My 18 year old daughter has been on 150mg of Lyrica 3x a day for 2 months for nerve pain in her foot after a stingray injury and 2 surgeries. Her nerve pain is gone and the side effects of Lyrica are really effecting her. How important is it to wean off the Lyrica very slowly? Are there withdrawal symptoms that people experience?
How important is it to wean off Lyrica slowly?
- Asked
- 16 Sep 2012 by mom2jjc
- Updated
- 7 January 2019 (11 days ago)
- Topics
- lyrica, pain, neuralgia, side effect, nerves
Details:
Responses (18)
balbanese
16 Sep 2012
It's more important that than the original care she received. Contact the prescribing physician and advise of the situation, follow the instructions for decreasing to the letter. The more time and the more gradual the better. The sides she is experiencing now are pure joy compared to what the consequences and WD from stopping to fast/on your own can be. Just my 2-cents, hope it helps.
LaurieShay
16 Sep 2012
Yes, she could experience some mild withdrawal if she doesn't take a week to 10 days to taper off the Lyrica. Symptoms of withdrawal from Lyrica may include agitation, mood swings and possible diarrhea. There is no need to go through a long taper process, but reducing her daily dosage by 150mgs every 3 -4 days should be sufficient to avoid withdrawals.
mom2jjc
17 Sep 2012
thank you for taking the time to write back!
Brendawalsh
22 Jul 2017
I am on pregabalin for fybromyalgia, 75mg x2a day, they are helping some of my painful areas but not all, Ifeel Drs do not understand, and fob me off by puting every thing down to my fybromyalgia, I have long suffered this problem according to Drs I have managed to keep of medication as I don't like putting chemicles into my body, then in Jan of this year I had fluoroscopy for my rotary cuff tear 3 or4 days latter I was in a wheel chair unable to walk, my hands seized up I was in chronic pain the Drs said it was my fybromyalgia but I don't think they can put every thing down to fybromyalgia, am I wrong or has anyone else had similar experience, oh by the way I am coming of the pregabalin, it's like putting a band aid around problems .
HeadStarter
17 Sep 2012
Hi mom2jjc - I hope you are well and that you are enjoying your experience here at DC. Your post caught my attention so I wanted to chime in here as well.
If your daughter has the 75mg capsules and did the typical tapering "up" to get at her clinical dose... she would do the reverse in tapering "off". So she would reduce something like this:
Every 2 days reduce her dose by ONE, 75mg capsule until she is off.
If she has 150mg capsules I would suggest she take it like this:
Every 2 days reduce her dose by ONE, 150mg capsule until she is off. Sometimes they recommend a slightly slower taper, too. If she wants to do that then "EVERY 3 DAYS... REDUCE INGESTION BY ONE, 150MG CAPSULE...
If she has any withdrawal symptoms... she can ask her doctor for a mild or low dose of diazepam or clonazepam. Neither of these meds has a propensity toward withdrawal symptoms when taken for less than 3 weeks.
Good luck and I hope your daughter recovers soon and back to her same self quickly.
Mary
mom2jjc
24 Sep 2012
Thank you for your help!
HeadStarter
24 Sep 2012
My pleasure and I hope your daughter doesn't have to go through that again!
: (
Mary
carlee1212
19 Sep 2012
I actually take Lyrica 150mg twice a day. Any time I would skip a dose on accident, I would get really bad headaches. Thats the only thing I could really pin point.
linz0507
28 Jan 2015
I get the same thing with the lyrica... do u ever have problems with blood pressure along with the headaches?
Puraminerals7
16 Feb 2017
I have migraines and blood pressure went from 97/60 to 138/94 was really low. I ended up in the er last weekend and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. Had swelling all over my body so bad in legs and feet I couldn't walk, tremors, confusion, no sleep for 3 days but exhausted all the time, gained 20 lbs in 5 weeks 15 in last two weeks, vision issues, echoing inside my head, hot flashes, burning and tingling in limbs. And the er just let me leave and drive home didn't even think to check into the increase I had in my lyricia a week prior to feeling this badly. I think it's the lyricia I'm trying to taper back down to my original dose of 50 mg twice a day suppose to be three times a day. I increased to 225 a day and need to get off it I think. I feel horrible. Like I'm gonna die if this is the medication and I have been having a reaction the hole time I have been on it. WOW. Any feedback is welcome.
Rickkyb
30 Apr 2017
They say don't use the Internet for medical advice so - I have been on 225mg Lyria morning and night for 2 years.
I said to my specialist that I did not think they were helping with the pain but were making me thick headed and could I stop them - his comment was just stop.
So I have and no side effects at all!
wexy1968
27 Nov 2017
So you just stopped? I am on 75mg and i don’t feel it’s helping at all. Gaining weight and BP way too high.
Marymi
5 Dec 2017
@rickyb
Ta for your very interesting comments. I am over 65 and dont know if i should wean off like u as I would love to. Im on 75 mg Lyrica twice a day and its definitely having an effect on my memory. What age bracket are you?
Gogee
8 May 2017
I am on 150 bid. My family said I am becoming a different person. Mean, aggravated and short tempered. I would rather be in pain. My grands are starting to avoid me.
I cut my dosage in half today. Then next Sunday only 1 am dose.
I'm done!!
Marymi
5 Dec 2017
Hi @Gogee
How are you now? Good luck.
Davidrp
21 Jan 2018
i am on 150 twice daily what is the safe amount i can reduce this by
ERRN20
27 May 2017
I was on Lyrica 75 mg once per day for 2 years after 2 15-hour spine surgeries with hardware. I started getting ankle swelling, twitches, fatigue, diarrhea, increased hunger, weight gain, forgetfulness. I weaned off by taking 75mg every other day for two weeks then 75 mg every three days for three weeks, then off. Yes, I have increased pain, but the nasty side effects are gone. I didn't realize what was causing the side effects until I stopped. I feel much better.
Kenr64
23 Aug 2017
My wife was hospitalized after complications from a stomach sleeve operation. She had been on 100 mg Lyrica twice a day. One of the genius doctors took her off Lyrica completely and she began having massive seizures. Back up to ICU for four days to get her stabilized.
Andria1968
17 Oct 2017
Hi I'm on lycra gabapentin
And I have fibromyalgia and since being on this drug I have had diarea quite badly so want also to come off I think a slow withdrawal is best I'm on one a day anyone else have this. Thanks Angie.
gigione
14 Dec 2017
I was taking 600 mg per day. Have been for years now. Getting off it as the side affects are just as bad as the cure. I gained 30 pounds, it affected my eyesight, my hearing, my memory. I'm always tired, depressed. I get rapid heart palpitations. I get hotflashes and on and on. I'm getting off it very slowly as the side affect are just as bad. I go down 25 mg every few WEEKS and they are not too bad. It might take longer but you won't feel so sick. It's been about a year now and I'm down to 100 mg per day. Don't be in a hurry(not worth it). Don't bother asking your doctor about it as they don't really believe that you get all these side affects when your on it or when your trying to stop taking it. I told my doctor what I was doing. If people are reading these sites to decide if they should try lyrica, DON'T DO IT!!! You will regret it! It comes a point that it stops working anyway. Good luck everyone!
Allusernamestaken
3 Sep 2018
I cannot believe that your doctor's have you on that high of a dose. I'm only taking 75mg every other day. And I feel awful. This medication changed me. I don't know who I am anymore. I work for a County Attorney's Office and I can barely get through the day. I couldn't imagine taking 600 mg a day. I pray you make it off this horrible drug. God Bless
Lerxst2112
7 Oct 2018
I too are on 600mg per day. I have been mean, short tempered and aggressive for the longest time and couldn't figure out why. In the past 6 months I've been involved in 4 road rage incidents and if it wasn't for the interference from an off duty police officer, I would have put the assistant coach of my sons baseball team in the hospital. My wife told me on Friday that she doesn't recognize me anymore. That scared the bejezus out of me. Decided to look in to the side effects of this horrible pill. Described my symptoms to a tee. As of yesterday, I cut my dosing down by 150mg per dose (cut daily intake by half). I hope getting off this garbage will return me to my "normal" self.
KellyWest
14 Dec 2017
I found out through my own experience that it is very important to wean off Lyrica slowly. There are side effects and withdrawal symptoms, legs aching, nauseous, my stomach hurt, I felt so lethargic, typical withdrawal symptoms like you would experience weaning off of a pain medication. I hope this helps, I know the side effects of Lyrica can be a little heavy at first but I have gotten used to my dose and it doesn't make me dizzy anymore. But it's wonderful that her pain is gone, and it definitely makes sense to stop the Lyrica, but don't do it suddenly. Just take her down slowly, do you have enough medication to wean her off? Will her doctor help you with that?
Pawlove7
8 Feb 2018
I am so thankful I came to this site and found this conversation! I realize some of the answers are old and I pray that everyone with such extreme problems has found relief! I'm a retired nurse but I am woefully bad at research when it comes to my own health issues. I trusted a pain clinic for 15+ years. I was on such a high does of a narcotic that only one Dr in the clinic would prescribe my meds each month. I have detoxed off everything and am now wanting to get off the Lyrica that was added years ago. What some of you mention- the fluctuation of blood pressure, headaches, ER visit for a sudden increase in heart rate to 130 for hours ... Lyrics being the cause never occurred to me. At my highest I was on 50 mg 4 times a day. I didn't stay there long b/c it wasn't helping and the expense of the drug is huge. I was going to wean off the narcotics and the Lyrica at the same time but knew that was not smart.
cindy-59
25 Mar 2018
Hi Pawlove. I’m disappointed that I didn’t get a notification that you were making more comments on this thread. I’m glad to hear that you’re migraines are gone and that you’ve tapered down more. I hope that you’re doing it slowly. We have a saying that goes ‘Slow wins the race’. It is very important for you to stick to at least 10% every 2 weeks. If you feel like your body can take more then that’s fine. The closer you get to the end you will probably have to go slower. I’ve been having a hard time also! These types of drugs can do a lot of damage. I can’t tell you how long it will take you to feel normal again because everyone is different. I will tell you that it can be done and you can do it! Hang in there and take care. If you need to talk or just to rant I’m here. I will do whatever I can to help you get through this. You are not alone. xo
Pawlove7
4 Mar 2018
I have to add to a post I put a few weeks ago about weaning off Lyrica. I had just started the decrease from 50 mg 3 x's a day for over a decade. I had my Dr write for a month of 25 mg capsules so I could really take it slow. The nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, stomach pain, burning skin and vision issues have been terrible. I have been at 25 mg 1 x/day for 12 days. The diarrhea has stopped but I am still nauseated and hardly able to eat. My stomach feels like I have a fire in it and after eating some pizza 2 days ago I could trace my intestines because of the feeling of fire in them as well. I am taking pepcid 2x's a day plus usually pepto bismol 2-3 x's a day. I have tried everything for nausea and the phenergan seems to help over other Rx's and hemp oil. I have also tried OTC med for motion sickness.
cindy-59
4 Mar 2018
It is very important to taper off Lyrica slowly! You should start out tapering at no more than 10% and you should hold there for about 2 weeks. Then you can continue doing that and go by how your body feels as to whether you should taper lower than 10% and/or longer than 2 weeks. When you get closer to the end many people have to taper at a lower rate. I hope everyone is doing well. Take care xo
Cindy59
Pawlove7
6 Mar 2018
Thanks Cindy and everyone else who has added to this discussion. Every time I think I am feeling a tad better the nausea and dizziness come back. I was better yesterday, yuck today and have been at 25 mg 1 x day for 14 days now. Since 25 mg is the lowest dose capsule (right?) does anyone know if the capsules emptied into a measured amount of warm water and mixed well and a divided dose used- does it do anything to the medication itself? The capsules themselves melt quickly in warm water and when I went to 50 mg a day I tried taking it that way in 1/2 doses AM and PM before my Dr wrote for the 25 mg caps. I have left over 50 mg capsules that I will use up when I go below 25 mg a day, or even to continue at that dose if it is OK to melt the capsules. Thanks again!
Pawlove7
24 Mar 2018
Hi again to everyone who has been helpful. I cannot believe what Lyrica has done to my body. I stayed at 25 mg/day for a full month. I had been on 50 mg 3x's day for over a decade and after detoxing off 15 years of narcotics from a pain clinic, after several months I started having really weird symptoms and finally realized it was the Lyrica. I went from 150/day to 50 mg/day fairly fast and then to 25 mg/day and had 3 weeks of horrible detox.
I saw where someone recommended cutting 10 % per week and since I have no reason to hurry I thought that would work. I opened a 25 mg capsule poured out the powder and then removed 10%. I took 90% of the powder. The next morning I woke with diarrhea. No nausea but could tell it was from the Lyrica. I had an appointment with my internal med dr about another issue and could see his disbelief when I told him about the original detox off the Lyrica and why.
Hanna69
7 May 2018
Hi all
I've been on Lyrica since January this year @ 150 split dose day and night for nerve pain and fibromyalgia.
I have been tapering off for the last month ... now on 50mg for the past few days and I feel like absolute crap!!!
Can't move, can't go to gym to help manage the depression and now I'm facing quitting cigarettes today. I suffer depression and have been on Zoloft 150mg for 10 yrs.
I took a single dose of doxcilamine succinct to help me sleep last night and now I feel like a zombie.
Had my first migraine in 3 yrs ( used to suffer all the time)
Australia has banned otc codeine so I'm limited to 20 panadeine forte on script per 3 weeks.
My kidneys hurt and I feel like my withdrawals are already kicking in even though I haven't even stopped Lyrica completely.
cindy-59
7 May 2018
Hi Hanna69. You are still in the window for going back up a bit on Lyrica. If I was you that’s what I would do. It will slow down the symptoms of withdrawals and you will be able to begin to taper off slowly when you feel like your body is ready to. Hi everyone. I have tried to mention that when you taper down and remove 10% that you do it by water titration. This way it will not bother your stomach. I learned this on a group on Facebook called Lyrica Survivors. They helped me so much with information. Between this group ‘Drugs.com’ and the other group I thankfully am completely off Lyrica! It can be done. You really have to pay attention to what your body is telling you; because we are all different so what might work for one may or may not work for you. I wish everyone the best and please take care
Hanna69
7 May 2018
Hi Candy-59
Thank you for your feedback
I'm not sure I'd want to taper up again as my adverse mental side effects and blurred vision are the main reason for wanting to stop taking Lyrica. And the muscle fatigue is overbearing most of the time.
I'm glad I found this site because I thought I haven't felt like myself for months and the information and similar experiences have been informative.
Although I'm satisfied with my GP overall, I'm very disappointed in how little information I was provided on commencement of this prescription.
Interestingly... whenever I mentioned I was on Lyrica I was met with concerned responses.
As for the comment by a member that we shouldn't seek advice online...
I would have not found out about the REAL symptoms and withdrawal from Lyrica.
Thank you
Further Information
- Lyrica Information for Consumers
- Lyrica Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Lyrica (detailed)
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Thank you for taking the time to write me back!
I am on 30 my 1 x d and ran out for 5 days and was miserable for those 5 days. You have to go slowly when reducing . very important!