Klonopin and Lyrica

Question

My doctor gave me a script for Lyrica to treat my anxiety disorder.  I was taking 6mg a day of xanax then i just recently switched to 4mg. a day of Klonopin.  But she said in Europe the FDA approved Lyrica for anxiety treatment.  Its supposedly non addictive.  However reviews i have read, users complain of weight gain and increased appetite which my weight is one of my anxieties.  

Has anyone else tried Lyrica before for anxiety?  Its used here is in the US for fibromyalgia, but I took 2 and didn't feel anything so I'm not taking them.  

Any suggestions,  because I want to go up in my K-Pin dose but I have an addictive personality and my doctor knows that.  she doesn't want to increase my dose.  I don't even feel Klonopin in me at all.

sue052160 · Answer

I started lyrica 2 weeks ago for anxiety. I have agor. and gad. I tried almost 30 meds over the past 26 years. It has greatly reduced my anxiety. At first it made me tired, but now that has gone away. I started at 50 twice a day and went up to 100 twice a day. It has been a godsend for me. It takes time for the side affects to go away, but they are well worth it. I hope u can give it a try.

V34 · Answer

Hi.....I have had GREAT SUCCESS using Lyrica for anxiety. It was prescribed to me for Fibromyalgia, and I was talking klonopin for anxiety. The 2 mixed together made me nod out. I stopped taking klonopin and had no withdrawals or depression from stopping cold turkey after taking anxiety medicine for years. The Lyrica prevented those withdrawals. Lyrica is a miracle drug for me. It helps both my Fibromyalgia and anxiety. Lyrica even enhances my mood and clears my mind. I am up to 300 mg 2x a day. I strongly suggest it for anxiety. I am pleasantly surprised to hear it has been approved for anxiety in another country bc that usually means the United States will do the same eventually. I myself also suffer from addiction so be careful. Lyrica is a controlled substance and if u take a lot of it, you do get a euphoric feeling. But as the medicine builds up in your system u can not achieve that euphoric feeling. Be careful though with your dosage bc I have seen people take 75mg and not be able to walk or talk from it. As for weight gain. I haven't gained any weigh and I am on a very high dose n have been for about 4 years now.  I will say it does make your stomach feel like a bottomless pit. So u just have to watch your portions and you won't gain weight. I do retain water from lyrica and my weight fluctuates about 5 lbs every now n then. It's a constant up and down, but it's just water and not noticeable on the body. Good luck. I think you will find Lyrica to be a miracle drug as I have. Please give me an update on how you are doing and how Lyrica works for you. I can answer any questions you may have probably better then a doctor can considering I have done extensive research on Lyrica and have also been taking it for 4-5 years now.

V34 · Answer

Hi.....I have had GREAT SUCCESS using Lyrica for anxiety. It was prescribed to me for Fibromyalgia, and I was talking klonopin for anxiety. The 2 mixed together made me nod out. I stopped taking klonopin and had no withdrawals or depression from stopping cold turkey after taking anxiety medicine for years. The Lyrica prevented those withdrawals. Lyrica is a miracle drug for me. It helps both my Fibromyalgia and anxiety. Lyrica even enhances my mood and clears my mind. I am up to 300 mg 2x a day. I strongly suggest it for anxiety. I am pleasantly surprised to hear it has been approved for anxiety in another country bc that usually means the United States will do the same eventually. I myself also suffer from addiction so be careful. Lyrica is a controlled substance and if u take a lot of it, you do get a euphoric feeling. But as the medicine builds up in your system u can not achieve that euphoric feeling. Be careful though with your dosage bc I have seen people take 75mg and not be able to walk or talk from it. As for weight gain. I haven't gained any weigh and I am on a very high dose n have been for about 4 years now.  I will say it does make your stomach feel like a bottomless pit. So u just have to watch your portions and you won't gain weight. I do retain water from lyrica and my weight fluctuates about 5 lbs every now n then. It's a constant up and down, but it's just water and not noticeable on the body. Good luck. I think you will find Lyrica to be a miracle drug as I have. Please give me an update on how you are doing and how Lyrica works for you. I can answer any questions you may have probably better then a doctor can considering I have done extensive research on Lyrica and have also been taking it for 4-5 years now.

humblegirl7 · Answer

I have been on Lyrica for years...starting at 75mg, not 150.  For me, it's used for fibromyalgia (nerve pain).  I have never heard of it being used for anxiety.  That's a new one on me.

My doctor just started me on Klonopin.  I'm to take my first pill tonight.  I have also used Hydrocodone (not steadily) for a number of years.  I've used the Lyrica and Hydrocodone  together with no real side effects...just drowsiness.

Just wanted to see someone else's response to the Klonopin.

I'll post my reactions (be God's will) tomorrow.

pokey840 · Answer

I took gabapentin for many years( 7+) without any trouble along with clonazapam and sertraline.  I have suffered for many years with GAD, Agorapgobia, other phobias, and depression from all that anxiety!  My symptoms became unbearable in my teens and I am 50 yrs old now.  Like I said, 7 years with this combo and I was feeling pretty good. Still hard to leave the house, but I could do it with careful planning. Some months ago I felt incredibly depressed and slow, so my Dr. prescribed Lyrica to replace the gabapentin.  This was an excellent choice, as it helps with my anxiety, I use less clonazepam and I feel less drowsy.  Lyrica did give me blurred vision and extra paranoia at the start, and that was indeed awful for the first couple weeks as I upped my dosage!  After the initial troubles, I found that it really was better than gabapentin for me now. I have not gained weight, but remain the same weight I call my meds weight. I just try to remain active and not pig out.  I used to be very thin, so now I am just sturdy looking, neither fat nor thin.

suza271 · Answer

Actually, you are wrong. My dr. told me that Lyrica is more widely used for anxiety than Neurontin. Neurontin is used for major depressive order off label. Lyrica is really effective for GAD.

Paxiled · Answer

My understanding is, and this post is an old one, but to the above, that the older version of Lyrica, neurontin, is used for anxiety reduction, but not so much Lyrica.  Nurontin is basically like mainlining GABA which does regulate anxiety.  So some do use it for anxiety, but not that often since it usually only works for anxiety in high doses.  Lyrica is more often used these days for pain because it's on patent, whereas neurontin no longer is.

Ceana · Answer

I like lyrica for it's calming & mood stabilizing effects. I also take Klonipin. My panic/anxiety disorder has finally been stabilized. I do recommend both but a side effect can be drowsyness. If any one has experienced a panic disorder, drowsyness is a small price to pay. EG from WA

hartangel · Answer

i was on klonopin for anxiety and restless leg syndrome, my dr just changed me to 75mg of lryica twice a day and i have noticed that i am not having the nightly panic attacks or the rls either.... and it is also helping with my nerve pain in my back due to herniated discs.. so far no side effects aside from a little lethargy but that is to be expected.

Lynniepie2 · Answer

Lyrica was a miracle for my nerve pain for 2 1/2 years.  I went off it since the pain was gone and started to have serious anxiety problems.  I finally connected the dots!  The Lyrica was also solving my aniexty attack problem.  I went back on it.  I never had weight gain or problems with sleepiness.  Everyone is different.  You might be one of the lucky ones like me.

Tom3242 · Answer

thank you all for your posts and help.  its very apreciatted

dlcottage · Answer

I have panick attacks and anxiety . I am currently on lyricia 75mg once day for 2 mons now for trigiminal neuralgia, helps with the neuralgia but doesnt do a thing for my anxiety and panick attacks i still get them!!!!

barfer · Answer

I'm sorry about the previous post, I obviously hit at button that I shouldn't.  Mind you, the name that I inadvertantly printed, would be someone who could really help you.  He is a fountain of information about drugs and their combinations.  I know he is very busy right now, but it wouldn't hurt to see if he could give you some input.

barfer · Answer

RCA7591

dottypotty · Answer

Would y have to come off Lynic gradully excuse spelling. Dont like weight gain. my husband keeps telling me am fat. from Dorothyx

Tom3242 · Answer

Lyrica was recently approved for treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Europe.  Thats why my doctor gave it to me.  Xanax put me on a rollercoaster and 6mg wasn't cutting it anymore.  It doesn't do anything at all. I feel more stable on  4 mg klonopin but i still have anxiety.  I don't want to take Lyrica because of the weight gain.  I am extremely self conscious and run 40 minutes a day to try and lose the weight i gained on effexor xr. worst drug ever by the way.  i am 23 years old and my parents are very involved with my life.  they sometimes come with me to the doctor, so both them and my doctor no of my history with drug abuse.  they are very concerned about me being on benzo's so my doctor is looking for alternatives.  benzo's seem to be teh only things that work with no side effects.  

I was hoping to find someone who had success with Lyrica for anxiety.  I guess for now i won't take it becuase i dont know anything about it.  Thank you for your response. It was greatly appreciated.

Tom

Heather3418 · Answer

I was given Lyrica for pain from Multiple Sclerosis, although it is mainly used for pain from Fibromyalgia. Lyrica was originally designed to treat the burning, stabbing, shooting symptoms of nerve pain caused by diabetes or shingles. The most common side effects are:

Dizziness 
Sleepiness 
Dry mouth 
Swelling of hands and feet 
Blurred vision 
Weight gain 
Trouble concentrating 

My doctor titrated my dose gradually, starting at 50 mgs. a day, then within several weeks, up to 150 mgs. twice a day.  That's when I realized I could not take that high of a dose and had to withdraw slowly from the drug altogether.  I noticed NO relief from pain during those weeks of treatment.  I have never known it to be prescribed for Anxiety.  That's new information for me.

I take Klonopin-2 mgs. nightly for Restless Leg Syndrome, but notice that it does not decrease my anixety, if I happen to have anxiety.  (As I noticed I had, when my father passed away 3 months ago.)  Maybe I am a strange one.  I know that others use if for anxiety and it seems to help them..  

As my doctor explained to me, Lyrica has to be taken every day, gradually increasing the dosage until you hopefully see some relief from pain.  I have not known it to be used to take only when you are experiencing anxiety symptoms.  As I say, I have only known it to be a daily dosage for nerve pain.

If doctor's are now using Lyrica for relief of anxiety symptoms, that totally new news for me.  I am a member of the MS Forum and many over there have taken it for nerve pain.   We have not had many members say that it has helped with their pain at all.  They DO complain of swelling in the extremeties, which results in some fluid weight gain, but none of them have said they have gained more than 5 pounds or so.

You were on a pretty high daily dosage of Xanax.  When I used to experience panic and anxiety many years ago, I took a total of 2 mgs. a day, in conjunction with weekly counseling..  

By the way, if you were doing so well on the Xanax, why did your doctor switch you to Klonopin?  Forgive me if I am being too personal.

I wish you the best of luck with your Klonopin therapy.  I hope it works well for you.  If the Lyrica helps with your anxiety, I would love to hear about that. (Even though you say you aren't taking it anymore..if you again start to use it, please let me know if it indeed helps with your anxiety.) There is more about Lyrica that I would like to learn.

I wish you all the best,
Heather (Community Leader of the MS Forum)