GAD & Depression

Hi Nicola

?I am sorry that you are suffering so much in your Life. I have been on Pregabalin for severe nerve pain for 20 months and the side effects for me are awful. It takes the pain away but I live in a constant brain fog, have balance issues, memory lapses and more. I am slowly tapering off this drug because I would like my life back and be able to think coherently. Coming off Pregabalin is very hard as the body very quickly becomes dependent on it and withdrawals are as bad if not worse than the side effects. I tell you this because I have done a great deal of research into the uses of this drug which originally was used to combat seizures. In time it was realised that it helped neuropathic/nerve pain as well and was prescribed for that. Now it is given out for all sorts of issues, GAD Anxiety & Depression etc. I speak with sufferers regularly who report that although at first it seemed to help their anxiety after 6/8 weeks it stopped working and their anxiety in some cases doubled. GP's tend to say up the dose and see how you go - until you find yourself on the maximum daily dose allowed of 600mg and still crippled with anxiety and unable to stop taking the drug. No-one should ever go cold turkey off Pregabalin as this can cause seizures (look in detail at the leaflet that comes with your script). The only way to come off is very slowly at no more than a reduction of 10% of dosage at a time giving the body time to stabilise in between each drop (everyone is different but anything from 1 to 8 weeks may be necessary). What GP's do not warn patients about is that it only takes one week for this drug to alter the Brain Chemistry and Central Nervous System, that the body quickly becomes dependent on it and to come off safely takes a long time.

?May I ask what dose you are on Nicola and how long you have been taking it? I belong to a kind and very supportive group on Fb called Lyrica Survivors (Official) and there you can share your story and ask for advice from people who are very much in the same boat as yourself. I think it would be well worth you joining as you will be able then to decide if you want to keep on taking the drug knowing the long term consequences but thinking it is actually helping you, or if you would rather come off it. Only you can decide of course. I will do all I can to help you so you don't need to be so alone inside your own head, and certainly on the group you would have wonderful support 24/7.

?I hope some of this is helpful to you although it may take some time for you to take on board just how toxic this drug can be. Be well and be happy in the future. Liz 

Hi Nicola, I'm near enough in the same boat as you. I spend all my time generally alone(apart from my cat whose my one and only companion), 20 odd years and counting. Your right about your head being a lonely place and I find it only seems to focus on the misery and negatives of the way you feel. I've been on both the medications you mentioned and found them intolerable after a while...the negatives far outweighed any positives I was getting from them. I came off both medications and the withdrawals were horrendous(lasted about 2 years). The best I felt was when I was on no meds, it was also the healthiest I had felt in over 20 years of trying various pills to try and conquer my depression and anxiety. I find these medications we're given only compound the situation and I fact make your symptoms worse. I'm also a worrier and like you find myself worrying even about trivialities. The only people I have to talk to are my alleged "support workers" who don't seem to understand anyway and as for offering advice about medication, seem pretty oblivious to the mechanics of the way these drugs interact with the mind and body and leave you in a catatonic state unable to think clearly or with any clarity. I hope you manage to resolve your lonely and dire situation and if you want to send any messages feel free to do so. 

I would like to know if anyone out there has been on the lowest dose of Pregabalin 25mg and has been weaned off of them and at what pace?

Thank you all for your replies i'm on 200mg pregbalin been told up it to 300mg along with venlafaxine i'll also join your fb group as any advice or even reading what others are going threw can only help.  X

I am currently taking Pregbalin twice a day 75mg..and for the first time in years..I don't wake up with terrible anxiety..however all these meds are somewhat addictive there is no way around it..but I have terrible social anxiety..

My safe place is in my house and it is a struggle just to go to the store..or anywhere really usually have to take an Ativan. Don't like going anywhere unless I take my own vehicle so I can leave if I want to..

As for worrying..constantly about everything..that are usually things that I cannot control anyway. Hard time cooking..writing lists of things I should do and when they don't get done I start getting anxiety, even taking a shower is difficult. Don't like company and yes, unfortunately not many people understand. I had to take a disability retirement (basically they let me go) but fortunately I have good disability income..

My advice to you is to try not to feel ashamed of things you can't control..and it is a lonely place to be inside your own head..writing your problems on this forum is a huge step..keep in touch

Hi Nicola, how are you today, well l hope. l think l get what you have been through and are still going through. l am a 60 year old suffering from GAD, panic attacks and Fibromalagia with diabetical neuropathical pain. It seems a lot and almost scary. l have tried so many different medications that l could probably make a mini dictionary. My 2 first problems were mostly caused by a rough upbringing, haven been psychologically and sexually abused. Having no one to talk to it grew w with me. l was very ashamed but l wasn`t the cause like you are not the cause of losing your home and job, try to stop beating yourself up. l went from doctor to doctor and drank myself into losing my house and job.  ( Trying to calm the nerves ) l was lucky when l turned 45 to have found a community panic, gab and social phobia group. l hardly left the house. We were around 15 participants of both genders and had mental and physical exercises. By taking baby steps and being closely followed by a psychiatrist l was able to start taking little bus rides and short visits to the mall. Just sitting on the porch and taking in sun helped me a lot.  Around 3 years ago l was diagnosed with a personality limit personality and bi-polar. Double whammie.  l have been taking  epival a drug used for epilepsy and for what l have, l have been sober for 2 years do not feel the need for alcohol. For my pain l was prescribed  Lyrica which is also used for other things, after two weeks l was feeling about 50% better. then all of a sudden when l got up to 175 mgs per day the pain came back and worse, so  l came off it the same way l got on it. Do you have a regular doctor with regular visits?  Has he  or she suggested that you be evaluated to attend therapy in a group ? You can learn a lot of tricks there. Especially like you said you are afraid of every thing. Nicola since you wrote about how you feel means that you are capable of reaching out for help, sometimes we mistake are friends for not caring, maybe it is because they are afraid to say or do the wrong thing. Sometimes strangers who suffer like us become our best friends and break our isolation. There are social phobia groups that sort of work like A>A> groups and will also offer lifts to and back from your meetings. l do hope you will maybe talk to your doctor about Epival and support groups. God  bless yoy, you are not alone, only in your head help is out there.

Hi Nicola.

I know the place you are in. I'm in that place too and I'm trying to get out. keep fighting

hi there, hubby on pregabalin for back issues, but been on it four yrs safely now. You gotta think of quality of life above quantity in some situations. Without the tablet there would be  no quality of life. Life sure can be tough at times a , I hope you are better as this is a few months passing now. Losing your job and home and health must be hard, wouldnt wish it on anyone