My dr put me on Lyrica 50mg for spasmatic nerves for my stomach. I take it twice a day & have only been on it for a week. It did help with my stomach, but now I have terrible tension in my back, shoulders & neck. Along with tension headaches. Can't call my dr due to the fact that it's the weekend. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Can I stop taking Lyrica (50mg) if I've only been on it for a week?
Question posted by Worriedaboutmeds on 18 Nov 2018
Last updated on 18 November 2018
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Answers
Ros 2
18 Nov 2018
Hello Worriedaboutmeds, You can stop the 50mg Lyrica (2) a day since you have only been on it a week! I've been on Lyrica for Fibromyalgia & nerve pain from my stenosis for 10yrs. My doctor just doubled my dose from 100mg-150mg a day, as my pain is getting worse! It helps me a lot, of course there are side effects (like from many other meds.) Being on it such a short time should not cause any withdrawal symptoms. Call your doctor or speak w/your pharmacist if in question.
Take care & stay well
Worriedaboutmeds
18 Nov 2018
Thank you Ros2.
I just stopped & asked my pharmacist. And he said the same, that I can stop taking it but the side effects of the muscle tension will have to wear off on its own. Good that I can stop taking it but bad that I have to wait for this pain to stop.
cindy-59
18 Nov 2018
Hi Worriedaboutmeds. Lyrica ‘usually’ takes about two weeks to affect our brain enough for us to have to taper. You should be ok to just stop taking it (especially with such a low dosage). I would keep the Lyrica until you’re feeling better just in case. With these types of medications you just never know for sure. They are very powerful and in my opinion very dangerous. I wish I would have quit when I first started having problems. Take care and I wish you the best. Cindy
Worriedaboutmeds
18 Nov 2018
Thank you so much Cindy. I never get sick, but have had this stomach problem for 3 mths. now & have been ruled out for pretty much every problem it could be. So... I'm very cautious about taking any kind of meds. especially with all the side effects that come along with them now days.
Worriedaboutmeds
18 Nov 2018
I haven't taken any this morning, but I'm going to speak to my pharmacist today to be on the safe side.
cindy-59
18 Nov 2018
Hi Worriedaboutmeds. It’s always a good idea to talk to your pharmacist. Many times they have better information than our doctors. At least that’s been the case for me. I; like you; was never sick. Over the years the only times I’ve been in the hospital was when I had my five children and everything went well. That was until I had a bad fall in 2007 and my doctor prescribed Lyrica for chronic nerve pain and when that didn’t work he prescribed Cymbalta. What I didn’t know at the time was he was supposed to take me off the Lyrica before I started taking Cymbalta. I found that out from my neurologist. So I ended up taking Lyrica for 7-8 years and Cymbalta for 10 years. I am completely tapered off Lyrica and I’m slowly tapering off Cymbalta now. I had every side effect but they were doubled because of taking these medications together.
I have talked to many people who say that one of the side effects from these types of medications is pain from stomach problems. They play havoc with our brain and bodies. I understand to a small degree about what you’re talking about when you mention the stomach spasms. I ended up going by ambulance many times because I couldn’t handle the pain from stomach spasms. It would go on for hours. Finally one doctor saw me at emergency and he found out it was my gallbladder. I had it removed and I haven’t had any problems since. Did you know that there is a list of ‘Natural Remedies’ on Google for stomach spasms? Even though nothing there may never help you to get rid of the problem I’m thinking there might be some ideas to help to ease the pain. I hope you find something that will help you soon. Take care and I wish you the best. Cindy
Worriedaboutmeds
18 Nov 2018
Wow Cindy! So sorry you had to suffer all those years with these meds. Glad you are finally tapered off of most of it. I did speak with my pharmacist today. He said the lyrica is causing all of the tension I'm having & I can quit taking it, but the the tension side effects unfortunately I'll have to deal with until it eventually goes away on its own. But I'm definitely glad I noticed it before I was on it for too long. As far as my stomach problem, they have tested me for everything... ulcer, bacterial infection, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen,kidneys. And I too ended up going to the ER 3 different times due too hurting soooo bad. But they still can't find any problem. I'm going to check out the home remedies you were talking about. And Thanks again for your advice. I truly appreciate it. Stay well.
Related topics
lyrica, nerve, stomach, tension
Further information
- Lyrica uses and safety info
- Lyrica prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lyrica (detailed)
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