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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lillee | @lillee | May 22, 2019

Wondering if I could take the gabupin and Dilantin to help with it

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lillee | @lillee | May 22, 2019

I am just really scared and don't know what to do ….

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sped1 | @sped1 | May 22, 2019
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @djslevel, welcome to Connect. You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @djslevel, welcome to Connect. You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled, "Tapering off of Lyrica gave me panic, nausea, extreme anxiety." I did this so your message would be seen by all of the members already discussing tapering off of Lyrica and their experiences. If you are replying by email, click on VIEW & REPLY to be brought to the new location of your post and to read through some of the messages shared by other members.

@djslevel, members can offer their experiences with this medication and tapering off of it, but it is always safest and best practice to consult with your provider or pharmacist on how to best taper off of medication. @djslevel, have you consulted with your provider about your long-term concerns with lyrica?

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I just joined this site.
I am not on Lyrica, but am having a horribly difficult time transitioning from Zoloft to Lexapro. Trying to get up and go to work ( teacher) but thinking of needing a medical leave as this is really hard ! I'm only 3 days in on tapering Zoloft and having brain zaps, shakiness, anxiety. Was on Zoloft for 20 years and am down by 2/3 and added Lexapro. Hoping this doesn't take a long time. Feeling a little regretful. Anyone else experience this ? Changing an AD , I"ve heard, can e awful !
Am working with a Psychiatrist and doing this medically guided but wasn't prepared for these symptoms. Don't remember it being this hard to start Zoloft.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 22, 2019
In reply to @lillee "I am trying to get off Lyrica and having a hard time. No one understands the..." + (show)
@lillee

I am trying to get off Lyrica and having a hard time. No one understands the severe withdrawal. Can't get help from my doctor don't know what to do. Plus I have a 4 year old to take care of

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Hi lillee @lillee, welcome to Connect. I'm hoping other members can share their experience with tapering off of Lyrica. I know it can seem overwhelming but you are not alone. Here are a few links that may be helpful until we hear from other members who have tapered off of Lyrica.

Lyrica Withdrawal Symptoms + Duration
-- https://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/08/06/lyrica-withdrawal-symptoms-duration/

Lyrica Withdrawal
-- https://www.recovery.org/lyrica/

Lyrica Withdrawal: Symptoms and Withdrawal Timelines
-- https://www.serenityatsummit.com/withdrawal/lyrica/

Are you able to get a second opinion to talk with another doctor?

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lillee | @lillee | May 22, 2019

Can't go to another doctor because of insurance

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2 replies
lillee | @lillee | May 22, 2019
In reply to @lillee "Can't go to another doctor because of insurance" + (show)
@lillee

Can't go to another doctor because of insurance

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This is truly a nightmare . got to make it some how got to take care of my 4 year old

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 22, 2019
In reply to @sped1 "I just joined this site. I am not on Lyrica, but am having a horribly difficult..." + (show)
@sped1

I just joined this site.
I am not on Lyrica, but am having a horribly difficult time transitioning from Zoloft to Lexapro. Trying to get up and go to work ( teacher) but thinking of needing a medical leave as this is really hard ! I'm only 3 days in on tapering Zoloft and having brain zaps, shakiness, anxiety. Was on Zoloft for 20 years and am down by 2/3 and added Lexapro. Hoping this doesn't take a long time. Feeling a little regretful. Anyone else experience this ? Changing an AD , I"ve heard, can e awful !
Am working with a Psychiatrist and doing this medically guided but wasn't prepared for these symptoms. Don't remember it being this hard to start Zoloft.

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Hi @sped1, I would like to add my welcome along with other members here. Sorry you are having such a difficult time switching from Zoloft to Lexapro. I'm pretty sure you are not alone as this can be difficult for many people. I found an article that may provide some strategies that may be helpful.

Switching and stopping antidepressants
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4919171/

Has your doctor offered any suggestions for tapering?

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | May 22, 2019
In reply to @lillee "Can't go to another doctor because of insurance" + (show)
@lillee

Can't go to another doctor because of insurance

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@lilee7 I want to welcome you also to connect. I use to be on Lyrica also but a small mg. It wasn't bad when I decided to quit Lyrica ,you don't say the dosage your on? In your ins.plan they usually have listed different Dr,s in your plan have you looked at your book that gives you this list. I have switched a Dr when I wasn't happy with him If you haven't check your book .

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1 reply
lillee | @lillee | May 22, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@lilee7 I want to welcome you also to connect. I use to be on Lyrica also..." + (show)
@lioness

@lilee7 I want to welcome you also to connect. I use to be on Lyrica also but a small mg. It wasn't bad when I decided to quit Lyrica ,you don't say the dosage your on? In your ins.plan they usually have listed different Dr,s in your plan have you looked at your book that gives you this list. I have switched a Dr when I wasn't happy with him If you haven't check your book .

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Thank you I have I can't get in until June 10. Thanks for the information

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lillee | @lillee | May 22, 2019

I am on 150mg Lyrica 3x a day I should have stopped a long time ago but I am a double amputee and it worked. now I am in the nightmare of stopping

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