1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Pregabalin

Ive been put on Pregabalin for anxiety?/

Posted , 2 users are following.

Toooo_
Toooo_

hi,

I have recently been taken off fluoxetine for deppression after being on them for almost a year.  My doc took me off them as they were not helping with my low moods.  

I went to see my doc today bcus I am Still getting very bad anxiety attacks when talking to ppl or in large social situations.

She has prescribed me 75mg of pregabalin twice daily and 10mg of betablockers when needed.

Firstly is this a normal combination of meds? & does anyone have any experience of these meds as Ive tried a number of antideprressants now and am really hoping these will work for me. My anxiety is causing me to isolate and be fearful of social situations and also causing sucidal thoughts!! Dou think this medication will elp??

pls help

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • colleen69470
    colleen69470 Toooo_

    Posted

    I was on pregabalan for 18 months, it was given to me for neuralgia and really worked for that. Had no,pain at all. He decided to change my medication to Gabapentin as I have had bladder problems which has really been getting me down, they think it's just a sensitive bladder rather than overactive as I don,t have the urge to run for the nearest toilet just have the pressure feeling all the time. He said anxiety doesn't,t help and Gabapentin is good for nerve pain and anxiety. I have read all the reviews on Gabapentin and people with anxiety are full of praise for it, I haven,t been feeling so down but have only been on it a week so early days. I had withdrawal symptoms coming off pregabalin and reduced dose slowly, felt really quite sick and couldn,t sleep. I have slept well since taking Gabapentin much better than when I took pregabalin but everyone is different. 
  • athol91131
    athol91131 Toooo_

    Posted

    Yes, I am on this combination as well as Venlafaxine (anti-depressant). I'm taking 100mg Pregabilin twice daily and the anxiety (extreme) has gone! I dont need the betablockers anymore either. They start you on a lower dose of Pregabilin for a few days for your body to get used to it. Then raise it until the angst goes. HOWEVER there are side effects. I felt really knocked out to begin with, kept falling asleep all the time. It can give you a kind of fuzzy muzzy feeling and tiredness and sometimes a headache, Sometimes a bit difficult to concentrate. Also my doctor now tells me that it can be a bit addictive so they will only prescribe it until August. But it does get rid of the anxiety and all symptoms. So I am taking it as a holiday from anxiety to regroup and develope a better stategy for when I have to come it. But it does work and if your anxiety is really bad then it gives you a break so in my book its worth it. Good luck.
    • Toooo_
      Toooo_ athol91131

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. It is my second day on Pregabilin and I feel extremely tired, spaced out and quite low in mood.  Im just wandering if or when these symptoms will pass? As I dont think I could deal with these sid effects long term!
    • athol91131
      athol91131 Toooo_

      Posted

      I think after a week it settled down. Hang on in there because it will get rid of the anxiety. Good luck.
    • Toooo_
      Toooo_ athol91131

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. Isaid it normal to have low mood as a side effect?? I haven't stopped crying all day I'm starting to wander if I'll ever feel better :-( ... it what was has it helped u? If u don't mind me asking. Thanks
    • Toooo_
      Toooo_

      Posted

      Sorry i ment in what way has it helped you and what side affects did u have initially? ?
    • athol91131
      athol91131 Toooo_

      Posted

      It has helped by completely getting rid of my anxiety (physical symptoms, fast heart, sweating, shaky feelings, constant anxious thoughts, lack of confidence, the whole package gone!)  Side effects were feeling quite depressed for a couple of weeks (which is now lifting) and feeling very tired and sluggish. I find that as long as I am doing something I'm ok but if I sit down or rest I fall asleep. It isn't perfect but I am very glad of having a rest from the constant extreme anxiety that I was experiencing before.
    • Toooo_
      Toooo_ athol91131

      Posted

      That's good to know.. I didn't know I suffered with anxiety, i just didn't understand why I'd get so nervous around ppl at times. To the point i just wanted the ground to swollow me up!! It'd good to start to understand what has been wrong with me all these years. Also helps knowing im not alone with this condition. As i really thought i was crazy B4 i was diagnosed a few days ago. I hope n pray these tablets help!!
  • athol91131
    athol91131 Toooo_

    Posted

    You are definately not going crazy. In fact, a very common symptom of anxiety is thinking you are going crazy! Which you are not. It is not even classed as a mental illness, although it can certainly feel that way. A good source for general overview information about the anxiety condition can be found online at Tyne and Wear NHS website. Look at leaflets page and look at the one for anxiety. The big thing to remember is that although anxiety can feel horrible it is not dangerous or harmful in any way. The betablockers just reduce the physical symptoms (fast heartbeat etc) which helps the anxiety because then we dont worry so much about having a fast heartbeat. Anxiety is all about Catch-22. The more we worry about being anxious, the more anxious we get. The trick is to try and break that vicious circle. The less we worry and are bothered by our condition, the less anxious we become. Everyone feels anxious talking to people and being in large crowds but we tend to then worry and become anxious about having that feeling whereas most people do not (or they take alcohol or drugs to suppress it). Also we think other people can see how anxious and nervous we are when in reality they dont. They are more concerned about how THEY are coming across. In other words, they are just like us, self-absorbed for the most part. Hope this helps a little.
    • Toooo_
      Toooo_ athol91131

      Posted

      OMG this really helps!! That's exactly what I'm like. I feel that everyone can see my anxiety, so then I get anxious about being anxious lol.. and worry about the symptoms coming on site try to avoid seeing people. I used alcohol for many years to surpress these horrible feelings bcus as I said I didn't know what was wrong with me! But then the alcohol use became out of control bcus I started using it more and more to feel confident.. I've given up drinking now as it brought on depression for me aswell as the anxiety :'(

      I just want to feel normal and be able to be myself around ppl instead of feeling scared, nervous and paranoid all the time.

      I'm a bit worried about the pregabalin as i feel soon tired! I slept straight through my alarm this morning and have missed work bcus of it! I really hope this is not a long term side effect otherwise I'll have to stop taking them.. I haven't tried the betablockers yet as my doc said to take them as and when needed, which is a bit silly really as i never know when im going to have an attack of anxiety. But I'm grateful to have my docs support and understanding.

    • athol91131
      athol91131 Toooo_

      Posted

      has the pregabilin reduced your anxiety yet? It might take a week or so to have an effect or you may need to up the dose. It is very tired making but I have found this has got better the longer Ive been on it (3 weeks now).

      I used weed to suppress the anxiety for a long time but gave up 6 montha ago as it was making me depressed also. Now we have to learn to live without these 'supports' which actually just made the situation worse. It will take some time to adjust so hang on in there. The betablockers at 10mg are very mild. As an example when I was in freaking out mode I was taking 40mg three times a day and found this helped with the heart palpitations. I just took it regularly every day regardless of how anxious I was just in case. I dont take them at all now since the pregabilin kicked in. Glad to hear youve got a good doc. You will 'feel normal' again. It is just anxiety which is not dangerous and cannot harm you in any way. It just feels very horrible. ps.it might help to go to bed earlier and get a loud alarm.

    • Toooo_
      Toooo_ athol91131

      Posted

      Hi,

      I think it is starting to work, In situations where I normally get really uncomfortable its as though the anxiety going to happen but then nothing, im defo alot calmer and more relaxed aswell.  Still have awful headache and feelig drained, I called my doc earlier as I was worried about it.  She said I can reduce down to just one tablet (75mg) for a week and see if thats any better, but to be honest, bcus its helping with the anxiety I think im going to stick with the 150mg a day.

      Learning to live without the so called supports is difficult but hopefully ive found a better way to deal wth the problem.

      Good point about the alarm and earlier night lol :-)

  • toodlepip
    toodlepip Toooo_

    Posted

    i get similar anxiety symptoms even while on pregab. i still take it though, and hope you get better.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.