Pregabalin and Codeine

Hi Elizabeth

I cut my codeine down to 30mg as I was unsure of how they would react to the Pregabalin. I've only been taking the Pregabalin for two days so haven't seen any improvement yet in the amount of pain I am in. Reducing the codeine wasn't good so from tonight I will take my normal 60mg dose. I have found that the last couple of days I have felt a bit foggy and had quite a long nap in the afternoon. I'm going to keep going because I am expecting this to wear off after a few weeks. Thank you for replying to me.

Take care.

Almost pain free? Really?

I'm a little unsure as to why you are questioning my self-assessment of being "almost pain free". But I will willingly tell you the before and after to allow you to understand. When I was 50 I was diagnosed with generalised Inflammatory Arthritis and was given various painkillers that did not help until I was given Codeine. 10mg/500mg paracetemol. This helped until about 5 years ago when my GP upped the dose to 20mg/500p'mol which I remain on 3 times a day. 2 years ago I developed sciatica in both buttocks and legs. This got gradually worse until 9 months ago I could no longer walk because the left side was so unbearably painful I could not put my foot to the floor. After trying Amitriptyline which had started to help the pain, I developed Sudden Onset Acute Angled Closure Glaucoma and nearly lost my sight within 36 hours of onset. Thankfully my sight was saved by emergency laser eye surgery but I was told never to take Amitriptyline ever again as this drug was the trigger causing my type of Glaucoma (very very rare indeed and the Eye Consultant in his late 50's or early 60's had only ever seen one other case.) When this was over I was put on Gabapenten which had too many side effects. At this stage my GP sent me for a DEXA scan which revealed I have severe Osteoporosis and my lower 3 vertabra had crumbled trapping sensory and sciatic nerves. Still on Codeine at dosage mentioned above, Pregabalin was tried. After 5 weeks on a dosage of 100mg morning and another at night (200mg total) I am "almost pain free". I am used to pain in different forms and levels but the sciatica completely floored me to the point I actually begged my GP for help. It would seem Pregabalin alongside Codeine for the Arthritis was the answer for me. I hope this answers your question(s).

No no I didn't mean it like that I was amazed I am in terrible back pain and anxiety and finding it terrible getting the day time dose to not make me feel terrible I am really happy to hear such a story I have lost 10 years of my life to pain.

Pregabalin comes in doses as low as 25mg. If you are having problem with side effects at a higher dose you could request a lower dose for daytime. Maybe over time you will be able to increase your dose.

I personally had amazing results for both anxiety and pain with the addition of this medication, enough that I am reducing and discontinuation other drugs like opiates.

Good Luck

Thank you for this reply I have suffered pain and anxiety for ten years and am trying to get the daytime dose in me, but I am alone and it's hard going. One question at the moment the side effects last about six hours if they subside do you get relief all day? Does it build up ? Has your anxiety gone

Hello

The anxiety was the first to subside, but it took getting up to a therapeutic dose that worked for me.

How long have you been on the drug? What is the dose?

I have been on 200 at about 7:30pm and out of desperation now trying the daytime dose of 50mg this is 3rd day, it been compounded by being alone as days are long and I have no appetite

The 200 I have been in about eight weeks

I take it three times a day. My GP told me to take either two or three times a day to keep a balanced amount in my system at all times. He started me on a nighttime only dose to get use to the medication, so I would not be sleepy in the day until I got use to the side effects. I actually did not like taking it at night, because I overslept and missed my very early physical therapy. I took in the day, since I was not working. Later I started both day and night. I started to see anxiety relief at 200-300mg and complete control at 450mg. I take 150 every eight hours. The pain slowly improved over months.

I am not a medical expert. This is just my experience. Everyone is different. Everyone reacts differently.

Thanks

I have a question I am taking the progablin quite early in the day but I am noticing the pain gets worse around 4, could this be when it's wearing off? Thanks

Sorry this is probably a bit late to be of any use to you but yes it does start to wear off. I have to take mine 3x a day for the same reason and I take a slightly higher dose in the morning to try to stop that happening. I hope your pain is greatly reduced by now x

Hi there, just a quick one

You do realise that taking pre-Gabalin and codeine together is a risk of death it affects your lungs and respiratory system and can stop you breathing