Lyrica (Pregabalin) is an anticonvulsant drug utilized primarily to treat neuropathic pain. It is also used as an adjunctive treatment option for adults with partial seizures. In countries outside of the United States, it was approved in 2007 to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Doctors also have found that it works well to treat chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia in select patients.
It was originally designed to be a more promising offshoot of the drug Gabapentin. The drug works by binding to voltage-dependent calcium channels in the central nervous system, which leads to decreases in release of various neurotransmitters including: norepinephrine, substance P, and calcitonin gene-related peptide.
Despite carrying a relatively low abuse potential, it is classified as a Schedule V drug in the United States. It is regarded as being a depressant of the central nervous system (CNS). There is some evidence suggesting that there may be initial mood-boosting effects associated with Lyrica usage, but these tend to disappear with long term use.
Many people experience an array of uncomfortable symptoms when they initially discontinue this drug. There is significant evidence of withdrawal effects, especially if a person has used the drug for a long period of time. Most doctors should know to have their patients conduct a gradual taper off of the medication to reduce severe withdrawal effects.
Factors that influence Lyrica withdrawal
When discontinuing any medication, there are various factors that play a role in the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms. These factors include things like time over which you took the drug, your dosage, how abruptly you discontinued, as well as some individual factors.
1. Time Span
How long were you on Lyrica? Those who took the drug for many years are thought to have a tougher time with discontinuation compared to those on it for shorter terms. When you are on a drug for a long period of time, your nervous system adjusts to accommodate the drug. The transition back to sober functioning is usually a longer process when you’ve taken a particular substance for a long term.
2. Dosage (150 mg, 300 mg, 450 mg, 600 mg)
Those who took a higher dose of the drug are thought to have more intense withdrawals than people on a relatively low dose. When you take a high dose on a daily basis, your body will eventually develop a tolerance to that particular dose and the drug will eventually lose effectiveness; this is inevitable.
Dosing tends to vary based on the condition being treated as well as the individual. Those who take it for pain associated with diabetic neuropathy may take between 150 mg and 300 mg daily, while someone being treated for seizures may take up to 600 mg daily.
3. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
Unfortunately many doctors aren’t even aware that there are withdrawal symptoms associated with Lyrica. This leads to them telling patients that it’s fine to discontinue the drug “cold turkey.” Those who quit the drug abruptly or “cold turkey” tend to have longer lasting withdrawals with more severe symptoms than those who conduct a gradual taper. Therefore, it is always recommended to follow some sort of tapering protocol when you plan on quitting.
For long term users, you may want to consider tapering at a rate of 10% per month. By tapering your current dose at just 10% every 4 weeks, you are giving your nervous system plenty of time to adjust to changes in dosing. If this seems too slow for you, you could consider dropping at a rate of 15% or 20% a month depending on the symptoms you’re experiencing.
4. Individual Factors
When withdrawing from any drug, it is important not to get caught up too much in others’ experiences. Some people will withdraw and not really notice any symptoms. Others will withdraw and have a very difficult time performing basic functions.
Various individual factors that are thought to influence withdrawal include individual physiology, withdrawal sensitivity, whether you are taking any other drugs, and daily habits. People who are getting daily exercise, eating healthy diets, and getting good social support are thought to recover at quicker rates than those who aren’t.
Lyrica Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below is a list of possible symptoms that may occur when you discontinue Lyrica. Keep in mind that although many of these are common symptoms, everyone is affected differently.
- Anger: Some people have reported feeling very angry, nearly to the point of rage when they stopped this drug. Feeling angry can be a natural consequence of withdrawal from a drug that can have a calming effect. If you find yourself getting angry, keep in mind that this symptom should fade with time.
- Anxiety: In countries outside the U.S., this drug is actually approved to treat anxiety. When a person stops taking it, they may experience a spike in anxiety. The quicker a person withdraws from the drug, the greater the anxiety is thought to be.
- Body aches: Many people take this drug to help manage neuropathic pain. When you stop taking the drug, you may note that the original pain reemerges. The pain may even be more intense than it was when you first started taking the drug. This is because your body had become accustomed to receiving analgesic effects from the drug and it needs to reinitiate its natural pain response.
- Chills: Some people have reported chills upon discontinuation. If you experience chills, it is likely that your nervous system is attempting to function without influence from the drug. It is unlikely that you will experience chills for longer than a couple weeks following your last dose.
- Crying spells: Many people become depressed when they quit taking Lyrica. This is a drug that acts on neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, which may be abnormally low or altered during withdrawal. This may lead a person to experience overwhelming emotion and cry.
- Depersonalization: You may feel as though you feel unlike your normal self or completely void of emotion. This is a zombie-like effect that some people experience when they withdraw from this medication. It’s a result of brain chemical alterations and changes following medication usage.
- Depression: Do you feel severely depressed now that you’ve stopped taking your Lyrica? It is well documented that this drug can affect norepinephrine levels and other chemicals in the brain. Â It is known that low norepinephrine and depression can be linked. Â Withdrawal could lead to a temporary chemical imbalance, which results in depressive thinking. Assuming you weren’t depressed prior to taking this medication, you should eventually get better.
- Diarrhea: Some people have reported diarrhea when stopping this medication. The diarrhea is usually accompanied by an upset stomach and shouldn’t last longer than a week or two. If you are having difficulty coping with this symptom, get yourself some Imodium (available over-the-counter).
- Dizziness: It is normal to feel dizzy when you discontinue this drug. The dizziness is thought to be intensified if you quit cold turkey. Usually the more gradual you taper, the more dizzy sensations and/or vertigo is reduced. This will fade over time, but may be present for weeks following your last dose.
- Fatigue: Having low energy levels are commonly noted during withdrawal. You may experience deep physical and mental exhaustion and/or lethargy. Doing seemingly everyday tasks such as cooking meals, going to work, and cleaning may seem very difficult. Keep pushing yourself through this fatigue and know that in time, it will improve.
- Flu-like: The combination of feeling chilled, hot flashes, dizziness, headaches, and nausea can lead a person to feel like they have the flu. It is more common to feel “flu-like” if you quit cold turkey.
- Headaches: This is a very common symptom that people cope with during withdrawal. Some people actually take this drug to help prevent migraines (despite no evidence supporting this treatment option). In any regard, dealing with headaches (mild or severe) is common during withdrawal.
- Hot flashes: These are sudden sensations of heat throughout the body. Between these and “chills” some may have a difficult time dealing with the temperature changes that can occur during withdrawal.
- Insomnia: Another common withdrawal symptom is the inability to fall asleep at night. You may feel tired, but unable to sleep. If this symptom becomes bad, you may want to consider some relaxation exercises and/or taking a supplement like melatonin.
- Irritability: Things that don’t normally bother you may really irritate you during withdrawal. Realize that an irritable disposition is temporary – as your brain readjusts, this symptom should gradually subside.
- Itching: Although this is a less common symptom to experience during withdrawal, some people do report itching. Â You may initially think you have developed a rash. Â This is usually caused by sensitive nerve endings as a result of drug discontinuation. Â Consider taking an antihistamine until the symptom clears up.
- Joint pain: This drug can work very well for pain management, but when a person discontinues, they may experience an increase in joint pain. It is important to understand that this is a normal symptom of withdrawal, but may very uncomfortable. Do your best to cope with the pain in your joints and keep faith that it will improve.
- Mood swings: During withdrawal, your mood may be in constant flux. Usually people experience negative emotions such as anger, depression, anxiety, and unwanted thoughts. Moods will eventually improve and should fully stabilize in time.
- Muscle spasms: Muscles may be more prone to spasms when you quit the drug. Although not everyone will have spasms upon stopping this medication, some people do. Realize that this is just part of the way the nervous system is reacting.
- Nausea: The body can take some time to adapt to changes during discontinuation. In some cases, this can lead some people to experience nausea when they stop the drug. The nausea may be uncomfortable, but shouldn’t persist for an extended amount of time.
- Panic attacks: When anxiety becomes overwhelming during withdrawal, it could lead some people to panic. It is especially common to panic when dealing with both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. It is recommended to use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing to help curb anxiety and reduce the possibility of panic.
- Poor concentration: This is a drug that influences neurotransmitter levels such as norepinephrine. Norepinephrine can improve vigilance and concentration while a person is taking the drug. Unfortunately during withdrawal, a person may have difficulties with concentration.
- Restlessness: You may feel especially restless when you come off of Lyrica. If you are feeling restless, the best thing you can do is to get some sort of mild exercise (e.g. walking) and/or engage in a relaxation exercise (to help decrease anxiety). In particular, many people note having restless legs.
- Seizures: In people taking this drug for seizures, withdrawal can lead to recurrence of seizures. The seizures experienced during withdrawal may be stronger and more frequent than normal. It is important to with a doctor during withdrawal if you are prone to seizures.
- Shortness of breath: Some individuals have experienced shortness of breath when they initially come off of the drug. This tends to be a more common side effect while taking the drug, but can also occur during withdrawal.
- Sleep problems: You may notice changes in your sleep patterns when you first quit the drug. This is because your nervous system is attempting to balance out the changes that it is experiencing. In addition to insomnia, you may not be able to get good quality sleep and may wake up frequently throughout the night. Your sleep should improve over time.
- Stomach pain: Many individuals report stomach pain and/or cramping when they initially stop the drug. This pain will likely be uncomfortable, and there’s no telling how long it will last, but usually improve within a couple weeks.
- Suicidal thinking: Many people report feeling suicidal depressed when they initially withdraw from Lyrica. If you feel suicidal, it is important to recognize that the brain is temporarily chemically imbalanced during withdrawal; sometimes to a significant extent. As the brain recovers, neurotransmitter levels will be restored, but this is a gradual process. If you cannot cope with this feeling, be sure to seek professional help.
- Sweating: You may start to sweat a lot when you first quit taking the drug. The sweating may be prevalent throughout the day and while you sleep. Sweating is a natural response exhibited by the body when undergoing withdrawal.
- Vision changes: It is certainly possible to experience visual disturbances during withdrawal. You may note blurred vision and/or other disturbances in your field of vision. Vision should return to normal over time so try not to work yourself up.
- Weight loss: If you gained while taking the drug, you should expect your body to fluctuate back to the pre-drug weight. The weight loss may not come overnight, but as time passes, you should drop back down to your normal weight.
Lyrica Withdrawal Duration: How long does it last?
There’s no exact timeline that can be followed for withdrawal from Lyrica. In general, withdrawal length will be subject to variation based on individual experience. Among people who have been on high doses of the drug for years, withdrawal symptoms may be more intense and longer lasting. In people who took the drug for a shorter duration at a lower dose, withdrawal symptoms may be minimal.
The half-life of pregabalin is (on average) 6.3 hours, indicating that Lyrica stays in your system for approximately 1.5 days after your final dose. Â Although the drug may be fully out of your plasma, withdrawal will just be starting. The symptoms for the first few weeks of withdrawal can be very discouraging and debilitating. These symptoms are caused by your nervous system expecting to receive the drug, and scrambling to function soberly.
For some individuals the most severe withdrawal symptoms will clear up within a week. For others, it may take months to fully recover from the discontinuation effects. You may feel as if you are never going to get better, but you will. Your nervous system will be able to readjust itself back to normal functioning and symptoms will eventually fade.
In order to speed up the withdrawal process, it is recommended to engage in healthy activities such as: getting light exercise, socializing, and staying productive. Additionally it is recommended to eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest, and consider taking supplements that promote healing. If you have gone through withdrawal from Lyrica, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below.
I have fibromyalgia, diabetes and the start of neuropathy. I cannot afford the medication on my own, so I get it from the company for free. Because of the start of the new year, my eligibility has expired and I have run out of it. I normally take 300mg a day. It helps me sleep, stops the “fibro itch” and lessens the neuropathy pain.
These withdrawals are a bitch! I’m exhausted, nauseous all the time, have diarrhea, fever, chills, dizzy spells, headaches and no appetite. I really thought I had some kind of stomach bug until I found this article. I can’t wait to get back on it and end this misery.
I began taking Lyrica in about 2003 when a bout with symptoms relating to chronic fatigue syndrome began and wouldn’t go away. The doc saw that Lyrica had been recently approved for CFS, so we tried it. Within a very short time, a week or less, the symptoms disappeared. I’ve taken it ever since. The diagnoses changed when a new doc began calling my malady fibromyalgia.
I assume the Lyrica has helped several other pain issues, including diabetic neuropathy, for which I take other meds. Whew! Those of you still taking Lyrica might want to apply to Pfizer Connection-to-Care. Pfizer has provided Lyrica to me all these years. Now to the subject of withdrawal. I’ve never called it withdrawal, but I have recognized that the illness I felt whenever I was out of Lyrica sounded very much like things I had read about withdrawing “cold turkey” from recreational drugs.
I have reported to Pfizer about the withdrawal symptoms, though. The experience is so debilitating that I’ve said I felt as bad, and in the same, as when I had the Asian flu when it first came up in California in the 1950s. I was in bed for two weeks, unable to get up to go the doctor. He came to the house. There was pain, intestinal pain, joint pain, nerve pain, and, worst of all, the depression.
Just today I ended a period of reduced dosage or days without the Lyrica at all. I can’t really afford the emergency supplies my doc has prescribed. This year’s application for 2016 supply of Lyrica has gotten mixed up two or three times, and I’m hoping the RX is even now being processed and will arrive at my door. I’d like to do with the drug, it has to be in conjunction with a plan with my doctor, not just off the cuff.
Good luck to all of you. Some of the accounts posted here don’t mention how much Lyrica helped your original symptoms. All interesting things to think about, though.
I’ve been on Lyrica for about 9 months suffer badly with swelling of the lower extremities, one of the side effects listed for Lyrica. I take 150 mg twice a day for neurological pain associated with a condition called Arachnoiditis (failed back surgery). To be totally honest, I didn’t see much of a difference with the amount of pain I am in now and the amount of pain I was in prior to taking the medication.
I also take 90 mg Cymbalta (once per day), 18 mg of Hydromorphone Hcl (Dilaudid) (4 times per day) and 20 mg of Baclofen (3 times per day) and despite all of that I am still in a fair amount of pain, pain that makes me break down and cry. Does anyone in this thread suffer with the same condition as me, Arachnoiditis, which is inflammation of the meninges (sheath covering the nerves) at an epidural site or site of surgery?
I am in my second week of withdrawal from Lyrica. I tapered off by dividing my daily dosage (75 mg) in half for a few weeks then skipping a dose, then taking one dose every three days and so on. I was on Lyrica for 5 yrs for fibromyalgia. Some of the effects of withdrawal have been not sleeping, charley horses in my legs, extreme night sweats and paranoia, anxiety and depression. I am so glad that I am on my way to a lyrica-free life. I am willing to suffer through these symptoms to be free of this dangerous drug. I am planning on taking a more natural route in order to treat my fibro.
All I have to say to anyone that is on lyrica right now!!! It doesn’t matter how long or how much the dose your on…tapering is bull!! No matter what you do!! When you come off whatever dose… your prolonging the inevitable… which is what you have been reading from others… pure hell. And I’m sure many of us have been on heavy narcotics for are disabilities, and thought coming off those were a nightmare.
Well coming off lyrica is 10 times worse with a longer withdrawal. So if you are head strong to get off this med… just stop taking it now, so you can already heal, and it will also stop Pfizer from collecting any more of your money. And for anyone reading these for research of this med… RUN AWAY AND DON’T LOOK BACK. This is not being dramatic, but telling you that this med is not worth it no matter what the doctor tells you. We were their guinea pigs.
So if you don’t believe all of us…well I would like to hear of more success stories of getting off this med. Been on it for 3 & 1/2 years and have seen and read plenty of stories from plenty of sites that this drug has LONG TERM effects when coming off them. I’m not trying to give false hope for people that are on them, and that are working at getting off them, because there is always hope for each and everyone of us!
Just trying to educate the ones that are researching it…to the ones that were just put on it…since now a days you can’t always trust your doctor for what he gives you. So best thing to do in that situation is ask what the side effects are to know the medication you’re being prescribed… which I am currently paying for severely by not asking!!! I pray for all of you and hope that this message will also save the lives of many more by not taking this med. God bless!!
David – whilst there are stories of patients tapering for an extended time and still having awful withdrawal symptoms after taking the last dose, there is also evidence that tapering slowly helps avoid a lengthy and painful withdrawal for many. I am having an awful withdrawal after 4 months dropping from 300. I have been told that my withdrawal is too steep! Everybody is different and so each person should start slowly reducing and see how the body reacts and either speed up or slow down. As for cold turkey, this is plain dangerous and can lead to horrific symptoms and even seizures.
I contracted GBS two years ago now and after a short while on gabapentin my doctor changed me on to lyrica. It had helped me with my nerve pain but like so many others I wanted to feel ‘normal’ again. I wasn’t even aware nor had it occurred to me that I should withdraw from it gradually. I have been taking 900mgs per day 3 x 300 mgs tablets per day for the last 22 months and wondered why I was feeling so bad this last week since stopping my medication.
I currently still take 35 mgs of amitriptyline each night. I am suffering with periods of extreme hot and cold and my skin feels like it has worms crawling under it. I also feel sick most of the day. I put all this down to a possible infection as I had a biopsy last week but am thinking now it’s probably coming off of pregabalin. One thing for sure is I’m not going back on it now… Can anyone on a similar dose tell me how long it took them to get back to some kind of normality?
Thanks to everyone on this site, I now understand the sudden increase in anxiety I have been experiencing, especially in the mornings. I was only on Lyrica (initially 150 mg 3 times a day, gradually tapering down to 75mg once a day). I was due to go down to 50mg a day but decided to check withdrawal symptoms and I am shocked to read that the high levels of anxiety that came on very suddenly are due to Lyrica withdrawal. At least knowing that makes it easier to deal with, and I’ve decided to take my coming off Lyrica even more slowly. I had no idea that the relatively low doses and short duration of taking this drug would lead to such severe anxiety. Thank you once again.
Hello Shek and thank you for sharing your experience. There are many stories of bad withdrawal from lyrica after very short spells of usage. Unfortunately those that take high doses and for long durations sometimes suffer horrific extended withdrawal. I have posted several times here and am still struggling badly on 25+25 with bad anxiety and strong nausea.
Did you have anxiety before taking lyrica? How long have you taken to withdraw to your current level? I am forced to take 1mg of lorazepam to take the edge of the nervous feelings and especially prevent the worse of the nausea. I do not have anxious thoughts apart from worrying about how I can get through each day whilst feeling so physically ill and nervous.
Good luck in your withdrawal. You can get a lot of info and support on a Facebook group called lyrica survivors although don’t expect lots of happy stories; the clue is in the name!
This drug is hellish. How can Pfizer continue producing and doctors prescribing such poison!!?? In Europe it’s widely prescribed for anxiety and a dosage of 600 mg daily seems to be the recommended amount. I am just finding out why I am feeling so awful on this drug. Have been taking it for 10 months now at 425 mg a day and reduced to 300 mg within a few days.
Thank you for the advice to taper off just 10% per month which I will now do. Initially the poison seemed to be working quite well but this only lasted a month or so before the gradual downward spiral. Let me wish everyone on this site a successful withdrawal during 2016. With enough support on sites like this, it can be done.
I would say to anyone whose doctor is suggesting Pregabolin for anxiety – don’t. I have had it for 7 months with no improvement in the anxiety, but bloated stomach, weight gain, pains in arms and legs, problems with eyesight and tremors. I cut it down gradually over 3 months and am now off it completely. The anxiety is now worse, I can’t sleep because of pains in my leg and neck. I also get alternate sweats and chills, and faint feelings. I’m scared to go out. How long will it last?
I am on day three of withdrawal from Lyrica. I had to quit cold turkey because after taking this 2 1/2 months for disc pressing the nerves severely on my spine, my hands swelled so bad I couldn’t see my knuckles, feet started swelling, itching all over and throat started to swell. Day one felt fantastic! That night couldn’t sleep and when I did had horrible nightmares and sweating profusely.
Day two my hands felt like needles are being driven between the joints and I can barely make a fist. Today my right hand was unable to bend, now it’s late afternoon and the pain is subsiding but moving to the left hand and my jaw is hard to open. I am hoping I feel normal again. This medicine is evil and Pfizer is the devil!!! I wish everyone a life free of this drug and free of pain.
Don’t all despair guys, on the max 600 for years and often took more, got fed up with the munchy side effect in the end so knocked it on the head. Only took a week or so because I couldn’t be bothered to hang about tapering. Felt fine through the whole thing and the only thing pi**ing me off is the pain from an old arm injury coming back but should be able deal with. Feel desperately sad for all you guys suffering and anyone new, stay off Lyrica – cheers David, Southampton. Can I add one more thing, when I asked the doc to take pregab off my repeat prescription, he said “Well done, just starting to learn what kind of drugs this is.”
I was diagnosed with RSD/CRPS almost 4 years ago, which caused severe nerve pain and cramps in my toes and right forearm (dystonia). Six months later I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and six months after that I was diagnosed with lupus. I was started on 300 mg twice a day. A year later, my doctor cut my dose in half due to fluid in my lungs and low oxygen levels. I was going through withdrawals then but didn’t know it, as I was hospitalized for a septic staph infection at the time.
Two years later, my memory and vision became so bad (I suspect from the lyrica) that I decided to taper off of it. It cost me almost double for my lyrica script, but I asked my doctor to prescribe 75 mg capsules instead of 150mgs. I began taking one less pill in the morning for a month, and then one less pill at night for a several month. I then eliminated the morning dose for a month.
Twelve days ago I stopped it completely. The first week was hell…I actually prayed for death! I had hot flashes, cold sweats, nausea and vomiting, migraines, my nerve pain and severe muscle cramps came back, and I could not get out of bed to even shower! I am now happy to report that this week, I have been able to go visit my daughter and grandkids, went shopping and have had 2 date nights with my husband!
I am still feeling like I am in withdrawals…but it is tolerable now. I am taking magnesium for the migraines, calcium, high doses of vitamin C, and a multivitamin, and when I feel nauseous, I have actually found that eating a snack helps. I still feel depressed…just not myself. But I will NEVER go back to taking this drug! I never want to experience the withdrawals again, and it has taken my memory and made my vision drastically worse.
At the time that I started on it, I felt it was a miracle. I just wish I hadn’t stayed on it so long. I talked to a neurologist last month that told me this drug doesn’t know what areas of the brain to target, so it targets the entire brain! He said it is one of the most dangerous prescription drugs on the market. I hope and pray that you all stay the course and continue to wean, taper, and stay off of it!
I for one, do not want to have symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 44 any longer…and I pray that my memory deficits are reversible! Good luck to all of you. We CAN beat this!!!
I was on gabapentin first, and got horrid leg and hip pain from that. My muscles were all knotted up and I could hardly walk. Everyone said Lyrica was better, so I withdrew from gabapentin which was miserable and got on Lyrica. At 300mg. I began having trouble walking and my muscles all spasm again. It was excruciating. So it has taken me a year of gradual dose reductions to get off this hell drug.
I have had to use oxycodone and hydrocodone to endure the pain of the lyrica. The two drugs can alter a person’s gait and cause all sorts of misery with the sacroiliac, the gluteus maximus, quads, and calves. My quads have hurt so bad and I have had to use a rolling pin every night to get the knots out. Terrible. Today is the first day of being off the drug.
I already got an ocular migraine (visual disturbance with a migraine sometimes), and I feel absolutely dopey. The secret to getting off this horrid drug is to buy clear gelatin capsules at the health food store and then split the doses. For the past six months, I have been on 25 mg. capsules. I would take them three times a day. Eventually, I began opening the capsules (which are not time released) and dividing them.
I’d use a Sharpie and mark the height on the capsule. I’d reduce the dose by about 1/4 every week or so. Once, I dropped my dose 50mg. in a month and I had a hellish melt down of anxiety and severe pain (unlike my original injury). I had to increase my dose to get it under control again, which set me back months!! The manufacturer is NUTS if they think people can drop off 25 mg. at once! NO.
It is much easier to drop the dose in small steps. Lyrica works for nerve pain, but for me, it cause some very bad muscle dysfunction (to the point of having trouble walking). I have not been able to go for a walk in over 3 years due to gabapentin and Lyrica. My nerves finally healed from a neck herniation and I am celebrating my first day off the devil drug.
I was on lyrica for 3 years. 600mg daily. 300mg in the morning and 300mg in the evening. I tapered down gradually over 5 weeks and when I eventually came off it I suffered greatly! My 4 main things where sweating. Insomnia. Fatigue and itching! Wow that itching got me! I literally felt like things were crawling all over my body all day!
As for the insomnia – I was lucky to get 1-2 hours a night – on top of those I was crying a lot. Felt depressed – basically I wasn’t coping so much so I went back to my doctor and was put back on lyrica again! After all I went through! If you’ve never taken lyrica and you’re considering it – don’t bother! Try anything else! I was an opiate addict for many years and coming off that was much easier!
I’m 5 months into withdrawal after taking it for a month to treat shingles pain. I stupidly quit cold turkey. Does it seem right that I am still experiencing major anxiety and depression? I’m self employed in a stressful business and the thought of working at the moment fills me with fear.
Hello Steve, That does seem like a long time especially after only 1 month on the drug. However nothing surprises me about lyrica and I have read many stories of withdrawal persisting after 1 year although this applies to people who have been using it for several years and at a high dose. What dose of lyrica did you use?
I am withdrawing from 300mg and after over 3 months am down to 25+25 with the gaps between dropping down increasing as I near the end of lyrica. Is there any way you could take some time off work? Better to take time off whilst you are in control and it is your decision. Good luck.
Thanks for the reply Paul. Stupidly, I don’t recall the dose I was on. I pretty much went straight back to work after quitting the lyrica, threw myself into a busy and stressful four months at work. Then became completely non functional. I’m suspecting that this may have delayed or worsened the withdrawal. The evil drug, I’m sure, has us questioning whether our sanity has left us. How are you feeling now after a bit of tapering?
Hello Steve. How are you doing? Are your symptoms subsiding at all? I am still at 25+25 after 18 days since last drop. Will not be dropping again until after the festive period. I think that whether tapering or stopping lyrica suddenly, withdrawal symptoms will be awful although maybe prolonged if tapering. I hope to be off lyrica during February which will be 6 months of hell and then who knows how long symptoms will then persist. Anxiety and nausea are the main challenges for me. Let me know how you progress. Keeping busy is a good approach but do not push yourself too much physically or mentally.
I hate Lyrica – I have been taking 225mg a day for awhile now and now I have decided to gradually stop it because I have been thinking I am going to die, I have panic attacks, sharp pain in my arm and chest, restless legs, no motivation at all, always fatigued, gained 50 pounds, swollen all over, no concentration and this is all BEFORE I have started withdrawing from the Lyrica.
The makers of this drug and the doctors who prescribe it should be sued. I took it for 4 days topping out at 100 mg twice a day for only one day then quit because I felt so terrible. The withdrawals from this short period have made me sicker than I was when going to doctor for help with opiate withdrawals and back pain. DON’T EVER TAKE THIS DRUG.
I started on 600mg 12 months ago after a total knee replacement. I have Rheumatoid. I had extreme diarrhea for the first two months. I started to reduce two months ago. Down to 350 mg first. Within 3 days I thought I was going crazy. Insomnia has been terrible, restless legs is driving me crazy, hot then cold sensations, itching so bad I have scratched away skin leaving scarring, my mind is so jumbled and speech has been slurred at times.
I feel like I have been in a rheumatoid flare since I first started to taper off Lyrica. I have had so much time off work. I have been taking small amounts of endone mostly at night to deal with the pain. I am now down to 75mg of Lyrica and just don’t think I can reduce anymore. I want this nightmare to end.
I stumbled upon this blog in the middle of the night during a Lyrica withdrawal-induced insomnia attack. I was taking 400mg of Lyrica twice a day (800 total per day, which now seems very high compared to what other people were taking) to supplement my two other epilepsy meds. During my first visit with a new neurologist (one from well-respected teaching hospital), he suggested I might try weaning off the Lyrica because I was already taking two other meds, and Lyrica hadn’t been shown to be that effective on epilepsy.
I told him everything seemed to be going OK (no break-through seizures or aura sensations), so I thought I’d leave things as they were. On my next visit with him 6 months later (about six weeks ago), I asked him to put me on a schedule to wean off Lyrica. He set up a schedule that had me completely off Lyrica in four weeks. About three weeks into the weaning, I started feeling lots of fatigue, but didn’t tie it to the Lyrica reduction.
By the fourth week, I had diarreah, stomach pain, nausea, chills, sweats, dry heaves, and several of the other symptoms mentioned in this blog. I would wake up at 1:30/2:00 in the morning and not be able to go back to sleep. I thought I had a stomach flu, and it caused me to miss a week of work. My general practitioner ran some stool, blood, and urine tests that didn’t indicate a virus or anything causing these symptoms. Then, as I said, I discovered this website in the middle of the night.
I brought it to the attention of my neurologist who agrees I am, apparently, experiencing some type of withdrawal. He suggests two choices for me: 1. Go back on a very small dose of Lyrica (maybe 50mg twice per day) and wean off more slowly than the 4-week schedule I just completed. Or 2. Stay where I am now and try to conquer the insomnia. (That’s what is killing me now. The other symptoms are waning.)
My thought is that I never want to put another speck of this med in my system again, but he’s the doctor, and I feel like he was leaning toward my going back on a very low dose and going off more slowly. Other than the epilepsy, I’m of good health. I guess I feel like I’ve already come this far on the withdrawal, and I don’t want to “start all over”. Has anyone else had the experience of being completely off Lyrica for a short time, enduring the symptoms, then going back on it to help the withdrawal symptoms subside? I’m curious as to what your experiences were.
I’ve been on 300mg lyrica daily for almost 6 months, in some rare days up to 600mg. I’ve stopped and went back for it a few times, but now this is the longest I have gone without taking the drug. It’s been 8 days since I stopped lyrica cold turkey and I feel better and better with every passing day. The first day felt normal, second was okay, third and fourth are when I felt the withdrawals the most. With vitamins, healthy diet, and plenty of rest, I feel myself getting better and better every day.
The thing that keeps me going the most is that I don’t wake up in the morning with a lump in my throat for craving it like I used to when I was on it. For those going through withdrawals, keep in mind that your system is readjusting to life without the drug, and eventually, it will go back to functioning normally without it. Good luck to all.
Hello John, So sorry to read your story. I am in a similar situation to you with similar history and symptoms. I have posted earlier on this page describing my situation. It is only now after investigation that I also realize that lyrica was causing many of my symptoms and now that I am trying to withdraw I am experiencing horrific nausea, flu like symptoms, anxiety, dizziness, unable to regulate temperature…
You are correct in that our nervous systems are fighting against lyrica and for me is now screaming out for the missing chemicals that it had become accustomed to for 5 months. For folk with pain and / or anxiety which is not associated with a broken nervous system, lyrica does give benefit; But for those of us with a broken nervous system, lyrica is the last drug that we need as it exacerbates the existing illness rather than helping.
My body is now dependent on a drug that has never provided any benefit; I am determined to come off this drug but not sure how I continue reducing my dosage given my current horrific withdrawal symptoms. Good luck my friend. Have faith in your instincts to get off this drug.
Thank you for the encouragement Paul. At least we know what is causing our reactions to it. I’m seeing my psych this week to discuss how best to go about getting off this. I will reply again afterwards. Peace man, I mean that, I hope we can find peace within ourselves again…
Hey Paul. I completed a week long treatment center and weened off the 200 mg/day I was on completely. I’ve been home a day now. Still feeling all the bad side effects but worst. Am looking into a longer stay treatment center. I am hoping that with patience these horrific symptoms will reside. Hope you and everyone on here eventually recovers from this drug’s effects.
Hello John, I am not familiar with a treatment centre. I assume this is a safe haven for withdrawal from meds? So you are not taking lyrica at all? That is a step forward. Through lots of reading I have found that withdrawal is either easy or horrific and whilst tapering does help some folk, three does not seem to be any way to avoid these horrific withdrawal effects. My aim is to reach a drug free state and see if my nervous system settles down itself.
Easier said than done and I am already turning to diazepam to take the edge off lyrica withdrawal induced anxiety. There is a very supportive Facebook (closed) group called ‘lyrica survivors’. Good for support and tips for withdrawal from others who have suffered with this toxic drug. You have taken a big step and I do hope that you soon feel better.
I took lyrica for almost a year due to cervical facet syndrome. Decided to quit and it has been a few weeks now. Having a horrible time. I met a holistic doctor and he prescribed me with a few supplements and its definitely helpful. I’m having diarrhea, terrible anxiety, suicidal, body pain, shortness of breath, mood swings, insomnia and restless legs syndrome. I will never suggest lyrica to anyone!
Very grateful for this blog and everyones comments. Here’s a letter I sent to my Medicaid case manager today…
I am writing this in hopes you will read it before I come for my appointment on Monday afternoon. I want to provide a timeline background about what I have been going through this past 14 months; so I can be properly diagnosed and my medications can be adjusted accordingly. When I was living in England, I had mild depression, was home sick, would have mild anxiety at times often because of focusing on my tinnitus, and a panic attack once or twice a year, which normally stopped with Valium after a few days. But I was very functional over there and was generally peaceful inside.
I did not feel as though I was mentally ill. I was successful in the workforce, raising my kids alone, athletic, attended church, had hobbies, relationships, humor and a general feeling of well being overall. I had a bad panic attack/breakdown accompanied by claustrophobia in England 14 months ago and returned to America. My panic attack in England lasted over six weeks/the longest one I ever had. Nothing was helping. Then just before I flew home, I was given Lyrica. Within a day, my panic attack subsided.
After returning here Dr. Wilson said Lyrica was relatively benign because it was not a narcotic, and that if it helped in the past to stay on it. I carried on taking it along with Zoloft, Diazipam, and Bupropion. Despite the indications that warned about prescribing it to people with history of anxiety and depression. When I got off the Valium for four months and went to Elim Home a year ago, I did feel better, but still was not at all myself, especially in the morning with tremors, depression and anxiety.
In general, this last year has been hell. I have tremors-tremble inside my chest and abdomen every morning, shake, feel deep depression, anxiety and am very restless. I think of suicidal thoughts that fleet through my mind regularly, involuntarily (never had this before), feel that life is meaningless and futile. I have lost my sense of humour. I often think I am dying or losing my mind. I struggle to focus on simple tasks, even such as reading or watching TV or listening to music. I have withdrawn from social interaction with my family and others.
I developed a new kind of tinnitus in addition to the one I already have, which comes every morning and is a highly disturbing humming sound. I often feel like I am losing my mind and being tormented by the devil himself. I have been comforted by people/family telling me that I am still recovering from my breakdown in England, but do not believe that. I have crying spells, mood swings, and also feel depersonalized, unconcerned about others, nature, current events…
I am in good physical shape; however, my nervous system seems out of control. I have strange anxiety that I never had before, nervousness in my stomach and chest every day, especially in the morning. I believe I have found the answer. I looked into Lyrica side effects and withdrawal symptoms. All of the above symptoms are listed on many legitimate websites, and cautioned not to be used with antidepressants.
My Medicaid did not cover my Lyrica prescription over here in Virginia until 11/1 due to an MCO change. So I went without Lyrica for several days. I became extremely sick physically, hot and cold flashes/sweating and chills, nauseous, couldn’t sleep, has shortness of breath, continually salivated, and all the side effects I was having before from the drug but worst, especially the depression and anxiety.
I am convinced that it has been the Lyrica that has caused my illness this last year. From what I read, it often gives you euphoria at first, so that makes sense that it helped with my claustrophobic anxiety episode just before I returned to America. And then, all these other symptoms and feelings started. I need to come off this Lyrica. From what I have read, the withdrawal short and long term can be horrible. I also want to get off Valium, but if it helps me get through the Lyrica withdrawal, then one thing at a time.
It seems obvious that my body chemistry is sensitive to Lyrica and does not agree with it. Perhaps there is some medication that can help me withdraw from Lyrica, I have heard Percocet can help. I am thinking it would be prudent to be admitted to a qualified facility that can look at my overall history, vitals, body chemistry, and help me get well. I am thinking that I do indeed need to be admitted to one of the facilities you mentioned.
I’ve been on lyrica 150mg twice daily for only 6 weeks and after my face swelling up like a balloon I stopped cold turkey not knowing of the withdrawals. It’s only been 4 days and I want to die. I have 2 little ones that I can barely pick up and it’s almost unbearable to dress them. I want to cut my arms off they hurt so bad. I’m nauseous, I have the runs, and I can’t stop crying. Somebody please tell me this will all be over soon.
Hello Jess. How are you doing with your withdrawal? Cold turkey withdrawal is not advised for anybody.
I am going to be weening off lyrica with a 6wk supply from my dr. I have been taking it for 6yrs, after a surgery. It has affected me in a lot of different ways and I really don’t need it anymore. I actually have been weening myself off for a few months already. I feel so bad that all of you are having such a terrible experience coming off of it!!
My dose was 75mg twice a day. I had him prescribe me 75mg once a day about 6mos ago, when I found out that I knew more about coming off of it than my dr. did. Nice huh? Thanks to all of you who put your comments on websites like this one. My question is… why in God’s name would your drs prescribe such high doses?? That really seems unnecessary and dangerous to all of you. I feel like we are all guinea pigs sometimes.
I feel lucky that I’ve only been on 75mg. I’m still scared though. Wish me luck. Mentally I’m good-or at least I keep telling myself that.☺ My prayers are with all of you and I will have to let you know how my body handles it. Never give up! Never surrender!
I have been on a dosage of 150 mg per day for 5 years taken at bedtime. I have just recently stopped taking it for good. I thought I would share my experience with Lyrica. First of all, you will gain weight. Lyrica increases your appetite while slowing down your metabolism. Sometimes a few extra pounds are better than pain. If you take it a certain time of the day, you cannot deviate from that time since withdrawal starts with the first missed dosage.
Withdrawal symptoms for me included extreme fatigue, diarrhea, hot flashes followed by chills. It made me dizzy so I had to take it a bedtime. Okay…coming off of it. I moved to a different state and my doctor had no idea how to get off of it, she actually told me that she was going to Google it while I got dressed after an exam….scary!!!
She was wrong, BTW! My advice is to take about two weeks and slowly decrease your dosage until you are off. You are going to have side effects such as depression, digestive changes, etc. but they will definitely go away in time. This is a great drug for many issues as long as you take it correctly.
I’ve been on Lyrica for about 20 months due to a surgery to remove a spinal tumor (C1-C3). Woke up from surgery with left leg numb and pins and needles in hands and feet. The dose was 2x100mg daily but after a year I seemed to have developed a tolerance to it and increased to 2x125mg. Over the last year I seem to have developed muscle stiffness in my neck/shoulder and thighs. Also wake up in the morning with flu like symptoms. Muscle and joint paint. When I reduce the lyrica the symptoms get better.
For the second time, I am trying to get off this medication as I believe the negative does not outweigh the benefits. When I tried this a year a go I experienced muscles spasms, dizziness, blurred vision and major fatigue for two months until I decide to resume. I withdrew the medication within a period of 3 weeks. Now I am trying again but trying within a period of several months. Has anybody experienced anything similar? How can I tell the difference between withdrawal symptoms and my actual surgery issues?
I’m trying to get off Lyrica and found it best to tapper off the drug. If you don’t, the withdrawal symptoms may cause you a lot of problems and last much longer. Lyrica is not an easy drug to get off of decreasing the amount by 10-15% every 10-14 days works the best for me. The symptoms I’ve experienced are anxiety, sob, sweating, nausea, stomach pain, flu like symptoms, headaches and tension. Good luck to the rest of you trying to get off Lyrca also.
I’m currently taking 800mg of lyrica a day. I have stopped 100mg of it already for a week now. My rheumatologist put me on such a high dose after suffering from chronic pain. I have severe headaches from over medication and with regards to withdrawal symptoms I do not feel myself at all. My insides feel like they are shaking, constantly tired, crying just because I feel so sorry for myself. I have such a long way to go to be able to be rid of all the tablets as I also take others on top of lyrica. Just can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel at the moment. -Charlotte
Oh great! I told myself I wouldn’t read any comments, because I knew they be of mostly negative results, and sure enough, same old story, Lyrican is the worst drug to stop in the whole world. Not what I wanted to read, but I kind of knew already, because I too have decided it was time to stop taking, dahn dahn daaaahhh “Lyrica!” I have been taking 150mg three times a day for the past ten years for nerve damage from a back injury and surgery.
I just started tapering a few days ago, and I can feel my body fighting the deficiency of Lyrica already, sweats, hot cold, nausea, shakes, anxious, I don’t know if this is such a good idea or not. On the one hand, the light at the end of the tunnel sure is bright, but the tunnel is riddled with potholes and cracks. Maybe I should just keep taking it and die grasping my last dosage, I am already taking anti anxiety and depression cancelling meds, and for about the same duration as the Lyrica, so I’m pretty sure they aren’t working as they did when I first started taking them.
I only read five or six comments, maybe I should go read some more… That would pretty much guarantee that I won’t stop taking it. Signed: confused and without answers.
Took 100mg of Lyrica twice a day for neuropathic pain in my left side that docs can’t figure out the source of. Started 7 months ago and it did help but as others have said I wish I’d have researched it more. I didn’t realize that brain fog, forgetting words, a general loss of desire for doing things, ankle swelling, and a 20# weight gain and climbing were from the Lyrica until I started researching online.
I’m an RN so I knew I probably shouldn’t go cold turkey so I just halved my dose for a week to start. That wasn’t bad at all so this week I decided to just go ahead and stop….I’m about 5 days into it at this point…and WD symptoms are the most pronounced as evening wears on into bedtime…headache was a problem one night, for 4 nights I get this feeling of being chilled and low grade fever. For one day at work I stayed chilled.
One evening I had a doom and gloom feeling and anxiety I couldn’t shake but nothing severe. Swelling all over my body has improved, my clothes are fitting better. No effect on my appetite or sleep pattern thankfully. I’m uncomfortable in my side at times but no different than when I was on Lyrica because it didn’t eliminate the pain completely.
I just wanted to share my experiences in hopes it would help someone going through this same thing. Although my WD so far has been milder than some it has been unpleasant as it is happening especially the chills…I feel like I’m getting the flu! Good luck to all.
I want to give some long term Lyrica users hope. I took Lyrical for 10 years for fibromyalgia. My dose was 100mgs. I also took Xanax and Seroquel for sleep. When I tapered Xanax, it was really hard. The Seroquel was easier to taper than the Xanax but it was still a rough taper, especially at the end of the taper. I saved the Lyrica taper for last.
Although I had withdrawal symptoms from tapering Xanax and Seroquel, I did not experience any withdrawal symptoms from tapering Lyrica. I did a water taper. I mixed the powder from my 100mg capsule with 100 ML of warm water and kept dropping an additional 1 ML every 2-3 days, until I had no more water to taper. I had read that Lyrica withdrawal was similar to Xanax withdrawal, but this was not the case for me. Lyrica was an easy taper, Xanax wasn’t.
I tapered both medications very slowly and carefully and am happy to finally be medication-free. This goes to show that a medication withdrawal is a very individual thing. Don’t believe your experience will be the same experience as someone else. Write your own story! Good luck everyone.
Jen, would you mind expanding on the water taper? Thanks for your encouraging words!
Get off lyrica at any cost; or don’t ever take it. I was on it 1 1/2 years. I had increasing, daily panic attacks and depression. I quit cold turkey 8 months ago and am finally over the withdrawal. The first week I laid on the couch. The comments I read here got me through it. I couldn’t believe any withdrawal could possibly be this bad. I had twitches and shaky hands.
Even after most of the psychological effects were over, I had nervous system problems (shaky hands, etc.) I would suggest taking vitamins for your nervous system, b 6 and b 12, lecithin, calcium, magnesium, omega 3, taurine, and for depression–5-htp and st. johns’ wort. You can get over it, but it may be the hardest thing ever.
I was on Lyrica for 2 years at 300mg a day. I was taking it for ridiculopathy. My on Lyrica side effects were horrible blurred vision, weight gain (30lbs?) and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. I decided that my time with Lyrica needed to end and so I asked my Dr for a change in medication. Not knowing any better I stopped Lyrica cold turkey. Today is day 14 of being Lyrica free!!???
The last 14 days have been a struggle to say the least. I cannot keep a regular body temperature. I itch and scratch myself until I bleed. I am so nauseated I can barely get out of bed. The worst part of this experience is my head… I feel I am losing a battle with will… At times I’m paranoid and others I’m just exhausted from the wheels spinning in my head. I am hoping this ride ends soon because I don’t know how much longer I can ride it.
If I hadn’t been off Lyrica this long already I would use it in a heartbeat, because I know it would take away all this ugly that I’m feeling right now.
So glad to have read all these comments. My partner is currently into week 2 of withdrawals from a high daily dose. All the symptoms here match exactly. Still having chills/flushes, sweats, weakness and no appetite.
I stopped taking Lyrica 3 days ago after taking 300 mls a day because 150 mls was not working for me. I was on it for 2 weeks when I began to lose my balance, my memory and terrible bloating, I gained 3 kilos in a week. Gave up cold turkey and now I’m anxious, irritable, have constant headache and wake up during the night and can’t get back to sleep. Terrible back ache also. Doctors don’t seem to know enough about the awful symptoms otherwise they wouldn’t prescribe it so readily.
Had my first lyrica withdrawal – OMG nasty stuff… couldn’t sleep, extreme pain, hot and cold shivers, felt like I was going to die…
I am now currently going from 75 mg to 50mg, one a week, then 2 the next week, 3 the next week etc. I am determined to get off of this crap. I have insomnia, heart palpitations, dry mouth, confusion, crying fits…please someone tell me that the symptoms go away after you have come off of lyrica? Also how do you come down from 25mg, there is no lower dose, anyone got any ideas? Thanks.
Hi. I was on the highest dose of the drug. I wasn’t fully planning on quitting. I missed a day because I ran out. I then took one and then left them behind somewhere so only had half a dose that day. I took one the following day but when it came to the next dose I decided I may as well quit now as I had already started. I considered only taking one again the next day but instead didn’t take any. No problems. That night was horrendous. I couldn’t sleep. I felt sick. I got a headache. The next day I was cold etc. It felt like flu. I then came here to read about it and I am now writing this comment. Should I stick it out?
Tammy, hang in there! You’ve started the withdrawal process from the highest dose, and it sounds like you’ve basically gone cold turkey. This could get really rough. If you start having chest pains, go to the ER & tell them you are in withdrawal from Lyrica and could possibly have pericarditis. (My story is above, under Sal’s comment.)
Good luck, Tammy. I hope things aren’t as bad for you as they were for me when I quit. But I survived it and so will you. Prayer helped me. Drink lots of water; don’t let yourself get dehydrated due to the diarrhea and vomiting you may experience for days on end. Rest any & every chance you get. If you have a job, try to get a couple weeks off on medical leave, even if you have to use vacation days.Otherwise, hang tough until it passes. I don’t know any other advice. I wish I could be of more help.
I’m sorry SO many people are going through this agony – can’t someone get a class action lawsuit going? This mass poisoning of a whole population, making us sick and weak and stupid, has a sinister flavor to me. It has to stop! Since 2012, when I was diagnosed, I’ve been fighting doctors to stay OFF expensive Lyrica for my severe fibromyalgia. I REALLY regret the day I let one talk me into trying it. I’m afraid I’ll never be the same.
I was prescribed Lyrica after a prolapsed disc in my neck. I would have to say this is the worst drug ever to come off. I was taking 100mg twice a day for approx 3 months which is a low dose in the scheme of things. Well coming off this crap is a living nightmare! I’ve not slept for 3 days in a row. My skin is itchy and at night my legs are restless. I have taken lots of medication for various things over my life, but I have NEVER encountered anything like this. I will avoid this medication at all costs in future.
I was diagnosed with neuropathy at the end of 2014 and given 75mg of Lyrica by my doctor. It helped me with my pain in my feet and legs but after a few months began to taper off and my pain returned. I told this to my doctor and he told me to double up on Lyrica as I was only taking a small dosage. I increased my dosage to 150 mg day and felt a little better but also noticed swelling in my feet and ankles.
I gained 15 lbs and began having light headaches also. I told my doctor this and he told me to taper off Lyrica slowly which I did last June (2015). I immediately began to have chest pain, joint pain and hot and cold sensations all over my body. I couldn’t think straight and had terrible insomnia. I felt like I was going to die and could barely get around my house much less go to work.
At night when I tried to sleep I would get this terrible choking sensation in my upper chest and throat as if I was having a heart attack or stroke. This lasted for two months and now I am over the headaches and body aches but still am light headed with terrible chest pains. I feel at any time I am going to have a heart attack and have no strength to do anything.
If this continues I am checking myself into the hospital and hopefully they can help me with this withdrawal discomfort. If there is anyone out there who is considering using this poison I would plead with them to reconsider. This is the worst hell I have experienced with any medication I can assure you. God bless all those who are suffering from this bad drug and hang in there.
SAL! If you haven’t already, get yourself to a cardiologist and have those chest pains checked out. I went off Lyrica after about 3 months use due to the usual horrible side effects. It said on the Rx info sheet to wean off a minimum of one week. It should have said one MONTH! My w/d was as horrible as any heroin addict and the worst of it lasted 6 solid days. I thought I was dying.
Six weeks later I went to NM for the month of Feb. I have severe fibromyalgia, and I’d found NM climate agrees with me from a previous vacation there. I was enjoying more beautiful, painfree living when one day I decided to do some volunteer work which involved repetitive motion of my upper body, cleaning & mopping (stuff I don’t do a lot of at home…).
Now my fibro seems to follow weather patterns or barometric pressures or something. That’s why living in Tornado Alley is nearly unbearable for me. So I’d overworked all my muscles in my body, not realizing that a HUGE weather front was bearing down on Albuquerque. Suddenly, two days later, I was slammed with fibro. I went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. I couldn’t breathe in a prone position at all, and I had horrible pain in my heart area. They couldn’t find anything wrong with me. Told me to see my MD when I got home.
Exactly 2 weeks later, after returning home, I was in our ER, A-fibbing all over the place. They ordered a helicopter to take me to the city for hospitalization. I almost died that night. They had me on IV antibiotics for a week, while they ran tests for every infectious disease they could think of. They ran out of poke spots on my arms, so they put in a PICT Line, and drained 50 vials of blood out of me in one day, before I finally got to go home. Cause of the pericarditis: Unknown.
Well, I see a link between the intolerable side effects and horrendous withdrawal from Lyrica and my bout of pericarditis. There’s not another thing to explain it. It was the Perfect Storm: use of a drug (Lyrica) I couldn’t tolerate, withdrawal hell, vacation in a different altitude/climate, overwork of upper body muscles, and a monster weather front that dumped 2 feet of snow on us. I’ve never had a fibro attack that severe. It was like every muscle and every nerve in my chest was stretched so tight I couldn’t breathe.
It was 2 months after I was discharged from the hospital before I started feeling any improvement at all. The pain gradually left my chest, but to this day, I can barely walk 200 feet without my legs and back going into painful fatigue/spasms. I feel like I’ll never be the same because of this poison that so many people have had so many adverse reactions to. It should be taken off the market, and we victims should be compensated for our pain and our unknown futures. BAD DRUG indeed.
The FDA has had 37 reports of Lyrica causing pericarditis, but agrees that the number of cases is likely under-reported. Well, sure. People probably don’t put the two together, if the pericarditis occurs several months after discontinuing Lyrica. In fact, there don’t seem to be very many doctors who know much of anything about fibromyalgia or even care, in my experience. SAL Your time-line sounds like mine. You’ve been off Lyrica a couple months and are having chest pains. Go see a heart specialist, please!
Well here I am reading and, too, withdrawing! This is pure insanity to think that a drug like this is so highly advertised on TV TO HELP FIBROMYALGIA! I was on 50 mg twice a day for one month then 75 twice a day for one month. Nov and dec 2015. At first it brought some relief, but then the horrible side effects.
Throbbing in my knees thighs hands face and feet! I started research. Decided to quit cild turkey. Just like you all, extreme withdrawals… nausea, body aches, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness…now with about a month off, severe stomach pain, acid reflux, and CHEST PAINS LIKE I HAVE NEVER HAD! Son took me to the ER on Superbowl Sunday! Thought for sure I was having a heart attack! Nope. Unspecified chest pain.
2 days later back to doctor… In agonizing pain in my left chest and back! Radiating to my limbs. Hot flashes, chills, back and forth! Again, not my heart. Anxiety. Today my intestinal tract is so screwed up I swear I am having a pancreatic attack! Drinking just water and antacid for GERD! Scared and miserable. Stomach killing me.
When will this end. I pray every day for my healing! I will pray for all of you. Something has to be done for our suffering. Doctors don’t want to accept these facts! God bless and I pray for your returns to previous states!
My doctor prescribed me lyrica for consistant unexplained pain back in 2011. I started small and gradually increased my dose to 100mg in morning and 75 mg late afternoon. At first it felt like a dream come true it worked so well. I felt I had my life back but that was short lived. Slowly the pain crept up on me again and my doctor said I could up the dose.
I had also gained 25lbs since starting and have always been tall and lean my whole life (41 yrs old). Other side effects also came into play such as brain fog, forgetting words, names etc. I felt numb all the time and mostly only negative emotions. People closest to me said I was no longer nice to be around and noticed other negative changes in my personality.
So with all these things considered, I did not up my dose but stayed on the same dose ever since even though is was not doing much for me anymore. 4 months ago I started to wean myself off very slowly and carefully after reading about all the negative side effects of this drug. Had a hard time believing it could be that bad. Weaning off was the easy part. I got down to one 25mg pill once a day and forgot to take it a couple weeks ago just once so decided next day not to take it.
The next day I started to feel nausea. Same thing the next day and so on. The nausea has been terrible and seems to get worse everyday! Nausea, hot flashes, pins and needles and of course all my pain is back but I expected that. This drug can help you with pain but it is just a hamster wheel. Eventually the pain will return and you will need more and more until you max out.
I will continue to suffer through this horrible nausea but will never get back on this drug or anything similar. Not worth it to me to go through this again.
The pain clinic put me on pregablin for stomach pain and they wanted me to get to 600mg a day. I got to 300mg and I tell you what they can stick these drugs where the sun doesn’t shine. I’ve managed to get myself down to 25mg a day which has been bloomin terrible. Today I have spent most the morning in bed feeling tired, sick and nervous. I am dreading coming off this last 25mg.
I have been doing this against the drs advice because they don’t think that they are causing the problems I’m having but they are, I never felt this nervous before starting pregablin. They are the worst tablets I have ever been on and if I ever heard anyone saying the Dr has recommended they go on it I will tell them the awful experience I have had. Anyone have any ideas on how to come off the 25mg? I’m continuing to take it for a week everyday before I begin to reduce again.
Hello from a fellow sufferer of this awful toxic drug. I have read that you can mix the powder from the 25mg capsule in distilled water and drink half one day and finish on the second day. Don’t take my word for it, contact your doctor if possible or ask a pharmacy for advice. A compounding pharmacy will be able to provide smaller capsules than 25mg also. How long has it taken you to reduce from 600 to 25?
Not had this for 4 days when I’m on 300mg twice a day and have been on since 2013. This was worst than my experience of withdrawal from tramadol, seriously!! Doctors repeat prescriptions were the errors. This is verging on a massively negative effect on my human rights; if anybody knows how this feels please tell me I’m just exaggerating,
No you’re NOT. I stopped lyrica cold turkey nearly 1 year ago. At first was I was in hell experiencing all of the side effects that I’ve been seeing on here from others. I’m still suffering with what the effects of this drug have caused. I was given it for my EM to help with burning and pain didn’t help one bit.
In fact, it has made the EM double worse regarding burning pain but also it has made the bright red coloration of the skin on my feet and legs more intense. Lyrica has been like the kiss of death to me. I would say it’s just same as the drug heroin because it’s just as addictive and makes you feel awful in as many evil ways.
I haven’t got back to myself as I was before the drug and I feel I never will now. I’m stuck like this. Should never have taken this poison to start with as it made the original problem worse than it had been before Lyrica. NOT HAPPY.
Have been on lyrica since 2008 for GAD, it worked like a dream for me, less anxiety and panic and could resume with my life. The last few years I have reduced on my own from 200mg to 100mg. This last year has not been so good, I have felt the depression creeping back and anxiety and just want off of them. I am constantly tired, my body feels like lead and finding the right words and sentences are like hell, I just cannot articulate anything so just want to come off them and get them out of my system…reading this wondering if the withdrawal is worse and I am scared. I am coming down 25mg a month so far just had bad sleep, heart beating out of my chest, sweats and exhaustion. Carrying on with withdrawal but scared of the last pill…and what is to come after that!!!
I had been taking Gabapentin (generic Lyrica) for about a month. I was not feeling better so my doctor prescribed the brand name product Lyrica. I thought the generic drug was equal to Lyrica. I thought that there would be no withdrawal symptoms. I WAS WRONG! Remember, I was only taking Gabapentin for a month. I had immediate withdrawal symptoms like these shock-like restless leg movements. These are so strong that I have actually dropped things. It makes sleep impossible.
But the worst is the NAUSEA! I cannot describe the details of this effect in uncensored messages–suffice it to say, these are very debilitating. Last but not least, my vision has deteriorated so badly that I cannot drive safely. My physician never told me any any of this. Perhaps, she thought I had not been on Gapabentin long enough for withdrawal. Her final recommendation was to take 1/2 of the generic and 1/2 of the name brand–that made it much worse.
Presently, I am deep into withdrawal and feeling very depressed. I don’t know how anyone could feel happy with these symptoms. Mostly, I would not recommend either drug. If I were asked about its ability to improve pain, I haven’t found that to be true either. Maybe it is possible to take withdrawal insomnia drugs, anxiety drugs, and something to relieves Restless Drug Syndrome and deteriorated vision. Sounds like overkill but right now I would try it. Mostly, STAY AWAY FROM THESES DRUGS.
Hey everyone. I’m glad I found this site. I’ve been having the same issues with Lyrica withdrawal. I know it’s the Lyrica because it has happened twice now. Once when I was on a 100mg once a day for 5 years and now when I was on 50mg once a day for less than a month. Terrible headaches, muscle spasms, crying all the time, etc. I am going to report my experience to the FDA. Patients can file reports just like doctors can and the FDA encourages it. Here is the link if anyone else is interested. It’s called the adverse event reporting system.
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Surveillance/AdverseDrugEffects/
Thank you for posting that link, Beth. I will be going to it. My husband has been taking 75 mg twice a day for 28 days for neuropathy. Getting ahold of his doctor is a nightmare – he’s not in or they put you on hold and never come back. Anyway, he ran out of lyrica and by the 2nd day he was so sick, depressed, felt foggy and just out of it.
I found a lyrica pill under the bed while vacuuming that had been dropped, he took it (thinking he was feeling this way due to the neuropathy) and within an hour felt like himself again. That’s when I realized it was withdrawals. I finally got a hold of the Dr’s office today and he wasn’t in but his RN said, “I’ve never heard of Lyrica withdrawals, maybe he’s coming down with something”.
So I have been reading for over an hour now, while on hold with the doctor’s office, and THERE ARE LYRICA WITHDRAWALS! I am so mad right now. How could they prescribe this and not know there are withdrawals? Doctors don’t want to prescribe the traditional pain meds because “they are addicting”.
While typing this the nurse finally got on the phone and said, “come on in and pick up the script”. 8 hours after our initial conversation that he is experiencing withdrawals. No mention on what to do with tapering off, seeing the Doctor, nothing! I will wean him off on my own.
My next steps: I am finding another doctor and reporting the withdrawal effects on the website you provided. This drug is dangerous. A big thanks to all who took the time to post and share.
Hello to everyone posting or reading this forum. I have been on pregabalin for two years, before this drug I took gabapentin. To switch from gabapentin to pregabalin I went cold turkey off the gabapentin and started on a low dose of pregabalin a few days after. Gabapentin make me drowsy and I couldn’t find my words when speaking, although it did give me some relief from the painful disc bulges I have in my neck. It was at first a relief to be on pregabalin, it worked well for pain and I could at last speak properly again…but this wasn’t to last.
I was taking pregabalin, naproxen, and omeprazole to line my tummy, and also paracetamol and tramadol when the other two weren’t giving me enough relief from the pain. All these drugs were affecting my memory, speech, and daily life in terms of interacting with people and being independant. So, I decided to go cold turkey off the lot! Oh the pain came back in bucket loads, I got short tempered, got the mad itches, restless legs and all sorts of other niggling things like feeling very detached from everything.
But, this was weeks ago now, the pain isn’t as bad as it was before I started taking all these drugs, I feel more myself, and I feel a hell of a lot more positive about life. It is’t easy going cold turkey, so won’t recommend it. But I do recommend people try to get drug free for a while to see if their condition has improved, or you can get help in other ways. I now do yoga every morning, it helps enormously, also walking somewhere beautiful, being at one with nature… No I’m not a hippy (haha) but I do love life, even though it isn’t always easy when in pain.
I can only advise through my own personal experience, after a few weeks it gets better/easier. Obviously it depends on your own personal condition or reason for pain, but the withdrawals do subside and then you might wonder if the drug was doing that much for you. I do believe there is a certain amount of placebo affect with these drugs and the addiction is more mental than it is physical. So for me I am glad to be drug free at the moment…touching wood.
I feel so much empathy for those suffering with pain and then the added complications of the drugs we become to rely on, it is always worth a try and get off them for a while, to at least know how we really feel. Please try yoga, relaxation, massage and physical therapy and everything else before deciding to take these drugs. Doctors give drugs out like sweets at times, we can often feel like there is nothing else. Talking to others in the same boat, being positive and trying to laugh till you wee as often as possible helps more than the pills most of the time.
I know it is all easier said than done but we are all masters of our own destiny to a certain extent, time we take control and look after all the bits of ourselves that still work properly, as well as those bits going haywire. My neck is definitely haywire, but I won’t let the thing holding my head on make me lose my head. God bless you all, and I really hope you can get free from these drugs and find an alternative therapy that works for you.
Hi there, Are you still off Lyrica? This post was a while ago and I would LOVE to know how you are now or if the worst of it passed when you had written this?
Awful, awful, awful. And that’s only the withdrawal symptoms after being on a low dose this drug for just a few weeks. It should be taken off the market immediately.
I am also struggling with lyrics withdrawal that seems so cruel. I keep thinking I am over it, then something else happens. I was on the 225-300mg for a year due to neuropathic pain. It worked fantastically well after about 3 days on the meds but the longer I was on it, the more I realized I couldn’t experience enjoyment and was in a world of my own. I’ve gradually reduced it and my GP thought I was going crazy when he saw me during this phase.
To be honest, initially I did not suspect it was the lyrica… But I felt like I was on another planet!! I have been seeing a fantastically supportive psychotherapist to help. Initially, anxiety was diagnosed but soon a pattern emerged. Every time I reduced the dose anger, anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, feeling high, depression, fatigue and nausea / headaches. Once used to the dose, it settled but then reappeared with starting the reduction again. I’ve been unable to work during this time as I’ve felt all over the place physically and mentally.
I’ve been off the drug for 3 weeks now but how now developed gluten, lactose and egg intolerance. If I consume any of these, I end up with severe headaches and stomach problems which I suspect are due to my GI system becoming more sensitive without the drug. Does anyone know how long the symptoms persist after stopping the drug? It’s driving me mad or being able to be ‘normal.’ Prior to this I was active and completely healthy.
I am a health care professional and am surprised how poor the education has been for me re the withdrawal. I had absolutely no problems going on the drug and thought it was a miracle worker!