1. < Depression & Anxiety

Tapering off Lyrica gave me panic, nausea, extreme anxiety

Posted by cdcc @cdcc, Nov 28, 2017

I have been taking Lyrica 150 mg two times a day for four years for trigeminal nerve neuralgia from shingles. Since I am now beginning to loose my teeth from this medication I decided to go off it. Folding my doctors withdrawal program I became very sick. Panic, extreme anxiety, nausea, could not eat and lost 17 pounds in 7 weeks, not good I’m tiny as it is. Ended in the ER for I’ve fluids, nausea medications. Back to the family doctor. He put me back on 50mg a day because he felt I needed a long withdrawal from the medications then also said you may have to go back on your full dosing which after all this suffering I am doing I don’t want to do that. I have even made an appoint with a psychiatrist to help with the anxiety although my family doctor gave me Ativan 0:5mg to take twice daily. I don’t even wan5 to go outside the house, haven’t driven in 7 weeks afraid my anxiety or panic will take over. Has anyone experienced these conditions with coming off this medication. Thank you

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 29, 2017
In reply to @texas1950 "Oh no I’m on Lyrica 150 mg. I’m so afraid to get off of this drug...." + (show)
@texas1950

Oh no I’m on Lyrica 150 mg. I’m so afraid to get off of this drug. I did get off of gab. I had no side effects at all ! I’m also on vanflaxin . I’m really scared to get off of it, the side effects are really bad I’m told.

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@texas1950, I'm sorry you are having so much pain. I've never had the pain with my neuropathy, just the numbness and tingling. If you don't mind my asking, how was your neuropathy diagnosed? Did you get a specific diagnosis like diabetic neuropathy or was it a result of nerve damage from surgery or an accident?

I think the more you can learn about your specific health problem, the better your chances are for getting something that works for treatment. I was diagnosed with idiopathic small fiber peripheral neuropathy. You can read my story in an earlier post here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-here-dealing-with-peripheral-neuropathy/?pg=43#comment-65985

Hoping you find some pain relief soon...

John

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 30, 2017
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @cdcc, Teresa (@hopeful33250) is right. It is best to work with your doctor to taper..." + (show)
@johnbishop

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

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@cdcc

Yes, let's hope you are able to get in sooner - let's put this on our holiday "wish-list" for you.

Teresa

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Parus | @parus | Nov 30, 2017
In reply to @gailb "@cdcc I was put on Gabapenton 300mg 3xday, Baclofen, and Tramadol 50mg 4xday when I had..." + (show)
@gailb

@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.

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@gailb Totally agree on the gabapentin/lyrica. The side effects for me were ferocious. I know of no one who has done well on either one.

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Parus | @parus | Nov 30, 2017

Someone spoke of using vapo-rub for neuropathy. Thanks as it does help me some. My latest fragrance is "ode de vapo-rub"'.

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3 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 30, 2017
In reply to @parus "Someone spoke of using vapo-rub for neuropathy. Thanks as it does help me some. My latest..." + (show)
@parus

Someone spoke of using vapo-rub for neuropathy. Thanks as it does help me some. My latest fragrance is "ode de vapo-rub"'.

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@parus

I know just what you mean! Vapo-rub is also my fragrance for headaches, a stiff neck, etc.

Teresa

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texas1950 | @texas1950 | Nov 30, 2017
In reply to @gailb "@cdcc I was put on Gabapenton 300mg 3xday, Baclofen, and Tramadol 50mg 4xday when I had..." + (show)
@gailb

@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.

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Well I have been having depression really bad. I thought it would pass then tonight I had a anger issue by my husband asking me too go out on a date nite. All day I look on Facebook and had no feelings for hurting children or disparity. I know I need a doctor fast !

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Parus | @parus | Nov 30, 2017

@texas1950 Could well be the Lyrica...talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Nov 30, 2017
In reply to @parus "Someone spoke of using vapo-rub for neuropathy. Thanks as it does help me some. My latest..." + (show)
@parus

Someone spoke of using vapo-rub for neuropathy. Thanks as it does help me some. My latest fragrance is "ode de vapo-rub"'.

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@hopeful33250 My, my we are surely pathetically in sync. Time to slather myself with the latest scent and head off to slumber city.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 30, 2017
In reply to @parus "Someone spoke of using vapo-rub for neuropathy. Thanks as it does help me some. My latest..." + (show)
@parus

Someone spoke of using vapo-rub for neuropathy. Thanks as it does help me some. My latest fragrance is "ode de vapo-rub"'.

Jump to this post

I agree, @parus, we are pathetically in sync! It is hard to argue with something that works, isn't it?
Teresa

REPLY
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Dec 1, 2017
In reply to @gailb "@cdcc I was put on Gabapenton 300mg 3xday, Baclofen, and Tramadol 50mg 4xday when I had..." + (show)
@gailb

@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.

Jump to this post

Hi, @texas1950 -- sorry it's rough right now. Just clarifying that you are saying you are feeling numb when you said you noted you had no feelings for hurting children or disparity? Were you able to connect with your doctor?

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