... prescribe it, HELP
Pregabalin - My wife suffers crippling anxiety and tried Lyrica which was amazing but GP won't...
Question posted by nellydixon on 7 Sep 2017
Last updated on 7 February 2025
Added 7 Sep 2017:
We were given some samples of Lyrica to help to get my wife out of the house as she is prescribed them for pain. My wife's anxiety totally disappeared like a miracle cure. We naturally went to the GP to get her a script for this wonder drug. They have refused point blank saying it isn't for anxiety.yet all we have read says it is for treating anxiety. We have about a weeks worth left then she will be back to suffering anxiety again. Her life is a living hell when she has the anxiety and most of the time she just wants to die. This cant be right and no way to live yet GP still refuses. Is there any way we can get her a script for Lyrica as i really fear for her once the pills she has left are all gone. Any help will be very gratefully accepted
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13 Answers
Kayizzard120
1 Sep 2023
I had same. Made me less anxious and more social but that effect eventually wears off and doesn’t work too good anymore. I would run from this drug. It took me one year to withdraw and lose the 20 pounds it packed on. I don’t think this drug has been fully understood. Good luck but know that it is addictive even though doctors say it isn’t.
Pringlechips
1 Sep 2023
I tried lyrica and felt
KatrinaCeleste
6 Dec 2021
A mental health professional may be able to prescribe that medication, since it is used for anxiety.
DavidMark
21 Feb 2021
I never heard of it before. My psychiatrist has just prescribed it for anxiety. Now I am scared to take it
Deb1055
3 Feb 2021
I do hope you can get the help she needs. I have diabetic neuropathy and was prescribed Lyrica for that condition which is very painful. When I started taking it I did notice some pain relief but the other thing I noticed was I felt much calmer and slept better. My family doctor prescribed it for me so I guess it depends on the doctor. Best of luck!
InvitedGuest
18 Aug 2020
Lyrica is in a class of meds called anticonvulsants. Generic is called pregabalin. Also used for Fibromyalgia and nerve pain. In no way is this medication used to control anxiety. Anxiety can be a side effect o f this medicine.
WildcatVet
3 Feb 2021
Pregabalin is very commonly prescribed for anxiety and is considered effective for many people. Google "pregabalin for anxiety".
Rosebookay
7 Feb 2025
That’s not true. It is prescribed off-label for anxiety and in Europe that is one of its certified conditions for its use:
FrustratedTears
30 April 2020
I have suffered from anxiety, obsessive thoughts, delusional thinking for a long long time. I’ve tried almost every SSRI with little to no help using my GP. Since she exhausted all possibilities she told me to see a therapist for med management. Therapist prescribed 100-300mg Gabapentin. Within first 3wks side effects..swelling, itchy, red skin..stopped taking it. I researched and read Lyrica was being compared to Gaba as being similar. They’re in the same drug class. I had a visit today w doc, asked abt being out on Lyrica, I was hopeful bc of all positive reviews of it helping wIt’s anxiety. I was immediately told no, that lyrica does not treat anxiety and doesn’t say that it does either. I was confused. ALL the reviews for lyrica were mostly on GAD and positive! How can Gaba and lyrica be in same drug class but it not make sense to her that both could be used for off market anxiety.
Tip of the iceberg was when they wanted to replace Gabapentin with THORAZINE instead of this Lyrica. I find basically 0 reviews on Thorazine being helpful for anxiety.
I’m so exhausted from doing this dance
FrustratedTears
30 April 2020
Sometimes I think I’ll just deal with it. Go through life existing and it is what it is.
masso
30 April 2020
I will not comment on your Dr., just get a second opinion.
I am 51 y/o, have suffered from anxiety and other conditions for over 30 years, have been on benzodiazepines for long term.
Some time ago I researched Lyrica (pregabalin) for anxiety, and found that off label use pregabalin is prescribed to treat anxiety, sad (social anxiety disorder), bipolar disorder and insomnia.
I discussed the possibility of taking it with my Psychiatrist and he said yes. We had a conversation about Lyrica off label uses and he confirmed everything I have wrote before, I have been with this Dr. for over 15 years.
I know Lyrica (pregabalin) is approved by the FDA in order to be prescribed to treat pain from Fibromyalgia and other ailments.
Lyrica, has not only helped me with my anxiety, but with my bipolar disorder and insomnia, I am aware everyone reacts differently to medications, but for me Lyrica has been fantastic.
Justwonderin2
17 March 2018
After reading Nellydixon’s post I’m Left wondering how his wife is doing. I’m new to this medication and started out with a small dose at 50 MG at bedtime for three days and then three times a day as tolerated for spinal nerve related issues.
I’m starting to feel changes neurologically so I’m optimistic. I’ve had these issues since 1999.
Hope she got the help she needed.
cindy-59
24 April 2018
Hi Justwondering2. I was on Lyrica for 7-8 years for chronic pain. It did help at first; but then it stopped working. I wasn’t depressed and didn’t have anxiety when I started taking it. I started getting side effects from Lyrica right away; but thought it was my sickness getting worse. I started getting dizzy, confused, forgetful and depressed. I was so unsteady on my feet that I was falling all the time. Once I fell down the stairs and another time I fell and broke my leg. I had no energy and I began to not care about anything or anybody. My hair started falling out and I was getting sores on my scalp from sweating profusely. I started to have pain in my joints and found it hard to move. I was retaining water and was bloated so much that I looked like I was 7 months pregnant. I gained over 80 pounds and went from a size 5 to a size 13. I was miserable and didn’t leave the house. I’ve slowly tapered off Lyrica now and I’m starting to get my life back.
I’ve lost the water weight and I no longer look like I’m pregnant. I’m still too anxious and depressed to leave the house; but I’m getting better. My hair isn’t falling out anymore and I’m not sweating all the time. I wish that I would never have taken Lyrica; but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel now. I can’t wait to get ‘me’ back. Please don’t take these types of drugs! They can be very dangerous.
Stuqpr
8 Oct 2017
My GP prescribes Pregabalin but in the form of Axalid which IS licensed for generalized anxiety on the NHS. It's a recent development I think. It's much cheaper than Lyrica. I believe there's another version of it to treat some types of pain but I can't remember what that is called. I don't think my GP would have given me the Lyrica version of Pregabalin otherwise. I hope you get/got what you needed in the end.
drstrangelove
25 Sep 2017
I don,t understand your doctor . lyrica is definitly prescribed for anxiety. admitedly, it is off script , but i ve had it for anxiety for years . It is very effective, and my doctor was pleased to prescibe it.
ihatebipolarmeds
21 Sep 2017
Hi there. I've been on Lyrica for years now for pain, but I have a lengthy and well managed psychiatric condition as well.
I'm afraid the docs are right not to give her more Lyrica. There are plenty of excellent options for the treatment of anxiety. Anti-depressants combined with anti-anxiety meds works wonders.
here's why Lyrica is bad and why it may have seemed to work for your wife. Lyrica is a controlled substance because it is an addictive CNS (central nervous system) depressant. This is HEAVY medicine. Your wife felt better because she was basically getting high on it. That is not a treatment for anxiety but a disaster waiting to happen. Why? Because when it's time to come off the Lyrica the withdrawal is murder and for someone with depression, could be deadly. Run away from the Lyrica. it should never have been given to her in the first place any more than you would treat a headache with heroin.
Ask her doc about klonopin (clonazepam) for the anxiety. Xanax is faster acting, but Your wife sounds like she will need something ongoing and while klonopin doesn't act as quickly I've seen it have a lot of success. Also ask about anti-depressants. There are multiple classes of anti-depressants so this is a conversation to be had with a psychiatrist and NOT a GP. Just off the top of my head Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Lexapro are 3 anti-depressants with low instances of side effects. A psychiatrist is in order here to walk your wife (and you) walk through the MANY treatment options for severe anxiety and depression. My best to you both. It DOES get better. It just takes some time and a concerted effort from the patient.
drstrangelove
25 Sep 2017
i agree comming of pregabalin, can be bad at high doses, but i took 50mg and found i did nt feel too bad comming off it. You do nt have to take massive doses for a benefit , I think you being a bit dramatic about pregab, it really is not as bad as your painting it.
janiebme
8 Sep 2017
Hi Nellydixon-
I was very lucky to see a psychiatrist at Stanford in California. It was for a consultation for my disorders. He recommended Lyrica for anxiety off label. I was surprised. I can get it prescribed but my insurance does not want to cover it. I am so glad to hear that it has helped your wife. Anxiety is crippling.
You may want to find a doctor that will prescribe it, maybe a psych doc.
Let me know how it goes.
janiebme
8 Sep 2017
Like your wife I have exhausted most all meds to help my anxiety. Lyrica was an alternative suggested by the Stanford doctor as an alternative to benzos. He said it is being studied for anxiety. I trust his opinion since Stanford is on of the top research facilities (Universities) in the US.
Meds are used off label all the time. It really does not matter how you found out that it works... the fact is it works.
nellydixon
9 Sep 2017
Hi janiebme. We are going to go back to the docs on monday with as much info to support our case on monday. Apparently the reason in the uk for not wanting to prescribe lyrica is because it is being abused by people to get high. So they dont like to prescribe it. It's so frustrating to know you have found medicine that works and you are told you can't have it. I will let you know how we get on on monday with our last ditch attempt to get gp to write her up for it. Bar that we may have to go private and pay a fortune to get her the help she needs
janiebme
9 Sep 2017
It is kinda the same in the US. Insurance does not want to cover it because it is not generic here yet. It will cost a lot if I get it. It is a shame that people abuse drugs and then those of us who need it have a hard time getting it or can't get it.
Thank you for letting me know how it goes.
Sidekick55
8 Sep 2017
Who'd you get samples from then?
nellydixon
8 Sep 2017
Maybe worded that wrong. A friend gave her some but obviously she cant keep supplying her with them as she needs them herself. But thats by the by. Do u actually have any helpful comments or just chirping at my poor description?
Sidekick55
8 Sep 2017
Lyrics is a controlled substance, so probably best not to be sharing. There are a ton of other, cheaper medications that do what lyrica does, like benzodiazepines, or there are SSRIs and therapy. Either way, seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist would probably be beneficial. In my years of doing this, I've learned that playing doctor with myself usually doesn't help me.
nellydixon
8 Sep 2017
Shes been there done that sadly to no avail. Tried other meds too over the years that havent helped either. This one did help so we are going back to gp again on monday armed with more evidence as to lyrica being benefitial for gad sufferers. We aint playing self doctor so dont get u there on that comment. It was pure chance that we came across a med that has actually helped her. Getting a script for it is proving to be another stumbling block. Thanks anyway sidekick but u seem to have nothing extra to aid me with my quest so i will bid u farewell and keep battling
WildcatVet
3 Feb 2021
Sharing information IS something!
Bennydav
10 Dec 2021
Yes... where? Samples?
Bennydav
10 Dec 2021
Yes... where? Samples?
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lyrica, anxiety, pregabalin, prescription
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