Pregabalin and Brain Fog: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Having tried 2 meds for RLS, Mirapex (which worked very well but led me to compulsive behaviors) and Neurontin (which had disappointing results), I was desperate to find a long-acting medication that would help alleviate my RLS symptoms throughout the day and night. I was started on a low dose of 75 mg and gradually increased to 375 mg. Initially, I felt very encouraged by my response even though it took at least 5 or 6 days to have an effect on my RLS. By the time I had increased to 150 mg, I was sleeping much better and had no RLS during the day. Unfortunately, it appears that I am experiencing diminishing effect with my higher dosage and need to increase yet again with the unwanted fogginess I feel all morning. I wake up during the night with RLS, and it lasts for at least 1 to 2 hours before I can fall asleep again. I am not RLS free."

• BAH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2014

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I did not feel it was helping all that well with the pain. [lower, middle back and rib] I went from 25 mg to 75, 150, then 225 mg. I found I was tired and lethargic. I had a dry mouth and throat constantly, and my vision was hard to focus, jumpy. I had stopped and restarted after 4 months, still the same. Breathing is harder, so I've noticed this time. I have stopped for good!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2012

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "This medication left me unable to think coherently, and I had difficulty talking. It was like being around a drunk. I had to stop it after a month because I work in a school and was unable to converse adequately with parents, students, staff."

• LMo...
• September 1, 2015

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed Lyrica for a pinched nerve in my elbow after a dislocation. The pain made physical therapy intolerable. With just one dose of 75 mg of Lyrica, I could bend my elbow without wincing. Absolutely marvelous. Unfortunately, there were 2 side effects that made me stop taking it. The first one was that I fell asleep almost immediately after taking it for about 2 hours, and my brain felt very foggy after I woke up. The second issue was a slight tightness in the chest and feeling a little out of breath. Not severe, but enough to let me know that I couldn't take it again. Made me sad because it really worked."

• hat...
• October 29, 2015

Pregabalin for Postherpetic Neuralgia "I developed shingles in my face, scalp, and eye in 2005. The initial pain was treated with gabapentin, which didn't work very well. The doc wouldn't prescribe anything stronger. In fact, she hardly recognized that shingles pain was significant. My PHN kicked in when the rash disappeared. I've still got it. I monitored the internet for PHN meds, and when Lyrica came out, I notified my new doc immediately. He started me out at 100 mg three times a day, and when that was only modestly effective, he kicked it up to 150 mg X 3. It works very nicely. However, there are side effects. My weight gain has been significant. Brain fog happens. I get double vision on an irregular basis. I feel tired. Now my liver values are increasing."

• Con...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 28, 2021

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "Took 100 mg Lyrica over 10 years for fibromyalgia. Definitely helped with pain in the beginning, but side effects were not worth it in the end. Gained 50+ lbs from when I began meds and when I stopped. Severe swelling of feet, hands, brain fog, memory loss, and speech/language flow change. After being off Lyrica for 1+ year, I have a hard time remembering something I was about to say 2 seconds ago. I forget simple words like coffee, bicycle, elevator, and can't think of them till I describe what I am thinking of to my kids, and they look at me like I have 10 heads when they figure out what I am trying to say. After taking meds for 10+ years, once I stopped, the immediate difference in my brain fog was night and day. Although I can't prove it, I know my memory and language capabilities will never be the same, but I never realized how much brain fog the drug was causing until I stopped taking it. Please listen and just manage the pain, because memory and language issues are not something you can recover."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I had needles and pins from back, stenosis, disc bulging, so was given Lyrica. Only took it 2 1/2 days as it made me feel terrible. Felt like a zombie, couldn't think straight, slurred words, tripped easily. My husband said I wasn't acting right, got irritated and angry very easily, which I don't usually do. This was on 50 mg, and then I was going to 75 mg. I stopped today and won't take it again. Not worth it to me."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I had needles and pins from back, stenosis, disc bulging, so was given Lyrica. Only took it 2 1/2 days as it made me feel terrible. Felt like a zombie, couldn't think straight, slurred words, tripped easily. My husband said I wasn't acting right, got irritated and angry very easily, which I don't usually do. This was on 50 mg, and then I was going to 75 mg. I stopped today and won't take it again. Not worth it to me."

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2023

For Pain "Fit 57-year-old male. I've suffered from L4/L5 osteoarthritis, arthritic knees, and some systemic joint pain for just under 5 years. I tried ablation, cortisone shots, oral cortisone, and strong opiates; all providing some temporary relief. After 1 month on Lyrica, my knees are almost pain-free, elbow joint pain has gone, and my back pain has plummeted around 80%. All this on just 75 milligrams per day! Fantastic. I titrated very slowly over several weeks because of rumored side effects. Measured out half 25 mg tablets and started at a dose of 12.5 mg per day. Second week 25 mg. Third week 50 mg. It was in this third week I suffered some brain fog and tiredness. The first few days at 50 mg, the side effects were quite debilitating. After several days, the side effects had mostly abated. Last week, I moved up to 75 milligrams. Again, side effects returned. Yesterday morning, I woke up free of side effects and almost completely pain-free. For now, 75 mg is my sweet spot."

• Mum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2016

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Was put on Lyrica for recurring hip pain (and lower back pain). By one month, I was on 2x75mg morning and night. Greatly reduced the pain, but I felt like I was constantly forgetful and would have brain fog constantly. Have gained just a little weight, but can't do much with my hip anyway. The one thing that made my doctor decrease the dose back to one a night very quickly was that I became depressive. Unfortunately, I would prefer to deal with the pain and find something else than feel that way. It is effective for pain relief (I found), but unfortunately I suffered some of the bad side effects."

• get...
• November 22, 2013

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I was taking 50 mg Lyrica every 2 hrs or sooner each day; while it did seem like I had more energy and could work a little longer before resting, the pain never stopped or lightened up. Lyrica amitriptyline did help me sleep better. I quit taking Lyrica and started taking gabapentin 300 mg 3 X per day and the pain lessened a lot, and sleep is better and some of the brain fog is gone."

• jus...
• September 11, 2011

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I am 51 years old and I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about a month ago. My doctor prescribed Lyrica. My mother also had fibromyalgia and was taking Lyrica. She suffered a lot from the sleepy/out of it side effect and didn't like that at all. It did ease some of her pain, but she was not willing to increase the dosage. I started taking Lyrica when diagnosed, and within just a day or two, I felt incredible! I didn't hurt when I woke up in the morning. I could move and do regular activities around the house without the horrible pain I had before. I did have some of the loopy/confusion/unable to focus for a short time, but that went away. I'm so thankful for Lyrica. I can live and not just exist."

• jus...
• September 11, 2011

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I am 51 years old and I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about a month ago. My doctor prescribed Lyrica. My mother also had fibromyalgia and was taking Lyrica. She suffered a lot from the sleepy/out of it side effect and didn't like that at all. It did ease some of her pain, but she was not willing to increase the dosage. I started taking Lyrica when diagnosed, and within just a day or two, I felt incredible! I didn't hurt when I woke up in the morning. I could move and do regular activities around the house without the horrible pain I had before. I did have some of the loopy/confusion/unable to focus for a short time, but that went away. I'm so thankful for Lyrica. I can live and not just exist."

• Lif...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2018

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "Got my life back. I used to feel like I was getting stabbed all over and took ages to get up and walk. Due to this medication, I've been able to move and exercise and gradually build up my strength again. The downside is brain fog, but I had that already, so hey ho. The first few weeks were bad, and I felt drunk, but glad I got through that and have been getting better gradually."

• Ant...
• August 12, 2022

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Suffered from real bad anxiety after abusing alcohol most of my adult life (protracted withdrawal (PAWS). Suffered with brain zaps, sensitivity to stress, overwhelming fear. Has been terrible. Was given pregabalin about 2 months ago. 100 mg x 2 a day and I feel so much better than I did. It has not taken it away completely, but please note I am 6 ft 2, and weigh 15 stone, so I may need to up my dose, but I get so much relief now 90% of the time, and the bad days are far less severe that I manage. The first time I took it, it made my anxiety worse and I felt loopy, could not sleep, and so I did not stick to the regimen until the second try during another wave of bad anxiety. So all I will say is try to stick with it. A couple of weeks later, no side effects, maybe a little soreness in my eyes but so, so mild, and a real uplifting effect in my body like no other! I will update you at another point in my journey! Good luck all! You got this! :)"

• Gsu...
• February 15, 2017

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "I didn't experience any side effects at 50 mg 2x per day. After my knee replacement surgery, I started taking 100 mg 3x per day. Almost right away I noticed vision blurriness and mental fog. After about a month, I started noticing weight gain and swelling in my ankles, legs, feet, and my hands are puffy. I have been on it 7 weeks now and have already gained 10 pounds. The swelling in my feet is nearly intolerable."

• Ali...
• March 27, 2015

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have therapy through the mental health team, and I have been suffering anxiety along with depression, and my therapist thinks I am also showing signs of borderline personality disorder, yet I've not had a diagnosis yet. Pregabalin were prescribed 3 times daily by the mental health team doctor, along with 3 times Prozac daily, and I am just having Pregabalin for 14 days. They have slowly chilled me out a little, and this is day 3 of them. I did feel spaced out and drowsy at first, which the doctor said would probably happen, but I am slowly getting used to them."

• kat...
• August 25, 2009

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "Makes me feel very sleepy and spaced out, but really helps with the pain. Also have an increase in appetite. Had total knee replacement three months ago and have a lot of postoperative nerve pain that tramadol didn't touch. After many sleepless nights, it has been a Godsend and have had my first night of more than three hours' sleep since I had the operation."

• bea...
• September 14, 2011

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have had fibromyalgia for 4 years now, and recently my doctor put me on Lyrica and Cymbalta. The Lyrica is a true lifesaver, it really helps with the pain. But it has a lot of side effects. Cons - feeling like a zombie, shakes, sick to my stomach, itching, blurry eyes, drowsiness. Pros - my pain is almost all gone, happy mood, and I can move freely with barely any pain. And I feel like I'm on cloud nine and can't wait to go to sleep. Overall, Lyrica has really helped me a lot. I have tried the generic gabapentin and Savella. They do not work! I'm so happy that I found this website for all the people who have aches and pains as well as I. Thank you."

• Haw...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 4, 2021

For Pain "I had my first back surgery in '82. My second in '92. I retired in 2003. 39 years as a pipefitter had taken its toll. Soon after retirement, I started having neck pain. I had been taking pain medication for years for the back pain, but it wasn't enough for the neck pain. I had a third back surgery with a failed fusion after retirement. Toss in both rotator cuffs repaired. One successful. One not. Despite pills and Fentanyl patches, nothing has helped my neck pain but Lyrica. The side effects are real: tired, foggy, and constipated, but it's the trade-off that I've made for more than a decade. 150 mg, twice a day. More than that, tread lightly. Oh, and find a desk job when you're young."

• Ash...
• April 12, 2012

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Lyrica is effective against anxiety, but I have recently chosen to go off it due to side effects. The side effects are okay (not as bad as the SSRIs), but the main side effects I was concerned about were: brain fog (I became much dumber), forgetfulness, loss of physical sensations, including less feeling during sex. All in all, I would rate it better than any SSRI."

• She...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 5, 2021

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. In the beginning, I thought Lyrica was amazing. My pain was gone, and I was moving. I was happy. Halfway through the second month, I started noticing I was dealing with fibro fog much more than before. It was worse than before and continued getting progressively worse. I couldn't put words together, I sometimes forgot where I was driving to and why I was going. At the time, I was 42 years old. That should not be happening. Along with that, some of the pain was back and getting worse. I couldn't keep my eyes open. In the first three months of taking Lyrica, I gained almost 40 pounds, which made the pain worse. I stayed in contact with my doctor, and finally, she took me off of Lyrica. The severe fibro fog calmed, and any fog experience after coming off was minor. The weight started going down, and I started feeling like me again. I will never take Lyrica again. It was a horrible experience. Never again."

• Kee...
• September 19, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Just started about 10 days ago, up from 25 mg evenings to 50 mg after a week, which is the intended final dose. Much lower doses prescribed in Europe to limit side effects listed in some cases here. Seems to help getting to sleep and sleeping through the night. Wake early, though, with less of that anxious feeling in the stomach. Take 10 mg escitalopram (should be on 20, but want to limit the cocktail). Focus here is to be less dependent on benzos, which seem less defective. Feeling quite spaced out and not quite myself, being used to high energy and nervous (positively and negatively so), though there is a more general sense of calm, which may just be such a distant feeling from the norm I had gotten used to. Threads on withdrawal, not that encouraging."

• Pdl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2020

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I had taken Lyrica for about a month and then caught the flu - not Covid-19 - my neurologist prescribed an antibiotic. One morning, two days later, I took a second dose of Lyrica a few hours after the first because my leg was hurting and had a bad reaction. I blacked out, but was mumbling, seemingly had a seizure, was responsive, but didn’t remember anything. My husband took me to the ER. I woke up at 7:00 pm. I thought I was making sense talking, but my husband said I wasn’t. There for two weeks. An occupational therapist tested me daily - took that long for me to totally make sense, walk better, etc. I still had trouble thinking of some words for about two months. Once in a while, I still have trouble with words now after six months. I advise not using Lyrica if there is anything else you can take."

• 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."