What can one do about Lyrica withdrawal?

[DWLyle]

I've been on Lyrica for several years do to nerve pain, and the withdrawal when I've gone off is brutal.

[Yesidid]

I am checking in on you and read my post. It was pretty bad. Sorry. All I wanted to say was this. It is not only hard but dangerous to stop taking Lyrica suddenly. Taper slowly until you are taking almost none and feel okay, then quit. Opiates (pain meds and heroin) are talked about often on this site. It is hell to get off of these drugs but the way to do it is much different from GABA drugs (bezos like klonopin and Xanax). Lyrica targets the GABA areas of your brain and more similar to this second set of drugs - also highly addictive. It's important to taper off these types of drugs than to stop abruptly. Hope this helps. You'll do great!

[Yesidid]

Hi Lyle.
I read and pray for our brothers and sisters on this site daily but haven't posted in over a year. When I saw your post I had to respond. It seems that few people (so far) have begun to seek help for Lyrica addiction and withdrawl. 5 years ago when I checked myself into rehab, they thought I was either crazy or lying. The crazy person was the physician addiction guru of this center who put me on suboxone for an addiction to a gaba medication. I've been addicted to multiple drugs through my life. My story isn't important. What is important is the fact that I was on massive amounts of Lyrica and was able to free myself eventually from this horrible addiction as well as the others. The only real successful I know of is tapering off of Lrica. Let your doctor know that you want to get off of this medication Eventually. The reason I say this is that Most doctors have no clue how physically addictive Lyrica can be. Since Lyrica comes in a capsule form, it is essential to acquie slowly decreasing doses and to take them exactly as prescribed - until the end when pouring a little out of each capsule in order to get even smaller doses may be necessary for you. Follow the general philosophy of benzo detox not opiate detox and you wil be fine! I am sorry for your struggle but it is temporary and the rewards are tremendous. Good luck and God bless!
Darrin