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Help please! Anyone know about Pregabalin?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Lillychiff
Lillychiff

Hi , I have been taking Pregabalin for 10 days now. I was started off on the 25 mg dose. Before I took these( recommended by pain consultant) I said I was really,really worried as I was very sensitive to drugs,and got side effects on very low dosage. He said he would not move up the dosage for a month( consultant said 5 days) and if I had problems I am in no way forced to take them.fair enough! I was still actually frightened to take the first one, I even cancelled appointments. The next day I could not believe it,not much difference in pain but wow what a difference in mood. I suffer from anxiety and I was very chilled.no side effects at all! Next day same again, I felt like I imagine most normal people feel. I was lovely to feel. Wanted to do things! Alas it wore off! I still felt better mentally,slight pain reduction( but is that because I could cope?) I would have settled for little pain relief at25gm as I felt so much brighter and able to cope. BUT last 2 days I woke with blocked ears,headache all day,much more achy,the desire to keep peeing all the time and generally feel pretty awful. I know I'm only on 25 gms ,but now I'm really concerned. Can I just stop taking these? Do I need to taper off after just 10 days? Should I stop at all? Fed up! And any advice would be great....thank you. 

1 like, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • jeanne81532
    jeanne81532 Lillychiff

    Posted

    Hi Lynda, I am on 300mg twice a day which is the maximum dose. I started on 75mg once daily and it has been increased over a period of about 18 months. It's difficult to know if the symptoms you mention can be attributed to the Pregabalin. I think if I were you, I would give it a few more days and see what happens. I wouldn't advise that you stop them without seeing a doctor. And I personally find that the benefit I get from the Pregabalin outweighs the side effects, which do lessen over time. Good luck. xx
    • Lillychiff
      Lillychiff jeanne81532

      Posted

      Thank you, I know how silly this must seem perhaps(?) to anyone ,as I know 25mg is a very small dose,but I do react quite drastically to drugs,so I was expecting something...but not these particular something's!
  • tiswas24537
    tiswas24537 Lillychiff

    Posted

    wouldnt stop straight away ,and not without advice
    • Lillychiff
      Lillychiff tiswas24537

      Posted

      hi, this is the reason I'm worried. Neither consultant  or Dr says they are addictive. Dr said if I have side effects to just stop taking them? And how do you cut down when your on the lowest dose?. I only know about withdrawal through Google! I was told by the consultant they aren't addictive.  Thanks for reply.
  • Maggers
    Maggers Lillychiff

    Posted

    I was prescribed it many years ago for a different condition not fibro and  had headaches and weight gain.  The headaches went after a while once my body adjusted to the medication. Would not suggest you stop without consulting a doctor. You may find once your body gets used to the drug the feelings ease but please talk to your doctor before doing anything hasty.
  • shelagh6
    shelagh6 Lillychiff

    Posted

    I don't think what you're describing is due to the tablets or FM. It's difficult to remember that we can and do get other infections/diseases and not everything is attributable to FM. It sounds like you maybe have a sinus or ear infection, keep taking the Pregabalin, give it a couple of days then, if you're no better see your doctor.

    feel better soon

    S x

    • Lillychiff
      Lillychiff shelagh6

      Posted

      Yes,it's difficult to know what is fm and what isn't,that's very true!
  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 Lillychiff

    Posted

    Hi Linda; I know what your are getting at.  I've never taken Pregabalin...but have the same problem with another drug that I have recently been prescribed....I thought this was going to be "my wonder drug", as it is recommended on all Fibro Sites.....but it had the adverse affect, too.  What I have done, and you could think about, is firstly...ring your doctor/pharmacist..(I actually think the Pharmacist, if they prescribe all your other medications, as they will know of any adverse inter-actions).....and ask for another  appointment with your prescribing doctor???   I think we already take enough medications, and certainly don't want to take another, especially if not working....let us know what the outcome is for you.....Bron
    • Lillychiff
      Lillychiff bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Thank you ,I will let you know how it goes. Trying to stick them out until I go back to the Drs on 5 th June. I really don't know what's side effects and what's fibromyalgia. Wouldn't it be nice just to feel good for a change!
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 Lillychiff

      Posted

      Hi Linda; sorry, but after replying yesterday; I went onto the net to find aout info on Pregabalin, and found that here in Aussie (or at least my drug,)went under the name of Lyrica.....and yes I have tried it, and NO it nothing for me either.    I do know someone who takes it, and she has said "she has no pain now", but also know that she only had pain in 1 her shoulder blade, and no diagnosis of Fibro: hence I don't know if it's any good for Fibro.....I take Gabapentin and valium, Endep (Amitriptylline) for my Gibro.....perhaps an earlier trip back to Rhuemy/GP   may be needed?      Bron
    • shelagh6
      shelagh6 bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Hi, very short not - Gabapentin and Pregabalin/Lyrica both work in the same way. I take Pregabalin which is very expensive so isn't prescribed lightly, they will normally try Gabapentin first, I had a really bad reaction to Gabapentin, blood pressure dropped so low I was passing out. Pregabalin/Lyrica is fine but not sure it's helping.

       

    • tiswas24537
      tiswas24537 bronwyn97278

      Posted

      like isaid i wont take anything because i just cant bare the thougth of

      feeling any worse 

    • Lillychiff
      Lillychiff bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Hi bron, you asked me to get back and let you know how it was going with the Pregabalin. Well due to go back to the go in the morning. To be honest it's hard to know what are side effects and what is the fibromyalgia! As I said ,I know I can be very sensitive to drugs.i don't think I've had any pain relief,but I'm only on 25 mg. what I most definitely have had though is a lift in mood,I feel calmer,more inclined to want to do things and generally can cope better,for this alone I'm surprised ( and grateful) still concerned about increasing the dose as I'm worried they may be drying my eyes as I'm prone to this. My head can feel weird at times too. couple more things but not sure it's the tablets. Just wonder if twice the tablets means twice the side effects! So pain the same,but more able to cope with it.

      hope you and everyone else are doing ok. Thanks to all who replied to me

      x

    • jeanne81532
      jeanne81532 Lillychiff

      Posted

      Hi Lynda, really pleased to hear that you are feeling better. I'm sure the Pregabalin helps me, but of course everyone is different and it doesn't suit everyone. Keep us informed of your progress. Hugs Jeanne xx
    • Lillychiff
      Lillychiff jeanne81532

      Posted

      Thank you Jeanne. Obviously its a small dose I'm on,but the fact that even on 25 mg it has improved my mood,is something I'm grateful for. Still deciding if I want to up the dose for pain relief.
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 Lillychiff

      Posted

      Morning Lynda;   It's good to hear that you are coping better...with rational thinking you can think through the other issue of your pain....As to your feelings/thinking if higher dose will bring on more side affects...yes probably will....why not let your body  get adjusted to the Lyrica first, and then try upping the dose?   Did your dr suggest anything else for the pain?   I know others don't agree, but I still feel that of all the trials I've had, the Amitriptylline has been the best for my Fibro Pain...we are all good on this side of the world....we are now going into our winter, so the Osteo starts now....ha biggrin......Bron
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