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!

[HollieAS]

I quit the highest dose the first of yr'13
I went from 110-115 to 154. Not sure but I think it's caused brains farts from hell. And I can't stop losing weight. I'm at 103 now. Concerned now of seizures that could possibly occur or memory damage! Idk ..quit pain meds cold turkey 3 yrs ago
Just on Valium as needed now
I'm starving bit also have 2 ulcers.. I eat but not so good and drink a couple ensure smoothies a day

[wheely69]

im trying to come down from 1600mg lyrica a day. (400mg x 4 times)
for neuropathic pain in my neck.
im also on 40mg fluoxetine, 4mg candesarten and 150mg topiramate.

been getting shivery and cold, and muscle cramps, increased neck pain, problems with speech, lack of concentration, firey spine sensation. dark thoughts.

ive got to get down to 1000mg. im having trouble functioning at work as it is.

[anya849]

I am trying to get this message out to everybody who is on Lyrica.  There is an easy way to get off this and other meds. I took Lyrica for five years at 300 mgs a day (2 x 150) and found it very hard to get off. Here is the way to do it: find a compounding pharmacy and have them make custom doses. This works absolutely great. I had them make custom-dose pills so that I could reduce by only 5 or 10% per week.

I went from 300 mgs a day to 280 mgs/day; then from 280 mgs a day to 260 mgs...eventually, 140 mgs/day, 130 mgs, 120 mgs, etcetera, until I was down to tiny decreases like 45 mgs/day, 40 mgs, 35 mgs, all the way down to 5 mgs. With these small reductions, I was actually able to reduce every 3-4 days or so, and the taper was literally imperceptible. I had NO negative effects, whereas when I tried to taper using the standard capsules, which force you to reduce 25 mgs at a time, I could not do it. My body was freaking out---spasms, sweating, shaking, anxiety. Yes, it takes time (it took me about 4 months) but it works and once you are done, you are done. No withdrawal, nothing.

I did the exact same thing for Savella, btw! I tried to taper it on my own with the standard doses, and it was dreadful. I'd been on it for several years too (100 mgs a day) and just could not get off it because the discontinuation syndrome was so bad. I went to a compounding pharmacy, and they made custom capsules according to my request, so I did tiny reductions like with the Lyrica: 95 mgs, 90, 85, and eventually really small changes like 11 mgs, 9 mgs, 7 mgs, 5 mgs.... until I was down to 2 mg capsules, and then finally zero.

This is the way. If you ask me, it's the ONLY way for many people, and doctors don't even know about it. I have since told my docs about it and they were thrilled, because they had never thought about this. The rub, of course, is that you have to pay for it out of pocket. Have your doctor prescribe your normal dose, which hopefully your insurance covers, and then take those standard-dose pills to the compounding pharmacy, and they will charge you to make custom doses out of them.

The total cost for the custom Lyrica capsules was about $200, and for the Savella it was like $120. If your compounding pharmacy requires a note from your doctor, have your doctor write one up.

I suffered from fibromyalgia pain for six years. Lyrica and Savella were awesome for me. They helped me so much and gave me my life back. BUT, by some miracle I eventually got better, and now have been totally off all meds for four months, without pain. Seriously, try the custom-dose approach. The changes are so gradual and so subtle that your body will not notice and will have plenty of time to adjust. I came up with the custom-dose idea when I happened to walk by a compounding pharmacy one day.

I wish everyone the very best of luck!







Got off both meds.

[triviafriend]

I finally found something to help me.  It's called GABA, available otc.  I've been posting all evening with this info, because I know what misery you are in if you're one of the unlucky people experiencing Lyrica withdrawal.  I can't believe I am sitting here, actually feeling good.  It feels like forever since I've been well.

I hope you will forgive me for not writing everything down, but I have been typing all evening and I'm beat.  My entire experience can be found on the website Neurotalk.com.  I don't think you have to join to look, but if you do, it's free.  I started my own thread under the "medicine" tab called "Lyrica withdrawal syndrome", under the name triviafriend.  The last post (as of 11pm today) gives all the information, how much, where to buy, everything.  Please post if you have anything to add/report.  

[elatedexaddict13]

WOW- it sure sounds like w/d's from opiates, but lasting FOREVER!! I had no idea it was that bad!! This drug sounds like it has more cons to taking it compared to the pros, so I cannot see how a doctor would think it would be ok to freely impose it on unsuspecting patients (just for the few dollars they get for every Rx of this crap they write). This drug should be pulled!!!!!

[lyricacanbebeaten750]

I feel your pain!
No one has ever quit this drug cold turkey, it is way too harsh. Read my original post above, I tapered off over a 3 month period and I did it by sticking to rules and a schedule. This will work for you if you follow the method of dose reduction I describe.
Good luck to you - you can make it!!