Pregabalin and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• mar...
• August 19, 2009

Pregabalin for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I suffered with nerve damage at the back of my neck. Lyrica caused me severe memory loss, confusion, and depression. It stopped my nerve problem, but my good memory has not returned. I also suffer from headaches, which I never had before."

• Blu...
• March 17, 2017

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Living with polyneuropathy, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, and lots of arthritis is difficult. I started on 200 mg twice a day, then increased to 300 mg three times a day. I developed a problem with my kidneys, not from Lyrica, and had to decrease the dose to 300 mg twice a day. I have to say that I get little pain relief from this med but do get a feeling of well-being or contentment. So, I call it my little happy pill. When I miss a dose, I notice I'm a bit depressed. It's not an antidepressant, but it works that way for me. Thank you."

• 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."

• Ang...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 15, 2023

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "At first, pregabalin helped enormously with my anxiety, and my sleep was much better. However, after being on it for over 6 months, my anxiety has returned, and I feel extremely depressed, which has led to me contemplating suicide."

• her...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2012

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "I started on Lyrica 6 weeks ago, started on 25 mg for one week, then 50 mg for one week, and then 75 mg twice a day, but that high didn't suit me, so I took 75 mg in the morning and 50 mg in the evening. Currently, I'm feeling spaced all the time, gaining weight each day, and kind of depressed, but my psychiatrist said that could be anxiety coming through. I have been taking Xanax also for about 6 years. Before that, I was tried on Lexapro and went crazy on it. Also, the Xanax was a disaster long-term, as it became very addictive. Well, the moral of the story is I'm praying for the Lyrica to work."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 16, 2018

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "At 62, I consider myself in excellent health. Nine months ago, my right leg completely cramped while walking. Diagnoses after MRI: spinal stenosis, herniated disk between L4-L5 pressing on the nerve. Presently on Lyrica 125 mg morning and night. This drug only controls the pain a portion of the time. It is wearing off a couple of hours before the next dose is due. Have experienced a weight gain of 12-15 lb (there is no being full sensation), insomnia, dry mouth, losing my voice after talking 2-3 min, involuntary hand and finger twitch, headaches, depression, a few strange dreams, and trouble concentrating. I still have constant pain down my lower leg and occasional hip pain and a tingling big toe. Presently on my second round of cortisone epidural injections. Walking more than 400 ft with support is agony. Do I recommend Lyrica? Yes. Everyone's reaction to this medication is going to be different. For myself, the benefits, although not as great as expected, outweigh the side effects."

• Emz...
• June 28, 2017

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Was put on pregabalin for severe anxiety and panic attacks. Slowly got the dose up to 300 mg per day, spaced out into three 100 mg doses. I felt better for about a week-then back to an anxious wreck. Pregabalin makes me seriously tired, I can sleep throughout the whole day. I feel a little detached from others and spaced out often. Really don't like the effects it has on me, but scared to stop taking it now! Also have suffered severe oral thrush and acid reflux since starting the meds. I know it works well for others, so maybe it's just not the right med for me! Just to add, I also take 40 mg citalopram alongside pregabalin."

• cur...
• October 2, 2010

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "The side effects were too hard to tolerate for me to continue to take it for more than a couple of months. Nausea, dizziness, headache, upset stomach, and a terrible skin reaction that left many scars on my entire body are in addition to the mental slowness, confusion, and increased depression suffered while taking Lyrica."

• Den...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2018

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed pregabalin to help with nerve pain from degenerative disk disease/sciatica. Initially, the drug worked really well, however, within a few weeks, I became more tolerant and eventually, they did nothing for my pain at all. By week 6, I was well and truly hooked on pregabalin and became confused and depressed. Sleep deprivation added to my zombie-induced state, I suffered paranoia and was constantly down. Eventually, after a failed suicide attempt, I was given an immediate change of medication, the transformation was unbelievable, and all previous side effects started to disappear instantly. The withdrawal symptoms from pregabalin were horrific. I endured stomach cramps, severe diarrhea, night sweats, and weight loss, they lasted about 5 days."

• bra...
• April 14, 2010

Pregabalin for Fibromyalgia "With Lyrica, although some of the fibromyalgia pain was reduced, I found myself with increased depression and water weight gain, which only made the fibromyalgia worse. Discontinued after 60 days and nearly 20 lbs. Depression lightened, however, the weight has been hard to lose, having so much pain from the fibro. Baclofen has been one medicine that has 'helped' with minimal side effects. Please come up with something without the side effects!"

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Got prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and restless leg syndrome. Well, it helped those two for 3 months, but after that, I became tolerant to it, and it did nothing! I was dizzy, a zombie, and had pain in my abdomen/testicles/back. Like someone squeezing my testicles! I know it sounds funny and weird, but how else do I describe it? So I quit. Then came the worst withdrawals ever!!! This was not right! I hope those pharmas ban this medication, seriously, the withdrawals never end. I shake, and become weak, sad, panicked, and have a lot of other horrific symptoms, it never ends!!! Just 3 months of use and going into withdrawals. Sounds like a trap to me! They tried to trap me in this medication, it seems."

• Kdi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2018

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "I have back pain from facet joint synovial cyst thoracic spine. I had an injury a year ago. Tried everything, and nothing helped. Neurosurgeon suggested surgery (endoscopic). I have nerve pain and also bone pain. I had been on Lyrica 150 for two months, which I know is not a huge dose, but for me, it is because I am really skinny. It helped a little for nerve pain and nothing for bone pain, back pain, only this radiating pain, but it made me depressed, and when I was on it, I was like a zombie with memory loss. It didn't do much for me."

• 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."

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2022

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Was prescribed Lyrica for nerve pain from a spinal injury. About 3 weeks later, I had issues with depression and thoughts about suicide. Pay attention to how you feel and don't dismiss it if you start feeling 'down.'"

• Sui...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 16, 2022

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Causes suicidal thoughts! I've been on this for 10 years, I have gone from 75 mg to 600 mg a day. I can confirm that the drug causes suicidal thoughts and depression. I literally spend two hours a day thinking of ways I can end my life. I am aware that it's the drug, so I am aware not to act on it. No previous history of depression or mental illness. It's definitely the medication. Be very careful. The drug works wonders for nerve pain. It also causes impotence and no more sex drive, gone. This is a genuine review, and I warn all parents, especially to inform your kids about the possibility of this symptom. The suicidal thoughts are intrusive and feel totally justified in my mind, but I can tell that it's just the medication, others may not realize this."

• 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."

• fit...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 14, 2022

Pregabalin for Neuralgia "It's not a miracle drug for me. It doesn't help the actual problem area (chronic lower back pain, the right side of my lower back), but it stops the pain from radiating to my legs. I have been taking this for over 5 years with little to no side effects, but my doctor recently titrated me up too quickly in order to steer me away from Tylenol. When my doctor told me he was increasing it, I asked him if it was still OK because I am on other meds that interact with Lyrica, and he said yes. Well, the jump from 200 mg per day to 300 mg has not gone well. I feel so doped up. I feel like I've been hit by a truck, I want to fall asleep right here at my desk. Being so tired is making me feel stupid, moody, and irritable. Be careful with this one, and demand that your doctor titrate you slowly."

• Dow...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2018

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Been on Lyrica for 6 months or so, and I did get quite a bit of relief from it. I have had peripheral neuropathy now for 12 or 13 years and have been on all kinds of meds. I take methadone 10 mg 4 times a day and was on Lyrica 150 mg 3 times a day. I could not tolerate this drug very well at 450 mg a day, as it made me swell up in my feet. So now I take two 150 mg. And now my swelling is gone, but I am back to having dark thoughts and feelings of dread. Depressed, I don't know whether to hang in there because it does help with the pain or maybe get changed to something else."

• Dow...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2018

Pregabalin for Neuropathic Pain "Been on Lyrica for 6 months or so, and I did get quite a bit of relief from it. I have had peripheral neuropathy now for 12 or 13 years and have been on all kinds of meds. I take methadone 10 mg 4 times a day and was on Lyrica 150 mg 3 times a day. I could not tolerate this drug very well at 450 mg a day, as it made me swell up in my feet. So now I take two 150 mg. And now my swelling is gone, but I am back to having dark thoughts and feelings of dread. Depressed, I don't know whether to hang in there because it does help with the pain or maybe get changed to something else."

• Her...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2018

Pregabalin "Had horrid back pain due to collapsed disks and 14 areas of severe stenosis. Pre-surgeries on Neurontin, works for some, but negatives outweigh positives. After 3 back surgeries in a year, tried Lyrica, I thought Neurontin was bad, Lyrica was 100x worse for me. I had never had a depressed day in my life until Lyrica. Extremely dark thoughts, twitching, no sleep, sweating, gas, heart racing, all for little to no benefit. I hope it works for some people, but my suggestion is tread carefully. The makers understate the serious side effects. I generally have few Rxs I can’t take, but these GABA meds are not for me."