Pregabalin for Generalized Anxiety Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Sam...
• October 13, 2016

"A short story, I had chemical poisoning while working 25 years ago, which caused multiple health conditions causing Brain Damage and Central and Peripheral nervous system disorders. The main problem is debilitating anxiety not caused by the thought process but by physical damage as mentioned above. Ultimately, after being on most horrific psychotic drugs, I found Valium and mirtazapine (currently on Valium 35mg and mirtazapine 45mg) which calm me down. Anyway, I was recently prescribed Pregabalin at 150mg per day running along with the above drugs. I cannot stress how much this has changed my life for the better. Although still in the early days, for the first time in 25 years, I am a different person, calmer, kinder, and finally in control."

• Sir...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 26, 2018

"The pregabalin really helped me. Then the results slowed down. The doc then raised my dose by 20%. All good for another 2 years. Results slowed, doc raised dose 15%. All good for 5 more years. Now doc raised Lyrica 10% higher again, and he also added 250mg Depakote (125 mg twice a day) and I feel great! If pregabalin works, you just need to stay ahead of 'tolerance,' and that is not hard at all. The higher the doses get, the slower tolerance takes to come back each time. Eventually, you become very 'hyper-stable.' I feel very sorry for all the people stuck on the same tiny agonizing dose, thus making them slip in and out of 4 or 5 tolerance waves per day, also called inter-dose withdrawal. My doc told me to be brave and take more when needed. Yes, I am dependent, and life is good. I am going to Jamaica for 3 weeks and have rented a 45-foot sailboat. Will do lots of scuba diving and fishing with my wife and 2 kids. Life is good when you listen to your doctor!"

• cma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2014

"I feel compelled to write a review on Pregabalin, and having been on the medicine for nearly a year now, I feel I can fully evaluate its effects. I was put on Pregabalin for generalized anxiety disorder and seasonal affective disorder by my doctor. At first, I was put on a very low dose of 75mg, which did next to nothing. I immediately requested to have the dose increased until finally I reached a dose that was effective enough for me (600mg). For a while, the medicine did its job, and I actually felt like my anxiety had been reversed. I suffer from bad social anxiety, and 300mg of this made me quite extroverted and confident. I would say it was 'pro-social' for sure. Alas, tolerance set in, and now even 800mg doesn't do much of anything apart from prevent withdrawals."

• Bea...
• April 13, 2013

"Suffered anxiety for 20 years and chronic for the last 3 years following difficult times. Thought nothing could break the anxiety except alcohol or lorazepam. Not only has pregabalin begun to break the anxiety over the last week, my ability to think straight and calmly is improving, my confidence is increasing, I can hear my voice, I can see myself, I can feel my sense of self returning, and I can see and respond to you. I don't want to drink. I feel a bit anxious writing this because it is such a short time, and it seems so long since I have felt so okay. I pray that it lasts. I thank God that my doctor was away last week and a new doctor saw me with fresh eyes. I have been taking 25mg twice a day, increasing next week to 75mg."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 14, 2023

"This drug can be a lifesaver. It certainly was for me. I had a major psychological episode generated by physical trauma and stress. Long story short, from that day onward, I suffered from generalized anxiety disorder. Approximately three or four times per month it would get so bad that I would have a day when I couldn’t stop crying and thought the world was about to end. This lasted for three years. The doctor then put me on pregabalin: 50 mg to start with, then 100 mg. That stopped me from crying. I mean, completely stopped it. And the brain fog. And the anxiety. After one year, I thought - I’m fine now, so I will stop taking it. Big mistake, huge. Back all the problems came, with reinforcements this time! Not surprisingly, I restarted the pregabalin, and two weeks later, all back to (good) normal. I need 200 mg per day now is the only downside. I have my life back. I plan to take it for the rest of my life and enjoy every day that I am allotted… what a lifesaver."

• Mir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2015

"Lyrica is my miracle drug! I'm suffering from clinical depression with GAD since 8 years. I tried dozens of drugs (SSRIs, SNRIs, Tricyclics, Agomelatine, Stablon, moclobemide, methylphenidate, Ketamine infusions, every amino acid, every vitamin, daily sport, had more than 20 ECT treatments). My doctor gave me Lyrica. I took 50mg in the evening and the next morning I was a new human. Felt like myself again, was able to participate in life. Thank you God! Thank you science!"

• anx...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 17, 2019

"I had GAD for over 30 years, tried all medications, pregabalin works the best, better than Valium. I still get side effects, I can get paranoid, dizzy, and my eyes can hurt slightly. However, it has allowed me to work and feel less depressed. I can get out and do things. I only take a small dose, try to take the smallest dose that works. A higher dose could be no more effective than a lower dose, in my experience."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2019

"I'm not diagnosed but always had anxiety. Pregabalin has been a blessing. 50-100 mg a day unless something really stressful is happening, then I can go up a bit and then I can handle any situation with calm and without overthinking every word, etc. Changed my life. Wish I found this as a kid instead of alcohol for not being anxious. It is pretty gentle/subtle feeling, almost like it's not even there, but the anxiety is gone. You can take it before bed for good sleep also. Nothing really side effects? I've also gone off and on it with not terrible effects (just absent positives) but I'm at a pretty low dose."

• nor...
• April 9, 2016

"I have had GAD for 8 years. I have tried lots of medication for this, with some helping a little, and some not at all. I was started on Pregabalin two months ago, and for me, it was a miracle. I have my life back! I know the doctors say meds aren't the answer for GAD, but they are for me. I have had CBT, counseling, hypnotherapy, and nothing worked. But with Pregabalin, I have been on holiday with no problems. I was actually able to relax for the first time in 8 years. I can go into any social scene and be really calm and enjoy it. All I hope is that it lasts and I don't get used to it. All my friends and family have said how well I am and relaxed and happy I appear, and I really am."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

"I am suffering from generalized anxiety for the last 4 years. I was on Remeron for one year but didn't get over my panic attacks. I'm on Lyrica 75mg twice daily, and I honestly feel completely normal other than the fact that I have no anxiety. Lyrica has literally given me my life back."

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2014

"I was prescribed Pregabalin by my GP for anxiety disorder. I am 27 and have had anxiety since a teenager. I have never tried meds before. I have just gone up to 600 mg. I have definitely experienced side effects (blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness). The side effects do wear off, but it does take some perseverance in the beginning to get to grips with it. I felt 'out of it' for a few days. I definitely feel less anxious. It's hard to tell how well it is working, but I definitely have the ability to look at 'stressful' and 'anxious' situations with far more clarity. I am a designer and I always worried if taking meds would suppress my creativity, but in fact - I think it helps me to have more confidence in my ideas."

• wis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2019

"I was diagnosed with GAD in 2002 and have suffered so much since then and before. This disease has crippled me in so many ways. I have been on many antidepressants with minimal help. I just figured that's as good as it gets. Ativan worked but tolerance came quick. Lyrica - pregabalin probably one of the best things to ever happen to me for my GAD. No awful constant fearful feeling anymore. But now in my fifties and wished I had found it in my younger days. I am just praying I don't become tolerant."

• jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2015

"I injured my back in 1991 which led to 2 major spinal fusions. After the fusions, I became depressed. Subsequently, I was put on Cymbalta 60 mg and a various array of pain medication. One year later, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 40 and a year after that, prostate cancer. After 11 operations, I was depressed and very sore, both in the abdomen and of course the spine. I drank and drank. It seemed like the only thing that would ameliorate the pain. Three months ago, my GP started me on Lyrica. After 3 days, the pain was gone, also my anxiety seemed to just hop up and walk away. I'm only drinking a few beers on a Saturday now. Lyrica saved my life. I don't say that flippantly."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2022

"I've tried literally everything for my anxiety. I also have BPD, and I'm bipolar. Pregabalin is a miracle for me! My anxiety got so bad I couldn't leave my house or drive a car. I had to quit my job. On this, I finally feel like I'm getting my life back. My anxiety is completely eliminated, and I only wished I tried it sooner! No downsides, and I haven't experienced any side effects either!"

• gad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2023

"Have been taking 100 mg at night for nerve pain (sciatica), after discussion with new doc, started taking 50 mg twice daily instead. Instant relief from anxiety for the past two months. I tend to wake up in pain in the middle of the night as the 50 mg dose wears off, so now I am taking 50 mg three times a day. Amazing relief from long-term anxiety, depression, and pain. I'm actually stunned. It's also quite helpful for the pain. I feel a bit 'high,' but I assume that will wear off a bit after my body adjusts. I feel like I have a quality of life I haven't had in a long while. Thrilled."

• Pee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2019

"I have been on pregabalin now for about 4 months. I have tried numerous different medications as my anxiety was getting that bad I struggled to leave the house as I had severe panic attacks when I did. I started on a dose of 75mg morning and night, now it's 100mg morning and night. Pregabalin has been amazing for me, my anxiety hasn't completely gone (going to ask to increase my dose) but it definitely has helped me loads, I suffer from sciatica also so it helps both my pain and my anxiety. It's been a change of life for me and I'm so grateful my doctor finally found a medication that helps me. Would definitely recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2016

"My psychiatrist put me on 200 mg capsules 3 times a day (600 mg daily) and it's effective for treating anxiety. I've been on lorazepam, alprazolam, and clonazepam, and all 3 became ineffective after 6 months to 1 year, and were extremely difficult to get off of. I don't notice any tolerance issues with pregabalin either. I've been on the same dose for about 2 years. Better than any of the benzodiazepines and other medications I've tried for anxiety. Only side effects I've noticed are calmness, sedation, and increased appetite, but exercise and healthy eating take care of any weight gain."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2022

"I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder for years, as well as bipolar disorder. This past September, my anxiety became incapacitating. I thought I was losing my mind. After about a month of this, and multiple calls to my psychiatrist’s office, and a second opinion from a psychopharmacologist, who had treated me in the past and was well-educated about my mental health history, both agreed that Lyrica was definitely worth a try, as it has been proven quite effective, off-label, in treating generalized anxiety disorder. I felt relief almost overnight, it seemed. I have not experienced any anxiety, even in stressful situations. I can now live my life to its fullest. My prescribed dose is 50 mg in the morning and 75 mg at bedtime. Another positive effect I am experiencing is that I am sleeping longer and deeper than I have in many years. Interesting that my morning dose of 50 mg does not make me sleepy during the day."

• Rub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2021

"Totally endorse the medication for anxiety - absolutely brilliant, but did take about 10 days to kick in - after which my problems are so much less than they were - this has literally handed me my life and purpose back."

• ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2016

"Best drug I've ever tried for anxiety, took lorazepam for a while which completely eradicated my anxiety whereas this just brings it down so low my anxious thoughts come and I'm able to deal with them by myself in a rational way! I'm waking up happy and refreshed and I'm sleeping better and even having less headaches and period pain. Do not know what I did without this drug. Absolutely amazing."

• bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2018

"From the UK - Tried almost everything over the last 25 years but nothing really helped. This was suggested months ago. Got a prescription from the doctor who has never prescribed this for anxiety/panic before. The prescription sat in the cupboard for weeks due to my uncertainty and that I had been off all meds for 9 months. Anyway, I started taking this for odd days and now I've been on it for 3 days continuously. The effect was immediate. I have now gone into many situations that would normally make me panic, expecting to get those horrible feelings and physical symptoms, but nothing, just calm. It's strange but good. I was concerned the drug would make me feel out of it or unusual, but I feel normal just without the horrible disorder I had. It is a miracle, but it's early and will see how I get on."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 27, 2019

"I wondered if suffering anxiety/panic was a form of weakness, but then read these reviews here and feel people like us wouldn’t choose in 100 years to suffer what we do, so it must be an illness that needs treatment. I’ve been on pregabalin for maybe 7/8 years - 600mg daily - two capsules. It has been a considerable help. I’ve been lucky in life - I’m 70 now and have a great partner (37 years), managed to hold down a job in MH work at basic grade level, and now retired on a good pension. But anxiety/panic has blighted my life and seems to have got worse now I’m older. Like most people, I have searched for ‘cures’ - antidepressants (no help but don’t decry their use if they help others), various herbal remedies, acupuncture, meditation, therapy, tranquilizers (emergency use only), hypnotherapy, yoga, Pilates, pool swimming, etc. I find exercise helpful and the pregabalin."

• ama...
• June 27, 2016

"This medication has saved my life. Almost curing crippling depression that I once had 3 months of ECT for. Depression for 30, yes, 30 years. And I am 44. I have been on a myriad of meds. All classes and tried this and that. Then developed fibromyalgia, which I'm glad God gave me because it led to me getting approved for this drug, which helps with my panic anxiety that I was on klonopin for. I stopped it on my own. I stopped taking all antidepressants. I was on 3 different ones at once. I'm not in pain, physically or mentally. Weight gain, yes, but I'll take that over living inside myself as if it were hell."

• Eim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 25, 2016

"I was on Lyrica for 8 years at 75mg twice a day. I thought it was doing little for my pain and I didn't want to start increasing it. I had no side effects when taking it. So last year, I stopped taking it as I still had a lot of nerve pain. But since I have been off it, I realized just how much it actually did for me. I started suffering from crippling anxiety, my pain has gotten progressively worse, and my hand tremors have returned. So after 9 months off it, I am back on it again as I need a quality of life and Lyrica gives me that. It may not work for everyone, but it does for me. I have fibromyalgia and General Anxiety."

• wow...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 21, 2023

"Wow, I can honestly say this medication helps. Not at first though. It took a while, but eventually, I could take 150mg 2 or 3 times a day and anxiety would melt away within an hour... I am leaving the house more (I had problems with that because of the severe anxiety I was experiencing), I shake less, and feel less scared and afraid and I worry less too about anything. Overall, on Lyrica (pregabalin), I just feel much calmer. Like if my anxiety is at an 8.3/10, it brings it down closer to a 5/10 or less sometimes. I also take clonazepam as a PRN (take as needed), and the combination of both helps even more. Worth a try."