Help with lyrica withdrawal symptoms ??

[Paladin97]

I have a question regarding lyrica withdrawal symptoms ................ I am currently suffering with this and am on day 38 with no end in sight from these godawful symptoms ............... in fact,  it has gotten worse in the last 48 hrs,  which is so depressing,  as I thought I would improve as I distanced myself from the drug ...    I was only on a very low dose and for a short period of time,  but my body has become dependant on other meds in the past in the same way,  so I am not surprised that it happened,  but I am surprised by the severity and length of suffering  .............  If it doesn't improve,  I won't be able to go to work any longer,  which terrifies me  ........  is there anyone out there with suggestions regarding things I can do to lessen the severity of these wds?  I have an appt to see my doctor on Wednesday,  but I am really afraid of not making it through this..................  is there anything she can do ?    Will I be like this forever  ???

Thanks so much ...

[metalplate21]

Hi everyone. First and fore most, I'm sorry for everybody who is going through all this messy medication craziness! I feel your pain...literally! I have been on lyrica for about 8 months due to anterior fusion surgery in my neck to help alleviate nerve pain. While on it and going through the surgery I didn't seem to have any issues, as I am also on pain medication, anti-depressants, anxiety meds and Ritalin. Im 34 and My doctor just started to taper me off the lyrica 150mg-50mg a day and adding  more gabapentin 300mg in the am only and now also 600mg at night. He for some reason thought that he should taper me off my abilify and clonidine during this time as well because of weight gain and water retention which caused extreme pain in my joints. Its been about a wk and wholy crap...the feeling of restlessness inside and looks of complete confusion on the outside are becoming way to intense more often than not. I'm a very positive person who can happily make my own decisions but within the last wk or so its all gone downhill. I'm easily agitated, more depressed, and mentally feel like I'm about to loose it...we will go with nervous breakdown feelings. I'm the kind of person who will fight these feelings and hope for the best when its out of my system. I'm now to the point where I'm not sure if I am supposed to suck it up and go thru the tapering down process...withdrawals and all or go back up on them knowing at some other point down the rd, I will have to go thru what we are all experiencing all over again. The anxiety itself could make you want to crawl under a rock but unfortunately for us...if we hide and stay depressed the symptoms will get worse. The one thing is slowly but surely we will all get through this mess our trusted doctors put us in or on. And btw...i have nothing against doctors, I'm just against the way I feel and how the withdrawals creep up on you and how you can almost mentally feel distorted from the world .I'm not sure how long I can continue feeling like this at different times during the day but as far as right now goes...i found the time and patience to read what everyone said and write a comment on it. Good luck to all! I'm sure I may have left stuff out because my short term memory went down hill while this is all happening as well. Stay positive and have faith. Find that inner strength!

[Mike19661966]

My experience with lyrica withdraw has been the same as everyone else's. I'm very tired all of the time. I think suicidal thoughts. I cannot enjoy anything.
It has been 2 months and it seems to be getting better. I have withdrew from suboxone, heroin, and pain pills in the past. Lyrica is a tough one. It is getting better. But is a slow process. I took lyrica for 5 years 200 mg a day. I try to rest as often as I can. All I can say is go through it and you will be able to tell someone how long it took for you. I don't think using one drug to overcome another I a wise thing to do. I say this because I used lyrica to offset suboxone withdrawal and as a substitute for pain management. I'm in a 12 step recovery program and it helps to keep my mind focused and gives me hope and I'm sure I will be a stronger person having gone through for a lack of better words... HELL!!!!

[innad40]

For anyone thinking about taking Lyrica or know someone who might be thinking about taking Lyrica here is my thoughts and MY OPINION: I was only on this drug for a short time - 6 mos. I was only on a smaller dosage of about 100 mg, 3 x a day. Most dosages are bigger. When I stepped up to the higher dosage of 100 mgs, 3 x a day is when the more serious side effects occurred. Those side effects were blurred vision (mostly in the a.m.) and some minor weight gain/water retention, and tactile sensitivities. The Lyrica was taken to help some neuropathy pain and maybe help the fms pain. It did nothing. It was agreed upon that if the 100 mg 3x did not help, I would then step down and discontinue using it. Let me tell you, the withdrawal symptoms that I have weathered this last week were awful. Actually, I have had these symptoms since I have stepped down from taking it 3 x a day. What I thought were "stomach virus" symptoms were really withdrawal symptoms. Please weigh your options before starting this drug and consider the side effects before going to the higher dosages. As soon as I stopped taking this my eyesight started clearing up! The water retention and swollen feet and ankles disappeared and the tactile sensitivity has greatly diminished. I'm hoping that all withdrawals symptoms are gone by the end of the week. I had serious reservations about starting this drug in the first place and had expressed them to the doctor, and that is why we had agreed on a specific timeframe. I was going to speak to the doctor about maybe taking Savella for the chronic fatigue but have done some serious research on it and have come to the conclusion that I am just going to go with the less medicine the better approach for now. With changing my eating habits and continuing to try and losing the excess weight; I'm hoping that it will make a difference in energy and in pain management.

** This was earlier this week, it is now Friday and I am just now starting to feel better.  I still have bouts of nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. **

[Jambro]

I have been on 60 mg of Lyrica for 5 years- treating Fibromyalgia and I've gained almost 30 lbs.  I can't lose the weight and want to go off the Lyrica.  I also take 60 mg of Cymbalta every day.  I HATE the way I feel if I miss a dose, or even take it later in the day.  I've never had an addiction problem in my life, but this is so scary.  I really thought I was going crazy until I googled forums discussing the w/d symptoms.  

Can you please tell me if it tastes bad by diluting the capsules in water?  I really want to get off all of this, but I'm also afraid of the Fibro symptoms returning.  Thanks- any advice is appreciated.

[ChannahBracha]

Thanx, but I am totally off the Lyrica for about 3 weeks now, even though I'm still having w/d symptoms, they are manageable; ie sweaty hands & feet! I just had to do it one at a time; first get off Lyrica, then TRY to taper the Percocet. I have Klonipin to help, but only sparingly ! Trazadone, also helps and my Doc gave me some Ambien for sleep.
LOL can't say much for my pain, though...oooowwwwwww!!!! Everything has it's price.  ;-)

[ChannahBracha]

I never knew "Lyrica" was addictive until I researched it online. My doctor gave me no clue, either! Therefore, I am extremely pissed off about it since I've been on it, 75-150mg/2x day, for at least 3 years! Along with it, for my chronic pain from a broken hip, a shoulder replacement, a bad wrist re-repair....etc., they've had me on MS Contin 30mg. 2x/day annnnnnd Percocet 10/325 or Norco 10/325 4x/day for break through pain. It has all killed my appetite and being 5'4" 96 lbs., that's not good! So, I have  taken it upon myself to "detox" as much as possible. I THOUGHT I'd weaned down and off the MS Contin and very little Percocet, but I was still taking the !@@#$$ Lyrica! No wonder it was an easy detox!! The Lyrica was keeping me addicted! Now, I've had to go back to the Percocet so I could wean off the Lyrica! Even though I'm taking 3-4 Percocet/day, I am still having the sweaty hands & feet, no appetite, and if I cut the Percs in half, the withdrawals come on in 2-3 hrs! I still have  a long way to go, and I am working w/ my doc. Now I'm afraid to take much Flexiril!! IT could be addictive, too! It doesn't help that I am ADHD/Dyslexic which makes me super sensitive to how my body & brain feel. GGGGggggrrrrrrrr !!!!
    NO LYRICA!!! IT IS H3LL !!!!