Pregabalin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2022

Pregabalin for Postherpetic Neuralgia "After taking 2 x 75 mg for approximately 4 weeks, my PC increased the dose to 3 x 75 mg with instructions to increase to 4 x 75 mg after a week. 4 days into taking 4 a day, I was horribly sleepy and really moody and anxious. This came to a head on day 6 when I screamed at my husband about anything and everything, then in the afternoon fell into a deep sleep, waking up at 5:30 pm not knowing what day it was or if it was morning or afternoon. That was when I decided to reduce the Lyrica to 3 x a day until I could get hold of my PC. I don't want to continue taking this medication. It hasn't helped my post-herpetic neuralgia pain at all and nearly destroyed my marriage."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2019

For Spondylolisthesis "My doctor prescribed me pregabalin to treat my sciatica, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, and chronic back and knee pain. It did nothing for my severe pain and gave me terrible side effects just like gabapentin and other similar medicines, including sleepiness, weird overall feeling, anxiety, dystonia, and similar reactions. It is used off-label to treat back conditions and pain with no efficient evidence that it works any better for most painful back conditions compared to placebo in clinical trials. Many people get addicted to pregabalin and gabapentin, yet they have replaced way more effective opiate medications for pain and have way more dangerous side effects. That is just nuts!!"

• Art...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2020

For Pain "I've been on pregabalin 200 mg, 3 times per day for my radiculopathy. It helps me with pain and anxiety. I have the medial nerve blocks in my lumbar area every 4 months. Still, the pregabalin helps, also. If I miss my noon dose, around 2 p.m., the pain reminds me. I also take hydrocodone five times per day."

• Jaz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I was prescribed this drug for fibromyalgia, ended up being prescribed the highest dose as my body kept getting used to it. I went to a pain clinic, they told me Lyrica is no longer working and to come off it. I dropped 25 mg every now and then. I decided to go into rehab as I had spoken to them for a month, claiming they could help me get off the drug. The doctor took me off 25 mg every other day, I stopped when I was on 75 mg. This was Oct - Nov 2019. In December 2019, I had my first seizure, I have since had 18 more seizures and 2 absence seizures. I also ended up suffering anxiety, suicidal thoughts, depression, chills, sweats, and loud tinnitus, none I had before this drug. Been completely off for 19 months and still suffering withdrawals. This is a seizure drug, not a pain drug."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2018

For Epilepsy "I was put on pregabalin due to epilepsy - complex partial seizures, after being on loads of other different meds. To start off, these tablets were good. They helped bring down the amount of seizures and had the added bonus of getting rid of anxiety. However, I’ve found over time, I just don’t care about anything anymore. Like literally, I used to care about my appearance, and now I just lay in bed all day in the same clothes and don’t bother showering because what’s the point? I have zero sex drive when I used to be a very sexual person. I just feel numb. Although the anxiety has come back threefold!"

• Squ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "Started taking Lyrica a month ago for nerve pain. I can’t say that it has helped me 100% with nerve pain, but I can say it has helped me with my anxiety disorder and my panic attack disorder. Before Lyrica, I was always depressed and constantly thinking of suicide. Felt this way since puberty. I was taken off of my anxiety medicine called Ativan because my doctor felt I was on it for too long, which was six years. It’s crazy how I learned about Lyrica and through my next surgery. Thank God for Lyrica, prescribed by my neurologist, if it was not for that, I don’t know what I would have done because my family doctor took the Ativan away from me. Lyrica has changed my life for the better."

• Gua...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2022

For Neuropathic Pain "This drug almost took my mother's life. Gave her suicidal thoughts and completely changed her personality. My family suffered deeply for months watching the life of my mom be sucked out of her. If I didn’t do my own research and get her off of this drug, she would’ve been GONE. She has anxiety, shaking, and depression now because of the lasting effects of this poison, but she is so thankful she lives still! Please do not take this medicine. Please :("

• Gra...
• April 6, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "I have male-pattern pelvic pain syndrome, which is literally a pain in the anus. After ten minutes walking, the pain would come on, and after twenty, it would be crippling. This made it difficult to do a weekly ‘shop’ or walk around an attraction. I’d have to find somewhere to sit, and my partner would have to go on alone. Pregabalin has been almost a miracle. The pain is gone completely, and I can again wander around a museum or walk through a park without desperately seeking somewhere to sit. Minor side effects: a tendency to constipation and a dry mouth. One major issue: If I forget the morning pill, by afternoon, I start to feel anxious, like I’d drunk too much coffee. If I forget the evening pill, I get anxiety dreams that wake me around 2 a.m. So I’ve learned to keep to a very strict regime and NEVER forget to take it. If I want to stop, I’d have to do so gradually, probably over months. But I can’t see why I’d want to as it’s literally given me my life back."

• Bas...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 10, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed pregabalin for leg pain associated with spinal stenosis. The first prescribed was 225 mg daily. Side effects: extreme tiredness and swollen ankles. When I tried to stop this drug, I experienced severe anxiety and feelings of gloom. Went back on, see and say the pain clinic who advised tapering 25 mg every 2 weeks. I am down to 50 mg am and pm. The withdrawal is one of the hardest things I have been through and cannot wait until this drug is totally out of my system. Lesson learned to research prescribed drugs, their side effects, and withdrawal before blindly accepting them."

• Izz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 6, 2021

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I’m a T2 diabetic since 1995 using insulin. I have had diabetic neuropathy since 2011. Initially, I started with gabapentin and changed to Lyrica in 2014, max dosage. I still have some pain with some symptoms which were very cold feet, tiredness, difficult sleeping, anxiety, nervousness, very angry, loss of concentration, not patient. Since 2019, I’m getting additional symptoms which are dizziness whenever I get up and walk even to the kitchen for water, I see cloudy, not even when I go out for a walk, very low blood pressure with a high heart rate, I faint 3 or 4 times a month, nausea, weak arm muscles, muscle aches, twitching and jerking constantly, frozen shoulder on both sides, eyes burning, sweat more, increased ear wax, always tired, unbalanced walking, loose foot, loose arm, shaking hands and legs, pain in between my chest when I walk, and severe pain at the back of my neck. All test results are okay."

• Izz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 6, 2021

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I’m a T2 diabetic since 1995 using insulin. I have had diabetic neuropathy since 2011. Initially, I started with gabapentin and changed to Lyrica in 2014, max dosage. I still have some pain with some symptoms which were very cold feet, tiredness, difficult sleeping, anxiety, nervousness, very angry, loss of concentration, not patient. Since 2019, I’m getting additional symptoms which are dizziness whenever I get up and walk even to the kitchen for water, I see cloudy, not even when I go out for a walk, very low blood pressure with a high heart rate, I faint 3 or 4 times a month, nausea, weak arm muscles, muscle aches, twitching and jerking constantly, frozen shoulder on both sides, eyes burning, sweat more, increased ear wax, always tired, unbalanced walking, loose foot, loose arm, shaking hands and legs, pain in between my chest when I walk, and severe pain at the back of my neck. All test results are okay."

• Pip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Pregabalin is bad for me. It was prescribed as an alternative to duloxetine, which was increasing narcoleptic episodes. Anxiety and closed-eye visualizations are out of control. I can control hallucinations by taking 1/2 mg of alprazolam, but the doctor wants me totally off alprazolam within three months. I have multiple comorbidities and take many meds, so there may be some interactions that I can’t pinpoint. All I know is that I can’t live with this constant surreal feeling and imminent doom."

• hap...
• November 29, 2008

Pregabalin "I was taking Lyrica for a few months and really did not know how much it helped until I had to stop it. I have been off of it for 1 month, and this past month has been extremely bad. Have had tremors, twitches, anxiety is pretty severe, at least for me, and my pain is debilitating at times. I got my Lyrica back today and am waiting to see if my symptoms improve. I know now that it was working very well because I feel the difference being off of it for the last month. The only other thing that may have affected me is my gastric bypass and recent history of seizures/passing out. Very nervous about having another seizure. I feel it could be a deficiency problem. I may never know."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "When I first went on pregabalin, which was 25 mg three times a day, I couldn’t believe my whole chest and back were completely numb, like some nerve block. It was brilliant, couldn’t feel any more panic attacks or anxiety. I was in a mental health hospital, so COVID was rife, all the COVID patients stayed, and I was moved to another hospital, COVID-free. The psychiatrist there said it served me no purpose to be on pregabalin and weaned me off it. I was devastated, I felt all withdrawal effects because they did it in a week. I came home, I needed to find a doctor to prescribe it to me again. I found one, he put me on pregabalin again, started at 25 mg, then 50 mg twice a day. I am now currently on 75 mg twice a day, it’s not having the same effect as before. I have been on it now three weeks, I’m still getting anxiety, trying to stick to one lorazepam a day. How long before I improve? Has anyone had the same feeling of total numbness that I had when I first went on it?"

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2025

For Pain "I had insomnia and also myofascial/musculoskeletal pain, so was prescribed pregabalin (I was also on 20mg paroxetine). The doctor thought that the best approach would be to knock me out with a high dose during the night, low during the day, so in the space of a few days I went from 75mg, >150mg, >175mg at night then 25mg the next morning. The ramp-up/crash was intense the next day as it has a 6-hour half-life. I'd highly recommend you split the dose into 2 or 3 lots over 24 hours. The first week or so was anxiety and mild depression the next day, then I stabilized. Week 4 I was feeling good, so made the stupid decision to drink every night for a week. It was fine until the day after I stopped drinking and then got hit by depression. That resolved after 5 days, but joint pain got worse so I tapered off 25mg every few days. That was fine until a day after the last 25mg when I got severe depression, insomnia, etc. It resolved after 5 days. Dull some pain but not joint. Have heard it helps for nerve."

• Rya...
• January 16, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed this drug following back surgery. It worked very well initially for pain, also providing a calming effect. Over the next 5 months, it pretty much stopped working for the pain, and the side effects became very worrying. I could not think straight and was dangerously clumsy. I was in a malaise and did not wish to do anything, so I decided to quit. I followed the instructions to taper over at least a week, then the real problems began. This is a horrendous drug to come off, I had to reinstate as I went out of my mind. I am now tapering at 10% as and when I can. I feel so unwell, anxiety has spiraled, depression, suicidal thoughts, insomnia, lack of appetite, sweats, the list could go on. It has been a hellish period."

• T W...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2023

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Avoid this drug at all costs!! I was prescribed it for GAD and depression. The headaches, blurred vision, worse insomnia, and dizziness are hell, so after just 8 weeks, I’m trying to come off it by reducing the dose by 25 mg every 3rd day, from 150 mg a day. Now down to 75 mg a day. I’m having panic attacks several times a day, worse anxiety, and worse depression. I’m functioning even less than I was before. Just had a panic attack because the washing needed bringing in!!! Life has reached a new hell, and I fully understand why people commit suicide or go back on this stuff. Why is it even legal?"

• Hel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 24, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have diabetes, hypertension, occipital neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, fractured C1, neuropathy in my toes, depression, anxiety, etc. Been taking pregabalin for over 6 years. It barely reduces pain in my toes and does absolutely nothing for anything else. Over the last 2 weeks, I have been suffering severe anxiety attacks that put me in the ER nearly daily. I live in constant pain, and these attacks are brand new. Until 2 weeks ago, they never put me in the ER."

• Chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 19, 2024

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I honestly think after being on 225, now 200 of pregabalin, I have never felt so anxious, screwed up, sick of my MH. Speaking with psychiatric dept to come off this horrible thing. Wish I had never started, but felt important and wanted because I was going on a controlled drug."

• Gla...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 24, 2015

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Pregabalin has been the only medication I have had that enables me to maintain a life without constant pain. Side effects aren't bad either, but I am more anxious than ever before, so 9/10."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2012

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I had symptoms, so my doctor switched me from Gabapentin, saying that this medicine is better. I feel better so far. Less sleepy, less anxious, less depressed."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2009

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "I find it hard to say if it has really helped my pain and find that my anxiety level has increased, as well as having suicidal thoughts."

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2010

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I've been taking this medicine for four days and feel a little off balance still, but the jittery insides are gone, and so is almost every pain I had! I feel so good, better mood and everything."

• Nei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2019

For Pain "Been taking 50 mg pregabalin 3 times a day, not working. I have anxiety and back aches, but don't know what causes it. Any suggestions?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2021

For Pain "After about a month of using pregabalin for pain, it helped with pain, but I became increasingly depressed and on edge. I also had difficulties with sleep."