it. Here's some info on tapering off of Lyrica:
https://www.recovery.org/topics/lyrica/
If possible, please keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing like Teresa mentioned. I'm sure others are facing similar problems.

John

Thank you for the link on Lyrica. Interesting readingand know others suffer like I am. Also that phone numbers are listed to find centers that hold meetings to help you. I think 8 have found the right site for support. Thank you again so very much

My problem from the trigeminal nerve shingles is severe itch, I have bumps in my head from all the itching. I’ve had nerve blocks done shots in my eyebrow and many other treatments with no help. That’s why I was put on Lyrica. I even called Pfizer and told them about all the withdrawal symptoms I am having. Their reply “oh I’m sorry” like that helped. Even thought of getting a lawyer. I’m to start now on taking a half capsule of 50mg Lyrica daily...these withdrawal symptoms should be listed on the contraindications,

@cdcc It is quite bothersome that our medical staff does not tell us about the process of stopping a medication. I have not had any problems with Lyrica but I have had it with anti depressants and opiates. I am glad that you are one of few I know who read the fine print so to speak...the literature that is given with our drugs. Please check back in if you do attend any of the meetings you mentioned above. I'd like to hear if they are helpful.
Jen

@cdcc I was put on Gabapenton 300mg 3xday, Baclofen, and Tramadol 50mg 4xday when I had a laminectomy back surgery last December. I decided to stop taking both the Baclofen and the Gabapenton this last spring. I was having problems with losing large amounts of memory and just feeling goofy all the time. I talked with my pain management doctor about withdrawing from both meds and he was not helpful. In fact, I got more information from this site than from him. I talked to my pharmacist who was more helpful. He said I should go down 1 pill for 2 or more weeks before I try to reduce another pill. I think I actually took a month to adjust to the first drop, and 2 months to drop the second pill. I was able to get off all the Gabapenton by the end of 4 months. I felt So much better without it. I also stopped the Baclofen during that time. I'm still taking 1/2 the amount of Tram a dollar for now.

I don't think doctors should give Gabapenton or Lyrica to anyone. I will never take either of them again.

I really didn't have too hard a time withdrawing from the Gabapenton. But, that's why I went very slowly and gave my body time to get over each change. Let me know if you have specific questions that I can help you with. Good luck and just go slow.

Oh Mr John I woke up not feeling bad this mornings and after a ate a small breakfast the panic and anxiety set in full force. Had to take an 0.5 Ativan to help which is finally kicking in. But I am so nauseous so having ginger ale with ice chips. Thinking I can’t keep feeling keep Feeling like this I’ve had enough

@cdcc,

I'm so sorry that you are having such a bad day. Might it be a good idea to call your doctor and see if there some other help he could give you? When is your next appointment scheduled?

Teresa

I don’t have any follow up appointments. At the last visit when he put me back on 50mg Lyrica daily he just said take it for awhile then start decrease 1/2 capsule in applesauce daily. He said there is nothing that can be given for the withdrawals you just have to suffer them out