HELP! Im in Hell coming off Lyrica!! Has anyone on here ever got off it?

[SHELLBELL79]

I am having a hell of a time w/d off Lyrica! It is horrible! I was on it for my dental pain and decided to get off of it b/c I gained almost 30lbs in 2 months and its not really helpful! I have read on many other forums about how bad it is to come off Lyrica, it takes a long time. I only saw in one forum that it took 3 to 4 months of w/d. I read a lot of people's stories that they dealt with the withdrawals for 2 to 3 weeks and couldn't take it anymore and got back on the Lyrica b/c the w/d are so bad! I agree, I am going through the same thing! Iv'e been off the Lyrica for 2 weeks now and nothing is better! I feel like I have the full blown flu, achy, joints hurt, can't sleep, nightmares, headache that doesnt go away, very bad GI problems, body temp is messed up, no appetite, lethargic, low grade fever, weak, night sweats every night,etc. I know what its like to w/d from the strongest pain med in the world,(fentanyl) and detoxed off high dosed of Norco and Loratab 10s. Those w/d were really bad, especially the fentanyl but, ended eventually. This Lyrica w/d is hell! I can't do anything. I fell like this will never end. I refuse to get back on the Lyrica but, I also need my life back! I knew taking Lyrica you would have some w/d but, I had no idea it would be this bad and this long! I can't believe no one on medhelp has ever talked about it b/c Lyrica w/d is all over other medical forums and, its all about how bad and long it is and how no one can handle it! There has to be someone on here that got off the drug after taking it reg. for a few months!
Hope someone can help!
Thank you!

[Hiness58]

The doctors at rehab have put my mother on Lyrica and on MS Contin and she's on Norco for pain  She's 87 and about 97 lbs soaking wet. She is so confused and can hardly keep her eyes open since they started all this together. I swear they are trying to kill her.  But I've told them to stop all Lyrica and stop the MS Contin. I don't mind her being on Norco for the pain and a dilaudid if she needs it in between.  But seeing her go from a functioning person in pain ready to be released to a very confused person who can't stay awake long enough to eat is very frustrating.  I hope she does okay on the withdrawals.  But I must get her off of this.  Jeez...these doctors  just throw drugs and drugs at them.  

[bb261968]

If you are on a dose as low as 25mg three times a day, I really don't think you will have withdrawal problems. These people having the w/d are on huge doses. I am currently taking between 125mg a night. I have stopped abruptly before, and not had any problems apart from more difficulty sleeping, which is what i take it for.

[allihadtowritethis]

Listening to all these stories I can relate to even coming clean to my doctor I had come dependant on meds. And he kicked me out of his office. I have been dealing with script addiction since 2003 so I truly understand what we all our going through. The withdrawls mean either you, your body or both are dependant and our brains don't work like it should. So now what!!!!! ???????

[kickinit53]

I've been on Lyrica for about 4 months now for severe back, leg, and ankle pain.  I'm up to 225 mg twice a day.  I need to get off of it because it's causing severe anxiety, irritability and hostile behavior.  I'm afraid to talk to my doctor about it.  The first time that he suggested I take the medicine earlier this summer, I tried it and my ankles swelled up so badly I could hardly walk. When I returned to my doctor to talk about another medication, he got so upset with me that he waded up a paper and threw it at me.  Can you imagine?  After a few days, I decided to give the medicine another try and look at me now - I'm all messed up.  When I go talk to my doctor this time is he going to throw a brick at me?  Maybe I should go in full body armor.  Seriously, I need to get off it.  I've decided to open the capsules and tap out a little bit. I'm going to take out a little more every few days.  I hope it works without having too many problems with withdrawals.  I don't need any more hell in my life.  Good luck with your situation.

[dan8373]

I was on 300 mg twice a day for 3 yrs for nerve pain. I can relate to all of your stories.I have been off of lyrica for 3 weeks with OMG!! Withdrawls. Flu like symptoms, sweats, major insomnia, and the most scariest of all was my blood pressure and heart rate( suffered a heart attack in 2010) was 167/100 with a 123 heart rate while sitting down!!! My new pain management doctor was horrified when he learned that I was on that much for that long. He put me on gabapentin which is considered a "safe drug" and is working well. So if your thinking of getting off lyrica do it as soon as possible. This drug hasn't been out long enough to determine the lasting effects let alone the withdrawals which will eventually go away.

[lerellen]

Your  story is very encouraging; I hope I have the determination and willpower to follow your advice.