Any experience with pregabalin (lyrica)?

[bellbird]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with pregabalin? For the treatment of anxiety and/or neurological issues?

 

[Still Standing]

I took it for a short while but it caused restless leg syndrome, so it was stopped. Now I am on gabapentin. This works for me to control nerve pain. I cannot speak on how Lyrica affected anxiety. I didn't see any difference with it.

 

[Angelwings]

I take it for anxiety and it's a life saver.

 

[EveHarrington]

it's a life saver.

How do you know that when you just started taking it and your doc started you on three meds at once?

 

[Angelwings]

Because it's the only one that treats anxiety.

@EveHarrington because it's the only one that treats anxiety. She specifically prescribed it because of it's ability to help with anxiety.

AND it has a short half-life so before I take the second dose I feel the anxiety a little

 

[Still Standing]

I'm glad it works for you, Anglewings. :)

 

[Angelwings]

I'm glad it works for you, Anglewings. :)

@Still Standing thanks, it's the first medication I've ever taken that has worked, so I'm pretty glad, too.

 

[bellbird]

I take it for anxiety and it's a life saver.

Hey this is great to hear (for your own sake) and reassuring to hear (for mine) :). Thanks for sharing your experience, and for yours too @Still Standing .
@Angelwings how long did it take for you to notice effects? I've got a doctor's appointment booked for the end of the month and I'm going to ask her if I can try it.

 

[MyWillow]

I took Lyrica at a relatively low dose to combat Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - basically nasty nerve pain and other fun stuff after I staked my hand and had 10 stitches. I took my largest dose at night, slept heavily but was waking up every morning with my heart beating so fast my GP ran an ECG. I was feeling more anxious and reckless until late evening when it wore off and I felt very “off balance” - like my eyes couldn’t keep up when I turned my head. Ended up quitting cold turkey after several months. That said I seem to be very sensitive to these things.

 

[bellbird]

@MyWillow , I'm sorry that you had a bad reaction to the med. But I do appreciate you sharing your experience, it's helpful to hear stories of all experiences.

 

[blackemerald1]

I'm familiar with Lyrica. It works well for nerve pain. I've not heard it being prescribed for anxiety. When I have taken it - it's worked really well for the pain in low dosages. I am very sensitive to meds though so that is probably why it kicked the pain so well.

I was on some other meds at the time and I noticed the combined effect had a sedation type action so please be aware of that if taking with anything else. Also reflexes were a bit slowed so don't drive if sedated with it. Same goes for all meds I guess.

 

[bellbird]

Thanks for your input @blackemerald1 :). I'll be sure to ask about med interactions when I ask my doctor about it. I am on venlafaxine and mirtazipine also, so it could possibly have an extra sedative-effect, but my doc knows my medical history so I'll have a chat with her about that.