Pregabalin and Brain Fog: What Users Say (Page 3)

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2010

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "Lyrica made me a zombie. I could just sit and flip channels on the TV or stare off into space. If it helped the neuropathy, I did not notice. Stopped taking it after one week, and the doctor put me back on Neurontin. Neurontin does not help so much with the pain in my feet and legs, but at least I can function."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2011

Pregabalin for Postherpetic Neuralgia "Got shingles on my scalp and face, was treated with Valtrex, Neurontin, and pain medicine. I have repeatedly had bouts of shingles for the last 15 months, resulting in PHN. I now take Lyrica, 1 at 8 am, 1 at 3 pm, and 3 at bedtime. This dose was gradually increased over time. Although very fatigued, I am 50% better and am able to function better. The initial drowsiness subsided after a couple of months. Do still have a bit of brain fog, not sure if it's the Lyrica or lack of sleep."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2009

Pregabalin for Pain "I have been having pain for 5 months now after a bad dental experience. I thought it was my teeth that were causing all of my pain. I felt hopeless with no other options left. No dentists knew what to do. I went to my doctor and said I possibly have nerve damage from the numbing shot (I have permanent numbness too). This medicine has taken away my tingling feeling from the numbing (although it's still numb, it's not annoying). The shooting pain through my jaw is gone, and my throbbing is gone too. WONDERFUL. I do feel a little dizzy and loopy, but I'm so happy."

• non...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have suffered regular bouts of anxiety and occasionally pretty severe panic. In recent months, I have felt a fairly constant sense of anxiousness, which has caused me to regularly wake in the early hours with my heart racing and not feeling good. I am 10 days into 75 mg pregabalin twice a day. Days one to five, I was bordering euphoric but noticing the slight 'come down' towards the end of the day, looking forward to the next dose. Sleep much improved but a little groggy when waking. Days 5 to 10 less good. Very lethargic, general loss of sense of time, somewhat 'down' with moments of feeling good even a little 'high.' Throughout the whole period pretty spaced out and not present. Anxiety much, much less though... Not sure it's for me."

• CRP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2018

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Was given Lyrica for nerve pain of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), took it for 2 weeks and no relief. Started to stumble, brain fog, swelling in feet so bad I can't walk. Now I can't sleep because pain is worse. Bad drug, try something else!"

• big...
• February 29, 2008

Pregabalin "I was diagnosed with lupus 3 yrs. ago. Several months ago, during one of my doctor's visits, I discussed feeling more pain. He prescribed Lyrica. I was taking 3x daily, changed to twice daily. (I was experiencing 'foggy' thinking with 3x daily). I have been VERY pleased with the results I feel."

• Mol...
• January 20, 2022

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I took Lyrica for nerve pain in my legs. The pain was so bad I had no choice. This is the worst medication I've ever taken, and I couldn't wait to get off of it. I was lucky to find a chiropractor to help me with my pain, and after being on the medication for 4 months, I was ready to come off of it. While the medication helped with my pain, it unfortunately made me feel like a zombie and gain 15 pounds. It made me clumsy, and I couldn't think right because of the brain fog. I had to taper off of the 225 mg that I was taking. After taking the last pill, I had extreme agitation, headaches, nausea, diarrhea really bad, and this lasted 6 days. I will never take this awful medication again."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2023

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I suffer from internal vibrations and was prescribed Lyrica to help. I’ve been taking 150 mg 2x per day for 9 months. The vibrations improved for about 4 months but have returned. The brain fog and memory issues have been bothering me. I feel like I’m constantly in a daze and questioning whether I’ve got early onset dementia at 43! I’ve decided to wean off the medication and pray I get my clear thinking back."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2025

For Migraine Prevention "10/10 would recommend for migraine prophylaxis. I am an RN with an 18-year history of the worst migraine disease, landing me in the hospital and ruining my life. Tried about 7 different preventative medications, with varying effects, but never full remission of migraines. A GP recently suggested pregabalin, and now I'm just regretting not trying it 10 years earlier, I just didn't know it could be used for this. I have had one migraine since starting this medication 4 months ago, and only two other small headaches. Prior to starting, I was basically having migraines on most days of the week and was feeling suicidal. It seems to have a calming effect. My only side effects are feeling a lot of brain fog and some issues with my memory, my daughter says, 'Mum, there's something wrong with your brain!' But I'll take that over severe and unbearable pain and disability. I just set more reminders and to-do lists :)"

• Win...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2021

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was put on 50 mg 3x daily for CRPS caused after ACL surgery. I was fully able to do PT but still had nerve pain. My doctor increased slowly to 100 mg 3x a day. I noticed within 3 months I gained 30 pounds. My period stopped altogether. I had horrible brain fog. Very bad dry mouth. Headache. I noticed after two weeks of taking the 100 mg 3x daily that I started swelling in my legs and hands. My feet and hands became very painful and swollen. And my nerve pain seemed to get way worse. My ACL knee started to swell and become very stiff and hurt. I stopped taking this medicine literally 3 days ago and started taking CBD (I thought this stuff was a joke), but it has helped my intense electrical nerve pain through my whole body. And has helped the pain in my hands and feet. Waiting to see if the swelling and other issues go away once it’s completely out of my system. This medication had horrible side effects on my body, just hoping I can reverse it!!"

• Sim...
• July 7, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "Peripheral neuropathy with C3 to C7 forminal stenosis, herniated discs, 5 broken vertebrae. Doc has me on 120 mg Oxycodone; Valium. A 300 mg dose of Lyrica caused me to have “overdose” symptoms, ending up in an ambulance, etc., and 2 days until I woke up. Docs said it was the Lyrica. Obviously a combination of meds, but been on my other regime for 4 years. It works, but the side effects are like being drunk. I chose to go with a really low dose. 25 mg is enough for “helping” the pain. I know Lyrica is great, but at what price! Brain fog, falling over, slurred speech. No thanks. Hint: take just before bed and only for 2-3 days - then wait 2-3 days. This way you can’t get addicted, you have some help for 3 days, and your brain can recover and you won’t get fat either. Great drug, but respect it and take the minimum. And never start opiates. As someone said above, “between a rock & a hard place.” Compromise."

• jks...
• September 25, 2009

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I've been on Lyrica almost 3 years. It did give me relief from the aches of my fibromyalgia, and I haven't felt like I was in a fog since taking it. It didn't help with my lower back pain, which started to really annoy me in August 2008. The doctor put me on Vicodin 10/325, that helped, but I started Pristiq about 3 weeks ago, which helped this pain. I also still feel the depression, mainly lack of motivation and concentration problems (not ADD). I went off the Lyrica for a while but have since gone back on it. I feel it helps me while I'm on it to stay on it as regular as possible. No weight gain."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2023

For Neuropathic Pain "This was prescribed for neuralgic pain, as a disc below my cervical fusion is degrading. The pain is reduced, but the unwanted effects outweigh the benefits. Severe brain fog (I've had a brain tumor removed), horrible muscle and joint pain, and blurred vision. Spine so painful, I can't even swim, and walking hurts too. This all started a few weeks after the first dose. It might work for some, but not for me. 50 mg b.d., minimal dose only, as sensitive to meds."

• 53s...
• February 11, 2021

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was prescribed pregabalin for generalized anxiety disorder about 2 years ago, but will try to come off it because of adverse effects of pregabalin, like brain fog and vision problems (mainly scotoma). I speak 3 languages, and I sometimes find myself unable to find the right word, even though I use them all the time! Besides that, it made my anxiety go away, although I will have to ask my doctor for something else."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Never found out if it would work. Started at 25 mg/day, made me dizzy and brain foggy with some depersonalization (all listed SEs), but tolerable. Began to get restless legs (which I didn't have before, and which Lyrica is used to treat! Weird). Within two weeks, I got a bad cough (cough producing mucus, and infections are listed side effects), which quickly turned into bronchitis. Stopped the med, went back to the neurologist four weeks after stopping (STILL COUGHING but improving), and he wanted me to retry, as I work with kids and might've just caught a bug from them. Restarted every second day, 25 mg. Dizziness, brain fog, depersonalization, and RLS back with a vengeance, and by a little over a week, the cough is taking a bad turn again. Coming off it, I had my first visual aura ever. I have migraine with aura, but never had a traditional visual aura before. A miracle for some, but obviously not for me."

• She...
• August 21, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "Huge pain relief. I have my life back. I'm on 75 mg twice a day. I do feel very spaced out, and I am very afraid of the weight gain - will be able to deal with that separately, as being pain-free makes me more tolerant. Good luck to everyone."

• Pep...
• April 25, 2020

For Neuropathic Pain "My doctor prescribed Lyrica for my neuropathy. I took my first capsule, 75 mg. About an hour later, I was having trouble focusing and double vision. My ears started ringing and felt like they were opening and closing. That was 7 pm last night, and it's 1:30 pm today."

• fee...
• January 7, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "It does work for nerve pain, but the side effects were horrible. Weight gain, blurred vision, shaking, falling asleep at the dinner table, anger, feeling of not caring about anything, feeling like a zombie. Getting off Lyrica is worse. Have to get off a little bit at a time. I am now down to 75 mg twice a day. I feel like a new person. I am back to normal, however, pain has increased. At this point, I would rather put up with the pain than the side effects. I know my wife is glad I am back."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2025

For Back Pain "Three days in and chronic back pain almost gone. I'm getting great sleep. And only side effect usually morning one feel a bit spaced out. It made a big difference to me."

• Phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "Only been taking for a few days. Brain fog like you wouldn't believe. Left foot swollen like a watermelon. This stuff is awful. No energy. Don't feel like myself at all."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2025

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I have leg pain, and it seems to be helping me. I have had a little brain fog, but the relief of the pain is worth it. I am taking 150 mg twice a day. Any more, and I am very sleepy."