Pregabalin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2008

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I was prescribed 400 mg/day of Lyrica for severe peripheral neuropathy of my feet. Prior to Lyrica, I was taking 60 mg/day of methadone with significant relief but with plenty of room for improvement. With the addition of Lyrica to my methadone regimen, my relief now stands at approximately 80% analgesia, which is a godsend considering the severity of my pain. As a welcome side benefit, significant anxiety, hot flushes, and insomnia were relieved as well. For me, Lyrica has been something of a miracle drug."

• pit...
• April 10, 2008

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have been on 300 mg of Lyrica a day for a double herniation in my back. The side effects I experienced were dizziness, anxiety, and sleeplessness. However, I did not gain weight. Maybe that is because I had read that you could gain weight, and I changed my diet so that I would not. In fact, I lost 25 lbs. while on it. I read that I am in the minority with this. I can say, for the most part, Lyrica helped, but I had to take Advil with it. Overall, it helped."

• Phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2015

For Pain "This worked wonders for me, but I have an allergy to it. Was warned it would make me drowsy, but made me have crazy anxiety and tight chest. Problem was it completely eliminated my sciatic and lower back pain. Couldn't cope with side effects on 75 mg, so dropped to 25 mg, still too harsh side effects. Moved on to Gabapentin in the last 48 hours, which has seen back pain return but no sciatic pain or tightness. I am allergic/have a bad intolerance to caffeine, and it was exactly the same reaction. Sadly, due to side effects, this tablet didn't work out for me."

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2012

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I started taking Lyrica 4 months ago. I am always anxious when taking a new medicine as I am also on Paxil, which is horrible if I do not have a dose within 24 hours. Within an hour, I felt 'weird,' like I do if I miss a dose of Paxil. That feeling subsided throughout the day. Over the next few days, I did feel quite vague and forgetful (like I couldn't remember my bank account number, which I use daily). Again, I persisted, taking 75 mg twice a day, on waking and then at 2 pm. I noticed an increase in energy and a decrease in pain."

• Sli...
• January 21, 2017

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "Had a slipped disc with sciatic pain diagnosed before the new year. Had been having heart palpitations, anxiousness, blurry vision, and having suicidal thoughts. Felt it could be due to the drugs I'm taking and turns out... it's all from Lyrica."

• Jan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 27, 2016

For Pain "I found pregabalin helped the pain from my spinal stenosis, but the anxiety and depression that it caused meant I had to reduce the amount I took. I think it works for some people, but for anyone suffering from depression, it makes it 100 times worse."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This is my third review for pregabalin over the last 4 years. I recently cut down to taking 100 mg every 3 days or so, as I’ve been doing miraculous (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) EMDR therapy for the last 6 months for complex PTSD, and it’s really helped my anxiety so much. However, I’m still not fully there. I stopped taking the medication about 3 weeks ago, and whilst processing traumatic memories recently, my anxiety became bad (nowhere close to what it was though) and my emotions quite dysregulated (again, never as bad as before). So I’ve made the decision to go back to taking pregabalin 100 mg every few days or when I need it. It works from the first dose and really does provide deep relief from intense anxiety and emotional dysregulation. I believe that one day, when my therapy is finished, I’ll be medication-free. Till then, I have immense comfort from pregabalin when I need it. I’ve also lost a lot of weight, particularly from my stomach, since cutting down!"

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2016

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "Taking Lyrica hasn't helped my fibromyalgia symptoms at all, and even though I'm on a starter dose of 75 mg once per day, the side effects are terrible! I tremble so badly it appears as if I have Parkinson's disease. I can't handwrite at all, let alone many other daily functions. It has affected my thinking terribly and makes my mind race, and my thoughts are very jumbled, which makes me feel extremely anxious. Plus, when talking, my speech is very shaky sounding and very fast and slurry. I also have a lot of trouble urinating. I find it extremely difficult to empty my bladder, and at times it's very painful. I was already taking sleeping tablets (Temazepam), but Lyrica has made getting to sleep even worse. My chest and nose both feel congested."

• D i...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Prescribed for nerve pain in my foot after an accident and after being weaned off opioids. (I like them, but hate them! I can see how they can become addictive!) I honestly didn't think pregabalin would be effective, but I noticed immediately it helping with the pain in my foot where I'm sure there is nerve damage, as well as in my arm where I broke it. Later on in the day, I set about doing a chore and realized my anxiety was gone. I mean, I still had worry, but it was manageable? Hard to explain. Started off at 300 mg a day and went up to 450 a day, then, after a few weeks, it was like my anxiety worsened. (I have GAD and take Clonazepam.) I was going to go off the pregabalin, but I'm down to 100 mg in the morning, 50 mg at dinner, and 50 mg at night. Okay so far."

• Nox...
• January 12, 2011

Pregabalin for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I find the effects to be very subtle yet highly effective, it also has a positive effect on my social anxiety. But I prefer to mix it with other medication. This medicine is excellent, it helps me a lot, the only downside being I have to pay a lot of money for it. I even get anxiety relief at very low doses."

• Col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I served 8 years in the United States military, 4 overseas and 4 in the U.S. I left the military 100% disabled, diagnosed with panic disorder with agoraphobia, GAD, major depression, and of course some PTSD. I have tried everything. I was put on Lyrica for nerve damage originally but found it so helpful for crippling anxiety. But this does not last long; tolerance builds so fast it's unreal, and it almost feels as if the anxiety gets worse over time. I have tried to stop this cold turkey but found myself in a state of BENZO and OPIATE withdrawal feeling, and it was a nightmare. Now I'm weaning! Bye Lyrica... OH yeah, Klonopin works wonders ;)"

• JT7...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2022

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I’m writing this review to warn others about this drug. I’ve been on Lyrica for almost a year. I was prescribed it for nerve and spinal damage. Initially, it worked better than nothing for pain, but after a few weeks, I began experiencing debilitating side effects including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, word and memory loss. It became so bad that sometimes I would forget my age or birthdate! Processing basic information became difficult. I also started experiencing agitation, sweating, chills, intense nausea, heart palpitations, and anxiety attacks when I missed a dose by 12 hours. These would stop when I took a dose. That’s when I realized I was physically dependent on it. I’ve been working to titrate for the past few months to get off this poison, with horrible withdrawal effects. I would NEVER have touched this medication if I knew how addictive it was. From my experience, I think this medication is dangerous and needs to be studied better."

• JT7...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2022

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I’m writing this review to warn others about this drug. I’ve been on Lyrica for almost a year. I was prescribed it for nerve and spinal damage. Initially, it worked better than nothing for pain, but after a few weeks, I began experiencing debilitating side effects including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, word and memory loss. It became so bad that sometimes I would forget my age or birthdate! Processing basic information became difficult. I also started experiencing agitation, sweating, chills, intense nausea, heart palpitations, and anxiety attacks when I missed a dose by 12 hours. These would stop when I took a dose. That’s when I realized I was physically dependent on it. I’ve been working to titrate for the past few months to get off this poison, with horrible withdrawal effects. I would NEVER have touched this medication if I knew how addictive it was. From my experience, I think this medication is dangerous and needs to be studied better."

• Pre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Took this medication for 2 months, starting at the lowest dose, then up to 25 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night. Worst advice ever! Started waking up to feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, and vague suicidal thoughts. More anxious than before. Stopped taking it immediately. Seeing my doctor tomorrow for alternative meds. Good luck to all of you who had a positive experience, but for me, it was a nightmare."

• Gen...
• July 6, 2010

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I was on Lyrica for a total of four days. It got rid of my pain (almost completely!), but the side effects were terrible. I got anxious, depressed, confused, blurred vision, and a general 'high' (not a good high) feeling. I felt very dumb and had a lot of trouble articulating my thoughts. Overall, a terrible drug for me. The side effects outweighed the benefits of this medication."

• Blu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 25, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "On my first day taking Lyrica, it was incredible - I was patient, calm, and chilled out. I could deal with stress better than I have been able to in my entire life. However, I quickly grew a tolerance, and I spent weeks chasing that feeling by upping my dose. When I finally reached 250 mg, I was an absolute zombie. I was taking much longer to finish my sentences, and I felt like I was constantly in a fog. My depression has reached an all-time high, and my anxiety is still present - I'm just not having panic attacks anymore. The past few months have been particularly bad, and I just don't think it's worth being on anymore. I think I'm especially disappointed now because it started out so well, and I'm significantly worse off now."

• Liz...
• June 17, 2018

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Pregabalin is a monstrous drug. Anyone belittling its horror has luckily escaped. I was given pregabalin for generalized anxiety disorder (I’m English), and trying to get off it is destroying me. I’ve tapered it so many times, only to get its nasty effects after a few days. I’ve drank alcohol (because it uses the same receptors and can give immediate relief), but there is nothing that really helps. It’s a diabolical medication that is currently ruling my life. I feel constantly anxious, frightened, I have a permanent headache, flu-like symptoms, pins and needles in my skin, problems with vision, the list goes on. I feel trapped. I’m desperate and feel there is nothing I can do. It’s a terrible drug. I was given it to reduce my anxiety after I lost two sons in tragic circumstances. I’m sure I would have been better off dealing with my grief in a natural way. It’s incredibly potent and addictive. I’m now doubting if I ever will get out of it after several attempts. ❤️"

• pac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2017

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "My doctor prescribed me Lyrica for some trivially mild ulnar tunnel syndrome. Within about a week of taking just 75 mg per day (once before bedtime), I developed horrible anxiety, insomnia, muscle tremors, and suicidal thoughts. My vision blurred as well, but it wasn't severe. It's been eleven days now since I've stopped taking Lyrica, and most of the side effects have gone. The anxiety is still there, but it's no longer as bad as it was. Had I known about any of this, I would have just applied hot packs to my wrist and waited for it to heal by itself. The side effects were totally not worth it."

• mim...
• April 24, 2023

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been prescribed pregabalin 75 mg once a day, and then the second week, 2 tablets a day. I'm scared of what will happen to me. When I had the antidepressants SSRI, they made my anxiety very bad, that's why I had to stop them. Has anyone got any advice on whether I should take them or not?"

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a little over a year ago, my pain has been steadily getting worse since. My doctor referred me to the pain clinic, which prescribed Gabapentin, and when that didn't help, they prescribed Pregabalin. While on Gabapentin, my depression and anxiety started getting worse, and I was getting agitated, irritable, and frustrated easily. I didn't know it was the meds causing it until I started the Pregabalin, and everything got so much worse, and I even started having suicidal thoughts every day. When I tried to stop taking the Pregabalin, I had severe withdrawal symptoms, such as constant sweating, shivers, hot flashes, agitation, and irritability (worse than on Pregabalin), severe pounding headaches, and more. When I started this medication, I wasn't told it could affect my mental health issues like it did or about the withdrawals. If I had known, I would not have ever taken this medication. I am now tapering off."

• ele...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been taking pregabalin for anxiety for a few months now, and at first, it worked really well, but for the last 6 weeks or so, my anxiety symptoms have returned with a vengeance. I was taking 75 mg 3 times a day. I phoned my GP a couple of weeks ago, and she increased my dosage, however, this has seemed to have made my anxiety even worse. However, I'm at a loss to understand why this is happening, considering I felt so well when I first started taking it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 8, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I've been taking pregabalin for eight months. I started taking it for nerve pain and fibromyalgia. In the first week, I noticed it helped my anxiety. Now I notice when I'm an hour or two behind on taking my first dose for the day because my anxiety will start to increase. I take 50 mg twice daily, sometimes a third dose in the middle of the night if my fibro is making me hurt. This med also helps my IC, vulvodynia, and insomnia."

• aan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Note: Generic Pregabalin (name brand Lyrica was working for 8 years prior). Horrible anxiety and panic attacks lasting hours and up to an entire day! I’ve been sober from alcohol for almost 5 years, and this medication almost drove me to drink to get out of the panic attacks."

• lin...
• September 12, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Lyrica for 1 month, starting at one 75 mg twice daily for two weeks, then stayed on 150 mg twice daily for two weeks. I had horrible side effects, so my doctor told me to split the morning dose that was 150 mg into taking 75 mg in the morning and 75 mg in the afternoon, then 150 at night. So the side effects got better. I suffered from extreme dizziness, increased anxiety, had a feeling my legs couldn't carry me, burning sensation throughout the whole body. After one month of medication, when side effects had gone away a little bit, I talked to my doctor, and he told me that since I still suffer from anxiety, we should increase the dose to 150/75/150. Side effects are back. I take oxazepam 30 mg to get through the worst side effects and am waiting for a better effect on anxiety. However, I am better than before."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2020

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started taking pregabalin for post-op nerve pain and restlessness in my right side after cervical artificial disc replacement. It calmed my pain so I could sleep more comfortably, but to my surprise, it also helped my anxiety. I take 75-100 mg at bedtime."