... give any advice on how to minimize the symptoms. I have been taking 300X2 daily for anxiety for 9 months. I also take 225mg of Effexor for depression but wont be coming off this just yet. I tried coming off Effexor last year after taking it for 8 years but withdrawals were so severe I ended up in mental hospital for 10 weeks. Cant afford to have a nasty withdrawal from the Lyrica as I'm still recovering from the trauma of last year.
Thanks for your help
29 Jan 2012
Hi there Graham74, I am sure no expert, but am surprised they are using Lyrica for anxiety, I guess it has a lot more uses than I knew about. I use it for chrontic pain. At one point I was on 225mg once a day, & it made me so sleepy, I had to cut back on it. At first I cut down 1 pill a week to not have the side effects. The slower the better with any of these meds. At the dose you are taking it will take quite a time. Maybe you should check with your doctor about this first. I know there is a risk of seizures if you stop it too fast so be very careful. one pill every 5 to 7 days would be my suggestion, tho. When I first stopped it I didn't sleep for a solid week, & had to go back on at least 75mg a day. I wish you all the best... Mary632009
3 Apr 2012
To anyone or everyone getting off effexor: I am from Canada and are laws concerning prescriptions drugs differ from yours. This is how we do it in Canada. I was taking 150mg effexor XR now I am tapering off it slowly. First you should taper off 37.5mg at a time. Example 150mg to 112.5mg to 75mg to 37.5mg for a period of one month each. I went from 150mg to 112.5mg Saturday and have all the mentioned symptoms. Everytime you taper off 37.5mg at a time "YOU WILL HAVE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS" for at least a week to two depending on the person. This is my second time getting off this poision (to relieve and help menopausal symptoms) Why oh why did I agree to start taking it again (a year and a half this time) when I remember clearly the withdrawals from 5 years ago. Please be careful tapering off this drug it can lead to siezures, death,volience, and suicide. Hope this was helpful. If anyone else is tapering off let's talk. Hope this was helpful. Best wishes to all. Cynthia
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Mary632009
Hi Mary,
Thanks for your answer. I will definitely take it slow on the reductions/tapering as I cant afford to have insomnia at the moment. I'm still recovering from an episode of depression so need to ensure the withdrawals are minimal.
Graham.
I wish you well & you are so welcome... Mary
Hey, I just wanted to add my experience with Lyrica. I take 150mg 3Xday. I ran out while on vacation and had the worse withdrawal ever. I was so sick, felt like the flu. I also had bad insomnia, worsening pain, vomiting, etc. So please talk to you Dr. about how to taper off. I make sure I never run out now because that was the worst experience of my life.
Oh goody! Just what I wanted to hear! I have to stop mine all together because my blood pressure which is normally very low was 180/100 yesterday & higher today. They will not give me furosimide (a diurectic) while on Lyrica. I just have tons of pain today from my fibromyalgia & arthritis tho. Thanks... Mary
Hi Mary, withdrawals don't hit everyone the same. If you have to come off, taper, taper, taper. Then know that withdrawals(if it happens as it may not), they don't last. If strange thoughts arise, remember that they are not you. I hope you have some close family and/or friend to support you. You will be ok. I'm here too, to help if you need.
Love and god bless,
Graham.
I do, but bless your heart. Just got to figure out why I got struck down with scuh high blood pressure out of the blue! Thank you... Mary